#thank you how did you know I was DYING to do 20 lol

[fangirl-dot-com]

Chapter 8 - May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor

Guys, Max was never going to be her dad (that’s gonna be reserved for Christian lol). Everyone on the grid will be a brother figure, unless stated otherwise – like Fernando is leaning towards the wise grandpa rule and Lewis will be the cool dad (I have a funny story line to go with this idea). All that to say, Max and Kelly will look after her when she needs it most. I also switched the titles. On with the show, and don’t forget to comment if you want to be added to the tag list and or if it’s somehow not tagging you! Much love <3  

Well, to Max’s dismay and according to google, you cannot adopt your 20 year old teammate that he had met hours earlier.. He had called Kelly early Thursday morning to whine. The more sensible part of his brain also knew that Christian wouldn’t let that happen either. And Kelly had to quickly remind him that he could still watch out for her. 

Max seemed to finally agree at the thought of being one of the protective adults in her life. He knew that you had your manager, who you seemed to trust. But, that didn’t help much when you spoke of how lonely you were. He was going to make it his mission to get you to move to Monaco, where he could keep an eye on you. 

“Maybe Christian could adopt her,” he muttered, staring angrily at his coffee. What that cup did to offend him, he didn’t know. But what he did know, was that he’d see you again later that night. Another festival for him to attend to. He only wished that Formula 1 went back to racing, and not putting on shows that had a strict attendance policy. 

At least you would be there. There was a change in the schedule so that you could be with him, Checo, Daniel, and Yuki on whatever thing they were being put on for the night. The buzzing of his phone ended his staring contest with his cup. 

It was a text from you. 

Little Racer : 

max, i need your help 

what are you wearing tonight??? 

i have an idea, and I think it’s stupid but i want to do it 

Big Racer : 

If it’s you, I don’t think it’ll be stupid. 

Probably what I always wear. Jeans and whatever Red Bull top they give me. 

Little Racer : 

that’s so grandpa core of you maxie 

and what is this all proper grammar for texting lollll 

you are not beating the allegations you millennial 

Max’s brows furrowed. He was not a grandpa or a millennial. He just liked to use the normal setting on his phone with proper capitalization and end marks. He would just have to ask Charles or Lando to see if they agreed with you. They wouldn’t though…would they? Your next message had him actually dying. 

Little Racer : 

do you think that Christian will be mad if i come dressed like elvis?

he said i could but i don’t know… 

Big Racer : 

You wouldn’t dare. 

Little Racer : 

oh boy ladies and gents, he doesn’t know 

*looks into the camera like an episode on the office* 

Big Racer : 

Did you seriously type all of that? 

Don’t answer. 

20 bucks says you won’t. 

The three little dots danced on his screen as he waited for you to respond. 

Little Racer : 

just you wait maxie, just you wait 

You didn’t text him anything after that. Max could only call Christian to understand what just happened. He picked up after three rings. 

“Hello, Max.” 

“Hi Christian. First off, happy birthday.” 

“Thank you son. But I know you didn’t just call me to wish me a happy birthday. You could have told me that later tonight.” In the background, it sounded like a coffee machine was running. Max hoped he didn’t wake him up. 

“Well, Y/n just texted me about wearing, uh.” Max didn’t want to say it out loud, because now it sounded stupid. 

“An Elvis costume? Max, the kid called me last night to ask. Said she didn’t want to ruin an image for us if she showed up like that. But I told her that it would be fantastic idea. Poor kid sounded scared.” 

Max let out a low hum. He didn’t like the sound of that. You were in no position to worry about such a thing. If anyone was to ruin Red Bull’s image, it would be him. He had no filter and Christian often had to tell him to reign in his thoughts. 

Max spoke, “I think I’m going to see about her moving to Monaco. She mentioned she has a flat in Nice, but that’s far away from Milton Keynes, and not close enough to anyone. Christian, she has no one.” 

It took a while for Christian to reply. Max could just imagine the older man running his hand along his forehead. It was hard to think of someone so young to be so alone. 

“Yeah, I think that would be best for her. I’ll make sure she can afford it. Hell, it could even be a property that we buy just for her to stay in when we have breaks.” 

Max listened and nodded his head along. Now it would only be to convince you to move. But suddenly, he remembered his previous conversation with you. He smacked his hand on his head. 

“Is everything alright Max?” the Brit on the phone questioned. 

“I just lost 20 bucks.” 

You however, had no idea that this conversation was happening. All you knew was that you had the go ahead from Christian to wear your beloved Elvis costume. Would you make a fool of yourself? Maybe. 

But who cares. It’s Vegas. To your chagrin, Vito had told you that there would be no walk out, but there would be dramatic paddock entrances. He still promised that you would get your song. That’s all that mattered to you. 

While you waited for the night to begin, you roamed the hotel. Because you were bored, you actually did a lot. 

You started off with breakfast. You were sad that they didn’t have the machines that made Texas-shaped waffles, because that was only in Texas, but the pancakes would do. And because you’re trainer would kill you for not eating well, you took it upon yourself to have a yogurt with some fruit as a side. 

After letting the food settle, you went to the gym for that daily grind. It had been a while since you had been able to work out, but you needed to get back on track. You would be racing tomorrow and you needed to be at your best. You lifted some weights first, starting with the smaller ones as warm ups before you got to the bigger ones. The stretch bands were very useful as you squatted the weights. 

After you were done, you hopped on the treadmill. By using the lower speeds, you were able to practice your runway walk, as if you would ever be a model. But the speeds increased and you found yourself in a full sprint by the end of the run. Five miles wasn’t bad, and you knew you could have gone farther, but you wanted to take a quick dip in the pool before getting ready. 

The water was a nice cool down for your overheated skin. Running was not your first choice of exercise. You’d rather run out of money, than run in real life. It didn’t make sense, but it did. The chlorine in the water was making your hair gross, so you decided to get out so that you could take a shower. 

Like the kid you were, you had your outfit laid out the night before, as if you were going on a fieldtrip. 

You allowed to take your time in the shower. It wasn’t every day that you made your F1 debut. That had your bones chilled. Your Formula 1 debut. You. Putting your head under the stream, you rinsed out the hair mask that you put on. There would be no nervousness. You were born for this. 

The thought of Max’s texts earlier made you giggle. You were glad that he was so welcoming. You would be much more nervous if you had met the infamous Mad Max. But this was more cat-dad Max. Kind Max. 

You only hope that you won’t screw things up. 

You turned on your playlist as you started to actually get ready. You ordered room service so that you didn’t have to go somewhere to eat. The food was amazing, well, as amazing as hotel food could get. You curled your hair as the remnants of your skin care routine dried. You mumbled the words to a song as you stuck a French fry in your mouth.

Once your moisturizer and various oils and toners dried, you started on your more pronounced makeup look. You knew you were going to be photographed throughout the night, and you needed to look good. Looking at the window, you noticed that the sun was setting. That meant that it was time for you to get dressed, and Vito would be there to pick you up shortly. 

Your outfit consisted of a sparkly white crop top and some white pants. A red scarf topped the outfit off. 

You would be arriving right behind Max and in front of Checo. You were excited to see the two men again. Moreso, you were excited to earn 20 bucks. With sunglasses on your nose, you were ready to hit the Sin City. 

Vito could hardly contain his laughter when you got in the car. 

You raised an eyebrow, “What?” 

He shook his head as to somehow rid himself of his laughter. “Nothing kid.” 

“Well Christian said I could wear it. I’ll blend right in. And besides, I’m almost immediately changing into my race suit.” 

He nodded his head at your reasoning. You had pulled off crazier things before, so he didn’t know why he was surprised. Maybe it was because he thought that you might not want to in F1. But, on the inside he was happy that you weren’t losing your child-like nature. He never wanted to see that seeming innocence to leave. He knew that you weren’t totally innocent, but he never wanted to see you hurt to an extent that you quit being happy. That was his favorite thing about you. You seemed to care about what others thought of you, but you knew how to make yourself happy. And if wearing an Elvis costume to the paddock would make you happy, then he would protect your decision. 

You could see the flashing lights even before you got out of the car. American paparazzi were on another level. You knew that Red Bull were one of the last ones to show up, and that freaked you out. Almost every single driver was already on the other side of gate. Your nerves settled when you saw Max get out, and you wanted to follow him. But, you realized that this was what you were waiting for. 

The familiar sounds of 33 Max Verstappen (the original one) could be heard through the car doors. Max’s face morphed into one of almost disgust. You let out a giant laugh and rolled down your window before you knew what you were doing. 

“Max, I love the music. Very Mad Max-esque.” 

He quickly flipped you a loving middle finger as he scanned his card to be let into the paddock. Multiple Elvis impersonators gathered around him for a picture. You hadn’t noticed, however, that the moment you rolled your window down, all of the cameras and photographers were now pointed at you. 

You buzzed with energy when you heard Life is a Highway start to fill the air. 

On the other side of the paddock, Max had stopped to talk to Lando, Oscar, Carlos, and Charles. He also was waiting for you so that you could walk with him to the Red Bull hospitality. He glanced over to see if you were out of the car at least. 

“Nice entrance mate,” Lando clapped him on the shoulder. He rolled his eyes. He’s sure that you roped Christian in to play the song. 

“Well what did they play for you?” 

Lando deflated and muttered, “Let’s go Lando.” Carlos and Charles, along with Max, laughed at his demise. 

Charles suddenly looked over Max’s shoulder. At that moment, Carlos spoke up. 

“I didn’t know Checo was a Cars fan.” The drums and guitar seemed to be turned up to the highest setting. What. An. Entrance. 

Max had a glimmer in his eyes, “He’s not.” 

And suddenly, there you were. In your Elvis costume. And you were loving it. You waved at all the people around you, quickly becoming a crowd favorite. 

From his right, Charles hums and Lando’s jaw is dropped. 

“That’s the new rookie, correct?” Suddenly, George was with them, along with Alex. 

Max only chuckled. “Yep.” He popped the “p.” 

Charles spoke up, “She’s nice. I met her at Arthur’s birthday party, but didn’t speak to her much.” 

“You all will love her. Trust me,” Max said, eyes widened as you got crowded with the other Elvises. You smile could outshine a thousand suns. 

Your eyes quickly met his and you gave him a giant wave. He beckoned you to come over. You flashed a nervous look before it melted away, replaced with bravery. If there was a time to meet some of the grid, you really hadn’t wanted to be dressed as Elvis. 

Your steps were quick and you made it over in no time. Now, most drivers are tall, but look short next to George, being the giraffe that he is. However, you were another thing. 

You’d definitely be taller than Yuki by a couple of inches. But you stood closer to five-foot-six (167.64 cm.), almost 5 inches shorter than Max, and four inches shorter than the rest. 

You gave a shy wave as you spoke, “Hi, I’m Y/n. It’s nice to meet you.” You suddenly remembered something. You turned to Max and held out your hand. 

The boys’ eyes widened as Max fished out his wallet and placed a bill in your outstretched hand. 

“Pleasure doing business with you sir.” You mocked a salute. 

Lando tsk-ed, “What did our Max loose a bet on?” 

“He said I wouldn’t come dressed like this. Little did he know, I’ve had this in my closet for years.” Lando couldn’t help but laugh at your revelation, and neither could Carlos and Charles. 

“Yeah, kid, you should have told me that Christian already gave you the go ahead.” 

“And where’s the fun in that?” You had a shit-eating smirk on your face. Lando was the first one to speak up. 

“How old are you? Max over here keeps calling you kid.” 

“I’m twenty.” 

It was an amazing recreation of that one tik-tok trend. I’m twenty, insert looks of disgust, uhg. Your heart dropped at their reactions. 

It was Carlos who surprised you. He quickly patted your head, “Aw, just a baby.” 

You looked at him in awestruck. You leaned over to Max and all but whispered, “Max?” 

“Yes kid?” he said in full voice. 

“He’s older than you right?” 

“Yes.” 

“Can I do the thing?” Max looked Carlos up and down before smiling. 

“Go right ahead.” The smile that you had was wiped off your face. You squared your shoulders and held out your hand. Carlos took it with a confused look. You gave him a firm handshake. 

“Thank you Mr. Sainz.” You swear he did a full body cringe. He was about to say something, but Christian had waved the two of you over, yelling something about time to get ready. 

You flashed a smile at the small group, “It was nice meeting you!” You all but bounced away as Max calmly walked by your side. 

“Did she just?” Lando looked to Carlos, who was frozen in his spot. He looked like someone had just told him that his car had blown up on the way here. 

He looked at his hands. “Mr.,” he gulped, “Sainz?” 

Oscar finally piped up. “Well, you are old.” Carlos looked close to a breakdown. 

Charles put a hand on his shoulder as he watched you and Max walk on the ramp. Max’s face was now stone-cold, yet yours still radiated so much warmth. “Come on mate. We got to go.” 

As they walked away, Carlos questioned, “I’m not old, am I?’ Charles could not, would not, should not, give him an answer. 

Lando and Oscar just looked at each other and then back at the disappearing duos. Laughter filled the air as they also began to walk to their respective hospitalities.

As you and Max got closer to the garage, you got a little quieter. 

“I don’t think they liked me very much. I knew the costume would be a bad idea.” The look of dejection was all over your face. Max looked over at you and huffed. 

“Kid, they just don’t know you yet. They’re also stressed about this race. No driver liked to drive on a track that was built in a month.” 

“You’re right.” 

“Kid, I’m always right.” You hit his shoulder. 

Christian was quick to get you, Checo, and Max all together for a couple of pictures. Since it was Christian’s birthday, there was cake and everything for a small celebration. After, the three of you were told to get into the racing suits for the opening celebration. 

You were with Mitch while you did so. 

“You’re telling me. That Kurt Cobain is going to perform. And I’m going to miss it! With John Legend!” Your eyes were wide as you zipped the suit up. 

“For the last time kid, you can meet them after.” You pouted as you tied your shoes. 

“Fine. But let me say, this is very Hunger Games of them. So Americanesque.” Mitch just let you talk. 

After you were ready, minus the helmet and all that, Mitch led you to the glass box. You turned to look at her. 

“Promise me that you’re not going to be dragged away to your death. This is so Katniss Everdeen coded and I cannot lose you like she lost Cinna.” Mitch was going to tell you off for worrying too much, but she could see through your eyes that you were trying to actually tell her that you were scared of the whole thing. No wonder you were rambling, you were just nervous. 

Mitch brought you into a hug and squeezed. You practically melted as you squeezed her back. Over your shoulder, Max was looking at the whole ordeal. He’ll give you a hug right before they went up. He knew how scary this world was. 

Mitch was given the signal that everything was about to start. You climbed into the box and some official closed the door. 

Mitch looked up at you, “May the odds be ever in your favor.” Your jaw dropped in appall as you were slowly being lifted. So she did know the movie! 

Max put a comforting hand on your shoulder as your face was suddenly hit with a breeze. All around you, people were cheering and lights were flashing. You suddenly wished you had brought your sunglasses with you. 

Max scoffed as he raised his hand to wave. 

“What’s wrong?” 

“This isn’t racing. We’re standing here, being observed, like a bunch of clowns.” 

“At least this won’t last long. We’ll be in the car soon Max.” You were right. If it meant anything, he would be back in the car soon, in his element. 

A beep let you three know that the machine would be going down in the next few moments. When the machine jolted down, you quickly stood up straight, hand behind your back, and put three fingers to your mouth. Your lips kissed your fingertips before you held the three fingers up. 

It was still loud as you did it, but the crowd died down as they watched you and mirrored your display. You watched in awe at the raised hands. 

The three of you lost sight of the crowds as the box was now back where it started. Max looked at you in bewilderment. 

“What was that?” 

You let out a large gasp. “You’ve never seen the Hunger Games?” You must have been loud because someone else gasped as well. Looking over, you were met with the sight of blond hair and striking blue eyes. 

“Max, you’ve never seen the Hunger Games?” Logan stomped over. 

“Dude I know. So not girl boss of him.” Max looked at the two of you in confusion. Girl? Boss? 

You and Logan were quickly swept into a conversation about American tendencies while Max just stood in between the both of you, looking like he’s in the middle of a midlife crisis. You and Logan were only pulled away when you needed to get into the car for free practice. 

As you left, you turned around and faced Logan, giving him a look of faux sympathy. “May the odds be ever in your favor.” 

“At least you didn’t volunteer,” Logan laughed as he turned away. 

 Max was still in the middle of his midlife crisis when Christian came to tell everyone that it was time to head to the garage. 

You felt your heart rate picking up as you got closer to the garage. You took a deep breath and exhaled. 

It was show time. 

Tag List : @awekbachira @lightdragonrayne @leilanixx @angsthology @digitalizeduniqueness @topguncultleader @landosgirlxoxo @gods-menace @itsjustkhaos @thefandomswhre @alwaysboredsworld @vellicora @bintuabbas @sam-is-lost @empress-kimiko @assholeinatrenchcoat @kagatinkita @glitterquadricorn @zyonsay @tsukishimawhore @treehouse-mouse @ashy-kit @agent-curt-mega @julesbabey @lydialawrence @stopeatread @claudia5912 @nichmeddar @blueberry64857959

[geddyqueer]

20 questions for fic writers

thanks @screamlet for the tag! if navel gazing has no fans consider me dead etc

1. How many works do you have an AO3? 34

2. What's your total AO3 word count? almost 320,000!

3. What fandoms do you write for? right now i'm in the 911 hole. there's still a few stranger things and [redacted] rpf works in progress floating around up there, though.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos? my stranger things juggernauts: dying of love, nasty weather, big wheel, got you in my sights, and mystify me.

5. Do you respond to comments? i try to!

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? you could call the end of malachite bittersweet.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? all of the rest of them, really. i like a nice hopeful ending, even if it's ambiguous.

8. Do you get hate on fics? if i do, i haven't seen it!

9. Do you write smut? over half of my works are explicit, if that tells you anything.

10. Do you write crossovers? no. I like a good au/fusion, though.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? nope!

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? i have been podficced!

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? annie is in the passenger seat for all of my stranger things/911/supernatural fics!

14. What's your all time favorite ship? i put my head in my hands. geddy/alex. if i'm not allowed to use an RPF ship then it's destiel or bucktommy or steddie

15. What's a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? i was really worried about finishing malachite for a hot second there but i managed to pull it off! and that's why i don't post WIPs!!!

16. What are your writing strengths? i am told i have a way with drawing readers in with banter and goofs and then clubbing them over the head with feelings!

17. What are your writing weaknesses? blank room syndrome babyyy

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? i try to only do this if i know the language

19. First fandom you wrote for? redwall. not even fix-it fics, lol, i was writing make-it-worse fics in fifth grade.

20. Favorite fics you've written? nasty weather, forever and ever! also, big wheel, which i've been thinking about a lot lately; this was a real exercise in pacing. i was playing around with trying to be narratively clever and i think it paid off! even though malachite took everything out of me i am still really proud of the worldbuilding i did and the way i managed to keep the plot braided together through the end. and of course my crash-tommy's-helicopter fic: i came out swinging with this!

i'm firing this one off to @stevehairingtit and @teddywesworl and @carbonbased000 and @starryeyedjanai and @jeffgoldblumsmulletinthe90s and @alchemistc and you, if you want.

[tin-wufborf]

Tin's Favorite Sterek Fics (Part 10)

Hello party people! On Monday, I ate shit (fell) in my garage, so now my knee has the circumference of a small honeyed ham! Also, my ankle completely folded under me but is somehow fine?? Did I mention that I also closed one of my thumbs in the car door last weekend? I am unfit for survival, I think!

Anyway, I hope you're all doing better than I am lol. Thank you all again for the likes and shares, and I hope you all enjoy part 10.

Smoochies, squeezies, etc.

List and links to previous/next part(s) below the cut.

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DISCLAIMER: This is me warning you all that some of the fics I've included in this list may cover explicit, dark, and/or "taboo" subject matters. I cannot express enough how little I care what anyone thinks about any of that; all I want is for you to use caution when reading anything I've listed here and to please review and heed whatever tags the authors have provided in order to keep yourselves safe. Your experience from this point on is your own responsibility, not mine and not the authors'.

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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19

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Werewolves Can Love Too by hoars (NR | 1/1 | 2,190)

Home intruders should really know better.

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Ashes, Ashes by ShanaStoryteller (T | 1/1 | 2,699)

The Sheriff gets a call at work - someone's tried to burn down his home with his son inside.

"I thought of you coming here, and finding me dead, of another burnt out husk of a body, something else fire has stolen from you, of you having nothing left to grasp but ashes," John can't even call that a whimper, it's clearly a whine as Derek's hands tighten against Stile's hips, as if his boy will shudder to dust at the mere mention of the possibility unless Derek's hands can hold him into one piece, "and that thought was worse than dying."

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The dangers of deja-vu series by MsCee (2 works | G | 5,338)

1. Why deja-vu is a dangerous thing (G | 1/1 | 2,887) When something makes his new deputy seize up like only true love can, John Stilinski is prepared tease the ever-living hell out of him. He’s prepared to look up and see some pretty girl with a bit of an edge, with a loud laugh and a bright smile that could coax even his sullen deputy out of his frown. What he’s not prepared for is to look up and see a very familiar face ambling towards his desk. 2. Hindsight is 20/20 (G | 1/1 | 2,451) When John imagined having a grandkid, he naively assumed that his son’s quirks would be diluted by another set of genes. Given that there is currently a naked four year old on his porch, looking almost smarmy about the fact that even Derek can’t find his socks… Well, in hindsight, John really should have expected this.

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The Electric House of God, Forever by velveteenshadowboxer (E | 1/1 | 8,641)

The sheriff clears his throat. “You can tell me, you know. If he’s pressuring you. If he’s pushing you too far.” He hesitates. “You’re not afraid of him, are you?” he asks quietly.

Listening closely, Derek can just imagine Stiles’ amused smile, the way his mouth might quiver as he holds back a laugh. “No, Dad. He’s afraid of me.”

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Best in Show by thegirlgrey (T | 1/1 | 8,911)

Derek adopts a cat. Or a cat adopts Derek. It all depends on who’s telling the story really.

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Stutter and Shake by zosofi (T | 1/1 | 9,167)

The likelihood of a major quake of magnitude 7.5 or greater hitting California in the next thirty years is 46 percent.

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Flesh and Bone by theinspiredginger (T | 1/1 | 9,320)

Dean's trapped in Purgatory looking for his angel when a not so subtle kid in a red sweatshirt asks to team up. Dean takes Little Red Riding Hoodie underneath his wing as they try to escape.

Or the one where Stiles bargains with a witch to get sent to purgatory to save Derek and finds Dean instead. They work together to find a way out of Purgatory as they each look for their "person".

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Line In The Sand by kellifer_fic (T | 1/1 | 9,670)

He’s going to die.

Derek is certain of it. He'd used the last of his proverbial lives even though that’s only supposed to apply to cats, and he’s now going to die. He’s completely, one hundred percent resigned to it even, until he hears the familiar thump-ump of Stiles' heart approaching.

Suddenly, it’s Stiles that’s going to die and that’s unacceptable.

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The Chase by saltandbyrne (E | 1/1 | 10,435)

Derek's fourth Chase will be his last if he doesn't catch an omega this time. He's starting to doubt this whole soul-mate thing anyway, at least until someone from his past shows up and gives him the run of his life.

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Miles Away by sori (M | 1/1 | 12,509)

Maybe it should have felt like a bad thing, realizing that his pack wasn’t actually his anymore. He didn’t really want to admit that the day he looked around and saw Scott taking care of everyone, Derek breathed easily for the first time since he’d met Kate Argent.

(Story contains general season 3 spoilers, but doesn't follow strict season 3 canon.)

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Strong, Stronger, Strongest by Green (E | 1/1 | 16,248)

Close to death, Stiles can choose to die or accept Derek as his Alpha. It's up to the rest of the pack to heal him and face the Alpha pack threat.

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Dream of Life Again by BarlowGirl (E | 1/1 | 18,321)

“You better be ready,” Lydia says as she cleans dirt out from under her nails with an antiseptic wipe. Stiles can smell the lemon scent even from where he stands a few feet away. She’s probably going to end up covered in blood in a few moments, but she likes to be in control in any way she can, so he doesn’t tease her about this. “It’s time to start.”

“I’m ready,” Stiles says and he’s pretty sure it’s not even a lie. Hopefully.

Scott, Stiles, and Lydia each sit at one point of the triskelion that Lydia’s drawn on the tarp. The center is a tight knot of some language Stiles had never even heard of before this, written in ink in tiny writing. It’s beautiful and also makes him slightly nauseated. Lydia makes both cuts, so the blood drops from Stiles’ arm and Scott’s, too, into the center of the triskelion. There’s wolfsbane on Scott’s knife, not enough to make him sick, but enough to keep him from healing too quickly.

It’s a surprisingly simple thing, after that, for what they’re doing. Blood, a few words, and a little magic.

Just those things, and, for the first time in three years, Laura Hale gasps in a breath.

Or: Resurrected Laura!!!

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call me, maybe (but not in the library) by bibliosexual (E | 12/12 | 23,839)

There’s a long pause, and then: “You’re not Erica.” Stiles can’t help it. He snorts. “Yeah, no, dude, that’d be pretty difficult since I’m a guy.”

AU where Stiles is an undergrad at UCLA and Derek works in the university library.

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Maggie May by Spikedluv (M | 1/1 | 24,997)

When Laura Hale died, she left behind a daughter, Maggie. Stiles (and his dad) have been caring for Maggie since the night Laura disappeared. Unbeknownst to Stiles, however, Maggie’s a werewolf, and she’s bonded with Stiles. Which means he feels extra protective when Peter Hale appears on the scene. (He may have also developed a little crush on Maggie’s uncle, the silent and brooding Derek Hale. Who said Stiles’ life was boring?)

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Family by Choice series by FairyNiamh (3 works | G-T | 28,343)

Not all families are bound by blood.

1. Finding Family (T | 4/4 | 26,322) After finding a puppy, Stiles gets more than he expected and everything he could have hoped for. 2. Bath Time (G | 1/1 | 883) Stiles just wants to give Lily a bath. Why do toddlers and family have to be so tiring? 3. Festival of Family (T | 4/4 | 1,138) Now that Lily is 4, things need to change.

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Adventures and Explorations series by Survivah (2 works | T-M | 30,344)

1. A Simple Life (T | 2/2 | 13,763) Derek plans to spend the rest of his life holed up in the woods after Laura dies. Then he meets a stubborn young fox, and the stubborn young fox meets an urn of Deaton's magic powder, and his plans change. 2. Finding Miracles (M | 1/1 | 16,581) Stiles was planning on just being a fox for his entire life. Then, well, magic, true love, blah blah blah, things got complicated. But as it turns out, he still has a lot to learn about this new world he's living in. Humanity, man. It's weird. - Or, the sequel to A Simple Life, brought to you by popular demand.

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I'd Do Anything (for you) by LadySlytherin (E | 18/18 | 46,936)

Nearly two years after being possessed by the Nogitsune, Stiles is still trying to get a handle on things. Away at college, he feels more stable; more settled. But at home in Beacon Hills for summer break after his Freshman year at UC Berkeley, he is once again plagued by nightmares.

The thing is, Void left behind a thousand years worth of information in Stiles' head. Information that Stiles is slowly realizing can help undo some of the damage that was done to Beacon Hills.

Between bodies once again turning up in Beacon Hills and an increasingly close relationship with Derek Hale, Stiles has a lot on his plate. Factor in a talking tree, a sacred duty to the land, and some dead/not-dead drama, and Stiles is about to have one Hale of a summer.

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Everything that is Holding You Back series by herlovewasajoke (2 works | T-E | 49,147)

An AU in which Stiles is bitten while visiting family. The new alpha of Beacon Hills won't allow an omega in his territory... but he is willing to expand his pack.

1. Everything that is Holding You Back (T | 2/2 | 46,987) “I'm here because my son needs to come home, Mr. Hale,” the sheriff said, brushing aside any need for pleasantries. Derek would be grateful for that if he had any idea what the hell was going on. 2. Finding Comfort (E | 1/1 | 2,160) A follow-up to Everything that is Holding You Back, set roughly a year later. Stiles unexpectedly comes home from college on a Tuesday night. Wednesday morning is quiet and lazy.

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play it again series by metisket (3 works | T | 74,696)

1. Play It Again (T | 3/3 | 63,206) In which Stiles goes along with one of Derek’s plans and ends up in an alternate universe as a result. He should’ve known better. He did know better, actually, and that means he has no one to blame but himself. “Laura wants to lure the kid in with food and kindness and make a pet of him, like a feral cat. Derek wants to have him arrested for stalking. They’re at an impasse. (And the rest of the family is staying emphatically out of it in a way that suggests bets have been placed.)” 2. This Doesn't Hurt (T | 1/1 | 4,680) Melissa isn’t sure how she accidentally adopted a teenager, but she’s confident that somehow, it’s all Stiles Stilinski’s fault. 3. Kiss of Death (T | 1/1 | 6,810) It’s Stiles’s eighteenth birthday, and he may have made bold statements about jumping certain people on his eighteenth birthday. Out loud. With witnesses. But that’s fine—it’s nothing to stress about. It’s not like every single person he’s ever kissed got horribly murdered or anything. Oh wait, yes it is. It’s exactly like that.

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Building Something series by unpossible (6 works | NR-E | 76,527)

1. keeping the stars apart (T | 10/10 | 15,285) Derek watches that sharp brain come fully online. “Oh God,” Stiles says, and now he smells of embarrassment. “Fuck. I just- did I just have a fucking panic attack in front of Jackson?” “It’s okay,” he says simply. “Really. Is it.” Stiles sighs without looking up. “Well. At least I wasn’t naked.” 2. all we inherit (G | 5/5 | 7,631) “C’mon,” Stiles whines, half-turning. “You can’t drag me into your lap and then expect me not to want to hit that.” Mark dies a little at ever having heard that phrase come from his son’s mouth, let alone directed at an older, leather-jacket-wearing accused murderer with seemingly permanent three day growth. 3. howling and half hid (E | 12/12 | 24,512) The Sheriff has had some long, disturbing talks with Deaton, as well as the shaman who did Stiles’ tattoo, and the Stilinski house is now awash with mountain ash beams for boarding up doors and windows, and protective runes carved on the roof beams at the four compass points. Stiles suspects his Dad also stocked up on rock salt, just in case Supernatural turns out to be a documentary. 4. formidable from a distance (G | 1/1 | 2,058) So now it’s a beautiful crisp morning and the house is full of family. They’ve shredded their way through a half-ton of brightly colored wrapping paper and Ellie’s squeals have attained a pitch Derek didn’t know human throats could reach. 5. a slow way (NR | 6/6 | 13,704) “Stiles. We need to talk.” He goes cold all over. “What?” “To talk,” Derek repeats, and how’s that for fucking irony? Derek. Wants to talk. “We don’t need to talk,” Stiles says, sharp and fast, “we’re fine, everything’s fine. Why would we need to talk?” 6. into the ripe air (NR | 5/5 | 13,337) “Stiles,” Ted says as he rounds the front of the car. His eyes flick to Derek, and then to James, and there’s an indefinable change in his face that has Stiles’ shoulders tightening and he takes a long, slow breath, the better to take careful hold of his temper, because there are consequences for everything he says and does now, and he’s not a sixteen year old smartass anymore.

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[flippinpancakes64]

Hey, idk if you've written this yet but how do you think the Cullen's would feel about turning their SO into a vampire?

The Cullens turning their S/O

I haven't done this yet so don't worry. I did something similar for my first post but that was the Cullens with a Newborn

Thank you for requesting and I hope you enjoy!

Edward:

Absolutely fucking not

You saw how much convincing it took for him to turn Bella

And that was after she almost died like 20 times

So if you're perfectly healthy, not in any immediate danger, and doing well in your life then he is not touching a single hair on your head

He won't do it

Of course, we have also seen that he can be convinced

I think with enough pushing and maybe one or two near death experiences you could negotiate something

Now if you're about to die?

He doesn't even hesitate

Well actually he does

But only for a little bit

You're dying, he needs to help you

He is so apologetic though

He feels like a monster for weeks

Or maybe even years

For as long as you're going through the newborn process he is tearing himself up on the inside

He legitimately wants to die he feels so bad

But he does get over himself lol

He has pretty good self control overall so as far as the actual process of turning you it would be pretty smooth

In general, though, he wouldn't want to do it

He's scared of killing you, of losing control, of you hating him, of everything that could go wrong

He's gonna need a while to be okay after you get turned

But he'll come around :)

Alice:

She doesn't remember her human life

As a result she doesn't feel too connected to humanity

So there's a pretty good chance that she would turn you if you asked her

Of course not before some arguing

While she doesn't feel connected to humanity, that doesn't mean that she wants to strip you of yours

But she is just a twinge selfish

It wouldn't take too much convincing for her to change you

She loves you and wants to spend eternity with you

She explains her challenges and gets Carlisle to weigh in with the pros and cons

But she would turn you

And if it was a life-or-death scenario?

Absolutely no hesitation

Maybe she saw that it was about to happen and couldn't stop it or for some reason she didn't see it

All she knows is that you are on the ground dying and she NEEDS to save you

She feels bad afterwards when she sees all of the pain that you're in

But she can also see that you'll be fine in a couple months

She just encourages you to be strong and wait it out

Is there for you every step of the way though

Jasper:

There's actually zero chance

He hates newborns

And he doesn't trust them

And he knows the pain

He remembers seeing other newborns writhing in pain, he remembers his own transformation, and he would never inflict that upon you

He cannot be convinced

Similarly to Edward, if you are happy, healthy, and content, he will not turn you

But there's no negotiation

Like end of story

He won't do it

Now if you're in danger and about to die, he'll do it

Actually he won't

He'll get Carlisle or Edward or literally anyone else to do it

He doesn't trust himself

He is convinced that he will kill you if he tries

And in his defense he probably would

But he is beside you every step of the way afterwards

He's very wary of you, though

Does his best to keep you calm and make sure you don't hurt anyone

Also feels very guilty

Even if he's not the one who made you

He feels like it's his fault

Rosalie:

Again, she wouldn't change you

We all know how she feels about humans being turned

She's probably the one who would be the least likely to do it

So again, if you're healthy and not on the verge of death, she will not change you

And it's sort of the same story when you're about to die

In a lot of ways, she wishes she had died instead of being turned

Now instead of being able to move on, she has to live with her regrets and with the fact that she will never be human

But she's a little too selfish for that

If somehow she managed to fall in love with you even though you were a human, that means she must REALLY love you

She spends so much time deliberating with herself that she has to turn you herself

Breaking her "never tasted human blood" streak

She gets a bit upset at that but she gets over it

She keeps debating with herself even after you've been turned

She's convinced that you must hate her now and that surely you want to be dead right now

And she feels terrible for having been the one to do it

But it's okay you have eternity to convince her that she made the right choice

Emmett:

He's another one who would just do it

The whole reason he was turned in the first place was because Rosalie fell in love with him

And so he figures that you being in love with him and him being in love with you is a good enough reason

You don't really have to beg him

He will insist that you know all of the risks first

He'll ask Carlisle for some tips on how to change you safely

And boom all done

But if you were about to die?

Same thing I guess

Literally no hesitation

Well actually let me back up

If someone or something attacked you he is killing their ass first

Doesn't matter who or what it was

Now if it was an accident or something he just goes to you straight up

No detours

I feel like he would struggle a bit with turning you

Right after he was turned the Cullens had to move multiple times in the span of a couple years because he kept getting out of control

So if he didn't have the time to properly prepare I feel like it might not end well

Hopefully for your sake Carlisle's there...

Esme:

She's another one whose life has only been improved by being turned

She was always captivated by vampires

And she didn't really have a happy life leading up to her death

So for her, one of the best things that's ever happened to her was being turned

Now, that does not translate directly to her turning you, no questions asked

Even though she loves her new life, she knows Rosalie's and Jasper's stories

And she wants you to think about it

You would have to ask her pretty consistently for at least a couple of years before she would say yes

She needs to know that you are absolutely sure

And that you know what you're agreeing to

So after a while you could get her to agree to it

Now in a life or death of course she would turn you

That is the exact scenario that Carlisle found her in

And she sees it as okay to turn someone then

She honestly might ask Carlisle to do it

When you're already in such a fragile state she doesn't want to jeopardize you even more

She doesn't really feel bad either way after you've been turned

As in like with herself

Obviously she feels bad seeing you in pain

But she doesn't feel like a monster or anything

You asked for this

Carlisle:

The man, the myth, the legend

He is responsible for turning at least four vampires

So he totally could

But if you're perfectly healthy then he's not going to

His moral compass is too high

I mean, his pattern is only turning people that are about to die

So good luck trying to convince this guy

Now if you ARE about to die...

Well then you have the perfect guy

Does not hesitate at all

He knows what to do, how to do it, and the best way to go about it

And who knows maybe he might get the morphine right this time (sorry Bella)

Very attentive after you've been turned

He knows everything that you need and is very patient

Another one who doesn't really carry the mental burden of turning you

You were about to die, he saved you

He does of course feel bad if you struggle more than normal with being turned

Or if you express hatred with some new aspects of yourself

But he does his best to be there for you and reassure you

Vampire! Bella:

So

She's got a bit of a complex

Before she got turned, she heard all of these horror stories about newborns

And then she got turned

And she didn't feel any of it

Logically, she knows it's because of her shield

But it doesn't stop her from thinking that surely it can't be that bad

That coupled with the fact that she LOVES her new vampire life

And that she hated being human

She doesn't hesitate

If you were to literally even mention it in passing that you wanted to be turned you are bitten that very night

#1 Enabler

And it's the same scenario if you were about to die

She loves you

Of course she's not gonna let you die

She does feel really bad though once she sees you struggling

Like if you're not adapting well or if you show obvious longing for your old life

She feels really bad

And she tells you that

Just give her a couple kisses and tell her that you love her

[callsign-rogueone]

ok but!! ive been reading some fw theories in the subreddit, and one that has a lot of diff opinions on is whether liam has a second signet or if he was wielding ice in that scene, especially since deigh’s name means ice. what are your thoughts, do you think it was just a mistake?? and what about liam in your universe?

[insert that clip of Cardi B going: “I’m glad you brung it up because I’ve been dying to talk about this for a minute”]

FOURTH WING AND IRON FLAME SPOILERS BELOW THE CUT. this ramble is not going to be proofread, nor supported with textual evidence, because I have a migraine. but if anyone wants to jump in with page numbers and quotes or things I missed / got wrong, please feel free! 

in short: I think it’s possible that Liam did have a second signet.

first, my only hangup on this theory: what are the odds of two riders in the same squad, in the same year, having the same signet (Ridoc and Liam)? I know some signets are more rare than others, but that’s still a very slim chance when there’s 20+ signets out there that we know of, and RY will probably come up with more (fr, I need to know what Garrick and Aaric's signets are. I hope they're something unique, that we haven't seen yet.) but here are a few arguments in favor of two-signet Liam:

one: I don’t think it was just “RY putting the wrong name”.

Ridoc wasn’t there at Resson, so RY would have to have confused the two boys entirely for it to be a mistake. besides them both being perfect little bbs and adoring fans of Violet, they’re not alike in appearance, dragon color, nor backstory -- what is Ridoc’s deal? like why did he want to become a rider? I need to know for my next gfverse chapter 😭 and the mistake would also have to slip past multiple rounds of editors and proofreaders as well, which is possible, but not probable.  and was Ridoc's signet even confirmed at that time? maybe this is me forgetting things, because ADHD, and it’s been a while since I’ve read FW in full, but the first time I remember hearing about Ridoc’s signet is in Iron Flame — when they’re at RSC and he’s like “I could force the locks open with ice”. that confused me at the time because I didn’t know about (or remember) his signet. and then it really clicked for me later, when he makes an ice pack for poor Brennan after Mira decks him lmao. is it mentioned earlier than that? when I search “ice” in my FW ebook it shows me every instance of “voice” and "nice" and “office” etc., too, and I'm not scrolling through all that 🙄 and neither of the reference sites I like to use have a page number listed for him getting his signet or the first time it’s mentioned. as another aside: look how gorgeous Ridoc is here. smash. EDIT TO ADD: it is mentioned in Fourth Wing, in one line on page 289 (as identified by @hockeyspiral23 - thank you!) but he doesn't actually use it. no wonder my adhd brain forgot about it when there were bigger issues at hand lol they also pointed out that it could still have been a mistake, if RY meant to have it be another one of the barely-mentioned marked riders who aren't part of the main gang, as ice-wielding is "a common signet" (FW p. 289), and there were a few students we never really met apart from Resson (including Masen and Soleil. RIP.) so it could have been one of them. another possible explanation that I just came up with for the mistake category -- unreliable narrator? the events of that day were incredibly distressing for Vi, and she literally gets poisoned and loses consciousness and doesn't wake up for three days (following the theory that FW and IF are her diary, written in an ancient language and translated by Jesinia later) so it could have been a blur / hard to remember and VIOLET could have gotten it wrong. If I were RY, and it was a genuine mistake, this is the explanation I would give lmao

two: Deigh meaning ice is another tally in the “not a mistake” column.

RY likes to have the dragons' names refer to their current rider's signets. (Tairn = thunder, Aimsir = weather...) but not all of them match (Tiene = fire, I think, and Mira makes shields.) Liam and the ice is only mentioned once, at Resson, but there are many characters who we don't see getting their signet -- really just Vi's sex-induced lightning, and a mention of Sawyer nearly killing someone in a swordfight on accident. and Sloane's siphoning, too. okay, maybe this isn't a great point. but I still want to hear how they figured these things out! especially Bodhi. and Xaden's second one. poor thing couldn't tell anyone, even his best friend, and had to figure out how to manage it entirely on his own (he had Sgaeyl, but that's it.) and maybe Liam didn’t realize he had the ice until Resson, and just started slinging icicles at the wyvern once he figured out that he could. though that's kinda unlikely, I guess, since he would have channeled in November or December and Resson wasn't until July... hm.

three: Deigh could have been the dragon of Liam's relative, giving him a second signet like Xaden has with Sgaeyl.

it’s my understanding that Liam, like all the marked ones (except my addition of Darling and her little sibs) were military kids, and his mom is mentioned in IF as being the one to weave the protection runes, which I believe requires a level of magic that only a rider would have. so he has at least one relative who was a rider, and therefore probably more. ngl, at first I thought it was mad suspicious that his parents were executed separately from everyone else’s, but then we didn’t meet them in Aretia, so I guess they really are dead. but how mf heartbreaking would it be if they were alive -- and the first time they see their son in a whole year of him being gone at Basgiath, it’s Xaden carrying his body into the fortress 😭 and Vi and X crying and apologizing to Mama Mairi for not being able to save him… I’M SO SORRY. IT JUST CAME TO ME, AND I HAD TO WRITE IT DOWN. if any FW writer wants to write that AU, go for it. we could all use another good cry. there seems to be a trend of the dragons who had Tyrrish riders purposely (and "illegally") bonding the descendants of their previous riders. - Xaden has a second signet from Sgaeyl as his grandfather was one of her former riders, allegedly, but he "didn't make it out of the quadrant"? so he had a kid (Fen, Xaden's dad?) before graduating? is that why Xaden mentions that his dad hated dragon riders in one of his letters to Vi? - and then I believe Imogen has the dragon of a relative, but not a direct relative, so she doesn't have a second signet, but the one she does have is just really strong? I feel like they glossed over that a little too quickly, and it remains unclear to me how that whole thing works. - and now maybe Liam, too?

I might tack more stuff on below as it comes to me, or RB with commentary, but I think that's all I've got for now.

but regardless of if it was a mistake or not, I’m not planning on putting it in Liam and Spark’s story — just his farsight, which is confirmed multiple times. if Spark believed in the gods, she’d thank them for not giving him something as destructive and deadly as her water, but Li’s still gonna have some issues with it, because I feel the need to project my issues onto my fave characters, and everyone loves some mild hurt/comfort that’s resolved with cuddles and a nap, right? 🥰

[moonovermeadows]

Cheng Xiaoshi's Death, and LG Time Travel

I think things are starting to make sense to me.

First of all, THIS scene

is NOT after Lu Guang got stabbed. Look at the blood splatters;

This scene is after Cheng Xiaoshi's death. (When he was holding a bleeding and dying CXS in his arms)

Secondly, Lu Guang should most probably have his blue-eyes-past-photo-vison ability+ Cheng Xiaoshi's gold-eyes-photo-diving ability.

S2ep12 basically established that one's ability can be passed over in death. Tianxi's ability got passed over to Qiao Ling, along with her memories (whether temporary or permanent, that I do not know)

CXS was dying in LG's arms, the same way LTX was in QL's arms.

If it is a temporary transfer,that could explain why LG didn't use CXS's ability again,or, if it is permanent then that means LG still has that ability, he's keeping it hidden, and, quite possibly, repeatedly using it in A Time Loop (I genuinely hope not).

That could also explain why LG looked so shocked when CXS mentioned red eyes wanting to "steal" his ability. (Now we know that LTC meant stealing, as in, possessing CXS and using his ability, not literally stealing it. So, LTC might be unaware of this particular aspect. Who knows how much hat man knows)

Thirdly, the time of CXS's death. When did it happen?

I used to think that it was during the time abroad. But, like in the photo above, LG is in his bloodied clothes, in their room in the time photo studio. So, it was recent, and it happened in China itself, probably close to the studio.

The time reads 5 minutes past midnight. The same time is show on the clock hung on their room

Then there's 09, 13. Also a 28. Is 28 the day, September the month, and 13 is 2013 ? 2013 makes no sense. CXS is 21/22 in 2021 (current link click timeline), and LG looks the same as in that year. If it was 2013, then LG should be much, much younger. So, 13 could be the date as much as 28.

But... September 28 ? (We are in September, lol)

Edit : the above have been disproven. I have made another post regarding this :

Also, is it a 28 or 20 ?

Anyway, LG has already changed the timeline once. There are two instances of their meeting.

The scene in Overthink-Vortex music video, could possibly be their original meeting, but they pass themselves by..so, another encounter?

Also, these two are younger here.

The basketball scene (both in high school, probably 16 or so) , and the scene where LG helps in moving the furniture into the photo studio (the coincidence meeting) is most definitely deliberate. LG must have travelled that far, while diving back in time.

Last, I have a sneaking suspicion that the hat man is involved in this whole CXS death, LG lore thing. Also, something definitely happened during the overseas trip.

[lifblogs]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

Tagged by: @just-here-with-my-thoughts (I feel so honored, thank you! And I really am dying to read Welcome to the Outpost.)

These answers will probably involve a range of fandoms.

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

647.

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

1,850,510

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Primarily The Bad Batch now, maybe Clone Wars here and there. My fandom writing migrates. Used to be Doctor Who, then Supernatural, then The Clone Wars, and Rebels.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Apparently my top 5 are fics I don’t even care about anymore. *sigh* Not providing links because of how meh I am about these.

1. Morningstar (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina),

2. Take Me Home (I actually didn’t realize this was in my top 5), it’s a Supernatural fic),

3. Take Me to Church (Supernatural),

4. Deal (I believe this is an Avatar: The Last Airbender crack fic based off of incorrect quotes), and

5. Ineffable (Good Omens).

5. Do you respond to comments?

Most definitely!

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Definitely either Bleeding Reality, or In the Dark.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Definitely May I Have This Dance? Oh, how I adore that fic. I wrote it based on art I love so much, and the artist even let me put their art in the fic!!

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Used to years ago, so now I still feel dread in the pit of my stomach when I get an AO3 comment email. The dread thankfully doesn’t show up all the time now.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Oh, hell yeah, I do! Not sure about what kind. It’s just, I don’t know, smut.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

I do not.

11. Which fic are you proud of but wish had gotten a bigger response from your readers?

Maybe The World Goes Cold? But I am maybe releasing chapters too slowly, so I guess it makes sense the response isn’t as big.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

I think I’ve had a couple translated into Russian.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

I tried to do so with my brother a couple of times, but we never finished them. I don’t think either of us really understand how the co-writing process works.

14. What’s your all-time favorite ship?

Tbh, I always feel the most when I think about or see anything involving Whoufflé/Whouffaldi from Doctor Who. They were my OTP from 2013 to 2016. Might still be the case!

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

You know, I had ones I did want to finish, but now, I’m not even sure I want to.

Still, I guess Blackout, and Three Birds, One Stone held a lot of my attention for a few years. But with the fic content now being triggering for me, and with a brain injury, I feel as if I may have moved on.

16. What are your writing strengths?

I have been told my descriptions are incredibly visceral, and I might agree. I’ve been on the edge of my seat or emotional more than a few times during my editing process. I also like to consider the fact that I’m writing at all a strength given I have a brain injury that gives me memory problems and aphasia.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Well, I’d say say the memory problems and aphasia cause some weaknesses. I have caught a couple weirdly-worded errors and it’s slightly embarrassing. Does Omega shredding my outline multiple times count as a weakness? lol I suppose another weakess is spelling and forgetting words and struggling to find the right words. I often have to look things up. But as far as things like description, dialogue… I’m not sure I struggle there.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language?

I’d take a crack at French! I used to be able to read and write in French very easily.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

The Lord of the Rings. I was 8.

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

Probably Brother, Hold Me Up, and it’s still going!

Tagging: @evilwriter37, @envydean, @cascigarette, and @clownery-and-fuckery

[amidnight--dreary]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

Thanks so much for the tag @zsparz !!!💖

1. How many works do you have on ao3?

166!

2. What’s your total ao3 word count?

2.013.111. I write when I‘m stressed, can you tell?

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Mostly the MCU. Frostiron my beloved 💕 I recently posted a Huskerdust fic, though, and a couple years ago I posted some Good Omens stuff! I have another Good Omens wip brewing, but I haven‘t worked on it in a while.

4. Top five fics by kudos

First one up would be Your Call, a multi-chaptered ABO Frostiron thing that‘s sadly unfinished because I‘m not happy with where it was going somehow. Then Corners of Reality, my baby, Yes or No, Dereliktion and last but not least Vita Nova!

5. Do you respond to comments?

God I try. I’m so bad at it though. On long fics I always answer comments on the last chapter when I post the new one, but I keep forgetting to reply to comments on older chapters or oneshots😭 They all mean the world to me though.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Ohh I wrote a few angsty oneshots but it‘s been a while. Maybe Here, that‘s the most recent one. Of the older ones I remember all my light most clearly. Tony is dead or dying in both of these lol, poor Loki.

7. What is the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I like to think the happiest endings in stories are ones you had to fight for a little bit, so maybe Dereliktion. That was a long ride filled with angst and messed up relationships lol. I think Haywire (my first and so far only Sentinel/Guide fic, I love that trope a lot akfj) also has a pretty fluffy ending, and I have some oneshots that are pretty much all fluff!!

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Occasionally? Just the other day I got another anon ask on here complaining about my recent stories. Makes me extra thankful for everyone who takes the time to tell me they enjoy my stuff!!💖

9. Do you write smut?

I do! Pretty much all the time lol. I love writing Dom/sub relationships!

10. Craziest crossover?

I don‘t think I‘ve ever written one before?

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Yesss. I‘m not sure if they just didn’t know any better though, they deleted the copied parts as soon as I told them.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes!! I‘m always so happy when that happens!!

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Also yes. One year I did a whole Frostiron Advent calendar with @rabentochter (do you remember this????? How did we have the time??????? Insane) and we wrote a few more collabs beyond that.

14. All time favorite ship?

Frostiron!!!!!!!!!!!! I love my sassy messed up geniuses lol

15. What’s a wip you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Uhhh I‘ve got a few. I‘d like to finish/rewrite Your Call. Once I also had the cracky fever dream of Loki doing random standup comedy shows in New York because he‘d KILL that. Can you imagine the sarcasm. The gallow‘s humor. Anyway I started that and then realized I Cannot Write Standup Routines at all. So there‘s that.

16. What are your writing strengths?

What I like to write the most is character and relationship development, so hopefully I‘m decent at that? Also dialogue, I hope, but that kinda comes and goes depending on the conversation.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

I kinda suck thinking of longish plot that goes beyond “will they kiss?? Will they FUCK???” so I’ve been trying to practice that. Also scenes with lots of action😭

18. Thoughts on dialogue in another language?

I like it. I’ve been wanting to write a fic where Tony can properly show off his language skills but I don’t know enough languages to pull that off lol

19. First fandom you wrote in?

The VERY first was Dracula, back when I was 13 or so. I had a big thing for van Helsing back then. My first fandom on ao3 was Once Upon a Time!!

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

Ooohhh. That would be Corners of Reality, because I worked on it for years before I even started posting it and I love how it turned out. It’s a slow burn time travel enemies to friends to almost lovers to enemies to friends to lovers to enemies to allies to lovers fic. I had SO much fun writing it I still think about it all the time😭😭

I’m just gonna tag some writers I know are on here: @endlessstairway @xottan @izhunny @arabesqueangel @bouncydragon no pressure though!! And if you see this and you’re a writer please consider yourself tagged!!💖

[floralcavern]

Ezekiel and Raya (OCs)

If what the characters are saying is in < >, that means they’re speaking a different language! I’m not gonna trust google translate lol

Raya was the screwup kid compared to her younger brother, Iwan. Not like he was really any better. He was just a mama’s boy. But she didn’t care. She wasn’t so heartbroken that her brother was their mom’s favorite. She just didn’t see any reason to care. It seemed pointless. Raya wasn’t really overly affectionate with either of her parents. Her dad gets it. Especially after the accident, he’s not super overly touchy. Though he does appreciate quality time with Raya. But her and mom… that was another story.

“<Raya, are you really going to major in language arts? What will you do with a degree like that?>”

Raya just shrugs. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do in general after I graduate, mom.”

“<Geez. Well, if you’re going to college for a degree like that, at least speak back to me in Arabic.>”

“<Yes, mom,>” Raya says boredly, hardly able to bring herself to care about her mom's nagging.

Raya walks over to the garage. This used to be dad’s work studio, but since he can’t glass blow anymore, Iwan took over. 

“Man, it’s hot in here,” Raya says as she steps in.

Her brother turns to her. His dyed blonde hair was beginning to fade, his roots growing out. “Did you convince mom to let you go into language arts?”

Raya makes a so-so gesture with her hand. “It wasn’t really hard. I think she’s kind of given up on me.”

Iwan gives her a concerned look. “Cmon, don’t say that.”

“After she busted me smoking last year? I think I have that right.”

“OK, well… she does care about you,” he says, tilting his head and crossing his arms.

“It’s not like it matters. I don’t really care what she thinks.”

Her brother gave her an unconvinced look. Ya, he knew her well. But she really didn’t care. Honest. Like, why does it matter? She’s moving away and it’s not like her mom can keep her from doing stuff her way. 

“Well, Raya.. I hope you do well in college.”

“Ya, thanks. And have you gotten anything back from that fancy magic school you wanna go to?”

“Not yet. But we both know I’m gonna get in.”

She rolls her eyes. “Ya, ya, child prodigy.”

She waved by to him and stepped out, walking to the kitchen to grab herself a snack when she saw her dad. He was standing to grab something from the cupboard, his wheelchair right behind him, blocking her way.

He turns to her and waves, signing, Want some Hojuelitas?

Raya’s nose wrinkles and she shakes her head.She doesn’t get her dad’s obsession with those things. Back when they used to live in Bonao, that waa the only snack that they had in the house. Now, her dad has to order them online to get them.

She sits on the bar stool and watches her dad. Despite her mom’s disappointment in how Raya’s life was going, he always supported her in the end. Maybe because he was always a bit of a free spirit himself. Traveling the world on his motorbike all in his early and mid 20s before meeting mom on a trip to Oman.The two fell in love and settled down and blah blah blah, gross stuff like that. Love honestly seemed overrated.

She waves her arm to get her dad’s attention and signed, How do you feel about my major?

He thinks for a moment before smiling and responding, It suits you. You’ve always been great at Spanish, Arabic, and English. And after the accident, you were quick to learn sign.

Raya smiles, hugging her knees. Her dad was awesome. He was always in her corner. She appreciated it.

She leans back in the chair and looks at the ceiling. 

In the end, she probably won’t miss much about this place.

… 

A few months later, Raya has been at this school for around 6 months now. And college is just as bland as high school. She just stayed in her dorm room and smoked some weed and stayed up late because she procrastinated on her homework, or she might read a book she checked out from the library. But this was about the same routine as it was back in high school. Nothing’s changed.

Even her roommate was about as forgettable as every other classmate she’s had. Maybe she was just a nihilist. That would certainly explain some things. That would be funny, considering her favorite movie was the Big Lebowski. Wait, if she has a favorite anything, does that still qualify her as a candidate for being a nihilist? Ah, whatever. Stupid labels like that were a waste of time, anyways.

She heard a ping come from her cellphone and she was reminded for the one millionth time that she needs to put her phone on silent.

It was an email from her teacher. It reads:

Hello, Raya! I have an opportunity for you that I was wondering if you’d be interested in. We have a transfer student from Israel who doesn’t speak English all too well. I was hoping you’d be interested in teaching him? Email me back your answer!

Raya’s nose wrinkled. She wasn’t interested in babysitting some transfer student. She was taking language arts for herself, not to teach other people.She knew why this teacher chose Raya, and it wasn’t just because she was really good at Hebrew. But it was also because that teacher is all about ‘the college experience’ and ‘putting yourself out there’ and ‘getting out of your comfort zone.’ Making her the unstoppable force to Raya’s immovable object. But, this teacher has been bugging her a lot, so maybe if she does this one thing, she’ll leave her alone for the rest of the semester.

So, reluctantly, Raya responds with Sure.

And now, on a Friday evening when she could be in her room doing what she wanted, she was in the library with some guy who looked about as boring as everyone else she’s met. A mop of brown hair that hung awkwardly over his face, glasses with frames too big for him, and clothes that reminded her of an elementary schooler who was dressed by his mom in the morning. So, a total dork. He seemed like the kind of nerd character that would be in a John Hughes movie.

“So, you’re Ezekiel Aharon, right?”

The boy looked at her intensely and nodded, thinking about his words before very slowly saying, “And you are Raya Peña,” he states in a matter of fact tone. Wow, he seemed almost as annoyed to be here as she was. Which didn’t seem all that fair. She’s the one who’s being forced to do this.

“Yep. Now, what are you struggling with in English?”

Ezekiel looked at her closely, repeating back to her, “Struggling?”

She let out a groan and repeated the sentence to him in Hebrew, to which he nodded and answered, “<Almost everything.>”

Raya hissed quietly in annoyance. She should ask that teacher to give her some extra credit for this, because this is going to be frustrating.

He takes out a Hebrew to English dictionary and repeats back to her some sentences he knows because they’re super basic to be taught. Sentences like, “How are you?” “Where is the gas station?” “Can I order the…” This was so boring she thought she was going to die.

“<OK.. So I’ve gotta teach you a lot. Didn’t you learn English in Israel?”

The boy blushes a bit in discomfiture. “<I was no good.>

She sinks in her chair. Great. If actual teachers couldn’t get this guy to learn English, how can she?

She pulled out her laptop and went to Amazon.

“<What are you doing?>” he asks.

“<Ordering a textbook.>”

His eyes widened and his blush of shame only deepened. “<Sorry.>”

“<It’s whatever.>”

She ordered the textbook, which should be coming in next week. “<Let’s meet up again on Thursday of next week.>”

Ezekiel nodded and Raya stood up, grabbing her bag and stuffing her laptop back into it. When she notices Ezekiel not moving, she gives him a curious look. “<You can leave now.>”

“<Oh, I just need to call in an Uber. I don’t have a car, so.>”

“<You haven’t rented one yet?>”

“<I keep putting it off.>”

Raya wanted to judge him for something so stupid, but then she remembered just the other night she stayed up until 3 am because she wasted a whole month on not working on a project. So she didn’t judge him.

“<I’ll give you a ride.>”

He seemed surprised by this, and she was surprised too. She never offered to help anyone. Ugh. Was she becoming the nice, helpful person that the teacher wanted her to be? Disgusting. But she can’t take back the offer now.

“<If it’s no trouble.>”

She shrugs and leads him to her car, a small, rusted truck that used to belong to her dad. They were going to give it to Iwan, but Iwan said that he wanted one of dad’s old motorbikes instead. Mom hated the idea, but dad, despite the accident, was happy to give it to him.

Ezekiel got into the passenger seat and Raya debated making him pay her. Afterall, he was going to order an Uber anyways. She decided not to, though. She wasn’t that cold. 

“<Where do I take you?>”

Ezekiel told her his address and she nodded, setting up her GPS on her phone and following the map.

One thing that Raya quickly came to learn about Ezekiel was that he cannot stand silence. Every time there was a pause, he had to fill it with obscure facts or stories of his childhood. Just in a 20 minute car ride, she knew way too much about this one guy. He was from Be'er-Sheva, was the youngest of 2 older sisters, liked math, birdwatching, and candle making. He was 20 years old and came to this school because his aunt went to this school and she always talked about how great it was. And damn, he talked a lot about his family. Saying how much he misses them and how it’s not the same without them and cheesy stuff like that. Honestly, she’s been indifferent with her family. Her and Iwan only interact by texting each other memes every now and then, dad usually texts her every other morning to tell her to have a good day, and mom… she just texts to ask how her grades are doing. But none of her family has even called. So she didn’t understand Ezekiel’s long sighs and homesickness. Raya’s never really felt homesickness ever in her life. She is where she is, and she’s never been comfortable or uncomfortable. She just exists and lets herself be there and not care. No where has really felt like home. The closest she can get to is the memory of when she was 8, still living in Bonao, and her dad had just come back from work. He smelled distinctly like Hojuelitas, but instead of being grossed out, she was comforted. For some reason, that day, she really missed her dad. She wasn’t sure why, as it had been a normal day like any other, but when he had come home, it was like the world was just better. That was the closest thing she’s felt to home. She’s tried recreating that feeling, but she gave up trying a long time ago.

She pulled into the parking lot of the dorms that Ezekiel is staying at. He steps out and waves at her, saying to her in English, “Thank you, Raya.”

She nods. “No prob, Bob.”

He chuckles and walks off into the building. Raya watches him. What a weird guy. 

…

Things kind of went like this for the next 3 months. Raya was now roped into being Ezekiel’s full time ride back to his dorms, which sucked. She now is forcing him to try and speak in English for almost everything, to get him to get used to it, only using Hebrew when he really needs to. And, she also keeps learning more and more about him, much to her dismay. Like how he really wanted a dog as a kid, and brought one home after he found it on the streets, but the dog had turned out to be a coyote. He told this story to her 3 times already. It seemed to be his go to story for when he gets awkward.

She was in the library, waiting for him to get there when she gets a text from her dad.

¡Buenas noches, mi princesa! Espero que la escuela te esté yendo bien. ¡No olvides cenar y hacer tu tarea!

She chuckles at her dad’s flowery language. He was always so positive. She responds by liking the message and looks up when she sees Ezekiel coming, and he looks different.

“You got a haircut,” she notes.

“Oh, yes. My barber,” he stumbles a bit on the word ‘barber’,”accidentally messed up. He had to fix it, the best outcome was giving me an under the cut.”

“Undercut,” she corrects him. “And it looks good. You look less like your mom cut your hair.”

He blushes at this. “I’ve had the same haircut since I was 11.”

She snorts. “Well that explains it. Next we gotta fix your fashion.”

He pouts at this. “What is wrong with my clothing?”

“Nothing. It just looks like it’s choking you.”

“Huh?”

“You just look awkward in it. Reminds me of my brother back when my mom dressed him up for picture day in clothes that he hated.”

He doesn’t respond for a moment, his brain working to translate the sentence before perking up a bit. He sits in the chair across from her. “You have a brother?”

“Hm? Oh, ya. A younger brother by 1 and a half years.”

“That is the most you have told me about yourself.”

“OK. Let’s keep it that way.”

He mopes at that response. “I cannot do all of the talking for the silence.”

“Not all silence needs to be filled. Sometimes, it can just be silence.”

“But is it not… um..” he struggled to find the proper word. “Stifle?”

“Stifling,” she corrects. “And, no. Hearing you try to avoid it makes me want to claw my ears off, though.” “Why?”

“Because it’s painfully awkward.”

“I think silence is more awkward.”

“Well, we’ll just have to agree to disagree, then.”

He crosses his arms. “Well, anyway. Is my English getting better?”

“Ya. You can converse a lot better, even if you’re a bit slow to answer. Surprised I helped more than your teachers. I guess forcing you to speak English was very smart of me.”

“Yes, but I did not appreciate you spraying me with water everytime I messed up.”

“Cmon, I did that on one day.”

“You only didn’t do it again because the library lady was mad with you.”

She laughs a little, which makes Ezekiel snigger, because he’d never heard her laugh and it sounded almost funny hearing one come from her. Not funny in a bad way. Funny in a nice way.

“But what is your family like, Raya?”

“Why do I need to tell?”

“Because I have asked.”

“Asking doesn’t guarantee a response, young grasshopper.”

“Pleeeeeease?”

“You’ll just keep bugging me if I don’t tell you, won’t you?”

“Perhaps.”

“Geez. And I thought you were some anxious dork.”

“It’s easy not to be around you because I have grown accustomed to your… what is it called..? Resting bitch face.”

Raya smirks. Some of the first words she taught Ezekiel were swears. She’s glad he uses them.

“Well… ok, I have a younger brother named Iwan. He’s currently a senior in high school and he’s got a big ego. Like, biiiiiig ego. But, he is naturally talented at almost everything he does, so maybe he has the right to have a big ego. But he’s definitely mom’s favorite.”

Ezekiel’s face turns a bit concerned at this. “Why is that?”

“Because he’s a suckup. Whatever. Our dad doesn’t play favorites, so at least there’s that.”

“You spoke kindly of your brother. What about yourself?”

She shrugs. “What’s there to say? I don’t really have any hobbies. And you know I’m a total bitch.”

“I do not think you are.”

“Why not?”

“You drive me home.”

“That means nothing, Ezekiel.”

“It’s a kind act.”

“It’s an act of pity.”

“Pity can be kindness.”

“When did you get so philosophical?”

He waves his hand in dismissal. “In any case, you deal with me when you do not have to.”

“Well, ya, but I can’t really go back now.”

“You could if you wanted to. But you still choose not to.”

She hums a bit at his statement then just shakes her head. “You give me too much credit.”

He shakes his head back at her. “I think you do not have enough credit.”

“Let’s just get to the lesson.”

“Ah, yes.” He seemed not excited at all for the lesson. He hated lessons, finding them to be boring.

After about an hour and a half, they go out to her car, driving to his dorm like always. However, as they got closer, she realized that the truck was slowing down. 

“Shit.. shiiiiiit!” Raya exclaims. She pulls into the parking lot before her truck breaks down. “No!! Ugh, well, looks like the car finally gave into it’s old age… Shit!’ she yells again, kicking a tire.

“It broke?” Ezekiel said behind her.

She groans. “Yes. Sadly, yes.”

“Is there anyone you can call?”

Raya pulls out her phone and anyone who can help her is currently closed or about to close. “Guess I’m sleeping in my truck tonight.”

“No, no! Don’t do that. It won’t even turn on. You’ll be stuck in a completely hot car with no air.”

“I’ll get a bottle of water or something so I won’t die.”

He shakes his head sternly. “You will not sleep in your car.”

“Well, where do I sleep? Your dorm?”

He perks up at this. “Not a bad idea!”

“Huh? Wait, no, Ezekiel, I was being sarcastic-!”

But it was too late. Before she knew it, she was being dragged into the building, walking up the steps to the third floor, and is now in Ezekiel’s dorm room. This was her worst nightmare. Because now that she was the guest of someone’s home, by the law of politeness that her mom drilled into her at a very young age, she… had to socialize.

Just kill me now, she thought as she sat on the couch.

“Do you want some pomegranate juice?” he asks her.

She really didn’t, but out of forced politeness, she says, “Sure.”

He nods, disappearing into the kitchen and returning with a glass of juice, handing it to her.

She sips a little bit of it and nods. “So, I’ll just sleep on the couch. Your roommate won’t mind, right?”

Ezekiel shakes his head. “He usually spends the night at his girlfriend’s house, anyhow.”

“So you get the whole place to yourself? Lucky.”

“It gets lonely.”

“Ya, I bet it would for you, seeing as how you grew up with a big family.”

He smiles at her. “You listen to my stories?”

“Um.. ya? Why wouldn’t I?”

“Most people just tune me out.”

“Oh.” She’s considered doing that many times, but sometimes in his stories, he’ll say something absolutely crazy that it draws her attention in completely. Plus, as much as she hated to admit it, the guy was really nice, and ignoring him would make her feel really bad. “Well, I haven’t.”

“Thank you, Raya.”

He sits on the couch next to her and now suddenly she feels the awkward silence and damnit, she feels like she’s turning into Ezekiel. “Do you miss them?”

He laughs. “Have I not made it obvious?”

“Well, you have, but.. I just don’t really get what’s there to miss. I go most days not thinking once about my family.”

He gives her a pitying look. “Is that not lonely?”

“I dunno. Not really. I mean, what’s lonely?”

“Well.. it can be different for many people. For me, it’s a desperate desire for someone near me.”

“I don’t feel that. I mostly just feel.. Bored.”

“Is that not also a form of loneliness?”

She thinks about that for a bit. She’d never considered that. “To be frank… I don’t even really care about my family all too much. Like, ya, they’re my family and stuff, but like..I could take or leave them. That’s how I feel about most things.”

“What an awful way to live,” he says bluntly.

“Maybe. I’ve only experienced anything remotely close to how you feel about your family once.”

“What was that like?”

Raya thought about that evening. The smell of Hojuelitas, her dad’s scruffy beard, the way he held her and how she fell asleep in his arms quickly, only to wake up in her bed the next day, the only time she’s felt anything but apathy for waking up in the morning. There really was only one way to describe it. “Almost like a fairytale.”

Ezekiel nods. “I think you just need to find your joy.”

“Maybe joy is just overrated.” “I think cynicism and misery are overrated. You see those themes a lot more in what are considered great works of literature.”

“Look at you using these fancy words,” she smiles. “Damn, I’m a good teacher.”

He rolls his eyes and hands her a blanket. “Whimsy is where fulfillment lies, I think.”

“Ya, well… maybe you’re just enlightened in a way I’m not.”

He bellows out a laugh. “I’m anything but.”

“I’m serious, Ezekiel. Really, I am.”

He doesn’t say anything.

“Why do you love your family?” Raya asks.

He looks at her and smiles before shrugging. “Because love is where the force of the world holds purity, without it would be ruin.”

He steps out, going to his room and Raya wonders where he may have stolen that quote from. It sounds straight out of a motivational poster you would see in a guidance counselor’s office.

But even still… She thinks about what he said for a moment before grabbing her phone. She stares at the screen for a couple of minutes before opening it and going to the family groupchat. Raya hasn’t texted in this groupchat in over a year. And she had to think.

Why did she just not care?

And why did she care so much about the fact that she didn’t care?

She was a walking paradox of apathy and overwhelming anxiety.

And she realizes something. This is the first time in a long time she’s felt really.. Anything. And it’s in the home of some random boy she tutors.

But as she feels the warm blanket, the stiff couch, the taste of pomegranate juice, and the smell of a homemade candle, she can’t help but wonder if this is what home feels like? It was almost like that memory with her dad, but with the opposite emotion. And what was home but not a swirl of all kinds of different emotions and memories and feelings? That was how it was supposed to be.

Here, on the couch of a boy she wanted so badly to feel indifferent to, she felt at home.

She goes to Ezekiel’s room and knocks on the door. He opens it.

“You’ve been crying,” he notes.

“Have I?”

“I think so.”

She wipes her face with the back of her hand. She observes him and she feels like she’s seeing him for the first time. He doesn’t have a forgettable face. He has a mole on his neck and under his eye, he has a round face, he has a dopey smile, he has gray eyes, he has dimples. And he is the most interesting person she’s ever seen in her life. “I think I felt something,” she says. “And I don’t know what to do.” She hated how much she sounded like a child.

He smiles a bit and laughs, shaking his head. “Raya. You don’t need to do anything. You just need to feel.”

“How do you know all this stuff?”

“Because I know myself.”

She shakes her head. “I don’t think I know myself at all.”

“Well… I can help.”

She wants to cringe, because she knows this is cheesy and she’s being cheesy, and this is all so dumb, and feelings are dumb, but damnit… Damnit… This was the most warm she’s felt since she was held by her dad that one evening, that one memory that kept her from thinking she was incapable of emotions.

“I want help. I think. No, no, I definitely do.”

He laughs and takes her hand. “And that’s the first step.”

[unablethethird]

once again

Same with you skip the weird ones

1: Name Robert [rob]

2: Age 14

3: 3 Fears 1- Friends dying/getting hurt 2-Going back to the last place i lived 3-Not being able to help/be there

4: 3 things I love 1-My frens 2-Laptop 3-headphones

7: My best friend You and yaya [irl]

8: Sexual orientation AroAce [fictoromantic/fictosexual, and kinda orchidromantic]

10: How tall am I 166cm [for now]

11: What do I miss

cant think of anything rn

12: What time were I born 4am

13: Favorite color red, orange, purple, black

15: Favorite quote "Light a man a fire and he'll be warm for the night, light a man *on* fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life"

16: Favorite place Arcade

17: Favorite food Imjaderah [rice+yoghurt+beans]

18: Do I use sarcasm sometimes, not rlly tho

19: What am I listening to right now

20: First thing I notice in new person Not sure, maybe symptoms???? but not on purpose

21: Shoe size No idea

22: Eye color dark brown [almost black]

23: Hair color black

24: Favorite style of clothing 1920s men atire

25: Ever done a prank call? Not that i can remember

27: Meaning behind my URL I mean this is the 3rd acc

28: Favorite movie THE LORAX!!!!

29: Favorite song right now it's

30: Favorite band FamilyJules? LemonDemon? Will wood? Chonny jash?

31: How I feel right now My body's scared but im chilling

32: Someone I love You /p

33: My current relationship status AroAce, platonically married

34: My relationship with my parents lol

35: Favorite holiday Eid al adha, free money

36: Tattoos and piercing i have Ear

37: Tattoos and piercing i want Sleeve tattoo when i transition

38: The reason I joined Tumblr Needed to continue a fic/comic that was on tumblr

39: Do I and my last ex hate each other? idk

40: Do I ever get “good morning” or “good night ” texts? thank you fren /gen

41: Have I ever kissed the last person you texted? my dad? maybe when i was really young

42: When did I last hold hands? My little sister, i didnt want her to get run over when crossing the road

43: How long does it take me to get ready in the morning? As long as i have, if u give me an hour i'll take an hour, if you give me 30 seconds i'll take 30 seconds

44: Have You shaved your legs in the past three days? Nope, i get gender dysphoria from shaving my legs/arms

45: Where am I right now? Bed

47: Do I like my music loud or at a reasonable level? LOUD

48: Do I live with my Mom and Dad? Mum, not dad

49: Am I excited for anything? Turning 18 and going uni and being a human person with a human life

50: Do I have someone of the opposite sex I can tell everything to? Im an oversharer

51: How often do I wear a fake smile? Im autistic so not in a deppressed way

52: When was the last time I hugged someone? Cant remember

54: Is there anyone I trust even though I should not? H [irl]

55: What is something I disliked about today? My sister stealing money from my mum, i was this close to having smoke outta my ears, she should know better

56: If I could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be? God, im going to beat the shit out of him

57: What do I think about most? Cringe memories i guess?

58: What’s my strangest talent? I can bird whistle

59: Do I have any strange phobias? Touch might be strange?

60: Do I prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it? Behind fs

61: What was the last lie I told? "I don't know who they were talking about" [i didn't want to hurt her feelings]

62: Do I prefer talking on the phone or video chatting online? voice, video is a nightmare

63: Do I believe in ghosts? How about aliens? Yea because either i've seen them or im delusional [im delusional]. aliens are a given, even a bacteria could be one

64: Do I believe in magic? Kinda? idrk, maybe

65: Do I believe in luck? yea

66: What’s the weather like right now? cloudy n cold

67: What was the last book I’ve read? DnD rulebook

68: Do I like the smell of gasoline? LVORE IT LOIF LVOE LOVE IT

69: Do I have any nicknames? I get called by my last name a lot

70: What was the worst injury I’ve ever had? not sure

71: Do I spend money or save it? Save

72: Can I touch my nose with a tongue? Unfortunatly no

73: Is there anything pink in 10 feet from me? My sisters deoderant

74: Favorite animal?

FOXES!!!!!!

75: What was I doing last night at 12 AM? calming myself down

76: What do I think is Satan’s last name is? I dont think he has one, idk im not religious

77: What’s a song that always makes me happy when I hear it? Corny/cringe as hell but Honeypie by JAWNY

78: How can you win my heart? havent thought about it

79: What would I want to be written on my tombstone?

I TOLD YOU MY FOOT WAS KILLING ME

80: What is my favorite word? supercalifragilisticexpialadocious

81: My top 5 blogs on tumblr Moots

82: If the whole world were listening to me right now, what would I say? your god is the right one [chaos]

83: Do I have any relatives in jail? Not currently, but my dad and some uncles were

84: I accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what’s even cooler is that they endow me with the super-power of my choice! What is that power? Time manipulation

85: What would be a question I’d be afraid to tell the truth on? i dont think questions are scary

86: What is my current desktop picture? basic

90: Failed a class? classes

94: Had job? I have one now, dont always get paid though

95: Left the house without my wallet? Dont have a wallet

96: Bullied someone on the internet? no

98: Played on a sports team?

Unless school sport team counts

103: Am I a vegetarian/vegan? no

104: Been overweight? No

105: Been underweight? yea

106: Been to a wedding? ye

107: Been on the computer for 5 hours straight? Duh

108: Watched TV for 5 hours straight? maybe i dont remember

109: Been outside my home country? Technically im from iran, and i live in australia, so, yeah

110: Gotten my heart broken? i guess

111: Been to a professional sports game? no

112: Broken a bone? no

113: Cut myself? yeah Im stopping though

114: Been to prom? we dont have that

115: Been in airplane?

Yeah

116: Fly by helicopter? no

117: What concerts have I been to? none

118: Had a crush on someone of the same sex? kinda

119: Learned another language? I know arabic and english

120: Wore make up? Forced to when i was younger but not anymore

123: Dyed my hair? Part of it purple, but its gone now

124: Voted in a presidential election? Cant vote, eitherway all of em suck

125: Rode in an ambulance? Yep

126: Had a surgery? not sure, memory bad

127: Met someone famous? Not that i know of

128: Stalked someone on a social network? mutuals tumblrs

129: Peed outside? Yea

130: Been fishing? nope

131: Helped with charity? yep

132: Been rejected by a crush? nope

133: Broken a mirror? Yep

134: What do I want for birthday? Wouldn't ever happen because it's expensive as fuck but a pump it up machine

i usually get a slice of cake tho

[oonajaeadira]

20 questions for fic writers

Thank you for the tag, @insomniamamma. For the record, I think you write beautiful smut. I appreciate it for its realness and connection.

How many works do you have on ao3? Aw man, you made me log into my AO3 account? I haven't been around there recently because I feel bad about leaving some messages unanswered. Tumbletown is my main fic home and I haven't really had the time to post here, much less on AO3. (Answer the question Adira.) It says I have 19. I don't post there until they're here and sometimes don't crosspost. Mainly I've been posting over there only if I have a complete series, although sorry LMR readers both there AND here.

2. What's your total ao3 word count? 260,317. Seeing as how not even half of my fic is up over there, I cringe to think of what my actual wordcount is.

3. What fandoms do you write for? Pedro Pascal. Which is an umbrella for the actual fandoms contained therein.

4. Top 5 fics by kudos According to AO3? Losing My Religion, A Girl Walks Into a Bookshop, A Rare Treat, The Sweets Series, Eyes Closed, Comm Open. According to Tumblr: Good. Things. Take. Time. (this one's a Tumble exclusive, dunno if I'll ever AO3 that one), Losing My Religion, Dulces Suenos, The Sweets Series, A Girl Walks Into a Bookshop.

5. Do you respond to comments? I do. Every one. I know I'm behind on some and I'm sorry about that. I let that bother me enough that it's getting in the way of my writing and I shouldn't do that.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? I don't like to leave angst hanging and only use it as a trampoline for a happy ending, but I guess the closest thing I have would be A Kiss Before Dying and in Death We Combine. Even if it ends in "death," at least they get to be together.

7. What is the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? All of them? LOL. Of the multi-chapters I've actually finished, probably A Girl Walks Into a Bookshop.

8. Do you get hate on fics? Only in passing. There were the mean girls that were kind of being catty over on a few other blogs about GTTT when it blew up much to my surprise (yes, of course I saw all of that, mean girls gonna mean). I remember some comment about not trivializing massage therapists just because I have a shitty back.... and all I could think was, hey. First of all, I can tell you didn't even read it, you're just mad about it blowing up. Not my fault. Next. Don't talk about my back. You wouldn't like being injured and having people talk smack about a piece of your body that gives you pain beyond comprehension, y'bigot. Also not my fault. Once I realized they were just mean girls meaning, I let it roll off and got my own satisfaction by writing a pretty bomb series based on some of their prompt lists that I never would have seen if I hadn't been clued into the smack. Turn that hate into something great!

9. Do you write smut? I do. Not exclusively and it's never the main dish of the story. If it does show up, it's usually the result of a long period of longing and/or feelings exchange.

10. Craziest crossover? I'm not a crossover gal. Every once in a while I'll write an easter egg into another fic (there are several in GTTT), but nothing heavy duty. There was the time The Mandalorian got something of a cameo in a Sweet's fic tho....

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? Oh gods, I hope not. That would suck. I hate blocking people.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? YES! But not in the way you might think! @katareyoudrilling did an amazing job translating the first chapter of Good. Things. Take. Time. into a sexytime roleplay script!!!! I'M STILL SQUEEING ABOUT IT.

13. Have you co-written a fic before? In a way. For a while when RP accounts were in full swing, I was falling very much in love with the adventure I was creating with @morally-gray-prospector. That account was so amazing, run by one of the smartest writers I've ever known here, but they were TOO good and poured themselves generously into their responses, which got them quite a following...and they burned themselves out! While my story with Ezra didn't have an ending, I never expected it to. I meant it when I said it to the writer: I'm just so happy to have an adventure with Ezra and every minute working on it was a joy that I will love forever. I'm glad they had fun too and didn't keep pushing themselves when it was no longer sustainable. <3

All time favorite ship? It's Din and Little Bird. Now that I know how that story is going to soft-end, they're my favorite couple of all time.

What's a WIP you want to finish but doubt you will Oh, I'll finish them all. Right now, Branded is in the most danger of lingering, since I have to figure some stuff out with them. But if I could solve the puzzle of Losing My Religion, then I have no doubt that I'm eventually going to get on with that one too.

What are your writing strengths? I don't know what my strengths are, but I like the magic of showing without showing. I like pacing. I enjoy trying to get the characters' voices right and make the dialog real.

What are your writing weaknesses? I am slow. And I make a show of "not following the rules" as if I'm some kind of rebel, but really, I'm just bad at following rules!!!!

Thoughts on dialogue in another language I try to avoid it for the most part because I usually mess it up pretty badly. I generally don't write Din in Mando'a because I haven't really heard him speak it in the series and he seems to always default to Basic even if he understands it spoken to him, so I can't shake the feeling that it's out of character. But Little Bird is a Mandalorophile, so she'd definitely know it and use it. I do sometimes pull in Spanish for Sweets, but it's usually because it's two characters who actually would speak it when Sunday's not around, and even then I try to make sure it's basic enough for folks to follow. The one time I tried to put Italian in I messed it up pretty good, but a beautiful reader helped correct it for me and I'm so so so grateful. <3

First fandom you wrote for I know I have a Doctor Who piece in a notebook somewhere hidden away. And I most likely have a slew of Ranma pieces from my college days. Were there any before that? Possibly.

Favorite fic you've written I have too many. I write really slow, so if it's actually made it to Tumbles, that means I loved it enough to manifest it. Some of them I love because of the fandom, some because of the relationship, some because of the world building, some because of the interaction, and most because of the good time I had writing it. Right now I'm seeing people reading Losing My Religion, and I've had reason to dip into some of those chapters and re-read a little and it's reminded me how much I love writing for the Star Wars universe, how much confidence I have in it. That was the first fic I really wrote, and I put so much of myself into it... so if I choose a favorite, I'll point there first even if it's not really finished yet.

.

tagging: @blueeyesatnight @ezrasbirdie @missredherring @leslie-lyman @prolix-yuy

[redlightspellsdaanger]

20 Questions for Fic Writers - Big thanks to the mega fabulous @kaossbells for tagging me!  

1. How many works do you have on AO3? 

22 (look at that, Jenson's racing number...) 

2. What’s your total AO3 word count? 

635,019

3. What fandoms do you write for? 

Only F1 now. In the past I've mostly written for Muse. I've also written for BBC Sherlock. I have been writing since I was a kid, though, so there was a lot of stuff that didn't even make it online, let alone to AO3 lol 

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos? 

Dance Me To The Moon (F1 / Sebastian Vettel), Zero Minus Ten (Muse), Everything of Nothing (Muse), Never Dream of Dying (Muse) and Resistance (Muse) 

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not? 

Absolutely. Unfortunately it's very common that readers do not give the authors any feedback. So if someone goes out of their way to show any kind of support or, as some very kind people do, leave detailed reviews, I will be incredibly grateful and make sure to let them know. 

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? 

I often end my stories in a positive note, even the ones who have a vague or open ended finale. But I'd say a Muse one-off I wrote in 2009 called "Il Coma" was heavy for my standards. Also Never Dream of Dying, but that was part of a trilogy so not sure it counts. (well, the readers at the time were not pleased with the TBC, let's put it that way LOL)

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? 

Currently, on AO3, I think Dance Me To The Moon. I don't want to spoil but it's a romance so.... haha  

8. Do you get hate on fics? 

I don't remember ever getting hate tbh.  

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind? 

Oh, yeah. Lots. Ha. All kinds. M/M. F/M. Threesomes. I've done PWP. I've done kink. I've done romance. I've done dubious/non-con. I've (literally) written smut sitting in a church. I've gotten to the point where I'm sort of getting bored of writing it.  

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written? 

Yes. I once wrote a Muse / BBC Sherlock crossover - Showbiz. It was incredibly fun to plot. It was well received, too, so I enjoyed that! The Mb-7 universe trilogy is also a crossover of sorts between Muse and Daniels Craig's James Bond, because characters such as M and Q feature.  

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? 

If I did, I never noticed.  

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? 

I was once asked for permission for someone to translate a story, I felt very honoured! 

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? 

Yes, the whole MB-7 trilogy was co-written with one of my best friends. 

14. What’s your all-time favourite ship? 

In F1 I will have to say Sebastian with Jenson or with Mark. (although in reality I like him with everyone lol). But Mulder / Scully from The X Files and Matt Bellamy / Dom Howard from Muse are probably my OTPs.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? 

I don't really have WIPs because although I have a lot of ideas and have plotted things in detail that never materialised, I only start writing once I am 100% I will write it in full.

The only exception - and therefore a regret I never finished - is a sequel to the BBC Sherlock / Muse crossover. I wrote a few pages and sadly that was it.

16. What are your writing strengths? 

Hard for me to answer this. But I try to make the characters as realistic and true to life as possible. I also make it a point of having a decently structured plot.  

17. What are your writing weaknesses? 

Oh, god, where to start. I feel immediately restricted in how and what I write because my command of English (as second language) is not as good as I wish it would be. Then I'm also a very slow writer and edit endlessly. I tend to repeat ideas and certain expressions. I don't know, we could be here all day lol  

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? 

Very cool! I love languages and especially in F1 it's very fitting.  

19. First fandom you wrote for? 

It was a TV show and I don't remember the name, I was a kid. The first one I do remember was for an American band called Matchbox 20.

20. Favourite fic you’ve written? 

This is SO hard to reply! I'm going to leave out one-shots (which kills me cos there is a few I still love) and mention only chaptered stuff:

Dance Me To The Moon (F1) because I never thought I'd be able to write a romance and I was so incredibly proud of myself, was fully emerged in it and I will carry these two with me for the rest of my life.

Resistance  (Muse) because it was the first time I wrote a novel length thriller that I felt had all I wanted and it was such an enjoyable process.

Everything or Nothing (Muse) because it was the first of the MB-7 trilogy, it was co-written, we adored our villain, the huge amount of nods to James Bond. And it kicked off a series with a level of plot intricacy that I will never be able to top.

Showbiz (Sherlock / Muse) because it was such a crazy crossover but I had so much fun dissecting Sherlock and I was very happy with the result.

Honourable nod to a figure skating fanfic I wrote with Alexei Yagudin / Michelle Kwan, years ago. It was self-indulgence of the greatest kind and I loved writing every word of it. I have no idea if it's online anywhere atm. I wish I could remember the title!

tagging @magnycours2004, and anyone who would like to participate!!!

[heymacareyna]

twenty questions for fic writers

I was tagged by @brynnmclean! Thank you! This was so fun!! <3

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

28 on AO3.

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

310,970

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Currently, I write Arcane (Caitvi) fanfic almost exclusively.

Previous fandoms/ships have included the following:

Percy Jackson/Heroes of Olympus (Leyna)

Shugo Chara (Rimahiko)

Miraculous Ladybug (Adrinette)

Mortal Instruments (Malec)

4. What are your top five fics by kudos?

say my name and every color illuminates: a multichap Caitvi contemporary soulmates au.

you are the best thing that’s ever been mine: a multichap Caitvi contemporary omegaverse au.

All You Need Is Love and a Cat: a multichap Adrinette shifter au.

All Business: a oneshot Malec tech support au.

pour some sugar on me (in the name of love): a oneshot Caitvi holiday smut piece.

5. Do you respond to comments?

I try to respond to each comment, but sometimes a few will fall through the cracks, and then the longer it takes, the more awkward I feel about responding...

6. What’s the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I haven't written angst in a long time, and there was never much of it, but the angstiest thing I ever did was probably "Sunshine" (for the Psy-Changeling series), a brief oneshot about one half of a mated pair dying in the other's arms.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

This one's tough because I write a lot of romance, which dictates a happy ending. Probably “All You Need Is Love and a Cat” (an overall happy story) or “Obviously” (a story with some angst but a happy ending).

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Thankfully, not so much. Fandom has been kind to me overall. The weirdest comment I ever got, though, was on a slow-burn Leyna fic, in which the reader suggested I should "think harder about what I'm doing"?? lmao

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

I do now. (I didn't for a long, long time.) I primarily write FF sex. I might write Leyna or Rimahiko (MF) smut in the future, though. We’ll see what happens.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

I’ve written one crossover. It’s not on AO3 because it was absolutely batshit. That’s all I’ll say about that.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not a whole fic, as far as I know. Once I found a single sentence (it was a distinctive sentence!) from one of my Leyna fics copied into another Leyna fic. I contacted the author and asked them to remove it, and they did.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes! My Caitvi oneshot pour some sugar on me (in the name of love) was translated into Spanish.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Nah, I haven’t. I think it’d be super cool, though!

14. What’s your all-time favorite ship?

Now that’s mean. Leyna and Caitvi can battle it out for the rest of time.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

I want to finish “you are the best thing that's ever been mine” (Caitvi omegaverse), but at this point I have no idea where I'm going with it, so progress is, uh, unlikely.

16. What are your writing strengths?

Dialogue is definitely my strength. I like banter and conversation.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Committing to finishing all the long-form fics I start, lol. And I’m not much for description, unfortunately.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

Sheer terror. I wrote bits and pieces of Spanish for my Leyna fics, and I was always afraid of getting hate for it not being realistic enough.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

The first fanfic I wrote, ever, was for the movie Cats Don’t Dance. It was backstory for the FMC, Sawyer the cat. Handwritten with illustrations and everything. My first posted fanfic was for the Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud, in 2008.

20. Favorite fic you’ve ever written?

You can’t pay me to pick one. Here’s three.

“A Good Chance”: Rima thinks there's a good chance she might actually lose her scholarship. Nagihiko thinks there's a good chance he might actually lose his mind. College AU.

“Obviously”: Best friends Reyna and Jason rule student government, while best friends Leo and Piper wreak havoc as the campus troublemakers. But when Jason and Piper get together, the four of them begin to spend a lot of "quality time" together—and uncover why the rival university burned to the ground. College AU.

“say my name and every color illuminates”: In a world where people only see color once they make eye contact with their soulmate, Caitlyn and Vi have learned to live in black and white. But a chance encounter at the gym changes everything. Contemporary soulmates AU.

tagging: @korblez @commander-krios @birgdets @sunsetsharkblog @sparatus and whoever else is reading this and would like to!

[overpoweredcacti]

CME 17x10 thoughts (and prayers)

Jesus Christ I’m finally home after accidentally sabotaging my own morning (okay sabotage may be harsh. I have a job now that I signed all the necessarily paperwork lol but I had to go around the city for hours. This Pacific time Midnight airtime is ridiculous, that’s 9 am for me. By then I usually have to pretend to be a functioning adult human being).

I don’t really do this usually, but it is the finale, so. I will try my hand and liveblogging. This will be long.

Some preliminary thoughts though:

I think Church and Jade both survive and it’s Mila who dies

I just don’t see any of the main cast dying. Maybe Rossi, but this show is attached to its actors so much that this would only happen if Joe wanted out, and I’m not sure I can see that happening?

the last Gold Star Peter B. is most probably Peter Bailey

I don’t trust Phil Coulson the Director

Voit has to die. I think. Narratively he just can’t live. So my guess is that he will be killed (maybe on FBI higher up orders) and it will be framed as a suicide. But the BAU would obvious know that doesn’t match his profile cue S18

Well then.

55 minutes hmm, okay. I thought we would get at least an hour, there’s so much going on.

Connection Lost. For all of them??

20 minutes Rebecca and Garcia has been sitting in that office, waiting. That does wonders for someone’s nerves I bet

needs to reboot the system (“have you tried turning it off and on again?” xd)

I’M sorry they didn’t know the building just fucking exploded? xdxd

also still Minimal Loss vibes

okay but everyone seemed fine on the promo pics (minus Emily) so how if they all exploded

I don’t buy it lol

halluciVoit is back

the team is okay

okay see. how lucky do you have to be though to survive an explosion without a scratch

unless they pull a Dallas and the next 30 minutes is just Dave dying and dreaming shit lol that would be iconic

okay Mila surrendered maybe she’s not dying. But how does Rossi get rid of the head wound?

oooh okay so it is a kidnapping situation. Because Jade still thinks the BAU is in cahoots with Church

“you’ve been charged with pedophilia” love that we are not sugarcoating it lol

OKAY so I didn’t think it would be so abrupt. But okay dude deserved it.

Ooh the shot of the dripping blood as he’s carted away? Brilliant.

are we about to see Emily get yeeted

that was a very mild blast without the sound effects lol

are you taking some of the voltage? that’s..a choice. I’m also unsure if that would even work

again with the camera, literally shaking off the memory how cool

listen I know we are supposed to be scared for Emily but it’s Emily. Not even she looks phased lol

holy shit the writing remembers past events. Unbelievable

okay I was recently talking about Person of Interest so that’s probably why the scene is in my mind, but whoever knows about it: This is straight up Vigilance and Control in the mock trial in S3

okay so since Peter B. is most definitely Bailey I’m guessing that’s how Emily will eventually get through to them? By the fact the she knew Doug?

criminal mastermind Brian Garrity reveal when

are you serious? that’s a prison? That’s a vacation home. I've slept in worse places that I paid for

HE HAS A MICROWAVE?

is this actually a thing in America? Okay not my business but damn

“the only thing I miss is you” VoitxRossi is sailing

yes it’s definitely Doug’s brother

yeeah

see that’s a problem because I’m pretty sure Emily holds herself responsible too xd

“does this body language tell you anything” yeah that you’re a fucker

lil bro kinda low key looks like a young Jonathan Groff

so where were you at the funeral? flashback to Emily meeting the parents but not him I’m guessing?

okay flashback but not about that

“really?” “No,” xdxdxdxdx pls. yes. thank you. OG moment. God. Love that

“You scream only child.” Emily. You’re an only child.

"I have a sister" No you don’t. Where did that come from.

Okay was she manipulating him or did they just drop this out of nowhere breaking 17 seasons of previous lore because both are a legitimate possibility.

“why weren’t you at Doug’s funeral” thank you

yeah see I like that this is coming back. Because the DOJ really dropped the ball on Benjamin Reeves

all that said Clark Gregg is still suspicious

so the teenager who is rebellious and anti-government gets into juvie where the government paid private military company trains him to be an assassin through abuse. Nice job there xd

“I’m not threatening your career” love the energy

you literally didn’t have to keep any of that from the BAU though.

THAT’s when you knew you had a crisis? Bruh

“a pilates instructor” xdxd Rebecca’s wit is underappreciated tbh

“he may or may not have information” “fuck you” 💀

are we having a discussion about the real life confines of four dimensional chess. My guy that’s a meme.

Aww JJ basically admitting they are going to get fucked over but hey it’s Emily, they gotta

“he wanted to wear comfy clothes” this bitch.

“back at it like a crack addict” you know what I retroactively would like to witness the birth of lines like this in the writer’s room

 I mean yeah sure but child trafficking does exist tho xd

okay they are cute…

“god forbid you end up on that wall” uff.

aaah you were taking the photos. But who were the guys working for you? I was absolutely sure it was Church. He had the resources, you don’t

see this is where the conspiracy theory conversations become a bit funny, because Emily is completely right, they are about amplification of fear, doubt etc. Also they help reconcile with events that we can’t make logical sense of. It’s honestly an incredibly human thing to do and they have always been around, they are not new.

That said when you introduce shit like the FBI or the CIA a lot of things that used to be “conspiracy theories” have since been reveled to have been true 💀 so people being distrustful towards these organizations are not that unreasonable when you think about it. And even in-universe the BAU has done shady shit? So.

“babe” xdxd okay so maybe Jade is dying. They have built her up to be sympathetic but they are slowly losing that angle narratively? Slowly tho

oh? is that how we’ll get to the bottom of BAUgate?

“Jenny”. can JJ slap him, just once?

the way everyone is so done with him

sometimes I do like Tyler

bit of a CGI house there lol

not Garcia psyching him out

chocolate thunder

oh, Oh?

“I put you in” I?. I??

oh my god. no. that’s vile. even within an already vile context. people have been pointing out the similarities but jesus christ

okay Emily is doing talk no jutsu about Doug

told you she does feel responsible

oooh. oh.

where do people buy so much C4

(hypothetically of course)

yeah I mean obviously not going to happen. But I get the plan there

also the team either knows that’s the endgame of they are just being very optimistic about Emily still being alive lol

of course it’s a trap. Was that really such a big revelation Dave xd

“who think we are the enemy” Tara. Babe. You kind of are to them xd

okay maybe they will survive this. Or Pete might. Jade could still kill herself. Or each other.

yeah she knows 😭

Radiohead?

passive aggressive action report

thank you for calling him out on this

no I still don’t trust Clark Gregg

is Emily going to low key blackmail the Director xd that would be very stupid. And also incredibly in character

yeah they have pretty much said it before that Tyler would be the “next generation”

“Hooray you’re alive” xd

Rebecca just got a haircut? She looks nice. But how much time had passed then.  

“the shoes” 💀 that’s so fair

oh his “ghost” just standing in the bg

okay so he either escapes, in which case the showrunners completely lied about leaving him behind in S18 lol or he dies. Maybe he gets shanked. A girl can dream

I was joking xdxdxdx 💀

uff not the bleach

oh my god he really got shanked. holy shit

I mean yes thank you

but holy shit

so we have zero idea on what happens in S18. Zero. that’s nice.

Okay, closing thoughts. It was a good episode, but a bit underwhelming on the conspiracy side of things? And as a finale? I mean they kept saying how it’s “bigger than we thought” but it really wasn’t? Also it kind of takes away from the suspense that we know none of these characters are ever dying lol But ultimately it did close off loose ends. But I really would have appreciated some implication that Voit was killed on someone’s orders to continue some kind of a plot thread? Realistically the writers probably haven’t decided on that yet lol Did like that we acknowledged that the Gold Star kids were victims but…at the end of the day who was the perpetrator?

No, I still don’t trust Clark Gregg. Also can we get back to Emily having a sister what is that about

[azsazz]

CC3 Anon

spoilers under cut

Hiii it’s CC anon. THANK GOD YOU RESPONDED NO ONE ELSE I KNOW IS READING THIS BOOK 😭

I finished CC3 last night and yeah. I enjoyed the pacing at the beginning of this book more than the first two books because we’re already in the thick of the climax and don’t have to build up suspense again but omg it dragged in the middle.

I did not care for Ithan at all I’m sorry. And yes he hasn’t been a pro sun all player in YEARS idk why she keeps bringing it up. I think someone stumbled and he caught her and Sarah went “his sunball reflexes” HES A WOLF HE WAS ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE QUICK REFLEXES. Had him running up and down to resurrect Sigrid and in the end it DIDNT EVEN MATTER.

Lmaoooo Ithan mostly acted ago appropriate if I think about it. He's like 20 I'm assuming since he's around college age. He's def not my favorite character either tbh. Love how everything fell into his lap tho. Literally anytime he was mentioned so was snuball it was so fucking dumb.

I know you like Tharion but can he do anything right omg. Ithan carried him with the Viper Queen. Sathia carried him in front of the Ocean Queen 😭 I WAS SO PISSED ABOUT THE ANTIDOTES OMG and then Ithan went and did the same. I see why they are best friends like wow stupid really follows stupid.

LMAO I love Tharion, yes he'd definitely dumb and needs to make better decisions but I liked how witty he was in the first book. He really needs to stop with the whole woe is me act tho. omg the antidotes shit don't even get me started. half of the stuff that she wrote for the book didn't even matter in the end. like, we could've cut this damn book down 300 pages tbh, nothing would've been missed because nothing made sense even.

I don’t hate Bryce. She did annoy me though. I hated when Aelin wouldn’t tell people about her plans and could not stand it from Bryce here. Her yelling at Hunt about having to face the consequences of their actions. I’m like dude you went to another world and came back powered up. Hunt stayed and was tortured brutally like what? I know why she doesn’t want him to have guilt about it but it’s his 3rd time going through this and failing. And now he has more to lose. Of course he would be feeling a type of way.

I do not like her at all lol. The whole not telling people plans things pissed me off because her loud mouth is not like that. AND THEN SHE HAS THE AUDACITY TO TELL HUNT "OH YOU DONT EVEN WANT TO BE HERE" girl maybe if you told someone the fuckin plan they would feel a bit more confident about going through with it for fucks sake. she's a mean girl and i can't stand her and i don't think she's funny at all she is so cringe to me haha. HUNT HAS ALREADY TRIED GOING AGAINST THE ASTERI AND HE WAS TORTURED FOR 200 YEARS?! Then he gets freed and has to do it all over again?! Like, why are we yelling at this man? of course he's weary.

I’m not the biggest fan of her swagger at times. Like sometimes we don’t need the quippy (read: unfunny) one liners :/

LITERALLY

The STAKES???? Bryce should’ve stayed dead! It would have been a lot more impactful. Even the torturing scenes kind of didn’t hit as much after the fact cause everyone can just regrow their limbs and be fine. No one had a single nightmare about what happened to them? I thought we would see something like that beyond “a glimmer of darkness in his eyes” idk :/

The entire "someone dying only to be brought to life on the next page" has definitely fucking worn off now but sjm apparently can't see that. she created a world with 50+ characters only to not use half of them when it matters. so stupid. Also, i don't remember them being able to regrow limbs tbh.

Maybe the book would’ve been too long but I was genuinely shocked we didn’t get more scenes of anyone on the actual battlefield. We were mostly in the palace after Bryce and Hunt teleported, and then the moment with Lidia and the sprites. But maybe the book would’ve been too toooo long idk.

Yeah there really was only like 60 pages of the end scene. but as soon as i saw the word space i actually almost DNFd it because what the actual fuck was that.

I will say I really like how the male friendships are genuine. I honestly can’t tell you that Bryce, Fury, and June are friends LMAO. (I’m exaggerating but I do kinda agree with this) .

Yeah, i love Ruhn, dec, and flynn's relationship. i think sjm tries to be like "oh yeah girl power, strong fmc's" but there's no women in the books? and they all don't like each other? like danika, bryce, fury, and juniper seemed like mean girls? girls that didn't give a fuck about anyone else? idk. the way that the men to women ratio in her books is very interesting to me. and the fack that EVERY man that comes across bryce thinks she's the most gorgeous girl to have ever lived...fuck off with that logic.

My girl Jesiba :////// She was my favorite for sure. I'm indifferent about her lol. Her entire storyline i feel was just made up like two months ago so she could connect to the other series lol

I do agree with what you said about Bryce (I legit almost wrote Aelin LMFAO) . I was not expecting her to just say no rulers for the Fae at all. But I guess a Senate would be more democratic.

SO STUPID. The Senate (starwars)

Im sure there will be a fourth book but I am so uninterested in Tharion and Ariadne like who caresssssssss. If Im interested in Ithan, it’s because I want to see more Perry. I wonder how connected this world and ACOTAR will remain.

I honestly hope it ends at 4 books. I think that would be a perfect ending because there's four houses. no need for more im already sick of it. yeah i liked perry too. i hope they're no longer connected lol.

Ruhn and Lidia :) but HE LEGIT SHOT HER?? I know she was acting irrationally because of her sons and he wanted to make sure she didn’t get herself killed but then he shot her. Like okay 😭. I think my favorite couples are Bryce’s parents and Lidia and Ruhn. Ruhn just seems so hot 😭.

Ruhn is a winner for sure for sure.

I’m writing too much and I’m scared this app will just shut down so I’ll quit here. I still think the first book is the worst one in this series. But I had fun with this one (despite my hang ups) and I’m glad it’s over (for now :/).

THANKS FOR LETTING ME RANT!!!

THANKS FOR LETTING ME RANT TOO!

CC anon!! I went to goodreads to read reviews of the book and I genuinely cannot believe how many 5 star ratings this book got. I mean, I can and can’t believe it. Atp anything Sarah puts out will average at least a 4 star rating on there and sell a crap ton.

I think people just give her that rating because she's popular, not because they read lol. oh yeah, why do you think she released 5 different bonus chapters. talk about a greedy cash grab. that mentality kinda makes me sick im not even going to lie.

I was reading through the 2-star reviews and someone mentioned their shock at how quickly Ruhn and Lidia resolved their issues which I totally agree with. She said she hated him and would never forgive him for what he did, and she was right! I know why Ruhn did it, but I genuinely still cannot believe he actually shot her, even if she was gonna be okay. That’s a terrible time to be worrying about a wound like that when you want to be at full strength to fight for your children.

Yeah half of the plot lines felt stupid? like what? he couldn't have stopped her any other way...really? i feel like she did not think this book through as well as she thought she did tbh. seems to be her thing these days.

(Even when Hunt said he hated Bryce for stopping him from killing Celestina, I was like Oh!)

OMG THAT WAS ACTUALLY WILD. YEAH OKAY. I TOTALLY BELIEVE THEY'RE MATES.

The reviewer said Sarah should have left their relationship on the rocks so we could get Ruhn groveling in the fourth book, and I can’t get that idea out of my head. ESPECIALLY with their bonus scene. Idk if you’ve read it but I was like ??? I like them as a couple and I like their story, but it did seem like it was all patched up insanely quickly. Like if you shot me then the very LEAST you could do is get my kids to safety. That alone would not necessarily make me forgive you.

I didn't read their bonus chapter but i can't believe they moved in with each other literally after like two days of knowing each other in real life. bro, you just found out she has two kids? you don't know the woman at all lol. no, everyone has to have a happy ending by the last page of the book or else. lol. no suspense.

[sarahsmi13s]

Fears

(not my gif)

pairing: jake ‘hangman’ seresin x fem!oc

characters: jake seresin, fem!oc, paisley seresin (jake’s sister), jack and delilah seresin (jake’s parents), tyler (brief- paisley’s boyfriend), kyle (extremely brief)

warnings: language, hangman being angsty, self-doubt, college, sports talk, talk of death and dying, minor age gap (roughly 3 years), kyle’s an asshole, brief bodyshaming, i’m sorry if i missed any

word count: ~5.1k (i have absolutely no self control)

a/n: this is a prequel to Smart Cookie and The Promotion, which are both inspired by @roosterscockpit​ ‘s ( @milesdickpic​ ) story ‘His Little Girl’ and yes the oc is based on me (but is mainly fantasy me lol) 

in a loose summary this is basically when Sarah and Jake met (about 4 years before the events of the other two parts). when the story starts, Jake is 23 (october) and Sarah is 20 (september), but they meet in August with their birthday’s falling afterwards, making them 24 and 21. By the end of the story, Jake is 25 and Sarah is 22.

One thing Jake was not expecting to do when he returned home after his first deployment was help his little sister move to another state for college.

“Paisley, out of all the colleges you picked, you had to go with Arkansas? I can’t believe you would betray the Longhorns for the Razorbacks,” he scoffed as he carried a plastic tub into the building. “Well, JT, the University of Texas didn’t invite me to play softball for them. So, take it up with them,” she said, huffing out a breath at her older brother.

The rest of the way to Paisley’s dorm-suite was silent.

When they got to her room, Jake set the tote down and leaned against the wall, “Where is everyone?” Paisley shrugged and slid her key in, “I don’t know. Athletes move in early.” Jake’s face scrunched up, “Paise, softball season isn’t until next semester.” “Practice starts next week, Jake.” She shoved open the door and waddled inside, “Come on, my stuff ain’t movin’ itself.”

******

A little while later, while Hangman was dragging up Paisley’s minifridge he heard commotion coming from her bedroom.

“I just picked a bed, if you want to switch, we totally can,” he didn’t recognize that voice, but it was pretty. “Oh no it's totally fine, I mean, there’s not much difference is there?” That was Paisley.

Jake knocked on the door frame before walking in, “I have arrived with your mini fridge.” He looked up and his steps faltered while his next words died on his tongue.

Paisley nodded, smiling at her brother, “Thanks.” He only nodded, his mouth drying up on the spot. “Oh, how rude of me, this is Sarah. She’s my roommate for the year. Sarah, this is my brother Jake.”

Sarah stuck her hand out, “It’s nice to meet you.” Jake shook her hand, “It’s-uh- it’s nice to meet you too. Do you play softball?” She nodded, smiling, “I do. I play left field.” “Really? I guess you catch a lot of balls, huh?”

Paisley groaned, “Oh my word, you did NOT just say that!?” Jake’s tanned face tinged pink as he stumbled over an apology.

“Don’t apologize. I've heard, and definitely said, worse. It’s fine,” Sarah said, shrugging the innuendo off as she began working on organizing her desk. Jake sighed in relief, but Paisley narrowed her eyes at him.

They all began to do their own thing, Paisley and Jake’s parents coming in to help her get everything set up. They made small talk here and there, talking about majors and other things like that.

“So Sarah?” Jack, their father, asked as he and Jake raised Paisley’s bed. “Yes sir?” She responded, glancing over her shoulder at the older man from the set up of her bookshelf. “Is this your first year here?” She shook her head, “No, I’m actually a junior.” Delilah, their mother, tilted her head, “I’m sorry if this comes off a little harsh, but if you’re a junior, couldn’t you live off campus? Why are you in a dorm?”

Sarah smiled a little shyly, “Well, I know how scary it was for me when I came here. I mean I’ve lived in Arkansas my whole life and I grew up two hours from here in a small town, but I barely knew anyone here. I can’t imagine what it would be like for someone to move here from a whole ‘nother state. Our coach asked the upperclassmen if any of them wanted to bunk with the freshman and help make them feel welcome and I jumped on the opportunity.”

Jake felt his heart speed up. This complete stranger was willing to live in a cramped dorm suite, when she didn’t have to, to help his little sister feel welcome and give her a friend.

“That’s real sweet of you Sarah,” Delilah smiled and patted the girl on the shoulder. She smiled and continued to organize her books.

*********

Jake couldn’t stop looking at her.

Jack stopped mid-sentence, realizing his son had not been listening. “Son, did you hear a thing I just said?” Jack’s voice held humor as he followed his son’s green gaze. “She’s pretty, sweet, can handle your smartass. You should ask for her number.” 

Jake’s head whipped to look at his dad, “What? No.” “Why not? You’re obviously interested in her, you look at her the way I look at your mother.” “Dad, she’s studying to be a teacher, I’m a fighter pilot.” “Okay? And that affects things, how?” “I don’t want to have her wait for me, just to not come home. I couldn’t put anyone through that.” Jake went back to assembling a shoe rack in silence.

Jack shook his head. Damn it Jake and your inability to just live and let yourself be happy.

*****

Once both sides of the room were finished -decorations, bed adjustments, etc- the Seresin’s were starving.

Jack stretched his back, “Sarah, do you have any recommendations for supper?” She sat up in her bed, “Depends on what you’re looking to eat?” He looked at his family, and they just shrugged. He rolled his eyes, “Y’all are no help. I was thinkin’ a burger or steak or somethin’.” Sarah nodded, “Oh, there’s this good place on College Avenue. It’s called Big Whiskey’s, it’s really good.” 

He arched a brow in question at his family, who all nodded. He clapped his hands, “Alright let’s go.” 

The Seresins left and Sarah relaxed on her bed, smiling to herself.

“Hey,” Jake’s smooth drawl caught her attention. “You comin’?” She sat up, head tilted in confusion. He just dramatically waved for her to hurry up and follow him. 

She simply nodded and slipped on her shoes, grabbing her purse and keys.

*******

It had been months since their first meeting, but neither one of them could stop thinking about the other.

Jake had gone out on another deployment and Sarah was practicing and studying.

Sarah wasn’t sure what it was she liked about the cocky pilot. Maybe it was his confidence in himself or the way he made sure to tell his sister how proud he was of her and that he loved her at the end of every video call they had. Maybe it was the fact he made sure to say ‘hi’ to her if she was in the background.

But one thing she was sure of was that she was falling for her roommate's brother

*******

Jake knew the moment Sarah came into the Seresin’s lives, she wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Paisley had told him, just after the first few weeks of being roommates, Sarah invited her to come home with her for the weekend. She didn’t like the idea of Paisley being alone on campus until she was sure she could get around safely.

Jake wasn’t exactly sure what to do about his feelings for his sister’s roommate. He could just shove the feelings away, maybe distract himself with random girls. But every time he saw her, even through the grainy quality of his computer, the feelings resurfaced. So that only left telling her about them, and he was pretty sure she felt the same way. However, he couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her behind if he were to burn in, so he suffered.

*******

It went on like that for a year.

The blushing and the asking constantly about the other, which evolved into them both talking on their own. Paisley was tired of it, she needed to get them both together.

“Sarah, just ask him out. He likes you too. And I know you talk outside of just my weekly video calls. Not to mention the fact I told you he was in Top Gun and you immediately texted him to ask why you heard it from me and not him.” Paisley said as they sat their bags down and went into the batting cages. “P, he’s got a career that he loves and is extremely devoted to. I’m gonna be a high school teacher and coach, I’d only hold him back.”

She scoffed, “That’s bullshit and you know it.” She tossed a ball for Sarah to hit. “Paisely-” She hit the ball. “Even if it was. I’m pretty sure Jake sees me as a sister.” The blonde threw her hands up, “That’s also bullshit! Sarah, he has a photo of you in his plane.”

Sarah wiffed the next ball, “What?”

*****

Paisley pinched the bridge of her nose. “Jake, I’ve had this conversation with you too many times.” She tossed her keys on the table. “Just tell her! You’re gonna be staying with us in this condo for the next few days, what are you gonna do- ignore her?” “Yes!” Paisley just blinked, “You’re ridiculous. I’m gonna get ready, the game starts at one.”

Jake looked at the clock, it was 8:30. “What no breakfast?”

The other bedroom door opened, “Breakfast?” He looked over to see Sarah mid braid, still in her pajamas.

The last time he saw her in person was on his birthday back in October, and he wasn’t sure how she got prettier.

“Hey, Jake!” She smiled and tied off the braid. He smiled back and opened his arms, “Hey Sarah!” They shared a quick hug- well what was supposed to be a quick hug.

Paisley smiled, but cleared her throat because Sarah needed to finish getting ready.

They jumped apart. “Sorry it’s a mess, I got caught up and totally forgot to clean,” Sarah apologized, running a hand through the unbraided half of her hair. Jake shrugged it off, “Don’t worry about it.” She nodded, smiling a little bit. “Let me finish my hair and I can start breakfast.” “I asked Tyler to bring by breakfast. You just get ready,” Paisley said as she left to her room. “I guess that settles that then.”

Sarah gestured to the couch as she left to her room to get ready, “Make yourself at home.” He nodded and sat down, grabbing the remote to flip through channels.

Jake came across NCIS and picked that, scrolling through his phone as the characters talked in the background.

Suddenly, the classic intro of Foghat’s Slow Ride drifted out of Sarah’s room.

He smiled to himself. He had told her once that it had been one of his favorite songs since he was a teenager. It usually helped hype him up before a game and even now it hyped him up to get into his plane everyday.

Jake hoped that maybe it achieved the same effect for her.

******

Sarah started to hum along, weaving the three locks of hair over her shoulder.

She tied the braid off and grabbed her black Razorback headband, mumbling lyrics to herself as she secured it on her head.

Going into her room from her en suite bathroom, she stripped her pajamas and grabbed her uniform. She got dressed, adjusting the sleeves of her white undershirt and the buckle of her belt as she walked out.

“Great playlist by the way,” Jake said from his spot on the couch. Sarah smiled, “Thanks, helps to get me pumped up.” Jake nodded and smiled, “Those are the best playlists.” She giggled and nodded, but the environment became a little awkward.

Jake cursed himself, he usually always had a line ready, some smartass or funny remark to make. But around Sarah he found himself struggling. He didn’t want to ruin any sliver of a chance he had with her, even though he probably would never make a move.

A knock broke the silence.

“That’s Tyler!” Paisley shouted from her room.

Sarah gasped, grinning as she slid in her socks to the door, “Food!” Jake chuckled, smiling and shaking his head as he moved over to the table.

*********

It was game time and Jake sat above the dugout next to Tyler, on the phone with his dad.

“Dad, I’m wearing a Razorback shirt. I feel like I’m committing treason.” Both Tyler and Jack laughed. “You’re supporting your sister, and someone I’m pretty sure is the love of your life.” “Dad, she’s not-” “Jake Thomas, quit lying to yourself. Her photo is in your damn cockpit. Not a photo of her and Paisley or you, her and Paisely- it’s just her! You’re just scared to tell her, because you know, just like we all know, that once you tell her there’s no going back.”

Jake pinched his nose, “Dad, I can’t put her through what I’ve seen other families go through when their loved ones don’t come home. I won’t.” “Son, that’s her decision to make. She understands what you do is dangerous. Stop torturing yourself with what if’s and just let yourself be happy.” With that bit of advice, Jack hung up, leaving his son to think about his words.

*********

It was Sarah’s turn to bat and she was sliding her gloves on.

“Hey, she’s pitching outside corner a lot, be ready for that,” her teammate, Autumn, told her as she slid her gloves off and rolled her shoulders. Sarah nodded and patted her shoulder, “Thanks.”

She went into the circle and took her practice swings timing it with the pitcher.

“Strike Three!” The ump shouted, closed fist in the air. The batter that was up to bat rolled her shoulders and walked past Sarah. “She’s slower than we thought, might want to be in B, maybe even A.” She nodded, “Got it. Thanks.”

The announcer came over. “Alright, we’ve got two outs and three runners on base.” Sarah���s walk out song started.

*******

Jake’s ears perked up at the song coming through the speakers. A grin split his face and a blush warmed up his cheeks and ears.

He watched Sarah roll her right wrist, the bat emphasizing the circle. “Slow Ride… Take it Easy!” He swore he could see a smirk on her face as she looked at her wrist band.

Jake chuckled and shook his head in amusement.

When she stepped into the batter’s box, she looked in her element. Jake loved it. She had this air about her when she was on the field. Kinda like when he was in his plane.

The first two pitches were balls; one outside and one too high for her to hit. The next was a close call but the ump called it inside.

Sarah’s coach grabbed her attention. “Hey, only swing if it’s perfect!” She gave her a thumbs up and adjusted her stance.

“Let’s go, Sarah!” Paisley and Jake shouted at the same time. “It’s gotta be your pitch. If you don’t like it, don't swing!” Jake added, getting on the edge of his seat.

*********

Sarah smiled at his voice, and shifted her weight.

The pitcher launched the ball and she swung. It was on the outside corner of the plate, but still in the strike zone.

She ran towards first base, just to hear the ump yell that the ball had landed foul. She took a deep breath and jogged back to the plate and picked up her bat.

“Hey, Sarah?” “Yeah, coach?” “Where was that?” Her coach wasn’t upset that she swung, Sarah had made contact, she just wanted to know how to fix the mistake. “Outside corner of the plate, I thought I had it. Came in a little faster than I thought it would.” The coach nodded, “Okay. You know what to do?” Sarah nodded and her coach patted her helmet.

Before she got back in the box, she shook out her hands, relieving the tension in her fingers.

“Just straighten it out, Sarah! You got this!” Jake’s voice cutting over everyone else in the crowd made her smile as she hit the dirt out of her cleats with her bat.

She stepped back in the box and adjusted her stance, that way she could be prepared for anything. Shifting her weight back on her right hip, she lifted the bat off her shoulder.

The pitcher threw a change up, something Sarah expected from watching the signals from the past inning. Usually the other team's pitcher threw a change up when the count was 3-1 or a full count.

Sarah waited and swung just as the ball got to the plate, making perfect contact.

Without even watching it, she took off running, as did the other runners.

But she didn’t need to see to know that the ball had gone over the fence, the cheers from both her team and the crowd were enough to know.

After she crossed the plate and celebrated the Grand Slam with her teammates, Sarah glanced into the stands and saw Jake on his feet pumping his fist in the air and clapping. He noticed and smiled at her proudly. She gave him a proud smile back and went into the dugout.

*******

After the game all three of them went back to the condo, both girls taking a quick shower and Jake relaxing on the couch.

When Sarah stepped out of her room about two and half hours later, she was wearing flare jeans, brown cowboy boots, and a silk button up shirt that was half tucked in. Her hair was half up/half down and her curtain bangs framed her face. Her makeup was natural, but bold enough to accentuate her features.

Jake had to do a double take. “Wow,” the statement was muttered under his breath, so Sarah didn’t hear it.

She turned to him. “How do I look? And be honest.” “You look great, Sarah.” Jake really wanted to say ‘beautiful’, ‘gorgeous’, ‘breathtaking’- anything of the like. But he refrained, just to keep his feelings to himself for a little longer. “Really?”

The smile she gave him would have sent him to his knees if he wasn’t already sitting on the couch. He didn’t miss the way her eyes lit up as the smile showed her teeth.

“I wouldn’t lie to you sweetheart,” the term of endearment just slipped off his tongue without him really thinking about it. But he loved the blush that spread across her cheeks.

Paisley walked out of her room.

“Damn girl! Lookin’ fine. Kyle is gonna be drooling over more than just steak,” she commented, wiggling her eyebrows.

Jake’s heart nearly stopped. Who the fuck is Kyle?

He swallowed and looked at the coffee table. “You’re going on a date?” He felt Sarah’s eyes on him. “Oh yeah, he’s in one of my sports administration classes, he's on the track team.” Jake nodded, pulling out his phone. “Have fun. Be safe.”

He knew his short response seemed a little cold shouldered, but how else was he supposed to feel? He was too late, someone had got to her first.

It was for the best… wasn’t it?

***

Sarah frowned a little, but she nodded, “I will, I’m not sure when I’ll be home, so you don’t have to stay up for me.”

Paisley frowned at her brother’s sudden coldness, “Um, where are you going?” “Going to Texas Roadhouse in Fort Smith, it’s about an hour drive.” “Are you guys meeting there?” Sarah nodded, “Yeah.” Paisley hugged her, “Text me when you get there. And let me know if y’all go anywhere else, okay? I just need to know my bestie is safe.” Sarah smiled, “You got it Paise.”

The brunette left, grabbing her purse and keys on her way out. The blonde glanced at her brother, rolling her eyes to see that he hadn’t physically responded.

“Hey, Sarah, I think I left something in your truck, can I get it real quick?” Paisley asked, walking toward the door. Sarah stopped halfway from closing the door, “Oh, yeah sure.”

They went out to her truck.

“What did you forget?” Paisley sighed, hands on her hips, “That my brother’s an idiot.” Sarah rolled her eyes, “P, it’s fine. I mean I know this date was supposed to kick his ass into gear, but he doesn’t seem phased. It’s fine.” “Except it’s not!” “Paisley, look I thought he liked me too. That’s why we did this because I was scared of the rejection in case we read the signals wrong,” her voice trailed off at the end as she picked at her nails.

Paisley frowned when Sarah sniffled a little and pulled her hands apart to hold them. “I’m gonna talk to him.” Sarah shook her head, “Please don’t… It’s gonna be super embarrassing in the morning if you do.” She climbed in her vehicle, “I’ll text you when I get there.”

The Seresin girl huffed, hands on her hips as she watched her friend drive off to go on a date with a guy that she doesn’t even like.

She stormed back inside, “Jake Thomas Seresin!”

The pilot straightened at the use of his full name. “What’d I do?” Paisley threw her hand toward the door, “What the hell was that?!” “What the hell was what?” “Seriously?” Jake just raised his eyebrows, wanting her to elaborate. She just scoffed and shook her head, “God, Jake, you’re an idiot for just letting her walk out like that. She thinks she was wrong about your feelings for her. That’s why she’s going on this whole date, so you can throw yourself in gear and ask her out!”

Jake sighed, “You know I can’t do that…” Paisley nodded, “Right, cause you’re scared. Fine, be scared, but she won’t wait around forever.” She huffed off to her room and slammed the door.

**********

Sarah closed the door quietly so as to not wake anyone and hung her purse up while tossing her keys in the dish.

It was only about 10:30, but Paisley always tried to go to bed at 10 o’clock, popping melatonin if she had to. And Jake would be sleeping on the couch, so she wanted to avoid the awkward conversation that was bound to happen if he was awake.

She sat her bag of rolls down on the bar and moved to her room to clean her face and go to bed to forget the awful night she just had.

But when she passed the living room couch, Jake wasn’t there.

At first she thought maybe he was just in the bathroom, but she saw that the patio light was on.

She made her way towards the door, slowly opening it so she didn’t startle him.

Jake was sitting back, fist to his mouth as he intently stared at the bush in front of him. “Hey, everything okay?” Sarah asked gently. His head whipped up and his brows pulled together, “You’re home.” She nodded, chuckling awkwardly, “That I am. Could you not sleep?” Jake rubbed the back of his neck, “Not exactly.” Her eyes widened slightly in realization, “Were you gonna stay up until I got home?” Jake nodded, interlocking his fingers. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Yes, I did. I had to make sure you got back safe.”

She was shocked into silence for a second, but he cut her off when she went to speak. “Can we go for a drive?” She didn’t hesitate to say yes. She could see that something was bothering him and if a drive helped him, she would tag along.

****

They drove aimlessly for a bit, neither saying a word to each other.

Jake’s fingers drummed on the console while he racked his brain for the words he wanted to say to the girl next to him. His other hand was trying not to grip the steering wheel too tightly.

Sarah played with her fingers to keep from reaching out to hold his hand in an attempt to calm them both. Her eyes were glued to her lap, scared she would just spill everything if she looked at him.

They came to a stop light and Jake turned down the music, “What happened?”

Sarah kept her eyes down, “How can you be so sure something happened?” “Because from the way you were talkin’, you’d be out later than 10 o’clock. So tell me what happened.”

She shook her head, “It’s not a big deal.” “It is to me.”

Throwing her head against the headrest, she swallowed and closed her eyes. “Where do you want me to start?” “The very beginning.”

She laughed humorlessly, “Well first, he was an hour late-” Jake scoffed, pressing on the gas when the light turned green again. “Then we had to wait 30 minutes to get a table. We talked for a little bit and we seemed to get over the hiccup at the beginning, then I reached for like my second roll and he had the nerve to say ‘you really think you need that?’” Jake gripped the steering wheel with both hands, this guy was an absolute dickwad.

“I said ‘need ain’t got anythin’ to do with it’ and I happily ate my roll.” That made Jake smile, “Atta girl.” “But then when the waitress could finally take our order because he took a break from looking at my chest to glance at the menu, he tried to order me just a salad and that's when I asked the waitress for a to-go box of rolls and I paid for them and left.” She began to play with her fingers again, mumbling out, “Not like I wanted to be on the date.”

Jake pretended like he didn’t hear that last bit. “So you didn’t eat?” She shook her head, “But it’s fine. I was gonna have some leftover Mexican food that's in the fridge.” He bit his lip, “Let’s get pizza.” “Jake, it’s nearly 11:30,” she said, arching a brow. “I may not live here but I know there’s a 24 hour pizza place literally up the road.” He looked over at her to see the ghost of a smile on her lips as she played with her hands.

His hand twitched to pull one of her hands up to his lips.

“I’ll call them, cheese okay?” He nodded, “Cheese is perfect.”

She placed the order, looking out the windshield when she was done. “Give ‘em about 30 minutes.” Jake nodded and decided it was now or never.

He pulled into the restaurant's parking lot but left the engine running so the music could calm his nerves.

Sarah finally looked over at him. He looked nervous or worried about something.

She made the first move and unbuckled to grab his hand, “Is everything okay, Jake? You seem worried.” He sighed, eyebrows pulled together as he contemplated spilling his guts to her.

He kept his eyes on their connected hands, “Paisley told me why you went on the date with Kyle…”

He missed the contact as soon as she pulled her hand away, moving too fast for him to register she was leaving. His eyes cut to her, watching her cover her face in embarrassment as she leaned against the door. “Fuck, I told her not to say anything. I’m sorry if that made you uncomfortable. I was perfectly fine being wrong in secret.”

Jake’s fingers wrapped around her wrists and pulled her hands down. “Sarah, look at me. Please.” Her brown eyes met his green ones, and Jake felt his heart in his throat. “You weren’t wrong.”

The confused look that came over her face Jake thought was adorable. “But then why-” “Because I figured it was for the best.”

She leaned closer to him, “Jake, what do you mean ‘for the best’?”

His hands moved to the side of her neck, his calloused thumbs rubbing back and forth on her jaw.

The feeling of his large warm hands on her skin made her sharply inhale and melt all at the same time.

“I’m in love with you, Sarah. So in love with you that it's dangerous.” She pouted a little bit and Jake had to refrain from kissing her, “Why haven’t you said anything? I think everyone knows I’m in love with you too.”

He avoided her concerned gaze, eyes turning to the radio. But her soft hand on his cheek made his eyes meet hers again and she felt him relax into her palm.

“Talk to me, Jake.”

Her voice was no louder than a whisper, hoping to give the air of privacy and that he was in a safe place to talk about his feelings.

“I’m scared, Sarah. I’m so fucking scared.”

He felt her pulse quicken under his thumbs. “You’re scared of loving me?” He shook his head and pressed his forehead on hers, “Not in the way that you think.” “Then what are you scared of?”

Jake took a deep breath, closing his eyes.

“I’m scared of leaving you. I’m terrified that I’m not gonna come home to you. I love you too much to put you through that. I’ve seen spouses fall to the ground and heard their screams from the inside of my truck. The idea that that could be you, could be our kids- it scares the shit out of me.”

Tears were in both of their eyes as Sarah ran a hand through his short hair and pulled back to really look at him.

“And you don’t think that scares me? We aren’t even together and whenever you're out there on some carrier in the middle of the damn ocean, I’m holding my breath until I hear from you again.” He shook his head, “I can’t put you through that.” She held his head still, “That’s my decision, Jake. I would do it a hundred times over, because I love you. And our fears are valid, but we can’t let ourselves suffer because of them.”

Jake’s exhale was shaky and tears finally spilled over, being caught by Sarah’s thumbs. When he didn’t speak she continued. “If you’re scared of leaving me or our family behind, you do everything in your power to get home. Your fear is your drive, but don’t let it consume you.”

Without speaking, he surged forward and kissed her. One hand weaving into her hair to get her closer. Her hand slipped from his face and wrapped itself in his shirt, the other staying in his hair.

When they pulled away, to catch their breath, the all too familiar tune played through the speakers.

Jake chuckled, “I love this song.”

Bonus:

Paisley rubbed her eyes as she walked out of her room, yawning as she stretched.

She had noticed Sarah’s purse and figured that she was probably still asleep, but wanted to let her know that their game was canceled because of the persistent rain that started late last night.

When she opened the door, she was stunned to see both Sarah and Jake in the bed, snuggled up together with an empty pizza box on the floor and Resident Evil 7 on the tv.

Paisley smirked to herself and closed the door. “Atta kid JT.”

*************

thank you so much for reading!! i hope this was enjoyable!

I do have a pinterest board set up for this, just to help me get into the vibe (one is to help with future parts, one is only for the current parts)

SO

if you want to check it out and get more of a feel for the dynamic going on---- you can click right --->   here

Like mentioned in the last one, feedback is greatly appreciated!

and my asks are open, feel free to request what you would like to see next while i’m working on the next part!

<3 <3 <3