#ship: Peach and Cedric

[pri-rp]

Maybe you should talk to Cedric and find out what's wrong. He's clearly stressed about something right?

Right! Though, going through town, the newspaper headline catches her eye. it was a gossip article- "Foreign Sorceror and Mushroom Princess: More than just Friends?" and below it a headline photo...

the aerial angle screamed a particular Lakitu's handy-work, but the focus of the picture was... Her and Cedric, in the garden. and...oh dear, she had dozed off the other day and...

The princess buys one of the papers, before continuing on her way. Perhaps this was the problem? In which case...

[thebladesmithmuses]

Cuddle Bug... via being tired.

Peach wasn't one opposed to physical contact, often grabbing hands without much prompting. It was just her nature; kind touches here or there, and just not thinking about it...

So, when Sitting next to Cedric just on a social visit, be they watching the sunset or something... the exhaustion she hid well by attitude and make-up sneak through, as the sorceror suddenly finds her leaned up against him, seemingly having drifted off...

@pri-rp

Send "Cuddle Bug" to cuddle up and snuggle with my muse!

It had been a busy month, with the two hardly having time to see each other. At most they exchanged letters; with Wormwood acting as the in between most of the time. Not that the raven ever minded. He for free snacks out of the deal, and perhaps a shiny or two if Peach allowed. This was the first time in what was certainly a long time, where the two saw each other face to face. Though they did playfully talk and eat snacks earlier, eventually they ran out of things to talk about, and sat in a comfortable silence. It was only natural that they both started to feel tired. Cedric stretched, trying to shake off the tiredness he was feeling as a yawn tried to creep it's way through, but was interrupted as Peach suddenly leaned on him. At first, Cedric just froze, looking down at Peach as his face went from shock, to a bright red hue. He held up his arm, hesitant to put it down a first. It was slow, careful, trying not to stir her as his face somehow grew even redder. He didn't know what to do with his hand. This was awkward, and he knew Peach didn't mind touch, but he didn't want to put it somewhere that would be, awkward to explain. Eventually he decided to rest it on her shoulder, and hold her close so she wouldn't fall over. He really didn't know what to do now. He was wide awake, but unable to move due to the sleeping princess under his arm. Cedric supposed he was stuck for a while. ... He also supposed this, wasn't so bad.

[peachpety]

Upon reflecting this past year, I’m reminded of one area as a fandom citizen that i am lacking - reading fic. And so was born an idea to canvas my fandom family and friends to share with me a fic they've written, art they've created, a podfic they've recorded in 2023 of which they are most proud.

This two part 'rec yourself' list is the result.

Part One features Drarry creations (heavily featured since that's my OTP). Part Two (here) includes a kick-ass mix of various HP ships and ships from other fandoms, including Carry On, Check Please!, Good Omens, Teen Wolf, and Stranger Things. Also, and most importantly, each entry presents a smol blurb from the creator about why they chose their particular piece as their 2023 favorite.

For ease in reading, I've also placed all submitted works posted to AO3 into a filterable bookmark collection, Rec Yourself 2023. Be aware that there's a range of ratings and archive/creator tags, so please, take appropriate responsibility for your personal consumption. And please also be sure to shower the creators with kudos and lovely comments.

Y'all. This endeavor has been a fucking blast. One thing's for sure, I am blessed, humbled and honored to know a whole bunch of fantastic, brilliant, fun folks. Big love to you all, and thank you for participating.

So go forth. Indulge and enjoy! xo peach

* * *

✩ @pato-roldnart ✩ Quiet as a mouse HP | Viktor Krum x Ron Weasely | ART | G rating | Unleashed!Fest 2023 I'm quite proud of this one, I don't know how I made it, I had never drawn them before! My mind went full "oh yeah ronvik " Also, I like the idea of them bonding over their pets and Ron seeing that Viktor cares about something else that is not Quidditch.

✩ @tontonguetonks ✩ Coffee and a Croissant HP Next Gen | Scorpius x Albus | 903 FIC | G rating There are parts of myself and my lived experience in every story and character I write—how I socialize, how I take my coffee… I can’t help it. In *Coffee and a Croissant*, I put a lot of myself in my ace and autistic Albus. He is very dear to me in this story, and in my Fizzy Lifting Drinks drabble. The fic is just a toe-dip in the Soulmate waters where Albus grapples with what to do if he is someone’s Soulmate, but they’re not his. Parts 2 and 3 are in the works, but there is no timeline on either of them. Maybe in 2024?

✩ @crazybutgood ✩ I Bloom Pink For You HP | Narcissa Malfoy x Pansy Parkinson | 993 FIC + ORIGAMI COMIC | M rating | HP Bodice Ripper Fest 2023 This whole idea came about because I got so excited to fold a corset for hp bodice ripper fest, realised I couldn't just submit that one thing, and started brainstorming more loose ideas. It all clicked together when I was inspired by a fic by @schmem14, whose writing I adore. I was so grateful and even more excited when Em gave permission to make this. From there started the self-indulgent process of folding fancy things with fancier papers for this origami comic, and I couldn't have done it without Em and my lovely support team.

✩ @seekercass ✩ Something Cosmic HP | Cedric x Draco x Harry | 1.7k FIC | M rating | Polyship Week 2022 A self-rec that I am still extremely proud of is a short fic written for Polyshipping Week 2022 called Something Cosmic. It's a small coda to Something Good to Always Keep, another fic that I wrote for Quidditch Fest 2021 that I cherish very much. Even though writing is still hard for me these days, I often think about this 'verse and what life is like for Harry, Draco and Cedric after they graduated from Oxford. These three and slice of life bring me such joy. I hope to write more of them.

✩ @roseharpermaxwell ✩ Sounds Worth It HP | Hermione x Draco | 5k FIC | T rating | D/Hr Advent 2023 Being nominated for d/hr advent was a sweet surprise. It gave me a good excuse to remember how to write and the nudge I needed to create something this year.

✩ @basicallyahedgehog ✩ (They) Keep Me Warm HP | Hermione x Harry x Ron | 5.8k FIC | E rating | HP Trans Fest 2023 This was my transfest fic - I wrote it as a love letter to all my trans and Enby friends and as a way of processing some of my own feelings. It’s my first (and so far only) foray into poly golden trio and I loved playing with their dynamics with that added layer to their relationship.

✩ @lumosatnight ✩ For I Have Found Salvation HP | Harry x Severus | 7.1k FIC | E rating | Snarry AUctoberfest 2023 Although this is a smut fic at its core, I tried really hard to make the pacing flow, bringing in background characters, and creating memorable imagery. I am very proud of how it turned out. However, this is probably my favorite fic from 2023 simply for the fact that I had the most fun writing it!

✩ @sugareey-makes-stuff ✩ Feel You Breathing Teen Wolf | Derek Hale x Stiles Stilinski | 8.4k TEXTING FIC | E rating | 2023 Year of the OTP This is my fav 2023 piece because I learned how to create a custom text message AO3 skin, stylize things for plain text reading, and I wrote a whole story  that had some plot that was told through text messages. Also, I did not know I could achieve so much spiciness and throw in so many bad pick-up lines through this medium, but hey, the more you know! XD

✩ @schmem14 ✩ Mastermind HP | Harry x Ron; Draco x Harry; Ron x Draco | 10.7k FIC | E rating | Dronarry Fest 2023 This is one of the few times a story just flew out of me. Possessive stalker Draco sets out to win over Ron in this creepy thriller, but there’s a catch: Ron is already in love with Draco’s boyfriend, Harry.

✩ @drwhoisginnyholmes & @fledglinger ✩ Not Bad, For A 6000 Year Old Classic! Good Omens | Aziraphale x Crowley | 11.8k FIC + ART | E rating | DIWS Reverse! Reverse! Mini Bang

✩ @sniperjade ✩ The Sounds of Us HP Marauders | Regulus x Remus | 20.4k FIC | M rating | Remus Lupin Fest 2023; HPFC Spring Fling 2023 I've been thinking about this for a couple of days and whilst I would really love to say it was the drarry I wrote for this fest last year my favourite would have to be this moonseeker I wrote for Remus Lupin Fest last year. It's my favourite because I lived this fic. It became the entirety of my personality for a whole month because I desperately needed to get to the chapter where Regulus was riding on Padfoots back, through the forbidden forest, with only the light of the full moon to guide them, just to try and help Remus. It's also just because it's very musical and I'm very musical so that makes me love it all the more.

✩ @ghaniblue ✩ Sleeping With Ghosts HP | Regulus x Draco x Harry | 21.9k FIC | M rating | Harry Potter Rare Pair Fest IV I posted a Regulus/Harry/Draco fic last month that I'm very fond of. I started writing it more than 1 1/2 years ago, before I ever read a single Regulus fic. It's triad fic, and I'm pretty proud of the way the individual relationships develop. That was important to me, and I think I succeeded. Posting the first fic on ao3 with this triad tag doesn't hurt either.

✩ @celilasart & @wolfspurr ✩ Shifted Teen Wolf | Derek Hale x Stiles Stilinski | 25k FIC + ART | T rating | Sterek Reverse Bang This work was created for sterek reverse bang, a collaboration fest where the artists create first and the writers write second. wolfspurr and I just clicked when we talked about my art and the things that it inspired in their writer brain ;D the result is just an amazingly sweet and wholesome fic, that is still set in the teenwolf universe as we know it. but unlike many other fics which are full of violence and danger, this one starts with a bang and then it is a beautifully woven story of two people who just complete each other. also... the working title for my art was: tiny fox & sour wolf.

✩ @orange-peony ✩ At the speed of light Carry On | Basilton Pitch x Simon Snow | 26.3k FIC | E rating I picked [this fic] because I had a lot of fun writing it! It started off as a drabble and ended up 26k because I just had a blast writing it and the fandom support was so lovely. Last but not least, Pato made an absolutely stunning art piece for this fic, and it was the best present ever.

✩ @wynnyfryd ✩ i don’t know, you figure it out Stranger Things | Steve Harrington x Eddie Munson | 35.4k WIP FIC | E rating bragging about yourself is difficult, but i’ll just say it’s my favorite because i’m proud of myself for sticking to one project for this long, i love all the artwork the fic has inspired, and i just think the line ��the river styx must taste like pennies” fucks severely lmao.

✩ @decaflondonfog ✩ growing pains Check Please! | Eric Bittle x Kent Parson | 50k FIC | T rating i am not usually a long fic gal, which i think is in part lack of patience, but also how attached i get to a universe if i’m working on it for a longer period of time. i finished writing this back in june but this fic felt very “me” in many ways and i think about them so often still  so it’s definitely my 2023 creation i’m proudest of!

[dreamypeaches]

N/SFW HEADCANON NIGHT

hello all!! i’ve really been slacking on writing lately. to try and find my inspiration again, i wanted to do a little headcanon night.

all you need to do is send me a name and a letter from one of the lists below. be sure specify whether it’s from the sfw or nsfw alphabet.

who i’m writing for

all obx characters and poly ships (except john b)

mat barzal

mitch marner

tito beauvillier

steve harrington

sweet pea

cedric diggory

oliver wood

fred weasley

george weasley

neville longbottom

and any throuples/poly mixes of the above people

the lists

sfw alphabet

nsfw alphabet

happy sending!

💕 peach

[veetlegeuse]

HARRY POTTER. (MAINS)

Name: Alena Foster

Fic: Battle Scarred | Bad for Business

Love Interest: Manny Moreno-Silva, Draco Malfoy (endgame) | Fred Weasley (endgame)

Face Claim: Sofia Carson

character tag

Battle Scarred: ship tag (manny) | fic tag

Bad for Business: ship tag | fic tag

Name: Evie Callisto

Fic: A Beautiful Us / An Unexpected Us

Love Interest: George Weasley & Roger Davies

Face Claim: Kaylee Bryant

character tag | ship tag (george) (roger) | fic tag

Name: Kipper ‘Kippi’ Cadieux

Fic: The Greatest Challenge (title subject to change)

Love Interest: Cedric Diggory

Face Claim: Madelyn Cline

character tag | ship tag | fic tag

Name: Maisie Barker

Series: The Trouble With Weasleys

Love Interest: Nikolai Kozlov, Fred Weasley (endgame)

Face Claim: Emilija Baranac

character tag | ship tag (fred) / (niko) | fic tag

Name: Persephone Peach

Fic: A Beautiful Us / An Unexpected Us

Love Interest: Fred Weasley

Face Claim: Whitney Peak

character tag | ship tag | fic tag

Name: Winifred ‘Winnie’ Dixon

Fic: TBD / The Greatest Challenge (title subject to change) / Battle Scarred

Love Interest: Ron Weasley

Face Claim: Olivia Holt

character tag | ship tag | fic tag

[thebladesmithmuses]

I'm actually surprised Wormwood likes Peach at all. Doesn't he value cruelty and evil? Seems like everything Peach isn't.

"Oh, I'm sure he's there because she pampers him. I've seen him come back with a trinket or two on occasion."

"If there's nothing ravens enjoy more then food, it's shiny trinkets."

[thebladesmithmuses]

I don't think Peach has time for anymore pets than her piranha plants, considering... everything. I'm sure Wormwood will stick with you. Anyways. She's too good for his tastes in teh long run... i think he's just a glutton and she's got the good snacks.

"Yes, you're right. Peach is a bit too, goody-goody for Wormy."

"I can't really fault him for enjoying her baking either. He has a habit of sneaking my snacks when I'm not looking."

[thebladesmithmuses]

(( I was looking through my art to find something and I found this instead. :3))

[thebladesmithmuses]

I know Peach would be proud if she were aware. She'd probably also want a scrapbook photo but that's sepperate. How cute!

"She would?"

"Oh, yes, well, I suppose she would. Perhaps it's a good thing she isn't. I would be embarrassed if someone had a photograph of me like that."

[pri-rp]

Well, she had been happy to see her friend, but now Peach was... confused. Maybe he forgot something? For him to have come all this way... but he'd sped away so quickly she lost track.

Huh.

Was Cedric ok?

[thebladesmithmuses]

There she was. Cedric could see her in her garden now. She really did look fetching didn't she? The closer he got the more Cedric's heart started to pound and the less confident his smile got. What was he supposed to say? He didn't have anything prepared, what if he stumbled over himself like he did with his spells sometimes? What would happen then? Oh.

Oh no she waved at him. Cedric forced a smile, waved back, and promptly turned back around and sped walked away.

Well, that was embarrassing, but he can't turn back now. Nope. Not after that display. What even was that Cedric?!

[pri-rp]

This was stupid. This was very stupid.

And yet here he was.

Peach was right there. Cedric could feel his heart in his chest again. Deep breaths Cedric. What was stopping him anyway? What was he so worried about? It wasn't like Peach was giving to thoughtlessly show him up and shatter his heart. .... Would she?

No! Don't be ridiculous Cedric! Peach didn't have magic first of all, and second, she wouldn't do that! Well, not intentionally. Right? Stop thinking! Deep breaths. Cedric approaches Peach with a box tied in red, orange and pink ribbon. "H-" Cedric clears his throat, trying to shake off the nerves and clear off that nervous stutter. "Peach," He begins, yes such a good beginning. Cedric drummed his fingers nervously on the box before thrusting it toward her. "I- erm, H-Happy Sweetheart's Day. I, borrowed a bit of, tradition from Ribbon Day as well." He isn't looking at her, his face is, incredibly red. Inside were some cookies with Peach's favorite jam baked inside.

Oh! He came to her, that's just perfect! While She'd initially been the one to talk about confusing people using the hyrulian holiday, she found it a bit much to keep track of all the colors and placement amidst what she was planning... "Thank you! This is very sweet. I was just trying to find a moment to swing by to give you something as well!" She's taken the box in one hand, and then his in the other, seemingly not yet registered the colors of the ribbons yet. Infact, as she practically drags Cedric inside to the Kitchen, where the sugary sweetness fortelling of plenty of backing of a variety of types tells everything about her gift, she sets the box down to go retrieve a... sizeable box on the counter.

The whole walk here though she was trying to recall the colors, and it's as she turns back to them with the big box that's as tall as her torso in hand, with a purple and yellow ribbon wrapping it closed to match his robe, do they click.

And Peach kind of, pauses, looking at the box he'd brought her, dots connecting against her will.

Pink - Secret Admirer; “My feelings are complicated”

Red - “I love you”; “You’re the most important person in my life”

Orange - “Thank you for all that you’ve given me”; “Let’s take care of each other”

Ooooh, If he'd not said the connection directly she could have just thought it was pretty colors! Her cheeks are pinker then usual, and she holds out the box to Cedric with her head ducked down a bit, usual energy turning into something meek. "I ah, I know I mentioned doing the Ribbon day thing myself but i'd... not kept all the rules straight or anything so I had forgone that particular concept this year but... Still wanted to do something for the holiday."

...Registering his ribbons for what they were, she couldn't admit having been excited the colors that matched his typical attire also had felt accurate, especially when no others had meanings to their ribbons. It wasn't really a lie....

She'd no idea. She had no idea how to respond to any of this. Noone had ever said they'd a crush on her aside from Bowser and that was justa no go...

Yellow - Friendship; “Let’s keep being friends”, “You make me smile”

Violet - A strange but happy bond; “Someone is watching you and hopes you are happy regardless.”

[thebladesmithmuses]

Cedric looked at Peach for a moment, though, looking at her only reminded him of what happened, and what was currently happening. He was gonna be sick.

Hold yourself together Cedric! Cedric swallows, trying to ease his stomach, and he drew in a breath. "It isn't you in particular, it's, the situation." Though, seeing her does make him ungodly nervous. Why was he so nervous?? It was almost like preforming in front of King Roland, but, different, somehow stressful and exciting all at once. "I-" Cedric clears his throat. "I wouldn't normally mind that you're here. I do enjoy your company, but, I would appreciate a bit of time to, mill over what is happening. If that's alright by you."

"Thank you. And... I suppose it was probably in poor taste for me to come by with that the case, huh?" Feeling Wormwood lean into her fingers, she tries and use that as a guide for where to go, keeping her gaze on the bird instead. Maybe she should have waited a day or two... oh well. it was too late now.

Communication was key for any relationship... communication where both parties listened and heard. "That all said... with this at least cleared up... Should I head out? I wouldn't want to push your boundaries any more then i may have already."

[pri-rp]

"Thank you. And... I suppose it was probably in poor taste for me to come by with that the case, huh?" Feeling Wormwood lean into her fingers, she tries and use that as a guide for where to go, keeping her gaze on the bird instead. Maybe she should have waited a day or two... oh well. it was too late now.

Communication was key for any relationship... communication where both parties listened and heard. "That all said... with this at least cleared up... Should I head out? I wouldn't want to push your boundaries any more then i may have already."

Wormwood looked at Peach for a moment before pressing his head into her hand for scritches. Wormwood didn't want to step up right now, but he will gladly take attention. Maybe she would get that itch that's been driving him crazy for days. Molting season was the worst.

Oh, well, she seemed to be none the wiser. Perhaps Cedric could let that mortifying moment pass off as a misunderstanding. After all, it was better then stumbling over himself with the real reason.

Cedric stomach started to do flips. Those butterflies needed to settle down before he threw up.

Deep breaths, Cedric.

"I'll, make sure to do that." It wasn't a lie if he didn't tell her why he was avoiding her, right? Though, with her here now he was definitely more uncomfortable, and now with the newspaper out there, possibly spreading beyond Echancia and Mushroom Kingdom combined, well, it didn't help his nerves one bit. Cedric paced as he looked at the photo once again, before just, setting it on his desk and slumping into his chair.

"I hope it hasn't spread to the castle. Though, I certainly wouldn't be that lucky." It most definitely spread to the servants, as he knew a few of the citizens in both kingdoms crossed over for work and opportunity. He was pretty sure he heard Chef Andre's daughter took up an apprenticeship with E.Gadd at some point. Too bad, as Gwen was really the only one he could talk to about gizmos.

Cedric sighs as his mind wondered back to the issue at hand. If anyone told the royal family the gossip it would probably be Amber.

[pri-rp]

"Yes... It's ah, definitely a drawback of being well known and beloved. But I'm positive that it'll be forgotten by the end of the week- end of the month, at the longest." It's not the best, but it's the comfort she can give.

"That said, if you ever do need some space because of something the press has made up, just let me know a bit more directly, please? Watching you just... turn about like that was concerning. I'm sure Wormwood would happily let me know for you if need be." With the familiar mentioned, Peach does cross over to his perch and hold out a hand. His choice, of course, but the offer is there.

Oh merlin's Mushrooms! This is turning out like a disaster, just as he thought it would- "What?" Cedric leans in before taking the paper for himself, pacing a bit as he reads it. He knew he should have turned that no good lakitu into a rat! At least then he couldn't spread something like this around. Cedric then realized, Peach thought it was about this. Peach thought his awkward little turn and retreat was about this. It wasn't. Was it too late to pretend, it was? ... It was probably too late. "Right, yes. It is, definitely uncomfortable knowing this exists."

[thebladesmithmuses]

Oh merlin's Mushrooms! This is turning out like a disaster, just as he thought it would- "What?" Cedric leans in before taking the paper for himself, pacing a bit as he reads it. He knew he should have turned that no good lakitu into a rat! At least then he couldn't spread something like this around. Cedric then realized, Peach thought it was about this. Peach thought his awkward little turn and retreat was about this. It wasn't. Was it too late to pretend, it was? ... It was probably too late. "Right, yes. It is, definitely uncomfortable knowing this exists."

That said it all. "It's ok if you're not." sorry, Cedric didn't hide it well. "I remember things being a touch awkward last time there was an article like this, but it's a pretty short lived matter usually." and Peach is holding out the paper, with the picture and all.

"I saw it on my way over... I'm sorry, I know the press can sometimes be a touch much."