#otp: through every road of every map

[themculibrary]

Camp/Camping Masterlist

And I Would Drive 500 Miles (ao3) - Nickies_Nonsense steve/tony, harley/peter N/R, 10k

Summary: After endgame Tony decides the team needs a break from saving the world. What follows is a two week long road trip told through the eyes of each avenger. Sam doesn’t know if being stuck in the car for two weeks counts as a break. Steve wants to give Harley a shovel talk. Peter is just happy to be there. Team bonding, cuddling, and lots of really bad singing ensues.

- Thor’s road trip snacks - a mixed playlist with all the avengers favorite songs - a team of underpaid babysitters

A Particular Style (ao3) - sinuous_curve steve/tony E, 3k

Summary: “The erotic tale of one camp counselor’s descent into lesbian madness?” Toni rattles off the summary, pressing the back of her hand to her forehead in a swoon that Steph can’t see. “I can’t fault your taste. It was always one of my favorites.”

Bunk Cuddles and Campfire Kisses (ao3) - WaywardKeener harley/peter T, 776

Summary: Peter and Harley are bunkmates.

Camp Counsellors (ao3) - accidentallyonpurpose steve/tony T, 1k

Summary: Based off the prompt: Imagine your OTP as counselors at a summer camp who sneak off when all the kids are asleep to go make out.

Camping (ao3) - camwolfe steve/bucky G, 2k

Summary: They go camping. Steve loves it, Bucky doesn't.

Camping (ao3) - Narsil5 G, 1k

Summary: “Are you ok Mr. Stark?” Peter asked, laughing his head off.

“No. I have been beaten by a tent. A tent.” Tony said, trying to untangle himself. Peter just snorted and watched with some degree of amusement.

“What, no pop culture references?” Tony asked, lying on his back with his legs still entangled.

“You’ve fallen and you can’t get up.” Peter said calmly, drinking some water.

“Isn’t that from a senior citizens’ ad?”

“I am taking nothing back.”

Camping and Ghost Stories (ao3) - WaywardKeener harley/peter T, 1k

Summary: Peter is terrified of ghost stories. Luckily he has Harley to protect him from the nightmares.

Camping Blues (ao3) - chvotic G, 7k

Summary: Vomit splattered onto the ground as he tumbled outside into the darkness, but most of it went down his front and soaked his sweater and pants.

Inside the tent, Flash could be heard complaining. “Ew, ew, EW! Oh my god- he fucking puked on me!”

Or, in which, Peter gets sick on his school camping trip.

Half Dome (ao3) - spiderfire steve/bucky G, 1k

Summary: Steve, Bucky, Clint and Sam go on a camping trip. Steve and Bucky get up early one day and take a hike.

roasting s'mores by the campfire (ao3) - haveufoundwhaturlookingfor sam/bucky G, 714

Summary: Sam and Bucky are joining Clint and Kate on a camping trip. When Sam gets cold, Bucky lends him a sweater.

Into the Woods (ao3) - Tonight_At_Noon bucky/darcy M, 4k

Summary: A rivalry born in the snowy New York winter comes to a head every summer at a camp in southern Virginia.

I Remember You (ao3) - AlyKat clint/phil T, 11k

Summary: Prompt: Imagine your OTP meeting as kids at a summer camp and becoming best friends. At the end of the summer, they are sad because they think that they will never meet again. Imagine them as teenagers, going back as camp counselors and falling in love.

I seem good on the surface (ao3) - whothehellisbuckles sam/bucky G, 3k

Summary: When Sam came home in the spring, he did everything he was supposed to: made a routine, spent time with loved ones, kept himself busy, and didn’t talk about it. Now it’s the end of summer, and Sam’s afraid he lost himself somewhere along the way.

Showing Up (ao3) - Bear_shark sam/bucky G, 6k

Summary: Sam, Bucky, and Steve lead their scout group on a weekend camping trip. Shenanigans ensue.

Or: Sam bonds with his son and realizes he has feelings for another troop leader.

Stuck(y) In the Woods (ao3) - FluffySax steve/bucky M, 27k

Summary: “They wouldn’t have just left, right?” Steve asked.

“They can’t be far, if they did leave,” Bucky spoke softly.

“Do you even know which way to go? I don’t have a compass, map or phone on me.”

“I…I don’t know, Steve.”

Fucking great. Steve was stuck in a forest he didn't know, with a guy he didn't know and only one tent and one sleeping bag. Really fucking great indeed.

Cue Steve and Bucky going on a school trip, getting lost in the woods, lots of fluff and two boys growing intimate faster than either one would have thought it possible.

summer has never been more good (ao3) - OhHelloFandoms123 sam/bucky T, 1k

Summary: Bucky and Sam work at a Summer Camp where they educate and do activities with greasy teenagers, little did they know their feelings for each other have grown.

Tonight, You're Fuel For My Fire (ao3) - JustLuckyStan bucky/steve/natasha/sam E, 7k

Summary: He's quite pleased with how things have come along, but knows now is the time to ask the most important question of the evening.

"I'm ready to move this party to the huge king in our bedroom, but I want to make sure everyone is on board."

Bucky just smiles against his lips, breathing a soft yes that has the smile returning to Steve's face. Sam offers a hearty salute, and Steve swears he hears a Hallelujah choir playing somewhere in the distance when Nat stares right at him and flashes that smirk that has had him hooked from the day they met.

"Guess we're all in."

Who Likes Nature, Anyways? (ao3) - Writer_Lethogica sam/bucky T, 1k

Summary: Nine Short Dates with Sam and Bucky, Date Three: Camping

EXCERPT:

“I think I went camping twice before going into the air force,” said Sam, helping set up the camp fire, “Once, it was two steps away from glamping, I think. My Tití – she got huge tents with mattresses like this, she brought a portable TV, one with a built in VCR, and a little generator, let Sarah, Gideon, and I eat Slim Jims and watch Die Hard as she made popcorn. The second time, I was on some trip with friends in college and it was probably the worst night sleep I had before I got into the army. It was a complete disaster. Didn’t pack the right kind of food, the tent was run over by another car when we were out on a hike, just bad experience all around.”

“Someone ran over your tent when you were on a hike?” asked Bucky, his eyebrows raised, “They could have run you over.”

“I know, right?” said Sam, the sun crawling behind the mountains in the distance, Bucky sparking the fire, “Lucky we weren’t taking an afternoon nap or something.”

[atypicalacademic]

To The Strand

Title from Hozier’s “From Eden”

Words: 1.9k

Warnings: mentions of memory loss

Chun Yu Jun x  Edayil Thangam Maitreya

*

Determined to find her sibling on her own terms, Thangam seeks the help of a young mercenary.

*

The mercenaries sitting guard at the entrance to the medic’s tent sent only a cheerful greeting and a sly smile her way as Thangam stormed past them, only one of them setting down their drink with a frown, though they raised no objection when she paid no heed. There was nothing unusual, after all, despite the oddness of the hour, about the surgeon’s assistant stopping by for a quick visit. She’d taken the pains to press damp towels beneath her eyes until their redness faded, waited for her voice to stop shaking, for the tear tracks on her cheeks to dry in the night air.

Letting her eyes adjust to the low light of the fire seeping from outside through a sliver of fabric to faintly illuminate the inside of the tent, Thangam took a cursory look around. Even the sharp instincts of the mercenaries sleeping here had been dulled with sleep and medicine, and nobody stirred, even at the crunch of her leather boots against the gravel, at the briskness of her pace.

Nobody, save for one.

Chun Yu Jun sat up in his bed, alert despite the evident fatigue in his eyes. It was as though out of an old habit that he shifted in his sheets, drawing one knee up to his chest, avoiding the bandages on his left arm. He did not wince as he did, and just as well.

Though the look on his face was quizzical, his smile was- pleasant.

“Doctor E?”

Thangam only threw him a glance of acknowledgement as she knelt by his bedside, set her satchel down. “How are you feeling?”

His smile widened.  “Good as new, really.”

He sounded like it, but she looked him over again, as well as she could in the dim light and distracted by her own trepidation. “We can take these off tomorrow.” She told him, laying his bandaged arm gently by his side again.

“Thanks, Doctor.”

She shrugged. It was her job as much as this- guarding caravans and fighting someone else’s wars, were his.

Sitting back on her heels, Thangam bit her lip. She had practiced this conversation, once, twice, fourteen times, to be exact- before walking into the tent. Though she couldn’t do much to hide her obvious inexperience without lying- she didn’t want to appear clueless. Neither did she think it was fair to leave him clueless, or ask him to tag along with her on a mission uninformed of what it was.

Gods help her, there was no money in this world to make up for what that felt like.

She had to spit it out before the tears returned. She laid the satchel across her lap, clasped her palms over it.

But before she could speak, Yu Jun cleared his throat. “Um.” He hesitated. “If this is- a proposition, I’ve got to tell you-“

“What?” Thangam stared at him, incredulously. Though, on second thought, she really couldn’t blame him. She did come to his bed in the middle of the night, and, given how little he knew, it was only fair that the intent in her eyes could easily be read for something else.

She snorted. The ridiculousness of the situation eased some of the tightness in her chest. “I’m not here to sleep with you, if that’s what you think.”

Yu Jun ducked his head for a moment, his smile turning mischievous. He seemed unperturbed by her frankness.

Even better.

“Oh, good.” He said. “Because it’s the furthest thing in my mind-“

“Naturally.” She retorted dryly. “It’d be a bit alarming to think of it in a medic’s tent.”

He chuckled. “I mean I don’t think of it anywhere. Ever.”

“Fair.” Thangam shrugged, catching a strand of her curly black hair to pin it back into her braid. “But like I said, that’s never been my intention.”

“Then what is?” His gaze seemed to rest for a moment on the flash of her dimple as she twisted her mouth thoughtfully.

“Well, okay, I do have a proposition. Like, of the professional sort.”

Yu Jun’s eyes widened. “Oh?”

“Your contract ended with the skirmish, no?”

He nodded, the last hint of sleep vanishing from his eyes as he leaned forward, attentive.

“I’ll need safe passage to Vesuvia.” She said. “Have you ever been-“

“No, haven’t. Though I have been as far as Nopal, guarding a few caravans. I have a fair idea of the route. Suppose that’s what you’ll need? A bodyguard?”

“Yeah. To Vesuvia, and back- to wherever Doctor Satrinava’s going to be by the time I’m done with my- visit there. They told me they’d let me know.” They’d offered to take her themself, though she’d declined. She’d rather settle this with a fair deal than take them away from their job. “Your expenses will be taken care of, obviously.”

Yu Jun let out a breath, sidling back against the wall as he curled his long legs on the bed. “Just so I know what to prepare for- what’s your business there?”

“I-“ Don’t falter don’t falter don’t falter. Thangam caught her breath, letting it sit in her chest long enough to drown out the lump rising to her throat. “I need to see my sibling. She’s-“   dead-alive-someone-else- “Unwell.”

“Is she in danger?”

“No? I don’t know.” She said it through gritted teeth, sharp with the remnants of the bitterness she’d flung at Asra. A part of her was certain that he didn’t deserve it. That he’d done whatever he done to bring Balam back to life, was something she’d owe him for the rest of her life.

Another part of her, however, resented him for that too. That it was his love, rather than hers, that seemed to have counted. That too, she knew, was unfair. Whatever. She could apologize later.

“She has amnesia. I think. It’s what he told me- her friend who takes care of her.”

Yu Jun fixed her with a keen look. “You don’t believe him.”

Was she that easy to read? Or was he simply that alert? It could be the latter. He’d had just as much need as she did to watch his back. Maybe even more.

“I only believe what I see.” Thangam straightened, squaring her shoulders. “He didn’t tell me any of this for months. Months. He said-“ She sniffed harshly, quelling the emotion rising in her voice. “He said I shouldn’t go see my sibling. That it- hurts her to remember. Just because he’s the magician, and he’s her friend- sure- I-“ She took a deep breath. “I know my sibling better than anyone in the world.”

He doesn’t get to take that away from me. He doesn’t get to take Bibi away from me.

“What if she needs me? I won’t know that till I see her, will I? He doesn’t tell me what to do.”

Yu Jun was quiet for a beat, then another. There was a pensive furrow in his brow, before he shook his head, slowly. “No.” He said all steel and sincerity behind the thinnest veil of softness . “He doesn’t.”

Thangam’s breath left her in a rush. It was an odd kind of relief to be listened to- to be agreed with. But she had no time to dawdle, or savor the feeling. “Good.” She said instead. “We’ll sort out the particulars in the morning. But will this do?” Scooting closer so she could lean against his bed, she flipped open her satchel, holding it up for him to see.

It was significantly lighter than it had been since she’d first set out- but she’d accounted well enough through her travels that the jewelry peeking through their protective coverings were worth a fair bit and then some. The thin strands of silver and platinum reflected like moonlight in Yu Jun’s clever black eyes.

He felt over one of the chains in his deft hands. Then a pair of earrings. The look he gave her held something close to wonder. “Where did you-“

“Technically, I stole them from my parents.” She snapped the satchel back shut, and pulled from the bed to her lap. “Realistically, I’m being compensated.”

To her surprise, Yu Jun lit up and laughed, loud enough that one of his companions grumbled from a nearby bed, and the mercenary guards outside the tent sent coy, quizzical looks their way.

“Oh you’d make good company, won’t you, Doctor E?”

“It’s Thangam, by the way.” She enunciated it all the way through- slow, and calm, and measured. “Edayil Thangam Maitreya. Just so you know.”

He mouthed the name along with her- the fluid vowels stumbling only a little in his thick Macawi accent. He held out his hand, the strength of his grip matching Thangam’s as they shook, his palm broad and callused. “Chun Yu Jun.”

“I know.” She snorted. “I didn’t walk in here having done no research, you know.”

“I bet.” He laughed, good-naturedly. “Been assessing me, Doctor?” The suggestion in his voice was only heightened by the cheeky wink he threw her, and Thangam cursed the faint color rising to her cheeks.

Nevertheless, she persisted. “Yes, actually. I have.”

He gestured to himself with his healthy hand, wiggling his fingers. “And the verdict?”

Thangam fell silent, searching his face as she took stock of her own deductions. He couldn’t be more than two or three years older than her- the boyishness not having quite left his features. There were thin scars running down the planes of his face and arms, betraying experience that exceeded his age.

Even in his recovery, he had been high-spirited- planning and delegating, easily taking a place as one of the ringleaders among the older members of his company.  Likeable- friendly and charming and an undercurrent of stealth, a distinct air of being tactical enough to wiggle out of sticky spots, and make a few friends while he was at it, laughing off the grimness of war, undaunted and level-headed.

There were other things, too, that caught her attention. Black beauty spots flecked across his bright, wheat-golden skin- angular brows like the wings of a bird- a wide, pretty nose, and a dashing, crooked grin. As he moved, his lean muscles shifted beneath the fabric of his shirt, and his mop of black hair fluttered in the night breeze. He was handsome- very handsome, even. She wouldn’t complain, at the very least, of having to see him every day for however many months it may take.

“Favorable.” She rolled her eyes. “Obviously. Why else would I be here?” Briskly, she slung the satchel back around her shoulders. “So I take this as a yes?”

There was a faint flush on his cheeks when he replied. “It’s a yes.”

She tried not to bodily sag at the relief that coursed through her. She did, however, permit herself a dimpled smile. “I’ll draw up a contract in the morning, finer points and all, but for now-“ She cast a glance to the night outside as she got to her feet. “I’ll let you rest.”

Yu Jun relaxed, stifling a yawn as she walked away. “Sleep well, Boss.” Stretching back against the bed, he let his eyes wander over her.

Her tight braid of curly black hair swung around as Thangam did a double take, halting at the entrance. Her fawn skin was darkening to raw honey at the end of the summer- her wide, lovely black eyes held the same quiet self-possession as her smooth, drawling voice. Yu Jun thought he caught another flash of her dimples, though she only sniffed, casting him a withering glance as she flipped her braid over her shoulder. “ ‘Doctor’ would do.”

[all-that-you-can-draw]

OTP Drawing Prompts 47: Road Trip

Person A and Person B arguing over what music to listen to

Person A pulling over on the side of the road so Person B can pee

Person A driving in the wrong direction because Person B read the map wrong

Person A trying to keep Person B awake while Person B drives

Person A trying to concentrate on driving while Person B insists on playing a road trip game ("I Spy", "the license plate game", etc)

Person A and Person B filling their car with snacks and blankets to prepare for their road trip

Person A and Person B running out of gas or getting a flat tire in the middle of nowhere

Person A and Person B exploring a place they've never heard of on the way to their destination

Person A turning the car around an hour into the road trip because Person B forgot something important at home

Person A getting annoyed at Person B for picking up a souvenir in every city they drive through

[natsora]

I posted 3,159 times in 2021

200 posts created (6%)

2959 posts reblogged (94%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 14.8 posts.

I added 4,103 tags in 2021

#mass effect - 1104 posts

#dragon age - 908 posts

#commander shepard - 587 posts

#femshep - 536 posts

#the locked tomb - 199 posts

#f!inquisitor - 197 posts

#cassandra pentaghast - 168 posts

#garrus vakarian - 164 posts

#liara t'soni - 122 posts

#other people's awesomeness - 118 posts

Longest Tag: 136 characters

#there’s absolutely something to be said about desert-type maps which are compact and packed with points of interest to a negative degree

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

Wildflowers

I’m using the @14daysdalovers​ prompt list to write some 500 characters (give or take) fluff for my OTP — Cassandra Pentaghast / Female Inquisitor. 

Lexington Trevelyan, better known as Trev, is my Inquisitor. I’ll be posting all of it onto AO3 when I’ve written it all. If you want to read full length fics about them, you can find it here. 

art by @jubberry​ 

----

Wildflowers smelling of fresh air and sunlight rests on her bedroll. Day after day, they appear. Cassandra has a good idea who is responsible but such a sweet act cannot go unrewarded.

The next day, she hides and waits. Trev appears, holding a fresh bouquet. Cassandra smiles. Trev flushes red when she was discovered. Stepping close, Cassandra takes the flowers from Trev and inhales its fragrance deeply. Slowly, she leans in to press her lips on Trev’s forehead. “Thank you,” she whispers.

36 notes • Posted 2021-02-02 12:48:23 GMT

#4

Yes, new chapter cover art. Art by @sky-ham

Always Been You - Chapter 13

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Trev jerked upright, the echoes of a scream still ringing in her ears. The afterimages of a Rift forming in the middle of a town, right when a street party was taking place, pressed into her mind’s eye. Green, all that green seared into her retinas.

She had to move. It wasn’t safe.

A shriek pierced her ears, forcing her to her feet. Stumbling, she lurched forward, arms splayed out, bracing against furniture and walls. Where she was going, she couldn’t say. All she knew she had to move.

Trev blinked, but she couldn’t rid herself of the Rift searing in her eyes. It froze people in place as cook fires were overturned, fire licked up their clothes, and it burnt them alive. The victims couldn’t even scream. Another larger rip twisted bodies, wrenching bones from sockets, ripping muscles to shreds. Those remained conscious to the bitter end. Guts and blood splattered across the ground.

She shook her head, the images were impossible to clear from her mind. One moment she was walking through the snow covered road, trying to free those frozen, the next she was walking out of her bedroom.

Her throat was raw, her head pounding. Realities bent and weaved like a mirage.

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36 notes • Posted 2021-03-20 01:09:13 GMT

#3

Bulldog - Chapter 1

Art by @seokanori and beta-ing by @ainzaphir

Tags: Violence, Gang violence, tattoo, street fights, nudity, origin story, teacher-student sex, smut, first aid,

Summary: Harry Carlyle, a man, a doctor, an enigma. He joins the Andromeda Initiative as a doctor. He travels 600 years from the Milky Way. But who is he really?

Find out who he is before the man you see now. Trace his story to his earliest days and find out what makes him the person he is now.

Read Chapter 1 on AO3

38 notes • Posted 2021-01-06 11:53:06 GMT

#2

See the full post

56 notes • Posted 2021-06-09 12:21:32 GMT

#1

Always Been You - The Final Chapter

art by @naeviss

22 chapters, 22 weeks, and the story is done. No summary attached for this one. Just the links to the story.

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71 notes • Posted 2021-05-22 01:21:02 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[alice-beaumont-ravenclaw]

A Wonderful Surprise

A/N #1: This is fic #2 of the Brazil series. It was inpired by the ! prompt of the 30 days OTP alphabet challenge as well as Prompt #2 of Fictober 2020 by @hphm-fictober​ . You can find Alice’s outfit HERE, and the suggested music HERE. (Here are Part 1 & Part 2 of the first fic of the series.)

“Alanza told me she would join us here.”

Alice and her friends were standing near the bronze statue of Floriano Peixoto, the second Brazilian president, in the neighbourhood known as Cinelândia. They were surrounded by buildings built in the Beaux-Arts architectural style, which gave the area a certain European cachet with their columns, symmetry, and highly decorative façades. 

“Are you sure about the time?” asked Diego.

“Noon seems like an odd time to meet up,” said Penny, who was wearing a large sunhat.

“That’s what she told me. She said she knew of this place where we could eat lunch close to here, and that it would be simpler to visit the area after,” explained Alice, fanning herself with her map of Rio.

“Olá!” they heard from behind them.

“Alanza!” they exclaimed, running to her.

“How are you? I hope you didn’t wait too long,” she said beaming.

“No, not at all,” said Barnaby, blushing.

“Long enough for us to overheat,” mumbled Tonks and Tulip.

“Oh! I’m so sorry! Come, come. Let’s go and eat. I know this boteco that’s been around since 1921.”

“What kind of food do they serve?” asked Alice.

“Various stuff. You can get pizza, fish, churrasco, feijoada…”

“What are the last two things?” asked Penny.

“Well, churrasco is basically meat barbecued on skewers, while feijoada has black beans, some pork or beef product, and at least two types of smoked sausage and jerked beef,” explained Alanza.

“Black beans, you say?” said Alice. “Well, as I do not want to spend the afternoon passing wind, and that I don’t want to eat something too heavy, I think I’ll stick to pizza.”

“The meat on skewers sounds great,” said Barnaby as they sat at a table under the yellow awning. 

After a hearty meal, they headed to the Theatro Municipal, a theatre that borrowed from the Parisian Opéra Garnier’s architectural style. The roof was a vibrant shade of turquoise, and the central dome was adorned with a majestic golden eagle.

“Can we go inside?” asked Andre, using his hand to shade his eyes from the sun.

“Unfortunately, no. We can only go in to see a performance or if we are part of a tour, which were all full when I checked,” replied Alanza.

“Too bad. It looks really nice from the outside, would have loved to see the inside,” said Alice.

“Oh, I doubt it compares to the Paris Opera,” said Alanza. 

“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never been inside the Opéra Garnier.”

“What? But don’t you have family in Paris?” asked Tulip.

“I do, but it’s not like the law mandates us to go inside the Opera every time we’re in town. I walked past it when I’ve been to the Galeries as a kid, but until last summer, I hadn’t been to Paris after Jacob’s disappearance.”

“I wonder if this one has a ghost, like the one in Paris,” said Penny.

“A ghost?” asked Barnaby and Charlie as they started to walk past the theatre.

“A phantom, actually. This French author wrote a story at the beginning of the century about a Phantom haunting the Opéra. It turns out that the Phantom is a deformed man named Erik. An excellent musical was made based on this story. I honestly could listen to the soundtrack over and over again,” said Alice, softly sighing.

“So, where are we heading next?” asked Tonks as they strolled through Largo da Carioca.

“Igreja São Francisco de Penitência. It’s a church. The interior is really impressive,” said Alanza.

“Where is it?” asked Diego.

“Right there,” replied Alanza, pointing to a building up a small hill.

“Doesn’t look super impressive from the outside,” said Andre.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover, Andre,” said Alice, nudging her friend on the shoulder.

“Oh, sweetheart, everyone judges books by their cover. Why do you think I put so much importance in my outfits, as well as yours?”

“Believe me, the exterior doesn’t do justice to the interior,” said their Carioca friend as they made their way up the stairs to reach the church.

When they finally made it inside the church, they were greeted by exquisite gilded carvings on the walls and altars, as well as magnificent paintings on the ceiling depicting the glorification of Saint Francis in a Baroque illusionist style.

“Wow,” simply said Andre, his mouth ajar.

“So much gold,” said Tulip.

“Good thing we didn’t bring Jae. He’d be salivating,” said Tonks.

“He’d probably try to take something to sell it,” said Penny as she removed her hat.

“Come on. He’s not that bad,” said Alice as she looked at the ceiling.

“Are you so sure of that?” asked Charlie, raising an eyebrow as he glanced at Alice.

“Well… Ok, maybe not, but he mostly deals in magical contraband, so I don’t think he would see anything here worth selling,” admitted Alice.

“I wouldn’t put it past him to still try and make a quick buck from something here,” whispered Diego.

“Is it common for Muggle churches to be covered in gold?” asked Barnaby.

“Can’t say I’ve ever seen a Catholic church with so much gold. Russian Orthodox churches have their fair share, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen this amount of gold in a church,” said Alice, looking around. 

“How do you know so much about churches?” asked Diego.

“I’ve seen some when I travelled with my parents when I was a kid. Even if you aren’t religious, churches can be of cultural interest, as artists were often commissioned to paint and decorate them to show how grand and powerful the Church was,” explained Alice.

“And if you didn’t already know, Alice is in Ravenclaw,” said Tonks, Alice sticking out her tongue at her.

“Hey, where did Charlie go?” asked Andre.

“He’s right…” started saying Alice as she looked beside her, only to see no one was standing there. She turned on herself trying to spot her boyfriend, to no avail.

“Hum, I think he went outside,” said Diego. “He found it stuffy in here.”

“Why didn’t he tell me? I should go with him,” said Alice. 

Before she could turn around, Diego wrapped an arm around her shoulders and guided her further inside the church. “Come on; I’m sure he wouldn’t want you to miss all the art in here.”

Alice gave Diego a suspicious look, furrowing her brows, before glancing behind her. She figured that if Charlie had wanted her to be with him, he would have told her. She shook Diego’s arms off of her shoulders and joined the girls at the altar, where Tulip was busy imagining Dennis getting married to the love of his life. Once they were done visiting the church, they went back outside, where Charlie was waiting for them in the shade.

“Are you ok?” asked Alice as she ran up to him.

“What do you mean?”

“Diego told us you went out because you felt it was stuffy in the church…”

“Oh! Yeah, I just needed some air, but I’m perfectly fine now.”

“Glad to hear you’re feeling better, mate,” said Andre as they made their way down the stairs.

“Ok, next up is a sweet treat: pastéis de nata. And it will give us the chance to relax a bit and step away from the heat,” said Alanza.

“Hum, actually, you guys can go ahead. We’ll join you later. There’s something I want to show Alice,” said Charlie, taking Alice’s hand.

She looked up at him, her cheeks turning pink.

“Ok, you two have fun!” said Diego as he guided the rest of the group away from the couple.

“We’ll be at the Confeitaria Colombo!” shouted Alanza as Alice and Charlie walked away.

They left the street they were on, taking a narrow road to lead them to the larger Rua Sete de Setembro.

“Where are you taking me?” asked Alice as she let Charlie lead the way.

“You’ll see,” simply replied Charlie.

“Is it what you and Diego were talking about yesterday?” asked Alice.

Charlie stopped in his tracks and looked at her. “What are you talking about?”

“Diego was looking for you yesterday before lunch, and he went straight to talk to you when I told him where you were. Also, you two looked like you were cooking up some plan last night at dinner,” said Alice as they started walking again.

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” replied Charlie, avoiding Alice’s gaze.

“Ah! I knew it! You were planning something with Diego!” said Alice as they turned into a small deserted street next to an old theatre. “Seriously, where are you taking me?” she said, looking worriedly around.

They crossed a plaza and stopped in front of a building built in limestone that looked like a church. Four statues were on the façade: one on each side of the building, and the other two were on each side of the door. Before she had time to read what was written at the top of the building, Charlie took both of her hands and made her look at him. 

“Close your eyes,” he said, smiling.

Alice looked at him, skeptically.

“Please,” he pleaded.

She furrowed her brows, smiling lightly as she closed her eyes after removing her sunglasses. He waved a hand in front of her closed eyes to make sure she wasn’t looking. He gently took her hand and guided her inside the building.

“You can open your eyes now,” said Charlie as he stood behind her.

Alice opened her eyes and what she saw rendered her speechless. Three floors of walls covered in books. A magnificent chandelier dangled from the ceiling, which also had a skylight in iron structure. The intricate details of the wooden frame of the library’s galleries were sublime. Alice felt like she was in a dream. Sure, Hogwarts’ library was big, but it was dark, a little gloomy, and unwelcoming; Madam Pince having a lot to do with that last impression. This library was luminous. The blue walls contrasting with the wood’s darkness and the touches of gold on the wood contributed to Alice’s warm feeling as she stood in this great library.

“Oh, Charlie,” whispered Alice, turning around, the skirt of her dress twirling as she did so. 

“You like it?” asked Charlie as Alice wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Like it? I love it!” she said before kissing him on the lips, her straw hat falling backward.

Charlie placed his hands on her waist, closing his eyes as he leaned into the kiss until he realized something. He opened his eyes and cleared his throat.

“What?” asked Alice as she took a step back.

“Hum… there are people around…” whispered Charlie, looking around the room.

Alice turned her head, noticing some people looking at them as her face grew hot.

“Sorry,” she mouthed before looking back at Charlie. “Let’s take a look around,” she whispered as she grabbed her hat from the floor.

They walked around the bookcases on the ground floor, looking at all the old books’ spines. They didn’t dare touch any, as they felt the gaze of the librarian on their back.

“I guess every library comes with a Madam Pince,” whispered Alice.

“I guess kissing in a library won’t get you on the librarian’s good books,” said Charlie, looking behind him. “Anyway, it’s not like we can read anything here. Everything seems to be in Portuguese. We should go back to the others… Alice! What are you doing?”

Alice held a book in her hand while holding her wand over a page with the other. “Shhh, be quiet. It’s just this book had ‘Contos de fadas brasileiros’ written on it.”

“But it’s in Portuguese! And your wand…”

“I need it to use a translation spell Rowan taught me.”

“Taught you? When?”

“Well, she didn’t actually teach it to me in person. I just found it on a note in a book she read,” explained Alice as she read the page her wand was hovering over.

“Quick,” said Charlie, as he looked behind them, “the librarian is coming.”

Alice closed the book and promptly replaced it on the shelf as she surreptitiously slid her wand back into her crossbody handbag. “Obrigada,” said Alice, turning to face the librarian with a sweet smile, her angelic face seemingly calming any worries the librarian had as the couple swiftly left the library.

“That was a close call,” said Charlie once they were outside. “Anyway, what did you say to the librarian?”

“I simply said ‘thank you.’”

“Why?”

“Because it’s polite and one of the few things I can say in Portuguese,” explained Alice as they made their way back to the Rua Sete de Setembro. “Figured something polite, and my sweet face would get her off our backs.”

They leisurely made their way to the Confeitaria Colombo, holding hands and talking about their vacation so far. As they approached it, they saw their friends leaving the restaurant.

“Here are the two lovebirds!” exclaimed Tulip.

“We got some custard tarts to go when we figured you wouldn’t be back in time,” said Penny, holding up a small plastic bag.

“They were delicious!” said Barnaby, rubbing his stomach as he smiled.

“Mate, you have some coloured lip balm on your lips,” pointed out Andre, smirking.

“So I guess Alice liked her surprise,” said Diego, grinning.

Charlie used the back of his hand to wipe off the lip balm as he and Alice blushed.

“Wait, did you two abandon us just to make out somewhere?” asked Tonks.

“What? No! We visited a library!” exclaimed Alice.

“A library? Why would you visit a library instead of eating custard tarts? Are you trying to cover up for the fact that you did spend all that time making out?” asked Tulip, her face inches from Alice’s as she looked at her suspiciously.

“No, they did go to a library: The Real Gabinete Português de Leitura, or Royal Portuguese Reading Room,” explained Diego, making Alanza wince at his Portuguese pronunciation. “The two Argentinian girls I spoke to yesterday said it was a really nice place to see, so I told Charlie he should take Alice there.”

“Wait, when you left the church…” started saying Alanza.

“I went to locate the library, make sure I had the right directions,” completed Charlie.

“Aw, all that for Alice… Makes me sick,” said Tonks, sticking out her tongue in fake disgust.

“Jealous,” said Alice, lightly nudging her friend.

“You wish,” replied Tonks, linking her arm with her friend’s. “Now, come on. We’re supposed to go see a royal palace.”

“Actually, it is the Imperial Palace,” explained Alanza as they made their way down the street. “It became the prince regent of Portugal’s residence when he moved here with his family to escape Napoleon’s invasion of Portugal. It is at that time that Rio became the royal seat of power.”

“Bloody French,” said Tonks, smirking as she glanced at Alice. 

“He wasn’t French, he was Corsican, and his ancestors were Italian,” said Alice.

“But he was the emperor of France, no?”

“For, like, ten years.”

“His army was French?”

“Yes…”

“Therefore, I reiterate what I said: Bloody French,” said Tonks, sticking out her tongue.

“Stop bickering, you two,” said Andre. “As long as I get to see a palace, I’m happy.”

“We are not bickering. We are having a friendly conversation,” said Tonks and Alice in unison, making Alanza raise her eyebrows and look around in confusion.

“Don’t ask. That’s how they are,” explained Penny to Alanza, rolling her eyes.

When they finally arrived at the Imperial Palace, what stood in front of them was a white three-storey building in a simple baroque style with a tiled roof. 

“That’s it?” asked Tulip.

“Well, it has its charms,” said Alice.

“There are some details around the windows,” said Penny.

“It is not what Europeans think of when they hear ‘Imperial Palace,’” pointed out Alanza.

“Thank Merlin, you see it too! I mean, it’s lovely, sure, but it’s no Versaille or Buckingham. Please tell me it’s like that golden church, and the interior is grand,” said Andre with pleading eyes.

“Unfortunately, no. It was stripped at the end of the 19th century and became a central mail office. It mostly serves as a cultural center nowadays, with temporary art exhibitions.”

“Then why is it called the Imperial Palace?” asked Barnaby.

“Because when Brasil became independent, it became the Império do Brasil, or Empire of Brasil,” explained Alanza. “When it was the Portuguese royal family’s residence, it was known as the Royal Palace. Before that, it was the house of the Governor.”

“How come you know so much?” asked Tulip.

“She’s from around here,” said Diego.

“Alice, you live in London. Do you know who first lived in Buckingham Palace?”

“Hum, no?”

“See! I live in London as well, and I don’t know the history of any buildings, except the Tower of London because executions,” pointed out Tulip. 

“Alright, when Alice told me you wanted to visit the historic part of Centro, I may have studied up on my Trouxa history. The map I have with me is full of my notes,” she said, showing the scribbles on her map.

“Trouxa?” asked Barnaby.

“People who can’t do magic.”

“Ah! We call them Muggles,” said Charlie.

“So, as much as standing in the sun learning about cultural differences is fun, what is next?” asked Penny.

“Well, that’s pretty much it. Next up for you is to head back to the hotel to relax, so you are ready for tomorrow’s hike,” said Alanza.

“Hike?!” said Alice and Penny.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have any outfits that are intended for nature,” said Andre.

“I was actually planning to go to the National History Museum tomorrow, since it’s free on Sundays,” said Alice.

“Says the rich girl,” said Tonks.

“Rich people are notoriously cheap,” replied Alice.

“But I don’t want to go to a stuffy museum,” complained Tulip.

“We can separate for the day. You guys can go hike in nature, while Penny, Andre, and I go to the museum.”

“Will there be dragons on that hike?” asked Charlie.

“Charlie. Always asking the important questions,” said Diego.

“Hum, no, sorry,” replied Alanza.

“Meh, then I’ll go to the museum with Alice.”

“Are you sure? There won’t be any dragons in the museum either,” said Alice.

“No, but you’ll be there,” replied Charlie, making Alice blush.

“Ok! I think this is our cue to head back to the hotel before those two start snogging in front of the palace,” said Tulip as she ran towards the street to hail two cabs.

“Well, see you tomorrow then! Tchau!” said Alanza waiving to the group as they joined Tulip.

A/N #2: Hope you enjoyed it! Next up: the museum, where I will describe every single exhibit they see... Joking. Anyway, just wanted to let you know something regarding the Imperial Palace. So, in the fic, Alanza said they interior is rather ordinary, it’s mostly based on pictures of the interior. According to Culture Trip, “in 1980 it was restored to its former glory with the interior replicated to how it was in the 19th century.” Unfortunately couldn’t find any information regarding the current state of the interior.

[avaantares]

Imma rant for a minute. (This is me being critical of a thing, so if you’re eschewing negativity right now, feel free to scroll on past.) :)

Sooooo I took a break from replaying FFVII:R tonight (last night, by the time this posts) to watch the stream of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies, a show I already knew to be terrible (but hey, you can't argue with free musicals, right?). Long before the musical opened, I’d read The Phantom of Manhattan, the book it’s based on, and that was... like... Hmm. Think of a bad fanfiction you've read. I mean a really bad one, one that gets every single character wrong, has the stupidest of stupid fiction tropes, includes ridiculously contrived scenarios to kill off characters and weird medical "science" and historical inaccuracies and a totally implausible plot, all mashed together just to reinforce someone's OTP which was kind of an unhealthy relationship to begin with and got considerably more unhealthy in this story, AND it includes a lengthy author’s note in which the writer bashes the author of the original work his story is based on and explains everything that author did wrong and how it should have been written, using examples from the fic writer’s own work to demonstrate.*

Then picture that as a $24.99 hardback.

So I knew the general story already, and I'd seen a couple of clips from the stage show, and from what I remembered it was all pretty forgettable. But like I said, free to watch, right? Nothing to lose but a couple of hours.

Oh. My. Goodness. I was not prepared for the full experience. It's like Phantom of the Opera and Cats had a (secret) baby that got shoved in a blender with all of circa-2004 Fanfiction.net and then pasted back together by a YA fiction editor’s intern. Despite a truly exceptional cast and some strong visual and set design, it wavered between cringe-y and I’m-going-to-hurt-myself-laughing levels of bad.

Mind you, it’s still better than the book, in which (SPOILER ALERT if anyone cares, which you probably don’t because if you’re the type of fan who would, you’ve probably already seen the show) Christine’s son is not the byproduct of a willing affair she had with Erik after she became disillusioned with her marriage, but was conceived after he kidnapped her at the Opera House, and... let’s just say consent was dubious, at best. (IIRC she was “half swooning” and not entirely aware of what was happening.) Also there’s some nonsense about Raoul being impotent from a war wound and never having consummated their marriage... But broadly speaking, the story is the same as the musical -- by which I mean it completely negates everything good and symbolic and meaningful about ALW’s Phantom of the Opera, to which the book was as much a sequel as it was to the original Gaston Leroux novella.

Love Never Dies fails as a sequel for a number of reasons: Every character you liked in the original? Assassinated. Raoul, who was willing to sacrifice his life for Christine in POTO, is now an abusive, alcoholic wastrel who has gambled his family into crippling debt. Christine cheats on her husband with a guy who has made a habit of kidnapping and threatening her, and who has actually murdered a number of people. Meg, Christine’s dearest friend and confidante, is now a washed-up burlesque dancer who -- again, SPOILER ALERT -- tries to kill first Christine’s son, then herself, then finally succeeds in killing Christine. The broadest take-home message of POTO, that kindness and love can heal even the deepest wounds, is undercut by these dramatic character reversals. Even the show’s title anthem “Love Never Dies” is contradicted by the love triangle at the center of the plot. Maybe love never dies, but that doesn’t stop Christine from cheating on her husband, Raoul from walking out on his wife and son, Erik from threatening to kill Christine’s child if she doesn’t do what he wants, Meg from betraying and murdering her best friend... yeah, let’s not take relationship advice from this group. 

But beyond that, LND is just bad structurally. The Phantom’s opening number builds up to be a “Music of the Night”-style anthem -- a dubious choice, since it makes everything he sings for the next half an act feel flat by comparison. Then we go into a surreal Coney Island segment for a while, then a bunch of really awkward dialogue exposition gets crammed in, and then twenty minutes into the show we finally meet Christine and her family, which kicks off the actual plot. The pacing is uneven. The tone is all over the map, too, bouncing between Phantom-like operatic ballads and Jesus Christ Superstar-esque carnival rock numbers. (All of which, I have to say, the Melbourne cast knocked out of the park. The vocal performances were definitely not a weak spot in this production.)

While I really like a lot of Andrew Lloyd Webber's stuff -- I've seen a number of his shows on stage, some of them three or four times -- his titles seem to be hit-or-miss. For every Phantom, there's a Whistle Down the Wind. Some of that isn't his fault; a mediocre lyricist or book writer can do a lot of damage, even with good music. This musical had two lyricists and four writers, and it shows. But IMO, this is also not Lloyd Webber’s best work. Apart from the title song, which I’ve heard often enough to know it outside of the show, I can recall the melodies of... two songs? The score isn’t bad, it’s just not as instantly memorable as Sunset Boulevard or Joseph or Phantom. And a weak story plus average music doesn’t equal a great show.

I’m sure I’ve complained more than anyone cares to read, but I have one final rant about something that caused me to startle my dog by making some very screechy noises: When Christine arrives by ship, the Phantom sends a horseless carriage to pick her up at the pier. Mind you, this scene is specifically stated to take place in New York in 1905. The crowd of onlookers is utterly SHOCKED by a vehicle that moves by itself. “There are no horses!” someone exclaims. "How does it work?"

Apparently all four of the credited writers slept through history class, and also couldn’t be bothered to Google a photo of New York at the turn of the century. Automobiles have been around since the 1880s, and by 1905, New York had so many cars on the streets that the New York Supreme Court had to hand down a ruling guaranteeing that horse-drawn transportation still had the same right-of-way as motorized vehicles, because the motorists didn’t want to share the road. Heck, my own great-grandfather owned a car by 1895! Glaring, easily-avoided errors like this jar me so far out of the story -- even good stories, which this one wasn’t -- that they actually bother me more than other, more significant failings. At least do your basic research, people. Use Google. Grrr.

Anyway, I’m just rambling now because I can’t sleep and I'm on prescription narcotics for pain and my dog is tired of listening to me grumble. Don’t mind me; I’m not actually this negative in real life. 😅

----------------------------------------------------

* I am not exaggerating. In the foreword, author Frederick Forsyth bashes Gaston Leroux and gives examples from his own works to explain how Le Fantôme de l'Opéra could have been written better. Like. DUDE. NO.

That book went straight into the donation box the moment I was done reading it. When Love Never Dies came out, I briefly regretted getting rid of it, but then I remembered how bad the story was and stopped feeling bad.

[silversoulstardust]

Here to answer @olyollyoxenfree ‘s curiousity ;) Pardon for being late at it always cuz I prefer doing this on my laptop than on my phone

1.    Are you a content creator? If you are, what medium, and what does your work space look like? (Also, because I’m stupidly curious, which work(s) are you most proud of?)

Yes. Currently I write fanfic and paint traditional canvas art. I go by Monochromevelyn on AO3 (mind you, my English is barely alright and I ain’t got no time to find beta lol) and even though it didn’t get as many kudos compared to my other Haikyuu works, I’m proud of Somebody You Loved. Oh, and I’m stupidly proud of my free-hand drawing/painting of the Wings of Freedom! I don’t have a designated workspace so it’s just my laptop and my foldable Japanese table; me sitting crossed leg on the floor of my bedroom with scattered paint tubes and brushes on the floor, working on my project of the day.

 2.    What are some of your favorite activities for your favorite season?

Lol I come from a tropical country and we don’t have your typical 4 seasons. Our 4 seasons are: haze season, durian season, dengue season, monsoon season. My favourite is monsoon season because I love playing in the rain, baybeee!

 3.    Can you cook and/or bake? What’s your go-to to make (or what’s your favorite food to get, if you don’t cook or bake)?

I like both! But I’m better at cooking compared to baking, only because I’m kinda impatient. My go to food is Bolognese pasta, but make it spicy lol (Italians please don’t judge me)

 4.    In a game of Truth or Dare, are you more likely to pick truth or dare?

Dare. It’s more fun that way ;p

 5.    What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to do? What’s stopping you from doing it?

Leave my current life behind and move across the world where people don’t know me, preferably somewhere by the beach. I’ve been thinking about Fiji a lot lately. Not running away or anything, I just hate the thought of being another cogwheel in this big capitalist machine. I want a simple life. I’m not doing it (YET) because I want to complete my postgraduate study first to become a specialist so I have that leverage to move across the world. Paper qualification is everything, especially for a professional/high skilled worker like me.

 6.    You’re wandering around in the dark when your hand touches something and the lights come on. What did you touch?

A spider! Luckily there’s a bug spray nearby! :p

 7.    Do you initiate hugs? Do you like being hugged?

I’m a big hugger. I always initiate hug and I love getting hugs. But ironically, when I needed a hug the most I will keep it to myself and cry it out when I’m alone.

 8.    Have you ever spat out or stopped eating something after a few bites? What was it and why?

Yeahhh, not food though, it’s usually drinks. Actually, it’s usually just coffee. I’m picky about my coffee and can’t tolerate terrible ones. Even if I paid 10$ for that cuppa joe I’d still throw it out if it tastes like shit. I’m not wasting calories drinking that terrible milky water with barely any coffee.

9.    Given the opportunity, until what hour would you sleep in? (If you rise with the sun, let’s never sleep in the same room.)

Around 9 or 10am, but I usually like to lie in bed until noon, scrolling through social media feeds. Is that considered early? lol

 10.  Every day until the day you meet, you’re psychically connected to your soulmate (platonic, romantic, whatever) while you’re awake (lord have mercy if you’re halfway across the world from each other). What are you spamming their mind with?

Travel plans! Hahah. I really love travelling and never shut up about it. So it’d be a lot of googled pictures of beaches and cities, maps and travel routes, prices of rented caravan for a road trip, upcoming festivals at each destination and foods to try.

  More questions but this time it’s just for Oly :p @olyollyoxenfree

1.      If you get to start over your teenage years, would you change anything or are you happy with the way things were?

2.      Do you separate your real life from your tumblr life?

3.      Have you ever shown any of your fanfic/fanart to person you know in real life? How did they react to it?

4.      State 2 unlikely facts about yourself.

5.      Ketchup on your fries on ketchup on the side of your fries?

6.      If you were trying to convince your non-anime watcher friend to start watching it, what anime would it be?

7.      Since you came from Florida, what do you think your Florida Man headline would be? :p

8.      Unsolved crimes or aliens?

9.      Name one book you can read over and over again without feeling bored.

10.  An OTP you’re currently obsessed with!

[wackygoofball]

Gwenspiration: The Wacky Version Vol. 1 - The Fanfics

As threatened/promised, I am tooting the horn in a number of posts, following the most kind call of @jaimebrienneonline.

I decided to begin with fanfic as JB fanfiction was my way into the fandom when a kind voice, long time ago, lured me over to the wonderful world which is JBO. And ever since that day I found both my home and my people. 

I am not going in a particular order because like my non-existent children, I kind of love and love to hate all of my fics equally.

But, for matters of scrolling convenience, I will put this list below a cut:

Childhood Friends has a special place in my heart because it is one of the two fics that got me into the fandom, and it is of the rare species of completed Wacky WIPs. The story marked my first tender steps in the canon as I was still catching up on show and book knowledge but got instantly hooked on the JB dynamic and just *had* to write fanfiction about them, albeit not yet knowing just what the frack Westeros even looked like on a map. I simply was intrigued by the idea of how the lives of our OTP may have played out differently if only they had met at a younger age, only to run into one another time and time again over the years, until at last, the circumstances seem to be in their favor. Writing that fic was a challenge because, for one, it got finished, which is incredibly hard for me to to do, and it is a coming of age story of sorts, which is not necessarily what I am used to writing. Nonetheless, it was a project that got me firmly into the fandom, which is why I am always remembering the process (and the writer’s panic) somewhat fondly, and always smile like an idiot when someone finds that old fic of mine and leaves a kudo or even a comment, reminding me of those early beginnings of my JB shipping career.

Choices likely has to be mentioned in the same vein, despite its crucial difference being that it went on a very, very, veeeeeery long hiatus and yet has to awaken (some prince wanting to give it a smooch to maybe bring it back to life? Would be much appreciated!). It was born out of the wish of exploring the infamous what if of Jaime and Brienne already getting intimate while on the road back to King’s Landing - as a matter of necessity/convenience, only for the misfortunate/very fortunate circumstance that Brienne winds up pregnant after their one time together. I enjoyed/would very much to enjoy again to write the character studies on how they deal not just with the issue of parenthood but also with their insecurities regarding their feelings for one another, which inspires more than one ill-made choice (*roll credits*) for either one of them as neither one dares to call love what actually is just that, hiding instead behind missions and honor, parenthood and duty, and fractured pasts that leave them wondering just who they became thanks to each other.

Colour Verses is a series that was born out of my first ever (I believe) JB Appreciation Week. OMG, it’s been so long. The theme of colors really had me inspired, which is why those pieces, which can be read in succession and independently, have a soft spot in my Wacky heart.

The Shredding Project, I believe, deserves an honorary mention despite its utter lack of completion for some of its parts and a happy ending for some of the tales shredded in this part of the fandom. I have a great passion for fairytales and deconstructing them, which inspired this undertaking of twisting and turning aka shredding all those stories into new models to fit Jaime and Brienne into. In fact, the Shredding Project is much larger than it currently is on AO3, as most of the shredded stories still reside in a large, very large Word file on my computer (42 shreddings up to date with a total of 414k words *whispers* 414k mkaaaay, yes I *am* obsessed), and can be found in the respective thread on JBO, where one can read perhaps not an eloquently put-together retelling of favorite fairytales (and some Disney movies) but at least find a conclusion to every story and thus a happy ending, as befits a fairytale.

Bow Down is another story I would mean to include in this list. It came to mean a lot to me personally because I worked my way through it at a time when I was not really having the time of my life for a number of reasons. Thus, finishing that fic did a lot of things for me - and hopefully also with my oh so patient readers. The basic premise is how things would have developed, had Brienne failed to find Sansa and thus fully dedicate herself to the cause of the Blackfish during the Riverrun Siege whose bitterness is clouding his judgment, leaving Jaime in a tough position to choose between his family and the mannish woman he can’t help but care about as much as he does.

A Tale of Spring is one of those fics I wish to include in that already way too long tooting because a) it is a finished story, which is always a rarity in my Wacky world, and b) it is still a kind of headcanon I would have loved to come about in some capacity, as it leaves room for not just happy endings while at the same time giving space for futures to grow for JB as they are cautious to dream of their future past the Long Night, edging on a Dream of Spring.

Paths is one of those stories I am, yet again, very desperate to get back on track with (I mean, it is supposed to lead somewhere, title has it). This story means a lot to me because I just have so much in my head for how this is meant to conclude and just have to get over that one edge to finally ebb into the narrative direction I need this to go (aka follow the path *badum tssssss*). I suppose the story was very much fuelled by my love for G.I. Jane and the dynamic between Jordan O'Neil and John James Urgayle (and Viggo in those short shorts... way too short shorts... damn). At the same time, my aim with this fic is to show not just how tough JB can be and how much ass they can kick together but also how insecure they are beneath the tough surface and how they actually long for something way outside the line of fire.

Train Acquaintances, by contrast, is a rather self-indulgent fic I started to write and was surprised to have found an audience rather fast. I just really liked the theme of trains as a way for two people to meet while at the same time playing with the overly romanticized notion of trains and deconstructing it somewhat. They are a curious means of transportation, to put it mildly. And to then throw in Jaime trying to act smoothly when he is just acting like a dork most of his time was just too delicious to resist. While it’s been a long time (because my computer ate part of a chapter I found really important and that has frustrated me so much, I can’t even tell you), I remain intrigued writing this story because it has a rather distinct mood from what I normally tend to write. And awkward Jaime is just so much fun to write.

Washed Away is one of those fics I am so desperate to get back to that you woudln’t even believe - because it is the one fic most closely tied to the book canon. Its premise is the Lady Stoneheart situation yet to be resolved, wherein Brienne makes a dangerous gamble to save the man she knows is not guilty of the crimes Lady Stoneheart accuses him of, leaving them both to wrestle not just with the dilemmas of this overall situation but also their conflicting vows and feelings for one another.

In the Eyes of the Seven is one of those fics I am yet again very desperate to get back to (yes, I realize I type this sentence far too often, but it is the truth!) but have not yet found a way to bridge between two important plot points, currently creating a gap that keeps me from moving on to the next chapters. It is one of those narrative places where I nerd around freely and explore some mad medley of historical fiction inserted into the history of Westeros, taking up on the runaway nuns of the Reformation period and re-applying it to the Westerosi context by making it about septons and septas instead. While perhaps not a particularly popular story of mine, it is a story I very much enjoy writing as it gives opportunity for lots of introspection, insecurities, and the wish of both characters to break out of the boundaries of the norms set by a static system leaving no room for the likes of the Kingslayer and a woman fancying herself a sword as much as a book or a dress. In general, there are just so many ideas for it inside my head that I really hope to get back on track with that story because there is just so much more I want to tell the readers about in this strange tale.

May the Norns Bind Their Fate strikes a similar tune for me, as I get to gush about my mediocre-at-best knowledge of Norse mythology (albeit a great interest) and yet again change Westeros to my liking to insert the political system of the Viking era into this society (or rather my wacky interpretation thereof). For me, it is both an experiment in terms of perhaps (big perhaps) turning things a bit more heated than I am used to (for Wacky writes no smut, unless it is a literal accident, which only happened, like, once) and diving deep into aspects such as trauma and grief as well as fate and determinacy, since the idea of seers knowing your future has a very distinct appeal in my view, and how knowing one’s “fate” may affect the outcomes of the events. Thus, taking up on the challenge to deal with that in this fic still has me hooked - and I hope I am not the only one.

Last but not least...

An Honorable Man and a Just Woman is a story I am happy to have found an audience because it really gives me something personally to write it. Considering how sadly things played out in the show, I was in dire need of my own little fix-it and have since taken up on the challenge to entertain those questions of what would have changed had Jaime survived, what would be if he were declared King of the Six Kingdoms. Not only does that leave a humbled Jaime trying to find his place in a world he never thought he would see, having seen his ending long before he rode away from Winterfell, but it also leaves him and Brienne with the reality of what it is like to survive when so many died, and how to cope with how they parted and why. And while there are still so many things left unsaid and feelings left unexpressed, one can only hope that those two honorable and just people will eventually find their way around in the new world they are meant to build.

So yeah, I tooted a lot, and I still left out a whole bunch of my weird fanfic children, but those are the ones I feel a great deal of dedication to, even if, admittedly, a lot of them haven’t seen an update in ages. But rest assured, anyone reading this who dared to jump the Wacky train and read along, knowing very well that this strange woman struggles finishing a WIP most of her days, that I am still dedicated to each of those stories (as I am to any story I write). There are simply technicalities and real life not letting me dedicate as much of my time to it as I would need to finally get that final push ahead on a lot of them.

Be it as it may, in the spirit of Glorious Gwendoline Christie, here’s to my shameless self-promotion!

Stay tuned for the next post about the wackiest of Wacky’s wacky creations.

Until then...

Much love! ♥♥♥

[mattness]

Space Dementia

Here we go again, my friends ^^  OTP: Jenniwise   And another chapter of my fanfic! Hope you enjoy IT! :D  //// Chapter IV. "Are you sure that I can get to the airport in Bangor on this wreck?" questioned Jennifer, standing in the garage near the old Audi, which occasionally went grandmother. The car didn't start for the last three years because Christine didn't see the need to go anywhere far. Now the car was covered with a layer of dust and quietly waiting in the wings, and Jennifer very much doubted that it would start at all. She ran her hand over the silver bonnet, noticing the rust on the wing. 

"I already started the engine", smiled Chester, throwing the keys with her daughter, and she somehow managed to catch them. "It remains to pour gasoline, and you can safely get to Bangor." "Somehow I very much doubt it, dad", chuckled the girl and sat down behind the wheel. In the salon it smelled terrible rubber mixed with gasoline. Jennifer wrinkled her nose, placing her hands on the steering wheel and looking through the dusty windshield. She immediately adjusted the rear-view mirror to make herself comfortable. The rear window had to be wiped as well as the front, otherwise the road will not be visible. The girl put the key in the ignition and turned it. As expected, the first time the car engine didn't even think to start. It just rattled piteously, and Jen had to re-turn the key. On this time the motor earned, loudly growling on the whole garage. The brunette smiled, and Chester standing in the garage near the car, a fairly clapped her hands. "Why don't you take it for a couple of blocks?" the father offered, having approached the car from a driver's seat. "You said there was no gasoline", Jennifer recalled and turned off the engine. "In the canister just for road in Bangor. Maybe we shouldn't waste it?" "As you wish", he shrugged. The girl got out of the car and smiled at Chester. He adjusted the glasses on the bridge of his nose and flipped his daughter on nose. "You're so happy to be back in the big city. I thought we'd spend more time together here in Derry. Still, the repair is not finished yet." "I'm leaving only for an internship. You will not notice how the week will fly", assured Jen, hugging dad. "It isn't a fact that they will be taken me there. I'm not ready to write articles about girls’s problems all the time." He laughed, patting his daughter on the back, and looked into her eyes. "Don't doubt yourself and your powers, Jen." "I have no doubt. I'm just sane estimate about my chances." Chester was again pulled her to him and sighed. He still could not accept the fact that his little Jennifer was no longer such. And it was that horrible day when she is forced to leave home to begin an independent life. He knew that sooner or later this day would come, so now it was only necessary to accept. He will be crazy miss her and ask her to come to Derry often. "I'll miss you, Jenni", voiced his own thoughts Chester, tightly clutching her in his arms. "Me too, daddy. But I'll be calling, and I'll be back soon. You'll see", smiled sadly Jennifer and stepped back. "Okay, okay. No more veal tenderness! Let's clean this old lady up." The girl found among a heap of garage trash bucket with a sponge and immediately ran to fill it with water. It turned out that under a layer of dust was hiding a beautiful silver-white paint, and a little later, in the sun, Audi already glistened with purity. Jennifer smiled at her own reflection in the windshield, wiping it with a sponge while his father was at that time a hose was watering the trunk and the roof of the car. She even thought about what this piece of junk now after the water treatment, looked quite passable. On such a machine is not ashamed to appear in Bangor. From her own thoughts Jen snorted. * * *  That evening she packed all the necessary things for the first time in a compact suitcase. MacBook fit in the bag, which was a cosmetic bag and other important things. Then she gathered herself: wearing blue jeans with a black t-shirt, and over it threw a warm red bumper. Quite nodding to her reflection, Jennifer looked out the window. Weather by the evening spoiled, that doesn't surprise Wright. The clouds in the sky were gathering and a strong wind was blowing. Seems, the storm coming, thought she. But even this storm will not prevent her from leaving Derry for an internship to New York. Money for a high-speed train, a ticket which cost three times more expensive than the plane, wasn't at all. So Jen decided to save money and get to Bangor, and there from the airport to fly to New York. The flight will take about the same time as a high-speed train ride. "Are you sure you want to go now?" asked father, as Jennifer has already sat in the car and drove it out of the garage. "Maybe you should wait out the storm?" "It'll be fine, dad", Wright waved, smiling at him. "Here to go something quite nothing." "All right", he sighed, and leaned over to his daughter, who sat behind the wheel, to kiss her cheek goodbye. "Good luck. Call me when you get to the airport.” She nodded and closed the window, gently pressing the gas pedal. The car slowly drove to the roadway and drive away from Derry, yellow headlights illuminating the way. The city was rushing through the window. There were lights everywhere and no one in the streets. Began to drizzle rain, so Jen included "janitors". A pleasant feeling of euphoria did not leave her. The mood was great in such nasty slush. The brunette felt that she was about to start her independent life away from her parents and some stupid obligations. If she initially didn't want to leave father alone in Derry, after a month realized that there is nothing wrong. Jennifer saw how happy he was here. He liked his work and quiet lifestyle. She even didn't interfere in his routine, afraid to break this silence. And now, when the girl left home, he probably will come off in full. He will call his local friends to visit and maybe then be able to find love after a long ten years. Jen really wanted this. Rain gradually intensified, and outside the window began to hear thunder. "Janitors" almost could not cope with the amount of water that continuously flooded the windshield. Jen cursed under his breath, trying to focus on the road. The suburbs of Derry has ended and the car drives on the broad highway along which, every ten meters stood a tall poles with lights and covered the road. But even that didn't help much. Already began a real downpour, and in the sky and then periodically flashed lightning. Jennifer continued to swear under his breath, thinking about what a hell it's like something was trying to keep her in Derry. As if bad weather forced to return back. But to return back already was too far. To Bangor had another half hour of the journey, and machine, to the surprise of the hostess, still driving on the highway without any interruption. It worked almost like new. However, Jen occasionally heard some rattling from under the hood, but it's not enough, for disturbing. Probably some kind of old piece is trying to fall off, but the car was still on the go. Wright quietly concluded that hammering stuff under the hood isn't so important for the operation of the motor. Again rose a strong wind and into the oncoming lane wide highway suddenly a tree fell, breaking a few wires and blocking the path of cars. Several lights immediately went out. A real hurricane started, why Jennifer was seriously scared. She grabbed the phone, which was lying on the passenger seat, and with GPS began to look for the nearest motel or hotel to wait out the storm. The brunette sighed with relief, knowing that the nearest town was quite a bit. Orono was literally one mile off the highway. On the map she immediately found a good hotel, which is located in the center of the village. Throwing the phone to the side, Jennifer turned the steering wheel to the right, and the car turned off the highway. The clock ticked loudly and a unpleasant along with a running "janitors" was terribly annoying her. For an hour drive the mood was spoiled, and the weather outside continued to rage. The machine arrived in Orono and rushed to the three star hotel, which girl planned to wait out the hurricane. However, inside something suggested that she would have to stay in the hotel for the night, because such a storm is unlikely to end in a couple of hours. On top of that, the tank ran out of gas, and the knock in the hood intensified of the car. Coupled with the "wipers" and the hours, too, began to irritate Jennifer. She exhaled with relief, noticing the right sign. Finally, you can take a breath and freshen up, thought the brunette. The car drove into the hotel territory stopping at the entrance. To the surprise of Jen, to the car ran over the doorman with an umbrella and kindly opened the car door for her, holding out his hand. The girl used the help and, having grabbed a bag, together with the man ran in a spacious warm hotel. Even having been on the street just couple of minutes, Wright managed get wet. "Did you reserve a room, miss?"- asked the doorman, removing the umbrella. "No, I would only..." she began her long story, but was interrupted. "We have affordable rooms available. Go to the reception", the young man smiled at her friendly and returned to the front door. Jennifer blinked, staying in a light stupor a few seconds and then followed his advice. The girl immediately looked around. She stood in the middle of a spacious living room, done in warm Reds and golds. For a three-star hotel, the place looked quite good. Under the white ceiling hung a magnificent chandelier, and the floor was parquet and carpets. To the right of the entrance there was an area for tourists, where there were small sofas and chairs with coffee tables. Even now, at nine o'clock in the evening, it was crowded. All sat in phones or watched TV, or read books. To the left of the entrance was a small shop with Souvenirs and other trinkets that would remind you of the arrival at the hotel and Orono. In front of the entrance there is a reception, to which Jen after a couple of minutes of inspection of the lobby confidently went. The same young girl as Wright stood behind the reception and is already warmly smiled at her. Jennifer uneasily smiled and pressed the little call tweaked for the whole hall and attracting the attention of some visitors of the hotel. "Sorry. I always wanted to do that", honestly admitted the brunette. "Good evening. Can I help you?"- politely asked the administrator, pushing the loud bell to the side, away from the new visitor. "I need a cheap room for one night", Jennifer said in a slightly husky voice, but immediately cleared her throat. "Double or single?" "Do you see anyone else here besides me?" said the girl quipped, propping head with hand. The administrator nodded and buried her nose in a computer monitor, starting to look for a vacant room. Jennifer again began to explore the hall, suddenly felt someone looking at her. She tried to find this man among the campers, and her attention was attracted by a young man who immediately looked away. From afar, she could not really see him, so the brunette smiled and turned back to the administrator. "We have rooms from the fifth to the eleventh floor. They all cost 150 $ a night." Jennifer nodded and, selecting a room on the ninth floor, with a backpack and a keycard walked quietly toward the elevator, located at the end of the corridor. Clicking on the call button, she turned round and again looked at the hall. The feeling that someone watched closely, not left her. Elevator arrived, and she confidently set foot in a spacious cabin. * * * As soon as there was an unpleasant ringing at the reception, he immediately distracted from the boring book and looked at the new guest of the hotel. Imagine his surprise when he saw a young girl of twenty-five, soaking wet from the rain and like a child smiling to the administrator. She looked as pitiful as a kitten who was thrown out on the street. Wet black hair stuck to a pretty dark face with freckles, and blue eyes began to explore the luxurious hall. Inside slowly grew so familiar feeling of hunger: still, he has not eaten for several days, and maybe this person is quite suitable for dinner. In his head began to mature brilliant plan to lure another victim, which eventually should end with a good dinner. On his mouth smug smile appeared. However, it instantly disappeared from the face, he took notice how the girl managed to track down his gaze. Only now he realized that he indecently staring at her thinking through every paragraph of his cunning plan. The stranger received a keycard and quickly went to the elevators. He never took his eyes off her. Probably should have found out what floor her room was on. Right now it was worth getting up and catching up to get acquainted and instantly penetrate the unprotected human mind. But he didn't do it. Something stopped, and, dissatisfied with growling to himself, as he buried back into the book. "Mr. Grey", said the doorman, touching his shoulder. "Yes?" "Dinner will be in half an hour. You asked for a warned", explained the hotel employee, and he nodded in response. "The new guests will also be at the dinner?" the left corner of his mouth twitched into a smirk. A man in red uniform followed Grey's gaze, noticing a black-haired girl near the elevators. He smiled contentedly, realizing the true intentions of a wealthy guest of the hotel. "I think so. I can tell her to go down to the restaurant for dinner." "Don't say anything," he waved, drawing attention to the book again. "If she wants, she will come." The doorman nodded and left, continuing his work. * * * Jennifer, taking off her wet clothes, threw on the shoulders of a bathrobe that was in the room. She sat down on a soft double bed, picking up the phone and immediately wrote to his father that she stayed the night in the hotel to wait out the raging hurricane. The answer wasn't long in coming. She smiled, rejoicing that forced dad not to worry. A cozy room with a great view from the window of at a small Orono pleasantly relaxed. The room was warm and dry. The rain outside the window poured like a bucket, the wind howled, and bright flashes of lightning periodically repeated with deafening thunder. It seemed that the hurricane would sweep away everything in its path, and even this is a temporary shelter for Jen. Thoughts about the trip to New York warms the soul, and the dream gradually took possession of the mind. The brunette did not mind to disconnect right now. She don't have to go anywhere anyway. She closed her eyes, making herself comfortable in bed, and preparing to plunge into the Kingdom of Morpheus, but a loud knock on the door disturbed her calm. Jen jumped out of bed and pulling on the face of his most polite smile, already opened the door. On the threshold stood one of the porters of the hotel. His an important kind of a long embarrassed the girl. "What can I help?" she asked, coughing softly in her palm. "Miss Wright, come down to our restaurant for dinner," a smirk appeared on the old man's face and he walked slowly back to the elevators. "Dinner? At half past eleven in the night?" said Jen, looking out into the corridor. "Is that necessary?" "Your dinner has already been paid." The girl raised her eyebrows in surprise, not understanding anything. Was liked her the doorman at the entrance or to the girl-administrator at the reception that some of them decided to pay for her dinner at the restaurant? In any case, Wright was not a fool and miss this opportunity - to eat for free - certainly not going. Slamming the door in the room, the brunette pulled out of the bag dry clothes: regular jeans and a decent white sweater. Looking at the reflection in the mirror, Jen appreciated her appearance: for a restaurant, of course, it was no good. Her black hair still not fully dry, slightly curled and fluffed. She smoothed them over and sprayed them with varnish to avoid sticking out in different directions. Make up the lashes mascara and highlighting the eyes with eyeliner, Jen smiled to herself. Now she can go to a restaurant, she thought. By taking over phone and the keycard, Wright locked the door and go to elevators. In the spacious cabin, except her, went down an old man she didn't looked. The stomach growled for the whole Elevator, causing the girl's cheeks suddenly acquired a pinkish hue. She heard the old man burst out laughing. Finally the cabin was on the first floor, and Jen hopped out of the elevator, stepping confidently in the direction of the restaurant. Before it opened doors, and she again felt, that proved in some very expensive hotel, not in the usual with three stars. Maybe this place has struggled hard to get two more stars to raise the prices of all its services? Stepping on the threshold of a large hall, Jennifer unwittingly opened his mouth. Perhaps, in such places she has visited extremely rarely. Money never be enough for this. The room was slightly dimmed light, and each of the white tables were compact lamps. Somewhere in the background played nice classical music, and the number of people forced Jen to doubt that she was in a small town of Orono. Can be, it all of this dream? Anyway, have this dream a very good start, thought the girl, and sat down at a free table. To her immediately the waiter came, saying that dinner tonight at the expense of the restaurant. Flattered by such attention, Jen smiled and shyly took the menu. While she was choosing her dishes, the waiter filled the empty glass with dry white wine. The brunette looked through the prices of food, realizing that she was very lucky. In her purse was not half of the money for which it would be possible to order at least one dish. "Empty place?" suddenly a pleasant male voice rang out over her ear, and Jen was immediately distracted from the menu. The tall young man smiled at her amiably. His dark brown hair was perfectly combed, black suit emphasized broad shoulders and at the same time terribly beautiful thinness. Large gray-green eyes slowly studied her neat snub nose, nice cheekbones, and plump lips that were meant for kissing. Jennifer blushing, suddenly understanding, that sees in him very similar traits with its former classmate Roy. She swallowed and turned around, looking around. Not wrong by any chance this handsome? All this must be a dream, again thought Jen, embarrassed stronger. "Uh, aren't you at the wrong table?" voiced his thoughts out loud the girl. "No", now the smile on his face was two times more charming. "Can I sit?" "Yup. Please", mumbled red as a lobster Jen nervously he picked up the glass and drank deeply. The man boldly sat down opposite, his hands folded in the lock on the table. He continued to study Jennifer, without ceasing to smile mysteriously. From such turn of events the head of the girl literally went dizzy. She was in a panic, not knowing how to behave with a person who is in financial position stood clearly above her. "And what made you sit at my table? Looking for a one-night stand? So I told you right away that I had the wrong table..." immediately quipped the brunette finally looking into the large eyes in front. "I can't just acquaint with you?" sprinkled with laughter handsome, leaning back in his chair. "For some reason, people, as soon as they find out about my wealth, immediately try to lick my ass. This is terribly annoying, especially if it’s done by females. I hope you're not like that." Jennifer chuckled, shaking her head. She's certainly not the one he meant. Dreams of a rich prince on a white horse or a white Maserati, no matter what, never visited Wright's head. Girl perfectly understood, what wants from life. And these plans certainly never had to "find a rich handsome guy to hang around his neck for the rest of her days." "What's your name?" continued guy. "Jennifer", she introduced herself, and thought that he looks an awful lot like Roy and it doesn't let her rest. "I'm Robert Grey. Nice to meet you, Jen." The girl was surprised, as he forcefully cut her name without even asking permission. And it's on the fifth minute of the meet! On Robert's face appeared again smile, but this time it was something dangerous and a little frightening. However, the brunette did not attach much importance to this. After all, she still thought that was fast asleep in my room, fantasizing about Roy, that he suddenly became fabulously rich prince. "It was quite crazy!" flashed in the girl's head, which barely withstood the gaze of the green eyes opposite. "You know, you're terribly similar to one of my friends", couldn't resist, honestly admitted Jennifer, when the waiter came to the table. "Really?" willfully surprised Robert did the ordering for both of them. "Yeah. One in one virtually. Maybe you're his lost twin brother." sneered Wright, what caused another chuckle of a mystery man. After a few minutes of silence, she added awkwardly, "It's nice to meet you too, Robert." "Just call me Rob." He watched as Jennifer looked away sheepishly and smiled. A strand of black hair she gently brushed behind her ear and reached for a glass of wine. Behind her was damn interesting to watch, and madly tossing of thoughts in her head made him difficult to know more about her. Before Robert Grey, Jen was just an open book, which he silently read, learning more and more details of her life and not forgetting to talk to her aloud, otherwise a long silence would have aroused suspicion. It's a pity she'll never know who he really is, thought Grey. Although carry on a conversation with his next victim, oddly enough, was very interesting. Perhaps the massacre of Jennifer Wright should not be rushed. On the lips of men again appeared sinister grin. It will be a small and exciting game. Definitely.

[weirdpolis]

Fandom meme

tagged by @filigranka and @ysraellaleostwald - thanks!

Rules: Choose any three fandoms (in any order), answer the questions and tag 10 people.

tagging: @septembersung, @shewhodoesnotexist, @lightningale, @mariacharlet, @redhatmeg, @who-honor-idk, @theadventuresofacatholicnerdling, @2theheights, @itspileofgoodthings,

My chosen 3 fandoms:

1. Star Wars

2. Fullmetal Alchemist - Brotherhood and manga.

3. Avatar: the Last Airbender

The first character you loved:

1. Obi Wan Kenobi. In the New Hope, which I’ve seen first, he was this old wise man, tad bit a mystery, and emanating badassery, but also with a whimsical sense of humor, and lots of empathy. He got my respect and was my fave through this movie, which I don’t like that much otherwise, and I only grew more attached to him in the next movies. And then the Phantom Menance happened, and he got the face of  young Ewan McGregor, and it was literally love at first sight. I re-watch Prequel Trilogy just for him, hng...

2. Maes Hughes. This is why I’m cynical about my fave characters.

3. Prince Zuko. I decided to watch Avatar only because I heard he’s got an exquisite character arc, thus I was focusing on him from the begining - and it was the only thing that took me through the otter penguins and stuff, because I was way too old to enjoy it otherwise.

The character you never expected to love so much:

1. ugh, Hux. I’m really side-eyeing myself for this one, as I cringe every time at his speach and the pure hatred oozing from it. I didn’t expect to have any opinion about him at all - I was just “oh, hey, that’s Domhnall! he’s such a great actor! Let’s study every second of his acting.” Then there were jokes about him and Kylo wyying for power and approval from Snoke like two entitled children. And then there were all the meta and background info, and fandoom headcanons, and storytelling excercisses in heel-face turns and redemption possibilities (for the guy who blew up five planets and billions of people/aliens, *side-eyeing myself again*) and AUs... and now here I am, in the pit of doom, very much aware that the version of Hux I’m so obssesed with doesn’t even exist in canon.

2. Roy Mustang. I’m still cackling whenever I think about his early appearances in the Brotherhood. Look, they say he’s competent and he’s boosting about his powerfull flame alchemy, but he fails to use it! he’s constantly either wet or useless, and ends up looking like a fool. And then there’s Maria Ross incident - of all times you’d wish his flames failed! And so he prooves himself to be an angry idiot and a total bastard. Couple episodes later you mutter ‘bastard’ at him in totally different tone. At the end of the series you are rooting for him to become the ruler of the entire country, because he’s the only one with moral ideals and a necessary conscience. Also lots of angst. But really why I love him so much, is exactly because of those dumb moments at the begining and later on - he tries and fails and struggles on his path, because there’s no road map on how to redeem yourself and fix the country, and that’s so f relatable.

3. Pretty much everyone besides Zuko - I really did not expect this cartoon to be so good character- and story-wise, I thought I’d care only about Zuko, and even with him I didn’t fathom the extent of love I ended up giving him.

The character you relate to most:

1. Really, it’s R2D2 and BB8. Sometimes all I’m capable of are *sad beep noises* and arson.

2. In all honesty - Sheska.

3. Suki. It’s the way she speaks with pride about their culture, the obvious care she has for people - and the “answer now, or we will feed you to the Unagi!”

The character you’d slap:

1. After the Last Jedi, nearly everyone. But the director the most.

2.  You know, the villians of course and half of cast here and there too. Ed and Al for rushing into things and failling to talk about feelings, Hohenhaim for parenting, Roy for being occasionally dumb, Maes for not making notes. Isaac McDougall for not talking in a more straightforward manner. For Shou I’d borrow the mechanical arm from Ed.

3. besides villians, I dread to admit this but Aang. I know, he’s a traumatized 11 yo with huuuuge responsibility on his shoulders and really all around loving and compasionate character. It’s just I often don’t like protagonists just for how the story focuses on them, and the combination of Aang’s immaturity, temper (he does get angry quite a bit), and rather clumsily executed love arc with Katara, annoys me and I want to shake him like “get a grip, man!”  

Three favourite characters (in order of preference):

1. Obi Wan Kenobi. Luke Skywalker. Chewbacca. R2D2. Darth Vader. Princess Leia Organa. Ewoks. Huge black hole. and then Hux. BB8. Rey. Poe Dameron still. Kylo is sneaking on me, will see.

2. Roy Mustang. Ling Yao. Riza Hawkeye. Maes Hughes. Scar. Miles. Olivier Mira Armstrong. Lan Fan. Izumi Curtis and hubby. Alex Armstrong. Greedo, Marcoh, chimeras, the list just goes on...

3. Zuko. Suki. Mai. Sokka. Kyoshi. Toph. Iroh. Piandao. Hakoda. Ty Lee. Azula. Teo. June. Longshot. I’m forgetting someone...

A character you liked at first but don’t anymore:

1. Poe Dameron, sigh. After TFA Poe was really close to being my fave character of the newbies. I liked his not so overt sass, his confidence, without being cocky about it, his joy at flying, but also his calm and competence when it came to fulfilling the mission. And his easy going manner and friendliness. He was well balanced and quite unique of a character. But the Last Jedi took him in the direction of a “lovable” cock-sure pistol, and I’m just not charmed anymore. At least there’s still this:

2. I don’t think anyone got a fall from grace, even King Bradley still has some of my respect, tho the nature of it changed.

3. Again, I can’t think of anyone who’d lost my sympathy. 

A character you did not like at first but do now:

1. Luke Skywalker (tho “now” was before the Last Jedi assasinated him). It’s histerical, Luke annoyed the heck out of me in the New Hope, and is still whenever I watch this part. He’s so naive, and inexperienced, and eager, and wannabe-heroic, and pretty much everything I dislike about most protagonists. And then during ESB I got gradually invested in him, and then they cut his arm off, and I was in love in a second. And then he became wise in the RotJ, and I just love him a lot.

2. Scar. He was mostly a terror to be feared and a merciless killer - until he wasn’t. The more you know about him, the more human he becomes, and you wish him some peace and redemption and a kitten for company. I mean, panda.

3. Sokka. Ho boy, how did he annoy me at first, with his sexism, and bragging, and stupid comments. But then he got character growth, and became the strategist mastermind and often the voice of reason, not losing any of his comedic potential, and I love him. 

Three OTPs:

Most of the time I don’t ship characters, but I love the dynamics between Roy Mustang/Riza Hawkeye, the Curtis couple, Ling Yao/Lan Fan, also Zuko/Mai, and Sokka/Suki pairings.

[parsleybabe]

The Unpopular Opinion Book Questionaire

Before I start, credit where credit is due: I copied the questions and format of this post from @resist-the-fear’s post and this wordpress post, because I couldn’t figure out how to add my answers into the original post without messing up all formatting. And I’m really sorry if this upsets anybody, but the idea is cool and it’d be a shame not to continue it on tumblr.

So, here we go...

1. A Popular Book or series that you didn’t like.

1) Feels like the Twilight Saga would be the obvious answer (and it IS), but I’m gonna go for pretty much all of Dan Bown’s novels and I’m gonna explain my dislike with The DaVinci Code

This novel actually angered me so much that I wrote my master’s thesis on how Brown deliberately mislead the majority of his readers into mistaking his fiction for actual facts in order to sell more books.

The gist is, any and all art historic descriptions and information given within the book are fully fictional. That includes a page of “facts” (labeled as such) preceding the novel itself (which doesn’t contain any actual facts at all) and a note underneath stating that all descriptions of paitings were accurate. Spoiler alert: They’re not. I majored art history in school and did a lot of research, but, honestly, anybody who’s interested in art history and knows the very very basics about the renaissance and other time periods can easily disprove all of the novel’s supposedly accurate art descriptions.

And, to be truthful, I have to admit that Brown is really fucking good at fiction. He’s also really good at writing his fiction around and over existing art historic knowledge and twisting it without making it too obvious for careless readers. That’s kinda cool. And I get that disguising fiction as fact isn’t a new trend. I mean... Defoe did when he falsely claimed that Robinson Cruseo was a factual report of a true event, because the readership of his time period wasn’t familiar with adventure fiction. But what really annoyed me was 1) how many readers actually believed Brown to have uncovered some genuine conspiracy and 2) that Brown kept feeding into the delusion of those fans again and again through comments in interviews and webpages, even though he fully knew it’s all fiction, because he himself made it up.

  2) And then there’s the Wanderhure series, written by a German writing couple under the pseudonym Iny Lorentz. I’m not sure if this has been translated into English, but it’s been highly popular in Germany and several other countries (won some awards and was made into a series of TV movies and whatnot). It is, quite honestly THE WORST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ IN MY WHOLE LIFE.

The first novel was recommended to me by relatives because parts of it take place in a city that I have lived in for quite some time, and it’s a historical fiction based on a medieval poem. The premiss of the novel is great: during the middle ages, a young and respected girl gets accused to have sinned by some townspeople and nobody believes her to be innocent, as she is just a girl. She gets cast out of her city and home, left with no other choice than to become a traveling whore if she wants to survive. She ends up becoming quite successful in her profession (in the sense that she has many high ranking clients from both church and state who pay her with lots of money and other favors) and returns to the city that cast her out long ago to have a huge effect on politics and religion.

The story was quite intriguing to me, both due to the interesting plotline as well as the reference to the city I live in. HOWEVER, it is horribly written. All characters, especially the protagonist, are unbelievably flat. There is no character development whatsoever, even though the story offers plenty of chances to find it. I read through the book because of the locations... houses that actually still exist, that I have been in, Gateways that i’ve walked through, roads that I’ve travelled on. Those are very well described. It’s easy to figure out each and every step the characters take on a map and that’s really cool. But the plotline was destroyed by less than mediocre characterization and simple, unimpressive language. Every time a character is supposed to feel something, the sentence literally goes, “She felt xyz” - and that’s as descriptive as it gets. There’s no atmosphere created and not an ounce of fluidity in the sentence structure. The whole narration is as dry as brick and the story reads like a two dimensional still drawing of a 3D rollercoaster ride.

2. A Popular Book or series that every one else seems to hate but you love.

I honestly don’t think that there’s any book series that EVERYBODY hates. And I do think that all the books I love, are actually pretty popular. Buuuuut...

I’ve seen the Mortal Instruments series getting a lot of hate on tumblr. And I fully understand why Cassandra Clare isn’t everybody’s favorite author. I don’t like her methods and procedure at all either. But, I have to say that I do like the basic plotline of the Mortal Instruments. I’ve only read the first three novels, and I have no clue what happens afterwards. And there’s a lot to be criticized, be it Clare “copying” existing dialogues, or some really flat and ... well, just plain naive characters. BUT the plot itself is cool. So, I felt positively entertained and liked it. Love would be a bit of a strong term, though, I think.

3. A Love Triangle where the main character ended up with the person you did NOT want them to end up with (warn ppl for spoilers) OR an OTP that you don’t like.

Not giving any spoilers, but the Demon’s Lexicon Trilogy. I really, really disliked the reveal of an actual pairing in the third novel. It didn’t make sense to me, and I wasn’t reading for romance to begin with. It kind of cheapened the story because the love interest side story suddenly got A LOT of attention that it didn’t before and that shifted the focal point of the overall plotline. (Loved the first book, really liked the second, couldn’t care less for the third, tbh)

4. A popular book Genre that you hardly reach for.

It’s either crime fiction or esoteric non-fiction.

I’m actually into a lot of different genres: almost all types of fiction (YA, dystopian, sci-fi, political, thriller, mystery, adventure, horror, fantasy etc.), also children’s books, travel books, hobby and craft books, satires, other humorous books, biographies/autobiographies, educational books, historical books both fiction and non-fiction...

Doesn’t matter, but crime fiction (as long as it doesn’t contain anything else) is just so boring to me. Also, it feels to me as if most crime fiction heroes solve those crimes with A LOT more lucky coincidences than I would hope actual crime fighters depend on.

And esoteric books are just completely outside my personal interests. Either the stuff described in those books feels like fiction to me while being sold as non-fiction, or it’s stuff that I feel should not be aquired through books but personal encounters and explorations.

5. A popular or beloved character that you do not like.

Definitely Clary Fray from the Mortal Instruments. Man, she is soooooo slow on the uptake and so naive in so many ways. And she’s also kind of a horrible Mary Sue, not just because of her name... (I mean, really? Clary, Ms Clare? 😔) But also because of how she is so awesomely good at everything and how she always thinks of the perfect solutions for everything when nobody else does. Kinda... very little room for character development. But, then again, who needs that, right?

6. A popular author that you can’t seem to get into.

Aside from Dan Brown? Here’s my unholy trinity...

1) Stephenie Meyer (yeah, the Twilight one) - I was actually sent an e-book copy of Twilight right before it became such a huge success. I started reading it, because my friend recommended it and praised it so highly. But, I couldn’t make it past a couple dozen pages. The writing style is just so bad, I couldn’t continue. The characters were so flat, I lost any and all interest in what was going to happen. And the story wasn’t all that intriguing either, especially because it was loaded with antiquated world views, especially Bella’s character and what was deemed right for her to do was just... WOW, it was just so unbelievably bad, lol. I was so surprised that it actually ended up being successful.

2) E.L.James (the 50 Shades one) - For years, I genuinely believed that it was impossible to write worse than Meyer. Boy, was I wrong. I tried several times to read more than ten pages of 50 Shades of Grey, and I failed every single time. It’s not just a bad story, I’ve seen children’s books for toddlers that have a more interesting sentence structure than what she comes up with for an adult audience. Her language is so dull and non-descriptive that even the supposedly racy sexy bits read like a phone book to me. Honestly, I DON’T GET WHY anybody ever had any interest in this book series. The language is unspeakably poor, the plot takes all the wrong turns it could possibly take, the “research” done before writing the book... I don’t even know where that load of complete misinformation could possibly come from.

3) Iny Lorentz (the writing couple I mentioned above: Elmar Wohlrath and Iny Klocke) - Just bad, bad, bad writing. No concept of character development, fiction asthetically written like non-fiction, no use of language to create atmosphere or convey emotions. They write neutral snoozefests. And... I can’t bring myself to write any more on them.

7. A popular book trope that you’re tired of seeing. (examples “lost princess”, corrupt ruler, love triangles, etc.)

Mary Sues and Gary Stues. But Love Triangles are a very hot contender.

8. A popular series that you have no interest in reading.

All the different Shades, lol.

9. The saying goes “The book is always better than the movie”, but what movie or T.V. show adaptation do you prefer more than the book?

Definitely Stand By Me which is Stephen King’s The Body. That movie is about as great as that story could have possibly been when put onto the screen. The actors were so perfectly cast, the cinematography, costumes and set design really captured the time period, atmosphere and geography, and the facial expressions portrayed all the right emotions beautifully.

Also, I have to say, out of all of King’s movie adaptations, and while neither The Body nor Stand By Me are categorized as horror, the scene where you can see the dead boy’s face is one of the scariest, most horrific moments I can think of in a film ever. It gave me nightmares when I first saw it, and still, to this day, I have to close my eyes when that scene comes up. And the cool thing is, it’s not meant to be specifically horrifying, or gory or scary. But the simplicity of the sudden glimpse into dead eyes, to me, is scarier than any monster I could imagine and does King’s reputation more than justice.

[littlemermaidinspo]

ryan beaver; verse tags

Under the cut you’ll find a list of otp/ship tags, verse tags, character tags, short character quotes, headlines, graphic quotes, etc. from Ryan Beaver’s RX album. I’d appreciate if you like or reblog if you use! ♥

first comes the rain then comes the pain

sirens scream i don’t give damn

twister coming; i keep on drinking

let the lights go out in this town and in my heart

bring it on

i ain’t afraid of the dark

this ain’t my first fight with lonely

before we met i lived for the night

i admit i like it; loving you only

we both know you and i were just a matter of time

shadows dancing in front of me

got a bad case of the used to be’s

you used to be my love

i keep on shaking

sometimes i just wanna feel it burn on your lips

sometimes you just wanna hold something beautiful

rum and roses 

poison and thorns

we won’t regret until the morning

some nights you just wanna feel something comfortable

the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t 

some nights you know you’re gonna hurt anyway

you give into your weakness for a little something stronger

we’ll say it’s over until the next time i show up with rum and roses

one makes the room look redder; one makes the world look better

some things just go together like rum and roses

we go together like rum and roses

here we are; just you and me

i like the way you aren’t afraid of whiskey

you hate the way the glass looks in your hand when it’s empty

say something risky

i like the way your wild is showing

normally i wouldn’t be the kind to come on strong

something tells me that you’re the kind of girl that likes the kind of guy who knows what he wants exactly

what i want is looking like she sees what she wants looking at me

churches and the bars are all full tonight

preachers and the poets say the end’s in sight

when this world ends they say it’s coming 

when this world ends and the sky starts falling; it’s gonna get lonely out there

i’ll love you until the end i swear

i’ve made mistakes in the past

i’ve got a good feeling you and i are gonna last

let’s go out there and burn the whole thing down

jesus was a capicorn

long hair beard and sandals and a funky bunch of friends

everybody’s gotta have somebody to look down on

if you can’t find nobody else then help yourself to me

a guitar full of songs nobody wants to hear you sing

whiskey stained lonely nights

drunken words and barroom fights

you can’t hide a poet’s broken heart 

tortured in a hotel room

morning sneaking up on you

counting nickels for a pack of cigarettes

burning luck and chasing stars

wondering who the hell you are

knowing deep down in your heart this may be all you get

and the tears run when the truth falls from your tongue

tough as leather hard as steel

it’s all been said; it’s all been done

honey here you are again

same old tears in your eyes; just a different day

why can’t love stay like it is when it’s brand new

you’re gonna leave; you just haven’t

you ain’t packed up yet; but you will

i ain’t saying that you’ve got a habit

but don’t it feel like the last time

you say he’s a good guy; you say that everytime

honey i believe you

if you want the real thing you’ve gotta stick around

i hope you find what you’re looking for

what happens in vegas doesn’t stay in vegas

you play to win but you lose

you bet it all but your ace don’t fall

the bank ain’t all that’s breaking

forever dropped me like a stone

felt a bullet from the cold steel

had a judas kiss from an angel

had the devil lying in my bed

aint nobody ever done me like you did

you always had your pretty finger on the trigger

i thought i’d been about as low as i could be until you came along and dug a deeper hole for me

i drank every drop of your poison; you served it up in such a pretty cup

it should be illegal; your love’s just plain evil

i swear you keep a shovel in your trunk

you chiseled out my name in stone

left me for dead and all alone

i’ve had this heart a long long time

i tell myself it’s mine all mine

lock every lock; close every door

what am i pretending for

still yours; still yours

the voice i miss when i’m alone

what am i supposed to do

i feel like my whole world belongs to you

there ain’t a place that doesn’t sting

i feel your name on everything 

there ain’t a street that you don’t own

i don’t want you anymore

two for one on a marquee sign

you can waste the night in half the time

fools like me just can’t help but try to find holy water in a whiskey well

it takes a little more medicine that it used to take

it takes a little more of the highs to chase the lows away

it takes a little more of the night to make it through the day

she’s a looker looked over one too many times

she likes the boys that don’t really try

she sleeps in a bed that’s never made

she tells herself one day they’ll stay

we’ve all got things to get us by

i can’t judge

no such thing as a perfect drug

in the end it’s never enough

it’s strange thing we do

a compromise between the two

somewhere along the road i just did what i was told

lost the map to all my dreams

watched that trail run cold

i’d ride straight back to innocence and the promises i made

i’d right all the wrongs

with a pistol by my side i’d get back to being brave

i bet things would change if i had a horse to ride away

we were good at robbing trains

but life does it’s thing and imagination fades

[everyrubicon]

It’s Yuletide!

I’m here!

Dear Yuletide Author,

First, thank you so much for writing for one of these fandoms!!! I'm really psyched about Yuletide. I'm going to enjoy what you write. So, know that.

Apparently my style is to throw everything up here and let you decide if you want to use any of it. Fandom-specific behind the cut.

story stuff I like: found family/team as family, competence porn, family dinners, undercover as lovers, there's only one bed!, training, first times (of anything), discovery, adventure, romance, journeys (emotional and physical),  vulnerability, talking through their shit, women being awesome, AUs, crossovers and fusions, gen fic, slice of life, learning to work together, missing scenes., case fic, world building, rituals/traditions, powers/abilities explored, time travel/loops, academia, folklore, they're in space!, take your fandom to work day, hygge, game night, five times

random stuff I will always love: flying (space, super powered, airplane, all of it), horses, knives, swords, swimming, libraries, sheets, that feeling of coming back home after a long day/trip, road trips, banter, laughter, concerts/live music, movie nights, old marked-up maps, , people who answer the phone without saying hello they just leap into the conversation or answer the question they know the person calling is going to ask, cellos, books, notebooks, brownies, sunsets, bonfires, that part of the morning where everything's still and it's not light out but it's not still night and the birds aren't even up yet, rain on the roof, leather, the smell of a bookstore

sexy times, should you want to include them: f/f, m/f, threesomes (+), orgasm delay, semi-public sex, enthusiastic consent, poly are all a green light

crossover/fusion fandoms: MCU, Legends of Tomorrow, Killjoys, Agents of Shield, Wynonna Earp, Farscape, X-Men, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, anything else it looks like I post a lot about.

stuff on the no list: rape, abuse, non-canon permanent character deaths, a/b/o, mpreg, watersports/feces, age play, bleak endings/hopelessness, betrayal, longstanding lies

squicks: pregnancy, infidelity, homophobia, hate in general, calling each other mommy/daddy, betrayal [If you, my sweet summer child, are now wondering what the hell a squick is, it's the kind of thing that, when you see it in the tags, you just keep scrolling past, or hit the back button, even if it's your OTP. You're not triggered, but you're not really into hearing it, thanks anyway.]

The fandoms:

Motherland Fort Salem: I love the world building here, but also the relationships between all these women. you don't have to include every nominated character, and feel free to bring others in-- I ran out of slots.   The request's words stand, but if you're looking for a little more... I'm hella curious about Anacostia. What's it like growing up an orphan in a military school? Did she hate that she had to enlist? Could she not wait? What does she do now that following orders got her cadet killed? Is that why she freed Scylla. And speaking of: did she skulk by the house Scylla went to so that she could check it out, or to join, or to just know where the hell the girl went/see if she was safe? Did Scylla know she was followed?

The Gifted: this family is so good for each other. If you wanna include Lorna, that's awesome, if you would like to keep her out of this, that's also awesome. I really enjoyed seeing how these three (and with Lorna, pre-Clarice) leaned on each other in turn, they kept each other going. I'm totally down if you want this to be a John/Clarice/Marcos deal, too. I think Marcos could have used a little more love in season 2, the boy was *stressed.*  

Maybe they've gotta move again? So road trip with the three of them in the car/hotel/side of the road while John goes to get gas he didn't think they'd run out of quite so soon. Training is always good, so maybe they try new power tricks together?

The way Clarice kept John grounded, focused, on the here and now instead of the responsibility and weight of the mission when he got stressed was something I really liked about their relationship.

Marcos and John have been together for a *while,* but they can be very different. One of my favorite exchanges between them happens when Marcos is pining and fretting over Lorna and the baby, and John says hope's a powerful thing, he just has to keep holding onto it. And then Marcos looks up at him and says hope is what's been killing him.

Chronicles of Elantra: I started reading this series back when it started, and then somehow took a break, but this year I caught back up. Now I'm only three behind--the last I read was Cast in Flight. So if you could please avoid spoilers for those last few, I'd appreciate it.

Okay, I totally missed nominations, which means I missed a chance to nominate characters. If you wanna stick with just Bellusdeo, that's not a problem. I like all of them. Teela, Anarion, and Mandoran, with Bellusdeo and Helen rounding out the home squad are my favs. Kaylin and Severn, too-- and him, not Nightshade, for the record. What's it like there on non-world in peril again time? Does Moran ever crash there now? What's Helen like with everybody?  In the books, we only really get Kaylin's pov, so it'd be interesting to see the same place or thing or story through someone else's.  

it's the weirdos and outcasts coming together that I love.

The Old Guard: I really love the side by side ass-kicking duo of Nile and Andy, they've got their shit handled. Or, the fighting shit, at least. I really love how tired Andy is of the world. If anything resonated with me in 2020, it was that. Her yelling at Booker to not leave her alone and living was *painful.* I like to think finding Nile put a little more interest back in Andy.

I have a deep fondness for them using their not-dying to thwart people--the car crash, the far too long fall, the plane in the movie. Yes, I'm a-okay with you using the movie cannon. They're not all that different (yet, just started the second arc), honestly, and I think the actors were prettier than the drawings, so that's who I see in my head.

Nile's whole art history interest is fantastic, too. And you know it wasn't just Rodin Andy knew. But how many "historical figures" did they run into? What have they seen? What do they still want to see? What do they all want to show Nile? (I'm feeling very 5 things about that, and if you are, too, run with it!) What human festival things do they check out? Burning Man? Oktoberfest? Pride? ...have they stood guard ove

I know this is really long, but please remember optional details are optional--if none of this helps, ignore it! I can't wait to read what you write, either way.

[splitscreen]

Blindsided

hi everyone i took the dive into writing nick/june fic!!! this is my first one so please be gentle. i saw one of those otp imagines that was “person a talks through person b’s door thinking they’re not home but person b hears everything” so my brain took that and ran with it. anyway ENJOY.

He has no idea what he’s doing.

He’s had ideas rolling around in his head for weeks, months now. Things he could do to get her out. Things as simple and short-sighted as get her in the car and drive like hell for the border, and as complicated and confusing as trusting other people, cashing in as many favors as he could to get her somewhere safe. Nothing ever felt quite right, though, not safe enough. There were plenty of factors to worry about, but the one he’d never considered was time. He’d have time to wait for the right opportunity; he’d eventually find the right person to trust, the right string to pull, the right time to drive, and that would be it. They would go and she’d be safe and that’s what mattered.

But then that morning in the kitchen June had told him she was pregnant and suddenly the time he hadn’t even thought of before felt like it was slipping through his grasp faster than he could manage. Serena Joy had left with her and he’d gotten to work, even though he felt like he was drowning and there was no life jacket anywhere in sight. Any ideas he might have had before all seemed foolish and reckless now. Trusting someone? How could he trust anyone now? Or ever?

His day passed in a blur, his mind racing, working overtime to try and figure out what he could do, what options he had. His first best option was just to get her away from the Waterfords, which he figured could be done easily enough. He’d turn Fred in for going to Jezebel’s, he’d report on Serena Joy for abusing June, and they’d come and take her away, at least until everything he’d reported could be corroborated or swept under the rug. It wasn’t a perfect solution, but it was a start. He’d locked himself in his apartment with every intent to write down every detail he could stomach to remember about those nights at Jezebel’s, about what he had seen Serena Joy do to June, but before he knew it, it was dark outside and the pages in front of him were still empty.

He still has no idea what the hell he’s doing.

He’ll file these reports, they’ll take her away from the house and then what? June still won’t be out of danger, she won’t be someplace that they won’t take the baby away from her, where they can’t hurt her. He’s trying to stop a ship from sinking by bailing out the ocean water with a bucket. His mind is as blank as the pages that lay in front of him. Time. He thought he’d have time to figure this out. He drops his head into his hands. He needs more time. If there’s one thing he can’t rush and screw up, it’s this.

What about driving away? He lets his mind wander back to that time weeks ago when the idea first started taking root in his head, when he’d considered taking a left turn instead of the right one that led them back towards the house and the interrogation about Ofglen. It would have been stupid, then, with no planning or preparation, but maybe… maybe now he can make it work. It’d take a few weeks, sure, but one thing being an Eye afforded him was the ability to move around  with virtually no questions asked. All he had to say was he was on an investigation and he was free to go. By himself he could easily get through checkpoints and figure out the best route to take, what roads weren’t in use anymore. He’d figure out a plan, map out their route, and one night he’d tell June to meet him in his apartment and they’d be gone. He’d hide her in the backseat, and they’d go. He’d get her to Canada or he’d die trying.  It’s risky, but so is everything else, and this is the best he’s come up with so far.

He picks up his pen with every intention to start listing every bit of relevant information he currently knows. Locations of checkpoints, roads that lead out of town that he already knows aren’t patrolled, but when he brings it to the paper he can’t bring himself to start writing. This is the best he can come up with? There’s no room for error. Even with the best laid plans all it takes is one rogue patrol, one canine unit at a checkpoint when he’s not expecting it, and the whole thing crumbles instantly. If they get caught, if he gets caught running away with a handmaid, he’ll be executed and she’ll come back to the Waterfords with no hope for anything. She’ll have the baby and… he shakes his head in disgust, throws the pen down on the table, and swears under his breath. He can’t let his mind wander down that path or he might end up doing something extremely stupid, like going into the house and murdering Fred with his bare hands.

He gives himself two minutes to regroup and clear his head. Right now, he needs to focus on just getting her away from the Waterfords, so he’ll go back to square one, writing the reports that he knows will at least get her pulled out of the house. He’ll be able to think more clearly if knows she’s out of harm’s way and somewhere Fred can’t force himself on her and Serena Joy can’t hurt her, giving him one less thing to worry about. He picks the pen back up, takes a deep breath, and starts writing.

He’s two pages into detailing the first visit to Jezebel’s when a sharp series of knocks at the door startles him. He looks up, hoping to identify who’s at his door. Sometimes, if he’s busy, Rita will bring him a dinner plate but it’s later than when she usually comes. The knocks come again, more urgent this time, and he stands to open the door but then the doorknob rattles and he freezes. He knows it isn’t Rita now. Only one person has ever come in without knocking.

June.

He stand rooted in place and sucks in a breath. He wants nothing more than to go to the door and let her in, but he glances back at the report he’s started writing on the table. He hates lying to her, even by omission, but it’s truly better if she doesn’t know what he’s doing. The less she knows, the less there is to be held against her if something goes south. Maybe she’ll think he isn’t home. He finds himself hoping that’s what she thinks, and not that he’s trying to keep her out. He stands, still frozen, wanting nothing more than to unlock the door and be with her, but he knows he needs to hold his ground. He has to get this done, and as soon as he can. His chest feels hollow as he watches her shadow retreat from the door and down the stairs.

Letting out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, he turns and sits back down at the table. June’s brief appearance at his door had only served to make him that much more determined to get all he knows down on paper, even if it takes all night. He manages to scrawl a few more sentences when he glances up and notices a shadow pass in front of his window again. And then suddenly, June is banging on his door with her open hand, frantic and insistent.

“Nick!” June calls out before banging on the door again, harder this time. “Nick!”

He closes his eyes and holds his breath. Had she seen his shadow through the window before? He hears dogs start to bark in the distance. This is going to end horribly.

“Nick, I saw the car in the garage,” June says through the door, jiggling the knob again, her voice lower now than before. “I know you’re here.”

Shit.

He’d been so distracted earlier while he was topping off the antifreeze in the car he must have forgotten to close the garage door. He opens his eyes and looks at what’s in front of him. He hasn’t written that much. Surely he can crumple all this up, throw it away, and let her in. He’ll say he’d fallen asleep and didn’t hear her before. He can work on this tomorrow. He needs to get this done, but the last thing he wants is for June to think he’s hiding from her, or that he doesn’t want to be with her. Especially now.

He puts his pen down and he’s about to toss the reports when June continues speaking outside his door. “Or maybe you aren’t. Maybe one of your buddies in a black van came to get you, hmm? You don’t have to be scared of them, do you?”

Even though her voice is muffled, he can hear the anger dripping off every syllable. He doesn’t take it personally, he knows she doesn’t have many outlets here and he’s happy to be her sounding board when she needs. But if she really doesn’t think he’s here… maybe he’ll be better off doing this tonight, he can still hear the time ticking away loudly in his head. The doorknob jiggles more aggressively and then she bangs a few more times.

“God damn it, Nick!” June yells, her voice rising again. “You were supposed to be here!”

He swallows hard. Sitting here and not responding to her pleas might be one of the hardest things he’s ever had to do. He watches as her shadow grows larger against the blinds, she’s leaning her head against the door now.

“You were supposed to be here,” she repeats after a beat, and he can barely hear her now, her voice low, sounding like all the fight has drained out of her, which immediately sets him even more on edge. Luckily, he doesn’t have long to let himself dwell on that thought because June starts speaking again, and he has to focus all his attention on her voice to make sure he doesn’t miss anything through the damn door.

“Do you know where she took me today? When we left? She took me to see my daughter. She threatened her, and I need to protect her.”

Involuntarily, his hand curls into a fist. He knew she had a child, he’d heard Serena Joy brag to some of the other wives when June had first arrived at the house that her new handmaid had had a healthy baby before. It’d made his stomach turn at the time, but he’d never pried for any more details. He didn’t feel like it was his place to ask. But now he knows she has a daughter, and Serena Joy’s holding her well being over June’s head. He’d known from the start that Serena Joy was despicable, but this… this seemed low, even for her. He’d thought it was difficult earlier to restrain from going into the house and murdering Fred, but now the urge to go into the house and murder them both is almost impossible to push back down. It’s only June’s voice continuing through the door that stops his short fuse from blowing.

“I need your help, Nick. I… I need you. I don’t know what else to do. Please.” She’s pleading now, her voice so low he almost has trouble hearing her. “I don’t want to go back in the house.” Another long moment passes where he almost breaks, he almost forgets it all and lets her in, but then she speaks again, her voice determined and yet desperate all at the same time. “Please don’t make me go back in that house. Please.”

He stares hard at the door hoping she can somehow read his thoughts. I’m sorry this is happening to you. I want to let you in, more than anything. I’m working on something that’ll hopefully end this nightmare for you. I just need time. Give me time.  

As he watches her shadow slowly move away from the door and disappear down the stairs suddenly the urge to be with her is too strong. He can’t let her go back in that house where she feels unsafe and unwanted. He’ll spend all day tomorrow locked in his apartment doing what he needs to do. As quickly as he can, he gathers everything off the table and picks up the nearest book, opening it and sliding the pages inside. He finds a place to stash it on his bookshelf before he closes the distance to the door in two long strides, unlocking the door and opening it.

“June?” He calls out, sticking his head out into the cold night air, looking down the stairs, but he’s too late. She’s already gone. He hesitates for a second, hoping that maybe he just missed her, that she heard his voice and she’ll come back, but when she doesn’t return he steps back inside and locks the door behind him.

She spends the whole drive trying not to think about where she’s going. But in the back of a windowless van, it’s almost impossible to stop her mind from wandering to dark places. Nick had asked her to trust him, and she did. But still, as she feels the van roll to a stop, she can’t stop the terror that runs through her veins. Whatever her destination, good or bad, she’s here.

She’s prepared herself for a lot of things when the doors of the van finally open. Aunts, Guardians with guns, an execution site. But when they open the only thing she hadn’t expected stands there.

“Nick?” She breathes out, unbelieving. They’d left him at the house. How did he…

He holds out his hand to her and she looks at him like he’s a ghost. She takes it and but doesn’t take her eyes off of him, afraid that if she blinks he’ll be gone. He helps her step down out of the van and his other hand comes to rest on her stomach, steadying her as she finds her balance on the ground.

“I’m sorry,” he begins, “I made them take the long way so I could meet you here.”

She takes her eyes off him temporarily to look at their surroundings. She’s not exactly sure where they are, but there’s no one else around and he hasn’t taken his hand off her. Without a second thought she falls against him, bringing her arms up around his neck, letting one hand find its way up to tangle in his hair. She breathes him in as she feels his arms wrap around her, holding her tight against him. He presses a kiss against the side of her head.

“I couldn’t tell you before,” he says softly, “but I had to get you out.”

She closes her eyes and feels herself relax against him. There’s still so much unknown, so many questions she needs answered, but right now she finds it hard to feel anything but relief. She’s safe. He’d found a way to do it.

[anycontentposter]

Atlanta Kids Weekend Events: Dec. 20-22

You’ve got one last weekend to fit in a visit to Santa, work on your holiday bucket list, and generally make some magic for your minis. No pressure. But don’t worry! We’ve got it all mapped out for you, below. And if you’re really looking to make some memories, check out our staycation guide to Atlanta during the holidays, right here. Read on for ideas on how to make the most of this final weekend before Christmas.

Photo: cottonbro via Pexels

ITP Midtown

Atlanta Ballet’s The Nutcracker at The Fox After last year’s successful premier, Atlanta Ballet’s reimagined production of The Nutcracker returns to the Fox Theatre this holiday season. This is its final year at The Fabulous Fox Theatre (beginning in 2020, you’ll find it at the Cobb Center for Performing Arts). Fri.-Sun. Event details.

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden Garden Lights, Holiday Nights presented by Invesco QQQ returns this year with new features and crowd favorites, including all-new music and motion for Atlanta’s favorite holiday spectacle, Nature’s Wonders, the largest curtain of synchronized light and sound in the world. Enjoy music, s’mores by the fire, adult libations, and thousands of artfully wound lights at this new Atlanta classic. Fri.-Sun. Event details.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Center for Puppetry Arts Celebrate the holidays when Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

returns to the stage for its tenth consecutive year. The beloved tale is a faithful adaptation of the classic 1964 stop-motion animated television special. Fri.-Sun. Event details.

Downtown

Atlanta Christkindl Market Let yourself be enchanted by the special outdoor atmosphere of the Atlanta Christkindl Market—the city’s first and largest winter holiday festival at Centennial Olympic Park, presented by the German American Cultural Foundation. Meet and mingle with your family & friends at the traditional German Christkindl Market, where you’ll find authentic German food and beverages in a festive atmosphere, along with unique holiday gifts for your beloved ones. Fri. & Sat. Event details.

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Atlanta Chinese Lantern Festival This holiday season, marvel at the fantasy of lights on display during the Atlanta Chinese Lantern Festival’s Into the Wild spectacular, taking place at Centennial Olympic Park. This dazzling adventure will take you through an interactive land and sea experience while you play alongside larger-than-life illuminated lanterns and enjoy breathtaking acrobatic performances. Fri.-Sun. Event details.

Atlantic Station

Cirque du Soleil VOLTA  Watch amazing acrobatics as the Cirque performers tell the story of Waz, a gameshow contestant who must learn to be true to himself. But even if you don’t follow the plot, the performance is a visual feast. Fri.- Sun. Event details.

Buckhead

Candlelight Nights at Atlanta History Center Experience Christmas past with a candlelit stroll through three historic houses to experience how Southerners celebrated Christmas during the pioneer days, the Civil War era, and the 1930s. Holiday traditions of years past come alive with interpreters, music, and special activities. Enjoy food for purchase and visit one of several cash bars for your favorite holiday libation. Fri. Event details.

Toys “R” Us Experience Toys“R”Us and Candytopia present a new fill-up-your-photo-album super-experience in a vast indoor playland that celebrates all the whimsy, silly and FUN of toys. Explore over eight mind-blowing rooms and celebrate play with installations designed around brands you know and love. Fri.-Sun. Event details.

OTP The Battery

Photos with Santa at The Battery Times vary, so please visit batteryatl.com for more information. Friends and families are invited to capture the holiday spirit with free Santa Photos at SunTrust onUp Experience. Santa and his elves will set-up shop every Thursday through Sunday in December. Families can take home FREE digital and print copies as a holiday keepsake. Fri. & Sat. Event details.

Roswell

Winter Puppet Series at Roswell Cultural Arts Center This beloved Roswell tradition is sure to delight audiences of all ages, with weekend productions (showtimes at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on select days; see website to purchase tickets in advance and for seating times and assignments) of The North Pole Fa-La-La Follies and The Adventures of the Gingerbread Man. Fri.-Sun. Event details.

Sandy Springs

Santa’s Fantastical at Perimeter Pointe This spectacular indoor wonderland is back for a second year, with festive updates, including new installations and live performances by The Fantasticals. Some of last year’s favorites will return as well, but in a completely reimagined way. The Unicorn Dreams and Candy Cane Vortex photo spots, as well as Santa’s Meet–and-Greet in his Chateau, will all make reappearances this holiday season. Fri.-Sun. Event details.

Marietta

Lights of Life Head to one of the most popular light shows in the Southeast, attracting nearly half a million spectators from the surrounding region for it’s incredible display of lights and low admission fees. Cars, vans and buses cruise through the spectacularly illuminated campus each year, often stopping along the 1.5-mile drive to enjoy an array of seasonal entertainments. Costs are $5 – $10 per car depending on the day (check website for details). Fri.-Sun. Event details.

—Shelley Massey

RELATED STORIES:

17 Atlanta Parks & Playgrounds Worth a Visit

All the Pie Recipes You’ll Ever Need for Holidays

Car Games & Toys for Your Next Road Trip

Yo Ho Ho! How to Call the Santa Hotline This Year

. . . and check out our Events calendar for even more suggestions.

Read more about this at redtri.com

https://bestkidstoys.biz/atlanta-kids-weekend-events-dec-20-22/

[nedyma]

can I get !!!! malark/speirs !!!! for the fall otp thing

Ash, thank you

Who gets excited about Halloween in July:

Malarkey for sure! He’s all cheerful for almost every holiday, he insists on decorations around the house, and he always tries to get Speirs to have the same attitude. He usually grabs the other by the shoulders in excitement, coming forward to put his chin on Spiers’s shoulder despite the height difference and softly whispers, “Halloween.” Before bouncing off with excitement while Speirs is just beginning to sigh. 

“Fourth of July was two days ago!” He calls.

Who starts wearing sweaters and scarves on the first day of September and completely overheats:

This is a good one… I think it’d be Speirs, because while he’s smart enough to know September is still hot, Malarkey’s raving about the weather has his brain flipped and he ended up thinking it was going to be a lot colder than forecasted. Malarkey teases him up until Speirs sighs, stands, lifts the sweater up and over his head, leaving Malarkey left speechless at the show. Speirs is then left in an old, worn white t-shirt that he looks more than good in. Malarkey grows quiet. 

“Anything else you’d like to say, Don?” 

“You’re hot.”

Who thrives in Fall/Who prefers Summer and warm weather:

Malarkey would argue that Speirs thrives in cooler weather because he’s got the aesthetic™ down. He’s got the scruffy beard, the messy hair, and the fact that he looks adorable in a scarf. But the two really strive in summer together. Malarkey likes the warm weather, it lifts his already happy attitude, and Speirs likes to sit around in t-shirts. Speirs’ favorite summer pasttime is also sitting out on a blanket, in a field, with Malarkey sitting on his lap as they watch whatever’s going on around them. 

Who thinks the other looks so cute when they’re cold and trying to fight it with 50 sweaters:

Speirs thinks it’s the cutest and funniest thing when he comes from work and Malarkey’s already home. Usually, it’s the first sign of snow, weather it’s a misty sleet-like rain, or actual snowflakes, Don’s curled up on the sofa with all of their extra duvets wrapped around him. Not only that but he’s sitting under the blankets with his favorite Ron-sweater. 

“Feeling a little cold, sweetheart?” Ron teases as he tosses the mail down on the counter. Now he sheds his coat and shoes as he comes over to Malarkey. 

“Not now.” Malarkey grins as he grabs onto Ron and pulls him down on top of him. 

Who offers the other their jacket:

I think Malarkey definitely has the personality to be the jacket-offer-er, but Speirs is just… never in need of a jacket? So on one Saturday night, when the leaves are falling around them and they’re on a walk, Malarkey lifts his hands around himself as the chilly air finally gets to him. Speirs hadn’t even noticed that Malark had only been dressed in a long-sleeve shirt, so he’s quick to slide off his quote and put it around Malarkey’s shoulder. He wants Don to be warm, especially since he knows how easy it is for the other to get cold. 

Malarkey only smiles at that, coming forward anyway to wrap his arm around Speirs’s center. Ron throws an arm over Malark’s shoulder. 

Who doesn’t want to get out of bed in the morning because it’s too cold and has to run from the warm covers to the shower:

Speirs is the one who keeps his face plastered to the pillow even after Malarkey tells him: “Hon, we’ve got to get up.” He grumbles in agreement, yet makes no move to actually get up. So Malarkey gets up, lifts one leg so he can straddle Speirs’s waist, and starts to run his hands down his back to bring him out of his sleepy-haze. He rubs between Speirs’s shoulder blades, then moves further down, Malarkey’s fingers grazing against the other’s ribs. 

Speirs lets out a noise in approval, but still doesn’t make a noise.

Then Don swings the other leg back off, taking the short route to the shower by climbing over Ron. 

Now Ron makes a noise of betrayal while Malark just laughs. Ron can hear pieces of clothing hit the floor in soft thuds. Followed by Malarkey saying: “You can join me, y’know.” 

That may be Speirs’s motivation to finally get up.

Who touches the other with their freezing cold feet at night:

(we all know it’d be Malarkey). They’re finally wrapped up and ready to go to bed, Malarkey wrapped around Speirs  (Malarkey’s a jetpack it’s true). And then just as they get comfortable, Malarkey presses his foot to the back of Speirs’s calf and he immediately hisses.

Who makes the hot cider to snuggle under a blanket and drink:

THEY MAKE HOT CIDER TOGETHER. They get it done faster and work as pretty damn good team, and then later, Speirs takes the corner of the couch with his mug in hand. Don’s slots right next Speirs, curling his feet up next to him as they settle in for the night.

Who loves carving pumpkins and buys about 300:

Speirs knows how excited Malarkey gets about these things so he buys them two pumpkins and draws the line there. Malarkey’s glad to obey, but that doesn’t mean Speirs isn’t going to get a big kiss on his grumpy face.

Who is terrible at carving pumpkins:

Speirs never bothered to be meticulous, so his starts off rather dodgy, so Malarkey makes it his mission to help Speirs out. But not before playing Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers. Slowly, he comes up behind Speirs, all inspired by the movie Ghost and helps him carve his pumpkin.

Speirs rolls his eyes and allows Malarkey to have his moment.

Who thinks pulling the pumpkin guts out with their hands is icky:

Ironically, it’s Don. He really doesn’t like the texture, never did. If he has to pull the guts out himself he will. But he’s got Speirs for that. So Speirs cleans out the pumpkins for the both of them to provide their blank canvases.

What is their favourite Fall activity:

Malarkey and Speirs go to a little ‘fall activity’ farm! (I used to work at one so I know how these binches work). They get their wristbands for ALL of the rides and pay extra for apple picking. The first thing they do is head towards the petting zoo, because who doesn’t want to see baby animals? Even Speirs has a soft spot for the baby goat. Then they hop on the hayride and head over to the corn maze. It’s super fun, and Speirs is the one holding the map so he makes Malarkey try and guess blindly. He gets pretty close, but at the end they end up taking a wrong turn. Speirs gets them out a few minutes later. Then they head right over to the apple orchard and fill their small bag. They shop around in the little store first, they each get a fall inspired donut, Malarkey chooses cinnamon-sugar apple and Speirs goes for the glazed pumpkin. (of course Speirs gets them each a small plastic sippy cup of cider, they’re meant for kids but he knows Malarkey will love them.) He gets one shaped like an apple and the other like a jack-o-lantern and lets Malarkey choose. Of course Malark goes for the pumpkin.

Then they head home, with Don relaxing in the passenger seat and Speirs behind the wheel. He makes sure to take the scenic route, with the fallen leaves and the thin roads. They even spot a few deer. 

Who gets scared when they watch Horror movies:

Malarkey insists they watch the scary movies while Speirs honestly thinks they’re dumb. But he sits through the shotty special effects and the terrible acting for Malarkey’s sake. But then Malarkey insists on watching The Conjuring. They settle in and Speirs is actually liking the movie… But then the first jump scare happens and Malarkey hides his face in Speirs’s shoulder. 

Speirs laughs. 

“Why do we watch these when you get scared every time?” 

“Because! I like them! And I get to cuddle against you without you getting upset. So. Bite me.” 

And Speirs does lean over to bite at Malarkey’s collar bone, but Don slaps a hand against Speirs’s cheek softly as he gives him a warning stare.

Who hands out candy to trick-or-treaters:

Speirs and Malarkey both do. But when a set of twins walk up to the doorway, a boy and girl, both dressed as knights, Speirs falls to one knee and grins at them sweetly. 

It might make Malarkey’s heart mealt. 

Who accidentally scares the kids:

Speirs. He’s gruff and tough usually and only spares a smile when he thinks about it. 

Who suggested the couples costume:

Malarkey. Every time. If it were up to Speirs, he wouldn’t even bother dressing up. But Don drags him to every party, one year it was at Lieb and Web’s, second year it was at Dick and Lew’s.

What is their couples costume:

At first he suggested they go as a dentist and tooth fairy… which was thrown out the window. Then it was suggested to princes. Until finally Malarkey came up with the idea of being cops and robbers. Malark would dress up as a cliched movie version of a robber, complete with stripes and all while Speirs would dress up as a cop. Malarkey may have favored that idea because Speirs looks really good in uniform

What is the best Halloween they ever had:

They fine that the newest Halloween they spend always feels better than the last. As long as they get to spend it together, it’s their favorite. 

But Speirs specifically likes the Halloween party they attended right before they started dating. It was a party Muck, Malarkey, and Penkala had hosted and invited everyone over. 

Malarkey was in the back, preparing apples for apple bobbing when Speirs slipped back there for some privacy. He hadn’t dressed up, and he hadn’t been expecting Malarkey to be back there either. 

“You didn’t dress up!” Malarkey said, affronted. It had been hard for him to look so disappointed while he had a little black nose drawn on top of his own and had mouse ears perched on top of his head. He, Penk, and Muck went as the three blind mice. But dropped the blind part… they’re not insensitive. 

Speirs stared at him for a moment before shrugging. “I don’t.” 

“That has to change! I’ve got an extra costume in my room.” 

And for some reason, Speirs let Malarkey drag him off to his room. He never had an issue with Malarkey, and it was Malarkey’s party after all… and Malarkey had always been cute and it gets him away from the party so… Speirs sees no fault. 

Malarkey had been harboring a red and white stripped shirt and a matching hat, that Speirs wasn’t feeling very willing to try. 

“Where’s Waldo.” Malarkey states proudly as he motions towards the costume. “Simple.” 

“I don’t know…” Speirs tries, but Malarkey is already waving him off as he grabs the shirt. 

“It’s only going to be for a few hours. And this way you’re not the guy who didn’t come in costume. Trust me, people will be bothering you way more asking “Hey why didn’t you dress  up?”” Malarkey imitates some other voice perfect as he grabs onto the shirt. 

Speirs stays quiet until Malarkey motions again with the shirt. He sighs heavily, grabbing at the end of his current shirt and brings it up and over his head so he stands there, shirtless, in Malarkey’s room. 

Malarkey must have had one too many candy corn-themed shots because he stared at Speirs’s chest unabashedly. 

It ended up with them making out on Speirs’s bed, only to be interrupted by Muck an hour later who was wondering where the apples were. 

What is the worst Halloween they ever had:

Not possible with those two. They always play it mild so any Halloween never reaches a Bad level.

Who eats too much candy and ends up sick the next day:

Malarkey is a sucker for hard candy, specifically dum dum lollipops that are always handed out, or jolly ranches, but he also likes a candy bar every now and then. So usually, by the end of the night, Malarkey’s tongue is a deep blue and he’s sitting in the passenger seat with a frown on his lips (which are also tinged blue).

Speirs tries not to chuckle in front of Malarkey, but he teases him the next day.