#shadowquill17

[narliearchive]

practically married (already us) by shadowquill17 [T]

Nick is in his first year of uni and out for a night with the lads, when one of them mentions that he and Charlie are practically married. Nick is not even surprised at how much he likes the idea.

[many-gay-magpies]

He can feel Edwin’s fingers in his hair, orienting his head for better access, and he can’t help but grab Edwin back, pulling him closer, pressing himself against the wall until Edwin completely covers him. He can feel the dampness of Edwin’s lips, the warm tickle of his breath as he takes in long, hungry gulps, and there’s a heat spreading through Charles’ body that has his eyelashes fluttering as he tries not to moan… he’s breathing hard, trying to keep it in, but it’s so good, and Edwin is so fucking lovely and close, and—

i re-read @shadowquill17’s wonderful vampire payneland fic today and got fucking possessed. here’s this

[adventures-in-mangaland]

Even More Dead Boy Detectives Fic Recs

I've discovered some amazing new authors since my last post! And writers I've already recced have published more great stories So here's another fic rec post!

Who? You mean your teammate in the Codependency World Cup? (series) by RoseGanymede95

I couldn't chose! They're all great! Basically a series of Edwin and Charles through the years and on cases pre-show. It scratches that adjusting-to-being-dead/newly-escaped-from-Hell itch and the authors writing is magic! It also fleshes out a really interesting conflict in the payneland dynamic: Charles' drive to protect Edwin at all costs clashing with Edwin's guilt over putting Charles at risk/depriving him of some ideal afterlife. Parts one and four also introduces Constantine/Johanna and part three revolves around an absolutely gut-wrenching temporary break-up. 😢

In Hell I'll Be in Good Company by laylabinx

Charles rescuing Edwin from Hell does not go smoothly. Just. Bucketloads of Trauma for both of them. And for you, the Reader. It's so good though!

your fangs in my neck (like an anchor like a vow) by shadowquill17

Vampire Edwin AU! It's great because it combines the (homo)eroticism of vampiric feeding with Charles' whole bisexual crisis and post-confession Edwin worrying about making Charles uncomfortable. Also Charles is some kind of demigod/immortal agent of divine vengeance which is an AMAZING detail and I desperately want to see some fanart!

The same author's ongoing story to the pain is also excellent though very angsty (cw temporary character death). I'm anxiously waiting for an update!

To Memory Now I Can't Recall by engineering_madonna

This is an amnesia fic and the most recent in an established relationship series. The first two installments feature the boys getting together and navigating their new relationship, so pulling the old 'character A forgets their whole romantic relationship with character B' trope hits especially hard! The whole series is lovely, but I am WEAK for temporary-amnesia.

Lemonade & Sunrises by paraph

A Quiet Place AU! The boys are alive, but they're the only ones. Very bleak but in a way that makes me want more!

1999 au (series) by websters_lieb

The boys figure their shit out in the 90s. Also, Edwin gets to read Maurice and queer theory. The cases in both stories are compelling and the author's writing and characterisation of the boys are excellent.

I also recommend offer me that deathless death which is about the boys' first meeting, Charles' funeral and the birth of the agency.

if I could reach the stars (i'd give them all to you) by ObsessedWithFandom

Charles falls first, Edwin falls harder. This is an AU of the author's excellent Charles' bisexual awakening fic, which I also highly recommend. It has lovely OCs and Charles having a sweet little friendship/romance with the boy he saved in canon, which actually makes his death a whole lot more tragic.

Came up from that lake of fire by ghostinthelibrary

Charles and Edwin get caught escaping Hell and promise to capture a demon-eating ghost called The Deathless in exchange for their freedom. With the added twist that they get to be alive again! An exciting case, high stakes and all the alive-again culture shocks and emotional/interpersonal drama you could ask for.

gig officially gigged by laiqualaurelote

Band AU! It shouldn't work but it does. Which might also be an in-universe review for the band tbh. Idk, I loved Edwin's massive obscure musical instruments and Charles being his unpaid roadie. Peak Found Family Feels.

No Rehearsing It, No Reversing It by DontOffendTheBees

Charles overthinks being in love with Edwin, my beloved. This time with increasingly flimsy pretexts for why they NEED to kiss. Just perfect Idiots in Love, no notes.

The Case of David Bowie's Made up Sexuality by williamvapespeare

The agency attempt to help a living lesbian couple deal with a haunting. Meanwhile, Charles struggles through his bisexual (re)awakening. With bonus past (living) Charles no-homo-ing himself to the nth degree. Pure of heart, dumb of ass, indeed.

The lamps are going out by CasiHuman

Vengeful Spirit Edwin AU! Has some interesting ghost lore and Edwin being convinced his touch is painful to Charles (love that trope!). Also features some of the author's adorable/hilarious fanart at the end.

just frame the halves (and call them brothers) by Anonymous

Crystal stumbles upon the ghost of Edwin's older brother, who hires the agency to free him and his platoon from the battleground they've been haunting. Case fic with interesting details about Edwin's family life and an awkward as hell family reunion.

the case of the very long ferry ride by obsceme

Sex pollen but with skin hunger, so it's more touching turned making out and hand jobs in a bathroom. Interesting use of ghost lore and it's cute and well written.

Form 239, Schedule L by sanctuary_for_all

Charles Rowland's Love Language is Acts of Service: The Fic. So many feels! Plus Afterlife worldbuilding and some quality Night Nurse rep.

don't go sharing your devotions (lay all your love on me) by Hephanna

The boys and Crystal accidentally summon an alternate universe version of Charles. He's very... handsy. Charles being jealous of himself is objectively hilarious and it looks like it could be heading towards throuple territory. Possibly even a foursome, if alternate Edwin figures out parallel universe travel. Which he probably will.

Still a Better Lovestory by Vamillepudding

Hanahaki disease! Charles is on the case but Edwin's being weirdly uncooperative about his own curse. I loved the worldbuilding (there's a whole sisterhood of washerwomen!) and the angst, plus the writing is excellent.

The author has also written Eternal Sunshine, in which Edwin is cursed to feel no love of any kind. It makes for an interesting character study, contrasting cursed Edwin, his public reserve and his actual personality.

[saddelicate]

PAINELAND WEEK - DAY 2 - MYTHS & LEGENDS

based on @shadowquill17 au, with vampire edwin and god of fire charles

[shadowquill17]

“—oh I will go in, because I suspect Mr Werner might find the alternative utterly unpleasant.” The door opens and Edwin strides in, back so straight it makes the wall look like it’s slouching, eyes blazing with cold determination. Bloody hell, he is so fucking fit. Charles feels like a bloody cartoon character looking at him. AKA Charles gets into a fight. Edwin gets him out of detention and looks hot doing it.

Just a little modern human AU where Charles and Edwin go to St Hilarion's together.

Ft. insolent little shit Charles, BAMF (but in a subtle blackmail kind of way) Edwin, cute banter, and kissing.

Painland Week Day 6 - Free Day

[sleepy-jeans]

My Favourite Dead Boy Detecives Fanfics on Ao3 :)

to the pain (10456 words) by shadowquill17 Chapters: 2/3 Fandom: Dead Boy Detectives (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne/Charles Rowland Characters: Charles Rowland (DCU), Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Crystal Palace (DCU), Niko Sasaki, Original Male Character(s), Original Female Character(s) Additional Tags: Hurt Charles Rowland, POV Charles Rowland, Blood and Injury, Blood Loss, Graphic Description, listen I got grabbed by the throat by this idea and I have no idea how I even made it here, Love Confessions, Charles is so in love with Edwin and that’s his priority even when he’s literally bleeding out, Temporary Character Death, YES I PROMISE IT’S TEMPORARY, Torture, Violent Thoughts, Angst with a Happy Ending Series: Part 5 of what the rest means (DBD fics) Summary: There is an orb full of souls and a wizard pissed off at them for breaking in, and then there is pain. Or, the one where Charles has the most important epiphany of his life at the worst possible time.

Starting off strong. This one made me cry, like a lot. It's not finished yet but I don't care girl, the first chapter is incredible. Like okay, Edwin is crying and I'm crying, what now?

Carry These Torches For You (1965 words) by that_trans_autistic_guy Chapters: 2/2 Fandom: Dead Boy Detectives (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne & Charles Rowland, Edwin Payne & Charles Rowland & Crystal Palace & Niko Sasaki, Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne/Charles Rowland Characters: Edwin Payne, Charles Rowland, Crystal Palace - Character, Niko Sasaki, Jenny Green Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Exhaustion, Autistic Edwin Payne, ADHD Charles Rowland, Cuddling & Snuggling, Families of Choice, Family Fluff, it is mostly just kinda cute shit, yall sent me a request via tumblr and well here we are, The Adventures of Orbwin and Chorb Series: Part 82 of Traumatized Dead Boys Summary: Charles would really appreciate a fucking break. Seriously, they all needed a day off. For weeks straight they’d been running around and frantically completing cases. None of them had really been resting well, but Edwin was completely toast. He’d barely sat down for more than a minute and pretty soon his form was going to force him to rest whether he liked it or not.

By that_trans_autistic_guy so you know its good. Really sweet and short. loved it <3 (Love Chorb with all my heart)

The case of the warlock (5559 words) by TheRamblingsOfaMadWoman Chapters: 3/3 Fandom: Dead Boy Detectives (TV) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne/Charles Rowland, Crystal Palace & Charles Rowland (DCU), Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne & Charles Rowland, Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne & Crystal Palace Characters: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Charles Rowland (DCU), Crystal Palace (DCU) Additional Tags: Hurt, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Not Beta Read, Charles hurts Edwin, Angst Summary: The gang come across a warlock. Charles is quite taken with him. Edwin is distrustful. Whose instinct is right? **Charles hurts Edwin

So well written oh my God. love the beginning, middle, and end. The emotional and physical trauma? *chef's kiss*

Burns and Hidden Pains (30299 words) by Infinite_beginnings Chapters: 8/8 Fandom: Dead Boy Detectives (TV) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne/Charles Rowland, Crystal Palace & Charles Rowland (DCU), Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne & Crystal Palace & Charles Rowland, Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne & Crystal Palace, Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne & Charles Rowland, Crystal Palace/Charles Rowland (DCU) Characters: Charles Rowland (DCU), Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Crystal Palace (DCU), Jenny Green (Dead Boy Detectives) Additional Tags: not really very shippy but can be read as a pre-ship for the boys if you want!, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, charles rowland whump, Whump, Protective Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Protective Crystal Palace, Hidden Injury, charles places all of his personal value on protecting his loved ones, and i just need him to be taken care of for a bit, questionable ghost science, listen i don't know the rules of this universe I'm just making it up as I go, Charles past abuse is alluded to, because that influences who he is as a character but its not mentioned in any detail ×, And characters still think Niko is dead and are dealing with the grief of that Summary: This takes place after the season ends. Both boys are a bit roughed up physically and emotionally from their trip to hell and Esther's treatment. They try to take care of each other but Charles is more hurt than anyone realizes.

Girl, my heart was pumping and everything like I was scared. Nice and whumpy, just how I like it. The definition of hurt/comfort.

Hold This (26196 words) by RoseGanymede95 Chapters: 5/5 Fandom: Dead Boy Detectives (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne & Charles Rowland, Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne/Charles Rowland Characters: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Charles Rowland (DCU) Additional Tags: Graphic violence in this one, gratuitous limb-severing, Escape The Evil Wizard Dungeon, Charles Rowland Loves Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, so much it's frankly a liability, Brief Torture, surprisingly unrelated to the limb-severing thing, Mr. Potato Head Ghost Anatomy, Completely Unhinged Levels of Codependency, Charles Rowland Is Not A Role Model, Blood and Injury, the boys can't bleed but the bad guy can, Charles Rowland gets his Home Alone on, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Body Horror, should have tagged Body Horror way earlier, antagonists displaying some casual racism, discussions of racist bullying, Stitches, I need you to understand I really mean that Body Horror tag take care of yourselves Series: Part 2 of Who? You mean your teammate in the Codependency World Cup? Summary: “Alright, listen,” Charles said, after trying not to think at all for at least five minutes. “Hear me out.” “Any ideas?” Edwin asked, not looking up from his page. “It’s just. What would actually happen if you cut my hand off?” Edwin jerked his head up so fast, Charles wondered that he didn’t brain himself against the stone wall. He looked more offended than he had when he found out about the live snake in Charles’ bag. “What the hell kind of a question is that?” He hissed. “I’m not saying we should do it!” Charles backpedaled. “I’m just curious! These cuffs make us proper solid, don’t they? We could probably lop it off and get me out.” “No,” said Edwin emphatically. “We are not discussing this. I don’t want you getting any ideas and chewing your own arm off like a trapped weasel.” “Not my whole arm, just my hand.”

This one is my favourite (sorry). Like it is written like a published novel. The writing was phenomenal. The story was incredible. It was hilarious. It was cleaver. It was cute. And it was heartbreaking! I can't believe I can read this shit for free. 10/10 gold star.

[wordsinhaled]

might i interest you in a bit of vampire payneland fic this fine afternoon?🧛🏻

this one goes out to @eidetictelekinetic @shadowquill17 and @tragedy-machine ❣️

[lolotr]

Last line tag game! Thanks @depressedandoverdressed for the tag! p sure someone else tagged me in this, but I forgor :(

Rules: Post the last line you've written, and/or a piece of your writing that you want to share, then tag whoever you'd like

Last thing I wrote was for another one shot for my librarian verse, bc I cannot be stopped. Edwin and Charles go on a date, Charles gets drunk on like two glasses of wine, fluff ensues.

Charles grins lazily and nuzzles his nose into Edwin’s neck, which is making it difficult for Edwin to walk in a straight line, and he’s barely tipsy. “Next time. I like the sound of that. That’s good, that is.” As is so often the case, Edwin finds a smile on his face of its own accord. “Yes, well, in order for there to be a next time, we need to get you to my flat in one piece, hm?” “M’not that drunk,” he slurs. “But if that’s you saying you want to carry me, I think that’s mint.” “Charles, I am not carrying a fully grown man for the entirety of a fifteen minute walk.” “Why not? You could probably do it. You’re so bloody strong, it’s so hot when you push me around.” Edwin’s face heats, and he glances around, hoping no one has heard his boyfriend blatantly flirting with him in the middle of the road. “If you’re trying to convince me of your sobriety, you are not succeeding.”

now that that's out there, maybe I'll finish it today... we'll see

tagging @shadowquill17 @the-ipre @schweetheart @queerofthedagger if you wanna play!!

[tumblerislovetumblerislife]

WIP Word Game

Rules: You will be given a word. Share one sentence/excerpt from your wip(s) that starts with each letter of that word.

thanks for the tag @nix-nihili love ya! <333

my word is PROSE. most of these are for palasaki week, but R and E are from my [redacted] modern au ;)

P: “Please,” said Niko, her heart too full again, and giggled as Crystal’s fingertips teased under her top.

R: “Remind me, next time, to bring a pack of cards, at least,” he whispered to Charles, who immediately shook with laughter. Sometimes Edwin thought Charles understood him better than he himself did.

O: Old Crystal had this fun game of finding shy people at parties and making them think she was interested in them until they were smiling at her just like this, the lamb leading itself to slaughter, and her the butcher’s knife across its throat with a carefully-timed, “Wait, you thought I was serious?” and mocking laughter. She’d thought it was so funny. So had her friends.

S: She didn’t know why, exactly, because Crystal could probably take them on the worst date in existence and Niko would still be head-over-heels. Not that she thought Crystal would be a bad date. Like, at all.

E: Edwin revised his previous opinion: such a grating expression could not rightly be called handsome. “You thought about me a lot?”

new word is uhhh TAMED, tagging @aletterinthenameofsanity, @dont-offend-the-bees, @lolotr, @shadowquill17, @anything-thats-rock-and-roll (trying desperately not to intersect with nix's lmao) if yall want to <3!

[dont-offend-the-bees]

rules: answer and tag people you want to get to know better and/or catch up with!

tagged by: @dear-monday and @manicpixiedreamedwins ! Cheers m'dears! 😊

Favourite colour: it changes a lot but I'm in a bit of a green era right now! The colour combo I come back to a lot/is most commonly associated with me is pink and yellow though 💛🩷

Last song: HOT TO GO! (catchy bop that's also on my Catwin playlist lmao)

Last movie: my friend finally showed me Phantom of the Paradise it was unhinged I loved it 💛

Currently reading: have started a reread of The Edge Chronicles for... reasons. Have started with Beyond the Deepwoods bc it was the one I could find but if my books weren't so scattered I probs would have started with the Quint trilogy/Gloamglozer

Currently watching: DBDA, as always, plus still squeaking slowly through House MD and occasionally Ted Lasso!

Currently craving: it's first thing in the morning so honestly like, some very buttery toast and a big, cold drink of something a lil sweet and fruity (like me)

Tea or coffee: tea all the way — which, fun fact, despite being a Brit I did not drink at all until my 20s. I went to stay with someone I thought was really cool for a weekend and was like aaaah she's really cool do NOT be weird!! And basically weaned myself onto tea over the long weekend by just not saying no when it was offered xD I would say my relationship to tea now is fairly casual, I don't have strong tastes/opinions on it and will often pick something else to drink given the option, but it's comforting to partake in the deeply ingrained British social ritual lmao.

Right that's enough out of me, I'm gonna tag some wonderful DBDA fandom people bc I haven't been this sociable in a fandom in ages and I love it! So @mellxncollie @every-moment-a-different-sound @williamvapespeare @tw0-ravens @m-eowdy @shadowquill17 @arisprite @wordsinhaled and probably a load of others I've forgotten, if you see this consider yourself tagged if you wanna do it! 💛

[narliearchive]

a shield of blue and green by shadowquill17 [T]

Tristan Hayes has just joined Truham’s rugby team, and Nick has a feeling he might turn out to be a bully. Because of course, there's no other reason Tristan could be looking at Charlie… right?

[seasidesandstarscapes]

Writer's Tag Game

Tagged by @strangethings-everywhere & @effervescentyellow !!! finally catching up on tag games ;^_^

Rules: Answer some or all of the questions below. Tag your fellow writers. Enjoy!

Link to your masterlist: Lol i'm too lazy to make one, but my ao3 is pretty kept up to date!!!

Favorite and least favorite genres to write (angst/smut/fluff, etc): Favorite is probably Angst with a Happy Ending or Smut With Feelings. Love when the couple figures out just how much they love each other. I can never write Major Character Death tho. Or the times I have, it's been such a struggle;;;;

Favorite characters to write for? Right now it's been Don just because I think I relate to him in a lot of ways. Though Chuck and Roger have been fun!! trying to figure out their dynamics :d

Which one of your works is your favorite? I guess right now it's....the Hockey AU?? The response to it has been so wonderful and the story became so much more than I ever imagined it would be!!!

Which one of your works is more popular than you thought it would be? The Hockey Fic!!! I was worried I was smashing too many things into one fic, but it seems to have worked in the end??? and i keep getting more and more inspo to write for more of this AU which is so so good (thank you @sparrow-in-the-field >3<)

Which one of your works is less popular than you thought it would be? Idk??? just getting one hit on my stories astounds me so i'm never upset when something doesn't get as much attention as the others ajfskdslfs

Which one of your fics was hardest to write? Why? Definitely my Sci-Fi AU that i've yet to share. It's a labour of love and i just want it to be perfect for the fandom but also i've edited and reread it so many times i'm so worried it's not good anymore and ghfdjsfkslfsk

What is your favorite fanfic by someone else? THE TOUGHEST QUESTION CAUSE EVERYONE IN THE FANDOM IS SUCH AN AMAZING WRITER let me make a list under a readmore ahgdfjksl

@sparrow-in-the-field 's Quiet Act is ESSENTIAL for anyone in tbitb fandom, it has it all, the pining, the fluff, the angst, the perfect movie references, ugghhgfjdkl it's beautiful and such a good fic to start with if you're not sure where to begin with reading tbitb stuff

@teaforarteza 's On The Border gave me my first "oh. OH" at how perfect Bobby and Don are for each other, plus it's so hot and tender all at once HOW i have definitely had to reread and comment more than once just for my thoughts to catch up aghdfjsk

@arokel 's Light the Kindling is so much fun because we get to meet Percy who I'll protect with my life and we get such soft moments with Don and Bobby that also turn hot and sexy but still so filled with emotion ahhghgjdfskl

@kjxlll 's (getsalami on ao3) Hands, Tears, and Glory has me chomping at the bit every time I reread it. Anonymous sex that turns out "oh shit it's YOU" has a chokehold on me and godddd Bobby gets destroyed in so many delicious ways

@shadowquill17 's hands and voices makes me so weepy and soft and it's just so lovely and beautiful to have a glimpse of our boys after the olympics, when Bobby's assistant coach and he and Don are just so incredibly in love ahhhh

@thesummerpetsalamander 's (pavlovsfrog on ao3) The Sweetest Sounds is another hot one that also had me giggling and kicking my feet. Don and Bobby are so much fun in this modern AU and it's like hffjdsklfsd man oh man

@icegreyrose 's You Have But Slumber'd Here is so so good, I love magic realism and this story just pulls you in, always has a twist that shocks you in the best way and it's so cool and ahhghfjdk

@effervescentyellow 's Oh, But Honey had me in TEARS god so beautiful, it was nostalgic, relatable and just really digs in and nestles into your soul, i'm a constant puddle when I remember it

@kcsplace 's (CaseyStar on ao3) We'll Stay As We Are is gorgeous omgggg I was holding my breath, I was filled with heartache and love all at once, I was worried and reassured all at once, very cathartic if you need to get some emotions out

@dogwooddiaries 's (breakingofdawn on ao3) Undo Me IS AN AMAZING ROLLER COASTER you want a one night stand that turns into something more??? a friendship turned to love??? both Bobby and Don no longer able to deny their feelings for each other???? you got it all in one incredible fic

@borealopelta 's (zargothoraxcore on ao3) it always leads you to my hometown is heart-wrenching and hot and soft and devastating. You want the best and worst time (affectionate) of your life???? read this fic asap and cry with me

@strangethings-everywhere 's (booknerds_unite on ao3) When Our Fingers Touch, I Feel My Way Back Home IS ANOTHER ESSENTIAL FOR TBITB FANS tragic and heartwarming, it'll destroy you and lift you above mountains. And if you're a ww2 buff like me, it makes it all that more emotional and clawing at the ground as your heart bleeds

@crushribbons MY LOVE her xReader and xOFC fics are so much fun!!! i'll admit i've never been a fan of reader/ofc but Laney changed that for me just because her takes are so unique from what I've seen in the past??? Her stories make me laugh, make me emotional, ugghgh like if she can make me a changed man, then you KNOW it's good

of course i can't not mention @savvylittlecoxswain who has been our plethora of information regarding our boys, sharing all these fun facts and details the movie should've taken into account smh ALSO Olie has a wing fic in the works that I am SO EXCITED FOR YOU HAVE NO IDEA

Also please check out FreyasDaughter's From Berlin, With Love because that one is such a good instrospective take on the events in Berlin, a completely different writing style that's so cool, and Joe being the best boyfriend to Joyce I swear its ahhhh

fishyies is another great fic writer who's really tugged at the heartstrings , very real and raw and just makes you take a step back and breath

basically all this to say we have so many good fic writes in tbitb fandom and just choosing one fic is so hard because everyone's style is so unique and fun and amazing and i love you all ;v;

[adventures-in-mangaland]

More Dead Boy Detectives Fic Recs

Since my last fic rec post got a great response and I've read some excellent fic in the meantime, here is a new list with more recs!

The Case of Richard Rowland by RB (BlueflowersandWings)

Charles' dad hires the Dead Boy Detectives to solve his murder. It's. Traumatic. The writing and characterisation are excellent and heartbreaking and the case is intriguing. I have many theories! Cw for domestic abuse, child abuse and homophobia.

we all have a hunger (series) by Anonymous

I couldn't choose! They're both so good! The first is from Crystal's PoV as she tries to figure out what happened to Niko. It also features some wonderful Crystal & Edwin bonding, an absolutely gut-wrenching speech from the latter and The Sandman cameos. The second in the series is an Edwin-centric (so angsty!) case fic featuring Accidental Child Acquisition, greek gods, the Cat King and a happy ending. Superlative writing in both.

Terrible, Horrible, No Good and Very Bad by hibye

Feelings realisation as Charles pines for Edwin and tries not to show it because he has to be sure he's in love. Terrific, very funny writing and Charles is a precious himbo. Excellent payoff too.

Oh, Lonely Bones, Have You Forgotten? by DontOffendTheBees

Charles and Edwin investigate a mystery at St Hilarion's and discover a gut-wrenching secret. Compelling and brilliantly written.

I'll let you go if you kiss me goodbye by shadowquill17

Idiots in Love meets Friends with Benefits and Misunderstandings. Edwin breaking his own heart for no reason is very accurate and Charles gets a cool queer mentor.

the spooky thing about penis ouija by skadii

College AU! Everyone's alive and Charles and Edwin have been besties since middle school. This is another Oblivious!Charles fic; he's like a well-meaning golden retriever trampling Monty in his clueless wake. Also, the gang perform a seance and Edwin is a ghost-sceptic, which is hilarious.

after the insects have laid their claim by lolotr

Charles finds out that Edwin's body was never found and will not let that stand. Has a kind of gothic romanticism I really love and a nice in-universe explanation for the "Charles and Edwin can only feel each other" trope.

The author has written lots of other great fic, including a very cute librarian!Edwin and single dad!Charles human AU with bonus Crystal/Niko.

A Form of Genius by Neous (Greyality)

Charles shows off for Edwin. Crystal Suffers. Idk, it's just cute.

the taste in your mouth by greenaerie

When Esther hurts Charles, Edwin decides to take up the Cat King on his original offer. Interesting exploration of dubious consent, shame and guilt. The author is fairly sympathetic to the Cat King, while also exploring Edwin's complicated feelings, including the impact of his upbringing, general repression and, yes, coercion on his first time. It's not exactly explicit, but take care if those are tough themes for you!

The Manuscript of Real People by paraph

Slow burn Boarding School AU where they're both alive and it's also the 70s. And they were roommates! I have been longing for a fic like this. All the jock/nerd romance tropes, complicated by discussions of bullying and Charles' (perceived) proximity to Edwin's bullies. Edwin is an orphaned scholarship student, so it's also a kind of role reversal and touches on themes of class and poverty. Minor cw for sexual harassment as the Cat King/Thomas is also there (sorry catwin fans).

When We Walk Together We Tend to Walk Alone by UneducatedAuthor

Charles meets Death and gets to say goodbye to his mum. A sweet concept and it's nice to see Death of the Endless getting some love!

Marriage is a Payne by Ace_of_Turtles

Arranged Marriage and Omegaverse AU featuring the boys agreeing to get married to spite/escape their awful parents. Not explicit and fairly light on the a/b/o details, in case that's a squick for anyone.

job officially jobbed by vernesatlas

Charles decides the answer to the handjob question requires a practical demonstration. Very funny and well written and the title is excellent. All the kudos.

Try, Try Again by Asidian

Alterative ending to episode four. After the Night Nurse, Edwin makes a second attempt to comfort Charles. Heartwarming and sad.

The Risk and Rewards of Communication by Opossum_Subatomic

Another alternative ending to episode four featuring Edwin coming clean about the Cat King. So well written. I feel like this is going to be a fandom classic.

take your chances (win or lose her) by ObsessedWithFandom

Charles decides to check in on his mum. Some very sweet established relationship fluff followed by discussions of domestic abuse and family feels. The ending opened up some amazing possibilities for future fics! Highly recommended.

The same author has also written the ghost of the past that you live in, which is an excellent in-depth exploration of Charles' bisexual awakening and trauma-related repression.

Anyway, I'm going to try to make this a regular thing, so please send me more recs!

[arokel]

WIP Wednesday

sorry for spamming the tag but (while i'm catching up on my comment backlog) i still want to do a wip game so here is your free-for-all WIP Wednesday! post as much or as little of as many wips as you want & let's have some fun

tagging @icegreyrose @sparrow-in-the-field @seasidesandstarscapes @kjxlll @fregata-magnificens @borealopelta @shadowquill17 @dogwooddiaries @strangethings-everywhere @teaforarteza @savvylittlecoxswain and anyone who i forgot!!!!

anyway without further ado, here's a chunk from my absolutely mammoth bitb wip that will be done.......... eventually. someday. probably. (nsfw under the cut)

He takes a shower even though it’s three in the morning, and he must look pathetic enough that Joe doesn’t call him on his ‘sore muscles’ excuse and only says, “yeah, you look like you need it.” “Great. Okay. Yeah. See you in a bit. Or goodnight, whatever,” Don says, and makes his desperate escape to the bathroom before things can get any more awkward. He doesn’t mean to jack off. He really did mean to just stand there until the water went cold and try to clear his head. But Don is an auditory kind of person and in the echoing quiet of the bathroom there’s nothing to drown out the memory of Bobby’s choked-off whimper reverberating in Don’s skull. He’s so hard. It’s three a.m. No one is going to come in. Don hisses through his teeth, rutting against the air. His cock bobs obscenely in front of him; the lukewarm spray of water hitting his skin and trickling down his shaft is torturous when he’s this turned on. He can’t go back to the room like this. He wraps a hand around himself, intending to make it quick and perfunctory, but his own quiet whine at the touch reminds him of Bobby’s, which makes him whine again in an agonizing feedback loop of pleasure and wanting. Unconsciously, he slows his strokes, letting himself imagine the perfect O of Bobby’s mouth on that whimper, hidden from Don’s view but no doubt pink and glistening, tongue flat as if just waiting for Don’s fingers to press down on it, pry Bobby’s mouth open wide to devour him. Don gulps in air, hand stuttering in its rhythm on his aching cock. His mouth is watering, tongue lolling out as he pants and drool dripping down his chin to mingle with the spray. It’s filthy, it’s embarrassing, and Don would give just about anything to make it real.

[teaforarteza]

Summarizing my WIPs Badly

Thank you for the tag, @nicijones! (Love you too, btw.)

Please know that I often come up with titles last. Like, sometimes right when I'm posting on AO3 and abruptly remember that this is neither a sonnet not a piece of classical music and I can't just call it "Fandom - Pair - #" levels of last. Therefore the titles attached to these summaries are very much subject to change:

Please Stop Helping: A group of 1930s friends are far more accepting of their friend's queerness than would ever be realistic, leading to confusion for the local LGBTQ+ community.

The Boys in the B-17: Olympic rowers transplanted into a Masters of the Air AU because planes are just air boats... right? Kissing (and, more unfortunately, flack and shrapnel) included.

Pretty Boy (as a Compliment): Spite-fuelled man commits to the bit, proceeds to cause problems via lace and frills.

Without a Shout, Without a Whisper: Small, shouty boy gets stressed, gets gagged, and gets very well looked after by tall, quiet, and very worried partner (NSFW).

No pressure, but tagging @shadowquill17, @sparrow-in-the-field and @borealopelta if you have anything you'd like to share. (I'd tag @arokel and @kjxlll too, but @nicijones already had that covered.)

[dogwooddiaries]

Writer's Tag Game

tagged by @strangethings-everywhere and @effervescentyellow thanks for the tag! <3

Rules: Answer some or all of the questions below. Tag your fellow writers. Enjoy!

Link to your masterlist: My tiny master list is here on ao3

Favorite and least favorite genres to write (angst/smut/fluff, etc): I have a hard time writing and not including at least a little angst, so I guess that's a favorite. Not sure about my least favorite; still figuring myself out. Maybe fluff?

Favorite characters to write for? well I only write Bobby and Don really :) I have an oc that I kind of adore for this newsies thing I'm trying, but it's been different/hard making an oc...

Which one of your works is your favorite? I'm so happy with finishing Undo Me and figuring out how to get to where I wanted to go. I had fun with my melodrama and angst and unoriginal use of light as a motif and the dash of chiasmus in the plot. I also really liked where I ended up with Sneaking Around because from concept to completion, it took a couple of hours and just came to me without a bunch of planning/drafting - so like the total opposite of Undo Me. These two favorites are also my lower kudos fics :')

Which one of your fics was hardest to write? Why? Undo Me was the biggest thing to wrestle with for sure. I knew where it was going but I didn't really know the route. It was very much a Flannery O'Connor experience of "I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I say."

What is your favorite fanfic by someone else? in a show of rebellion to this singular question, I have written an essay. Like others said, fic after fic in this fandom is impressive. I love seeing the various styles, AUs, structures, etc. It's fun to see the creativity in the different works. I'll note a few much loved ones here but could never get to them all. Can You Tell I Have Been Revised by @arokel had me obsessed and in a chokehold with Don's journal and Bobby's choices when the ball was in his court. Let the Sea Roll High or Low by @kjxlll was an incredible piece of just being immersed in the time, place, and alllll the slow aching feelings. Everything felt so of the time, I recall this story in sepia tones. Kiss Me Tender by @shadowquill17 resides in my brain still, I think of it often. Stitch Me Up, Send Me Back Out to Dance by The_Hobbit_Ninja (sorry, don't know their tumblr!) was one of the very first I read in the fandom and god, I wish they still wrote for the fandom; so good. It always leads to you in my hometown by @borealopelta gutted me in the best awful way that I still feel a little unhealthy about. On the Border by @teaforarteza ate my brain, it was everything - angst, incredible smut, feelingsssss. Also, @seasidesandstarscapes 's constant new ideas and inspiration in their one shots always astounds me - if you haven't yet read their vampire au do it!! (trust me! I don't even do vampires!) @strangethings-everywhere 's WWII AU was an inspired idea to put Bobby and Don in that setting. I want to acknowledge @effervescentyellow and her as beautiful as you fic - it broke my heart while simultaneously stitching it back together. Finally, my darling and beloved The Cormorant by @sparrow-in-the-field is still in progress, but I adore it and have a probably dysfunctional obsessive relationship with it and I don't care. :D

Basically my summer vacation was made up of reading fanfic (and very occasionally writing it), can you tell?

Tags: If I mentioned you for something above OR you just want to jump in, please consider yourself tagged! <3