#please direct your ao3 policy questions to ao3 support

[transformativeworks]

Hello, I dont know if this is the right place for this but I have a question about ao3 terms of service.

Is it against ao3 policy to upload/post mood boards created via stock images along side fics? I have looked several places, and it seems like this is a gray area based on what i have found. I see other creators doing this and I would love to as well, but if its against tos I don't want to violate them.

Thank you for your time.

Hey Nonnie

Posting images is not against the TOS to my knowledge. In fact the FAQ has a whole section on how to embed images in fics.

You can post fanworks that contain text and/or embedded media. However, media types other than text can't currently be hosted by Archive of Our Own (AO3)—they will need to be uploaded to an external site first, and not all sites are supported. If your fanwork contains other media, you can use HTML to embed or link to the externally hosted file in an AO3 work.

In general your best place to direct questions about the AO3 TOS is the support form - where AO3 Support volunteers know all the policies best!

Hope this helps

~ Mod Remi

[writingquestionsanswered]

how does one manage when there's no feedback, no engagement, no... anything? the last few things i've published have gotten zero. it's frustrating. it's discouraging.

Getting No Feedback/Engagement

It's frustrating when you put your work out there and don't get any engagement or feedback. However, what to do about it (if anything at all) depends on how you're publishing and what you want the feedback for.

Whether you're publishing books/e-books or publishing online via your blog or a fiction-sharing site like AO3, it's never a good idea to rely on reader comments for feedback to help you improve your writing. If you want feedback for improvement, it's best to utilize alpha and beta readers, critique groups, critique partners, and feedback exchanges with other writers.

If you want the feedback an engagement because you want to know that someone is enjoying your work, or because you want to make sure you're building a following, you'll need to spend some time learning how to build an audience on the platform you're using. It's so important to remember that there are over 6 million registered users on AO3, for example, and over 11 million stories. Kindle Direct Publishing on Amazon hosts a couple million authors, with millions of books being sold each year. Tumblr has 135 million active users with 21 million new posts created each day. So, you no matter where you're publishing your stories, there is an unimaginable amount of competition. Unfortunately, you can't just post your stories and expect people to flock to them. That's why it's so important to learn how to build an audience on the particular platforms you're publishing on, and then you'll want to learn how to utilize social media to help get your work out there. For example, if you publish on a fiction-sharing site or your blog, you'll want to make sure you're using all the right tags and other metrics to draw people to your story. It's also extremely important that you support and engage with other writers... read and comment on their stories, boost them when appropriate. You might also consider starting a social media page specifically to find more readers. For example, let's say you write Supernatural fic and post it to AO3. You might make an Instagram page for your fiction, post SPN related memes and content, and update potential readers when new stories go up. Again, symbiosis is super important. If you don't engage with others, they won't engage with you.

If you're publishing books/e-books, you'll want to spend some time learning the best ways to promote your books, which will include things like figuring out who your audience is and where to find them, learning the proper tags, figuring out what kind of advertising speaks to them most, and learning to create promotional images and videos.

No matter what, it's really a matter of taking the time to get your work out there and find your audience. Because regardless of where you publish, they're unlikely to find you if you don't do the work to find them first.

Best of luck! ♥

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

I’ve been writing seriously for over 30 years and love to share what I’ve learned. Have a writing question? My inbox is always open!

♦ Questions that violate my ask policies will be deleted! ♦ Please see my master list of top posts before asking ♦ Learn more about WQA here

[datransexchange]

Exchange and Community Rules

In order to keep a healthy and happy community, we have a list of rules which we expect participants to follow. Violation of the rules are dealt with on a case-by-case basis and may be dealt with by issuing warnings, suspensions, or bans.

Fanwork Rules

All works in the exchange must be part of the Dragon Age fandom. Crossover works are not allowed.

All ratings and most kinks/fetishes are allowed so long as they do not violate your requester's DNWs and they are tagged appropriately. Non-con is prohibited, but dubcon and consensual non-con are permitted.

The exchange allows "dark fic" including works which deal with substance abuse, transphobia, queerphobia, and other potentially sensitive or triggering themes. This means the exchange allows themes or works you may consider "problematic". Please be sure to list anything you do not want to receive in your requests as a DNW.

The exchange does not accept works featuring minor-aged characters (under 18) in sexual situations.

Please do not alter skintone drastically from canon. In short, no white washing. If you have questions please reach out to moderators.

Please do not change the sexual orientation of canonically homosexual characters (i.e. no pieces which depict Dorian with a female character or Sera with a male character) or make canonically trans characters cis. Other sexuality headcanons are okay. When in doubt, reach out to the moderators!

Works must not be primarily AI generated. See our AI Policy (AI link)

Community Rules

Be respectful to each other.

This exchange has a zero tolerance policy for transphobia and queerphobia directed toward other members, which is particularly important due to the nature of the exchange. Transphobia and queerphobia can appear in properly tagged works provided they aren't listed in a recipient's DNW. In no circumstance should it be directed at other creators and community members.

If you are open to receiving Mature- or Explicit-rated works, you must be at least 18 years old and OPT-IN by checking the applicable box when signing up ("E"). Indicating interest for Mature- or Explicit-rated works is NOT a guarantee you will receive a work at those ratings.

If you are interested in creating Mature- or Explicit-rated works, you must be at least 18 years old in order to check the applicable box ("E") when giving your offers, and the recipient must have opted into receiving it as well for that pairing. Indicating interest in creating Mature- or Explicit-rated works is NOT binding; you may choose to create a lower rated work later. If you are under 18 or do not want to receive any "E" requests at all, please say "No 'E' requests" in your "Notes to mods" when signing up.

All assignments must be complete by the Assignment Due Date. Please see the Assignment Requirements section for our criteria. It is the responsibility of participants to submit a work that meets all assignment requirements. If you think you will need an extension or are unable to finish your assignment, please contact a mod ASAP.

This is an anonymous exchange. Do not contact your recipient. Do not de-anon yourself or any other creator ahead of creator reveals.

Do not post your story anywhere other than the current year's collection on AO3 until creators have been revealed. The only exception is that artists are allowed to use a watermark on their work to protect against art-theft. All works must be posted to the current year's collection on AO3 for an assignment to count as complete.

This is a moderated exchange. A moderator may contact you with questions or concerns with the email that you provided to AO3 for your account. If you don't have access to that account, please contact AO3 support. Any requests/questions/complaints should go through the moderators via datransexchange@gmail.com.

Were you looking for the creator expectations? Try this link.

[ahhhsami]

As someone who has been writing fanfic and using AO3 religiously for a long period of time, I want people to be aware of the answers given by Tiffany G, a final candidate for the OTW Board.

I know a lot of people haven't read the entire chat transcript or even know about the interview, but there are reasons for concern when it comes to her following answers.

Censorship has killed other fanwork based sites, so the things she's talking about are very concerning. She does not say that removal is where she wants to go, but her overall statements are worrisome for people who did experience the destructiveness of censorship in the past. She does not have a clear image and does not give clear answers as to how she would like to proceed or how it would affect AO3 users. There are discrepancies in the information she discusses, specifically the banning of AO3 in a certain country. I'm not saying that all of her ideas are bad and diversifying the board would be amazing, but not when it could come at a cost like this just so that AO3 can have a different perceived public image.

If any of the following is as concerning to you as it is me, make sure to vote as the election ends August 15, 2022, 23:59 UTC. If you can't vote, but are interested, follow these directions to become a voter for future elections!

Finally, here are her answers. Note that I have added transcripts of this all under the cut for people who need that as well. Again, the full interview and the answers from the other candidate can be found here.

Transcript:

Answer one -

Tiffany G Well, I think a lot of external people are very concerned about the fact that some works contain child pornography, pedophilic content, and other illegal content. If possible (this is not entirely possible after I chatted with people from PAC though), I am interested in providing extra help to the PAC team and Legal team to update the ToS and policies on those.

Answer two -

Tiffany G OK this is a follow-up to the last question – people think we host child porn content and such things. This issue is actually closely related to the incident when our service is banned in my home country. It might also be helpful to clarify that to the public. I am not an expert but look forward to discussing it more with respective committees.

Answer three -

Tiffany G Well, this is really hard to explain in a few sentences. I think it is going to be different for every work. So more clarification will be helpful and enough, given the fact that most people will not have time to read through everything in ToS.

Answer four -

Tiffany G 1. a) I support 100% “maximum inclusiveness of content”, yet there is always a boundary to everything. Since OTW is already an influential org, we need to protect our image and hold a better image to the public. I want the public to think of us as an inclusive and socially responsible community. So in general, we have to do something to change. Things like making the rating system more specific and obvious to users will be what I want to do. 2. b) Not really restricting the content being posted. I hope it is like more warnings and ratings for posting work so people know what to expect. And all of these are not surprising to people who do not wish to see this.

Question and answer five -

Sveritas Thank you for your answers! We do have two more related follow ups for Tiffany G. on the topic of content on AO3: 1. a) please does your definition of content that should be disallowed include all written content depicting sexual content of minors? 2. b) please clarify how you propose we treat the content we currently have in the archive that should be banned with those proposed TOS changes

Tiffany G 1. a) That is not what I proposed actually. I would want to be more specific in the rating system and clarifications so people know what to expect. 2. b) If there are changes, it is going to be some slower work I suspect. Will work with PAC to figure out if changes are necessary.

Question and answer six -

Audience Member I’m very curious what Tiffany considers a “better image” that the OTW should present to the public. As in, what part of our image is unsuitable.

Tiffany G As I have mentioned before, AO3 is no longer accessible in my home country due to some incident related to a piece of pedophilic work that is posted at AO3. This makes users very difficult to read and write with AO3. When I was reading the comments about the incident, a lot of people seemed to have a negative opinion about us. So, I think there is at least something we can do to help build a better image for us in my home country.

[whumptober]

Whumptober 2020 - Updated

Welcome to Whumptober 2020! We’re doing things a little differently this year so please make sure to read the Event Info carefully. We are also excited to announce the addition of an AO3 Collection, which can be found here.

We hope you’re as excited as us to watch the Whump Community come together once again for a month of bone-crunching creativity and collaboration!

(All 31 Themes + Prompts, Event Information, and FAQs are posted below the cut!)

No 1. LET'S HANG OUT SOMETIME Waking Up Restrained | Shackled | Hanging

No 2. IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY  "Pick Who Dies" | Collars | Kidnapped

No 3. MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY Manhandled | Forced to their Knees | Held at Gunpoint

No 4. RUNNING OUT OF TIME Caged | Buried Alive | Collapsed Building

No 5. WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING? On the Run | Failed Escape | Rescue

No 6. PLEASE.... "Get it Out" | No More | "Stop, please"

No 7. I'VE GOT YOU Support | Carrying | Enemy to Caretaker

No 8. WHERE DID EVERYBODY GO? "Don't Say Goodbye" | Abandoned | Isolation

No 9. FOR THE GREATER GOOD "Take Me Instead" | "Run!” | Ritual Sacrifice

No 10. THEY LOOK SO PRETTY WHEN THEY BLEED Blood Loss | Internal Bleeding | Trail of Blood

No 11. PSYCH 101 Defiance | Struggling | Crying

No 12. I THINK I'VE BROKEN SOMETHING Broken Down | Broken Bones | Broken Trust

No 13. BREATHE IN BREATHE OUT Delayed Drowning | Chemical Pneumonia | Oxygen Mask

No 14. IS SOMETHING BURNING? Branding | Heat Exhaustion | Fire

No 15. INTO THE UNKNOWN Possession | Magical Healing | Science Gone Wrong

No 16. A TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY Forced to Beg | Hallucinations | Shoot the Hostage

No 17. I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING Blackmail | Dirty Secret | Wrongfully Accused

No 18. PANIC! AT THE DISCO Panic Attacks | Phobias | Paranoia

No 19. BROKEN HEARTS Grief | Mourning Loved One | Survivor's Guilt

No 20. TOTO, I HAVE A FEELING WE'RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE Lost | Field Medicine | Medieval

No 21. I DON'T FEEL SO WELL Chronic Pain | Hypothermia | Infection

No 22. DO THESE TACOS TASTE FUNNY TO YOU? Poisoned | Drugged | Withdrawal

No 23. WHAT’S A WHUMPEE GOTTA DO TO GET SOME SLEEP AROUND HERE? Exhaustion | Narcolepsy | Sleep Deprivation

No 24. YOU’RE NOT MAKING ANY SENSE Forced Mutism | Blindfolded | Sensory Deprivation

No 25. I THINK I’LL JUST COLLAPSE RIGHT HERE, THANKS Disorientation | Blurred Vision | Ringing Ears

No 26. IF YOU THOUGHT THE HEAD TRAUMA WAS BAD... Migraine | Concussion | Blindness

No 27. OK, WHO HAD NATURAL DISASTERS ON THEIR 2020 BINGO CARD? Earthquake | Extreme Weather | Power Outage

No 28. SUCH WOW. MANY NORMAL. VERY OOPS. Accidents | Hunting Season | Mugged

No 29. I THINK I NEED A DOCTOR Intubation | Emergency Room | Reluctant Bedrest

No 30. NOW WHERE DID THAT COME FROM? Wound Reveal | Ignoring an Injury | Internal Organ Injury

No 31. TODAY’S SPECIAL: TORTURE Experiment | Whipped | Left for Dead

Alternate Prompt List

Alt 1. Punctured

Alt 2. Falling

Alt 3. Comfort

Alt 4. Stitches

Alt 5. Stoic Whumpees

Alt 6. Altered States

Alt 7. Found Family

Alt 8. Adverse Reactions

Alt 9. Memory Loss

Alt 10. Nightmares

Alt 11. Presumed Dead

Alt. 12. Water

Alt. 13 Accidents

Alt. 14 Shot

Alt. 15 Carry/Support

Event Info

WHUMPTOBER is a month-long, prompt-based creation challenge (think: Inktober, but whumpier). There are 31 Official themes this year - one for each day of the month - which can be used, skipped, or combined in any way you’d like. They are meant to serve as inspiration without being taken literally (e.g. you don't have to include the exact wording into your work). Additionally, there are 3 prompts for each theme.  These are optional suggestions and can be used in conjunction with the theme, or as options/alternatives.  We want to give everyone as much creative freedom as possible, as well as increase event accessibility for folks with triggers and squicks.

Creators can PRODUCE work in any media they choose, including but not limited to: writing, visual artwork, and photo/video/audio edits. Creators can PARTICIPATE as much or as little as they want (i.e. you don’t have to do ALL the prompts if you don’t want to) and prompts can be used in any order. They are also free to use even after the event ends.

When uploading Whumptober content to your blog, be sure to tag the with:

#whumptober2020 …..(the event tag)

#no.1, #no.2, #no.3, …..(theme number)

#bruised, #stabbed,  …..(the theme or specific prompt you chose)

#fandom or #OC

#medium …..(gifs, fic, podcast, art, etc.)

#teeth, #etc …..(trigger warnings & any additional tags. Keep in mind not to add “tw” in front but only use the word/trigger itself, because tumblr sucks)

#nsfw, #nsfwhump …..(only for nsfw content)

PLEASE BE DILIGENT WITH YOUR TAGGING. Only properly tagged posts are considered for archiving on the official @whumptober2020​ blog. They must be tagged in the order above.

Unfortunately, due to the sheer number of participants in recent years, we cannot guarantee your work will be archived. A random selection of properly tagged posts from all genres will be reblogged each day.

Whumpers who produce content for 31 total theme days are considered event completionists and will be tagged in a masterpost at the end of the month.

Questions not addressed below can be directed to this blog as well.

Thanks for reading, and happy whumping!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What kind of content can I make? Can it be NSFW?

This is a MIXED MEDIA event! You can write fic, post meta, doodle or paint, create a gif set or photo edit, link a song, or get crafty with video - anything goes. As for NSFW, make what you like, we just hope that you’ll tag your work accordingly so that others participating in the event can stay safe :)

Q. Do I have to do all 31 Days? Can I post early/late?

Participate as much or little as you like, and post whenever! Just be sure to tag your posts properly (ex. #no.11, #psych101). Combining prompts into one piece of work is okay, and posting late is as well so as long as it’s in October.

Q. What if I don’t understand a theme?

Send us an ask! We’re happy to help clarify. That said, the themes are entirely up for interpretation :)

Q. Can I combine Whumptober with other creation challenges?

Absolutely! That’s like shooting two whumpees with one bullet :)

Q. Can I upload/repost my whumptober content to other social media platforms?

Of course! We’ve created an AO3 Collection to archive any fics posted there. The archive can be accessed here. The blog is the official archive, so please respect the boundaries of any closeted whumpers in your social circle :)

Q. Can I use prompts to write a new chapter for an existing fic?

Yes

Q. An existing fic I am currently writing contains many of the Whumptober prompts, can I use it?

If you are actively writing this fic at the moment with the whumptober prompts in mind, yes. If it just conveniently checks the boxes, then please don’t. You can, however, add new chapters answering one or more of the prompts.

Q. What kind of characters can I write for?

Fandom characters, OC characters, human, furry, alien, cyborg, whoever you like.

Q. Can I use a prompt multiple times?

Yes,  but it only counts once

Q. If I’m not comfortable with one day's prompts can I use a prompt of a different day as a substitute and still be a completionist?

Yes, but please do not use a specific prompt twice. We have also created an alternate prompts list that you can draw from [here].

Q. Where can I post my work?

Post where and how you want. You don’t even have to (cross)post it to Tumblr. Just keep in mind if it’s not on Tumblr we will not be able to add it to the blog archive.

Q. Can I start posting early?

You can, but this is an October event and wouldn’t it be more fun with everyone doing it at the same time? That being said, you can post early, but we won’t be reblogging any work predating October 1st.

Q. Do I have to finish a fic I started/can I post WIP’s.?

Yes you can post WIPs. And you’re not obligated to finish it in October for it to count towards being a completionist.  

Q. Is co-writing allowed?

Yes, absolutely, and it would count towards being a completionist for both/all of you :)

Q. Do I have to create 31 standalone pieces to be considered a completionist or can I write one continuous story?

One continuous story is fine.  The challenge is to write something for 31 prompts. If that’s spread over 31 fics or just one, you are still considered a completionist. (The same goes for every other media you choose.)

Q. Is there a min/max limit on word count?

There is no limit

Q. Can I combine prompts? Is there a limit on how many?

No limit and combine as many as you’d like.

Q. Is a hc/angst focus ok?

Of course!

Q. What’s considered nsfw?

See this post

Q. What's whump?

See this post

Q. My interpretation of the prompt isn't whumpy at all, does that count?

No, sorry, but keep in mind that whump [see definition] is something very nuanced and different for everyone and emotional whump/angst is just as much part of it, as is physical whump and torture. So before you dismiss your idea, think about this.

Q. Can I start working on the prompts before October?

Absolutely! That’s why we posted the prompts a month in advance. We recognise how difficult it can be creating for 31 days in “real time”.

Q. How do I tag triggers?

tw at the end of the word, ex. emeto tw

Q. Do I have to use your tags?

Yes, if you want your work archived on the blog. If not, feel free to use whatever tags you want.  

Q. Does combining prompts count towards completion?

Yes

Q. Can we @ you?

Yes but we mostly rely on the whumptober2020 tag

Q. Is there anything we are absolutely not allowed to write?

There are no rules, just be sure to properly tag your trigger warnings. And keep in mind Tumblr’s policies if you are posting it here (or the policies of whatever site you use).

Q. Where can I go for brainstorming help?

Here on Discord

Q. My characters are minors, is that ok?

Yes, but as with everything else, tags are your best friend.

Q. Can I cross post on other blogs?

Yes, multiple platforms and blogs are perfectly acceptable. You can also post different works to different accounts under different names, without posting them everywhere at once.

Note: This is a creation challenge, please don’t repost your old work under our tags (unless it’s been changed or edited for the event).

[the-pen-pot]

[Transcript of image at end of post under a read more.]

So, in my efforts to deal with tumblr's shitty linking problem wherin it doesn't like linking to tumblr posts., it looks like I accidentally violated AO3's terms of service. My bad.

From what I have understood of previous email conversations with AO3 staff addressing this issue, linking to socials where you mention patreon and ko-fi is fine, as long as you're not linking to patreon and ko-fi directly from your author's notes.

The a/ns on my work used to say Want to find out how to support me? Clcik here! And led to a specific tumblr page with details.

However, I changed the links to point to my personal webpage http://bdstrike.co.uk, and that seems to have been a breach of AO3s policies.

I've obviously removed the offending text from my author's notes (because DUH) and have asked for further clarification on what *would* be acceptable - if anything. I'm not sure if it's the text in conjunction with that specific link to that particular domain or what. Clarity can only be a good thing to all involved 😁

My fics are all still up, obviously. AO3 are good when it comes to this kind of thing and gives you time to act. They don't just rip stuff down or anything.

[transcript begins]

Hi,

The AO3 Policy & Abuse committee has received a complaint regarding a number of your works and the text in your profile, alleging that they contain unauthorized advertising material.

Section IV.B. of our Terms of Service states: "Promotion of commercial products or activities is not allowed." The Terms of Service FAQ further explains: "We want the Archive to remain a non-commercial space. That means that it isn't the right place for offering merchandise, even fan-related merchandise. Linking to your personal page (not, for example, an Amazon author page) is fine, even if the personal page includes some items for sale, but the Archive is not advertising space."

Solicitations for direct or indirect commercial advantage are not permitted on the Archive. This includes all links or references to commercial sites such as Amazon, Patreon, or Ko-fi; any mention of collecting donations, offering paid commissions, or selling published works; previews for paywalled content; and any other language which one might interpret as requesting or having requested financial contributions, whether for yourself or others.

After investigation, we have determined that the following text is in violation of the Archive's non-commercialization policy:

"Want to find out how to support me as an author? Visit this blog post for more info!", in combination with a link to your professional website where you advertise your Ko-Fi and Patreon.

However, this wording is not necessarily comprehensive. As a user of the Archive, it is your responsibility to ensure that your account and the works posted on it are in compliance with our Terms of Service.

Accordingly, we require you to edit out all instances of commercial promotion from your account within 7 days. This includes anything that might be in any of your works (including all tags, notes, and comments) and in your profile.

If you don't edit or remove the violating content from your works or your profile by the given deadline, we will hide any violating works from public view. You will be able to access the hidden works via the direct links provided through the automatic emails you will receive when the works are hidden. If the works and your profile are not edited within a week of being hidden, an Archive administrator will delete the works.

When you created your account, you agreed to comply with our Terms of Service. Section I.D. of our Terms of Service states: "You agree not to […] make available any Content or work that violates the Content Policy." Violations of the Terms of Service occur when the content is uploaded to the Archive.

As a consequence of this infringement, a formal warning has been placed on your account. Although your account will not be affected by this decision now, failure to comply with the terms of this letter may be considered an additional violation of the Terms of Service. Further violations of the Terms of Service may result in the temporary or permanent suspension of your account.

For more information about content and behaviors that are not permitted on the Archive, as well as the penalties (such as warnings and suspensions) incurred as a result of any violations, please refer to our Terms of Service and Terms of Service FAQ:

https://archiveofourown.org/tos#content

https://archiveofourown.org/tos_faq#content_faq

If you wish to appeal against our decision, or if you have any questions, please feel free to reply to this email.

Eliette

AO3 Policy & Abuse

[transcript ends]

[siren1song]

Sugarcoated

Summary: Patton is short, but he doesn't really mind it. And honestly? He minds it even less when he finds out the cute new employee can pick him up easy-peasy.

Warnings: Mentions of making out

Pairing: Intruality

General Taglist: @acanvasofabillionsuns​, @emo-disaster​, @greenninjagal-blog​, @jungle321jungle​, @sleepy-sides​, @gattonero17​, @izzynuggets​, @another-sandersidesblog​, @strawberryjellystuff​, @remusownsmyuwus​, @logic-with-a-pinch-of-deceit​, @demidork84​, @gr3ml1n-loser​, @main-chive​, @kiribakuandcats​, @firey-alex​, @orca-iguana​

Taglist for This: @jessibbb, @sanderssides-angst, @yalltookmyurlideas

Commissions!! | Buy Me a Kofi!! | Join Casper’s Crew!! | Ao3 Link!!

Notes: Tiny Patton and Remus picking him up. Tiny Patton and Remus picking him up.

Patton… was short. This wasn’t new to him, of course, but sometimes it could really be a pain in the tush. Being five foot one and working in a candy shop meant that sometimes he couldn’t reach the high shelves where all the individually wrapped hard candies were so young’uns couldn’t hurt themselves.

Which was what he was struggling to deal with right now, standing on his tip toes to refill one of the containers (he hadn’t been able to make Ivan and Steve stop flirting long enough to grab the step stool) and hoping he didn’t drop anything and waste stock.

He didn’t mind being short, but gosh being taller would be real nice right now.

Suddenly there was a hand guiding the bag of butterscotch away from the container Patton was trying to fill, and before he could protest, he was yelping because there was hands grabbing his waist and picking him up. Looking down with a flushed red face, trying not to wiggle too much when he was settled onto a shoulder, Patton saw the newest employee grinning up at him.

“Noticed you needed some help, hope this is okay?” Remus asked, patting Patton’s calf with the hand he had around his legs to help keep him balanced.

Oh goodness, he is strong being able to pick him up with as chubby as he was.

“Ah- Well I mean, in the future maybe ask before you pick me up? But uh… yeah this is a big help, thanks!” he said, unable to fight back his flustered giggle.

Remus’ grin grew wider, and Patton forced himself to focus on restocking the butterscotch instead of the swoop of butterflies in his belly at just how attractive that grin was.

Honestly, Patton hadn’t been expecting for there to be another instance where he was picked up. He’d moved the step stool to a new spot since Ivan and Steve kept flirting in that one, and nothing was too high for him to restock or clean with that thing.

He supposed physically picking him up and moving him away from the counter was one way to keep him from yelling at an entitled mother who thought her custom box of chocolates for her daughter wasn’t supposed to be as expensive as it was.

It was… also a way to distract him from his anger by making him remember just how gay he was for Remus. Which was a little bit of an issue considering Patton may be manager, but Logan was store owner and if de caught Remus saying what he was to the now scandalized mother, de would fire both of them. Remus for saying it and Patton for allowing it.

“Ah, Remus, please step back,” he said softly, grabbing his arm and catching Steve’s attention, nodding him in the direction of the woman.

Times like these, Patton was so grateful that Steve was so good at customer service.

Remus stepped back, following Patton when he gestured for him to do so.

They stepped into a supply closet, Patton not expecting to hear the click of the door closing behind them but forcing himself to not think about that right now because he needed to be professional and he couldn’t think about kissing someone who worked under him.

“I really appreciate you pulling me back out there,” he started, turning to face Remus before looking up for the light string, “but you can’t- dang it, I can’t reach that.”

Remus, without saying anything and wearing an amused grin, reached forward and pulled once on the chain.

Patton refused to acknowledge the showcasing of height made his face more red because he did not want to think about his attraction to Remus right now.

“Uh… thank you. Anyway, you can’t talk to customers like that, whether they’re rude or not-”

“You looked pretty close to ripping her head off yourself,” Remus commented, his grin growing when Patton spluttered a little in response.

“Yeah, well I just…” Patton sighed, crossing his arms over his chest and pursing his lips a little in a small pout, “she was calling Lo mean things, and deir my friend not just my boss.”

Remus nodded, making a vague sound of agreement that had Patton looking back up at him to see-

Oh. Oh. He is definitely watching his mouth, oh goodness.

“Yeah I heard, I’ve got ears. And eyes.”

“Uh… what does… your vision have to do with anything?” Patton asked, taking a step back and forcing back a squeak when his back met the wall.

Maybe a closet wasn’t the best decision to have a private conversation.

“Nothing important. Just noticing the cute manager and how flustered he gets around me. Say, question,” Remus said, interrupting Patton before he could even respond to the flirt.

“Oh, uh, answer,” he responded, his mind a little scrambled because Remus had just taken two steps closer and now there was barely two feet between them.

“What’s the policy on dating here?” he asked, taking one more step forward.

If Patton’s face wasn’t red before, it sure as heck was now.

“It’s um. It’s frowned upon.”

“Cool, I quit then,” Remus said and then he was tilting Patton’s face upwards just a bit more so he could place a kiss on his lips.

And well… if he quit, then Patton was going to let himself enjoy this.

“Patton,” Logan started, arms crossed over deir chest as de looked over deir glasses at Patton.

“Logan,” Patton responded, struggling not to giggle as he cupped his hand over the two hickeys on his neck, his other hand supporting his elbow as he stood in Logan’s office.

Percy, the one person in the candy shop who was fed up with all the flirting, had ended up walking in on him and Remus while they were kissing and had ratted Patton out to Logan.

Well… kissing was a light word for it, but Patton couldn’t find it in himself to care at this exact moment.

Logan sighed, rubbing deir temple while Patton finally let out the giggles he’d been struggling to hold back the last twenty minutes.

“I hope you know I’m going to have to put you on unpaid leave, Pat,” de said, giving Patton a tired look that turned Patton’s grin into a sheepish smile.

“I know now? How long?” he asked, tapping his fingers against his elbow and shifting his feet.

He kind of wanted to leave already. Remus was waiting for him in the employee parking lot.

“A week. Please don’t make out in the shop again, and especially not on the clock,” Logan said, giving Patton a pointed look that had him giggling again.

“Yep! Lesson learned! See you tomorrow!” he said, starting to back out of the room.

Logan frowned in confusion.

“Why tomorrow? Isn’t it your night to make dinner?”

Patton gave Logan a cheeky grin.

“You can cook, can’t you?”

And then he was out the door. Sure, that may not be the nicest way to go about things, and he would definitely be apologizing to dem later for flaking out on his night to cook, but he really wanted to spend some more time with Remus, and he’d promised him a fun time.

With how the twenty minutes in the supply closet went, Patton was honestly inclined to believe that.

When Patton stepped out of the building, Remus stood up from where he was leaning on his truck and waved him over with a grin.

“Hey sunshine, didn’t get fired did you?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at Patton once he was within a reasonable talking distance.

“No, but I’m on unpaid leave for a week.”

Remus blew a raspberry, making Patton giggle.

“Well shit. Bright side though, that means a little more time for us, huh sweetheart?” Remus asked, pulling the passenger door open.

Patton giggled and took a step forward to climb in.

Before he could, Remus had his hands on Patton’s waist and lifted him into the truck. Patton was going to protest, but Remus already his lips on his.

“I’d say that makes the leave worth it,” he said, words a little breathless, when Remus pulled away.

Remus chuckled, pecking his cheek and making him giggle when his mustache tickled his skin.

“Gotta agree there, butterscotch.”

[btssavedmylifeblr]

Hey Bee! First off, I love Void so much. It's been a wild ride and I am so excited for more. Please take your time! Ok, so my question might be a heavier (?) one right now. So I will preface this by saying I have really bad anxiety and have a lot of irrational thoughts lol. But I have been debating about reposting my reader-insert BTS enemies to lovers fanfic (with LOTS of smut) online this past week. I don't think there is anything wrong with it, and don't think I'm hurting anyone (1/)

And its really therapeutic to write! To me, it’s just like writing out my fantasy about them members in great detail with lots of fun plot lol. Recently, Bighit posted about taking legal action for “sexually harassing” the members and Twitter got weirdly up in arms about fanfic. Which I didn’t think would be considered defamation or harassment…its fiction and not being sent to the guys (I hope…). And I also doubt they will ever see it (I HOPE! At least my own lol)

My friends (I have told 2 IRLs that I write fanfic and they support it!...one also writes soft fic) say they think I am being irrational, but I can’t tell lol. I don’t usually care what other people think, but I’m worried about the legality of it. Also, I don’t want to be thinking that I’m hurting the boys in anyway. Just wondered if you had thoughts on this, as another (far better, FANTASTIC) fic writer who dabbles in smut. Thank you for taking the time to read my worries!

If you have no answer for this, I understand that too. Take care! You're the best :)

____

Man, Twitter must be up in arms about this because this is the second ask I’ve gotten about this in a week.

Here is what I said to another anon earlier this week and here is another post on whether fanfiction is objectification.

Those two posts lay out my feelings on the ethics of fanfiction. My basic stance is while I doubt the boys enjoy it, I dont think it hurts anyone and I think the pros outweighs the cons. You can read those for longer thoughts on the ethics, but you have also brought up the legality of it which is something no one has asked about before so I want to address it.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, but I have looked into this because these questions worried me when I started writing too.

Is real-person fanfiction legal?

Yes. More legal than fanfiction based on other people’s fictional works because fictional works can be copyrighted but public personalities cannot.

No lawsuits have ever been filed for celebrity fanfiction, so it’s never been directly tested in court, but they have probably not been brought because it doesn’t violate any laws. The closest I could find was Hustler Magazine v. Falwell, where Hustler Magazine published a fictional interview with Jerry Falwell claiming he had drunken sex with his own mother. The Supreme Court ruled that because no one would assume the story to be true, that it was within Hustler’s free speech rights to publish it, because Falwell is a public figure. Likewise, fanfiction is always labeled as fictional.

Perhaps if one was charging for access to the fanfiction, a legal argument could be made that you are profiting off of their likenesses, but no one does charge for access to it, and sites like AO3 have specific policies banning profiting off of fanfiction.

Is real-person fanfiction sexual harrassment?

No. Definitions of sexual harrassment vary, but most resemble something like this.

Sexual harassment includes requests for sexual favors, sexual advances or other sexual conduct when (1) submission is either explicitly or implicitly a condition affecting academic or employment decisions; (2) the behavior is sufficiently severe or pervasive as to create an intimidating, hostile or repugnant environment; or (3) the behavior persists despite objection by the person to whom the conduct is directed.

Fanfiction doesn’t meet any of these criteria, as long as it isn’t sent to the boys directly, to their homes, or their workplaces. Fanfiction doesn’t request anything of them, doesn’t affect their employment, doesn’t affect their environment if its not placed where they can see it, and they have never objected to it. In fact, as with BTS World, they regularly invite us to engage in fictional role play with them. If a day comes when BTS or Bighit come out against fanfiction specifically, I will lay down my keyboard and go write original fiction.

Do I understand why it makes some fans uncomfortable? Yes and I don’t begrudge anyone who doesn’t want to read it. That is why I put warnings on all my fics and don’t put them in places where anyone would find them if they weren’t looking for them, including BTS.

I hope your writing brings you joy, whether or not you choose to publish it.

[gold-from-straw]

Enough - ch7/9

This is only the beginning of the full chapter because it’s mostly sexy times! I’ve linked it to the rest of the chapter on AO3 because this blog is attempting to be SFW, so if you like, I hope you’ll continue to read there! Or you could start from the beginning here - Thank you guys for all your support so far!

Erik bought him coffee. He argued with him, he stated evidence for his views, and he refuted Charles’. It was infuriating and intoxicating, and Charles found himself sinking into the conversation unreservedly, and wanting more. When Erik left, taking Charles’ phone number with him and leaving behind a chaste kiss on the cheek and a tingling sensation all down Charles’ back, he had to take a deep breath and push the want down hard. That would probably be the last time he ever heard from Erik.

But less than a day had passed when Erik was texting him to ask for a second date, a trip to an open lecture on the effect of radiation on the X gene. He and Charles got into a debate with the visiting professor that the man could barely keep up with, and soon members of the audience were directing questions to the two of them, leaving the mutantphobic researcher fuming at the front of the room.

Charles had taught himself to be good at compartmentalising - he had to, as a telepath. It wasn’t just his own thoughts and emotions he needed to catalogue and put aside for later, but everyone else’s, after all. But the pull he felt towards Erik and his beautiful mind, his passion, his sarcasm and teasing… Charles was finding it harder to keep it contained. He orbited Erik like a planet, already.

Erik introduced him to his friends, brought him into the Brotherhood of Mutants, where they argued fiercely about ethics and politics, usually to the point where the others started to glaze over or wandered off. Erik’s second in command, Emma, was also a telepath, the only other Charles had ever met, and he was fascinated by the way she wielded her power as an extra limb, and at how much Erik accepted her into his mind. He forced down his jealousy, convinced it to turn into hope, that maybe one day Erik would accept him in like that as well. He turned away from Emma, from her sharp gaze and well-hidden sympathy.

He brought Erik to the school and Erik put him into contact with potential students and teachers, and they hashed out new policies and programmes teaching outside the school grounds, bringing mutant education to people who couldn’t afford to come to upstate New York, and the more he got to know him, his passion, his determination to help their people, the more he sank, deep, into wanting more, into wanting everything.

It had been a long time since he’d truly been hurt. He’d got used to accepting that he’d never be enough for people to get past the turn-off of his telepathy, but for the first time in years he found himself wishing, hopelessly, that he could just… get rid of it. Be a bit more normal, be a bit less, maybe have a simple mutation like telekinesis, or power over an element of some sort. Maybe then he’d be good enough for Erik.

***

“Do you have anywhere to be tomorrow morning?” Erik asked softly into his ear one Saturday night.

Charles shivered, his eyes fluttering shut as he felt a sweep of magenta down his spine. “No… Hank’s on call this Sunday.”

Erik linked their fingers, his skin sliding slowly against Charles’ palm. “Then… would you come back to mine?”

Charles pressed forwards and kissed him, losing himself in the feel of Erik’s mind, his power swirling with the magnetic fields of the earth. It was like stars bursting behind his eyelids as he licked into his mouth.

Erik gasped and staggered back, gripping his biceps to hold him upright. “What was that?”

Cold horror flooded Charles’ spine. “Oh, my God, I’m so sorry, Erik, was I… my telepathy, I didn’t realise I was being so intrusive, please… please forgive me?”

“Your telepathy? That was you, in my mind?”

He wanted to cry, honestly, why couldn’t he have better control? “I’m so sorry, my friend… I’ll just…” he stepped back. It had been wonderful while it lasted, he thought.

Erik tightened his grip. “Do it again.”

Continue to the rest of this chapter...

[tessiepessie]

All I ever wanted was the world

Read it now on AO3 !!

Thanks to @wordshakerofgallifrey for be so kind <3 and to @anastasiaheadcanons​ because after sending that ask I decided to write the story.

                                             First things firts

When Kate left her apartament five minutes later than in a normal day, she had to run to catch the bus. At her fast steps, she didn’t see the old lady carrying a basket with fruits who was opening her store. The basket fell, rolling on the floor, and leaving a mess of apples that stopped the steps of those who were running to their jobs, and Casey’s mom told him that a good man was one who always helped his neighbor if he had the chance. That’s why he had to stop and help old Livia from the store, but he couldn't catch the last sneaky apple which ran into the street and scared a weak young cyclist who stopped so quickly that jumped from the bike and crashed into a taxi whose driver didn't see the red light because of the man with a cellphone in his hand who kept asking him for directions to the nearby library.

“Someone call an ambulance please!”

People gathered around the young man on the ground who was blinking quickly trying to keep himself conscious. The blue of the sky was hidden behind curious eyes that moved and lips that formed words, but he could not decipher what they said to him. He would be late for his classes, maybe he had to take the bus, did he have to take an exam today? So many questions and he was so tired… Maybe he should close his eyes for a minute.

The blurry faces in front of the man in the floor, went slowly into dark and the last thing he heard was someone asking for his name and the sound of an ambulance.

…

“Okay pretty ladies, get ready quickly. We have rehearsal!”

Lily clapped her hands fast, chasing the girls who, with total laziness, took their bags and walked to the camerino. The only one that was ready was Anya, with her white tutu and ribbon in her hair, she got nothing to envy to the Broadway stars. She was on stage warming-up while the cast was getting ready. So professional, Lily wished that the rest of the cast were like her, always on time and the first ready to perform. Most of the people who performed here did it as a hobby, so they didn't really try hard to make it the best show of their lives.

Seemed like that rehearsal would be a long one. She should take her vacation while she still could, Or sell the theater. Or drink a shot of vodka. Whatever works.

“Anya, why are you wearing your costume?” “I want to get used to moving in it… and I look pretty” This girl… “Okay… Everyone take positions! we start in five!”

Working in a community production was not the big dream that Anastasia had when she was five and decide that one day her name would be in some Broadway production, but at least she was doing what she loved. Even if most of the audience was made up of seniors at the matineé.

And of course, this wouldn’t be permanent. Someday she would be in Broadway oh! she could be in Wicked! or maybe in a new and exciting show. She would wait for her moment. Even if it took ten or twenty years.

Just one shitty production at a time.

…

These 24-hour shifts would be the death of him. His thoughts were not coherent by the end of his shift, and he was pretty sure he'd been staring at the wall of the break room for the past ten minutes without blinking. Dmitry wondered how much longer he could live on a diet of coffee and Red Bull before he had a heart attack. It probably wasn't healthy, but he was a nurse, not a nutritionist.

Just a few hours more and he would be sleeping at his comfy bed till the world collapses (lies, just till Vlad came to make him eat something else than sugar).

“Do you have plans for this Friday?” he needed to talk, or he would fall asleep right then and there. “My sister has a presentation with her company. We are all going to see her as a family to support her penniless career.” Maria was melted on the futon, they started the shift together so she probably was as tired as he was. No judging. “At least she does what she loves” “Hey! I love my job too, but I love sleep more”

Being friends with Maria was easy, even when she came from a crazy rich family that paid for her college tuition and he would be in endless debt for most of his life. Still, they had the same age and they started their internship at ER together. After a few weeks, they spent most of their spare time at the cafeteria sharing experience of the moody doctors and funny stories of the patients. Maria was a breath of fresh air in this shitty work and he couldn’t ask for a best partner.

They were friends.

Kind of.

They don’t usually hang out on their days off why would they? they probably see each other more than they see their families. He didn’t know where her apartment was and he knew a few thing about her family, like she had a bunch of siblings, and she wanted an insane numbers of children. But she was the only one who was friendly with him and didn't make fun of him for being a nurse, and sometimes, they go for a drink when the day was especially awful.

“Come on. I'll get you a Snickers. I need sugar”

Dmitry and Maria were halfway to the cafeteria when the stretcher came in through the emergency door. There goes my food.

Running fast, they caught up with the paramedics. Apparently, a taxi didn’t see the red light. The patient was young. They didn’t know his name yet, and even though the impact wasn't that big, he wasn't waking up.

“He's my brother!” Maria said, almost screaming. “He is hemophilic!”

She was pale and she looked like she would faint in any moment. She was frightened, and of course she was. If her brother didn’t get medical attention quickly, he could die.

Her hands were shaking when Dmitry took her away and led her to an empty room.

“Blood type Maria?” “AB, he is AB.. How did this happen to him?” she looked like she would cry in seconds and right then, he didn’t have time to deal with tears. “Call your family. I’ll be with him. You can’t deal with this in your condition. He is going to be okay, trust me.”

But honestly, he was not sure.

…

On Friday they had their first show, but most of the dancers were stumbling and the lead girl forgot her lines constantly. This was a disaster, why was she even trying?

Lily wanted to scream.

Oh, but she knows why she was doing this, but who cares (she cares). Also, they already had the cast, and the scenery was ready. They sent all of the invitations to the important people and she pulled a few strings, so with a bit of luck, the press would be here, she can’t cancel now. This would be a joke but a joke that she would be proud of, yeah… right.

“Okay okay. Everyone, we are going to have a brief recess, and then we are going to try this again.”

Anastasia’s cellphone had five missed calls when she took it. Maria usually didn’t call when she had shift. That’s weird. And she knew that she had rehearsal today. Weird, weird, weird.

“Hey Lil’s….” but her godmother was at phone looking very pale. What’s going on? “Sweetheart, we have to leave. Now. Go for your stuff, no time to change clothes.”

Her phone started ringing again. It was Olga. Weirder.

She didn’t say “hi” which was unusual because Olgas was the politest person alive, maybe Tatiana could fight the crown. She didn’t say hi, but the words that she heard made her blood cold. It was something about and an accident and Alexei, and honestly, she didn’t care for the rest.

She was running out of the theater before the call ended.

…

Maria’s coffee was cold and her tears were dry now. The surgery started an hour ago and Dmitry didn’t say anything yet. She knew that this took time, but still. IIt was her baby brother in the OR, she couldn't just relax.

The only thing that stopped her to run into the surgery was Olga holding her hand. She had a rosary in her closed fist over her heart. She was praying, just like her mother used to do it. Maria stopped believing in god long time ago, but she found the prayers relaxing. It makes her feel safe and maybe, He was listening.

Lily and Anastasia came together. Her sister was still in her costume and hurried to hug her while Lily stood awkwardly, looking at the people in the waiting room. At least Anya wasn’t crying. She always was stronger than her.

“What happened Mashka?”

What happened? What happened was a stupid driver didn't see the red light, even though red was a pretty obvious color that everyone knew meant stop. What happened was, for ABC reasons, Alexei got scared for an apple... yes, an apple, and he jumped from his bike because obviously that was his only option and he ended up cashing with the taxi. That's what happened. And now he was in surgery.

Half an hour ago, Dmitry ran by with two bags of blood into the OR. He didn’t say a word to her.

Anya didn’t sit with Maria, Olga and Lily. She just walked in the alley. Sometimes on her tiptoes, sometimes not. She’s still wearing her ballet shoes. If she just sat there, everything would be more real and and this can’t be real. She hated hospitals since Alexei born. Most of his childhood was between white walls and the smelt of antiseptic, this can’t be happening again.

But the last time that they came to an hospital was when she had seventeen and that ended with everyone wearing black. Hospitals were only bad news. She didn’t know how Maria could work here.

She didn’t know how they can stay here and just sit until someone br them news.

Lily could use a drink now. Damned hospital with their damned sober policy, and she couldn’t leave either. What kind of ruthless woman would leave these poor children alone? They may not be family by blood, but she had watched them grow. No, Lily could be an alcoholic-ish and moody woman, but she wasn’t ruthless.

She had never been good at dealing with people who were suffering, what could she do? Pat them on their backs? Maybe she could offer to go for coffee or something to eat if the surgery took longer, but for now it was enough to sit next to them and wait.

Still, the damned surgery looks like would never end.

Till it ended.

Maria was the first to get in her feet and rushed to Dmitry, who looked tired but at least he was smiling and yes, he may be an asshole sometimes, but he wouldn’t dare to be an asshole in this situation.

Anastasia hold Maria’s hand tightly and Olga put a hand on her shoulder. They waited for her to make a move, but it wasn’t necessary because exhausted Dmitry was getting anxious and couldn’t wait for her to speak

“I told you he would be fine.” Maria and her sisters felt how suddenly they could breathe again. “Yes, he could have needed blood, but wasn’t too much, it was more for precaution. He had an hemorrhage but the doctors worked quickly so it wasn’t much the damage. I guess, the doctor would be more clear. Now, if you excuse me, I need to move him to his room...” Suddenly, Dmitry looked perplexed to Anastasia for the first time, and then to Maria. “Why does she look like a doll?”

Anya at her side made a little snort while she stand straight crossing her arms over her chest. She looked proud and taller than she really is… Is she up on her toes?

“Because I was in rehearsals, and why do you care?”

Dmitry smiled and Anya mimicked his smile while Maria thought Jesus Christ.

“Come on,” Maria hurried him, taking his arm. “I will help you with Alexei,” she said rolling her eyes. ...

Alexei opened her eyes in a bright white room and felt a bit dizzy. His head hurted a lot and that was the only part of his body that he could actually feel. Everything else was numb and he was thirsty.

He felt like a car crushed him… Wait.

Oh, the apple. Yes. He remembered now. This would be a funny story in the future, but he is pretty sure that he is in trouble now.

His family is going to kill him. Maybe he should back to sleep.

“Look who is awake.”

Or maybe not.

There’s a young man beside his bed. He is smiling even when when he looked like he didn’t slept in days. Maybe he should sleep.

“Who are you?” The guy helped him into a sitting position and wow, now everything hurts and then, approached him a glass of water. Nice guy, Alexei already liked him.

“I’m Dmitry, your nurse” “Nurse? where’s the pretty blond? there’s always a pretty blond nurse in the movies.” “First of all, the only pretty blond that I know is your sister, gross. Second, we are in 2018, men can be nurses, so... let it go.”

Shit, he is in Maria’s hospital. Whatever was the reason she wasn’t here, he knows that at any moment his family will come in the door. For a 21-year-old man, Alexei was a bit scared of his sisters.

“Maria is out there?” “Yes, with an old lady who looked pissed and your sisters.” “Do they look mad?” “Nah, your sisters are just worried. They are talking with the doctor, so they should be here in no time.”

The first came in was Anastasia. She slap his forehead knowing that Olga would scold her (and she did it). Then Olga kissed his face like she did it when he was a child and Lily squeezed his cheeks. Yes, they were just worried, but that didn't stop them from asking questions or Anya from mocking him because seriously Alexei, you gave us the scare of our life just for an apple? such an idiot.

In a corner, Maria was talking with Dmitry. She couldn’t be more grateful to him, seriously. He acted with total professionalism and took good care of her brother when she was a crying mess. Another person probably would scream at her and she would hardly be able to pull herself together, but he was patient and let her be with her family. He was such a good friend. He even offered to stay a few more hours taking care of Alexei while she went to her house to shower and sleep for a couple of hours until she returned to the next day's shift.

She would think of something to return the favor.

“Why you didn’t tell me that your little sister was a prettier version of you?”

Hell no. Not on her watch.

“Because it’s information that shouldn't interest you.”

“Why?!” Dmitry sounded offended.

“Trust me, you are not her type. Actually, she has a really shitty taste in men and you are… you.”

“But I’m a good guy, I could be an improvement in her love choices.”

Seriously… what a day.

“Give me a break. I’m going to finish a few things before I left. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

It wasn’t a no, but a maybe. Still, he probably didn’t have a chance with her sister.

[cait-writes-stuff]

The Campaign - Batmom POTUS

Warning: This fic is highly politicized and deals with a lot of political issues that currently plague the United States. That being said, this chapter includes mention of blatant racism, sexism, and Islamophobia. 

Part 1

AO3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/9579392/chapters/21659414

When you announced your candidacy to the country is kicked up a storm and for the briefest moment you had the satisfaction of stealing the spotlight from the rhetoric spewing mad man. But soon enough the real work had to begin. You had an election to win.

You started by hiring a campaign manager and spent a lot of the next few week in and out of interviews with news outlets and politicians alike, talking about your policies and the direction you wanted to take the country in. Naturally you had people who liked your progressive ideas but you also faced a lot of people who didn’t agree with you. You took their criticisms with grace and poise, you knew you wouldn’t be able to get everyone on your side but there were just some issues that you would never sway your stance on.

After the first wave of interviews you went on a tour around the country to give speeches in some of the contested states. You were admittedly a bit exhausted from the non stop traveling but your last stop was in Gotham and the crowd was more than welcoming to you. You shook off your eagerness to see your family again to give your home city the best presentation you could muster.

“Ummi!” A voice called from the crowd. Your heart lept thinking it was your youngest son calling out to you but was admitted a little disappointed to see that it was a young boy calling out excitedly to his hijab clad mother, pointing in your direction as your body guards led you through the crowd. You gave the boy a warm smile when you approached him and waved at him.

“Salam, how are you today young man?” You greeted kindly. He waved shyly back but his mother gently prompted him to respond to you.

“Wa Alaikumussalam wa Rahmatullah.” He greeted kindly in return. “Ummi says that you’re going to be the President someday. Is that true?” He asked innocently.

“That’s the hope.” You laughed warmly.

“Mrs. Wayne, might I ask you a question” The mother said capturing your attention.

“Of course.” You said.

“Luthor and his followers are speaking of banning groups of people from entering the country and deporting others. My husband is still trying to immigrate from Afghanistan. Please Mrs. Wayne, I’m worried for the future of my family.” The woman fretted, visibly upset over the uncertainty of the future for her family.

“I promise you if I’m elected I will never ban any people from seeking asylum in this country. Banning entry for any group of people due to religion, country origin, or any other excuse they can come up with is against the ideals of this nation. In the words of Lady Liberty herself: Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. As president I will protect that ideal.” You promised. She smiled a watery smile and enveloped you in a tight hug. Your body guards lurched forward to separate her from you but you waved them off. She cried her thanks and the older woman stepped back and framed your cheeks with both of her hands.

“I will be proud to call you my President, Mrs. Wayne.” She said.

“Thank you, ma’am. It is my duty to protect all peoples of this great nation from oppression.” You said.

“What about the wall?” A hispanic man asked who was watching the exchange between you and the Muslim mother.

“There will be no wall. Ever.” You responded firmly. It was almost laughable that Lex would even consider making that a campaign point but fearful isolationists ate up the idea of a physical barrier between our neighbor and close trade partner.

“Ma’am. It’s time to go.” Your campaign manager said ushering you to the stage. You nodded and waved to the crowd and thanked them graciously for their support.

The speech went off without a hitch and you walked away feeling you had the majority of the city on your side. You didn’t show it but you were chomping at the bit to go home and spend time with your family for the first time in weeks.

“Lunch?” Your campaign manager asked when you safely in the car again and driving away from the venue.

“Unless I’m meeting with someone, I’d much rather go home.” You answered kicking off your heels.

“You’re the boss, ma’am.” She said and relayed the instructions the driver. The rest of the drive she got you all caught up on the latest polls and talking points. Luthor was still ahead of you in the polls but your campaign was starting to build steam around the country. There was still a lot of work to do in the traditionally conservative states though. For now though, you had the weekend off recharge before you went on another press tour.

For most of the campaign you and Luthor were neck and neck in the polls. Your campaign manager was out of her mind trying to come up with a way to get the upperhand.

“Well what’s your social media presence like?” Tim asked her one day.

“We’ve been pushing her events and issues on Facebook and Twitter. That’s not our problem.” She argued. Tim raised a skeptical eyebrow and laughed.

“Seriously? I’m no expert here but I think the campaign could benefit from a more human media presence. Post a selfie or two on Instagram, answer questions one on one on Twitter, become a meme on Tumblr. Right now she looks like one of those lifeless robot politicians. You need to let her natural people charm shine. Just sayin’.” Tim rebutted with a shrug.

Your campaign manager didn’t respond but you noticed your social media team revamped itself and your various social media accounts became more normalized and approachable. Your numbers started to rise again but it was Dick and the rest of your boys that you had to thank for sending you into a comfortable lead.

A week or two after Tim discussed the social media issue with your campaign manager a photo was leaked on Twitter and started to trend. You came across it yourself when you were surfing the internet yourself.

It was a photo taken backstage at your latest event. No one on your team took this picture and it certainly wasn’t staged. Bruce was on his phone, talking over some business. Jason and Tim were arguing over something. Well, Jason was arguing. Tim was bent over his handheld game system ignoring him. You were sitting in the background on the couch reading notes on a speech you had been given while Damian napped across your lap. Dick was bent over facing away from the camera to pick up a pen that you had accidently dropped. It was basically a perfect representation of your family and the internet ate it up.

Dick’s butt was quickly trending on twitter. You read a ridiculous tweet that said ‘A vote for Wayne is a vote for this butt in the oval office #firstbutt’. On tumblr your family photo inspired a popular ‘draw the squad’ meme. The publicity generated from the leaked photograph shot your approval rating up in the polls. It would seem Tim was right in that seeing your ridiculous but lovable family in their natural habitat humanized you.

“Did you see it?” Dick came into the room with a giant grin on his face.

“Hmmm. Yes. ‘#Firstbutt’ is trending on twitter.” You commented casually, continuing on the paperwork you were.

“Sally says you’re up in the polls for women between 18 and 35.” He grinned with pride, plopping himself down beside you on the couch. You rolled your eyes and gave him a motherly kiss on the cheek.

“I’m not touching that comment with a ten foot pole.” You said. Secretly you were a little bit proud of your family and all the positivity that drummed up around the country. No one could claim that you didn’t care for your family, or so you thought.

When you started to have a comfortable lead in the polls, Luthor’s supporters started showing up to your speeches in protest. With their new presence your body guards stopped letting you stop to talk to people like the Muslim mother you had met or a polite group of feminists that had serious questions about your various policies.

“A woman’s place is in the kitchen not running the country.” One red faced balding man shouted at you. He got various looks of disgust from the people surrounding him. You kept your head held up high and continued walking to your destination.

“Terrorist whore!” Another shouted waving a sign that said ‘send your husband’s bastard back where he came from’. Your heart clenched at the sight and your vision went red. Your step hesitated and you wanted nothing more than to break away from your guards and deck this disgusting creature. That was your son. Criticize you, call you slurs, sure. You had a thick skin and could take it but you weren’t about to let anyone attack your family. In your rage you were about to approach the man but Sally, your campaign manager, rooted her hand on your shoulder and stopped you from doing anything that might look bad.

“People are watching ma’am.” She reminded you.

“I want him out of here.” You hissed. “The other protesters can stay, I don’t fucking care. But I will not stand by and let them drag my child through the mud. My family, especially my children, are off limits. Do I make myself clear?” You snarled. Sally nodded and did not attempt to argue with you about how you would get heat from the opposition for kicking out a protester. You made it clear that this one instance was non negotiable. You would take the heat later if you had to.

“Yes Ma’am. I’ll take care of it immediately.” She responded dutifully. She scurried off to pass on the message to the security guards on hand who would take care of the situation. You took a few calming breaths before stepping onto the stage like nothing had ever happened.

After all these months of campaigning, you had gotten used to remaining composed under pressure.

You didn’t have a lot of contact with Luthor until the televised national debates. It had come down to just you and him. That was choice that America had to choose from. You or him.

You hoped to god that after all this work they would choose you.

“Ah, Mrs. Wayne it’s good see you again. How are the kids?” He asked with a cold sneer. It was just you and him meeting before the first debate but you didn’t trust that no one wasn’t listening.

“They’re fine.” You answered curtly.

“Aw, why so cold [Y/N]?” He asked, taunting you by using your informal first name. You wanted to slap him across his grinning face. “Surely there’s something you’d like to say to me?” He prompted with a sickeningly sweet lilt to his voice.

“Oh I have many things I would like to say to you, Luthor.” You said, your voice lowering dangerously. “But I won’t give you the satisfaction.”

“Politics aside, we both want what’s best for the country.” He said, playing up a look of innocence. You didn’t buy what that grinning snake was trying to feed you. Some people might eat up all of his bullshit but you saw right through it. “I’m going to make America great again, after all.” He grinned trying to provoke you. Your eyes narrowed to an intense glare that would combust most men into flames.

You wanted to scream at him, call him out on his bullshit, expose him for the lying poisonous snake he was but you restrained yourself. Tonight was about staying composed under pressure, showing the country that you were presidential in poise and speech. You weren’t going to let him get under your skin like this.

He chuckled once and frowned when he didn’t elicit the response he was hoping for.

“May the best man win.” He said holding out his hand. You didn’t take it.

“Woman.” You corrected before turning on your heel and walking gracefully away from him to take your place off stage for the debate to begin.

As you participated in the series of debates your support only seemed to grow. While some remained vigilant in their support for Luthor’s poisonous rhetoric refusing to acknowledge any opinions other than their own based on their own bias’ and prejudices, many saw your poise and composure during the debates and saw a woman that they wanted to represent them on the international stage.

You knew you couldn’t get everyone on your side, and a lot of your proposed policies were more liberal than some would be comfortable with, you were confident going into the election night. Your family was with you in the campaign’s headquarters in Gotham and you were prepared for whatever might come out of this night.

One way or another, the people’s voice would be heard.

“What do we do if you don’t win, Mom.?” Damian asked, looking up at you.

“I-I don’t know.” You answered honestly. You didn’t want to think of what would happen if, god forbid, Luthor won.  

“If she doesn’t win this country is full of idiots and this country is fucked anyway.” Jason said crossing his arms over his chest.

“We need to respect the public’s opinion, Jason.” You reminded him gently, but on the inside you were dying. What if all your hard work, all the care and passion you put into this campaign was all for naught?

“Fuck them.” He shrugged. You gave him a look of motherly disapproval before Sally rushed into the room telling you to turn on the TV. You took the remote off the table and turned on the television to one of the news outlets. You felt Bruce slip beside you and intertwine his fingers with yours.

“With ninety eight percent of the precincts reporting, [Y/N] Wayne is the projected winner of this hard fought campaign. Wayne will be making history as America’s very first fem-” You watched wide eyed at the TV coverage. This was happening. This was actually fucking happening. You won. You did hear the rest of what the reporter was saying because you were enveloped in hugs from all sides by your family. Your election team and supporters erupted in celebratory cheers but you were focused on your family.

“Congrats Madam President.” Bruce whispered, lifting your chin and pressing a soft kiss to you lips.

This fic was released previously on my Patreon page. Want immediate access to updates on this series? Become a patron today!

https://www.patreon.com/caitwritesstuff

[miraculouspaon]

A Wolf by the Ear

Chapter Three

AO3

The first time Hawkmoth kissed the signature upon her back, Nathalie laughed.

“Bit of an egotist, are we?” she asked.

“You have no idea,” Hawkmoth murmured, his lips still over the spot on Nathalie’s shoulder blade where his name began.

Nathalie rolled her eyes. “I think I have some idea.”

It became something of an addiction. Before he’d drop his transformation, before the lights were extinguished, Hawkmoth would remove Nathalie’s blouse, he’d kiss his way down from her neck to her back, he’d trace a gloved finger over the mark. At first it simply amused Nathalie, but it wasn’t long before she began to crave it as much as he did. Nathalie still felt no need to know the name on her back-she was far too much of a self-preservationist for that-but it gnawed just a little, that she had changed in some fundamental way she wasn’t permitted to see. Feeling Hawkmoth’s fingertip trace her mark, re-writing his name, that was the closest Nathalie came to seeing the signature for herself. She found she loved every little hint it gave her. The first letter was a big round one, an ‘O’ or something like it. He drew it fat and spent more time on it than all the letters that followed combined. The rest of them he wrote fast and skinny, with a sharp up-and-down motion, but clearly still with the utmost precision.

Hawkmoth returned to it in the dark one night, long after they’d ceased any activity save holding one another. Nathalie had almost fallen asleep-he’d begun staying until she fell asleep-when she felt the familiar tracing along her back, although this time with an ungloved hand.

“Have you memorized it, then?” she asked, her voice groggy. “Or are you just guessing, just imagining it in the dark?”

“Neither,” her soulmate replied, after a pause. “I’m looking at it. I brought a penlight.”

Nathalie snorted. “Of course you did. Next time bring something we can both enjoy, why don’t you?” He kissed her shoulder in response, murmured some apology, but Nathalie had given herself an idea, and she turned to him.

“What?”

“I want to see yours,” she said. Instantly, every muscle in Hawkmoth’s body tensed.

“No,” he said immediately.

“It’s hardly fair. You’ve seen both of them, I’m not allowed to look at mine, the least you can do is let me see yours.”

“It’s not possible,” Hawkmoth replied stiffly.

“Of course it is,” Nathalie said, impatient. “Turn over, hand me the penlight, and I’ll take this stupid blindfold off and look at it. You think I’ll recognize you from the sight of your upper back? If I’ve seen your upper back before, that makes the number of people you might be much, much smaller than I’d previously assumed.”

“I think that light might accidentally stray where it oughtn’t.”

“I suppose the back of your head is terribly recognizable, is it?” Nathalie asked, rolling her eyes beneath the blindfold. “I could cover your head with a pillow if you like,” she suggested. “Then I won’t risk seeing anything I could identify. I won’t pretend that’s something I haven’t been dying to do anyway.”

Hawkmoth let out a low chuckle, then a sigh, and a few seconds later Nathalie felt the penlight pressed into her hand. Hawkmoth rolled over, and she placed the pillow over his head before pushing up the silk around her eyes. The penlight gave off a very weak light, but it was enough to make out the mark if Nathalie held it right up to the man’s back.

Nathalie Sancoeur

For better or worse, the universe had marked this man as hers. The sight wasn’t exactly the turn-on for Nathalie that it obviously was for her soulmate, but she’d be lying if she said she completely failed to see the appeal.

Gingerly, Nathalie traced a finger over the letter ‘N’, and beneath her fingertip Hawkmoth shuddered.

~~~

The problem was, there were parts of Nathalie’s brain she couldn’t turn off. Her emotions, yes, those she could banish as she pleased. Her entire life, she’d figured that was more than enough. She’d figured that was the only part of herself that might get her into trouble. It never occurred to her to worry about her analytical mind.

What if I just walked right into that police station over there, she thought to herself one afternoon, in the middle of running errands, and announced that Hawkmoth’s identity was written on my back? He wouldn’t sense it, not if I did it from a purely rational frame of mind.

Or, What if I just took my shirt off right here, in the middle of this crowded sidewalk? What if I shouted for the world to hear that it was a supervillain’s name on my back? There’s always somebody ready to film whatever happens in this city, always somebody ready with a smartphone, eager to document the next akuma attack. Even if Hawkmoth showed up in five seconds, he would be too late.

What if I took a trip? His range can’t be infinite, after all. What if I just picked a direction and kept driving, what then. What then.

But Nathalie didn’t do any of those things. She just kept on living her life, feeling a little more guilty with each new akuma that terrorized the city, until Hawkmoth finally commented on it.

“You know I feel everything you feel,” he reminded her one evening. “I’m not used to feeling guilt during an attack, even via proxy.”

“So stop attacking,” Nathalie replied.

“Oh, don’t worry. It should be irritating, I’ll grant, but somehow I find it oddly charming.” And then he was kissing her, and she was kissing him back, and she forgot for a little while, what it was that she was doing, what game she was playing.

She always remembered in the morning, though.

~~~

The attacks did slow down, Nathalie had to admit. Three to four times a week became twice a week, then once a week. Nathalie couldn't tell if her guilt was actually getting through to the villain, or if he did it out of some concern for her mental health, or fear that her conscience would finally snap if he kept on at his former pace. Or maybe it was none of those things, maybe he was just distracted by whatever it was that they had. Maybe whatever it was inside of him that drove him to akumatize in the first place was changing.

“Why?” she asked him one night, handing him the glass of wine she’d already poured in anticipation of his arrival. He understood her meaning immediately.

“That's the million euro question, isn't it?” he replied.

“You're forgetting I work for one of the richest men in Europe,” Nathalie said. “I deal with million euro questions on an hourly basis.”

Hawkmoth laughed. “I suppose I did forget that, yes.”

“Really, though. Why? Is it just power for its own sake, or is there something more to it?” Hawkmoth didn't respond. “Oh, come on. It can't be that embarrassing. I'm your soulmate, I'm sure I'll be perfectly understanding. I'll hardly roll my eyes at all. Unless it's angst over a tragically murdered wife, then I might have to roll my eyes.”

“No,” Hawkmoth replied calmly, “it's not that. My wife is very much still alive.”

To his surprise, Nathalie immediately began laughing. She had put her own glass down, had to lean against her kitchen countertop for support, and she didn't stop for a good minute or so. “Of course you're married,” she finally said. “Why wouldn't you be? What on earth does she think of your second life as a supervillain? Or our little arrangement?”

“I’ll be sure to ask her,” Hawkmoth replied, “if I ever see her again.”

Nathalie sobered. “Ah,” she said. She glanced at the villain. He didn't seem particularly grieved at this reveal. It wasn’t as simple as wanting the woman back, Nathalie was sure of that, but she had a feeling she’d hit upon the outer layer of the mystery that was Hawkmoth. Nathalie gave up her line of questioning, not wanting to press her luck.

~~~

The beginning of the end came unexpectedly, and with little fanfare.

Nathalie was by herself. Ostensibly she was running an errand, but Mr. Agreste was more demanding than usual that day, so Nathalie was taking her time completing her task before heading back to the mansion. She was slowly making her way through a department store, headed for the exit, when a blouse caught her eye.

It was nothing like Nathalie ever wore. Loose and draping and clearly dreadfully expensive, the red chiffon dropped low in the front and even lower in the back. Nathalie marveled that it stayed on the mannequin at all, that the light breeze created by the people walking by didn’t blow it right off. Nathalie grabbed one off the nearby rack and held it up. It was the kind of blouse a very certain kind of woman wore, Nathalie felt. The kind of woman who had both wealth and a soulmate, and who felt secure in neither. At least, that was how Nathalie had felt before getting a mark of her own. Now, though, well…

Nathalie knew she could never wear such a thing around others, but she let herself imagine wearing it at home. Imagine the look on her lover’s face when he appeared suddenly and saw her in it, when he believed for a split second she might have been wearing it in public where anyone could see. Nathalie grinned to herself, imagining the heart attack that would give him. God, wouldn’t that serve him right? Maybe he’d drop dead right there, and Nathalie would get a medal for defeating him. But more likely he’d just realize she was teasing him, of course. And he’d be angry, he’d be consumed with a need to tease her right back somehow-

“May I put that in a dressing room for you, Mademoiselle?” a saleswoman asked Nathalie, reaching for the blouse. “There’s no need to carry it around with you while you’re making other selections.”

“Hmm?” Nathalie said, snapping out of her daydream. “Oh… oh, no, I won’t be looking around, thank you.”

“Just trying this on, then? Very well, I’ll show you to-”

“I’m not trying anything on,” Nathalie interrupted. The young woman frowned.

“I couldn’t let you buy this without trying it on first,” she said apologetically, “the size runs a bit irregular, and I’m afraid we have a no-return policy-”

“That’s fine, I won’t be purchasing it.” Before the poor woman could protest, Nathalie had abruptly handed her the blouse, turned around, and began walking brusquely towards the exit.

Once outside, Nathalie took a slightly shaky breath and let it out. It had taken her a second to remember why she couldn’t be in dressing rooms anymore, with their mirrors on every wall and their prying assistants, and that was a second too long, she felt. Once again, Nathalie had gotten distracted, careless, and almost endangered the freedom of another person. Nathalie leaned against the outside of the building and thought to herself for a few minutes. Considered, hard, where she was in life, and where she wanted to be. Where she’d been trying to get, and where she’d actually gotten. Nathalie made up her mind and continued walking.

~~~

Nathalie Sancoeur bought a stopwatch. As suicide attempts went, it was at least an original beginning.

Nathalie brought it home, only glancing over her shoulder once or twice as she did so. She took the thing out of its wrapping and verified that it was working. She sat on her bed, took a deep breath, and pressed the START button.

Then Nathalie began to think about how much she wanted to look at the name on her back. How much she was dying to know. She dove headfirst into the curiosity she’d spent a decade stamping out. It was almost dizzying, allowing those feelings, pushing herself to have them, after so long. She let that curiosity wash over her entire body.

“What do you think you’re-” Hawkmoth appeared out of thin air, as Nathalie had been expecting, and stopped mid-sentence, cut off by the loud and insistent beep of the stopwatch.

“Twenty-four seconds,” Nathalie reported, her emotions once more in check.

“What…” Hawkmoth furrowed his brow, confused for a moment before he realized what had just happened. “Were you testing me?”

“Your response time, yes. It is, I hope you realize, woefully inadequate. Twenty-four seconds is more than enough time to-”

Hawkmoth snatched the stopwatch out of Nathalie’s hand and crushed it in his fist before tossing the broken pieces of it to the floor. “What. Were. You. Thinking?” he demanded. “Don’t you ever, ever do anything like-”

“I’m tired,” Nathalie interrupted. Her voice was soft, her emotions as muted as ever, but there was a weariness that Hawkmoth noticed, that he suddenly realized had already been there for quite some time now.

“Of… of this?” he asked. “Of us?”

“Yes. Aren’t you? We started a relationship in the middle of a standoff. We tell ourselves that we’re keeping each other in check, but we aren’t. If you suddenly decide to lock me up forever, I can’t see it coming fast enough to stop it. If I decide to go to the police, you can’t see that coming fast enough either. It’s just a question of who pulls the trigger first, isn’t it?”

Hawkmoth sat down next to her, considering this for a while. “I doubt this will surprise you,” he finally said, “but there are a great many fictions I tell myself in order to live the life I want. Can’t we keep telling ourselves this one?”

Nathalie shook her head. “I feel as though I’m dancing at the edge of a cliff,” she whispered, “and the longer I’m with you, the harder it is to remember why it would be a bad idea to fall.”

“I see.” They sat in silence for a while.

“Why did you even approach me?” Nathalie asked. “Why not just ignore it? Why take the risk to begin with?”

Instead of answering, Hawkmoth stood. “I’ll go,” he said. “I won’t come back.”

“Thank you.”

Gently, Hawkmoth reached down and took Nathalie’s hand in his own. Lifting it up, he kissed the back of her hand.

And then he was gone.

~~~

That should have been the end of it.

It might have been the end of it, too, if Nathalie had been slightly less observant.

“Your schedule for the day, sir,” Nathalie said as she entered her boss’ office two weeks later, handing Mr. Agreste her tablet just as she did every morning. He’d been watching the latest finance report on television, and he left it on as he looked over the schedule. After a moment, he raised an eyebrow.

“Where’s the conference call with our fabric suppliers? It was set for this afternoon the last time I checked.”

“Had to be moved to tomorrow, sir. They’re dealing with a sudden crisis at one of the factories. I did inform you yesterday, sir.”

“Very well. You have the overview of the latest senior designs for the eveningwear line?”

“Right here, sir,” Nathalie said, handing over the folder in question along with his preferred red pen. She stood next to him patiently as he began flipping through it, making occasional marks and notes as he went.

The finance report ended a few minutes later, and a news segment on the latest akuma attack began. Nathalie had already seen an earlier report on it last night, it wasn't news to her, but she felt a tightness in her chest, a sudden fierce longing. Mr. Agreste’s gaze flickered toward her for a moment, the briefest flash of concern. Nathalie mentally shook herself off, careful not to give any outward sign of her inner life. She'd gotten herself back on track, hadn't that been her goal all along? To have her normal life again, to forget about soulmates and supervillains? Maybe her life was small, maybe it wouldn't have been fulfilling to some people, sure, but Nathalie liked it, and…

And…

And Mr. Agreste had looked at her.

Gabriel Agreste, of all people, had just looked at her with pity in his eyes.

And that was damning enough, really, wasn’t it?

But if it wasn't, there was the clear fact that he'd done it in response to absolutely no stimuli save for Nathalie’s private emotional state.

A cold terror gripped Nathalie’s heart all of a sudden. And it deepened as she realized he could sense that, too, by now he'd realized his mistake, he was still looking at the overview like nothing had happened but he knew that she knew. Any moment now he was going to stop pretending, he was going to realize that Nathalie was not fooled, was not telling herself she was imagining things, was not talking herself out of the conclusion she’d reached.

In less than a second, Nathalie’s mind raced through all her options and picked the best one. She'd grown accustomed, after all, to being in the company of an empath. She'd put herself in the habit of acting before she had time to emotionally register the decision, to prevent him from seeing it coming.

Nathalie Sancoeur punched Gabriel Agreste in the face as hard as she could, and then she whirled around and ran for her life.

[graytear-exchange]

GrayTear exchange 2017 (closed)

CLOSED

Alright, let’s do it! Sorry about the length, I like to have everything in one place. 

Basic info: 

Exchange of GrayTear fanworks based on matchups

Registration due date: 1/10/2017

Assignments posted by: 1/15/2017

Gift due date: 3/31/2017

SIGN UP HERE

Detail info: 

Directions: You will be assigned a partner, for whom you will create a GrayTear fanwork gift. In the registration form, you can specify what you would like to receive, in terms of content and media. Please use your partner’s request as the theme. Due date is 3/31 (end of March). 

Will partners be reciprocal or a chain? (I.e. do you give to the same person you’ll be receiving from, or do you give to one person but receive from another?) This will depend on the number of participants. If you have a preference, let me know!

Intended purpose: A small event between GrayTear fans. I haven’t actually participated in any (or seen any) for this pairing, and I am also unfamiliar with most other GrayTear fans. I think it would be nice to have an opportunity to create works for a ship we all like and get to know someone else in this small fandom. 

Minimum gift requirements: Honor system. Think about what you would be happy to receive and try to match that. The usual minimum expectation would be about 1K for fic and a color image for art. However, it is up to your discretion. 

No gift is too small or not good enough! GrayTear needs as much love as it can get, so please don’t let concerns about quality or quantity stop you from participating! 

(we are starving and thirsty, any content is Good Content)

There is no particular limit on what you create -- fanfic, fanart, edit, coloring, amv, fanmix, headcanon or AU concept, etc.

You can create multiple smaller works if you don’t feel comfortable making a big commitment. 

Content policy: In general, please discuss this with your partner once the matchups are given. If you both agree on smut, smut is fine. If you both agree on a nice platonic moment, that’s fine too. 

Communication with your partner is encouraged! If you have any questions about their request, please ask them. Strike up a conversation about GrayTear! That’s what we’re all here for. 

Dropout policy: Since you will have two months to get this done, please try to make time even for a small gift. Start early! I will check in with everyone at around 2/1, 3/1, and 3/15 to see if you are having any issues. I’m not saying I expect you to be done well ahead of 3/31 but I expect you be done well ahead of 3/31

Delivering: You can post to your own tumblr or submit here, at any time before 3/31/2017. Feel free to post on FFN, AO3 or other sites and link on tumblr. Please tag in your partner and also try to notify them with a quick message (chat or ask), since the tagging doesn’t always work. Tag “graytear exchange” and I will reblog everything here.

Receiving: You are not obligated to reblog the gift(s) you receive, but please take the time to make even a small comment or let them know you will comment later. We all know that creating into the void doesn’t feel nice. 

Additional info: 

Please have either an askbox or chatbox open, so I can contact you.

This is my first time running any event, and I’ve only participated in a few, so if you have suggestions, questions or comments, please let me know! 

If you have someone you would like to gift to (for example, if you sign up with a friend), please let me know and I will try to accommodate. 

Poor fools who expressed an interest: @kyogre-blue @boogey56 @remedy-ad @absolute-zero999 @singularred @dragonshost-fanfiction (why can I not tag your normal tumblr, dragonshost??) @sanguine-fairy @scribe-senpai

Supporting but not contributing (?): @fairyfreaks @gsut @h2jo