#romance b-plot

[novella-november]

hey!! loving your recent posts about romance in writing.

i need some adviceim writing a story that has a romantic b-plot between my protagonist and his childhood best friend. the main story is very dramatic and high fantasy. i was wondering if you had any tips on specifically romances that arent the main focus? (but still important to the plot!)

i assume the broad strokes of chemistry and intrigue are still there, but is there anything more specific? (tldr i would like the long post /lh)

thank you so much for your time (:

Honestly, I'm writing something similar, high-stakes high fantasy with a slightly background romance and at least in my case, my "romantic leads" are going to be seperated from their initial meeting for a long time, and unique circumstances and societal expectations help (and hinder) their relationship before they're even together romantically.

But yeah, I would say, for what I assume is probably a slow burn of friends to lovers, definitely work on building up the chemistry between them, that they enjoy spending time together, that they can rely on one another, that they don't always see eye to eye, but they truly do care about each other that they will work to resolve their conflicts...

One important thing for building up a good romance, is you should aim for balance; both partners should be equals in the relationship, both able to depend upon and rely on the other -- and they' don't have to be carbon copies of each other, (obviously), but try to make sure that both partners have believable strengths and weakneses that aren't just your typical Heroic Flaws of 'being too self-less / self-sacrificing', and maybe both partner helps balance out each other's flaws.

The other thing in terms of balance is -- social balance. Is one of your characters a millionaire while the other is living paycheck to paycheck?

(While it is easy and tempting to write a story about a character living the wish fulfillment of marrying into a rich family and living in the lap of luxury for the rest of their life (aka, not having to worry about being evicted from one too many unpaid bills) , I find it a much more satisfying story to see the Rich Asshole Characters dragged down into the mud and forced to see how people like themselves cause all these issues for society at large by hoarding their wealth and paying their workers in pennies, without seeing the people they interact with as human being deserving of dignity and security.

Especially stories where Rich Asshole tries to court Working Class person and gets rejected for being, you know, an asshole and slowly works on improving themselves as a person and trying to make the world a better place one cut CEO paycheck at a time before they reunite and Previously-Rich Asshole respects their previous decision and they become actual friends and then graduate over time to lovers after actually getting to know one another.)

Even beyond the matter of wealth, you should keep an eye on the social status of your main pair; if one person is a much higher class than the other, or the relationship starts out as one with one in a position of strong authority over the other (like a boss at work, or a Lord of a Castle courting the serving maid at the local pub), those relationship issues should definitely be addressed sooner rather than later.

Is one of your characters pressured or forced into the relationship because of the social inequality, and this never gets addressed within the duo? Be prepared for readers to notice right away, and if one half of your pair spends their entire time worrying about disappointing or offending their partner and getting banished from the whole country as a result, that is definitely something you need to make an actual plot point and address it within the narrative.

It's perfectly fine for your characters to start off on unequal footing, but if you really want their relationship and love to have a solid foundation by the end, that unequal footing needs to be resolved in some manner, either simply through clear and honest communication about each others fears and worries, or through deliberate choices by the "higher" partner to lower themselves down to an even playing field.

(if you want an excuse for your Royal+Servant couple to elope, running away to the countryside to live as simple townsfolk where no one knows you're a prince/princess is both a fun plot, and depending on the story, can set up some Future Conflict when the Estranged Royal in question gets recognized)

So, for a High Fantasy Friends To Lovers type story, it's probably going to mainly depend on where and how your characters do most of their interacting.

Are they in the same Party on an Epic Quest?

Show them talking and working together,

checking in with each other, seeking out each other's opinion,

doing small favors for the other without a thought,

staying up late beside the fire to keep talking long after the others have gone to bed,

putting their sleeping bags next to each other/sharing a tent together,

Give them inside jokes and nicknames for each other,

When they start developing romantic feelings for each other, slowly build up to it; there's a reason slow-burns are so popular! Just don't "bait and switch" your readers forever with a "will-they-won't-they" plot, as going too long with constant teasing and then snatching it away for a new plot twist to get in the way can lead to your audience resenting the relationship that seemingly-will-never-be.

When one side of the pair is narrating and is describing their friend, slowly start adding in slightly more details your character is probably not aware they're noticing, like that they are always looking at their friend first and foremost and noticing more and more of their behaviors, starting to notice emotional cues more and more, before they realize while looking at their gorgeous friend's lustrous black hair that oh my gods I just called my friend gorgeous and realize they're crushing on their friend.

some more detailed examples of things to build up the relationship:

Going out of their way to Forage for the other person's favorite food to surprise them with

while one person is off bathing or gathering fire wood, have the other mend some of their clothing, sharpen their sword, set up their tent, etc

If one character has some kind of allergy, show the other character having a bag they always, always have with them that contains a potion or special herb to help their friend in an emergency (if the friend's own one fails for any reason,) like a back-up epipen.

Maybe one character has poor eyesight, and the other character instinctively reads things out loud to them, or describes their surroundings.

Oh, and this is one example in particular that I don't think happens too often, but it does seem to be an easy way to get cheap drama in a romance:

Once your romantic leads finally do get together, don't immediately bring on the "betrayal" plot-lines, or have the other go behind one's back, manipulate the other, etc.

For the love of the gods, do not pull a Liv Moore / Major Lillywhite situation from iZombie.

If your story is a romance... your audience *should not* come away from your story firmly (and correctly) convinced that your main romantic leads are far better friends than they are lovers, because they respect and love each other when they're Just Friends but the *second* they start dating, they're bringing on the gaslighting, spying, manipulation, jealous rages, etc.

Oh, and speaking of jealous rages: Like all things, it's fine to have a relationship have a rocky, tumultuous start. But if one half of the relationship flies off the handle any time someone so much as breathes in their partner's direction... that is going to lead to some major, major problems.

Respect and trust for each other *needs* to extend to anyone your characters might be jealous of.

If one half of your romantic duo get pissed off and demands the other never see or talk to any of their friends ever again because Half A is convinced that they're trying to 'steal' Half B away by seducing them, or taking time away from Half A, etc, that is the time for a ground-breaking, relationship-testing fight--

-- no matter which way it goes or how your characters handle (or don't handle) the scenario, Half A needs to realize how much they are hurting and isolating Half B by trying to keep them away from their loved ones, and that if they actually respect and trust Half B, they'll *show* that, and learn to deal with whatever emotional baggage they may have in a way that *doesn't* hurt the ones they love.

um. trying to think of other things I love or loath in Romance Tropes, but that's all I've got off the top of my head lol. I have no idea how long this post took to write but it was probably a solid half hour of me staring at my screen and Pondering The Tropes.

Enjoy! And please feel free to ask follow-up questions.

[eetherealgoddesss]

ꨄOur Perfect Alphaꨄ

Oneshot - Dark Content - Yandere - Omegaverse

❦ They were the only ones who could see through your tough act.❦

Omega Males x Alpha Female Reader

❣︎All sub-genders can be any gender. Male omegas do not have vaginas and cannot get pregnant. Not the best I’ve written but I hope you enjoy it anyway.❣︎

Not fully proofread

MY NON FANDOM WORKS ARE ONLY ON TUMBLR UNDER EETHEREALGODDESSS AND ON WATTPAD UNDER EETHEREALGODDESS! REPORT IF YOU SEE IT POSTED UNDER ANYONE ELSE BUT ME!!!

Notice:

✩Y/n is 18+. I picture her as a black female but you can see her however.

✩Some parts of the story may not be realistic or factual. After all, this is a work of fiction.

✩Although it's a dark 'romance,' I do not condone any of the behavior displayed.

✩Dark content such as: gore, violence, triggering topics, graphic scenes, vulgar language, explicit sexual content, etc.

✩There may be scenes that involve non con and/ or dubcon so don’t read if that makes you uncomfortable.

✩Characters are 18+ as always.

✩Everything/everyone are mine

✩That being said, this story is for 18+ only.

Enjoy!

Our Perfect Alpha

You are tired.

Exhausted even…

You have always been someone to take care of everything that came your way. No matter the extremities or the harsh situations you have been forced to live through, you have handled every single thing that has happened in your life. It wasn’t easy growing up as the people pleaser. It wasn’t easy growing up with a heart of gold and yet the mineral rusting as you were faced with the reality that you have been unloved from the start.

It wasn’t easy, growing up in a home where you were born from a family line of traumatized and unhealed individuals who had know idea how to truly love you. All your life you have craved love, attention, recognition. You felt that you loved too hard and seemed to be surrounded by the world of humans who lack empathy. You took on the burden of everyone and their pain.

The betrayals, arguments, and pity sessions had you on your knees at times, spiraling and rocking against the wall as you contemplated ending your life. As an alpha, especially growing up with other alpha females, you were always told to suck it up and be independent. Never rely on anyone else and stop wearing your heart on your sleeve. It’s seen as weak to show vulnerability.

You’ve always been more emotional than those around you and it caused a lot of misunderstandings and miscommunications. You could never feel truly connected with your own sub-gender because your wants and societal needs did not intertwine. Sometimes you wish you could be more feminine. You wished you would've been born an omega instead. You also wished that you liked being an alpha or resonated in the same way other alphas do with themselves.

You were too embarrassed to admit that you truly wanted to be taken care of, spoiled even. You wanted someone to save you, as pathetic as it is. Regardless of how you feel, you never showed it. After you matured you repressed your true feelings and took on the role as an alpha female. As much as you felt disconnected, it still worked better than the femininity gurus you found on social media that were only meant for omega women.

You are deep within your teachings and are used to acting in your masculine energy. It’s easier that way, regardless of the disconnection. It’s too late for you to change. The sub-gender you were born with proves that your calling is to be an alpha, so you had no choice but to accept it. That didn’t mean you didn’t struggle in relationships.

You were too masculine for the alpha males and the omega males had you feeling way to masculine. Betas were too emotionally detached. Nobody ever doted on you. You craved to be a bimbo or even just a feminine woman and experience the otherside. Regardless of who you were with, nobody seemed to care enough. Nobody loved hard enough. Nobody saw you as someone to protect. Not even your family.

You gave up. You didn’t deserve it. Who’d want someone like you anyway? You’re already too damaged. You’ve been through too much. You’re too strong. You’re not even strong enough. Your self-pitying thoughts were interrupted by a shadow casting over you.

You freeze in your seat on the ground with your back against the tree, eyes making contact with lustrous sky blue irises. You immediately know that you are in the presence of an omega by the floral aroma of lavender with a fusion of vanilla that would’ve had another alpha who lacked self control on their knees within a second. The soft features of the porcelain skin blended well with the sharp lining of the jaw. His pink bangs fall messily over his face while the rest of his locks fall gracefully past his shoulders.

He stands in front of you, shoes planted on the grass of the empty park. The red hue on his cheeks seem to complete his physical attributes, fitting him perfectly. His glossy eyes gaze at you with an unreadable expression. Your head turns to the figure standing next to the stranger. The savor of citrus and jasmine reaches your nose less subtly than the other omega’s scent. His skin is slightly tanner and remains as clear as the pink haired man. Half of his blonde hair is pulled back, the rest of the healthy strands falling just above his shoulder. What gets you is the intensity of his dark eyes, almost as if there are no pupils present. He also wears an unreadable expression before his lips form into a smile.

“Hey there.” Your hand tightens around your phone, his voice deeper than expected for an omega, even as a male. Your stomach drops as you look at your surroundings. It can be quite a dangerous circumstance to find yourself in the presence of two clearly mated omegas.

Whether alpha, omega, or beta, those who are mated become much more territorial. Murder is even excused at the cost of your mate. There doesn’t even have to be proof, if they feel like you’re a threat to their relationship you can be legally mauled. Mating is a sacred expression where the bite(s) ties you together as each individuals’ life source. You are bound to each other forever.

“Hey.” You reply, your arms lying between the knees to your chest and your stomach. You watch as they glance at each other before gazing back at you.

“You’re our new alpha.” Your eyebrows raise along with your eyelids. You were definitely not down to have a relationship. It doesn’t matter how beautiful they are nor how good they smell. You barely know them, but little did you know, they definitely know everything about you.

They know you down to your most secretive insecurities. They’ve watched you for quite a while now. You caught their eye far too long ago. Somehow you hadn’t ever noticed them, but they lingered. They were always quiet in the background.

Quiet through the loud arguments between you and your family members. Quiet throughout the arguments between you and the partners who disappeared without a trace, unknown to you. Quiet throughout the moments you were lying in the fetal position on your bed, tears falling while the curtains were slightly open.

They were oh so very fucking quiet and even patient throughout your sexual endeavors. All because when they first laid eyes on you, a couple of years ago when you had saved the roofied the pink haired omega from sluggishly being pulled along by a creepy alpha pervert who you exposed and found a way to use the omega’s phone to take him home to his blonde partner, that was it for you.

You were theirs from the start. Because you had rushed off so fast, they weren’t able to get any information about you. They searched social media, the local area, and even the outskirts of the city. They just couldn’t figure out where you were. Not until one fateful night where they caught you sitting in your car with a blunt in one hand and the phone in the other, seeming to have just finished your yelling session and hanging up the phone before taking a long hit of the flower. They took a picture of your tags from your car and it all started from there.

They found out every single thing about you after two years of studying you. Their fascination had no limits, blood wringing from their hands from everyone they felt they had to kill for putting their dirty fucking hands all over their mate’s body. They craved you.

Oh honey, your wants and needs, it was ridiculous how much they wanted to fulfill your aches and pain. To be the ones to take care of you, nurture you, protect their little alpha. To bite into your neck gland and finalize your tie with them for life. They can see the holographic red ribbon wrapped around your bodies now. They know that you’ve never experienced real and raw passion from your pathetic relationships and they will gladly take the honor of giving you a life you never thought you deserved. You didn’t have a choice anymore. They’re done waiting.

“I’m sorry but I’m not anyone’s alpha.” You eyed them with confusion as the blonde man crouched down beside you and wrapped his fingers around your hand.

“Listen, sweetheart. Name’s Archer.” He brings the back of your hand to his nose before scenting you, causing your body to tense. “I’m not a very patient guy so let’s get this outta the way. You’re our new mate.”

While you were distracted, you failed to notice the pink haired male position himself on his knees and crawl towards you, ignoring your peripheral vision of his figure as you focused on the sentence that just came out of Archer’s mouth.

“Wait a minute, I literally have a say in this. You can’t just force me to be your mate. I don’t even kn-!” You felt warm air tickle your ear when you heard the other omega speak in a sultry tone.

“We’re starving. Be a doll and tilt your head for me.” His hand slivers to your chin before snatching your face in the opposite direction, exposing your neck in the process.

“H-hold on!” The grip on your hand tightens painfully before the sharp teeth enter your gland. Your jaw hangs open in a silent scream as your free hand hangs onto the shoulder of Elias, the mischievous male moving his hand to grip the upper part of your neck as he sucks at your life source.

“No fair, Elias. I wanted her neck first.” Archer whined before crawling to the opposite side and releasing your hand. His hand cups your cheek before pushing your face up to force access to the other side of your neck.

You release a pained groan as your eyes shut tightly, a new pair of sharp fangs entering your neck as both parties suck on your energy. You peek at the holographic red ribbon surrounding all of you as it circled and tied against your bodies before disappearing, the bond binding you for life against your will. At some point both men release your neck only to continue feeding from your body as they kiss up your bruised skin, blood meeting their lips as they gain energy from you. Your body weakens against the tree as your eyes almost roll into the back of your head.

“Goddamnit, Alpha. You’re so delicious.” Archer says before his tongue glides up your bloody neck. “M’ gonna take good care of you.” He breathes out desperately between kisses.

Elias pulls back to make eye contact with you, sneering before using his hand to grip your thigh harshly, your body tensing with pain as you cringed. You could feel the disgust and rage radiating from his energy as his piercing eyes bore into you.

“I’m gonna make you regret making us wait so long. You let multiple men touch you. Fucking disgraceful.” He scolds you. Your eyes widen as you try to remove his hand, all the while pushing the blonde man back as well.

“Wh-what the hell are you talking about?” You had no clue what was even happening. You don’t even know who these omeg-… wait.

“Wait, do… do I know you?” You ask them while Archer rubs his arm against his mouth and Elias crosses his arms. Your eyebrows furrow when both men seem to pout and look away.

“Of course you don’t remember us.” Elias hissed.

“Your memory is shit. This is why we have to take care of you.” Archer rolled his eyes. “How have you survived this long without us? You’re hopeless, really.”

“Hold the fuck up! What the hell do you mean by that? Wh-!”

“I’m tired of all this talking. It’s getting late and we should really get you to bed, Alpha.” Elias said as he picked himself up from the ground. Archer follows and looks down at your sitting figure.

Your hands meet the bites on your neck that ache to touch. You eye them, still in disbelief of your current situation. You didn’t really know how to feel. Violated? Confused? There were a lot of emotions running through you at once and you couldn’t really pinpoint one specific feeling.

“She’s not getting up.” Elias states to his omega partner.

“Huh.” Archer responds before placing his hands on his hips. A smile grows on his face, to your dismay.

“Well, if you won’t come willingly, we’ll just take you.”

Before you can respond, a harsh impact causes darkness to engulf your vision.

[littleliterarylesbian]

Dear, James -4

| part 1 part 2 part 3

Harry has seen his Papa in many states before, whether he remembers them or not is different, but he knows he was there.

He has never seen Papa as angry as he is now, clutching at the front door, rage rolling off him in the form of magic, causing the ceramic key and trinket holder near the door to crack and the wood under his feet to splinter. He can see how Papa is clutching at the door so hard his fingers turn white as he peaks into the front hallway.

Papa told him to stay in the kitchen, to continue eating, but he didn't listen, shoveling in the last of his cereal so it didn't get soggy in the milk before he carefully walked to the front door. Harry can't see who's past the door, Papa has the door mostly closed and his body in the opening. He wants to know so badly, he itches for it, but Papa always said that curiosity isn't a good thing. But Papa is also very angry right now, and maybe Harry can get a kick in before he's sent to his room...

"I heard of what happened... Mr.Black" The voice of the stranger paused between the words oddly, and Harry watched as the wood on the door started to peel from where his Papa was gripping it.

"Sadly I still insist, you have the wrong house. Please get off my property." Harry can see how Papa's jaw clenches, and well, Papa is wrong, he is a Mr.Black, and he did also get fired from his job recently. It was upsetting, but as Papa said, they still had enough money so that Harry could have seven children and those seven could have seven children each and they'd still be comfortable for life and then some.

He doesn't want to have seven kids though, but that's not important.

"I don't believe I am ever wrong," The voice said, and Harry wrinkled his nose. Apparently Papa has the same reaction because when he opened his mouth to speak, the stranger spoke again.

Harry is glad they have magic, as the ceramic piece by the door finally shattered, keys and rings and one of his mini plastic dinosaur from several years ago that he keeps forgetting about scattering along the surface of the hall table.

"You're son is very like you, despite appearances." Shit. Caught. He tried to shuffle back to where he wouldn't be seen, but Papa turned his head too quickly, a glare being pinned on him, and Harry couldn't help to shuffle in place before rushing up to his parent's side, holding the back of Papa's shirt. He's been caught already, why not ride it out?

"Get off of my property." Harry nods enthusiastically, frowning at the old man in front of him because his Papa is right and the man needs to go.

Though the stanger's beard is very long, it's funny, the grey compared to the colorful... something or other that the man is wearing. He still isn't welcome hear though.

"I have a job opening for you, Mr.Black." The man says and Papa rolls his eyes, groaning, giving up all pretenses of pretending. Harry would have kept with it though, if he was Papa, just until the man gave up.

"Oh? What a coincidence. I just get fired from my job as an astronomy professor and suddenly you're here, telling me you can solve my problems." Harry has to fight down a smile at his Papa's tone. So sassy.

The stranger raises an eyebrow, and Harry can feel the anger flare again, so he tries his best, leaning against Papa and he thinks it works. He can't feel it much anymore, but Papa is still so angry.

"I wouldn't know what you are implying Mr. Black."

"Really." Papa doesn't ask a question, keeping his glare and, personally, is Harry was in the strangers position he would have already been sent up to his room.

"I believe it would be best to talk about inside however." The stranger smiles and Harry can't point it out, he's never been too good at that, but it doesn't feel like a nice smile. Harry doesn't know how that's possible.

"How about you go and suck the dick of the lover you left rotting in prison again." Harry should tell Papa to put a coin in the swear jar, but he holds it in. It can be excused just this once he thinks. Papa deserves a swear once in the while.

The stranger doesn't say anything, just staring and staring until finally Papa bites out a "Fine." and lets the man in.

Harry would have just shut the door on the man, but oh well.

The stranger walks in like he knows where to go already, and after a few seconds Harry is surprised that the man does, walking right past them and going to the sitting room. Papa sighs and turns to Harry.

"I thought I told you to stay in the kitchen."

Harry shrugs, "You were taking too long."

Papa sighs and rolls his eyes, but still kisses the top of Harry's head as he passes while Harry hangs back, looking at what Papa will have to fix later, because despite Harry having a wand already and knowing how to use it, Papa says it's just for emergencies, and a few peeled pieces of wood, a cracked photo frame, and a broken ceramic is probably not an emergency. He bites his lip, but still turns to follow the older two into the sitting room.

When he gets there, Papa is on one side while the stranger is on the other. There's almost like an invisible line across the room and Harry doesn't hesitate before standing next to Papa.

"Did you get the letters?"

"Harry isn't going to Hogwarts."

The man raises an eyebrow as Harry looks up to his parent with a puzzled expression. He knew he wasn't going to Hogwarts, that's not what he's confused about, he already has most of his stuff for Beauxbatons anyways. What he doesn't understand is why the man is bringing it up.

"We need an astronomy professor, and with your recent gap of employment, I thought we could come to a conclusion Mr.Black."

"I'm perfectly fine where I am."

It's silent for a second before the stranger sighs, shaking his head, "I heard that another Mr.Black and a certain Mr.Potter are quite distraught as of late."

Harry watches as Papa stands up straighter, and he can't help the uncomfortable bubbly feeling in his stomach because Papa clearly doesn't like this man, and suddenly he's bringing up people who Harry knows he's related too. They've always been sensitive subjects when it come to his parent.

He looks down and tugs an arm away from being crossed against his chest and holds that hand. He thinks some moral support could help, but Papa still crumbles the same, letting his other arm drop and pushing his shoulders back as he stares at the man.

"What about them?"

Harry knows that his papa still cares about his brother and his ex, but Harry doesn't. He's never even met them for Merlin's sake, they never even bothered to visit or see either of them despite how lonely Papa has been.

Yes, they still have Aunt Pandora and her wife Aunt Lily, along with their daughter who is Harry's best friend, but Harry knows that Papa still misses them, from how he gets caught staring at the letter writing supplies late at night, how even after all this time Papa will stare at a photo album that Harry once managed to sneak a peak into only to see the so called family that left the both of them to fend for themselves. And Aunt Pandora. She was also in the photobook.

The stranger purses his lips, and Harry squeezes on his Papa's hand. "It seems they recently got a letter that was quite disturbing. Left them both in shambles, my dear boy."

Papa wrinkles his nose, but apparently let's whatever comment he had saved up go.

"A letter from the name Regulus Black."

"That's not new." Papa sounds bored, but Harry can tell by the sudden slight squeeze on Harry's hand.

"Ah, my boy, but it is. See, apparently they miss you. I've seen them for years, and despite everything now is the time they seem quite torn up."

Papa lets out a breath of air and Harry watches as his free hand clenches. He's almost tempted to reach over and hold that one too, but then he wouldn't be able to frown at the stranger. Somethings are a higher priority then helping his papa. Like discomforting this random old guy. He doesn't seem to be fazed, but Harry swears it's working.

"If they regretted it, a letter would have sufficed instead of you coming here."

"They believe it's been too late for far too long. I thought I'd go out of my way."

"I'm still not taking your shitty job, I'm fine right here. I can find another if needed."

The stranger walks closer, "Can you truly, Mr.Black?" The way he says it means something that Harry either doesn't know or hasn't caught onto yet, but one look at his parent and it seems like he's the only one, face paler then normal, eyes slightly wide as he stares as the other man. A noise of confusion escapes him and Papa's head shoots down, looking at him for a second before turning back.

"I can, I know I can."

The stranger smiles a little, like something Papa said was funny, and now the weird feeling in Harry's gut traveled up to his chest. What does the man mean? Why is he hurting Papa in their own home? Sure it might not be physically, but that's not the only way someone can hurt. He knows that, so why doesn't the stranger? Is it because that is what he is? Nothing but a stranger?

Papa's jaw clenches and his eye twitches in a way Harry doesn't think he's seen before, "What did you do?" The stranger doesn't answer though, smiling the same weird smile as he has in the past before speaking himself, already moving out of the room.

"I'm sure you'll make the right choice my boy."

Papa is still standing there as the front door shuts and Harry finally asks the question that has been on his mind since he saw the man.

"Who was that?"

| part 1 part 2 part 3

[baphometsss]

if i see one more post about how solas/mythal/elgar'nan had a weird love triangle thing going on i'm gonna scream

[hello-worldfanfic]

my drarry fic recs !

part 1 / ?

these fics will EXCLUSIVELY contain a Redeemed!Draco in his adulthood, happy endings, and a nice ratio of serious to funny! lotta these touch on wizarding politics and social issues, also most explicit scenes can be easily skipped over and aren’t integral to the stories. oh and i’ve starred my personal favorites!

also! obligatory fuck JKR! we support trans rights, anti-racism, and feminism on this blog!

The Liars Department by DorthyAnn ★

Teen & Up | 103k | 17/17 Chapters

Redeemed!Draco | MinistryOfMagicEmployee!Draco | Auror!Harry | Harry Grows A Backbone In The Workplace | RomCom | Shenanigans | Draco In The Muggle World | Sassy Mirrors | Amazing OCs | Nonbinary Character | Draco Is Besties With His House Elf | House Elves | House Elf Culture | Draco Is A SPEW Follower | Second Chances | Political Intrigue | Progressive Politics In The HP-Verse | Ministry Of Magic Corruption | Harry And Ron Actually Respect Hermione | Hermione Is A Badass In The Face Of Workplace Discrimination | Illustrated!

This is a story about Harry meeting up with Draco Malfoy four years after the war. And a story about Harry, well, not hating his job per say, but it's not like he has much to compare it to and it seemed fine. His whole life seemed fine. Then Malfoy came along with and his flashy suits and fast car making everything seem dull in comparison, and Harry... Harry couldn't just leave well enough alone.

Headlights in the Snow by Saras_Girl ★

Mature | 71k | 25/25 Chapters

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What’s big and purple and smells like tea? Harry is about to find out.

Here's The Pencil, Make It Work by ignatiustrout

Mature | 49k | 1/1 Chapters

CoffeeBarista!Draco | Redeemed!Draco | NoCareer!Harry | Bisexual!Harry | Harry Has A Bisexual Awakening | Harry Is Awkward | Draco In The Muggle World | Queer Community | Critical Of Hogwarts Culture | Diverse Characters | Draco Apologizes To Hermione | Second Chances | Mental Health | Diverse Characters | Amazing OCs

Harry thinks "Why is Malfoy working in a coffee shop in muggle London?" is a much simpler question than, "Are you going to accept that auror offer and, if you don't, what will you do?"

The Ordeal of Being Known by louisfake

Mature | 146k | 14/14 Chapters

Redeemed!Draco | MindHealer!Draco | Auror!Harry | Draco Is A Tad OOC But That’s Just His Therapist-sona™ | Draco Is A SPEW Follower | Draco Is Besties With His House Elf | Draco Likes Muggle Things | Harry Grows A Backbone In The Workplace | Mystery | Political Intrigue | Ministry Of Magic Corruption | Harry Unpacks His Childhood Trauma | Dumbledore Bashing | Scrabble | Second Chances | Harry Is The Burnt Out Gifted Kid Of All Time In This Fic

When Auror Potter is anonymously cursed with silence by being forced to hide his own voice inside his mind, there's unfortunately only one person in the country with the qualifications to fix it: Certified and Licensed Healer Legilimens, Draco Malfoy, specialist in Mind Curses and Afflictions. It's obviously a terrible idea, a disaster waiting to happen, but Draco's never been able to back down from a challenge... especially from Potter.

Like the Son Holds the Moon by louisfake

Mature | 49k | 8/8 Chapters

Redeemed!Draco | Writer!Draco | Unspeakable!Harry | Redeemed!Narcissa | Harry Grows A Backbone In The Workplace | Ministry Of Magic Corruption | Department Of Mysteries Corruption | Political Intrigue | Amazing OCs | Magical Theory | Draco Reconnects With Teddy And Andromeda | Second Chances | Harry Has Mommy Issues | Gratuitous Amounts Of Hair Braiding | Watercolors

Narcissa Malfoy is missing. Harry has no idea why the Unspeakables want him tagging along on the investigation, but he's not complaining. His job has never been this interesting. His job has never before involved observing a fit, long-haired Draco Malfoy around the clock, or noticing how good he smells, or burning his breakfasts. They're not paying him to ask questions, or notice when something is terribly wrong, or take matters into his own hands. Unfortunately, these are the things Harry Potter does best.

the measure of a memory by citrusbaby ★

Mature | 84k | 13/13 Chapters

Redeemed!Draco | PoliticalActivist!Draco | Gay!Draco | Professor!Harry | Bisexual!Harry | Indian!Harry | Black!Hermionie | Lesbian!Ginny | Lesbain!Luna | Diverse Cast | Political Intrigue x1000 | International Wizarding Politics | Prison Reform | Blood Status Politics | Auror Corruption | Ministry Of Magic Corruption | Magic Theory | RomCom | Mystery | Action | So Many Dates | Denial Is A River In Egypt And Harry Is Drowning In It | Draco Reconnects With Teddy And Andromeda | Second Chances | Does Harry Unpack His Childhood Trauma Or Does His Childhood Trauma Unpack Him | Progressive Politics In The HP-Verse | Harry And Ron Actually Respect Hermione | Draco Has Daddy Issues

Seven years after the end of the war, Harry has made a quiet life for himself, as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Dark magic looms just beyond the horizon, but all Harry wants is to be left out of it. Until Malfoy asks him to teach him the Patronus Charm. Harry agrees out of suspicion. No other reason.

Pop Up Pals by bambimoss

Explicit | 62k | 11/11 Chapters

Redeemed!Draco | MinistryOfMagicEmployee!Draco | Lonely!Draco | Auror!Harry | Examining The Ethics Of The Ministry | Ministry Of Magic Corruption | Mystery | RomCom | Draco Watches Muggle Romance Shows | Sympathetic Hermione (Her Thirst For Justice Knows No Bounds) | Second Chances

Draco Malfoy leads an ordered but rather unfulfilling life, working in a Ministry basement and residing in his cramped Muggle flat. Feeling underappreciated and horribly lonely, he purchases some special charms that allow him to conjure imaginary friends. Unfortunately, after becoming a suspect in a potions smuggling investigation, Draco is forced to surrender a month’s worth of memories for a Pensieve Probe. The aurors assigned to bear witness to his most private and embarrassing moments are none other than the Ministry ‘darlings’ Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley.

No Harm by Tessa Crowley (tessacrowley)

Explicit | 46k | 3/3 Chapters

Redeemed!Draco | Healer!Draco | Auror!Harry | Draco Gets Put Through The Ringer | Harry Grows A Backbone In The Workplace | RomCom | Political Intrigue | Progressive Politics In The HP-Verse | Ministry Of Magic Corruption | Auror Corruption | Harry Kinda Goes, Like, ACAB For Aurors | Class Issues | Healthcare Inequality | Draco Reconnects With Teddy And Andromeda | Second Chances

After a long, bloody war, Draco Malfoy just wants to do something good with his life for a change, and resolves to become a healer. But magical society refuses to make it easy for him, and an increasingly dramatic series of events—all of them instigated by Harry Potter—get him kicked out of med school, force him to live in exile, and threaten to destroy the new life he’s trying so desperately to build. But Harry isn’t instigating anything—at least not on purpose. He’s just trying to work up the nerve to ask him out. His efforts don’t appear to be going great.

Cut From the Sky by mallstars ★

Explicit | 150k | 24/24 Chapters

Redeemed!Draco | ShopOwner!Draco | Tailor!Draco | Unspeakable!Harry | Harry Grows A Backbone In The Workplace | Draco In The Muggle World | France | Time Loop | Ministry Of Magic Corruption | Department Of Mysteries Corruption | Cozy | Amazing OCs | Queer Community | Transfem Character | Miniature Making | Unexpected Ending | The Ending Is Still Happy And Hopeful Fear Not

"I'm stuck in a time loop, reliving November 2nd. This is the 111th time I've lived through today." Draco stilled. His moody eyes, the tension in his hands where he gripped onto his umbrella, the careful mask of blankness flickering over his face — everything about him was so difficult and so very dear to Harry. "Ah," said Draco, "and?"

[rotteneldritchhorror]

I got bored... and made a shipping chart for OBX

I love the very clear separation of the Pogues and Kooks/whoever Rafe hangs out with lol

also yes- Sofia and Rafe are not romantically a thing, I dont care what anyone says, that man is gay as fuck and is sleeping with her cause its what he's used to and its easy, and he likes her cause she talks to him like a person and understands his insanity- I think eventually they'd get into a QPR, but for rn its a clusterfuck cause he doesnt know how feelings work lol

Template under the cut:

{Btw, if you use this template I’d like to be tagged, not cause I care about credit or whatever but I DESPERATELY wanna see people’s ships, I’m starved for classic fandom shipping charts and I’d love to see peoples more obscure ships, or what popular ships you think are just friendly, QPR ships, etc}

[oneknightstand-if]

"Oh mystical, mythical, magic 8 ball should I date the hot suspicious succubus?" 𝘖𝘶𝘵𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥....*𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏* 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵 It tells you how illuminating.

That's the true secret to the Magic 8-Ball. Just keep save scumming using it until you get the answer that you want!

[eon-become-instant]

I really wish Fellow Travelers (a show centred around a romance between two men who are both played by gay actors, with a production crew composed of primarily queer artists, based on a book written by a gay author and which gives much insight into the lives of queer people during key moments in queer history/politics) was getting a similar amount of buzz as Red, White and Royal Blue.

But nope, y'all are sleeping on this series so hard and it's a real shame.

[deus-ex-mona]

real talk: lxl should continue to explore romance fantasy concepts in their songs. it’s clearly working for them~

[allgremlinart]

but if I said romance is and always has been the weakest part of superhero comics/stories...

[genderqueerpond]

pretty funny how every time someone tries to give Tegan a male love interest in an audio drama it somehow turns into a story about how much Tegan isn't interested at all

--- it's a curse why don't they stop trying ----

it's actually great. do the writers even know they're doing this??? my theory is that they're actually earnestly trying to write it at face value…. and then Janet Fielding delivers it ….like that….

and. well.

[sonlikesleep]

in an attempt to escape heteronormative cliché romances in fantasy i time and time again accidentally stumble into modern romantasy riddled with tropes and devoid of plot or personality (cmon, you're a character driven story, at least have well written characters (or story)).

i really need to read some 80s sci-fi or something, or maybe a physics book.

[petiolata]

When seeing a weakness that you want to be better at, how do you know when it's best to push past that weakness, focus on improving it with optimism...

Versus leaving it alone and making your peace with the fact that you can't be good at everything. That maybe something fundamental to what makes you "you", is the reason you're bad at it. That it would be a better use of your time to focus on the things you're good at, that come easy, that you have natural aptitude with?

[streets-in-paradise]

Instead of the classic " meeting the ex leads to women fighting because she wants the guy back", I have more fun with " meeting the ex raises questions in the current partner when she advices her that being with him is a terrible idea."

[heavencasteel420]

If you’re doing a Breakfast Club AU, you can’t reproduce the lamp argument wholesale with Eddie as Bender and Jonathan as Brian. They’re both poor, they’re both smart (although seemingly Jonathan is more able to translate that into at least moderate academic success), and frankly I think they could both make a lamp.

[queseraphita]

Indulges in cardcaptor sakura au x link click but its qiao ling being the magical girl doing shenanigans and lu guang and cheng xiaoshi are her little guardians