#the fandom was at its most fun post-ending pre-epilogues...

[villainvillain]

kinda sad how davekat was like. it truly was a big deal at the time when it was confirmed by hussie. some of yall who came into homestuck after it was already over dont understand how great it felt actually to finally have a relatively healthy and affectionate m/m relationship shown in HS when all the others were typically dysfunctional, abusive, or one-sided. it was exciting!!! we were all jst kinda happy for dave and karkat yknow. even if it resulted in some pointless "which quadrant are they in?" discourse and some shipping wars but thats just par for the course in hs fandom

and then the epilogues and homestuck 2 dropped and like. ooooohhhhh my godddddd. its completely swamped in stupid melodrama and for some reason they completely ruined jades character for the sake of davekat angst and they ignored daves development in the comic for half-baked sexuality crisis plotline andlike. it feels like everyone turned on davekat and now its cringe or smth and its like. Wow . we had like . three years to feel good abt this and now its gone forever. Awesome

[vanderwoodlings]

Author Self-Interview

well @rainathorpe put out an open-ended tag so uh. here we go

Fandoms: I’ve published stuff for gossip girl and dc comics (mostly batfamily but I’ve also got a supersons series) and young justice 2010, took brief stops in pjo, rvb, and spn. I’m also working on stuff for btvs and hp (though given… certain things, I have no idea if any of those will ever get published) and I’ve put out some art for rwby

Most popular multi-chapter fic: that’s like a weird, murdery uncle you don’t invite to thanksgiving (batman, batfam&rogues gen) technically, which is a two-shot batfam fic, and also one of two multi chapters I’ve ever published, so… it’s kind of weird to see that given that’s it’s not one I think about much, but then again it’s very much something with wide appeal, so it makes sense

Favorite story you’ve written so far: this question is rude, but also Boy Hostage (supersons, jon&damian, au where damian doesn’t leave the league: jon gets himself kidnapped) which is the kind of “getting to where you can deal with your trauma” fic that I write over and over again, and it’s centered around the growth of a platonic relationship, which always makes me, as an aro, like. Vibe

Fic you were nervous to post: uh. All of them? Posting fics is kind of terrifying in terms of how much I crave validation lol. But in specific, but what good is a quick healing to go (yj, artemis-centric gen set in a soulmate au) because a) it’s the other multi-chapter and it’s actually got a plot, b) it’s a genfic in a soulmate au, and c) it’s one that’s does draw some off of my own experiences and that made posting it pretty uh. Exposing

How do you choose your titles: mostly just track down some songs to listen to that have the right vibe, and wait for a lyric to feel right, but there are a few titled after Shakespeare quotes/mangled versions thereof (see: If music be the food of love, then—shut up, Epsilon!) and a couple that are allusions to motifs or events in the fic (e.g. gorgeous)

Do you outline: not usually, but most of my stuff is pretty short — I do have an outline for the Michaelverse, aka the hp fic of doom, and one for an untitled spn series that I’m still debating about whether to even write, but both of those are rewrites for like. Entire series

Complete: uh. Not sure what I’m being asked, but I will say that I try to complete my fics before posting them — posting something and then abandoning it is a fear of mine

Do you accept prompts: I’d like to, but as contained under the above fear, I wouldn’t want to accept a prompt and then not fill it, and I’ve got the adhd so

Upcoming story you’re most excited to write about: recently started a Henry pov fic set in an au that diverges from canon post-series but pre-epilogue and its a lot of fun

Stories you’re most excited to read: thinking about the future is extremely hard, but I’m always excited to see what @rainathorpe comes out with next, and whenever @strideofpride updates I'm still alive (or, the Pearl Jam trauma series) I get inordinately excited

No pressure tags: anyone and everyone who sees this. Go wild

[connectedfeelings]

favorite fics?

I’m assuming you mean SS fics, so here you go!

Time Travel AU

An Inch of Gold by @kuriquinn​ | Complete

Team 7 is sent on a mission to investigate a disturbance outside of the village, where they encounter an unconscious girl in a crater. The mysterious Sarada insists she's a shinobi from the Hidden Leaf trying to rescue her teammates. When the team discovers she possesses a Sharingan, things become even more unbelievable. [Part of the Legacy of Fire Series]

Probably my absolute favorite Naruto fic. @kuriquinn is an amazing writer, and has written many great SS fics. Though this one is more focused on Sarada meeting genin Team 7, it has cute SS moments and Uchiha family moments. I definitely recommend reading this fic if you haven’t already!

A Twist in Time by @wolf08​ | Complete

With Konoha on the verge of destruction, Sakura is sent on a last-resort mission to save her world by travelling to the past. Join her in coping with her old body's shortcomings, testing the natural laws of time, falling in love all over again, and rediscovering who she is. Time-travel. SasuSaku. REAL publication date: Jan 2015

I followed this fic from 2016 until its end, and I still reread this from time to time. Well written and has a great plot. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Reversing Time by havanatitianna | Incomplete

The shinobi nations had been burnt down to the ground by the Ten Tails, but Sakura had been given a chance to change everything. To make everything right. However, and as years passed by, things would turn out to be so much more difficult than she'd ever imagined. Not your regular Time travel. Sasusaku. MAJOR CHARACTER DEATH

This one hasn’t been updated in over a year, but it has over 40 chapters and 300K words. I love the plot progression in this one, and it definitely is worth the read.

Modern AU

Trial & Error by @manhattanchase​ | Ongoing

[Saku/Sas] - AU - Slow Burn - Life as an associate at Konoha's most revered law firm was hard enough without Sasuke Uchiha showing up . . . .

Found out about this fic through my SS twitter mutuals, and they were right in promoting it because it’s so good! Things have gotten more interesting and I love the SS development here.

All I Want for Christmas by @theredconversegirl​ | Complete

Sakura's rude (but still oh-so-hot!) boss loves to see her suffering. Sasuke can't believe his annoyingly, perfect assistant can be so stubborn. After months working together, do they really know each other? *Full Sumary & Disclaimer inside. [SasuSaku] [Slow Burn] [Eventual Smut] [Office AU] [Holiday Special Gift Fic]

This fic was not what I had expected, but it’s so good! Also the smut. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Dispatch by okashira | Complete

A comprehensive collection of online articles, magazine clippings, etc. documenting the dating history of pop stars, Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura.

(AU in which the K in Kpop means 'Konoha.')

This fic is written through blog posts and news articles with fan comments and it is so creative! It made it feel like SS were actual Kpop stars! It’s two chapters, and it’s a really fun read.

On Truth and Lies by the general girl | Complete

Karin just knows that she will marry Uchiha Sasuke. Then one day in walks Haruno Sakura. — AU SasuSaku, one sided SasuKarin.

This fic is told entirely through Karin’s POV, and I love it when I read fics from a different POV. This was well written, and you can really feel how Karin feels when she sees SS. Loved SS’s relationship in this too.

Blank Period

Touch by GreyCatsidhe | Complete

After the war, Sakura suggests a new therapy to help Sasuke heal and get better sleep. The recovering Uchiha is uncomfortable with the implications of the healing and what the fluttering in his stomach means. Cannonverse, after the war, pre-Gaiden.

My favorite SS blank period fic. I love how we start with Sasuke in the jail cell before he was set free by Kakashi to go on his redemption journey. There’s plenty Team 7 moments here, too, which I’m a sucker for, but SS’s relationship development was my favorite part of this fic. It’s sooo good.

In Times of Peace by @southsidestory​ | Complete

The war is over, and like Konoha, Team 7 has rebuilt itself from the ground up. Everything has changed, but Sasuke and Sakura remain much the same. Eleven years, she thinks, is a long time to be in love. SasuSaku.

@southsidestory has written a lot of great SS fics, but this has to be my fave. Well written and it just made me feel, you know?

Home is Where the Heart Is by @xxlovendreamsxx​ | Complete

/SasuSaku./ And with every moment together, they get just a little closer, a little more comfortable with each other. Fall a little more in love. Post-war. Pre-epilogue.

This was the first blank period fic I followed and it still holds up to this day. @xxlovendreamsxx has been writing ss fics for as long as I’ve been in this fandom and they never disappoint!

AU

Quietus by @angel-chu​ | Ongoing

When first he laid eyes upon her, he thought her the very personification of spring. He watches, from the depths of shadow; waiting to steal her away from the land of the living. Waiting to make her Queen of the Dead. Hades/Persephone retold. SasuSaku.

What is there to say about Quietus that hasn’t been said already? It’s honestly a masterpiece. I found this fic in 7th grade and it’s such a long, well-written, absolutely well thought of fic. I haven’t read all of the new updates yet, but this fic has been ongoing for a while and still captures everyone’s attention including mine because of the plot, the progression, and @angel-chu‘s magnificent writing. 

A Breathless Sort of Attraction by WellHowAboutThat | Complete / Oneshot

Every twist of her hips had Sasuke struggling to remember how to inhale and exhale. Sasusaku Oneshot

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) That’s alldfjksdksjdkvcv

The Last Will and Testament of Uzumaki Naruto by BlushingLotus | Complete

Naively manipulated into believing his death may be imminent, Naruto starts to enforce his will while he's still alive… much to Sasuke and Sakura's dismay. Slightly AU since Sasuke has returned. Rated for language and lemon SasuSaku

This fic is hilarious! The funniest one on this list, tbh. 

Ripples by Yellow Mask | Complete

Complete. AU from 309 onwards. Following a botched mission, Sakura is made a slave by Sound, a position that could very well alter the future…especially concerning a certain familiar missing-nin. SasuSaku.

There are not enough Shippuden era SS fics now, y’all! This one’s my favorite by far.

I also have an SS Fic Rec page on here with some other really good fics! It hasn’t been updated though, so some fics on this list are not yet on that page.

[bookwormforalways]

2020 Fic Year in Review

Tagged by: @burninghoneyatdusk & @carrieeve - thank you lovelies! 💜

Total number of published stories: 9! 

Total published word count: 156k+ words! 

Fandoms written in: Mostly the 100, and one Anne with an E fic in there too. 

Looking back, did you write more fic than you thought you would this year, less, or about what you’d expected?: Far more than I expected! I had just returned to writing fic at the end of 2019, and naively thought it would be a brief return before life got busy again. But with the amount of free time I had this year (working from home, unable to travel or visit family, no commuting for the better part of a year, etc.) writing became one of my favourite hobbies. 

What’s your own favourite story of the year?: Easily, The Courage of the Stars! ✨

Did you take any writing risks this year?: Yes! Honestly I battle a lot of insecurity and imposter syndrome before I even post a fic, so I’ve been working through that this past year. 

But the biggest risk I took was posting a Work-In-Progress fic. As a perfectionist, I’ve always made sure my fics were 100% complete before posting. But with TCOTS, I posted the first chapter when I only had about 80% pre-written, which was definitely out of my comfort zone (I know, baby steps, here). While there might be a few things I’d tweak in the earlier chapters, I am so proud of the fic at the end of the day. And the biggest surprise was that the in-story flashback was only supposed to be 1k words - but reader comments inspired me to add more, turning the flashback into a 5k beast worthy of its own individual chapter. 

Do you have any fanfic goals for the new year?: To keep writing. It’s become a part of my daily routine at this point, and I’m constantly brainstorming new ideas that I’d love to write. And I’d love to finish two of the bigger projects I’m planning. 

Next up: A piece for Bellarke January Joy that I’m having a blast writing! It’ll be up in a few days! 

Most popular story of the year?: The Courage of the Stars!  It surpassed all of my other fics in terms of hits, kudos, and comments - which is fair because it’s my longest multi-chapter fic. But I was genuinely blown away by the wonderful support and the loveliest comments I received on this fic. 

Story of mine most under-appreciated by the universe, in my opinion: Maybe hold my hand (I’m lost without you) - it was a recent one-shot written for a discord event, but it was posted in the middle of my TCOTS updates, so I feel like it kind of flew under the radar. But that’s not to diminish any of support I’ve received on that fic whatsoever. 

Most fun story to write: All of them! For me, writing fanfiction is a hobby - so if it’s not fun, it’s not happening. 

Most unintentionally telling story: HA! Well, I’ve had baby fever on the brain for months now - and that might just be showing in the amount of kid!fic and pregnancy!fic I’ve been posting: Accidentally (Pregnant &) In Love, Teacher’s Pet, Songs Like This epilogue, don’t talk to strangers, Christmas Eve Will Find Us, & The Courage of the Stars. 

Biggest surprise: That I started and finished a novel length fic this year - and as someone who has always wanted to write and publish a novel, that’s a huge achievement. 

Tagging/Saying hi: @gansxythethird | @luminouswriter | @slyth-princess | @dayo488 | @kylie-in-the-sky | @thefangirlingbarista & anyone else who wants to share! 💜

[the-darklings]

—𝗖𝗢𝗔 𝗙𝗔𝗤;

Hello, everyone! So with COA being such a long-running series and new readers finding it constantly, I have come to realise that a lot of questions I get often repeat. So to keep everything easy and clear and friendly for everyone regardless of whether you started COA at the very beginning of the story or just recently found it, I have spent the day relaxing, eating junk food, and compiling this FAQ. Please read through it because chances are the answers are here somewhere. I have sectioned the guide into following: general, story, ships, original squad (OCs), AUS, OC!V and tips/advice. If the answer to your question is not here, please feel free to send me a message and have a wonderful day! <33 - kat.

GENERAL:

when does this story update?

I try to keep a bi-weekly schedule (now usually Sunday updates). But I always let you know when the chapter is done by making a final word count post (pre edits). 

do you have a masterlist?

yes, you can find it here.

do you have a tag list?

not for COA. they’re very time consuming and I’m already really busy sorry :(

are your requests open?

I rarely open my inbox for requests. the only exception being the monthly blurb nights. then I reblog a prompt list and let people send some requests in for any fandom/ship. however, usually due to how many I get, it only happens every few months. that being said, you can still send me ideas/suggestions and if it inspires me, I will write it. that’s how the majority of the AUs have come about. but i’m also a very busy person so sorry if I can’t. 

can I make X or Y for COA and tag you?

yes. yes. yes. please, please, feel free to create whatever for COA (no matter how small or silly) because I consider it a great honour that I’ve been able to inspire someone else. whatever it is, please tag me. I wanna see.

okay, I made a thing and tagged you but you didn’t respond :(

Tumblr is notorious for eating my notifs. whatever it is (art/post/etc) if I don’t respond to it in a day or two, please give me a nudge. you’re not being annoying, I promise. chances are I missed it/tumblr ate it. 

I wanna scream/discuss/theorise about COA with others, is there any way for me to do that?

my amazing readers have set up this reddit page that is full of lovely people, theories, and memes etc. I check it often and interact on there, too, so feel free to drop by.

STORY:

how many chapters will COA be?

25. the last one being a very long epilogue.

have you decided on the ending yet?

yes. from as early as part 2. it's barely changed since. 

will we ever see more of Prague/Naples? hoe, please say yes.

yes. I plan to write both as COA bonus stories after the main story-line concludes.

will there be a sequel? 

depends. on two things: 1) if anyone will even care by that point 2) time. this story has consumed 5 months of my life entirely. i’ve been incredibly strict with myself when it comes to writing it (in a good way) but at best it won’t be finished till the end of august/beginning of september. so likely even if I do, there will be a break for a few months at least. I do have ideas though.

you promised us smut. where is it?

patience is a virtue. ;)

happy ending or tragedy? (please don’t say tragedy, you monster)

I would describe it more as “bittersweet” but whether it leans more towards bitter or sweet you’ll have to see.   

SHIPS:

any endgame hints?

you know more about the ending than you probably realise

can v/s finally go to Paris? for the love of GOD? pLEASE?

no

hector + v? powerful. will there be more of them in the future? 

agreed & yes. hector and v have their own arc to go on. it’s actually one of my favourites in this story. I don’t want to say more than that right now because I have plans for their dynamic so no spoilers. :)

please stop bullying john. give us some j/v content please? 

i, for one, adore john. it’s team S that’s bullying him lol. but wait till parabellum. i’ve always referred to that portion of the story as the second coming of j/v.

does lucien actually have a thing for v or is it a creepy obsession? 

it’s both.

I ship v with everyone :/ is that bad?

the sky is the limit. ship all the things proudly (but seriously, no, it isn’t. I ship all the ships, too, and that’s the fun of it) 

v/elder tho? 👀

🔫🤡

j/v or s/v? be honest.

you fool,,,, you buffoon. ot3 j/v/s is where it’s really at. imagine their POWER.   

ORIGINAL SQUAD:

what do the Elites/Lovers look like/how old are they?

please refer to this

will there be more step??

of course. he’s my baby. :)

will we see more of camorra/learn more about the elite’s and their backstories?

while I would love to take the time and flesh them all out with full backstories, only hector will be getting his backstory explored in the main canon because plot.

does lucien care for mika anymore or has he replaced her with v?

lucien is a messy hoe. mika is his subject of “affection” but v is his foil and equal. he recognises the same hurt in her that he has gone through himself so it’s more of a fixation. with time, lucien would likely destroy v so no bueno. 

I ship our OCs.

I do, too.

can we write about your OCs/V?

so you would have to come to me and discuss this more in private but I’m fine with this sort of thing usually. in fact, a prequel hector story already exists so you’re likely good but please contact me first. 

AUs:

when/how often do you update the vampire!au?

whenever I have time/inspo. mainly time. so this means you can get it daily or not get it for several weeks because COA is priority. I keep you all updated on when I have something cooking tho.

what is the actual pairing for vamp!au?

undecided as of yet. i’m leaning more towards ot3 right now but we shall see.

how often do you update flowing in me?

same as the above. whenever I have the time but I will keep you updated.

how many parts will flowing in me be?

I have 5 parts(ish) planned.

do you have a tag list for flowing in me?

I will. please leave a comment on the story if you want to be tagged in future parts!

will flowing in me feature other characters (john, winston etc.)?

this story is mainly camorra-centric but I do plan for John to appear at some point.

how did you come up with your lore in vamp!au?

to be completely honest....I just wrote a bunch of stuff down and used what stuck. mostly the ideas were pulled out of thin air while still trying to keep within the spirit of the canon material (the high priest, the holy church, the twelve priests, john being the boogeyman etc). camorra as the natural enemy seemed fitting and santino as a vampire prince even more so.

can we send you new au ideas/expand on old ones (manager!V etc)?

yes, always. I always try my hardest to reply but ofc I can’t promise I’ll be able to use them all but thank you in advance.

OC!V:

who is the face claim for OC!V?

weronika spyrka

what is her real name?

clara

how old is she at the beginning of the story and now?

23 beginning of chapter 1, 30 beginning of chapter 4 (current timeline)

will/would you ever write an original story about her?

I have considered creating something original out of COA itself or one of its sister series/concepts (like FIM). since I really started working on COA during last year’s NaNo, that might be the time I create something original this year. 

TIPS & ADVICE:

how do you write so much, so quickly?

I don’t think that word count is really reflective of the quality work itself. I don’t think you should worry how much you write, either. 100 words can be just as valuable as 1k. most of them time I have a deadline breathing down my neck and I do work well under pressure so that inspires me to force the chapters out. I also do very long days because despite what it might look like I’m not a fast writer.

how can I improve my writing?

read and practice. I know it’s dumb and overused advice but it’s how I learned english and found my style (still a mess and WIP) but still this advice does help. 

how do you keep motivated?

spite, your support, genuine adoration for these characters/word, a lot of spite. 

do you plan? outline?

I have a vague story outline with specific scenes in mind as I go along (helps to set up foreshadowing, twists, and those ‘full circle’ moments). I also plan each chapter scene by scene and know what each chapter is meant to accomplish. So yeah in a sense. 

[zipegs]

i’ve been toying around with the idea of posting a fic rec list for a while, and finally decided that if i do, it might be nice to focus on newer and/or underrated fics in the fandom! some of my absolute favorites are on this list, and i highly suggest checking them out (and leaving the lovely authors some comments and kudos!)

this got pretty long, but it’s organized alphabetically by ship name (including gen) and then by length inside each ship!

blanky/little

Trysails by saltstreets  /  2k, t

“I know I can’t do much,” Blanky said, “but you can always talk to me. If you’re so inclined.”

A (very late!) offering for Tender Tuesday, "a friend in need".

okay!!!!!! okay!!!!! hear me out on this one!! this fic is wonderful. i’m a sucker for fics dealing with edward’s suffering during the worst of crozier’s captaincy, and this one is so good. blanky is so wonderful in this; i feel like his tender, kind side frequently gets overlooked in favor of his bigger, bolder attributes, and this fic truly delivers on everything i’ve been missing! it’s really gentle and sweet and i urge you to give it a read!!!!

bridglar

in the low lamplight by stelleri  /  338, g

It’s endless freezing rain outside, but the house is comfortably warm.

short and sweet! a really lovely little slice-of-life modern au

state of grace by aes3plex  /  860, m

He doesn’t mean to see it. He never does.

bridglar may be the most featured pairing, but this is told from irving’s pov and also contains irving/little and references to hickey/gibson. really sad, conflicted little peek into irving’s mind (and some nice, soft bridglar as well!)

passer iagoensis by greenery  /  3k, g

Night falls on the Beagle and Henry Peglar has just finished reading his very first novel.

Set in 1832.

this piece is so good!! it has some really beautiful (sad) foreshadowing of the franklin expedition, and is just... so soft, with some wonderful romantic tension!! and it’s funny! darwin and fitzroy are wonderful in this, and i’m always here for fic that deals with peglar learning to read (which this does!!!).

cracroft/crozier

the beggar’s opera by pyotr  /  990, e

for all of his usual anger and surliness it was almost fun to fluster francis, to rile him where he could not retaliate. sophia had spent all her life under the thumb of some man or another; she loved francis in part because she always had the upper hand.

sophia is my queen and that’s all i’ll say about that. seriously though, this piece is just... *chef’s kiss*

fitzconte

A Cheetah Never Changes His Spots by onstraysod  /  1.2k, m

Being the particular friend of James Fitzjames has its drawbacks, as Henry Le Vesconte learns during the expedition's first carnivale. But it also has its advantages, as Henry learns once the carnivale is over.

Written for Day 1 (A Special Disguise) of the 12 Days of Carnivale.

on beechey island, fitzjames reveals clio’s cheetah to the men. or... something like it! this piece is really a blast; fitzjames is in rare form, francis is glaring form the sidelines, and le vesconte is an absolute champ. and the ending is wonderfully witty and racy!

fitzier

wake me up, wake me up my darling by norvegiae  /  1.4k, g  /  mcd

James Fitzjames feels like a new man.

The old James Fitzjames lies on the cot in front of him, cradled by the man he wishes he could have had more time with.

set during 1.09, this fic is a really poignant, heartwrenching piece in which james comes to terms with the reality of his death, and of his life, as he watches francis grieve. very sad, and wonderfully written!

what the stars give us by WetSammyWinchester  /  1.7k, t  /  implied death

"They may know space, James, but you know what it means to truly fly."

70s scifi (space program!!!) au. really great translation of the terror; the mood in this is so good!!! and the little flashbacks are fantastic. it’s pretty sad, but it hurts in a good way.

fitzrossier

Take Your Turn, Take A Ride by courfairyac  /  7.5k, e

Francis agrees to accompany his friend to a masquerade, and stumbles onto something quite unexpected.

In short: Festivities! Voyeurism! James in a dress!

listen... fitzrossier is my new weakness, and this is a really fun, hot, canon-universe (pre-expedition) au.

gen

salvation by scribomania  /  250, t

The Concordia brings them survival, but not salvation.

featuring hodgson and little, and jopson. for a survival au, this little piece hurts!!! it’s so short, but it packs a punch. really, really good.

but no one remembers yet by disastermovie  / 885, t

“From the mutilated state of many of the corpses and the contents of the kettles, it is evident that our wretched countrymen had been driven to the last resource—cannibalism—as a means of prolonging existence.”

—excerpt from Dr. John Rae’s report on the fate of the Franklin Expedition to the Secretary of the Admiralty (written from Repulse Bay on July 29, 1854)

sad little epilogue concerning sophia and lady jane dealing with their grief

the weary world rejoices by disastermovie  /  1.3k, t

Fitzjames goes to his first Christmas party after the survivors are rescued. It doesn't go well.

this!!!! fic!!! i can’t even do it justice, it’s just so good. the slow build of james’s panic, the caroling and gaiety as a backdrop... it’s just so painful in the best way. i’m incoherent; pls just read it,

la belle dame sans merci by drowninglovers  /  1.7k, g

Nobody is quite sure who the first one to start making her clothing is, but one day she scampers over the shoulders of the ABs as they line up for lunch wearing a tiny shirt to match her pants. It’s nothing special, no fancy detail, navy blue like most everything else they wear. Whoever made it must have cared a great deal, to make sure it fit her perfectly.

this is incredibly fun!!! just some good, wholesome fic about boys dressing up their favorite lady. 10000/10 would recommend.

Come Here, Fellow Servant by whipstitch  /  1.9k, t

The sea is dangerous, but so too is the open sky. And in that case, Cornelius determines, a friend is an unexpected boon.

okay, i made a rule that i wasn’t going to include wips on this rec list,  but i had to put this guy on here. it could be read as a stand-alone, actually, which is what i used to convince myself to include it. peglar realizes that hickey has no fucking idea what he’s doing, and tries to help him, kind, caring sweetheart that he is. this is a really, really nice little piece—i love everything about it.

lie alone by greenery  /  2k, g

He turns the page. And maybe this is it. Maybe writing a letter to young Tom Hartnell is reason enough to leave the berth.

really nice oneshot featuring two good boys (hodgson & hartnell) and their wholesome status as pen pals

the crooked kind by darrenjolras  /  2.3k, m  /  non-consensual voyeurism

“You and I, Jopson,” Hickey says, and Jopson startles at those words alone, turns an affronted gaze his way. Hickey bathes in the glacial blue of it. Like being thrown overboard. “You and I aren’t so different, you know.”

Based on that Hickey/Jopson scene. You know the one.

the terror bingo fill: court martial

not totally gen, but also not really hickey/jopson? twisted, but very much in character; hickey is his delightful self in this, and his verbal sparring with jopson is very well done and quite fun to read!

gibson/hickey

Touch Her Not Scornfully by skazka  /  2k, e

Stolen moments down below.

this fic is just... really fucking good!!! it’s a fantastic look at the very early days of gibson & hickey’s relationship, and an intriguing little venture into billy’s head.

goodsir/mcdonald

And That is How it Starts by Intrepid_Inkweaver  /  1.2k, g

It starts with a handshake and a warm smile at their introduction at Greenhithe.

a really sweet, lovely canon-divergent piece. written in 2nd person pov. these two are just such a good, wholesome pairing and this fic really does them justice!!

hartving

let loss reveal it by disastermovie  /  1.6k, t  /  mcd

Tom could never quite see himself taking a wife.

this shit fucking hurts!!!!!!! it’s a beautiful glimpse at irving & hartnell’s relationship, told through hartnell’s introspection, and is written really, really well. also did i mention that it fucking hurts???

Lookout Blues by ClockworkCourier  /  2.1k, g

John and Tom Hartnell talk about the future while they wait on a new shipment.

hello??? 1920s au??????? the world-building is so tangible in this, even in such a relatively short piece. it’s a really lovely little conversation between the brothers, and i absolutely loved their little discussion of irving.

we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet by drowninglovers  /  6.3k, g

If this is to be the last time they interact (and it likely will), Tom wants it to be memorable.

survival au survival au!! tartnell runs into irving at john’s grave, and convinces him to stay with his family until new year’s. it’s kind of bittersweet, with some really great flashbacks (and discussions of said scenes!), and oh man is it soft!! just! really beautiful and tender, and the ending is just so cute!!!!!

hodgson/hickey

the chaos moves by itself by bluebacchus  /  1.3k, e  /  violence, mcd

Hodgson's mind cracks and the heavens flow in.

(Written for Day 7 of Halloween TerrorFest: A disquieting metamorphosis and posted separately because I don't want to taint my main post with borderline vore)

fair warning... this fic is fucked up, but in the best possible way! the religious imagery!!!! the philosophy!!!! just!! god.

hodgson/little

Allegro, B Flat Major by whalersandsailors  /  5.3k, g

George is freshly moved from his childhood home, ready to tackle the school year and his newfound independence all at once.

Too bad he's lonely, miserable, and homesick.

He turns to music when adulthood becomes unbearable, and when someone knocks at his door and leaves an anonymous note, George discovers another music lover not too far away.

have i mentioned i love george hodgson? because i love george hodgson. this fic is a beautiful modern au featuring our own georgie playing his way through his feelings (literally). the buildup to the reveal of george’s secret admirer is wonderful, and had me rooting for them from the start! really sweet, stunning fic for a pairing i’d never considered before!

joplittle

get out of the wind by Cicadaemon  /  1.6k, e

Edward Little is smitten with a certain bartender.

modern au. really lovely, wholesome, and happy; just what these boys deserve!

The Thylacine by Gigi_Sinclair  / 1.7k, t 

"Thylacines. That's what Sophia called them, all those years ago in Van Diemen's Land. Dogs with tiger stripes, cats with pouches. They stretch their jaws at him, as Francis struggles to sit. The movement makes his head spin. He pushes the discomfort aside. He has no time to entertain it; he must escape."

also features cracroft/crozier. this is a really clever, funny piece set during francis’s withdrawal; poor francis is a bit muddled in the throes of his fever, and gets caught up in a memory from van diemen’s land. i absolutely loved little and jopson’s reactions in this, and especially jopson and crozier’s conversation the next morning.

Prelude in D Major by scribomania  /  2.7k, t

Hodgson is very fond of the musical apparatus in Terror's great cabin; Edward is not.

For the Terror Bingo square "denial".

i’m a big big lover of terror lieutenant nonsense, and this fic absolutely delivers! just absolutely delightful.

When the Lights Go On Again by Gigi_Sinclair  /  4.1k, t

"Edward Little's ancestors were Naval officers, almost to a man. Nevertheless, from a young age, Edward's eyes turned to the sky rather than the sea.

He longed to fly, as high and as frequently as possible. In the Royal Air Force, he got his wish. He was happy there, thriving, rising in the ranks apace and doing what he always wanted to do. Then came the first of September, 1939."

wwii au. edward is a squadron leader in the royal air force, and jopson is a corporal working for group captain crozier. i’m weak for wwi and wwii aus to begin with, and this one is done beautifully. while it doesn’t hand-wave the trauma and heartbreak of war, it doesn’t hit you over the head with it either, and the result is a really soft, bittersweet, hopeful piece.

lozer

a lily for my love by whalersandsailors  /  3.7k, m

Solomon never thought that soul-signs were real, and the stories he heard about them made soulmates sound more like a prison sentence than any fairy tale romance. It is not until he finds a soul-sign on the skin of a very dear friend that he realizes their importance, as well as their undoing.

this piece is!!! beautiful!!! very poignant, and really had me feeling for solomon. i love what’s been done with the soulmark conceit—it’s not just a simple “we have soulmarks, we’re soulmates!!!’ au (which i’ll admit to enjoying too), but a really thoughtful take on the trope. the slow way tozer puzzles everything out is wonderful, and i love the glimpses we get into several of his friendships & relationships. 

morfin/weekes

to help you remember by whalersandsailors  /  1.2k, g

An anniversary, during which Weekes presents Morfin with a gift, and Morfin struggles to remember why.

do you ever just get clotheslined by a pairing you’d never even considered before? because that’s what this fic did to me

[destiny-smasher]

(Music by Samantha Pena, soudncloud user spena1989) Not gonna lie, I'm at a point with All Wounds where I'm like...oof, I wasn't able to envision everything I wanted to a few years back (by a long shot) but I'm kinda...wanting to be done with it. Even though I don't want to be done with it. 😅All Wounds was created from the get-go to be a visual novel - that's why the initial demo released so early into the project's life. My original intent was to go back and forth between fic and VN. But my original intent was also to end the story during the Portland road trip (Chapter 7). And while you could certainly make a case that the story is technically stronger up until that point, and becomes less potent and more dragged out for it's post-time-skip stuff, the latter stuff was also just...a lot more fun to write. And when I look back, if I had committed to the visual novel as intended, we'd not have gotten, like, ANY of that post-time-skip stuff, which includes Other Max being as fully fleshed out as she became. She'd have been stuck being a ghost in Max's head, pretty much. At this point, though, it's been so long, the fic I made INSTEAD of working on the visual novel is SO long, interest in the project peaked back while it was being written, working on this by myself is DAMN exhausting in terms of time spent, emotion and mentality drained, etc. Whenever I go back and listen to all of the amazing music made by people in the LiS it reinspires me to keep working on All Wounds but that's had diminishing returns as my life has changed drastically this past year. I love Max and Chloe. But, tbh, I just moved to a new country and got married, and I love my wife more than Max and Chloe? ^_^;; I’m not depressed and stuck in retail hell anymore, relying on staying up late working on a LiS fan project to channel that depression. I don't wanna completely shut the door on the visual novel and there's a chance I may still try to keep pushing to at least get to that road trip and maybe fudge it a bit. After all, a LOT of work has been done to the project that isn’t apparently or accessible in the public version; and I was able to add pretty well presented versions of Chapters 3 and 4 recently. So it’s entirely possible I could at least push it a little bit further if I end up inspired to do so. Either way, regardless, I still want to try some kind of epilogue, end-cap, etc, maybe even in VN form (Jenny and I had envisioned an epilogue where the characters play DnD). Max and Chloe mean the world to me, and exploring a version of events where both endings of the original game are expanded and tied together felt very cathartic. I'd rather that exist in SOME form (fic) than none at all; I think I'd still have done things this way a second time. But All Wounds inherently was a story about processing pain and grief and trauma and figuring out how to cope with it and heal and move on. And when I was at such low points, that made sense to write and steep myself in. But now? It just kinda doesn't. More than anything, though, is the fact that it's still a fan project - one that has had a lot of its interest evaporated for multiple reasons. The game’s ending is over four years old now; a prequel AND a sequel have both come out, further fragmenting the fandom; people have moved on. And it’s easy for outsiders to not realize how emotionally exhausting and sometimes painful All Wounds was, has been, and can still be for me to work on. Even things like pieces of music or art made by people who hurt me, who I hurt, that shit isn’t easy to work with. I could be spending all of this effort and energy on something less emotionally painful that isn't complete in ANY form AND is original. It feels bad to seriously consider dropping it when I'm sure there are still SOME people out there waiting for it, but I have other stories that I really need to work on. I can't keep myself locked in this cage forever when the work is such an unreasonable mountain to surpass. What I HAVE created is a fleshed out and substantial story and a chunk of it imagined in VN format which all kind of acts as a love letter to PriceField as well as an ultimately cathartic way to leave that original game to rest, I hope. Going forward I really think I'd like for Arcadian Rhythms to function as my one sole fanfic project I do inbetween original works, with one-shots or other bits (like the Butterfly Soup fic) just being other, far less intensive ways of working out those kinds of inspiration. It would probably do me better to also not talk about what I'm working on (aside from AR I suppose) in much depth or detail until I have something finished to really show for it. 😓 So if you want to see what I’ve been able to make of the visual novel so far, you can find that here.If you want to read the prose fic version of the story, which was finished quite some time ago (and which is where I want to update with an epilogue eventually), you can find that here. My newer fandom project, Arcadian Rhythms, which actually does feature Life is Strange characters, can be checked out here. You can follow our Patreon over here - we’ve been on hiatus as we deal with immigration but that should be all sorted soon. Regardless, any major updates to projects will be getting posted there once we’re back up and running. And you can follow me on Twitter over here; or just check back on my personal Tumblr here as I’m sure any meaningful thing I complete, fanfic or otherwise, will get posted here. So to clarify, current creative plans for the future on my own time: - original fiction projects (I’ve actually started work on an original VN for ex.) - Arcadian Rhythms for fun - some kind of epilogue for All Wounds - some kind of conclusion to Runners at the Corners (Butterfly Soup)

Interest in AW severely declined after the fic was done, no one else seems interested in working on it, either, it'd be SO MUCH work still. Sunken cost fallacy is a thing and tbh that’s part of why I even pushed myself to finish the update I did a few weeks ago. I am sorry to anyone who’s been waiting all this time for it - what I managed to produce is still a multi-hour visual novel, and I am still contemplating trying to at least get it to the end of the pre-time-skip. At the very least, there is still a complete story that can be read in fic form, the project just floated up and away from a reasonable grasp for one person, mainly because I just...wrote way more than I originally intended to. When I started work on this prokect, I also didn’t expect to fall in love, struggle to make ends meet, move across an ocean, and get married. And as important as All Wounds has been to me, I did at least finish telling the story I started, and the story it became, but I’ve learned all I can from it at this point and am so tired of trying to drag it out on my own. In the same way All Wounds sees Max and Chloe needing to accept their losses and let themselves move forward despite not everything going how they wanted, I guess I have to do the same with this project. Max and Chloe start a new future together, and it’s that time in my life where I probably should start doing the same. I need to start focusing on telling my own stories with my own characters more than I have been, as well as making more space for this new future with my new wife. And to All Wounds, the most difficult project I’ve worked on to date, as someone I once knew once sang, "I know, I know I made so many promises I know I left you such a mess; Gotta let go, gotta let go, and move on Been walking in a circle for too long"

And as another musician put it,

“Come and see the light of day out in the open It’s like I’m waking from a dream, oh Many days since I have seen the end unfolded Many times that I’ve looked back on all the times that we have had”

[96percentdone]

Oumasai with every number?

WElp. I knew this was coming at some point. Come to think of it I think I’ve done this meme before for oumasai like the whole thing. is it cheap if I just copy paste my answers. eh I’ll see if anything’s different. under the cut!

1. If you had to change the pairing’s very first meeting, how would you change it?

Neither Kiibo nor Akamatsu are there and it’s just a 1 on 1 clash of personalities. Saihara tries prying at Ouma for information and details but Ouma keeps lying and prodding at him for fun. It sets up the rivalry really well and the themes of the game by having them come into direct conflict like this. Also I just feel like we should start with Saihara as the protagonist since Akamatsu as a protagonist gives us nothing except a bait and switch. Like anything else she does could easily be done as an assistant. 

2. What song fits your pairing the most?

I’m not good at this sorry. No idea.

3. What is your favorite AU/prompt idea/trope for your pairing?

uhhh right now its the band au I thought of but generally speaking I really like mutual pining and two person love triangles, and Ouma really makes it easy to give me a two-person love triangle, although this ship can do that in other ways. Phantom thief is really good for both of those things but I have since expanded my horizons to More Creative versions of the same two tropes. I just think it suits them.

4. Do you prefer canon ideas or do you have your own headcanons for them?

This is like a weird question because aren’t all headcanons in some essence based on canon. like even headcanons for an au setting are still using characterization from canon in some way. But like I generally like aus more than I like canon fics for v3 because v3 is just....hoo boy. But like all my headcanons and fics are based on analysis I did of canon and what canon told me these characters would be like. So.

5. Favorite canon moment of them?

So my definition of canon might be super picky to some people but it’s basically “content you can’t skip” meaning no ftes, bonus dialogue, etc. So for me that’s...probably right now it’s that bit at the end of chapter 5 where Saihara calls Ouma a friend despite literally everything it makes me sentimental. but I’m also a sucker for the ch4 “when I find someone I like” scene. 

6. Least favorite canon moment of them?

This hasn’t changed but it’s still the fuckin “You’re alone and you always will be” line. It’s not in character and it's narratively redundant and ineffective. More on that here.

7. Favorite headcanon trope/idea? (Your own or someone else’s)

the band au I have in mind. I really wanna write it right now but I feel bad because I still have prompts, even though right now I have no prompt ideas and the prospect of them is exhausting. but LISTEN. the band au is gonna be really good I swear.

8. Least favorite headcanon trope/idea? 

Excluding pre-game, which isn’t actually real and if you believe pre-game was a real thing in the way shirogane presented it, you have been duped, as well as other fujoshi fan favourites uh...any trope or au that involves ouma being a killer in some way. Like if they put him in the position of killer in a way that doesn’t really justify it based on his canon characterization I just don’t care. It’s cheap writing just for angst and dark vibes.

9. Favorite aspect of them/their relationship dynamics?

Honestly I’m here for the entire dynamic. I’m a real sucker for characters that are foils that encourage growth and development in the other through one way or another. I honestly wrote about this much better in other posts, including the one I linked to, and its one in the morning, but yeah. I really just like what canon provided me as a whole, and I love how they play off each other by representing the opposite of what the other stands for down to their cores.

10. Least favorite aspect of them/their relationship dynamics? (Can be headcannon)

pre-game isn’t fucking real it is a LIE by shirogane stop talking about it. Actually kinda like in my komahina answer, I feel like ouma’s character arc was really well resolved, and like way better than Komaeda’s, but I feel like his arc as an antagonist with conflict wasn’t. He was just killed off and then Shirogane came in with her 100000 lies for chapter 6 and derailed everything in Kodaka’s attempt to be clever. “See I’m showcasing the themes by having everything shirogane says be a mix of truth and lies, and be saying something thematically different, because I’m being really clever and lying about the themes at the last second.” it’s dumb.

Unfortunately unlike with Komaeda there’s no easy way to fix this without trashing Kodaka’s chapter 6 as a whole, which also means throwing out everything that was building up to it because its the core of the game. I’d like for there to be a version of v3 where Ouma is truly confronted with him being wrong instead of it just kinda happening offscreen in an implied manner and never talked about again.

Saihara’s monologue in the epilogue has like a compromise of both their views, which I actually think is a good one and a thematic resolution to his character arc as well as the game, but it really kinda sucks the character that represents the other half of that didn’t get to see or realize that in his own right. It’s kinda lopsided. 

11. If they aren’t a canon pairing, how would you get them together?

Ya kinda can’t in canon because of everything you’d need some serious canon div and even then it would be a post canon slow burn. Because they both would have to get past their issues in canon and only then can they really get closer and be together.

12. If you had to take them and plunk them into another fandom, what fandom would that be? Why?

last time I went with ace attorney, and i’m probably not gonna top that au I invented on the fly, but my ideal au for any given series is “how can I make this higurashi.” the answer is higurashi. one day I’ll finish writing that ask about it.

13. How hard is it write/draw your pairing? Scale of 1-10.

eh it’s not very hard I’d go with like a 2-3.

14. Is there a pairing that you think rivals them?

For me, not really. It’s the most compelling dynamic written in dr as a whole, and I have a lot of fun exploring other ships, especially wlw ones, but this one is still canonically the most interesting.

15. Which character of the pairing do you like more? (Would you ever pair yourself with them?)

It flips but rn Saihara

16. Which character of your pairing would be the one to break up with the other? Why?

Ouma because he’s the kinda dipshit who’d bottle up his emotions and then decide instead of talking about anything he’s worried about he’ll just break up but he won't mean it. and it’ll be really messy but I think Saihar’s intuitive enough to be able to push through that.

17. Are they relatable as characters or as a pairing?

See my last remark reminds me very much of my own literal actual relationship so I’m gonna say pairing.

18. Did you once/ever dislike one/both of them?

I didn’t like Ouma before the game came out because everyone else loved him for no reason. I changed my mind. I always liked Saihara though.

19. On an estimate, how many posts have you made about them?

idk. 100? maybe?

20. What made you decide to ship them?

Canon gave me a lot of material but I was in the moment I knew Ouma was canonically gay for Saihara, which I learned like before everything else.

21. Favorite genre for them? (Angst, fluff, etc.)

I like fluff man. I’m a fluff guy. I’ll take some angst but I need happy endings.

[gojaimas]

Late Comments

Hello people. It’s been four months since I finished I Wanted What I Saw That Day, and I’ve received many more comments since then. I figured I’d do some more responses, and give you all a quick update on what my plan is for writing more in the future.

So, I’ve been taking a bit of a break from writing, but I’ve been mulling over ideas for my next story and I think I’m ready to start planning it out officially now. It’s gonna be set in the Legend of Zelda universe, and it will be mostly centered around original incarnations of pre-existing character archetypes that have appeared throughout the series. But just so you know, it will still be a long time before I start posting again, so please be patient with me.

Now, onto your comments:

EternalWisdom: “I just gave a standing ovation for a fanfic of a cartoon from my childhood: That's how good you are. I've already praised much of the technical work such as your pacing and understanding of the characters, but I'd be lying if I said this Final Chapter didn't just play my heart strings like a golden violin. I intend for my own work to (eventually) convince readers of my characters having 3-Dimensional, 'clicking' personalities like the masterpiece you just bestowed upon our nostalgic, incest-supporting fandom. Best of wishes from an avid reader (with a somewhat pretentious name I came up with years ago), yours sincerely, EternalWisdom.”

Wow, thanks! It’s very nice to hear people found my depictions of the characters to be that well done. And don’t worry too much about your name. I’m already hoping I don’t live to regret choosing a broken japanese phrase for mine.

Anonymoose: “Sneaky how Lucy suddenly became the main character. Loved it the ending. I wouldn’t change it or create an alternate. It was perfectly bitter sweet.”

Lucy’s always been sneaky, after all. And thanks, I plan to leave the ending alone for now. I will still consider continuing it in some way in the future though.

justanaverageguy: “"I wanted what I saw that day."...I would pull a CinemaSins and say "Roll Credits," but I would also say it was well used in this work (Plus, it was in the last chapter, after all). I had always thought the "I" in the title was Gwen, but seeing that it was actually Lucy was a great reveal. Lucy truly was the star of this fic. Her character makes this one stand out among anything else (that I've read at least) from this community. I've always seen Ben and Gwen as a great duo ever since I first watched the show, and I will always enjoy fics and episodes focusing on those two. But seeing these three work as a trio was quite a unique take on the characters, and they work so well together. Hats off to you, my friend, for what might possibly be my favorite Ben 10 fanfic. I look forward to checking out what else you may do. I am a Zelda fan too, so I'll probably end up seeing your work again at some point. Until then, ciao!

I couldn’t resist the title drop! It was really fun holding onto the secret of the title’s true meaning for nine whole months while everyone else tried to figure out what it meant. I’ve said before that I’ve probably done more for the Lucy fandom than I have for the Bwen fandom at this point. I would certainly like to see her appearing in more stories. Thank you for your compliments, average guy! I look forward to your reactions to my Zelda story in the future!

jairoesme: “wow that was epic I wasn't expecting the title to show up in there as I read that part it felt so strong. Great story”

Thanks! Seeing everyone reacting to the title drop like this seriously has me giggling. I love it!

Spazbulba: “That was pure magic - it has been years since I was simultaneously both so happy and so sad with the end of a story. Gojaimas You truly are a Legend!”

Truly.

armandaza: “I wanttt moreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, no wayyyyyyy T_T”

More??

Guest: “Well, it took me 17 and a half hours to do it, but I finished it. All 300,000 words of it. I gotta say, this has been one of the best bwen stories I’ve ever read in my life. I was so excited to see that there was a new story to read after not looking for months, I read it all in one day! I was wondering something though. Since you basically have the market cornered on Ben 10 fanfic now that everythings died down so much, I was wondering if every now and then, you could post another story about it. Not necessarily long ones, just a one-shot every now and then and maybe a longer one if you’re up to it (maybe even a few stories with Lucy and Ben or even Gwen). It’s been ten years since Ben 10 ended, so there isn’t much more new material out there for the community to enjoy. I know you said you were planning on moving on after this, but maybe every now and then, when you’re stumped with writers block or you’re just bored, maybe you could throw together a little story for us. If it’s even a fraction as good this story was, it would honestly make everyone’s day to have something new to read, especially if you’re writing it. :) Cheers man, happy writing. -Just another fan”

Wow, 17 and a half hours? Damn, dude. I hope you got some sleep after that. But also, wow, that’s really flattering! I’m glad you liked it so much. Doing little Ben 10 one-shots set in my story’s canon every now and then as I work on my Zelda story is something I’ll consider. I grew really fond of working with those characters, so it’s definitely something I’d love to do again some time.

Guest: “Beautiful. What a journey this was” Dark Ace Demon: “What a journey. Thank you for posting this masterpiece up, truly.“

Thank you! Alexa, play “Don’t Stop Believing.”

Guest: “Just as an FYI, a werewolf is a man-wolf. Wer being the old english word for man." (Context: Chapter 12)

That was based on a real conversation I had with someone back when I was (even more of) a little know-it-all. Gwen is smart, but she’s still a kid. She can make mistakes too. I was the Gwen at the time. I was corrected by Snape when I watched the third Harry Potter movie.

GoodScottish: “That was an amazing read and well worth staying up all night to finish it but its just left me wanting so much more. There is just so many things that i want to know what happens next to. Like what happens to Lucy does she find that special someone? What do Ben and Gwen get up to on this summer vacation? Does grandpa Max find out? What happens when they get back can they keep hiding it? And most importantly for me what happens when their parents find out?”

Many thanks, good scotsman! I know there’s still a lot left unanswered, but that’s how Ben and Gwen feel now too. They still have a long road ahead of them. Maybe I’ll write more of it one day, but I think that was a good place to leave it for now. Also, today I’m finding out a lot of my readers have terrible sleeping habits.

Mason: “Your country is proud of you son.”

Fuck yeah!

Kira Sema: “Anyone else reread this in the span of a couple days and start crying all over again? Because here come the waterworks all over again. I know I reviewed, but had to review again after a reread. I think I've said this before, but I relate to Lucy so much. It's hard not to be considering how she felt. Great story once again. Even though it's 48 chapters, all those chapters were worth it and all as much in character as they could be.”

Thank you once again, Kira Sema! I’ll admit I often cringe too hard at my own writing to reread too much of it, but I’m glad you enjoyed it as much the second time around!

Guest: “I read through this everyday... it’s a bittersweet ending. It was like waiting for an anime episode every week and you feel sad when it’s over, so you go through it again holding onto hope for a season 2.”

I know that feel.

“I’ll even wait as long as for an incredibles sequel if I have to.”

Um. I have some good news for you on that front, buddy.

“I had no idea the story would stop there though so it kinda threw me off guard... I was all “wait it’s really over?!” I thought we’d deal with more of having their relationship bloom, being exposed and we’ll have a year 4 summer trip before coming to an end. I mean having the epilogue near the end of a summer trip would really match the beginning of where Ben and Gwen started off in the story but show us how much has changed between the two of them. But I guess it depends on how we look at it, we could also view it as the “Start of Something New” with Ben & Gwen going to their trademark summer trip as a couple then they were as kids who couldn’t wait to get rid of each other at the end of it in the beginning, so maybe it’s a sign that their story isn’t over yet. Lucy was one of the most breathtaking and heartbreaking characters in this story, kind of like menma, a bit of an airhead. always happy, puts other people infront of her feelings.”

She probably was one of my minor inspirations for Lucy’s character. I think I watched Anohana at some point while I was writing this story, hence the inspiration for the title. I love that little cutie.

Thank you for the rest of your comment too, kind guest! I really appreciate you taking the time to write such a glowing review of my work. I’m glad I was able to give you another Bwen story to read!

Guest: “Mr. Gojaimas, I don’t feel so good...”

I love how Infinity War came out during the time I was posting this. I’ll always associate my story with this meme because of my fans, and I’m very happy about that.

TargaryenFire: “Hey Just came here to say i am loving this story, one of the best i have ever read with this ship. Not wanting to be a bother, but will Gwen's anodite blood come into play in the future?”

Thank you! You’ve probably seen your question answered in a different chapter by now, but just in case: Anodites don’t exist in my story, Gwen is completely human, and a lot of other stuff from the sequels is ignored.

Guest: “Your legend will live on...”

Hopefully in the form of oddly specific fandom inside jokes.

Shirokokuro: “You did an excellent job on this-especially in keeping within the 4-year timeline you had set! It was all so sweet, and that ending of them going on a summer trip together was amazing! Here's to you on being such a dedicated and awesome author!”

Thanks so much! I’m pretty happy with how everything turned out, and I’m glad you liked it too.

Lost: “I think I just binge-read this whole thing. Uh. It was riveting, to say the least. The final connection between Lucy's actions, her memories and the title was very powerful. Thanks for writing this! :)”

You are very welcome! Once again, Lucy steals the show!

Guest: “I read the entire story in a week. I loved the character development and how you effectively gave some deeper understanding of the characters not just Ben and Gwen, but also Lucy, Natalie, Joel, Emily, and Julie. I love you so much for creating this fanfiction and your undeniable talent in writing a story. That is why it pains me even more for how the chapter ended and contiualy wished that Proffesor Paradox or even Gwendolyn could just come up from the future and change Lucy's ideas or yours so that the three could be like a three- man couple. I am just so heart broken right now bailing my eyes out and just hoping there is a continuation (not a different ending) where it can be from Bwen to Bwency (I don't know if that's a word).”

Giving minor characters more development is something I’m a huge fan of, as you can plainly see with Lucy. I’m always happy to hear from binge-readers! Bwency is most definitely a word, and if I ever do a continuation, I very well might make it happen! But for now, Ben is simply following this sage advice from yours truly:

Slykke: “Beautiful shit here. Binge read this in 5 days. Really liked how this was wrapped up and how you turned someone that I forgot even existed in the OS into a favorite. Lucy was amazing in this story and now holds a special place in my heart after this. Thank you for the wonderful read and I cant wait to see your next work.”

“Yes, yes! Praise me more!” -Lucy

Amin: “This has such solid plot that every other fanfic seemed inferior. I kinda wish this story was real.”

Thank you! If any Ben 10 writers are reading this and wanna retroactively make it all canon instead of the sequels, that would be just fine by me.

Guest: “when are we gonna get the Lucy route?”

Not sure. Maybe someday. I am very interested in how I could make that happen.

Guest: “Gojaimas is... GOD. He does a miracle and then leaves us. This was the second coming of Jesus Christ.”

I’m flattered, but I’ve never made a tree.

Well, that’s all for now. Bye, everybody! I hope to hear from all of you again someday!

[ambrosiaswhispers]

My Things

Okay I did a little list recently for fics in response and I thought why not promote my own things a bit. ‘Cause I can. I also thought I’d give you a little bit int my process as well. All questions have been asked of my in one way or another.

Why write in the first place?

I love to write- honestly if I couldn’t get my words out on paper, I’d most likely end up a bit on the crazy side. I’ve always had a vivid imagination. I wrote my first story in crayon when I was about 5 or 6, it was about a unicorn jumping over a rainbow to eat birthday cake...Yup, unicorns and birthday cake - I wasn’t a complicated kid. lol. 

I had my first real issue with insomnia when I was 10 and the counselor my parents had me talk to suggested a journal. I never wrote about myself, I always wrote about brave girls, who saved themselves from the villains and feel in love with the guy the always stood with them. I worked on original pieces, but never showed them to anyone.

What was your first fic?

I wrote my first fic when I was 15, rebelling against my parents and posting it online - they never did catch me for that part. I wrote the fic off an anime called “Ronin Warriors.” It was about 12 parts and I’ve recently re-read part of it - Whoa, hello OCs with tragic backstories and Mary Sue-ness. Yikes. LOL.

How does your process start?

Normally it’s a “conversation that I overhear” in my head. It’s a line of dialogue or ‘scene’ that I see so clearly that I have to write it down and figure out how the characters got there. I use a voice recorder - always helpful, but if anyone heard my recordings they’d probably lock me mental hospital. I may or may not use different voices when I record.

Kastle/Daredevil

This is a fandom that I fell flat on my face for with no warning. Okay so it actually happened like this: 

My husband says, let’s watch the second season of Daredevil and I’m like, I’m afraid of what the Punisher will look likes. He’s like don’t worry, I saw a clip, he’s good. We start watching and I’m like, I can watch this without being worried, about shipping anyone because they are moving Karen and Matt together and I’m indifferent. The first interaction of Karen and Frank and I make this squeaking noise and my husband says, “Don’t ship Karen with the Punisher. He’s in love with justice, bullet-flavored justice.” He looks at me and laughs, “Too late?” I nod and he hands me my notebook – this is true love, fyi.

 Most of what I’ve written for this ship are in bits on Tumblr: here. There’s a few of my fic recs in that tag as well. I have a little bit of everything mixed in there. 

On AO3 I have one complete piece and one chapter piece that I started that my laptop promptly ate... rude, by-the-way.

The Unchosen Door  - This is really a ghost of Kastle piece and is more about Frank and his family. Fair warning it is sad. This wrote itself, I blinked and I was staring at it on my screen - I had to edit, that was about it. Summary: “He was home. They were home. They were safe. He was going to get her to take the damn day off to spend with him and the kids, but something just seemed wrong..... "The horrorcore of what might have been was behind an unchosen door. An unopened, black door marked with a bullet hole and a white skull." A moment that could have been, about Frank Castle and his family.”

From Dusk Till Dawn The Series

I love this series and writing for it, currently rules my brain and most of my heart. I’ve got a soft spot for those crazy brothers and that whole world really. this is one and only fandoms that I ship all over the place. Normally my brain says: “That; we’re shipping that” with this series it’s like I’m a cat high catnip and I’m chasing a lazer pointer. Seriously, it’s a problem. LOL.

SethKate

No secret I write more in this ship than the others. I honestly identify with Seth’s voice more than anyone and that makes it click somehow. The dynamic fascinates me.

Rules of the Mexican Honeymoon series So this series has a follow-up story written after each season and I had a plan for it, which Seth promptly ignored and ripped out my heart with all the angst.

Please; This Is As Far As We Go    The Post-Season 1 story became a 5 part Mature piece and I even posted an Explicit version: here  with an extended sex scene. The epilogue was not everyone’s favorite. It’s really not my fault... I “heard” Seth whisper, “Four more minutes.” and that was that. Summary: “There are two phrases that seem to chase their conversations like a snake swallowing its own tail: Please and This is as far as we go.Seth and Kate deal with the aftermath of Season 1 and the loss of their families. This is my take on Seth and Kate's "Mexican Honeymoon" I may leave it as a one-shot. If I do extend it the rating will likely go up.Rating has gone up, 'cause well, Seth Gecko.” Proudest writing moment: The beach scene in the fourth part.

Four Minutes of Self-Destruction The Post-Season 2 part... So this piece was so bitterly painful for me to write that I actually got a little depressed. It was hard to live in Seth’s head for that one. Summary:  “This is Seth dealing/not dealing with Kate's death. Post-Season two and pre-Season three. Seth is not emotionally equipped for any of these things. Richie's trying to be a supportive brother and trying to help. Seth finds Kate's cross at the Bloodwell and takes it back to Bethel.” Proudest writing moment: Confession in the church

Without Condition The Post-Season 3 part. This is the only part where we get to hear Kate’s thoughts in this series.I really tried to pull in ties from the previous parts to make it feel richer. The Epilogue was pure fluff. Summary: “ After Amaru and preventing the apocalypse Kate is trying to figure out how she belongs into her skin and what the hell 'four minutes' means. She wants to reclaim her body and she wants Seth to help, but she's afraid she won't be able to handle it.” Proudest writing moment: Kate’s POV - I really felt like I captured her voice in those moments.

Without A Fight (…but there is a fight) So this one is one-shot originally a Tumblr prompt. I loved the fact that it felt raw to me. I’m sucker for characters in the rain trope. Summary: “Original prompt from Tumblr: "Could you write Sethkate - she's mad at him because he almost "let" Amaru kill him to touch her, and she would have just had to watch?"Kate wakes up from a nightmare and can't shake her anger. Seth's a big part of that rage and not always the way he thinks. In the back parking lot of Jacknife Jed's things come to a head. Proudest writing moment: Angry Kate prose at the beginning.

Hey Bartender So I wrote this AU one-shot, as a distraction from “Four Minutes of Self-Destruction.” I normally don’t write AU pieces and this was just a smut piece basically. I thought it was fun though. Summary: “AU piece: no culebras, no kidnapping and many of the cannon characters are still alive. Essentially we have modern setting in a bar with Seth as a bartender and Kate as a college student. Past that this is a smut fic. PWP – essentially. I do hope that you enjoy it. There is a mention of a suicide attempt.” Proudest writing moment: Seth has a lot of things to say and I think it ended up sexy.

Die By Dawn This multi-chapter piece set post Season 3 and the concept is rough. I started writing this piece and during the writing of the 3rd part lost my grandfather to complications from cancer. This is piece that I’m writing to heal and is still in progress. Summary: “After surviving Amaru and the end of the world, they find out Kate has limited time to live, because cancer is a bitch. How do they say goodbye? How does Kate want to spend her last days? Seth's not dealing with this very well. Richie and Scott are not having it either. Kate's somehow is the one that is going to get everyone through this. Warning for: cancer, impeding (but not immediate) character death, grief stages, and potential adult situations.” Proudest writing moment: Without spoiling anything Richie’s POV in part 5 - it was a labor of love to make perfect.

Love Is... This is an AU multi-chapter piece from a Tumblr prompt is being writing with the help of my dear friend here. So I write comedy? Yes... apparently I do. This is loosely based on Jane the Virgin. I just love this piece I smile everytime I work on it. Still in progress Summary: “Originally a Tumblr prompt: "Anonymous said: Me too for being curious about SethnKate prompts idea. I got one for you. Jane the Virgin au...Seth hijacks Kate's pregnancy. Poor Kate winks Seth is pissed till he meets his baby momma haha" Seth never planned on any of this: not the sweet little, virgin church girl, who's got more attitude than people expect; not her moving in with him and his family and certainly not his baby she's intent on having. He's going to have to figure out how this woman and his child are going to fit into his life; does he even want them to?” Proudest writing moment: Can I love the whole thing? Maybe Richie’s summary of the events to Eddie - yup, probably that so far.

RichieKate/Kichie

It’s the moment he closes his eyes and prays with her in the RV and the expression on his face when he sees her at Jackknife Jeds - when Mavado brings her out.

Right Call So even though this ended up kinda a smut piece. I really liked it- I think it’s a got heart. I felt like I got Richie’s voice too. Summary: Kate gets hurt during a job and wants ice cream... Richie wants Kate... Seth leaves to get Kate ice cream and....PWP, Smut.... good lord this ran away with me. "...but it did things to him when he caught his scent on her. Humans liked to pretend that part of their nature didn’t exist, but it did. It was just expressed in different ways now: ring on a certain finger, offering a girl your shirt after sex, sharing a shower and washing her with your soap, getting her addicted to your favorite foods, and of course the ever cliché hickey on the neck." Proudest writing moment: Richie’s voice in general - but I loved him whispering scripture onto her skin. Points if you can guess where in the Bible it comes from without googling it.

Seth/Kate/Richie Honestly never written or shipped a poly-relationship, but there is something about the way they both react around her that made it click in my head.

Ever Mine; Ever Yours; Ever Ours Currently this is a two-part bit of OT3 fluff. First time I’ve ever written the idea of a three-way pairing. Side note I grew up with girl who lived in a type of household - so in my brain it’s not outside of possible. I am planning on more to this and some more mature things as well. Summary: Okay this came out of nowhere and simply could NOT be more domestic OT3 if I tried. Seriously, it just hit me from left field and now I have Gecko babies running around in my head. OT3 for reals though - in a fluffy, domestic way, but very much OT3. Okay other than that, no warnings needed, it’s fluffy nonsense.A non-crime Gecko story - all about family Proudest writing moment: First time I got brave enough to share a visual board.

Okay so this turned out longer than I planned. I guess I’m gonna do this in more than one part.

Yikes so many words about my words... Be Blessed guys. I’m working on all my pieces write now.

Love to my Loves!!!

[the-apocryphal-one]

Hey do you have any fanfic recs? Read loads of your stuff and looking for new ones. Either FE or DR

So there was another one of these in my inbox that came in a while ago. I meant to answer it, but kept getting busy…and then accidentally deleted it -_- Then this one came in and I said “alright, that’s a sign, let’s do it.” Also, aww, thanks! :)

I’ve never really made a rec list before–there are a lot of fics I’ve read that I’ve enjoyed, but I’m not sure everyone would enjoy, if you get what I’m saying. So I’m trimming it down to what I think most people can like + some I feel are underappreciated by the fandom or have unique concepts. Also, expect shipping bias from me.

Fire Emblem: With one exception, this is gonna have entirely Awakening and Fates stuff–not because there isn’t great fanfic for the older games (there is), but because I haven’t looked at stuff for them in forever. Also because what I do remember enjoying was posted ages ago and not all of it’s around anymore.

The Mechanist’s Secret Power: A hilarious crack/parody fic that pokes fun at many of Fates’ mechanics and plot holes…while still having some semblance of a plot! In-Progress.

Decruited: Another hilarious crack/parody fic where, after the game has ended, Robin has to fire the Shepherds. He comes up with the most nitpicky of reasons to do so. Complete.

Awkward Moments: Azurrin. A short, cute and funny fic of Corrin and Azura struggling to adjust to married life. Complete.

The Kingdom of Forking Paths: Azurrin. Probably my favorite Conquest rewrite, this handles elements like the supposed revolution, the black-and-white morality, Corrin’s divisive characterization, the royal sisters’ lacking roles, and even the second gen well. Mixes in elements of the Revelation route, too. In-Progress.

Senbonzakura: Post-Conquest, Leo/Sakura. A fantastic romance with great pacing and a careful handling of the apparent consequence-free conquest of Hoshido. Has great worldbuilding and my favorite Sakura voice. It’s just the Leo/Sakura fic to read in my mind. Complete.

The Werdna’s “A Future” series: Okay, that’s just what I call it, the series doens’t have an official title. Robcina. A collection of multi-chapter Awakening fics, following Robin and Lucina’s journey in the aftermath of Grima’s defeat. Eventually crosses over with Fates. Most are complete, latest is In-Progress.

The Pacing of a Story is Also Very Important in a Video Game: Wanted to know what Chrom and Tharja’s supports would look like? Wanted to know what a romance between them would look like? Then this is the fic for you. Technically a dead fic, but it’s a collection of conversations and one-shots rather than one overarching plot, so don’t let that deter you.

Fire Emblem: The Hero of Shadow: Kris/Katerina. FE12 had potential that went nowhere, and there’s not a lot to fix it since it was never released in the west. This fic does, handling Kris’s characterization, skills and relationship with the Seventh Platoon Arc much better than the game did. In-Progress.

To Save a God: Anankos/Mikoto, pre-Fates. A “what-if” fic where Azura’s father survives Anankos’s attack, and thus potentially averts the fall of Valla. Of course, it all depends on whether he can save his friend… I enjoy this one for its rather unique idea. In-Progress.

Dangan Ronpa: I haven’t read any “Fangan Ronpa’s”, so you’ll only see recs with the canon casts here.

Video games and coffee cups: Hinanami, one-shot. Adorable, shameless coffee shop AU. Fluffy to the max, perfect for erasing sadness.

Beta: A Naegiri one-shot where Makoto has a depressing realization about his relationship with Kyoko. Happier than it sounds, promise.

Jack of Spades: Celes-centric, gen, one-shot. Excellent backstory and characterization fic.

It Didn’t All Go to Plan: Mukuro-centric, onesided Naekusaba, implied Naegiri. A look into Mukuro’s mind during the brief time she was alive in the Killing Game and her feelings for Makoto.

Undoing: Sayaka-centric, gen, oneshot. I love Sayaka, but fics about her are sadly rare. This is one of them, a nice look into Sayaka’s head and why she gave Makoto the golden sword that would ultimately screw her over.

Growing Pains: Oneshot, Kuzupeko. Touching and sometimes sad kid fic that deals with Peko struggling to adjust to the role of a mother.

Magical Girl Usami: HNNNNNG. A superhero/magical girl AU, starring tag-team Magical Girl Chiaki (codename Usami) and her partner, detective Kyoko. Hinanami and Naegiri (though the Naegiri was only just starting as of last update). I wish this would update again because it was so good so go read it and encourage the author. In-Progress.

The Insistence of Light: Modern AU (non-Despair and non-Talent, that is), Kuzupeko. A great fic where Peko has to adjust to suddenly losing her purpose in life when she’s fired by the Kuzuryu clan, and slowly comes into her own as a person. Almost complete, it’s just waiting on the epilogue.

Moving Forward: Naegiri, post DR3. A nice, fluffy series of shared oneshots about Makoto and Kyoko’s life after the Final Killing Game. In-Progress.

Hope’s Peak’s Best and Brightest: Non-Despair AU. Follows Class 77 plus Hajime as they deal with their boatload of psychological problems. This’ll swing you all over the place, from laughing to awwing to feeling really, really bad for everyone. In-Progress.

Cute Little Hamsters: Sondam with a side of Hinanami…from Kazuichi’s POV. It works, promise. A multi-chapter fic covering the 77th class’s first year together at Hope’s Peak. It was written before DR3 aired and thus has some details different, so it’s technically AU, but it’s cute, funny, and has a novel concept (again, a shipping fic from an outside POV). Complete.