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vgilantee · 2 years ago

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Hot, hot mess for an angel {Adrian Chase}

Chapter 1 - When the call comes.

adrian chase x reader

requested: n/a

words: 5.4k

a/n: and so begins the long overdue series rewrite! is anyone even still interested in reading peacemaker fics? oh well, everything i write is self-indulgent anyway

warnings: n/a

pronouns: [none used in this chapter but the reader is they/them]

series masterlist

Whenever people asked what your job was, you would always shrug and say “freelancer”. Which wasn’t entirely inaccurate. You would travel from state to state, taking up work. It just happened that your job could also be described as “hitman-for-hire”.

This was how you ended up on Waller’s radar. She never interfered with your work, but she had made it clear that you were very much being surveilled constantly, and it would be easy to stop you. Which resulted in you being on her payroll by technicality. Because you weren’t recruited from a supermax prison to be on Task Force X, you got to escape the installation of a mini bomb in your skull, but that didn’t mean that when you got a call and heard her cold voice on the other line that you had a choice in the matter.

You had just arrived home from some late-night grocery shopping - your last gig was in a relatively small and charming city, and you had decided to stay when it was done - when your phone began vibrating in your back pocket.

Waller.

Somehow, you never had the option to decline a call from her. Not that you ever would, just sometimes you wished you had the option, to be able to be left alone for another minute or two before being roped into some black ops shit.

“Waller.” Your tone was tired as you greeted her. It had been a while since you had heard from her, but it really wasn’t long enough. “What is it this time?”

“I have someone coming by to pick you up for a mission. They’ll be there in an hour.” Her sentences were clipped short at the end, no patience for small talk. “Pack all your weapons, and your suit, it’s a big one.” The call had barely ended before you let out a groan. It wasn’t often Waller had you on missions with other people, especially not one she would refer to as ‘a big one’.

You were well aware that what you did for a living was dangerous, and there were more than a few times that you had come close to getting killed. But when Amanda Waller called you, made sure to mention that you needed your armour and used such emotive language to describe something, you were aware that there was a high chance you wouldn’t be walking out of it.

Two duffle bags full of your armoured suit and the few guns in your collection lived in your wardrobe, ready for an emergency exit. You threw them on your bed as you grabbed out a backpack, and shoved it full of basic clothes - jeans, T-shirts, sweaters - just to get you by. You didn’t really have many nicer clothes anyway.

Down beside your guns, you slid your various melee weapons and knives you had collected over your career, before moving quickly to collect the remainder of the weapons you had hidden around your small apartment. You took one last glance around the box that was your apartment one last time, mentally checking off all the hiding places you had gone through, before sitting by the door and tugging on your boots.

Grabbing your phone, you swung the front door shut behind you, locking the door. Realistically you didn’t expect to return to that dingy apartment, and you weren’t at all broken up about it. There was nothing personal about it, no small touches like your favourite candle or a painting you really liked that made it yours. That wasn’t really your thing. But force of habit had you locking the door behind you, and checking it with a tug.

The door to the apartment building had barely swung close behind you when a silver car pulled up and the window rolled down. Inside sat a blonde woman who looked like she would rather be anywhere else than sat to be your personal taxi. Her already angled face was made sharper by the shadows caused by the cold light of her phone.

The sound of the door caught her attention and she looked up from her phone.

“Silvereye?” The woman called out through the open window and you nodded, stepping forward and opening the door to the back seat to throw your bags in. You slid into the passenger seat and glanced over at your driver.

“You can just call me [Y/N] or [Y/L/N] if you want. Silvereye is for jobs, but with Waller… I just go by my name.” Glancing over, you watched her nod.

“Well, [Y/L/N], I’m Emilia Harcourt. Welcome to the team.” She sounded exhausted, her tone lightly sarcastic.

The rest of the drive was quiet, just the sounds of the road and the occasional car driving past. Harcourt turned the car radio on to a random station at a low volume, and you were happy to not have a conversation with her. The less you knew about her, the less you would have an opinion about her, which would make it safer for you and for her. So you stared out the side window as lights flicked past, refracted by the rain hitting the window and bouncing off small puddles along the road.

The car pulled to a stop in a barely-lit carpark beside an unmarked van. You stepped out, hand resting on your hairline to block some of the rain from falling into your eyes, and were greeted by the back doors swinging open. Inside sat only two people; a bearded man turned to look at you from the front seat, and the man who had swung the doors open.

You knew who Clemson Murn was, every mercenary, assassin and general hitman-for-hire knew who he was. You had heard rumours that he was working for the government, but it greatly surprised you to see him.

“[Y/L/N]. Welcome to the team.” He stepped out, unbothered by the steady rain. “This is John Economos.” Murn gestured to him and Economos nodded. “I’m-”

“I know who you are, Murn.” You tried not to sound rude as you interrupted him, but you figured there wasn’t time to waste with unnecessary introductions. Murn pressed his lips together and gave a single stiff nod. There was a pause for a beat, Murn slightly thrown by your interruption and taking a moment to reorder his directions.

“Right. Put your stuff in the van and pick a vehicle.”

You chose to stay in the car with Harcourt, Murn’s voice playing through the car from the phone sat on the dash.

He explained that you were on your way to Evergreen in Charlton County, where you would pick up the freshly released Peacemaker to add him to the team, as well as meet up with another agent. Murn also explained to you what the mission exactly was. Project Butterfly.

An alien species that looked like a mix between praying mantises and butterflies that could take over the body of a human. The host would die, killed by the insect that had crawled into their brain.

Murn made it clear only the four of you knew the full details, and that Peacemaker would not be told anything at all. He would simply be the gun. Beside you, Emilia muttered something about a starfish, but you ignored her.

After arriving at the motel, the four of you split off into separate rooms, with Murn telling you that in the morning, you would be getting Peacemaker, but to make sure you were rested.

The room was small and as a result, very open-planned. The main room was the carpeted living and dining room, with a small tiled corner for a kitchen. There were two doors, one on the back wall that led to a shoebox bathroom, and the other along the right side to the bedroom.

Your bags were dropped in front of the doors to the built-in wardrobe, and you fell back onto the bed, tugging your boots off to toss into the corner. You cringed as a boot hit one of the bags with a thud and a click, but you decided that would be tomorrow’s problem. Tonight, you were going to fall asleep and listen to the continued rain, ignoring the musty smell that came from the carpet and filled the motel room.

Chris’s trailer was aggressively American; painted blue with red and white stripes. It was almost painfully bright. You didn’t need to read his file to know who his father was, so the intense patriotism shouldn’t have surprised you, but it did.

“Fan out, don��t let him out of the trailer.” Murn tapped the side of the van once before he nodded to the right side of the trailer. “Harcourt, [Y/L/N], you both go that way. Adebayo, Economos and I will go to the front.”

You had met Leota that morning, and she seemed nice enough. It was clear she was new to anything black ops and task force, but that didn’t matter, she was brought on for a reason and you weren’t going to ask questions.

Copying Harcourt, you crouched down, gun raised, and made your way around to the back of the trailer. She moved further around than you, to the centre of the broken window on the back.

She cocked her gun, gaining his attention.

“Stay where you are, Smith.” He turned to see Economos pointing his gun through the front window, then again to see you behind. Murn swung the front door open, who was closely followed by Adebayo with her own gun raised.

Chris let out a string of muttered fucks before yelling out one final one.

You explored Peacemaker’s trailer while Murn explained that he had only served a fraction of his sentence. Harcourt sat on his counter, the heels of her boots occasionally bumping against the surface. Economos rifled through his fridge, causing the jars within to clink together.

“What the fuck is he doing?” You turned around as the clinks stopped.

“I have low blood sugar, okay? So I’m dizzy.” Murn continued on, ignoring the minor distraction. Out the corner of your eye, you watched as John continued to look through the fridge, despite the slightly off smell that emanated. He turned around, a jar of olives in hand as Murn began to introduce you all, and put one in his mouth as his name was said.

“Hey dude, you’re eating four-year-old olives out of my fucking fridge.” John gagged but once again, Murn ignored the distraction.

“This is [Y/N] [Y/L/N],” your posture straightened at the mention of your name, “a temporary addition to our team, and has experience in missions such as these.” You raised a hand to give him a two-finger wave, pretending like you hadn’t been flicking through - and judging - his extensive CD collection.

“And this is our new recruit, Leota Adebayo.” She shuffled nervously before she delved into a speech, directed at each of you.

“Anything you need, I got you.” You raised your brows as she gestured to you, curious as to what the fuck she might have to say about you. “[Y/L/N], I know teams aren’t really your thing but I feel like we’re going to get along well and that you’ll have our backs when it comes down to it. And Mr. Murn, I have to say your outfits are really dapper.” You fought an amused snort, hiding behind your hand as you turned away, your eyes finding a stack of old comic books. It was kind of sweet how nervous she was, though.

It had been a long time since you had felt nervous about anything regarding a mission, having started as a street-kid picking up jobs for mobs and gangs in Gotham so your mother could keep sending you and your younger brother to school. Though, even just growing up poor in Gotham would have been enough to steel your nerves. Or maybe it was just your personality that lent itself to your ability to kill.

“Project Starfish was a giant walking starfish.” What?

You spun around on your heel, suddenly paying strong attention to the conversation, eyes wide as you looked at Emilia and John for help. Even though you were aware that there was a big mission in Corto Maltese, you didn’t know much beyond that. Classified job.

“So, what, am I fighting a Mothra now?” Peacemaker let out a nervous chuckle as Harcourt looked behind her at Economos and then you. “I am? I’m fighting a Mothra? What the fuck do I fight a Mothra with?” His eyes widened with panic and while Murn tried telling him that no, he wouldn’t be fighting a Mothra, all Chris was asking was if he could get a jetpack.

“We need you to do contract work.” Chris nodded, looking away, almost disappointed that he would be killing people.

“Kill people?”

“Bad people.” Harcourt hadn’t spoken up since commenting on Chris killing Rick Flag, but it seemed she was trying to reassure him this time. Peacemaker was known for only killing people to create what he had deemed as peace (hence the name), so it made sense that he would need reassuring him that the people he would be killing were bad and not just people that were potential- or non-threats to Waller.

“Whom we call Butterflies.” So, Murn wasn’t going to tell him the whole truth about the Butterflies. He let out an exhale, considering.

“What if I say no?”

“You’ll have to return to Belle Reve.”

“What’s to keep me from splittin’?”

“We still have that bomb in your head to track you with, and if that fails, we’ll blow you the hell up.” You were no stranger to killing, and you had definitely mocked or taunted a handful of people before you killed them. But something in the way Murn spoke to Smith was different, more detached than you were used to.

But the threat seemed enough. Chris sighed before giving a small nod. Murn shifted in his seat, inhaling.

“We’ll meet for dinner tonight. Seven-thirty at- where is it?” He looked over at Adebayo who was shifting on her feet. Economos picked up his jacket and yours, passing you your jacket before you both moved to follow Harcourt out the door.

“Fennel Fields on Manchester Road. And the mozzarella sticks are dope.” You ducked out of the door before John, barely catching Chris saying;

“Enjoy my food, Dye-Beard.” You rolled your eyes. This was going to be a long mission.

You sat, curled up in the armchair, as Economos complained about the clanging and Harcourt told Adebayo to move her things. Because you weren’t an agent, you didn’t have paperwork or a computer to set at a desk, only a couple of bags of weapons that you already had stashed in the supply closet just through the hallway behind the main room. Stashed was generous. You literally shoved the bags onto a shelf, only taking out your crossbow to restring it (the click you had heard the previous night, you had learned, was the string snapping and getting caught under the slide of one of your semi-auto pistols). It wasn’t a weapon you used often but it always paid to have it stringed and ready, just in case.

You had kept a couple of guns and knives stashed around your motel room, but most of them were still in their bags on the shelf. Organising them would come later, for now; closet.

“I don’t know what you did to piss off Amanda Waller,” your eyes darted over to Harcourt to see if she was addressing you, “but she’s definitely fucking me and John with this gig. What agency did you get transferred from?”

“‘Fucking you’ how?” You raised your eyebrow as Adebayo dodged the question.

“We helped Task Force X during Project Starfish, and this is her way of getting back at us.” You wondered what they had done that Waller had deemed so bad. Knowing her, it was probably helping the team not commit war crimes of some description. Or maybe it was just them saying “no” to something like getting her a coffee.

“Yeah, I don’t think so.” You could only snort. Waller had given people shit jobs - hell even had them killed - for less.

“Hey, new girl’s an expert over here, John,”

“Oh yeah, Waller is so forgiving. It’s what she’s known for.” Adebayo glanced over at you and you put your hands up in faux surrender.

“Well, she’s entitled to her opinion.”

“Thank you.”

“Her stupid fucking opinion.” John wandered over toward you then paused, holding out one finger to point behind where you sat. “Oh, sweet, we have a piano. That’s useful for black ops.” You leaned behind you and lazily hit the keys you could reach, letting the off-tune notes strangle out. The noise made John wince and Harcourt let out an amused breath. “This is the worst HQ of all time.”

“You’ve clearly never been holed up in Gotham. Once had to be in an abandoned apartment for like… two days. Reeked of old blood and vomit.” John gagged. “This is definitely pretty shit though.”

“That’s disgusting.” You shrugged as he muttered his disdain. “You guys hear that, right? It’s not just me?” He pointed at a pipe, chin tilting as it let out another dull clang.

“We hear what?”

“Hm? What?” You swung your legs over the arm of the chair, leaning back on your elbows against the opposite arm.

“The fuckin’ pi- oh.” Economos pointed at you, then at Harcourt. “Nice Gaslighting.” You smiled up at him, as he rolled his eyes.

“Aww, sorry, John.” You tapped his leg with your foot, exaggerating a pout.

“I’m not.” Harcourt’s chair creaked as she turned and your head fell back to look at her. She turned back and you finally stood up.

“Alright, I’m gonna leave you guys to set up your damp desks. I think it’s time to explore this shithole.” John stepped out of the way as your legs swung around so you could stand. “I’ll try find some tools or something to fix the pipe too.”

You wandered through the back rooms of the abandoned video store. The place had gone under, but it seemed like everyone had dropped what they were doing and ran out. Furniture and paperwork still roughly in the place deemed their home by whoever had left it behind.

Luckily, that meant that as you opened another supply closet in one of the farthest back rooms, you found a rusted toolbox. The blue paint was chipped and the hinge creaked as you opened the lid, and inside sat a handful of screwdrivers, a roll of duct tape, and an adjustable wrench. Not necessarily the proper tools to fix the banging pipe, you thought as you spun the wrench in one hand, but it should do.

“-he’s going to cooperate? Being back with his father, he may… ya know.” Leota gestured her hands, trying to avoid saying that maybe Chris would become like his father now that he was back with him.

“Everything in his file says that he’s not like his father other than the killing thing, so there shouldn’t be any issues.” John glanced at her over the top of his laptop with a shrug.

Climbing onto a chair you dragged over to the wall by the clanging pipe, you poked around with your pointer finger to see if you could figure out what was wrong.

“From his attitude in his trailer, he doesn’t seem like he’d be like his dad, so don’t worry about that too much.” You reassured her, picking up on what John had clearly missed in her question. “Seems more like… I don’t know. No motives other than ‘break law, get killed’.” Adebayo just hummed.

“So, what about you [Y/N]? How’d the great but never caught Silvereye get roped in by Waller?” You glanced over your shoulder to see Harcourt leaning back on her elbows on the desk, head tilted. Turning back to the pipe, you adjusted the wrench to fit the loose bolt head.

“You’re Silvereye? I thought you were just another ARGUS agent.” Blinking in surprise, you turned to Leota before shrugging. “I was expecting some… huge mob guy with a metal eye or something. I don’t know, but the eye is something that everyone agrees on. You’re… well you seem pretty normal.” The image of you with rippling muscles and a fake eye made you laugh.

“That’s what’s spreading around Gotham? Holy shit that’s hilarious.” With a big pull that required most of your body weight, the bolt finally moved. “I definitely would have been caught if I looked like that. But nope. No fake eye.” You adjusted your hold on the wrench and tugged again. “Waller contacted me and said that either I take contracts with her, no questions asked, or she gets me hauled to Arkham. And I don’t want to be in that looney bin.” You shivered slightly at the idea of being roomed next to the Joker and having to hear that laugh. Not that you’d really be stuck in Arkham long with its break-out track record…

“So she’s hired a hitman?” John’s chair let out a creak as he leaned back. “That feels less than legal.”

“I mean technically? It’s more like what she’s done with Task Force X, but without the bomb, because I haven’t been, ya know, arrested.” It was an unspoken promise by Waller that if you didn’t voluntarily cooperate, she would enlist you either way, just in one you had a bit more free will.

With a final pull, you leaned away from the pipe and paused, before grinning as it stopped banging.

A collective groan was let out as a pipe further into the video store started to bang.

You poked around in your bowl of gnocchi before finding the right piece to pop in your mouth, listening as Economos complained about the pigeons that shat all over his couch after he left his balcony door open.

You had to lean around Emelia to see John as he spoke, comfortably sat to her right and on the end of the booth.

“Are you kidding me?” Your eyes flicked to her before you followed her line of sight. And it wasn’t hard to see what she was talking about, not when it wore a bright red shirt and a mirror for a helmet.

“Oh fuck me.” Your eyes rolled as you dropped your fork into the bowl. Leota and Murn both turned in their seats as John let out a laugh.

“Did this dipshit really show up in full cosplay mode?” Smith looked into the restaurant as he walked toward the front door, and you couldn’t help but stare at his car. Painted with the same overtly American stripes as his trailer.

“This is the guy Waller’s giving us?” Out the corner of your eye, you saw Emilia point at Murn with her fork. “I told you she’s fucking us.” Murn rolled his eyes then waved his hand in a lazy dismissal.

“Holy shit,” you saw a movement in the back window of his car before directing your eyes to Leota, “you see that right?”

“Is that an eagle in his back seat?”

“She’s fucking us.” It was almost strange to hear Murn admit it, almost in defeat. But really, Peacemaker was a strange and intense man (not that it was something he had control over, his father was a large factor to his whole… everything) and this mission was going to be exhausting having to handle him. Leota slowly turned back - keeping an eye on the eagle as she did - at the same time the front door chimed. Rolling your eyes, you put another piece of gnocchi in your mouth.

“Oh, I’m with them. Can I just grab a menu, please?” People around the restaurant turn to stare at him as Smith told Leota to scooch over so he could sit opposite you.

“What’s with the costume? Like… why?” Peacemaker scoffed at you, laughing.

“Costume? This is a uniform.” His dismissive and ‘mightier-than-thou’ attitude was starting to piss you off. “And why? Because it’s brand new and needs stretching, make it more comfortable before I go on a mission.”

“Maybe I’m stupid, but why would you want to wear that on a mission.”

“Exactly!” You gestured at him with your fork. “Bright red shirt? White pants? Not exactly ‘lurking in the shadows’.” You grew up in Gotham, you knew that vengeance wore black.

(Vengeance also happened to have a primary-coloured sidekick but that was beside the point).

“People see this uniform, it strikes fear in their hearts.” Peacemaker mumbled his reply into the menu, clearly resigning to the fact that none of you were taking him seriously. You rolled your eyes with an amused exhale.

“What people? The other people at the Village People tryouts?” Emilia’s tone lilted up with amusement and John laughed, shaking his head

“Come on, Smith. Show us your YMCA.” In front of you, you did a low-effort version of the movements with your hands as you said the letters and Economos laughed, dropping his head.

“Why is there a bald eagle in your car?” Murn hadn’t turned back to face the table, instead, his arm was over the back of the booth and he leaned against the dividing wall.

“That’s Eagly.” Smith shrugged as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Yeah, you might kill the guy at the end of this mission. “You guys ordered without me?”

“‘Eagly’ is your pet eagle?” John’s tone dripped with disbelief and amusement.

“Yeah.” Peacemaker looked up at him, with a snide tone

“Is your dog named Doggy?” You let out a small snort and quickly covered your mouth to hide the sound, Adebayo glancing at you with a laugh.

“Alright.” But his word was covered by John’s laugh

“Do you have a daughter named Daughtery?” Economos giggled at his joke, which turned into a laugh as Harcourt joined in. Your hand stayed over your mouth to muffle your laughs, eyes shut and nose scrunched.

“Jealous of a guy’s pet eagle much?” You took a breath to recover from your laughs, looking at Smith as you blindly stabbed at your gnocchi.

“Dude you have to admit that it’s a stupid fucking name.” Finally, your fork landed in a piece and you gestured at him with it. “ Creativity zero.” Popping the gnocchi into your mouth, Harcourt laughed, shaking her head.

The group fell into a moment of silence, a moment that you found more than welcomed. Until;

“Hey, sweet-cheeks!”

“Oh, sweet Jesus.” Your fork fell into your bowl as your head fell into your hands. You heard the waitress stop beside you, pen scratching as Smith ordered. Like you, the rest of your table was silent, and you raised your head to see everyone staring at him.

“Thank you.” The waitress walked away and Smith looked very proud of himself as he muttered, “‘’good choice’” repeating the customer-service compliment on his food choice. He turned his attention back to the table, finally noticing you all staring. He huffed, half-smirking.

“Zoodles are zucchini noodles.” He explained slowly like you were a group of children. As if your looks were of confusion over his vegan noodle choice, and not the gross slang.

“‘Sweet cheeks’?” Leota was the first to break the silence, turning to properly look at Smith beside her. “Seriously dude?”

“She had cherubic cheeks.” His voice pitched up in defence, eyes widened slightly. “It's a compliment.”

"’Sweet cheeks’ is your butt.” John pitched in, and Chris’s head all but whipped toward him.

“No, it's not.” You couldn’t tell if he was defensive because he really thought he was right, or was in denial about being wrong.

“It one-hundred percent is.” Much like he had to John, Smith turned to you quickly and you showed your hands in mock surrender. He opened his mouth, likely to continue to defend himself, but was cut off by Leota.

“It's like calling somebody, I don't know, ‘sugar tits’." Murn’s head fell back in annoyance, and Harcourt brought a hand to the bridge of her nose, pinching it.

“That's totally inappropriate.” As Smith took a breath in, you quietly hoped that would be the end of it, but once again you were proven wrong in your hopes that Smith would know when to shut his mouth. “Her tits are way too big to be sugar tits. Sugar tits are, like, smaller, perkier tits.” Smith made a grabbing motion with his hands, turning his attention to your side of the table. He went to open his mouth and you sent him a steely glare, jaw clenching and your grip on your fork tightening, causing his eyes to quickly flick to Emilia - who had made the mistake of closing her eyes and couldn’t discourage him from what came out of his mouth next. “Like... yours. Uh, technically, I think you may have sugar tits, too but somehow that also feels inappropriate.”

“All right, Peacemaker. That's enough.” Murn sounded tired, but you were all more than glad for him to stop Smith’s train of thought. “ You don't have to be happy with this detail, but you do have to treat your fellow soldiers with respect.”

“Oh yeah? Heard plenty of stories about how you treat people with respect, Murn. Plenty.” It was moments like that, when Smth spoke with such judgement in his tone, where you could piece together what his moral standings around killing were. Almost every killer had rules they put in place for themself - you were of course no exception - but it’s rare that one would be so much up their own ass about it.

“Why is that busboy staring at you?” Harcourt leaned back into her seat to look past you, and everyone turned to follow her line of sight.

Two booths away, leaning on the table, stood the busboy, a dopey smile on his face and his head tilted. You watched as he shifted his weight to one hand, then gave a small finger-wiggle wave mostly directed at Smith.

“I think… that's my friend Gut Chase's younger brother.” The busboy dropped his hand but kept staring at Smith. “He has mental issues.” He half whispered the latter, though the volume was nowhere near low enough. Your brows scrunched together in disbelief as the guy raised both his fists in the air with a giggle.

You kept staring as the waitress moved back over to the table and placed the bowls of greens in front of Smith. Murn passed him a manilla folder, but you kept your eyes on the strange busboy. There was something about the way his curls fought to poke out from underneath his uniform hat, and the old-fashioned wirey glasses. He spun on his heel and walked away with a bounce before disappearing through a door.

The sound of a plate being stabbed drew your attention back to the table.

“-You’re gonna get dressing on it.” Smith scowled and slammed his fork down next to his plate.

“Dressing is easier to get off this helmet than a human lip. That's a fսckin' fact.” Despite his protests, Smith all but pouted took off his helmet and slammed it down on the table in front of his food while mumbling under his breath. He picks his fork up with a fist and stabs at his food, shovelling it into his mouth.

“Dude, you eat like a fucking toddler.” You tilted your head and scrunched up his nose as you watched him.

“You look like a fuckin’ toddler.” Peacemaker mumbled through a mouthful of leaves.

“So… I look young? Wow, what a zinger, you really got me there.” You monotonously drawled out as you rolled your eyes so hard it nearly hurt. “I’m just saying, you were clearly never taught how to hold a fork. Or eat like a normal fucking person.”

“Guess I didn’t have the perfect life you did growing up.”

You opened your mouth to retort, but Murn slammed his fork down, effectively shutting both you and Smith up.

“Enough. Both of you. Stop acting like children.” You barely raised your finger to point at Smith but Murn glared at you. “I don’t have the patience, and we don’t have the time for you to be bickering right now. If you have to have petty arguments just… wait until I don’t have to listen to it.”

The rest of the meal was eaten in silence - though Murn did scold Smith for using the job folder as a placemat - until finally you were all finished and dismissed back to the motel for the night.

reblogs and kind words are appreciated!

#adrian chase x reader #adrian chase x you #adrian chase x y/n #vigilante x reader #vigilante x you #vigilante x y/n #adrian chase reader insert #vigilante reader insert #char writes

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itsclydebitches · 3 years ago

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Hey Clyde, have you caught Shaun's recent video on Harry Potter? It's quite good, but while watching I was also struck by a number of his general criticisms of the series (no good or bad actions only good or bad characters, lack of forethought when introducing new world elements, lack of engagement with established world elements, extremely poorly thought out racial allegories etc) and you can probably guess the other series I thought of lol

I'm watching it now! Thanks for the rec, this is quite good (and I love the background art). I'm about a half hour in and:

"What is done isn’t so important as who is doing it.”

Yup. Yuuuup. That covers a lot of RWBY's current problems right there, alongside that specific tendency to not plan ahead while also attempting to fix things later with the same lack of thought put into the explanation that created the problem in the first place. "Why can't everything be solved with time turners? Oh no, all the time turners were conveniently smashed, problem solved" feels very similar to, "How in the world will they survive the immortal witch? Oh yay, Oscar has a magical nuke in his back pocket, problem solved." Sure, technically speaking both scenarios could (and obviously did) happen, but that doesn't mean they're satisfying to watch/read. I think both RWBY and HP suffer from a lot of moments that never had to be problems in the first place if the authors had just thought ahead a bit more, or even just gave some honest "There's no good explanation because I didn't think about that at the time, sorry" responses to fan questioning. Although, the problem might lie in how those two things appear to contradict for some people. There's such a desire for authors to have thought through every aspect of their stories that when they're faced with a question they don't have a good answer for, they scramble for one to avoid looking bad. Hence ill-thought-out ideas they'd "always planned" that either wreak havoc on the canon, or just come across as ridiculous. The silver lining I suppose is that these moments give fans a chance to come up with cool explanations that the authors failed to consider (with the "My headcanon is actually canon, how dare you suggest the author is less than perfect" take being an extreme result of that play). By coincidence I finished up a HP fic the other night and one detail I liked was the author considering the question, "Why did Voldemort have his followers create a two-way portkey that ultimately allowed Harry to escape from the graveyard? Surely a one-way-ticket (ha, Weiss) would have been better." The kids theorized that all portkeys are like that. Later the reader learns that's incorrect and Malfoy just blames Crouch for being incredibly foolish. It's eventually revealed that Voldemort did that deliberately, hoping to send Harry's body back to Dumbeldore as a warning. It was one of those moments when I went, "Oh cool, the fans aren't just thinking through the world building more, but also thinking through the facts of the world vs. student ignorance vs. biased assumptions vs. egotistic plans that thoroughly backfired."

Though it's by no means a new conversation, I'm really glad fandom is unpacking problems like the fatphobia and alcoholism, alongside JKR's TERF-rhetoric, especially since much of it is all bound up together. Also, I immediately like any vid that acknowledges how utterly ridiculous Cursed Child is lol. Look, I have heard from multiple people whose taste in media I greatly respect — one of them very recently! — who say the play is absolutely amazing... but I just can't get over the plot. Or the characterization. Or the, well, everything else. I too might get caught up in the spectacle of the production if I ever get the chance to see it, but strip that away and you've just got a bad story imo. So yeah, I'm always sitting up when someone else mentions how insane it is that Cedric became a Death Eater because he lost a contest. Guess it's a good thing he was killed and that moment is no longer the tragedy that sparked the second war!🤦‍♀️

(Ah man, now I'm thinking about parallels to Penny's death: a similar revision where we strip the tragedy away for silly shenanigans that exist only to bring a beloved character back into the spotlight, no matter how their characterization is butchered in the process.)

I've gotta admit though, as well done as the video is so far and as much as I agree with Shaun's primary points, I think he's excluding important context for some of the smaller examples to push the "This is very badly written" angle. For example no, we don't know that Harry is a horrible child who didn't give his friends gifts for Christmas. The books are written in a limited third person, mostly Harry's POV, which mean the texts, especially early on, tend to focus on what he's received, not what he's given. But the existence of later gifts and Harry's overall characterization say pretty clearly (to me anyway) that of course he gave his friends presents, we just don't hear about them because the short paragraphs assigned to describing Christmas are more concerned with what he got. To be honest, I've always taken issue with the, "Harry should have solved the Weasley's financial problems and the fact that he didn't means he's a shitty person" take. Beyond the fact that I don't think 12yos should be responsible for solving or attempting to solve the financial problems of those around them (especially abused 12yos who randomly learned one day they have a fortune), JKR may have fucked up a lot of the story, but she does a pretty good job of establishing Harry's careful approach to wealth and the Weasleys. As Shaun lays out, Harry offers to share his candy and tries to trade for Ron's sandwich. He recognizes right from the start that Ron's pride won't let him accept a straight up, charitable gift. In later books Harry thinks about how he'd happily pay for all the Weasley's stuff, but he knew by then they wouldn't accept. By the fourth book Harry is old enough to have figured out a way to help without embarrassing anyone:

"Harry," said George weakly, weighing the money bag in his hands, "there's got to be a thousand Galleons in here."

"Yeah," said Harry, grinning. "Think how many Canary Creams that is." The twins stared at him.

"Just don't tell your mum where you got it... although she might not be so keen for you to join the Ministry anymore, come to think of it."

"Harry," Fred began, but Harry pulled out his wand.

"Look," he said flatly, "take it, or I'll hex you. I know some good ones now. Just do me one favour, OK? Buy Ron some different dress robes and say they're from you."

The twins are the most carefree and chill of all the Weasley clan and they're still pretty reluctant to take money they know Harry doesn't need, money he won through traumatic events to boot. Imagine the response if he tried to get the most money-concerned member (Ron) to accept an expensive new wand at 12 years old, using the money his dead parents left him. Toss in practical concerns like "The wand chooses the wizard," so these kids need to get back to Diagon Alley for this Christmas present — Harry can't just order one in the mail — or else get Molly and Arthur involved, so we're right back to the embarrassment of this kid doing for Ron what his parents can't. It's just always seemed silly to me, this idea of, "I can't believe the literal child who has known about magic for about a year didn't solve the financial difficulties of this prideful family. Harry is such a jerk." The REAL question is why McGonagall, the adult Deputy Headmistress and Head of Ron's House, was willing to shell out a stupid amount for Harry's racing broom, but won't buy her student a new wand. There's some characterization to unpack. Obviously though Shaun's end point is the main takeaway: we have to ignore a lot of easy fixes to set up Ron's broken wand ending up in Lockhart's hand (personally, I would have just had the wand break during the fall into the chamber), but I don't actually think Harry's money is one of those easy fixes here. For all the awful problems with the novels, Harry as a fully realized character is something I've always liked. He makes bad choices, silly choices, often does things and doesn't do things based on emotion rather than what's the Objectively Right Choice. I absolutely buy a 12yo who grew up with the Dursleys keeping his head down about money problems until, a few years later, he's figured out a way to give some without embarrassing everyone in the process.

ANYWAY I've ranted about HP for too long now (surprise, surprise). Gonna watch more of the vid tomorrow👌‍

#rwde #rwby #HP #Harry Potter #mymetas

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silent-silver-slip · 3 years ago

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The Sea Never Dies Masterlist

So what is The Sea Never Dies? Simply put, it's a Naruto series on AO3 that follows a half-Uchiha, Toru. Toru is a reincarnated Uzukage from the time of Uzushio's fall and had been an ANBU Commander too. The series begins with the Uchiha massacre and, obviously, becomes seriously canon divergent as time goes on and more changes are made.

You can find the series on AO3 and also fanfiction.net (though AO3 is the better of the two, I'll admit).

However, I am very aware that as time has passed the series has gained a large number of AUs and extra fics, which I thought might be helpful to explain.

This post contains a description of each fic, the link, and where it fits as an AU/in the timeline. It also has links to the gift fics and fanart that's been created for this series if it's been posted online.

Please note that this post will also contain spoilers due to the nature of describing some of the fics.

The Sea Never Dies

Sea Dreams - The first book in the series follows the Uchiha Clan massacre and Toru remember who he'd been in another life.

Current Strength - The second book in the series follows the end of the first book and explores ROOT and their role in this series.

Ocean's Own Stories - This is the third book in the series and sits between Current Strength and Tideswept, it's more or less a series of short stories than anything else that cover the time skip between the two fics mentioned just before.

Tideswept - The fourth book in the series and the beginning of proper canon. Team 7 are officially formed and the canon is definitely ruined now too.

Wayfinders - The fifth, and technically final, book in the series follows Sasuke in Konoha and Toru in Uzushio, and brings up the Akatsuki plot line.

Uncharted Waters

This series consists of both AUs and fics that fit into the world of The Sea Never Dies. I've split them up here for ease of access, with canon-world fics first and AUs afterward. Some of the AUs can be read without much knowledge (or any) of Toru, and these say so on their AO3 page.

Non-AU Fics

random scene - Gives the POV for Team 7 in chapter 17 of Current Strength when they're rescued by Jakkaru (available only on tumblr).

Desert Oasis - Temari as she grows up in Suna and becomes Kazekage. Can be read alone and has also been connected to Silver's fic the sands are merciless (and yet the wind calls us home). This fic doesn't fit into one point of the series as it explores across various years from when Temari is young to when she becomes Kazekage (which occurs in Tideswept). (tumblr | ao3)

I was the captain of a sinking ship waiting for the waves to find me - This fic follows Chapter 23 of Wayfinders and explores the jinchuriki of Uzushio meeting all together for the first time.

the sea unchanging; timeless - The ANBU Commander of Konoha never dies. This can be read as a standalone. (tumblr | ao3)

hear the sea's call (listen to its stories) - There are many people of Uzushio and not all of them got to live (but so many of them did). This explores a series of stories about the people of Uzushio and some of Kiri near the time of Uzushio's fall, both before and after.

Untold Legends: Wani - A legend of Uzushio about a ninja who created seals that shaped the world. This takes place before this series even begins.

the sea's embrace - A 4 + 1 of firsts for Toru's ANBU team beginning after Current Strength and continuing into Wayfinders. (tumblr | ao3)

The Comfort of the Sea - Stargazing with Toru's team. Technically this fic takes place anywhere, but either in Wayfinders or post-Wayfinders. (tumblr | ao3)

ships sailorless lay rotting on the sea, they slept on the abyss without a surge - Zabuza and growing up in Kiri after Uzushio's fall, one reference to an event in Tideswept.

by the sea, you find yourself - Obito finding himself, post-Wayfinders.

the nature of the sea - Post-Wayfinders, a moment of Uzushio's ANBU watching new rookies spar with their leader.

this is love: a shared glance, the waves lapping at our feet, our laughter rising with the sun - Toru and his team, years after the end of Wayfinders.

AUs

random scene - Toru if he'd had a partner and Sasuke and Naruto got to give them the shovel talk (only available on tumblr).

a new haven for those lost at sea - Toru is born earlier and fights in the third shinobi war. (tumblr | ao3)

see hope rise with the tide - A monster of a fic where Toru lives through canon and then is reborn in the Warring Clans Era as an Uchiha once again. (tumblr | ao3)

what the tide brought back - An AU where Toru is noticed as a genius and the world changes as a result. Can be read as a standalone.

the sea swallowed the sun, the moon, and the stars - In which as Toru fights in Uzushio as his village falls, his ANBU team decide to disobey orders and save him. Turns out that when properly motivated, they can do a lot of damage to a number of villages and even bring a war to a stop.

what the sea hides - This fic was inspired by Silver's fic Here Be Dragons where Toru and his ANBU team meet Tobirama who is a dragon. This fic is basically the team making fun of Toru and each other.

The Sea Never Looked Back - Naruto has lived before, as an ANBU Commander, as an Uzukage, as Toru.

Diving in While the Current's Fast - In the Warring Clans Era, Tobirama marries Toru in a political match, and the world is changed for it.

The Danger of the Wronged Sea - There are some stories when, after remembering who he is, Toru doesn't stay in Konoha, not even for Sasuke.

I was driving over the waves when you found me (and threw me a lifeline) - An AU beginning sometime after Current Strength, where the Sandaime Hokage removes Toru from ANBU in hope to avoid ruining Toru like so many geniuses have been ruined before him. It doesn't quite work out the way he planned, but somehow things still fall together.

Changes in the Tide - Technically an AU, but it could fit into the canon verse as well. Shikaku and Toru having a shogi match, even before they know who they are playing.

Have The Courage To Trust The Sea - Konoha's ambassador, rather than running to Konoha to get help, shows her tongue to Uzushio's leaders - and the seal that kept secrets under lock and key. And so, the world changes.

The Sea Brought Us Home - Soulmates exist and the world only slightly changes as a result.

the sea isn't yours but you're still the sea's - Toru is no reincarnated Uzukage, but just a kid. He does his best to survive, and does so with his family around him.

the dragon sings to the sea - Toru is reborn as a dragon.

the waves were dead; the tides were in their graves - Toru isn't reborn, but the Uchiha Clan can see ghosts and that changes things.

and then, suddenly, you hear the ocean - In one world, Toru's ANBU team dies following the fall of Uzushiogakure. In another, they live and do the impossible - call their people back home.

Art

Toru as a dragon - The incredible Nem made this piece.

Toru - The incredible Nem also made this piece!

Toru's ANBU teammates (Wayfinders) - I made these ones with a piccrew.

Toru - One of Pearl's friends made this amazing piece.

Other Links

Future Plans - My plans following the end of The Sea Never Dies series. | Updated plans in progress.

Thank You - A message to all my readers following the end of Wayfinders.

Original World Pinterest - This is where I’m slowly gathering aesthetic for the original version of this. As it stands, Bayan (Land of Water/Mizu no Kuni) is complete and I’ve written up a profile in my personal notes that’s near completion. The other one partially created is Sumar (Land of Whirlpools/Uzu no Kuni), which has a side section for Kaisho which will be Uzushiogakure.

WorldAnvil - A worldbuilding website where I am slowly building Toru’s world from nothing. A constant work in progress and also fun to explore.

Discord Server - What started of as a discord server specifically for this series, it’s since grown as a place for all my writing and an awesome community that I’m proud to be a part of. A lot of encouraging goes on here, along with sharing of art and other things that aren’t seen on tumblr or in ao3.

#the sea never dies #wip

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foodieforthoughts · 4 years ago

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Sand and Stars - Prologue

Series Summary: After the water pump being blown up, the insurgents in Baqubah are taking a hold of the food supply to the village. Camp Warhorse is in dire need of reinforcements. It has been eight months of submitting countless requests when the High Command commissions Sergeant Olivia Ross to take her group of men and women and help Captain Syverson and his team to restore a semblance of normalcy. But with the war raging, does it get two hearts closer too?

Pairing: Captain Syverson x OFC x OMC

Word Count: 1925

Warnings: 18+, Mentions of war, military technicalities, smut in future chapters

A/N: This (x) has finally taken birth. I am very excited about this fic, it is literally the only thing I can focus on right now. A big thanks to @thelastsock for beta-ing this. Sending her lot of love and good health, always. Please don’t come down on me if I have gotten any of the army-related things wrong, because this is a work of fiction.

Title: Prologue

Olivia Ross was everything but a heavy sleeper. She slept like a feral cat ready to jump at even the slightest bit of disturbance. And that is why she was wide awake at 3 a.m.

The sound of Alex’s snores, deep and rumbling, echoed from beside her. A strong arm was draped tightly over her torso-his bull’s head tattoo peeking out from under his sleeve. Olivia looked to her side and sighed.

She hated sneaking out of his room the next day. The walk of shame she could take-her squad mates were already bored by the gossip of yesteryears-but the imminent questioning that Alex would barrage her with later, was what broke her.

Carefully, Olivia moved his arm from over her body and slid out from the bunk bed they were sharing. She watched as Alex turned to the other side and a moment later, continued snoring; oblivious to the loss of bodily warmth from besides him.

Grabbing her discarded clothes piled on the floor and hurriedly pulling them on, Olivia grabbed her dog tags from the table. Her eyes also fell on the other chain lying on the metal desk; a Saint Christopher Medal in a silver chain which Alex had gotten for her the last time he had flown home. Reluctantly, she grabbed the chain and wore it with her dog tags and swiftly snuck out of the Captain’s room.

As soon as Olivia was out in the corridors of the Baghdad base camp, the sweet noise of military men going about their duties graced her ears. She looked around as she made her way towards the ladies quarters; some of the men were loading up their Humvees for a patrol around the city, a few of them out for their morning run and then there were others like her who were hurrying away to reach their beds.

Closing the door to her quarters, Olivia was met with two sets of narrowed eyes looking at her. “Busy night there, Sergeant Ross?” The smugness in their voices, nothing new but annoying nonetheless, made Olivia roll her eyes.

“Aren’t you guys supposed to be sleeping?” She laid on her bed-her legs dangling from the ends-feeling relaxed more than she was when sleeping next to Alex.

A loud bang on the hard metal door interrupted them. A young private recruit peaked inside, her cheeks going red as she came face to face with her seniors.

Raising her head from her bed, Olivia looked at the blushing Private edging around the door. “What is it, Private?”

“Uhm…”

“You need to speak faster, sister. No one’s going to be waiting that long for you to finish your sentences.” Sergeant Sloan, a blond beauty with Victoria’s Secret model’s look, said from her bunk on the other side of the room.

“I was told to get Sergeant Ross to Lieutenant Crowley.”

Olivia nodded at the soldier and she hurried out, closing the door behind her. “What does Crowley want?”

“Hopefully, he sends us somewhere. I’m tired of looking at the same old shaved heads around here.” Corporal Sierra said from her corner of the room. Both the ladies laughed at their joke, Sloan snorting while laughing and Sierra basking in her comedic skills. Olivia smiled looking at her fellow bunk mates, loving their laughter ringing in the dilapidated and make-shift room.

After taming her wild bed hair into a braid and pulling on a fresh set of clothes to meet the lieutenant, Olivia made her way towards the central meeting hub. Lieutenant Crowley was a balding man in his late fifties, irritating beyond belief and the epitome of a male chauvinist. Olivia looked at him while he shuffled through his folders and pulled out one to hand over to her.

“You need to go to Baqubah.” His nasally voice ordered, his height an inch shorter than hers.

“Sir?” Olivia looked down at the brown manila folder in her hand. Camp Warhorse was written below the bold printed letters of Baqubah.

“They had a water problem which was not fixed and now the militants have been targeting the food supply trucks entering the city.” He pulled out another folder from underneath the table, handing it to her with a grunt. “They need air support, but Command wants us to only send one. You can take the Little Bird and two Humvees with any twelve members for your unit. I’m making you responsible for the mission.”

“What are we to do there? Can’t we just drop food rather than driving it in-?” Olivia opened the first folder to find a letter of co-ordinates and sitreps from the Captain stationed at the camp.

“They have asked for help. You’ll meet with the Captain there and gauge the situation personally. Is that clear, Sergeant?”

When anyone pulls rank on the other, it usually means the conversation is over. So, Olivia with her two manila folders, nodded at Lieutenant Crowley and turned to walk away. “Sergeant, you leave in two hours.”

Perfect. She turned to nod at the Lieutenant who had already sat down to get back to his work.

Olivia made her way back towards the quarters from the hub. The base camp looked more alive now that almost everyone was awake. Loud music blared from the speakers with shirtless men playing basketball or getting their daily workout in. Olivia opened the folder and took the first paper in her hand; it was a sitrep from eight months ago from Captain Syverson about the blast at the water pump they were supposedly fixing. She went through the report, noticing Sergeant Harper’s name whom she personally knew from a previous mission.

Lost in her task at hand, Olivia missed the man coming her way and bumped into him, her steps faltering behind with the impact. When she looked up, the unmistaken glare of two narrowed blue-green eyes met her own. She let out a sigh even before he could speak another word.

“Captain Cooper,” She greeted the man whom she had only left a couple of hours ago. “Good morning.”

“You snuck out, again.” The harshness in his voice made Olivia remember why she despised this particular exchange of words in the morning. Alex, unlike the state she had left him in, was now dressed in his army pants and the beige army t-shirt with his hair groomed to the nines. Never a day did Alex show up with disheveled hair and unshaven, he was always the well-groomed kind of man that romance novels idealized about.

“Crowley wanted me for a briefing,” she showed him the folders, “We leave for Baqubah in under two hours. Going to be delivery guys for them.”

Alex scrunched his eyebrows as his attention from last night’s shenanigans were drawn to the mission at hand. He took the folders from her and shifted through the papers. “Baqubah? Wasn’t there an unsuccessful mission already?”

The change in his tone, from the attention seeking friend to a decorated military man, made Olivia realize why she had fallen for him in the first place. It was that very dedication to his work, the life choice that he had made, that had made her pursue him like an eagle does it’s prey.

Too bad the eagle realized it wasn’t really hungry.

“Liv?” Alex asked, the long lashes lining his eyes fluttering as he looked at her.

“Yeah, but there’s an insurgence of militants and food supply shortage.” He handed the folders back to her, crossing his arms over his chest. The sleeve of his t-shirt stretched over his muscles, revealing the tattoos on either side of his arms. A single vein stretched over each of his bulging biceps, taunting her with the memories of her tracing it with her fingertips.

Olivia shook her head, choosing to look behind Alex and spotting her unit coming her way. “I need to go. I haven’t even told my people.” She started to walk away when Alex held her wrist. She looked at him wide-eyed and frantically looked around to see if anyone was looking at them. This was the first time Alex was being so forthcoming about their twisted relationship out in the open.

“Were you going to at least say goodbye?”

Olivia froze hearing the pain in his voice. She did not wish to discuss whatever was going on between them. In a deep corner of her mind, she was secretly happy that she was being sent away from the base camp. It meant she could think about a way to gently let Alex know that they were done.

“Alex,” the use of his informal name, always made him smile. Olivia used it to her advantage on more than one occasion. “We need to head out. I need to brief them. Please can we do this later?”

She wanted to wait for his answer but when her eyes darted to the makeshift clock hanging on the wall, that the men had put together one night after getting drunk on local liquor, showed she had over an hour and half to roll out; Olivia mouthed a ‘sorry’ and walked away. She hated when she left Alex standing like that, alone and dejected. She was the cause of this shit-show, but she had no idea how to end it.

“Groundhog, this is echo 1-1, we are set to fly out the nest. Over.” Sergeant Gary Schmidt, Olivia's most trusted co-pilot, said into the communications line. They had gathered a group of twelve soldiers, including Olivia’s bunk mates Sloan and Sierra and were now ready to leave for Camp Warhorse. The blades of their chopper, the beautiful and reliable MH-6 Little Bird, whirred by cutting the dry air of Baghdad.

“This is Groundhog to Echo 1-1. You are cleared for flight. Over.”

Olivia looked to her right at Schmidt and gave a thumbs up. “Echo 1-1 is flying out. Welcome on board, people.” She said into her comms, controlling the stick and feeling the skids lift off from the ground.

In an unplanned glance towards the tarmac, Olivia caught sight of Alex standing a few feet away with his face impassive; lips pursed tight and eyes covered with shades, the last thing Olivia saw before they flew off from the Baghdad Base Camp.

“What a dump of desert and sand, Red.” Schmidt said into the comms to her, making her smile being referenced by her nickname and distracting her from the unsettling feeling she had by looking at Alex. Her command officer had jokingly compared her hair to fire after one heated argument she had with a fellow soldier and called her ‘Red’, making the name become a core part of her identity. “Baqubah better be forgiving.” Schmidt continued as they turned towards the road leading up to the destroyed city.

An hour into the flight and their comms came alive. “This is Warhorse to Echo 1-1.” Olivia looked at her co-pilot and nodded her head to take over the communications. In the distance, over the expanse of the dry desert, the heat was coming down hard on them, making little beads of sweat form on the underside of their helmets.

“Echo 1-1, receiving, over.”

“Echo 1-1, this is Captain Syverson,” the previous emotionless voice was replaced by a strongly accented one. Olivia was borderline impressed by Syverson's command in his voice. She looked at Schmidt at the same time he did-they always referred to each other as ‘twins’ because their minds were almost always in sync. “The tarmac is ready for your landing. Welcome to Warhorse.”

Chapter One>

✨Series Masterlist✨

Tagging: @wanderlustkitkat @michelehansel @stephartrave @yuhsophie @hennerslionhat @henrythickcavill @eldarwen333 @peakygroupie @klaine-92 @thelastsock @indigosaurus @oddsnendsfanfics @viking-raider @cavillliketravel @geralt-of-baevia @achaoticaugust @dancingwendigo @littlefreya @luclittlepond @mansaaay @agniavateira @inlovewithhisblueeyes @henryobsessed @henryfanfics101 @poucinette1333 @ohmygoodie @oolicity @wolvesandhoundshowltogether @asyverson @demivampirew @cavills-cavalry @raspberrydreamclouds @fuckoffbard @the-soot-sprite @hell1129-blog @inthenameofcavill @heartfelt-pen @shyinadarkplace @mary-ann84 @sciapod @toomanyfandomsshreya @madbaddic7ed @mariestark @feralrunaway @infinite-shite @killjoy-assbutt-1112 @summersong69 @its--fandom--darling @awhitewolfandhisvibraniumshield

#captain syverson #captain syverson fanfic #captain syverson x ofc #captain syverson smut #henry cavill #chris evans #henry cavill fanfic #sand and stars series

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falsegoodnight · 4 years ago

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part one of my december fic rec! this list encompasses the fics i’ve read from the 1st to the 15th so half of this month! (mostly just the first week and a half though because FINALS!)

there’s still twenty fics/ficlets on here though which is insane so that’s why i’m splitting my monthly recs into two lists again!

you can find part two here

—

✰ (have yourself a) Merry little Christmas by @defencelesst | G | 1k (so so so soft and sweet and perfect!! lottie’s stories always warm my heart!)

There's a saying in Korean culture about how watching the first snow of the year with someone means you're destined to stay together for a long time.

✰ Still by @allwaswell16 | NR | 2k (a timestamp for this series) (so sweet and heartwarming! the PERFECT end to the series!)

Louis has settled into his life in Colorado with Harry, their horses, and of course, Lacey the goat. And now the day has arrived to finally marry the man who makes this place feel like home.

✰ sugary sweet by @soldouthaz | E | 4k (drabble from this series) (hot, hot, hot! did i mention, hot?)

From the corner of his eye he can see every movement. The fire makes Louis’ skin even more golden than usual, the peaks of his nipples dark pink in pale contrast. His chest is already beginning to rise and fall quicker where a blush has bloomed up near his throat from his excitement. His arm is raised, shaking lightly as he holds up the icing can, his mouth parted as he pants softly.

Louis looks ethereal, and Harry’s having a more difficult time than he thought not being able to touch him.

✰ Thank you, five by @nouies | E | 6k (technically a reread) (so so cute and lovely and hot!!!)

“Harry?” He says as soon as he recognises the other man.

“Louis? Wh-what are you doing here?” Harry asks with a frown.

“Well, I’m here for rehearsal,” Louis announces with a proud smile.

There’s a flash of confusion on Harry’s face. “What do you mean rehearsal? I got the part, you didn’t.”

✰ can you keep me close, can you love me most? by @soldouthaz | G | 6k (a drabble from this series) (made me CRY!! love this world and these characters so so much!!!)

“I’m so sorry, Harry. This was supposed to be our night and we were going to eat and then walk around the city and-”

“Lou, it’s alright,” Harry says, “seriously. We can always make another reservation. Don’t worry about it, love.”

“I know, just -” Louis cuts himself off with a sigh.

He knows they can reschedule. It’s not so much that he cares about the reservation, really, or any of the food. His students are so important to him and he’d always drop anything to help them, except that he sort of - well, Louis sort of thought Harry would propose tonight.

✰ singing your praises by @loubellies | E | 6k (really hot and sexy but also cute!)

Prompt 86: Louis rides Harry while wearing his packer’s jersey/sweater and gets his ass ate.

✰ You’ll wait for me only by @tired-eyes-lou | T | 9k (love accidental bonding fics! cute!)

Harry nips at the bondmark on Louis’ neck, Louis’ hands go to his hips, grounding him. He allows himself this, knowing that his Omega needs it too. Harry pulls back, “Go on a date with me.” He rushes out, looking at Louis’ eyes.

Louis laughs and shakes his head. “No, Louis, I’m serious. We’ve bonded for life anyway, might as well try.” Louis looks at him, “You’ve been thinking about this a lot.” Louis points out, Harry nods. “Okay.” Louis says and walks out leaving Harry. “Okay what?!”

✰ Pretty and Pink by @larryinpantiess | E | 13k (cute and lovely! love trucker harry!)

Harry never lets anyone come on the road with him.

Then, a cute hitchhiker, Louis comes around.

✰ show you the stars in the daylight by @yvesaintlourent | E | 13k (AMAZING INCREDIBLE PERFECT! i love childhood best friends and also !! miscommunication !! idiots in love !!)

Louis has a type and at sixteen and scrawny, it's definitely not his best friend's little brother Harry...ten years later, he changes his mind.

✰ silver linings by @millsxwriting | T | 14k (so cute and sweet :’) as a big fan of emails, this made my heart happy)

As Louis starts his freshman year of college out of state, Harry finishes his last year of high school back home. The distance between California and Arizona has both of them gripping onto everything they can to make their relationship work.

✰ Won’t Keep You My (Dirty Little) Secret by @lovelykits | M | 16k (wow wow wow i adored this!!! louis and harry were both so lovely!)

Louis and Harry have been together since the end of last year and somehow no one knows about it.

✰ The Boy with the Tin Chest and the Glass Heart by @louloubabys1992 | M | 18k (amazing concept and so cute!! love the inclusion of fairy tales in this one too!)

Alpha Harry Styles, world-renowned author of fairy-tales, is being persuaded by the Beta, Liam Payne, to hire a new illustrator. Since Harry’s own illustrations are too graphic for what is supposed to be children’s stories, Liam feels the need is dire. Omega Louis does not agree with Liam since he believes that Harry’s stories are fine just the way they are. Of course this has nothing to do with Louis being totally biased or totally head over heels for Harry. It certainly has nothing to do with being jealous of the mysterious omega illustrator Liam has in mind to team Harry up with.

Seriously, it has nothing to do with that at all. Nothing, absolutely nothing, zilch, nada.

Yeah...

✰ Across the Grey, Salty Sea by @the-cheshire-pussy-cat | E | 20k (incredible!!! the ending made me so emotional ahh)

Prompt 212: Alex from Dunkirk and French escort/prostitute Louis who ends up in Alex’s quarters more nights than not. Alex gives him his dog tag to wear maybe just a lot of smut and dirty talk with Louis being a pretty princess.

✰ blue songs are like tattoos by @loubellies | E | 31k (berkeley chant!! but so so cute and amazing! loved the playlist that went with it too!)

“Good morning, University of California, you’re listening to KALX 90.7 FM Berkeley, this is DJ Harry Styles. If the owner of the tapes I’ve been finding around the studio doesn’t come forward and introduce himself, I’m going to continue tossing them straight in the trash!”

✰ Freeway of Love (In a Pink Cadillac) by @mizzhydes | E | 33k (the plot twist took me off guard but wow!)

Louis was on his way to Miami to visit an old friend. Harry was going there for a little R&R and take in the sights and sounds. A sudden upgrade in seating brought these polar opposites together. The universe works in mysterious ways and they are unknowingly about to embark on an adventure they will surely remember for a lifetime.

✰ Cold As Ice And Everything Nice by @harriblou | M | 41k (this was so sweet and amazing and tender <333 loved it!)

Louis is a professional ice-skater and he meets Harry, who offers to clean the ice for him.

✰ When Our Worlds They Fall Apart by @holdingthornsandroses | E | 42k (louis as leia??? harry as han solo??? amazing perfect incredible! made my heart happy!)

Harry put his hand over his heart as if Louis had wounded him. “You’re so harsh, my liege! Perhaps you need to relieve some tension…” He let his voice trail off suggestively.

“The day I ask YOU to relieve tension is the day I lose all my wits and join the Imperials,” Louis said. “It will never happen.”

✰ A Place With Skeletons by @crazyupsetter | E | 51k (yet another masterpiece from this author. continues to blow me away <3 that one line (you know if you know) still sticks with me today)

“I would choose anyone other than you,” Louis says, picking up his train of thought again. He feels a lot more cornered and defensive when they’re in Harry’s house, for some reason. It doesn’t really make sense, considering that this time, Louis was the one who couldn’t hack it any longer. He broke first. There’s something about being in Harry’s space, though, the green and earthy feeling of it. It should feel like open space with all the plants, but Louis has never felt more claustrophobic than he does when he’s here.

Harry’s chest moves against his back, a sharp intake of air. Before he can open his mouth to defend himself, Louis keeps going, “If I had a choice in any of this, I would have been saved by that elderly security guard over you. I wouldn’t mind having to have the occasional cuddle with her.”

✰ through the wheatfields and the coastlines by @thepolourryexpress | E | 53k (ni was right. i definitely fell in love with cowboy harry but i’m not complaining! this fic had it all and i’ll definitely be rereading this in the future - so so amazing!)

Louis needs inspiration, and a certain cowboy and his lamb are the perfect distraction.

✰ Know I Think You’re Awesome, Right? by @princesshalo | E | 60k (amazing amazing amazing! loved the conflict between louis and harry and their dynamic!)

A college AU where Louis is a hippie, very good vibes activist and Harry is a punk, anarchist that always gets involved in violent protests.

If you read any of these lovely fics, remember to leave kudos and comment to show your appreciation!

*if i made any errors, please let me know :)

enjoy!

#my fic recs #fic recs #2020 recs #december 2020 recs #december recs

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rum-and-shattered-dreams · 4 years ago

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20 First Lines

Tagged by @athgalla and @novantinuum! Thanks! This should be interesting!

Rules: List the first lines of your last 20 stories. See if there are any patterns. Choose your favorite opening line. Then tag 10 authors!

I don’t have 20 “published” fics so I might fill out the extras with some old or unfinished things.

Unless otherwise specified, these are Gravity Falls fics. I’ll just go in order from oldest to newest with the extras tacked on at the end:

1) Mending

A chilled evening breeze, laced in the scents of grass and evergreen, blew through the broken walls and collapsed beams of the Mystery Shack’s living room.

2) Behind the Facade (starts with a flashback to childhood)

Stan kicked his feet, sending his swing hurtling back and forth.

3) The Vandals

From the moment he returned to Dimension 46’/, Stanford wanted to know what had become of his old friend, Fiddleford.

4) Maybe It’s Not Too Late

The Stan O’ War II was a creaky vessel cobbled together by loving hands.

5) Artistic Differences

Crisp leaves rustled across the gravel path in a cascade of yellow and orange.

6) Letters to the Oracle

Early September brought a cool breeze to the forest making Stanford’s morning walks infinitely more pleasant.

7) The Gift of Sleep

Dipper yawned and turned another page, soaking in the story of a boy who could travel to other worlds in his dreams.

8) One Person’s Boredom Is Another Person’s Fun (One shot in the Maybe It’s Not Too Late series)

Stanford’s pen scribbled between the lines of a notebook, his curly cursive filling the backs and fronts of nearly every dogeared page with revised notes from a long day of lectures.

9) The Best Handyman This Place Has Ever Seen

Stan showed nearly every yellowed tooth of his dentures in a smile that strained his cheeks as much as his patience.

10) Maybe It's Not Too Late - deleted/unwritten scenes

Stan and Fiddleford dragged their feet across the terrazzo, slogging their way to the musty elevator through a maze of scuffed walls and hospital halls.

11) Heroism is Subjective (Starts with a flash forward to Dipper and Mabel as adults)

Dipper had barely climbed out of his slush-spattered SUV when a flash of pink and purple slammed into him and powerful arms wrapped around his neck. Mabel's quilted coat sleeves squished against his cheeks as she squealed in delight, "Dipper!"

12) The Plaidypus

In a tangle of half-shadows cast in purple, red, green, and blue, stretching from the base of each object on his desk, cast from the glow of every lamp in his study turned to its brightest setting, Stanford's head spun.

13) The Man Downstairs

A quiet mind was a rare occurrence for Stanford Pines, even before he'd made the deal that plunged his life into lonely confinement.

14) He Thought He’d Be Relieved (One-shot in The Man Downstairs series)

It had already been three years - Three years since that demon discovered a way to possess Ford's body whenever he pleased and they still had no way of stopping him.

15) A Fresh Start

Ford awoke, curled up on his side, to the nose-tingling scent of fresh-cut wood and a sneeze that alerted him to a more pressing matter than his irritated sinuses.

16) Devour-Ed (The only Ed, Edd, and Eddy thing I’ve ever written - from 2004 >_< If anyone wants to look at this atrocity it actually still exists on Fanart Central along with some old art which is half embarrassingly horrible and half actually not bad)

“Run, Ed, run!” Edd screamed, to a scurrying Ed. “I’m running, I’m running!” Ed huffed as he carried Edd on his shoulders. “Hurry, hurry!” Edd panicked. “I’m hurrying, I’m hurrying!” “In, in!” The two Eds scrambled through the door to Ed’s house. “I’m inning, I’m inning!”

17) Ripples to Waves (Working title - original WIP)

“Hurry! Uh… I mean… please, can’t we go any faster?” Thick navy cotton crinkled between Kai’s fidgeting hands leaving the hem of his military cadet coat pressed with wrinkles.

18) Untitled Prequel to Ripples to Waves (Is it? IDK. It might be part 1 of the series?)

Wilhelmina was, despite her habit of climbing dirt piles and rolling down the sides, a princess.

19) Maybe Part 2 or 3 of Ripples to Waves? This one might need some explanation since it would have been set up in a previous part that Alstr is blind, Kai has actually silver hair and uses tarnish remover to clean it sometimes, and they train together daily. (And they might be destined to be NB ace partners but don’t know it yet ;))

Alstr’s staff sailed through the air toward Kai’s head. He barely somersaulted out of the way, his braid flipping behind him and leaving a pungent trail of tarnish remover for Alstr to follow.

20) There is no 20 :P

Technically there are... other things I’ve written but I’m not going to be horny on main I mean there are a bunch of things that will never be finished and a bunch that are too nebulous to pick out an opening line so I’ll just leave it at that.

Welp, guess I go for a lot of description or setting the scene right away. Some are awfully wordy in looking back on them. The shorter, snappier ones feel better to me now.

As for a favorite, I kind of like # 18. It’s short but still sets up the premise of the character. And I’m pretty fond of #13 and #9 for setting up the mood/tone.

And now for the tagging! It looks like a bunch of people I know have already been tagged but if you haven’t been and you see this, consider yourself tagged!

#20 first lines #20 first lines meme #writing #fanfic #mo's writing and such #gravity falls fanfiction

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writersrealmbts · 5 years ago

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Different Skins: Part 2

Description: You’re awoken in the night to find seven strange (and oddly suicidal) men in your home–who apparently are magical creatures in disguise? Now you have a Dragon, Werewolf, Elf, Mermaid, Unicorn, Fairy living in your home and an enchanter that visits now and then. What could go wrong?

Warnings: Some mentions of gore (nothing explicit)

Posted: 05/25/2020

Tags: bts x reader, ot7

Chaos: 2,677 words

A/N: Finally getting this out of my drafts! Happy fourth day of fic-dump!

“Jimin! You can’t fly!” You called out, running over and grabbing his belt. “Namjoon! Stop challenging Jungkook, dog bites are notoriously troublesome and we can’t take you guys to the hospital. Hoseok, where’s Yoongi?”

“Still sleeping. Come play with me, Jiminie!” He came over and hugged the fairy.

“He’s no challenge!” Jungkook huffed, a growl in his throat.

Namjoon smirked, opening his mouth.

“You get one more warning and then the sword comes out again,” You warned. “And the silver!”

They hastily separated, heading into different rooms.

Hoseok had the fairy in a loving hold now, and the fairy seemed pretty satisfied with the attention.

You looked around again, trying to figure out when you lost the privacy of this upper living room. They’d only been with you for two and a half days, and already you had lost control.

“Where’s Seokjin?” You asked, realizing you hadn’t seen him since breakfast.

“I think he went outside,” Jimin answered.

You raced to grab a weapon, running down the stairs and outside.

He was sitting beside the fence, in the flowerbed, with Yoongi beside him. His fingers were deftly weaving some of the daisies that grew there into a second flower crown, the first being on Yoongi’s head.

They both looked up when you came rushing out.

Seokjin looked concerned. “Did something happen?”

You shook your head. “No, but I didn’t know whether you two would be okay out here. I actually was told Yoongi was inside, sleeping.”

Yoongi scoffed. “Who can sleep with that racket?” He was leaning against the elf, and he looked sickly pale in the shadow, but you knew it was his natural pallor. He had a sort of quiet satisfaction and curiosity, and he’d told you that he was happy and enjoying his time here (even if he’s only been here for a short while).

Seokjin patted the ground on his other side. “Sit with us. They’ll notice sooner or later and come find us. Maybe clean up the mess they’re making.”

You looked back at the house and nodded, sitting with them and smiling as Jin placed a flower crown on your head, then waved his hand and renewed the whole garden, fresh blooms filling the garden bed.

Yoongi was carefully suppressing a smile at the flowers. He bit his lip and reached out, touching one of the lilies.

Jin picked more flowers, starting to weave them into another crown. “I think Hoseok-ah will find us next. He’d look good with these flowers.”

You leaned back a bit and almost fell over.

Jin patted his shoulder. “You can lean on me. It’ll be more comfortable.”

You smiled a bit and leaned lightly against his shoulder. “It really is dangerous for you to be out here. Especially doing magic.”

He nodded. “I know. But Yoongi was upset. He’s a little sound sensitive since sound travels differently in the water.”

Yoongi pouted at the elf. “You were already out here.”

“Admiring the gardens and getting a breath of fresh air. I need to be around plants,” He explained. “And I thought just walking around would be okay. Your yard is fairly private, so I thought if I was quiet it would be okay.”

“If Taehyung ever gets back with the information, I might be able to understand what’s threatening all of you a little better.” You sighed and watched him twisting the flowers into a circle.

Hoseok came out, a little hesitantly, then hurrying once he noticed the three of you, sitting across from Jin and giving you all a tired look.

Jin placed the flowers on his head. “Overwhelmed, Hoseok-ah?”

Hoseok smiled a little, then seemed to take Jin’s sentence as an invitation to lay his head on Jin’s leg, getting comfortable. “I’m still not…I miss being…me.”

Yoongi sighed and nodded. “I understand. Everything is different like this, yet also similar.”

“I wish I knew how to help,” You murmured, frustration starting to rise up, but was suddenly quelled, as Jin made more flowers bloom. You stared hard, then smiled. “Are you using magic to calm all of us?”

“Myself included,” He whispered, running his fingers through Hoseok’s hair.

“How many times have you been moved?” You asked, reaching forward and stroking Hoseok’s hair as well.

Hoseok looked like he was half asleep already.

Jin sighed. “I couldn’t tell you. I’ve been in protective services since I was a kid. Taehyung has been the best case-worker I’ve had. He can be a little scattered, but he’s the most caring worker I’ve ever had.”

“He was being strategic when he placed you with the other boys with me, wasn’t he?”

He nodded. “He figured having one person who was used to being in the system might help.” He sighed softly. “Sorry I’m not being more helpful.”

“You’re fine. I’m just struggling to find a good groove.” You frowned a bit, trying to figure out how to accommodate all of them at once.

Then the air ripped apart and Taehyung tumbled out and face-first into the dirt—causing both Jin and Hoseok to jump.

The air sealed back up.

You sort of crawled the two foot distance, prodding his shoulder. “You kind of deserved that.”

He groaned and pushed himself up, coughing and spitting out dirt. “I know.” He then looked around and his eyes widened. “Inside.”

Jin hurried to get the other two up and then into the house while you helped Taehyung up (because he looked terribly beaten up) and into the house.

You locked the door after getting Taehyung on the bench beside the back door. “So, backyard is dangerous, got it.”

“Sorry, no, not normally. Not the way you guys were using it, but my entrance would have drawn attention.” He looked slightly apologetic. “I brought their files.”

You sighed. “Come into the living room.”

“Nice flowers,” He murmured as he limped after you.

You glanced back, hand going to your head and feeling the velvety soft petals. “Thanks.”

“How have things been?”

You stopped staring at your wreck of a living room and the three culprits responsible.

Namjoon at least looked repentant and surprised at the destruction he caused.

Jimin was playing with the feathers with gleeful giggles while bouncing on the couch.

Jungkook was still tearing apart the pillow in dog form.

“Oh, you know. There are ups and downs,” You answered, shoulders slumping.

Taehyung’s eyes were huge. “Whoa.”

Hoseok made a pained noise.

Yoongi’s mouth was hanging open and his eyes were huge.

Jin looked grim, stepping forward with a muttered word—a sort of wake of air pushing out from him and making the three trouble-makers stagger.

They looked over, wide-eyed and guilty (except Jimin, who didn’t seem to know that this was something he shouldn’t do).

“Clean it up,” Yoongi said, a strange hiss to his voice that made Jungkook’s fur go on end.

Even Jimin seemed to realize that he was in trouble because he started cleaning with the others, very quickly.

Taehyung sighed. “Let’s go upstairs to talk?”

You shrugged, but led the way upstairs while the oldest three supervised the younger three as they cleaned.

Taehyung sat after you, a little tentative, but ultimately in a tired way. He lay down a stack of folders. “Their files. All of their cases are…difficult. Dangerous. Like I said, the Oracle said this was the only place they would be safe.”

You picked up the first one. “So, Seokjin has told me two different things. That he’s only known you for a couple days, and that you’ve managed his case for a couple years.”

“Both. We only met a couple days ago, but I’ve been managing his case for a few years now. We just always missed each other when we were in the same place. He was the first case I had. His previous caseworker…well…they sort of got killed so people were reluctant to step up.”

“Sort of?”

“Technically…he’s not dead. Yet.”

“Um….”

He made a face. “I didn’t exactly know about it until after I’d taken the case on, but he sort of got put in a chamber that slows down time…while also tearing you apart.”

You stared at him. “How did he get put in there?”

“Well, there’s this dark elf…and he’s sort of hunting down Seokjin’s family…especially Seokjin…and he’s joined this other warlock and an enchantress…and…they….” He grimaced. “It’s in the file. Actually, because I took on Seokjin’s case, these guys all came to me as well when they were threatened, because it’s the same group. They’re working on something, and they need elements from all of them. Specifically them. I’m still working to find out what it is.”

You nodded slowly. “So, was this house the safest place, or was it me.”

He shrugged a little, looking down. “I told you, you come from a long line of warriors and protectors. Even your parents were protectors.”

“Is that how they died?” You asked, feeling sick. “Did they die because they were protectors?”

Taehyung nodded. “But the person they were protecting was you. Back then…there was a group that realized if they took out the warriors and protectors then they wouldn’t have to worry about them interfering with their schemes. There were a lot of lost protectors. Your parents stopped them, but the cost was their lives.”

You shook your head. “I don’t remember my parents ever protecting anyone. They were my parents. He worked 9 to 5, she stayed home and cared for me.”

Taehyung looked up again, meeting your eyes. “You really don’t remember having siblings? Not even ones you pass off as imaginary friends?”

“Not even imaginary friends. The only imaginary friend I had was a stuffed monkey toy.”

He frowned, looking at the stack of folders. “Maybe they wiped your mind,” He whispered, looking worried. “But why would they?”

You looked at the file that was sitting open on your lap. It had a series of photos of Seokjin, from when he was a child and as he grew. Then it had a whole stack of papers.

“That’s the condensed version, by the way. Only what could be released.”

“Condensed? This is condensed?” You asked, voice squeaking. “It’s a textbook.”

He nodded, looking tired just at the thought. “I had to read through the un-condensed version. I included my summary notes in each file to help.”

You nodded, noticing the hand-written page near the top after the basic profile information and before the detailed history of Seokjin’s life. “Wow.”

“His is definitely the biggest file. Hoseok and Namjoon are the only other ones who weren’t just pulled into protective services. Hoseok’s been in for…four months? And Namjoon was in for two weeks before coming here.” Taehyung’s voice was getting deeper, and you could tell he was falling asleep.

You hummed picking up the next folder. You’d investigate each file as thoroughly as possible later, right now you just wanted a brief overview.

Hoseok’s was the next you picked up, a picture of his human form (looking very surprised) and another of a very nice looking horse—sorry, Unicorn—right next to it.

Hurt during an encounter with a hunter, highly sought-out for the healing properties unicorns hold, then targeted by the “Black Rose”. Put in protective custody, but hadn’t been placed with any Protectors.

Taehyung was fast asleep, slumped on the couch.

You studied him for a moment. “Who’s protecting you?” You asked in a whisper, then sighed and turned your attention to the next file, studying the picture of Namjoon’s dragon form.

Yoongi sort of rushed in, then came and settled onto the other end of the couch, curling up and squeezing his eyes shut. “I don’t exist.”

“Okay,” You agreed softly, picking up the next file and looking at Jungkook’s pictures. Big wolf.

You probably spent a good half-hour looking through the files and slowly finding the information that you were interested in at the moment.

Then Hoseok poked his head up. “They’re done cleaning.”

You set the files aside and headed down, looking over everything.

All three had their heads hung, repentant.

You inspected the room.

The destroyed pillow.

The boys.

“We’re really sorry, y/n,” Jungkook finally said, fidgeting and voice a little thick.

“We were out of control, and we shouldn’t have done what we did. You’ve already let us stay here, it wasn’t fair of us to abuse that hospitality,” Namjoon added, bowing slightly.

“I’m really sorry,” Jimin said, voice wobbling.

You shrugged. “I forgive you. But this is how it works, you make a mess, you clean it up. Preferably before I see it. You don’t break things on purpose, or rip things on purpose. Okay?”

They nodded.

You nodded, and patted each of them on the head. “Put in a movie. Taehyung and Yoongi are asleep upstairs and I think Taehyung needs the sleep.”

They were looking at you with such big eyes.

You looked between them, then gently maneuvered Namjoon and guided him to the couch and sat him down, then Jungkook, who whimpered slightly, and finally Jimin. “Jin, can you put in a movie? I’m going to get some snacks for you all.” You smoothed Jungkook’s hair as you passed behind the couch to go into the kitchen and get different snacks and drinks for them. You’d noticed that you seemed to intuitively know what they would like to eat, which kind of scared you but was also really cool.

So, banana milk for Jungkook, coffee for Namjoon, and juice for Jimin—followed by fruit for all of them, and varying snacks for each of them individually.

You took it to them, setting it on the coffee table so you could bundle them up in the throw blankets. “How much of a lecture did you give them? They’re traumatized.”

“They’re not traumatized,” Yoongi muttered from the arm chair, apparently having woken up and come downstairs.

“They’re babies, you have to be gentle.”

“I’m not a baby!”

“I’m two-hundred years old!”

“I’m not a pup!”

“Oh shush, you’re babies.” You rolled your eyes and kept fussing over them until they were both covered, but free enough to take their snacks and drinks. “Eat. Watch the movie.”

Taehyung came down looking confused and sleepy. “Uh….”

“Sit, I’ll get you a snack.” You went into the kitchen, humming as you tried to decide what to get him, finally deciding on some fruit to hold him over because you felt like he needed a meal more than anything. You added extra strawberries to his bowl, then headed over, setting it in front of him. “Eat. Rest. We’ll talk about safety measures over dinner tonight.”

He stared at the strawberries, then nodded and started eating.

You turned toward the window when you thought you saw movement. “And defense.”

Taehyung was looking out that window as well, looking wary as he nodded agreement.

“I’m going to go double check outside,” You said, grabbing a sword. “Keep the doors locked, I have my keys. I’ll knock three times before I come back in. Anything else and you should treat it as hostile.”

Taehyung pulled out his wand, looking nervous. “Are you sure you don’t want me along?”

“I’ll be fine.”

He nodded reluctantly.

You went outside, casually looking around. Heading for the where you saw the movement. You were praying it was just a bird, but it felt like there was more to it. A bird wouldn’t make you feel this anxious.

Rustling in the bushes.

You turned that way and let out an eep of surprise, rushing to duck out of the way of the massive battle ax that was swinging down toward your head—hopefully before it took it off.

“Time to die, protector!”

“No thanks!” You replied, dodging again and then running away from the house. “I rather like living!”

An inhuman roar and you were being chased.

But at least he was coming away from your house.

–

Previous. Next.

Masterlist - ot7 Masterpost

Tagging: @alex--awesome--22 @missmoxxiesworld @bryvada @knjhe @i-dont-even-know-fck

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rueitae · 4 years ago

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Writing Roundup 2020

This is a writing reflection I’ve been doing for myself every year for the last four years. Its a positive boost to myself see how far I’ve come and look back on my progress for the past year and look forward to the new year.

Everyone is welcome to use this same format if they’d like to do the same!

~~~~~~~

Stats:

Words written:

330,000, which is nearly half of all the words I’ve written on Ao3 in the last three years.

One Shots Posted (all fics plance unless otherwise stated):

In the Arms of the Ever(pink?) Tree (4463 words)

For the Plance Secret Santa exchange. Post s8 date/not date on a snowy moon. Love confession.

Birthday Treats (2129 words)

For Pidge’s birthday this year! Domestic family fluff, breakfast in bed, plance kids.

Begin Again (Together) (4805 words)

Canon divergence from before episode one! Pidge and Lance are established dating when alien intervention brings them to where they are supposed to be: with the Blue Lion. Just a brief look into what the AU would look like.

Common Ground (4521 words)

A treat for my friends who introduced me to Magic Knight Rayearth and pointed out some fun character parallels. There is this beautiful art Arya made to go with it because we’re all trash for both series. Plance meet up with Fuu and Ferio post series for both couples.

Bonded To You (1808 words)

For the Langstron Halloween Exchange! Established plance with a baby Lance is trying to keep safe from a witch who would take advantage of the child’s heritage.

It Tasted Good (6785 words)

Pikelavar for Pikelavar Month! The premise is crack, but it's mostly treated seriously. Pike ate the Jewel of Jitan by accident and doesn’t realize it until Haggar finds them. Meklavar gets Protective.

The Remainder of Days (3188 words)

Part of my Bad Things Happen Bingo. Fantasy AU where Pidge is a minor forest goddess and Lance is her neighbor mortal farmer.

I Love You a Lily More Each Day (3232 words)

Another of the Bad Things Happen Bingo. Canon compliant where Lance is undercover at a flower shop and knee deep in an illegal smuggling operation.

Lease on Life (4978 words)

This one was also part of Bad Things Happen Bingo and was an experiment. It’s POV of an oldest plance kid, canon verse. Her parents’ Paladin days come back to haunt them one night. Some cute family stuff too in there.

Ready to Dance (4135 words)

For the Valentine’s Day exchange! Post series. Lance tries to get back into the party scene and Pidge rescues him from a disastrous night.

Loopholes (5476 words)

Technically I didn’t write this fic this year, but a very kind reader asked if I would post this to Ao3, so it was my first fic of the year on Ao3. It’s Lotura! Originally a gift for a dear friend I’ve had since elementary school. It’s a fantasy AU where Lotor stumbles into Allura’s kingdom needing help.

Next to Me (7311 words)

Also for Bad Things Happen Bingo, this is probably one of my favorite fics of the year. This is the canon verse AU that went all wrong in s7, and Sendak succeeds in destroying Earth. Lance and Pidge end up not only his prisoners, but also two of the last humans in the universe. Ends open ended, but it became a series in the end!

Into Me (14248 words)

The sequel to the above fic. There are two versions, this and the one below. The title tells all. Lance and Pidge come to terms with their new life aboard Sendak’s flagship and do their best to keep the other comforted.

Into Me (non-explicit version) (7228 words)

Exactly the same as the fic above, only this one is SFW

Sunshine (3831 words)

A Bad Things Happen Bingo! One of my favorite concepts. Canon verse. Pidge gets sick while she and Lance are on a scientific mission.

Showoff (635 words)

A really short fic for a friend on their birthday, featuring their plance kids!

Respite of the Heart (4181 words)

A fic I have been wanting to write for a very long time. I love the concept of Pidge as a Disney Princess in the sense she has the forest guardian theme and all these animals love her. So there’s some play on that as the Paladins stop for lunch on their journey back to Earth in early s7. Lance comes to a realization and they have a chat surrounded by the animal friends. @anchoredtetherart did a phenomenal piece to accompany it. Please look at it in awe here.

The Hardest Part (3960 words)

For Bad Things Happen Bingo! An AU of the episode The Reunion where Pidge doesn’t return when she’s supposed to.

A Planned Sacrifice (4988 words)

Another Bad Things Happen Bingo. Canon verse. Pidge assumes that being a sacrifice for the ‘forest god’ is strictly ceremonial and at worst a wild animal. It’s actually Sendak, who no one has seen since Shiro shot him out of the Castle. He remembers Pidge and is far too pleased to see her again, tied up on a silver platter.

Almost Forgotten, but Not Gone (3946 words)

Bad Things Happen Bingo. AU sometime in s1 where Haxus isn’t as dead as Pidge thought.

Touch (7519 words)

Written for the Lance Goes Boom bang! It was inspired by @fenixseraph ‘s amazing art here! It’s a different take on The Way Forward, where Pidge and Lance are separated from the rest of the team and placed in their own cell. And the Red Lion causes issues.

Chaptered Fics started/added to:

Wolf In Thieves’ Clothing (4516 words)

An AU of The Castle of Cagliostro from Lupin the Third series. Lee, you have my thanks forever for making me watch this finally. Pidge is a literal princess whose kingdom is in the middle of an internal coup. Lance is a gentleman thief who rides with his best buds Hunk and Matt. Their paths are destined to cross again when Lance goes back to the castle he used to call home.

Game of Love (4593 words)

The most crack of the bunch. AU of Fall the of the Castle of Lions where Sendak and Haxus get away with it all. Pidge and Lance are prisoners on Haxus’ new ship, and Lance finds an opportunity for eventual escape when he learns that Haxus has a crush on his second in command. Operation matchmaker begins. (happy ending planned for all)

What Tides May Bring (20704 words)

Collab with the fantastic @anchoredtetherart for MerMay! Established plance as mermaids and guardians of their elements with adorable mer child. Then angst because they are all captured by a ‘research’ institute.

Seasons of Magic (16546 words)

I actually added a chapter this year! Ongoing collection of one-shots with mage Pidge who lives in the country and cultivates her plant magic and makes potions with the assistance of her dragon familiar, Lance. Mostly domestic fluff.

Too Soon and Not Soon Enough (11438 words)

Added another chapter this year to my Keith-centric AU. It’s basically VLD but five years early and they’re all literally child Paladins. Keith gets to meet Krolia earlier and its fun to go into tween friendships as they try and navigate the reality of their situation.

Seeds (48833 words)

Added a ton earlier this year. A collection of plance fics all or mostly under 500 words. All meant to be adopted by others if interest strikes. Covers many genres.

Chaptered Fics Finished:

Resolve to Fly (75799 words)

Written for the Pidge Angst Bang. My artist @alchemie0 did an outstanding job capturing the feel of the fic. Look at the art here! Canon verse AU where Pidge encounters Haxus, who has crashed on Earth. She helps him repair his ship in excitement and good faith, which he pays back by kidnapping her. For two years she survives as little more than a housepet on Sendak’s ship. Gen.

Who's Protecting Who? (28989 words)

Also technically not written this yeah, but posted. A collab with Hush waaaay back in 2018. It's a plance Altean AU with Pidge as distant royalty and Lance as a bodyguard.

A Dish Served Cold (21533 words)

Finally finished this one! Canon verse in which Pidge accidentally runs into Sendak on an isolated planet. Sendak takes advantage of this encounter and tries to return to the Empire with her in tow. Much Pidge whump. Gen

Reflections:

Best title

I still really really love Too Soon and Not Soon Enough (11438 words). Because it's too soon for the Paladins to be Paladins, and for Keith it's not nearly soon enough for Krolia to return. It just feels like it has a lot of heart to it. I hope I can keep it going, but my ideas are incredibly scattered for it.

Worst title

Touch (7519 words). Yeah it’s a play on ‘Don’t you touch her’ but it feels soooo dry.

Best/worst last line

Best: This was really, really hard choice this year, but ultimately, making up for the terrible title, its Touch (7519 words)

“It feels good to escape the ship with all of his teammates, secure in the knowledge that he has a way forward not just as a Paladin, but also with Pidge.”

- Not only did I manage to fit the title of the episode in there, it's got that hopeful tinge to it and reflects on personal growth both internally and with Pidge.

Worst: This one isn’t necessarily bad from Begin Again (Together) (4805 words), but it could be better. It didn’t get quite the epic sense I was hoping to pull from it.

“Okay,” he smirks, hand firmly on the throttle. “Operation save Earth starts now.”

Looking back, did you write more fics than you thought you would this year, less than you thought, or about what you predicted?

Definitely wrote way more. Even with posting two fic that are essentially the exact same, I still ended up writing nearly half of my total Ao3 word count this year. (330,000/670,000). Doing Bad Things Happen Bingo was a bit part of that - I was very inspired at the beginning of this year - but also there were many events I participated in (8 total!!) on top of my personal projects.

What’s your favorite story this year? Not the most popular, but the one that makes you the happiest.

A really hard decision this year, because there are several that make me really happy. I think oddly enough though, it’s Game of Love (4593 words) because of its potential and how much crack it is. It has such whacky rom-com energy to it but also that underlying angst of the situation I can fall back on. My favorite trope to explore is what happens to the characters when they’re captured. I just really enjoy the concept and the challenge to make such a concept believable with minimal suspension of belief.

Okay, NOW your most popular story.

Using kudos as my gauge (and not counting the chapter fics), the winner is:

Respite of the Heart (4181 words)

Not surprising because Ivy’s art is STUNNING.

Story most underappreciated by the universe?

I think that’s It Tasted Good (6785 words), the pikelavar fic. Pikelavar is underappreciated in general

Story that could have been better?

For all I was excited to write Sunshine (3831 words), it didn’t quite fall the way I had imagined in my mind. I don’t know if it was the structure or I was running out of steam or what. All i know is that I wanted more but all I could concentrate on was that scene where he’s caring for her in bed. Maybe I was just too ambitious.

Sexiest story?

No brainer it's Into Me (14248 words). Literally. Which really shocked me that it happened. Didn’t think I’d write any smut at all, let alone this year. This particular fic just kinda called out for it

Saddest story?

The prequel to the above fic: Next to Me (7311 words). How much more sad can you get than Earth being destroyed, being Sendak’s prisoners all while trying to tell each other ‘i love you’ without seeming weird because you’re the last humans in the universe.

Most fun?

I think it's Ready to Dance (4135 words). Just Valentine’s fluff and impromptu slow dancing in the park at night.

Story with single sweetest moment?

I’m picking What Tides May Bring (20704 words). Listen, mer Lance and mer Pidge playing with their mer baby in their domestic paradise is probably one of my favorite things I’ve ever written. Dad Lance has my heart.

Hardest story to write?

The last chapter of A Dish Served Cold (21533 words) was like pulling teeth. I’m pretty happy with it in the end but at the time man it was so hard.

Did you take any writing risks this year? What did you learn from them?

I wrote smut. It was...weird? But also strangely calming. I wrote more for another fic but it's still a WIP. I definitely need to be in the mood to write it.

Proudest Achievement:

The Pidge Angst Bang. Resolve to Fly (75799 words). Look at that word count. I only wanted something under 3k at first, so it was just going to be Pidge meeting Haxus. But by the time I finished that part it was already 10k. So even though I was going through a rough part of my life, I just kept going and it ended up being my therapy. I’m really proud of the fic and I love my artists’ pieces. It really lifted my spirits. (You should all really go check out the Ao3 collection of all the bang stories and art they are AMAZING you won’t regret. If you love Pidge angst they are all must reads.)

What are your fic writing goals for next year?

I’d like to finish my Bad Things Happen Bingo card and then focus on my current WIP, that includes the Seeds collection. There are days I still feel a bit overwhelmed, and I’m still trying to find a routine after moving. I’d like to do more events too, but I think I need to be more selective about which ones I do. I don’t want to burn myself out.

Apart from that, I’d really like to try and give back to the community more. I’d like to start consciously writing fics for others without an event to go by.

Past Years:

2017

2018

2019

#plance #pidgance #rueitae #writing roundup #my writing #vld #2020 writing roundup

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anotherbeingsworld · 4 years ago

Text

vegas adventures

Pairing: Bryce x F!MC (Casey Valentine) , a pinch of Ash Tanaka x MC (Melanie)

Book: (BP x Open Heart crossover, rewrites of Chp 15 Book 2)

Summary: The rewrite of their trip to Vegas with an extra helping hand.

A/N: this is a belated birthday gift to the one and only @robintora ! We talked about this fic before, and this is my best attempt at bringing it to life. It was a tough one, but I'm satisfied with it! And Tanu, happy (belated) birthday, and I hope you enjoy this! Love you! <3 // I did manage to add some bryce x mc fluff along the way, which I hope again you enjoy!

The workload has been released upon her shoulders, as she arrives at Donahue where the others have been seated. She took a seat besides Bryce, as he placed his arms around her in the booth.

“Okay, so what’s going on here…” Her eyes made its way to Jackie’s somehow questioned about the text that was sent earlier.

“It is something important -..”

“But, don’t worry – we got some good loaded fries to entertain us through the briefing right Jackie?” Bryce interrupts as he take a piece of it with a happiness planted on his face.

Aurora breaks the silence, ‘Since we are all here – so spill.”

Jackie took a deep breath explaining the whole situation on Declan trying to leech onto some doctors from Mass Kenmore, followed by the partnership to push Panacea drugs onto MK’s patients as well.

Realization dawn to her face,

“Hence, the perks that made the others join then.”

Jackie nods, with an angry expression on her face.

“That’s why we need to stop them.”

Elijah looked at her with shock, “Wait…I thought you were in with the perks. What changed?”

Casey’s eyes, meet with hers somehow both knowing what happened the other day at the gas station has somehow a connection with her sudden revelation.

Jackie clears her throat suddenly upon the awkward silence that follows, clasping her hands together.

“I guess – it's not worth it anymore if it costs others misery. I don’t think I want to be part of it anymore.”

A surprising look was painted on Casey’s face which disappears in a second as Elijah interrupts with a resolute nod.

“So, how are we gonna bring the monster down? Technically Declan Nash is the kind of person who can get away with anything.”

Jackie looks resolute, as she lays out the plan which involved a company retreat in Vegas which will be happening during the weekend.

“…They have extended the invitation to doctors they’ve worked with…including me.”

Casey nods, “I am officially intrigued, count me in.”

“The situation is gonna be sticky, but a few drinks in and we can stop them. As a fact that he and his scumbag friends will be bragging about the ways they are scamming the system – all we gotta do is a tape and we can catch them.” Her tone is commanding.

The whole table went silent, as Bryce replies.

“And then what…blackmail one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world?”

There was silence, as the others were contemplating the pros and cons of the situation but, in the end, they decided to stick together.

“If something happens to me while I’m gone, I at least wanted you all to know where I am.”

The others looked at her in surprise before Bryce breaks the silence,

“You mean – what happens to us.”

Casey nods,

“You don’t think we will let you go alone right? We are with you all the way Jackie, the group who heist together, stays together as we are should.” Casey said before Jackie can protest. The night ended with possibilities of the implication as Casey gets on the phone with a friend from afar that could help her with the situation.

A few days later.

The bright lights of Vegas were the reason for their wide smiles – as they stepped into the suite that was provided by Mass Kenmore. All of their jaws dropped in an instant – as the lights of the strip sparkle outside of the panoramic windows.

“This is the single coolest room I’ve ever been in, like legit.” His eyes wander in awe along with the others.

Jackie snickers, “Just remember that this luxury is from blood money.”

They all nod in agreement as they started to form a plan, as Casey finds herself texting a mysterious friend.

“Let’s get dressed shall we,” Bryce stated as the others get ready to dazzle for their night at Vegas.

As the others get ready, Casey finds a message from Rafael – wishing them good luck. She smiles at the message, as she took the phone call from the familiar number.

“Hey! We are in Vegas already – getting ourselves ready for the night.” Her voice is slow, as she stood facing the strip.

“That’s good! My friends and I had arrived yesterday, and we will meet you at the lobby! I brought a very special helper for you.” A knowing smile occurs on the caller’s face through the phone.

“Let me guess – it's your famous magician boyfriend Mel?” Casey raised an eyebrow at the statement – disbelieving but kinda curious as well.

“That’s right! He decided to join us tonight – plus, he is actually a vegas master. All of you will be lost without him.” Melanie replies from the other line.

Casey just shakes her head, but the smile remains.

“I’ll see you soon, say hi to the girls for me!” Casey ends the call, to be met with Bryce looking dashing in his suit.

“You look nice Lahela.” Her eyes are equivalent to the heart-eyed emoji as he models in front of her, making her chuckle happily at him.

“I always look nice, Casey! It's my specialty, but – why aren’t you dressed?” He asked as he loops his arm around her, eyes falling upon the Vegas scenery.

“I was making a phone call, but you definitely look stunning. You are gonna beat everyone here Bryce.”

He laughs at the comment, but somewhat smiles – “Thank you, now get yourself ready – we shall be the good-looking couple here shall we?” She looked at him in shock but brushed it away. The word ‘couple’ caught her somewhat off-guard but she somehow adores it.

“I will” She replies placing a kiss on his cheek before moving on to change.

Moments later, she walked out to a room, as all of their eyes fall onto her.

“You look…beautiful.” Bryce walks in front of them, as he pulls her in her arms – as she blushes furiously by the compliment.

“The lovebirds are at it again, let's move on before they hog the spotlight with their PDA,” Jackie said sarcastically as they walked out of the room – meeting with a specific group in the lobby.

The lobby was filled with people, yet the familiar pink hair caught her eye.

“Guys, I brought us some help – and, they have an expert for it.” She said as the others follow her, meeting a group of friends.

“Casey!!!! HI!” Melanie a.k.a the woman with the pink hair, pull her into a hug – as they were finally reunited.

“Hii, have you been waiting long?” She asked gesturing to the other familiar faces, Aisha, Courtney, Diana, and a mysterious guy who she assumes as the one and only infamous Ash Tanaka, the guy Melanie won’t stop gushing about to her.

“Casey! We have just arrived earlier – it's good to see you again!” Diana pulls her into a hug, as Courtney and Aisha did the same.

“Also, this is my friends! Bryce, Jackie, Elijah, Sienna and Aurora.” Casey introduces them to the group, as they all exchange introductions.

“Nice to meet you all, this is the men of the hour – Ash Tanaka, he will be a huge help as he knows the deep unknowns of Vegas itself.” Melanie introduces him to the gang, as he and Bryce ended up bro-hugging one another.

The reunion was cut short as they began to devise a plan, which went out smoothly, as Ash leads Declan to a game where he was surrounded by the group. They went in randomly, as it would avoid any alarms from Declan himself, and with the help from Melanie’s buddies – they were undetectable.

The information that was received, was priceless – as they found out upon that Solomon Health is making moves into vertical integration – however, it didn’t help their issue at the moment as they regroup once more to create another plan.

In the end, it went well, as Declan Nash was confronted – and he was captured on tape. The group manages to bring their best together – and the satisfied look on Jackie’s face is a very good sight to see.

“Payback’s a bitch, isn’t it?” it erupts the cheers of victory, as the air from the rooftop makes the winning of the night felt much satisfying. Sienna, Aurora, Elijah, Aisha, Diana, and Courtney were found socializing at the dance floor, as they recapped the whole situation again – somewhat like a televised situation that made Casey smile.

Jackie stood there, letting out a breath – somewhat feeling the calmness in her lungs again.

“How are you feeling Jackie?”

She met her eyes, and somehow – she was met with a hug. Jackie hugged her, and it feels like they did something incredible at the moment.

“Thank you…I feel like, tonight – I think I can sleep really well tonight.” She said happily, as Jackie joined the others.

Casey felt her heart in happiness – somehow, seeing Jackie in peace is such a sight. Her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar presence, Melanie who smiled at her.

“You did this tonight – and, I couldn’t even be more proud.”

“Hey, all of your friends and ehem…your boyfriend helped as well.” She gestures at Ash and Bryce who are having a conversation that follows a series of laughter.

“We love to be here – and, it's actually where I met him.”

“I remember the story. It involves mobs, a missing suitcase and a lot of chaotic stuff am I right?” Casey recalls their meeting before, as Melanie laughs in agreement.

“Yeah, that’s about right. It's an adventure, and being here with my girls – meeting Ash; it doesn’t feel real sometimes. But, I’m grateful for it.”

Casey nods, as they took a sip upon the drink they were holding.

“Thank you again for coming – I know it's such short notice.”

Melanie shakes her head, with a wide smile.

“It's okay, you helped us years ago – it's our turn to repay back. A silver lining too, I got to see Ash for the weekend.”

At the mention of his name, Ash appears at the scene.

“I heard a mention of the magician here?”

Both of them let out a hearty laugh, as he placed an arm around Melanie.

“I wanna thank you – it means a lot for your help,” Casey said, as he smiles at her.

“It's no problem at all, and if all of you ever hit vegas again – just give me a call; I can show you some of the best-secret locations here.” He winked as Melanie nods in agreement.

“It's true – he knows this place in its depth and, you will not regret it.”

Casey nods, excitedly as the others join them – somewhat looking panic suddenly.

“We don’t want to end this party yet, but the flight back home is in 4 hours.” A panic Diana stated, as the widening of Melanie’s eyes brought her back to reality.

“Oh crap, we have to get going.” She stated as all of them walked out of the club.

It’s a farewell with the whole gang, as they left for the airport.

“I’ll call you when we land? But, it's definitely a good time seeing you again Cas.” Melanie stated as they hugged once more, along with the group.

“Definitely, I’ll see you guys soon.” It was somehow an emotional farewell in a short amount of time.

The car vanished in a second, as they decided to make their way back to the suite after the success of the day.

The suite was quiet – as it was past midnight. However, the bright lights of Vegas are still shining brightly as ever. The room was dimmed, as the others had fallen onto slumber, leaving the pair to be awake.

She was dressed in her pyjamas as she settled down upon the squishy couch from the hotel. With a cup of coffee in her hand, as there was someone who decided to join her. She smiles at his sight, as she filled the gap as Bryce pulled her into his arms, both of their gazes fall upon the neon lights of the city that filled the dimmed room.

“What are you thinking about?”

He smiles softly before answering,

“Jackie. She did an incredible job tonight – but the grudge she held against Declan on what he did. It felt like someone else that we were seeing tonight.” He paused biting his lip, a pinch of anxiousness can be sensed from him.

“I just – I cant help to think about all the anger I am carrying around for my parents. I wonder – what its done for me?” His gaze falls onto her, somewhat pleading for an answer.

It was followed by silence for a few moments – before she spoke again.

“Are you ready to let it go?”

He shrugs, somewhat confused upon his decision too.

“I honestly have no idea, I don’t like to see them in myself – especially the times of arguing with Keiki. It feels like the past has repeated itself.”

“So, are you ready to forgive them?”

His stare falls upon the view in front of them – as he stares wistfully as his mind is filled with thoughts.

“Forgive feels like a huge action – but, maybe for now…I’m ready to let go and, start a new book with those who actually love me.” A smile appeared on his face, as he kissed her on top of the head.

“That sounds very healthy, for you and Keiki.”

He laughs as he nods in agreement, “I hope so too.”

They sat together in silence, as she stayed in his arms closing her eyes against the bright lights of Vegas, a beautiful ending of the day.

“Bryce, I’m proud of you.” She said as they lay upon the bed, her eyes looking at him in wonder.

He looks sleepy, yet the smile didn’t leave his face – today was a good day. A start of new beginnings for all of them – as he replies before both of them fall into another slumber once more.

“I’m proud of you too.”

THE END.

tags: @bitchloveskcbaseball , @mvalentine , @storyofmychoices , @princess-geek , @lahellacute , @annekebbphotography , @mrsbhandari , @dcbbw , @choicessa , @fantasyoverreality98 , @baltersome , @ofpixelsandscribbles , @thundergom @starrystarrytrouble , @kelseaaa , @choicesficwriterscreations , @lalizah , @drethanramslay , @eleanorbloom , @openheartfanfics , @brycessgirl , @freckles-spangledvampire , @agentnolastname , @robintora , @adriansbiss , @appiomofchoice , @ariondevereux , @natureblooms24 (comment if you want to be tagged or removed 💜💜)

#playchoices #bryce lahela #open heart #bryce x mc #bachelorette party #ash x mc #anotherbeingsworldwrites #alya writes

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yoificfinder · 5 years ago

Note

Hi! Hope you’re doing well! Do you have any recs for Magic AU fics? Thanks in advance and stay safe! 💖

Hi nonnie, here are some fics where they have magic--categorized into HP/Hogwarts AU and Other Magic AUs (I excluded superhero AUs tho as there's already a masterlist for that):

HP/Hogwarts AU

Canis Major by @yuripaws [G, 8K]

Viktor Nikiforov: Head Boy. Quidditch Captain. Outstanding in all his O.W.L.s. Excelling in all his N.E.W.T. classes.

Something about his eyes reminds Prefect Yuuri Katsuki of the strange dog that likes to patrol the corridors with him at night.

darling, we both know by @astoryaboutwar [E, 31K]

You can grow up with someone and be simultaneously better and worse for it.

(Or: the HP Wizarding World (not set in Hogwarts!) AU where they meet as preteens, fuck as teenagers, fall in love as adults, and occasionally find time to magically figure skate.)

Defying Gravity series by rinsled05 / @dreaming-fireflies [T and E, 58K]

Summary of first fic:

Imagine if Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, after the demise of you-know-who, started accepting foreign students in an effort for greater unity among wizarding communities around the world. Imagine that, in this changing climate of diversity and social acceptance, Hogwarts also decided to host an exchange programme with select students from Durmstrang Institute and Beauxbatons Academy of Magic for a semester.

Imagine, then, if a young Japanese wizard by the name of Yuuri Katsuki had transferred to Hogwarts to escape his past, just in time to meet a Russian Quidditch player who would blow open the very doors he was trying so desperately to close.

A story of love, magic, and teenagers trying to find themselves.

Falling For Your Charms by Reiya / @kazliin [T, 32K]

Professor Katsuki’s crush on Professor Nikiforov is supposed to be a great secret.

So naturally, the whole school knows

Open At The Touch by @kiaronna [T, 6K]

Maybe Nishigori got ahold of a lock of Viktor's hair, and some Polyjuice potion. Maybe it's all an elaborate prank. With this as his only reasonable explanation, he steps forward, snags Viktor by his robes and tugs him in.

"Nishigori," he says in Japanese, "this prank isn't funny. Your English is better than when I left, though."

"Ah," says the fake Viktor Nikiforov in English, voice dipping, and is he blushing? "What was that?"

"Maybe I got hit in the head by a Bludger," Yuuri muses. Viktor's smile grows ever wider, tightening at the edges. "Maybe I never came home from my international Quidditch competition. Maybe I'm lying in the hospital right now, hallucinating."

There has to be an explanation, mystical and magical or medical, for the best Seeker in the Quidditch world showing up at his door; something besides his portrait, which won't stop talking to Yuuri anyway.

Technical Support by @possibleplatypus [T, 18K]

Research had needed a new field-tester (they always needed new testers, as most Aurors would “test” an artefact only once before screaming to be reassigned), and thus the most decorated Auror in recent history was currently shouting into a modified “smart phone.”

Viktor was quite certain that phones were not alive, so he did not understand how they could be intelligent. He found that when it came to Muggles, it was best not to think too deeply into things.

“THIS IS NIKE,” Viktor bellowed into the thin, rectangular case. “CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?”

The Dance of the Veela by @satbiym [M, 17K] *WIP

Listen, Victor has a lot on his plate, not only is he dealing with the dreaded Veela Maturity in a den of iniquity (ahem Hogwarts ahem), but he also has to find an appropriate Consort for his upcoming Veela Maturity Ball, held during the Winter Solstice, amongst the hundreds of people he is surrounded by everyday.

But How Does He Know?

A Fairy Tale in 3 Arcs.

Viktor is Luna Lovegood: The AU series by seventhstar / @pencilwalla [T, M, and E, 33K]

Magical theory nerd Viktor is determined to win quidditch prodigy Yuuri Katsuki's heart. Luckily, Yuuri is too busy crushing on him to notice his throngs of admirers.

warm-up hogwash series by antikytheras [G, 16K]

Summary of first fic:

Viktor Nikiforov is a genius. He tops the level without having to study and he can perform most spells without his wand. He was the second-ever first-year Seeker in the school, and the first Slytherin one at that. He’s a Parselmouth and he’s tamed the other basilisk hidden in the school’s plumbing. He has washboard abs and really defined hipbones. He’s the only son in a long line of pureblood Slytherins and he’s half-Veela and he can speak Mermish and he was born as Voldemort’s secret daughter which is why he’s prettier than half of the girls in school and—

‘Where do you even get all these?’ Viktor asks, eyebrows drawn together in bemusement. 'I'm not even a pureblood, I'm Muggleborn.'

Other Magic AUs

And Miles to Go Before I Sleep by @orchids-and-fictional-cities, @iruutciv [M, 41K]

Katsuki Yuuri has been cursed to spread misery and grief to those who dare to come close to him. Viktor Nikiforov has been sentenced to wander the earth, unable to die, granting wishes to mortals in the hopes that one of them might give his life meaning in exchange.

They meet in a tempest of April snow.

in distant castles mirrors broke by lily_winterwood / @omgkatsudonplease [E, 7K]

Yuuri had discovered his powers at a very young age.

For as long as he remembers, people have talked in hushed whispers around him, about him. About how the Northern Lights had shone at the hour of his birth, about the stars that had burst into existence alongside him. Yuuri has known, from a young age, that he’s destined for some sort of greatness.

The problem is, he’s not sure what sort of greatness it is, or if it’s even really greatness at all. After all, everyone says that sort of stuff about princes.

in which there is a moving castle by @fireblazie [T, 3K]

When Viktor opens his eyes, Yuri is staring at him with a horrified expression.

Granted, Yuri greets him with that face every time Viktor opens his mouth, so Viktor doesn’t quite grasp the gravity of the situation at first. But then it comes to him in stages: a gradual ache settling in his lower back, a peculiar stiffness in his joints, and, most horribly of all—

He runs towards the nearest mirror and freezes at the reflection that gapes back at him.

His hair.

Viktor screams.

(A sort of Howl's Moving Castle AU.)

My Name On Your Lips by @feels-like-fire [E, 108K]

Yuuri Katsuki has been betrothed to the High King's son, Victor, since he was just a child; furthermore, as an omega, he's forbidden from practicing magic in combat. For years, he's been able to put off the former because the Prince was traveling abroad, and gotten around the latter by practicing with his mentor in secret.

Now Victor Nikiforov has finally returned home, and Yuuri is being summoned to the capital for their wedding. He needs a plan to put off marriage long enough to find a way to break the betrothal, while keeping his practicing from being discovered.

If only the Prince didn't have other ideas.

Roses of May by @cuttlemefishwrites [E, 46K] *WIP

At age five, all children are assessed for talent and beauty in the City of Hasetsu and the other eight cities of the Empire. Every year, five are branded with the mark of a rose before being carded off to the Emperor’s palace where they are trained to become Roses, or sacrifices to be sent every May to the Ice Spirit that lives in the castle at the top of the mountain. Roses never return, except for Katsuki Yuuri, who shocks the Empire when he appears again two years after his departure with a silver crown on his head and a blond baby in his arms, demanding the Emperor step down or face the wrath of his husband, the Ice King. But, not everything is what it seems.

to the water's edge by @ebenroot [T, 84K]

Once upon a time, in a secluded tower that rests upon a cliff and is surrounded by tall trees, there lives a young man that faces a certain conundrum:

Katsuki Yuuri has fallen in deeply in love with a man he has never met.

Your Breath, My Skin by @lavenderprose [T, 5K]

"What did you do?" Yuuri mutters as Viktor takes off his coat and scarf.

Viktor's mouth moves soundlessly for a moment, then gestures for a pencil and pad. Yuuri yanks his way through several drawers and finally finds a grocery list pad and an old charcoal. He throws them in Viktor's direction and shuffles into the kitchen to turn the kettle on. Viktor tugs on his sleeve eventually, like a timid child, and Yuuri turns to see what he's written.

"A succubus?" Yuuri demands, teeth going on edge. "Viktor, oh my God. What did you do?"

Or: Viktor needs to stop finding new and creative ways to get himself hexed. Yuuri is Suffering.

---

ETA - Other people's rec:

A Story of Withcraft and Wizardy by @sophialala1 (She also recs other magic/fantasy AU fics in the replies and here's her ao3)

Magic & Ice by @ajwolf84

when the ice melts in the snow (that's when you'll love me) by lilithiumwords / @amberstarfight

Thanks for the rec, @alistairvt! ❤

#yuri on ice #yoi #yoi fic rec #victuuri #harry potter au #hogwarts au #magic

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f-117-nighthawk · 3 years ago

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Playlist Update Part 2: Electric Boogaloo

Part 2! Here lies Endless War, Dystopian Fiction, and Filaments. EW hasn’t changed much, DF has a bit and it's all INFECTED's fault, and Filaments has more than three songs finally. My explanations for these aren't quite as fleshed out (partially bc there's less in my head to flesh out with and partially because these aren't nearly as set in playdough as the main playlist. more like set in syrup)

Part One

In chronological order:

Endless War

Dark Matter is here because it always is, twining through everything else.

(Don’t stop, don’t think, don’t look back/You’re a bolt of lightning in the sky now/Don’t stop, don’t think, don’t look back/I’ve pulled you in, nowhere to hide now)

I Am the One links into Eater of Worlds as sort of the aftermath, sort of during Apocalypse 1992. Our Fifth General has her realization about [REDACTED] far, far before Team Voltron does because she’s there in the thick of it during Through Apocalypse Skies.

(I am the one/I hold the dreams from fallen heroes)

(We are gods, we are monsters/We create to devour/Not for love but for power/What’s a life worth in the end?)

(From the caves beneath Dundee/Ancient hermit arrives/A messenger to the war in the stars/Korviliath is nigh!)

The Truth Beneath the Rose is from the perspective of our last (and first) Blade in the aftermath of Through Apocalypse Skies, as she realizes just what she helped create. Also… kinda connects to a song in the main playlist, but not very obviously.

(Blinded to see the cruelty of the beast/It is the darker side of me/The veil of my dreams deceived that I have seen/Forgive me for what I have been, forgive me my sins!)

Raise Your Banner is The Fifth General’s newfound resolve as she starts collecting allies against Zarkon’s empire.

(Wake up/I’m defying you, seeing right through you, once I believed in you/Wake up/Feel what’s coming deep within we all know)

Obey is a bit of a weird one. It’s in the same vein as You Keep What You Kill in the main playlist, but it’s more specifically about the creation of the first Druids and how Haggar uses them against the Fifth General and her team.

(Obey, we're gonna show you how to behave/Obey, it's nicer when you can't see the chains)

Silver Moonlight is cracks forming in The Fifth General’s new set of alliances and her desperate and occasionally rash attempts to get them to believe in her goal. Not just the main one to take down the empire, but the one that will allow them to do that.

(I’m impatient, but it’s colors that I need/Too many shades of grey, I cannot breathe/The dreams I have ain’t tainted, I need you to believe/The only way to make them real, oh)

Endless War is the title track, connected to Holy Ground and I’d Rather Burn as a specific event but also sort of encompassing the Fifth General’s motivations throughout the series. She’s “hunting a miracle” that is also those colors from Silver Moonlight, and then the end of Endless War kicks in with Holy Ground, and the Fifth General’s final stand in I’d Rather Burn.

('Cause you’re fighting an endless war/Hunting a miracle/And when you reach out for the stars/They just cut you down/…/Is it worth dying for?/Or are you blinded by, blinded by it all?)

(You got inside my head, I want you out/'Cause I’ve been betrayed on holy ground)

(Won’t let you take my soul away/I’d rather go to the stake/I’d rather burn)

Empty Eyes is [long spoiler beep]. (and yes! I found it on Spotify finally!)

(I don’t know where I’m going/In search for answers/I don’t know who I’m fighting/I stand with empty eyes/You’re like a ghost within me/Who’s draining my life/It’s like my soul is see-through/Right through my empty eyes)

Dystopian Fiction

Dark Matter is on here because title track, but also it does end up with effects. Especially by the end… and of course, the Thing that is Wrong With Earth.

(Don’t stop, don’t think/Move up, don’t blink now/On your knees pray for rain/Don’t breathe when you take your aim)

The Human Condition is the Éskhayklos manifesto. A warning of the end times. The condemnation of the parasites. The reveal of the only cure. The final extinction cycle. Also their new image song, as Cross the Line got moved.

(We have the cure for the disease/Locked down inside us/When all is dead, then we will see/We are the virus)

INFECTED is the Éskhayklos’s slow, well, infection of the Sol Federation, and their descent into full-blown terrorism. (And yes, I know the actual lyrics have ‘he’. Shhhhhh. It’s a STARSET song, it’s about a Shirogane, even if it’s sort of from Cascade’s POV)

(Here's a challenge for all mankind/The preacher man is warning of the end times/The weatherman agrees but she don't know/So she's got to go now)

Who Will Save You Now here is about Sam, and the aftermath of Here to Save You, in addition to its referenced role in the main playlist.

(Alone with this vision/Alone and blind/Go tell the world I’m still alive)

Codebreaker is Adam’s song! But here it’s also in conjunction with Cross the Line as the final Éskhayklos mission before...

(Codebreaker can’t you find/Can you read between the lines of code?/Tell me all that you know/How far down the hole does it all go)

(Cross the line, redefine, break away unbent, unafraid/Together we stand in the dark/Seeking the light and what is right, together we cross the line/Our journey will come to an end and then our human cause will be/Justified)

The Day the Earth Collapsed

(How much time has been elapsed/Since the day the earth collapsed?)

Dystopian Fiction is the title track for this part. With the events of The Day the Earth Collapsed, the Garrison and our heroes on Earth are at their lowest point. It really is a piece of dystopian fiction, between [spoiler] and [spoiler]. They’re fighting for something that, at that point, must seem like ‘superstition.’ And also: “Nobody can shoot me down, not just yet” is about Adam bc Fuck Canon. Even if he does, technically, get shot down.

(I’m a dead man/In the wasteland/I’m a soldier fighting for superstition/Under searchlights/In the long nights/We’ve been written like dystopian fiction)

World on Fire and The Reckoning are the two of their subset that make it over here because they’re the two that happen before the result of This is a Call can come to fruition, and are more focused on our Earth heroes anyway.

(Sent by forces beyond salvation/There can be not one sensation)

(We’re all alone, walking in twilight/The night has been long and so many have fallen/Feel no remorse, light will be breaking/Our freedom is worth it all)

Filaments

Filaments is still in flux but does have way more solid than it did. Like, you know, most of an ending. I just don’t really know how they get from A to B yet.

Dark Matter is here because, well. A) Title track, B) yes, it still has effects. It’s the overarching theme, after all. Filaments sort of has a subtitle itself, which is ‘The Undoing,’ after the other part of the lyric that the subtitle of the main playlist comes from. It’s about undoing a past mistake (that wasn’t obviously a mistake until much later) and reconciling the events of Your World Will Fail.

(I am the keeper/I am the secret/I am the answer/I am the end)

Filaments is the title track of this part. It’s… a little hard to explain without giving away the entire plot but it’s about the connections between different parts of the universe, and some fall-out of Cosmic Vertigo and Louder Than Words.

(These glowing filaments/Conducting this enchanting/Sarcophagus that’s holding us)

Starlight is, again, Adashi song, and this time the happy part

(Don’t leave me lost here forever/I need your starlight and pull me through/Bring me back to you)

Carry Me Home is its eponymous fic.

(Carry me home to the morning light/carry me home before you wave me goodbye/Oh, carry me home…)

And then we get to the new part. Know that stuff in Carry Me Home about “The record skip that only [Keith and Krolia] can remember”? Yeah, Prognosis is a huge step to figuring that out.

(How long is the body beholden?/How long 'til we run out of road?/Deep down in the black of the ocean/Fading from the glow)

The timey-wimey ball gets tossed around more in Blackstar. Partially due to [REDACTED] and a certain terrorist’s reemergence, but also due to Prognosis-related stuff

(They'll let you try/To reverse everything/Don't waste your time/Sing Hallelujah 'cause you can't change anything)

Eon straight-up plays Calvinball with the timey-wimey ball and gets the Paladins stuck in a groundhog-day situation, and the only way out? Isn’t good.

(If time's a song, I won't wait for its reprise/I am done wishing farewells and goodbyes)

The Art of War and Centigrade are the beginning of the end. The Art of War is Cascade finally showing his true colors, and the Sol Federation not having a good time. Centigrade is the other side of it, Team Voltron having a realization of just what they’re going to need to do.

(I can remember all the days of violence/I can remember all the days they fought for rights/When men united all by fear and interest/I mustered them with hopeful promises I've broken)

(What did you hope to find adrift and lost in time?/Is this the end ready to begin?/It's time to escape the fate of destruction, excavating within until salvation/No longer pretend the future's a lie from a past you cannot hide)

The Future is Now and A Theater of Dimensions are. Well. You’ll see. It’s a little hard to pick a lyric from AToD, I'll say that much.

(They said there was no way/But they forgot the black hole in the sky/Yesterday is nothing/I have half a life to rewrite)

(I’ve seen our freedom in the mist of time/The old signs I’ll follow and the day of relief will be yours and mine)

And then there’s Afterlife. Fitting to end on a UtA song, after everything, especially since The Immortal has repeatedly throughout DM been a metaphor for Voltron. Also fitting that it’s this one, considering the parallels between the end of The Immortal’s story and Filaments

(But with such power, think how you could rule/Hold to your promise to watch over those in despair/Why would you choose to serve when you could be master of all?/Be true to your honour and fight for a world that is fair!/Out of shadow, out of darkness, welcome to the light/As the day shines boldly over night/Follow me to finally be who you are inside/Open wide, embrace the afterlife)

#i am dark matter; your road to ruin #long post #at least this time was only an hour and a half?#dm playlists

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alice-beaumont-ravenclaw · 5 years ago

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From Paris, with Love

A/N #1: Part 7 of my Celestial Ball series is here! In this fic, we meet Alice’s french grandmother and learn a bit more about her family... Anyway, here are the other parts of the series: You’ve Got a Friend in Me | Distraction | Something There | One Step Closer | Fashion Emergency | Get Your Head in the Game | Der Walzer von Alice | Of Quidditch and Ballgowns (there’s a sketch of the dress at the end of that fic)

-----------------------

The Celestial Ball was fast approaching and Alice had yet to see her gown. Andre had taken her measurements a few days after they had selected the style, and she knew he was working on it, based on the plasters that were appearing on his fingers as the days went by. She also knew he had already made Charlie’s dress robes, as Charlie’s excitement was apparent during one of their dance rehearsals.

“You’ll see it on the day of the ball, but I’ll give you a hint so you can imagine how amazing it is: Dragons!” he had said as they waltzed with the other prefects.

Alice was pretty sure he was more excited about the dragon part of his robes than the robes themselves. Lost in those thoughts as she watched the first snow falling from a window in the common room, she didn’t hear Andre barging in and coming towards her.

“Alice!” he exclaimed, standing right next to her.

“What?!” she said, turning her head towards him, her eyes wide in shock.

“Your dress is ready!”

“Really? Can I see it?” asked Alice, excited.

“Well, of course. We need to choose your accessories!” said Andre as he dragged her out of the common room.

“Accessories? I don’t think I brought many with me… Unless you put some in my trunk without my knowledge…” replied Alice, looking at her friend suspiciously.

“No, of course, I didn’t. I didn’t know there was going to be a ball. No… I invited someone over to help us with that,” replied Andre, looking away.

“Invited someone here? At Hogwarts? Was Dumbledore okay with that?”

“Well, seems like they know each other, so yeah, he was fine with it,” he replied as they stopped in front of a door.

“Who the hell does Dumbledore know that could help with accessories?” asked Alice as she opened the door. The person she saw inside the room made her stop dead in her tracks.

That person was a tall and slender elderly woman with regal beauty. Her white hair was in a French twist, and she was wearing a navy Chanel skirt suit. When her piercing blue eyes met Alice’s green ones, a small smile appeared on her lips.

“Alice, ma chérie!” she said as she approached Alice before giving her two kisses on each cheek.

“Grand-maman?” said Alice, too startled to reciprocate the bise as she stared at Andre.

“Yeah, well, I wrote to your mother regarding pieces of jewelry to go with the dress, but the letter I got back was from your French grandmother…” started explaining Andre while fidgeting with his hands. “She told me she would come to Hogwarts with a selection of jewelry we could choose from.”

“Albus was so nice to let me come! He hasn’t changed at all! I will go have tea with him while you two choose what you need! But before I go, Alice, j’ai quelquechose pour toi,” said her grandmother as she opened up a little box. Inside was a tiara adorned with stars and celestial waves. Strings were attached to it to fasten it to the wearer’s head.

“Une tiare?” said Alice, slightly frowning.

“Oui, bon, ça peut l’être, but you can wear as a headband or at ze back of your head. I asked my… hum… how do you say ‘joaillier’… Jeweller! Yes, well, I asked him to make something versatile zat could be worn in different ways because my granddaughter does not like wearing classic tiaras.”

“Wait! You had this made especially for the occasion? It’s too much, I can’t…” started saying Alice before being interrupted by Andre.

“It will look amazing with the dress!” he exclaimed.

“Andre…” muttered Alice, trying to get him to calm down, in vain.

“I know! When I saw the sketches you had sent my daughter-in-law, I knew my favourite jeweller would be able to create something wonderful!”

“Sketches?” asked Alice, looking at Andre with a raised eyebrow. “Plural?”

“Yes, I also sent a sketch of the shoes I made,” explained Andre.

“Shoes? You made shoes?”

“Didn’t I tell you? Guess I forgot. Anyway, thank you so much Mrs. Beaumont!”

“Please, it was no problem at all! Now, I will leave you to it while I go see Albus,” she said, waving as she left the room.

“I can’t believe she knows Dumbledore… Then again, I shouldn’t be surprised,” said Alice as she stared at the now-closed doors.

“How come?” asked Andre as he started opening the jewelry cases.

“Well, Dumbledore knows a lot of people, and so does my grandmother,” said Alice turning toward the jewelry.

“Oh, Merlin!” exclaimed Andre as he looked, wide-eyed, upon all the glittering pieces of jewelry laid out in front of him.

“Honestly, that’s just showing off,” grumbled Alice as she looked on, rolling her eyes.

“I’m sure she just wants you to have as much to choose from,” said Andre, who was already covered in jewelry.

“Maybe, but she likes to remind people of who she is,” said Alice as she took a pair of very small crescent moon stud earrings covered with white pavé diamonds and set it aside.

“She likes people to know she’s a Beaumont?” asked Andre, admiring the rings on his fingers.

“Not exactly… The Beaumonts are a very reputable family in France, but…” she started saying, before pursing her lips. “Anyway,” she interrupted herself, “you haven’t shown me my dress or my shoes yet. How am I supposed to make a decision if I don’t see what I’m going to wear?”

“Oh! You’re right!” Andre said, getting up from the table he was sitting up. Pushing a screen to the side, he revealed the dress and the shoes.

“Oh, Andre! It’s simply gorgeous!” said Alice as she looked at the dress and shoes.

The sleeveless dress was covered in sparkles, except for the black shoulder straps. From the waist, it was a dark blue, and the blue got lighter as it got closer to the edge of the dress. From the waist up, the material was very thin, making the blue of it appear very light against the nude lining of the bodice. There was a little bit of tulle under the skirt to give it some volume, but not too much. The shoes were high-heeled sandals with butterfly wings at the back. They were in sparkling silver and navy blue, with a cross ankle strap and glittering stars.

“So… You like it?” asked Andre as Alice touched the skirt of her dress.

“Like it? I love it! It goes with the theme, but not in an ostentatious manner!” replied Alice.

“I’m so glad you like it,” said Andre, smiling. “Now, let’s go back to the jewelry and you can tell me everything about your grandmother.”

“Ugh… Do I have to?” asked Alice, making her way back to the jewelry case.

“Well, I’m intrigued. Such a stylish and regal woman, and it doesn’t have to do with the Beaumonts, but, I’m guessing, her side of the family,” said Andre, taking out a diamond bangle with moons and stars, and putting it with the earrings Alice had put aside.

Alice let out a sigh. “Fine… Before being Aurore Beaumont, she was born Aurore Valois, from the Capetian dynasty.”

“Is that supposed to ring a bell?” asked Andre, raising an eyebrow.

“Outside of France, probably not. In France, the Capetian dynasty is also known as the House of France. Starting with Hugues Capet, a King of France in the 10th century. All the Kings of France after that were his descendants. All the way down to Louis-Phillipe 1er. Technically, the Valois branch was considered extinct in 1589 and was succeeded by the Bourbons. But that’s on the Muggle side of the family. On the wizard branch, the Valois kept going. The first wizard of that line may not be entirely legitimate, but that didn’t seem to matter at the time. So they managed to maintain a certain level of influence in the wizarding world as well as in the Muggle world. In the Muggle world, they are seen as just vaguely being related to the House of France, but even that is enough to impress. France may be a Republic, but they do treat descendants of French noble families with deference,” explained Alice, looking at a necklace paved with diamonds in white gold. “Boucheron, of course,” she mumbled as she looked at the clasp, putting it with the earrings and the bracelet.

“Wow… That’s… detailed,” said Andre, staring at his friend.

“Yes, well, I have heard the story many times, and believe me, that was a summary. All this to say, my grandmother can be a bit of a showoff. She won’t say it, because it is just vulgar to do so, but she will make people feel how important she is.”

“Is that why you never told us? Because it’s vulgar?” asked Andre, smirking.

“What? Of course not. By now, you should know it’s not something I care about,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Honestly, I kinda regret muttering about my grandmother. If I hadn’t said anything, you wouldn’t have asked anything, and you would be none the wiser.”

“Oh, even without your mumbling, I would’ve asked questions. Like, why is she wearing Muggle clothes? Why didn’t you tell me you had such a stylish grandma? Can I come with you next time you visit your French family?”

“Yeah… Figures. She wears Muggle clothes because she likes them. She personally knew Coco Chanel and Christian Dior. I didn’t tell you because, why would I? And I guess you can come with me next time I go to France, though I don’t see why,” answered Alice, smirking as she rolled her eyes. Andre could be so predictable sometimes, hence why seeing her grandmother had shocked her. She knew that Andre would be curious about her, would want to know more about her. It was better if he asked his questions in an empty classroom than in a room full of other people that might ask questions themselves. “Now that I’ve answered your questions, you have to promise me to not breathe a word about it. It’s bad enough that people stare at me because I’m the ‘Curse-Breaker,’ let’s not add ‘French Royalty’ to the mix. I definitely don’t want Charlie to act even more strangely around me.”

Andre stopped what he was doing and stared at her. Was she on the verge of realizing her feelings for Charlie Weasley?

“I mean, ever since he saw my house in London, he’s been acting strange, as if the fact my family is well-off disturbed him. I’m pretty sure that if he hadn’t seen my house, he would have asked me to the ball way sooner. We are friends and prefects, after all, so it was the logical thing to do, but took him so long to ask me, I was on the verge of doing it myself!” exclaimed Alice.

“So… You would have asked him to the ball if he hadn’t? You wouldn’t have asked someone else, like, say… Barnaby?” asked Andre, doing his best to hide his smile.

“Barnaby? Well, if Charlie had asked someone else, then I would have asked Barnaby, but he’s not a prefect, he doesn’t NEED someone to dance with. Charlie and I were in the same predicament, so it just made sense to go together.”

“Yeah, but if none of you were prefects, who would you have asked to the ball?” probed Andre.

“No one. I would just have gone to the ball with all my friends,” said Alice as she started to close the jewelry cases.

“Ugh… You are hopeless,” muttered Andre.

“What did you say?” asked Alice, closing the last jewelry case.

“Nothing, nothing…” replied Andre just as Alice’s grandmother entered the room.

“So, you have found everyzing zat you needed?” she asked, looking at the closed cases.

“Yes, thank you. Very nice of you to come all this way,” said Alice with a stiff smile plastered on her face.

“As I said, it was no problem at all. Gave me a chance to catch up with Albus. He told me very interesting zings about you,” her grandmother replied. With a flick of her wand, all the cases floated towards her open purse and got inside it.

“I can imagine…” grumbled Alice.

“I was also very happy to see you,” she said, kissing her granddaughter’s forehead. “You haven’t visited Paris nor Sarrians in a while. You should come next summer.”

“Sure…” replied Alice.

“Andre, it was a pleasure meeting you,” said Aurore, turning to the other Ravenclaw. “I’m sure you will be a great fashion designer one day.”

“Oh! Thanks, but I actually want to be a Quidditch player,” replied Andre proudly.

“Really?” replied the elderly lady as she looked back at the dress. “Quel gaspillage… Oh, well, I hope you enjoy the ball. Au revoir!”

After she had left, Alice started placing the jewelry they had chosen in a little velvet pouch until Andre suddenly realized something. “We forgot to choose a ring!”

“I have one,” said Alice, unperturbed as she tightened the strings of the little pouch.

“You picked one? I didn’t see it,” pointed out Andre, rubbing his chin.

“Already had it. A white gold eternity ring with blue coloured stones. Parents gave it to me after I was sorted into Ravenclaw,” explained Alice as they left the room.

“Are you sure it’s going to work with everything else?” asked Andre.

“It will,” replied Alice as they stood at the entrance of the Great Hall and could see their friends eating and happily chatting. “Now, remember what I told you. Not a word about my grandmother or her background to anyone, or your chance of ever coming to Paris with me will be null.”

“An empty threat. You didn’t look like you wanted to go visit your grandparents in France,” pointed out Andre.

“Well, maybe I’ll change my mind, especially if I know it’s something I can hold over your head,” said Alice, a sly smile appearing on her face as she made her way toward her friends.

“There are days when I think she should be in Slytherin…” mumbled Andre to himself before following her inside.

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A/N #2: Hope you enjoyed. I was loosely inspired by the 2018 HPHM Fictober prompt “First Snow” (loosely as in “the story does not revolve around it, but that prompt led me to write this fic”). So the main fic of the series is approaching... Which means I’ll have to write a ball scene with dancing and everything. If anyone has tips on how to write a ball scene, let me know. (I may have looked at the various ball scenes in War & Peace...)

#hphm fanfic #hogwarts mystery fanfic #hphm mc #hogwarts mystery oc #jacob’s sibling #alice beaumont #andre egwu #aurore beaumont #charlie weasley x alice beaumont #hphm fictober #hphm #hogwarts mystery

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