#the selection gifs

[captainsophiestark]

CaptainSophieStark's Year in Review 2024

GUYS. I WROTE 100 FICS THIS YEAR!!!!!!

I've never done an annual fic roundup before, and I'm not sure I will again, but I wanted to celebrate the truly crazy amount of things I managed to write this year. 13 fandoms and 52 characters in 12 months! Honestly, I don't know how I managed to pull this off - thank you to everybody who sent me requests or reblogged or commented on any of my fics! The support is seriously, seriously appreciated! All fics are linked under the cut if you want to check them out 😄

I'm planning to take a break from writing for January to let my creative muscle rest a bit, although we'll see if that actually works out- and regardless, I'll still be around on Tumblr! Happy New Year everybody!

January

Week One: Parents Weekend (Platonic!Percy Jackson)

Week Two: Slow Dancing In A Burning Room (Bill Weasley)

Week Three: The Best-Laid Plans (Platonic!Annabeth Chase)

Week Four: Dive Bar (Maxon Schreave)

February

Week One: To The Stars (Rhysand)

Week Two: Galentine's Day (Platonic!Natasha "Phoenix" Trace)

Week Three: Unexpected Guest (Dick Grayson)

Week Four: Super Surprises (Harley Keener)

Non-YoF Bonus!

The Hard Call (Azriel)

Not A Relationship Guy (Tristan Flynn)

Nosy Best Friends (Tristan Flynn)

Presentation Problems (Tristan Flynn)

The Best Night Ever (Tristan Flynn)

For The Team (Ithan Holstrom)

March

Week One: A Much-Needed Vacation (Elijah Mikaelson)

Week Two: Little Moments (Jane Foster)

Week Three: Come Here Often? (Cassian)

Week Four: Flickering Firelight (Luke Castellan)

Week Five: Competitive (Matt Donovan)

April

Week One: Not A Doctor (Bones McCoy)

Week Two: Like Home (Klaus Mikaelson)

Week Three: Anniversary Allergies (Piper McLean)

Week Four: Star-Crossed Agents (Grant Ward)

Non-YoF Bonus!

Hypocrite (Bucky Barnes)

Smooth Talker Part 2 (Poe Dameron)

May

Week One: Picture Perfect (Benedict Bridgerton)

Week Two: I Made You Breakfast (Kai Parker)

Week Three: End of the Line (Anakin Skywalker)

Week Four: Miscommunication (Kol Mikaelson)

Week Five: Weekend Plans (Jason Todd)

Non-YoF Bonus!

Lost Memories (Elijah Mikaelson)

The Old Me Never Left (Kai Parker)

June

Week One: A New Man (Colin Bridgerton)

Week Two: Guest Appearance (Dick Grayson)

Week Three: Head of the Family (Anthony Bridgerton)

Week Four: Popcorn (Wedge Antilles)

Non-YoF Bonus!

Scavenger Hunt (Platonic!Padmé Amidala)

Drinks With Peggy (Daniel Sousa)

Filed Away (Agent Carter Gen Fic)

The Most Important Mission of All (Jack Thompson)

July

Week One: History (Jack Thompson)

Week Two: Vigilante Book Club (Jason Todd)

Week Three: Vigilante Book Club Part 2 (Jason Todd)

Week Four: We're Good (Kol Mikaelson)

August

Week One: Corn Maze (Bones McCoy)

Week Two: What The Fuck Is A Grid System (Jack Thompson)

Week Three: Exceptions (Grant Ward)

Week Four: Oldies and Goodies (Bucky Barnes)

Week Five: No Way To Know For Sure Part 2 (Daniel Sousa)

September

Week One: Take A Break (Javi Rivera)

Week Two: Broadway Calling (Angie Martinelli)

Week Three: The Richmond Vampire (Damon Salvatore)

Week Four: Naval Wedding (Natasha "Phoenix" Trace)

October

Week One: Vigilante Book Club Part 3 (Jason Todd)

Week Two: Dress Clothes (Han Solo)

Week Three: Jurisdiction (Jack Thompson)

Week Four: Irregular Heartbeat (Bones McCoy)

Fictober Bonus!

Don't Mess With Demeter (Luke Castellan)

Epiphany (Javi Rivera)

Don't Believe Everything You Read (Anthony Bridgerton)

Rippah (Stefan Salvatore)

Recruit (Grant Ward)

The Arena Club (Peggy Carter)

Hopeful Future (Stephen Strange)

One Night Werewolf (Dick Grayson)

The Gunmen Were A Relief (Daniel Sousa)

Did I Forget To Mention? (Klaus Mikaelson)

Pranksters (Maxon Schreave)

Welcome to the Chaos (Anakin Skywalker)

DIY Karma (Angie Martinelli)

Husband, Not Handyman (Colin Bridgerton)

Just The Two Of Us (Wanda Maximoff)

The Details (Jack Thompson)

Power Couple (Tristan Flynn)

Batting Cages (Kol Mikaelson)

Winglets (Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw)

November

Week One: Procrastination (Grant Ward)

Week Two: Comfort (Dick Grayson)

Week Three: Rock Solid (Enzo St. John)

Week Four: Crib Construction (Cassian)

Week Five: After An Eternity (Finn Mikaelson)

Fictober Bonus!

Sleight of Hand (Jimmy Woo)

Watch Out For Vampires (Daisy Johnson)

Nothing Wrong With Emotions (Anakin Skywalker)

Dance Like Nobody's Watching (Dick Grayson)

Worth The Risk (Jason Todd)

Who You Gonna Call? (Platonic!Ahsoka Tano)

Partners (Grant Ward)

Oblivious (Damon Salvatore)

December

Week One: Not All Bad (Rebekah Mikaelson)

Week Two: A Very Dagger Christmas (Jake "Hangman" Seresin)

Week Three: Not In The Spirit (Leia Organa)

Week Four: Not On The Guest List (Platonic!Percy Jackson)

Non-YoF Bonus!

The Right Choice (Jack Thompson)

Same Page (Harley Keener)

Rebound (Dick Grayson)

Snowed In (Rex)

The Shiz University Book Fair (Fiyero Tigelaar)

Fire Burning Low (Luke Castellan)

My Hero (Steve Rogers)

[corpsebasil]

Quick quick snippet of The Selection AU I’m working on with Nikolai.

BASIS: you’re the princess. We’ve all read the Selection I think so you know where this is going. Nikolai is a high ranked individual chosen for The Selection and he’s doing his best to win your heart, not the crown.

Let me know if you want me to continue. DRABBLE TIME.

When he approaches, your only reaction is to simply stare the man down.

Nikolai Lantsov. A Two, you think. Maybe a Three? Who cares. He’s just another pompous boy trying to seduce you into giving him a crown of jewels.

WHAT HE DOES SURPRISES YOU.

“Your Highness,” he greets you, bowing almost reverently as he stands before your gilded chair. You’re on the dais at the head of the party; someone’s birthday, you think—at least that’s the excuse the advisors gave you. Any excuse for a party is good enough for them. “would you do me the honor?”

When he offers you his hand you raise an eyebrow. No other man has been bold enough to ask you to dance tonight—not one. Truthfully you’re happy to relax on your throne while you watch the members of The Selection mingle with other guests, so why is this one brave enough to approach?

“Your name, sir?” You ask, even though you know perfectly well who he is. He knows it too; his grin says enough when he rises to his full height, the picture of confidence and grace.

If you didn’t know he wasn’t royalty you honestly would’ve thought he was.

“Nikolai.” He says, dipping his head again a fraction. “And you’d make my night if you’d dance with me.”

“What do I get in return?”

“I promise not to step on your feet too many times, my lady.”

At that, you laugh.

Honestly, that’s the first good laugh you’ve had in weeks. The stress of choosing a husband in such short of a time is overwhelming and, unbeknownst to Nikolai, you’re grateful for some banter.

“You cant dance?” You ask, a tiny smile on your face. He grins.

“If you count flailing like a fish as dancing, then absolutely Your Highness.”

You giggle. You can’t help it. And your ladies that surround you on the dais all look at you in surprise; you’ve barely entertained a single one of these men and it’s been several weeks. Who is this handsome blond with two left feet and a cocky grin?

“Alright.” You consent, rising from your seat. “But just know there’s corporal punishment for anyone that steps on my toes.”

“I would go to the whipping post with a smile on my face.”

Dear lord.

When you dance with him that night you realize he’s a liar. A hugggggge liar. He’s such a good partner that you don’t dance with a single other man that night—a sight completely obvious to every other member of The Selection.

While you two spin round after round the others watch with both jealously and mortification; why hadn’t they grown the balls to ask you to dance? By the time he’s convinced you yo dance for the fourth time in a row you’re laughing loudly, head tipped back as he twirls you at ridiculous speeds.

After a while you take a break, your pinkie hooked around his as you lead him towards the dais. A servant gives the both of you wine as you sit, him on the steps of it, you on your chair.

A future queen and her inferior, if you will, and he’s perfectly happy to stay at your feet.

“Tell me one thing about you I should worry about.” You say to him, a serene smile on your face as you watch him take a sip of wine. He’s got the best seat in the house right now on top of the dais and the other men are clearly annoyed about that. “Tell me something unforgivable.”

“I don’t know about unforgivable,” he starts, swirling the wine in his glass in a contemplative circle. “but I have faults.”

“Everyone has faults.”

“Yes, but I’m fully aware of mine.”

You watch him curiously, peering over the edge of your glass.

“What would they be?”

He ponders this for a moment and you can tell he’s actually considering your question. This isn’t rehearsed; he wants you to know the truth.

“I can be cocky.” He admits, tilting his head at you. “And loud. But I’m a fun person and I love making people happy.” He squints before adding, “I’m also selfish at times, but isn’t everyone?”

“You’re certainly bold.”

“You like bold.”

At that your grin is wide.

“Yes I do.”

WELLLL

[bebe-benzenheimer]

when you're called a fascist for liking fictional fluffy fictional books about fictional royal families

[the-selection-series123]

Maxon trying to explain away America finding him and Celeste hooking up in the hallway...😅😂

[warmeveningbreeze]

Evan Rodrick is the real life version of Prince Maxon, no doubt.

[madirye062]

Who did this!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭

Look at me,

Break my heart.

Break it a thousand times

if you like.

It was only ever yours

to break anyway.

- (TO)

[chrissmou]

My December Books

Happy New Year, everyone, but we have the latest month of the previous one to talk about the books I have read, from fairy tale retellings to biographies and young romances in between. I have read 10 books in the past month so let’s discuss them. I will leave the link in Goodreads for you to check them out if you like:

The Elite (The Selection #2) (Kiera Cass): It was a good book but not as good as the first in the series it built in the world-building and the characters started to complicate themselves. I liked the risks made by the protagonist in the end and the protagonist. The society in the book seems a bit unfair and I don’t really that it hasn’t changed since it started. Overall, it was a fun read to start month.

Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman (Lucy Worsley): I loved the documentary accompanying this amazing read. Lucy is the most amazing narrator in subjects like this and while the documentary is amazing the book has its downsides. It has passages in it that are amazing but when we go in the descriptive parts it needs something more. I loved the different approach in the amnesia story as Lucy is a historian, she went to scientists and asked their opinions without sending mixed messages. I loved how she tried to understand Agatha as a person from her birth to her death and beyond.

A Taste for Love (Jeniffer Yen): This is the second time I read this amazing modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and I loved it. It was my favorite book I read in 2021 when I was reading my second dissertation and it was my letdown book. I loved the characters especially the two protagonists Liza and James as they are the heart of the book. I love the subtle way that has the Jane Austen references, too. Also, the descriptions of the Asian and European desserts and foods it has in it.

Love, Decoded (Jeniffer Yen): Imagine combining Emma, programming, and Gossip Girl in one universe this is then the book for you. I loved it as I am a coder at heart and I love the protagonist, the slow burn, and the other characters surrounding the story. I loved the New York setting and that her aunt has a matchmaking business which the protagonist writes a database for and program to help with the matchmaking. It is an amazing read in the same universe as Taste for Love, as Gigi, the protagonist, is the little sister of James the protagonist from the last one. It also has glimpses of his life in Texas with Liza.

Just Another Love Song (Kerry Winfrey): I liked this second chance between a country star and his high school sweetheart. The little kid in this one is sweet and the book is really funny especially the squirrel scene between the protagonists and all the main kids in the book. I loved the art and the descriptions of the scenery in this one too. I enjoyed the descriptions of the festival too. They were happy and entertaining with lots of fun.

Forever Inn Love (Freedom Valley #5) (Erin Branscom): The fifth book in the Freedom Valley Series is one of the best and I loved it. It is a second chance romance between the new mechanic, ex-military, and the new doctor in town. They are high school sweethearts and best friends who never forget one another. This little town is amazing to go back to as you see how the previous couples do in the scenes in the café or the Inn and have an idea of what about the next book in the series. It is worth a read with a good plot and relatable characters.

Santa’s Baby (Cantal Roome): That was a funny romance with all the typical misunderstandings you expect from one. Let’s start with the fact that when the two protagonists met, the woman was dressed as a bride and the male was as a Santa for a company Christmas party. The other is that he has a sex toy factory and he is a billionaire. His parents are the worst and the main enemy of the story. She has a younger sister who burns everything and a younger brother who knows how to stop her baby from crying. There is a funny reveal for the shop and the scene about a policeman doing shots at a webbing bachelor party.

The Unlucky Prince (Once Upon A Prince #1) (Deborah Grace White): A Prince and the Frog Retelling that missed the mark in both world-building and the magic in it. It was the first in a series I currently reading but a retelling I was excited about as it has the potential to be good. The only good thing I can remember is that I liked the character of both the protagonists especially the female and how good she was at negotiating treaties with the merchants of the city.

The Beggar Prince (Once Upon A Prince #2) (Kate Stradling): I loved this retelling of King Thrushbeard as it had great chemistry between the protagonists. I liked that the female has a disability that doesn’t allow her to recognize the protagonist with his beggar cloches and from an arranged marriage to one that they love each other but have got to know one another when they were beggars and have to work for everything. I also liked that it was only from the prince's point of view.

The Golden Prince (Once Upon A Prince #3) (Alice Ivinya): A retelling of Rapunzel is amazing. I loved the Hero and the heroine, especially his idiotic behavior when they first met and the fact that the protagonist is amazing in everything, brave, and a little bit manipulative too. I loved the magic and the background story in this one. I liked that it has a good world-building in the story and the mythology in it is amazing. It is worth a read.

[maines]

You’re the best friends anybody ever had. And it’s funny, but I feel as if I’ve known you all the time. But I couldn’t have, could I?

THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939) | AGATHA ALL ALONG (2024)

[nyaa]

[gaypeople]

The ones you admire... The poets, composers, the thoughtful man who designed this park you love so much. Shouldn't we spare them the randomness of our killing?

[odinsblog]

This is what misinformation + selective outrage + indifference looks like

Me: Gotdammit

[captainsophiestark]

Pranksters

Maxon Schreave x Reader

Masterlist - Join My Taglist!

Written for Fictober 2024!

Fandom: The Selection Series

Day Thirteen Prompt: "That's not the point."

Summary: Maxon and his spouse haven't had a moment to breathe since before the end of the Selection. Now, long after their marriage, they're taking some much needed fun and family time.

Word Count: 1,284

Category: Fluff

A/N: Barely got this one in on the 13th, but barely still counts!

Putting work into an AI program without permission is illegal. You do not have my permission. Do not do it.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Sh!"

I whirled around, finger on my lip to make the point to my husband. King Maxon Schreave crouched behind me, a faint smile on his face as he shook his head at me.

"I'm confident this is a good idea," I whispered, keeping my voice as low as possible. "We both need the fun, and Adele's kids were asking for it when they found a way to sneak in and short sheet our bed."

"Ah," said Maxon, nodding sagely like something had just clicked. "So they pranked us, and we need to prank them for revenge."

"No! That's not the point! It has nothing to do with revenge."

Maxon raised an eyebrow, but I just huffed.

"Maxon, we've had the weight of the kingdom on our shoulders since before we were married. You've had it on yours for your entire life! We're having a truly rare weekend off to spend with family, and we are owed some carefree fun in our twenties, alright?"

Maxon's eyebrows had raised part way through my answer, but now they'd relaxed back into a sweet smile. His eyes got a soft look in them that I truly couldn't get enough of, and he leaned into me a little.

"Have I told you lately that you are absolutely wonderful? And that I love you?" he asked. I matched his smile and leaned back into him.

"About an hour ago, at dinner. But I'm happy to hear it again."

Maxon leaned the rest of the way in and repeated himself, speaking right by my ear. I sighed, letting myself enjoy the rare moment of peace together. Sure, we were about to enact a much-needed pranking operation, but this was our vacation. We could take a moment to ourselves, too.

Since the end of the Selection, things had been stressful and high-stakes for Maxon and I. From learning about the rebels to learning about his father, the two of us had been dealing with heavy things since before our engagement. But with the attack from the Southern Rebels and the deaths of Maxon's parents, we'd been thrown immediately into the role of leading an entire country, the two of us, even before our wedding. We'd managed it just like we managed everything else—together—but it had never been easy, and for Maxon especially, it meant constant responsibility with very little breathing room. So, when we found a few days away from the palace with his Aunt Adele and some of our other closest family and friends, I decided to take the opportunity to give him a truly fun and carefree night like he should've had a long time ago.

And right now, that meant pranking all of our cousins before spending the rest of the night together doing whatever we wanted.

"Okay, come on," I said, leaning back from Maxon and shuffling a little towards the door of the big suite where all of Adele's kids were staying. "The hallway looks clear, let's go."

I rushed forward, staying quiet and low to the ground. Maxon followed right on my heels, practically bouncing and with a big grin on his face. It made my heart do backflips.

"Do you have the key?" I whispered to him. He nodded, slipping the key to the room out of his pocket.

"Perks of being the king," he whispered back with a wink. I took the key, letting my hand linger on his for a moment.

"Alright, let's do this."

I unlocked the door, then passed Maxon back the key. As planned, the room was totally empty. Everyone else was having a movie night downstairs. Maxon and I had excused ourselves with a made-up stomache ache on my part, then headed straight here.

"So what do we do first?" asked Maxon. He hovered right over my shoulder, ready to follow my lead. I smiled and turned around to face him.

"We have to move fast, so we can't do everything we brainstormed last night. But why don't you pick where we start? Dried nail polish puddle that looks like it spilled on their beds? Gelatin in the milk so they can't pour it out or take a drink like normal? Or potato to replace the soap bar?"

Maxon shook his head, but he was also grinning at me.

"Let's... start with the milk?"

"Sounds like a perfect plan to me."

Maxon and I moved through the room with less efficiency than I would've needed for a successful prank on my siblings back home, but this way was also more fun. Maxon was clearly having the time of his life causing a little harmless mischief, possibly because it was the first time in his life he'd been allowed to cause harmless mischief. We managed to set up all of our favorite prank ideas before heading back to the hallway, just a few minutes later than I'd been planning for us to make our escape.

Not a moment sooner than we got the door closed and locked again, we heard voices and footsteps coming our way from down the hall. Maxon whirled to me with wide eyes, and I fought to hold in a laugh as I grabbed his hand and pulled him after me in the opposite direction.

We made it around two corners before Maxon gave in, laughing as he fell into step beside me and pulled me closer. I shushed him, but it was pretty half-hearted.

"That was so much fun," he breathed when we finally made it back to our room. He slumped against the door, grinning from ear to ear, and I moved to stand in front of him with the same expression.

"I'm glad you thought so. We're probably going to have to be on alert for the rest of our vacation for buckets of water in doorways and similar forms of payback from the kids."

"Worth it," he breathed, reaching out to wrap an arm around my waist. He pulled me into his chest, and I leaned against him, resting my hands on his shoulders. I closed the rest of the distance between us to pull Maxon into a sweet, slow kiss. We took our time, and when we eventually pulled apart, Maxon had a thoughtful expression on his face.

"What's up?" I asked, moving one hand up to play with the hair at the nape of his neck. Maxon's smile took on a softer tone as he met my eyes.

"Nothing. Just... thinking about what it will be like when we get to do things like this with our kids. Someday."

I grinned. "You better start taking notes, sweetheart, because I'm calling team kid now. We're gonna work together to level the playing field against the literal king."

"Hmm, I suppose I'll have to come up with a better proposition for them then, won't I? Thankfully, you have plenty of experience with pranks, so I think I may be able to convince the kids to team up with me to level the playing field against a pranking master."

I laughed, shaking my head and pulling Maxon in for another kiss.

"Well, depending on how many we have, we might not get a choice. They might team up against us, leaving you and I to team up with each other or fall to their pranking power."

"Whichever version we get... I can't wait."

Maxon's eyes shone as he pulled me in for another kiss, and the love seemed to literally make him glow. I hoped he could see I radiated the same happiness. Whether we were dealing with the weight of the world or plotting hypothetical pranks, it always made things a million times better to be doing it with Maxon.

****************

Everything Taglist: @rosecentury @kmc1989 @space-helen

The Selection Taglist: @valkyriepirate

[yourbuckies]

'Awards Magnet': Sebastian Stan on Golden Globes, fear of 'The Apprentice,' Chris Evans ghosting him

[elinordash]

FILM & TV YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW: Day 2 – Genre ⟶ Musical Films

On the streets you hear the voices / Lost children, crocodiles / You're not into / Making choices, wicked witches / Poppy fields, or men behind the curtain / Tiger lilies, ruby slippers / Clock is ticking, that's for certain!

[playlist]

[the-selection-series123]