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nolita-fairytale · 2 years ago

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make my heart surrender | carmy berzatto x fem!reader | chapter six: monday

pairing: carmen berzatto x fem!reader

warnings: lots of swearing, angst, use of she/her pronouns, friends to lovers, references to sex, no use of y/n, second person pov

word count: 3.4k

summary: it's your last full day in chicago and you and carmy talk about the future of your relationship.

a/n: wow can you believe we're in the home stretch? i have one more chapter for all of you that are reading about our loveable kitchen idiots, but i'm definitely not done with these two.

read: part five | masterlist

Monday

“What’re you doing?” he asks, his morning voice gruff with sleep, his comment making you laugh.

“You haven’t even opened your eyes. You don’t know if I’m doing shit,” you reply.

“Yes, I do. I can feel you,” he shoots back, peeking one eye open.

You’re tracing your fingertips along his little tattoos that run along his right arm, propped up on your side: the angels below his elbow, the little fish on the inside of his forearm, the snail right above his wrist, then finally, his chef’s knife-hand tattoo on the back of his hand.

“Stop, ‘s creepy,” Carmy groans, throwing one of his hands over his eyes.

“What?”

“You’re watching me sleep,” he grumbles, earning a laugh from you.

It’s the third morning in a row that you’ve woken up together, and as the morning light floods into his bedroom once again, he doesn’t have the heart to ask you to close the curtains. He can’t bear the idea of you getting out of bed and leaving his side. He makes a mental note to close the damn curtains better next time.

You giggle at his comment, beginning to to leave soft kisses up his arm, around his shoulder, across his chest, until he’s pulling you on top of him, a sleepy smile on his face.

He could get fuckin’ used to this.

“It’s not creepy,” you protest softly, in between kisses.

Instead of coming up with a smartass reply, all he says is:

“Morning.”

“Morning,” you answer, leaning down to kiss him.

You snuggle into him your legs wrapping around his hip as you rest your head on one side of his chest, curled up to his side.

“What do you want to do today?” he asks, rubbing his eyes, accepting that he’s going to have to get up eventually.

“Hmm.. well, you promised me a true Chicago date,” you prompt him.

“I did.”

You reach over, intertwining your fingers with his opposite hand this time, as you bring it up to your lips to kiss each letter tattooed on his knuckles: S, O, U.

Sense of urgency.

“This is new,” he says, holding your hand up to the light, taking a look at your most recent tattoo. It starts at your wrist and extends all the way down your forearm, stopping just underneath the crease of your elbow.

“Yeah, you don’t get to be the only cool one with ink,” you hit back, playfully. “I also have a new little one on my rib cage.”

“Yeah, I-, I noticed that,” he says, his lips curling into a smirk, knowing that he’s only seen it because he’s seen you naked.

“Oh you did, huh?”

“Yeah.”

He waits a beat before returning to the topic at hand. He turns his head towards you, your face only inches away from his now.

“Thought we could take a walking dumpling tour of Chinatown. You know… like we used to do,” he suggests.

Memories of your adventures up and down Mott St. and Bowery come flooding back to you and you can’t help but grin. You’re honestly glad he remembers.

“Sounds incredible.”

You wait a beat as the sobering reality of the day – your last day in Chicago – hits you.

“We should get up and shower,” you sigh, reluctantly.

If you weren’t such an overthinker, you’d stay in Chicago forever. Pay rent to Pete and Sugar on your airbnb till you could find a place. If this were a movie, or a fantasy, you wouldn’t even think twice. Hell, you wouldn’t even go back for your stuff in New York. As long as you could stay here, in this bed with this beautiful man, who needed a fuckin’ IKEA dresser?

But your brain is quickly flooded with questions, logistics, ‘what ifs’ that hold you back from your desire to be impulsive. You’re also freaking out. This feels so good – too good – it’s near terrifying. You can feel your self-saboteur creeping up within you, but you’re quick to squash that little voice in your head that takes your doubts too far.

“Yeah, we should,” he agrees. “You go ahead. I just wanna lay here for a second.”

“Meet me in there?” you ask, as you sit up for a quick peck on the lips.

He nods in response as you begin to move.

You groan as you force yourself up and out of bed, wearing only an old Original Beef Chicagoland t-shirt. You’d found it in the laundry basket with a bunch of other clean, yet unfolded clothes he hadn’t put away. The cold air hits your skin as you hiss at the impact. Carmy watches your every move, still convinced this is all a dream. You know exactly what you’re doing as you strip the t-shirt off, revealing your bare body underneath, tossing it on the floor and making your way to the bathroom.

“But don’t keep me waiting for too long.”

Carmy hears the sound of the water running and he shakes his head. You’re a piece of work – he’ll give you that. He sits up, wondering how any of this could be real.

You spend the rest of the day exploring Chicago and Carmy realizes it’s been quite some time since he explored the city he grew up in. So much has changed…. You’d taken a twenty five minute bus ride from River North down to Chinatown, and had allowed yourself just to roam. You had missed these grand adventures with him: from stops for pork dumplings, to arguing over who gets to pay the bill, to returning back to a community botanical garden you’d passed earlier.

“Wait. You’re not kidding?!” you exclaim at the outrageous statement he’s just made. “Noooo, no, no, no.Take it back!”

“Nope. No! I’m not taking it back,” he protests, stubbornly.

“Okay, don’t get me wrong,” you clarify. “Because the pork buns were good. But you can’t possibly think that there’s a better pork bun than… what was it called?”

“You can’t even remember the name,” Carmy scoffs, playfully. “How can it be that good then?”

“Oh fuck off. It was the place we liked, right next to that uh, that pharmacy with the green awning. Oh! And the menu was always printed on neon green paper taped in the window – no English, just pictures. You don’t remember?” you ask, raising an eyebrow at him.

He certainly remembers, but he’s enjoying giving you a hard time.

“I’m just saying. I think they might be the best pork buns in the country.”

He shakes his head, sighing out your name.

“I don’t know. I think the entire population of San Francisco would take offense to that statement,” he challenges you.

“Well, we’re not talking about San Francisco, Carmen,” you point out, using his full name just to one up him.

“Hey uh. I don’t know if you noticed but… San Francisco is actually a part of this country,” he pushes back, being a smartass.

“Oh it is?” you reply back, sarcastically. “I had no idea. Thank you so much for enlightening me.”

The banter between the two of you is your favorite kind of foreplay. You’ve missed this.

He pauses, redirecting his attention to Chicago.

“So what?” he teases. “You're gonna come into my city and insult it like that? Okay. I see how it is.”

He holds the cigarette that’s previously been in between his index finger and middle finger back into his mouth now. You watch as it sits between his lips, deciding to push his buttons a little further.

“Jesus Christ,” you shake your head, playfully scoffing. “I can’t believe you’re smoking in a freakin’ community garden, Carmen.”

“What? We’re outside. I didn’t see a no-smoking sign when we came in. Shit…” he groans, somehow managing to keep the cigarette in between his lips.

“You gonna put it out?” you shoot back.

“No.”

“Well, fine. Then give me some,” you say, reaching for it.

“I thought you were trying to quit,” Carmy’s quick to rebut you, grabbing it out of his mouth and holding it above your head. He’s not that much taller than you, but you can tell he’s having a little too much fun with this game of keepaway.

“Carmy!” you exclaim with a laugh, pulling his arm down.

“No! You said you were trying to quit.”

“I never said that!” “Yes you did. You looked at me and you said, ‘I’m trying to cut back, Car.’”

“That doesn’t mean-. That’s not the same!”

“Yes, it is.”

“No it’s-, fuck you.”

He laughs, shaking his head before turning to you, almost as a challenge. He raises his eyebrows before asking:

“You really want to spend our last full day together arguing?”

“Well, when we’re so good at it…” you banter back, flirtatiously.

Finally… finally, he leans in to kiss you. You can taste the cigarette on his breath that you’d fought him so hard for. The both of you stop in the middle of the walkway, earning a few looks from a few people passing by. Carmy’s tries to fight the surprise he’s feeling – still trying to adjust to the fact that someone, let alone you, would want to kiss him in broad daylight.

You laugh, pulling away from the kiss before grabbing his arm as the two of you continue your walk along the carved out pathway.

He doesn’t want this to end.

He never wants this to end.

But his own words echo in his head – about this being your last day with him. Your week in Chicago is coming to an end, sending panic all throughout his body if he thinks about it for too long. He knows that all he has to do is say something – ask you to stay – and he’s not sure what he’s fucking waiting for. The words have built up within him, gotten stuck in his throat, and he’s swallowed them, scared absolutely shitless.

He can hear Mikey’s voice in his head as the words are on the tip of his tongue.

Let it rip.

Don’t be a fuckin’ idiot. You can’t let her go!

Let it rip, Carm.

With your fingers so gently intertwined between his, he can feel his hand getting clammy as he contemplates what he’s about to say.

“I don’t want this to be the end,” he blurts out, catching you off guard.

You stop. You’re not sure why you’re so surprised. You’ve been thinking about it too, afterall, but you half expected that you’d have to be the one to bring this up.

“I don’t want this to be the end either,” you confess, your voice soft as you lose yourself in the way he’s looking at you right now.

He’s relieved, almost surprised.

“You don’t?”

You shake your head, chuckling at his reaction.

“No, of course not! This is-, these past few days have been….”

“Yeah,” he agrees, a small smile threatening the corners of his lips.

“Yeah.”

You exchange glances, and how much you care for each other is evident in each others’ eyes.

“It’s just that-. Well. Do you-, do you want to… sit?” you suggest, gesturing towards one of the park benches.

He’s not sure why, but his stomach drops as he anticipates what you’re about to say. You seem serious… uncertain… even after what you both just said.

“Yeah, of… ‘course,” he stammers, following you as you lead him towards a park bench.

You take a seat, sitting side by side as you stare at the ground. His eyes are on you and he wonders why you’re avoiding his gaze. He rubs his palms together, feeling just how clammy they’ve gotten. He’s so fucking nervous he feels like he could jump out of his skin.

“I think. Well, I think that maybe we-. Well, I won’t speak for you but, I think maybe I’ve felt this way for you for a long time,” you begin, finally meeting his gaze with yours.

It’s just, if you look at him for too long, you may not say what you need to say.

“I think maybe… we were ignoring a lot of things. You know? Back in New York,” you continue, trying your best to articulate where your head's at.

“I don’t-, I really thought for a while we could just be friends. And I was okay with that. But then we slept together… and when you left New York, I guess I just realized how much of a space in my life you were filling for me… you know… the kind of space…” you pause, suddenly afraid to say the word, as if it’s going to send him running for the hills.

“... the kind of space a boyfriend would fill up, you know?”

Boyfriend.

Right.

“Woah,” Carmy sounds, hearing it out loud for the first time.

“Yeah. It feels just as weird to say.”

And suddenly, you feel shy.

You both take a beat. Carmy’s still hung up on the whole ‘boyfriend’ part, and you’re trying to figure out how best to proceed.

“I mean, am I just fucking crazy to think that-, I don’t know. That after one week of… and it’s only been a couple of days, of us, you know… doing this,” you stammer through.

“No, you’re not-, it’s not crazy for thinking that-,” he starts, before stopping again.

He wants you to say it: that you’ll stay. God, does he want you to say it.

And he also knows that he hasn’t asked you yet. Hell, he’s still reeling from you bringing up the word ‘boyfriend.’ It’s not like you can read his mind – know that he wants nothing more than to be your boyfriend.

“I want to make this clear first. I’m just-, I really want to be with you,” you say, speaking plainly enough, leaving no room for a misunderstanding. “But I don’t want to be presumptuous that you also-.”

“No I-.”

The words feel like boulders, falling out of his mouth.

“I want… that too.”

Let it rip, buddy.

Carmy’s opening his mouth to say something else, but you’ve beat him to the punch as you continue with,

“But… right now, we live in different cities and… I know long distance can be a lot of work.”

Were you having second thoughts?

“This is all just happening so fast and it’s a lot of change-. Dating is one thing but moving is a whole other thing for me to wrap my head around. It would be a lot of change for me if I-,” you try to explain. You let out a laugh before allowing yourself to be vulnerable – hoping it wouldn’t discourage him at all.

“I’m just kind of freaking out here, Car,” you confess. “And I also am kinda wondering where your head’s at too.”

And it feels like a weight’s been lifted off of the both of you. He laughs in relief along with you, shaking his head.

“Thank god,” he sighs, and it’s liberating.

“You too?”

“Yeah I-. Fuck yeah I’m freaking out,” Carmy reassures you, glad that you’re both on the same page.

You both exchange a look, sharing a hopeless laugh, and in that moment, neither of you need words to understand how you feel about each other. You’re both head over fuckin’ heels for each other. You reach over, giving his hand a squeeze, satisfied with that as an answer.

You settle into a comfortable silence with each other, watching the power walkers, the parents pushing their kids in strollers, the jogger running with their dog. While you’re glad you’ve gotten that out of the way, Carmy still has yet to tell you where he’s at. He repeats the words he’s had in his head, over and over again.

He doesn’t want to scare you, but they’re eating at him, like if he doesn’t let it out, he’ll implode.

You listening to me, Bear?

Can you hear me?

C’mon man. Let it rip.

“You could stay. If you wanted to. Just so you know,” Carmy blurts out, grabbing your attention.

Okay. Okay. Try not to fucking panic, you remind yourself.

Now that he’s said the words out loud… now that they exist between the two of you – that they could be a reality.

While you’d love nothing more than to say yes, you’re terrified, and all the change is terrifying. Like what if you said no and he decided to call the whole thing off? Even though you’re screaming internally, you try to approach it from a logical perspective.

“How-, how would that work?” you ask, teetering the line between hesitation and curiosity.

He shrugs, feeling incredibly naked all over again, “You heard everyone the other day. I don’t think anyone would… hate you stickin’ around.”

“And Marcus. He’s learned so much from you in just a week. You guys could… I don’t know… he can’t do it all by himself. We’re gonna have to hire someone else to help out, anyways….”

“Well, it’s Marcus’ domain. I wouldn’t want to intrude,” you reply.

“No, I know! I-, well I’d have to talk to him first but I’m sure he’d be… more than happy to hear that you’d be-.”

You’re quiet as you let his words land, your thoughts running a mile a minute.

“I’m not saying that… I haven’t made a decision yet,” you preface, wanting to be as clear as day here. “But if I decided to… you know. Well… I’d have to get my own apartment.”

“‘Course, yeah, of- of course,” he says, rushing to eliminate any thought that he’d have that expectation.

As he hurries to squash the idea, he wonders why he feels a small pang of disappointment, like a pit in his stomach. It’s not like he expected that you’d just move in together, but he’s gotten used to waking up to you the last few days.

You take another beat, letting yourself work through the thoughts you're having.

“It’d be a lot of change, Carm. And I think I just need a second to like, wrap my fuckin’ head around it. Can I think about it?” you finally ask, hopeful that he’ll understand.

It’s not him at all. You just need a fucking minute to catch up – to wrap your head around this relationship, and the possibility of moving here.

Because what if you move your whole life to Chicago for him, and it didn’t work out? You’d be crushed.

Carmy is quiet, still reeling from the fact that he blurted out those words.

“I’m-, I'm gonna have to go back to New York anyways. Tie up some loose ends. Tell the restaurant I’m not coming back. I got shit in storage too, and a lease I gotta figure out what to do with…”

“Yeah,” he finally says with a curt nod.

There’s a part of him screaming at him to burn it all down. If he sabotages it now, it’ll save him the anxiety and the grief of waiting for your response… of the possibility that you could say ‘no’ and decide not to come back. And there’s another part of him that doesn’t want to let you go back to New York at all because what if you do say no? What if you never come back? What if, after this, you change your mind and he never sees you again?

He snaps himself out of his doomsday ‘what if’ scenario and says, gaining a little more confidence, “No, yeah. Take-, take all the time you need.”

You’ve always been this way anyways. It’s just your M.O. You’ve always needed to think through things before making a decision, he reminds himself.

“Thank you for understanding, Carm.”

“I-,” you open your mouth to say something else, but nothing comes out because all you have left to say is:

I love you.

But it feels too soon – even if you’ve felt this way about him for a long time.

“I mean it,” he reinforces, even if he is faking some of his confidence. “You don’t have to thank me. Take all the time you need.”

You listen, choosing to be optimistic about the whole situation, like you know that you’re going to figure it out together.

“Besides, New York’s not so far away,” you offer up, taking a lighter tone this time. “And.. we both have phones. We can call each other, text… have phone sex.”

He laughs.

“We’re gonna figure it out. If you want to, at least,” you offer up, pausing once more. “You know. With me?”

He nods, shooting you his best reassuring look.

He really does.

He really would like nothing more than to figure it out with you.

read: part seven (epilogue)

taglist: @lazypeachsoul @bookwormvoyageuse @allthefandomstogether @gaysludge @sobshoney @harrysmatcha

#carmen berzatto x you #carmy berzatto #carmy x oc #the bear hulu #the bear fx #jeremy allen white #carmen 'carmy' berzatto #the bear marcus #sydney adamu #the bear tina #richie jerimovich #carmy berzatto x reader #carmen berzatto x reader

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tunamayojazz · 1 year ago

Note

Love your art, any Toge/Yuuta fanfic recommendations? Thanks so much!!

hi!! thank you so much...🥺🩷🩷 and i am SO glad you asked this. i have so many!! here are the ones i read/reread more recently along with some of the tags. tried to make every rec here different from each other hehe have fun reading!!! can't help it (if you look like an angel) by glimmiks (12.4k)

tags: college au, friends to lovers, mutual pining, IKEA

THIS WAS SO FUN TO READ PLEASEEEE i absolutely love college aus so much. and you just know the 2nd years would be the most fun and chaotic as college students. their dynamic is just chefs KISS, and it's written so well here. the mutual pining in here is truly a 10-course meal and i always go back for another round.

i'm alright if you're alright by anonymous (14.2k)

tags: spoilers up to ch146, fluff, hurt/comfort, injury recovery, fix-it, love confessions, pining

post-shibuya fic excellence. i always have such a great time reading this like inuokkos really do eat so well in this fandom. yuta pining is always so great to read like he is Longingly thinking about toge at all times im cry

Magnificently Cursed by diggingupthegrave (91.2k)

tags: dark academia, magic au, magic school au, slow burn, angst, mutual pining

i will always always recommend diggingupthegrave fics. they are easily my favorite inuokko writer pls you have to read all their inuokko fics...i saved this particular one of theirs to read for much later bc i knew it was going to change my life (7 chapters ok) and boy did it do exactly that. the way they implemented canon elements into a magic setting was so so brillaint and i savored every bit of it.

Beat the Turtle Drum by CasuallyScreaming (7.4k) tags: major character death, post-shibuya incident arc, angst, minimal comfort, no shibuya spoilers read this before sleeping the other night and honestly how i managed to still fall asleep after was my body trying to protect me from full out bawling and having a mental breakdown...i don't think i've read a lot of MCD inuokko but god this one shook me to my core. almost like the feeling of loss and grief were bleeding through my phone screen. so well written and while it's definitely mostly painful, the ending....well you'll find out :')

a special occasion by Cheshire (2.5k) tags: idiots in love, established relationship, first dates this was so so cute...!!!!!!! panda: but aren't you two already dating? yuta: well yes! no. sorta, kinda. super cozy and fluffy read!!

is this how every day begins? by mitgi (5.4k) tags: roommates, living together, mutual pining, hurt/comfort, angst i will always love me a roommate au. this fic was such a lovely read and i'm actually going to reread this right after i finish writing this! there's so much to explore in inuokko's relationship and also when it's in different settings. every time i think about how the actual source material are literal crumbs, i'm just even more amazed by how writers are able to draw out the most of what info we have and write their mannerisms so well. it all feels right and so WARM UOGHHHHH

haunted by sieling_fan (3.3k)

tags: pining, hurt/comfort, canon typical angst, character study

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

you showed up just in time by diggingupthegrave (14.6k)

tags: time travel, friends to lovers, mutual pining, hurt/comfort, slight age gap

another diggingupthegrave fic that had me crying screaming shaking throwing up because god. this was so so good. the build up had me at the edge of my seat bc like oh my god what happened? what's happening?? why is this like that? @#$%^&*()_!!!!!!!!!!!!! and when it's all pieced together? oh it ended me. read this again and again for DAYS you would think i was researching it for a thesis or something. take your time reading this btw like im so serious.

okie that's all for me from now, i have so many more to rec honestly....sending out 100000000000 hearts to inuokko writers you are my roman empire....

#inuokko #ottoge #inumaki #yuuta #jujutsu kaisen #jjk #fic rec #inumaki toge #okkotsu yuuta #okkotsu yuta #asks

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ninjakk · 8 months ago

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Hey!!

I recently saw someone claim that Wei Wuxian was starved of conversation on his journey to Yiling with Lan Wangji and Wen Ning and so board he needed to chat to people before they ascend the mountain. I hadn't really noticed this until it was mentioned. What do you think of that scene?

I love your meta and fics btw. You use your understanding of the novel in your writing and it's just *chef's kiss*

Hi anon 👋🏻

Personally, I've not seen any comments regarding the above - but we can certainly look at the text in question 😊

Let's take a look at the scene in question:

Several days later, they arrived in Yiling.

The Burial Mounds were less than five kilometers ahead of this small town. Although they didn’t know exactly what awaited them there, Wei Wuxian had a feeling it wasn’t anything good. But Lan Wangji was right by his side, his gait steady, his gaze cool. Wei Wuxian had never been one with any sense of crisis to begin with, and with the way Lan Wangji looked, he was even less likely to get nervous at all.

Passing through the small town of Yiling, he was awash in the sounds of the local accent. It was invigorating and incomparably endearing. While he wasn’t planning on buying anything, he couldn’t help but strike up conversations in the local dialect with the street vendors. Only after he’d had his fill of socializing did he get down to business.

“Hanguang-jun, you remember this town, right?”

7S translation

So the scene opens with WWX gushing over how safe and happy he feels around LWJ. He's just so thankful to have someone by his side, someone he can fully depend on and is there for him, should he need it. This very much echoes his thoughts from when they began their descent from the Cloud Recesses, at the start of their journey here. For someone nearing the place he met such a gruesome end at previously, he seems incredibly content and calm - all thanks to LWJ. So straight away, we are reminded of how WWX feels around the other man. It's there for a reason, to set the scene. WWX is relaxed and enjoying himself because he's with LWJ.

They have just arrived in a city he is very familiar with. It's the place he both lived as an orphan and frequented as a man while residing at the burial mounds. He is surrounded by the accent of his "home" for the first time in over 13 years and it's making him feel sentimental. I also think it's a great parallel between when WWX finally visits Lotus Pier in the coming chapters and how desolate and subdued the place has become since JC became sect leader.

I think the above reaction is very normal considering the emotional impact it obviously had on him. WWX has already stated on numerous occasions that LWJ makes him happy and he enjoys his company, but he's also very sociable and likes to look around markets and chat with vendors - there's even a scene in the novel which states as such and many other examples. Although WWX is running around chatting and exploring the stalls, LWJ is still by his side. Doing so does not subtract from his obvious enjoyment of having LWJ's unwavering presence.

We see more than enough evidence that WWX happily chats to LWJ and that he, in turn, even responds and asks questions also. There seems to be this mind-boggling misconception that LWJ literally doesn't speak, and if he does he's like some caveman that can't communicate effectively, when it's the exact opposite. LWJ talks when necessary and is very succinct with his words - he's a true gentleman of their time. Of course, in comparison to WWX, he's much less chatty - but when he does talk it's sincere and relevant. WWX loves this about him! He's also an incredible listener and doesn't miss a single thing WWX says, which WWX also appreciates! Hardly anyone listens to all his ramblings and holds them all so dearly!

It's funny, because although WWX chats to anyone and everyone, it's obvious he enjoys conversing with LWJ the most. He treasures the fact they are on the same wavelength and understand each other implicitly 🥰

Aww! Thank you so much anon! I'm glad you are enjoying my meta and fics ❤️

I hope I managed to answer your question! Have a lovely day 😘

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #wei wuxian #lan wangji #wangxian #mdzs novel #anon ask #answered ask

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heliza24 · 1 month ago

Text

Devil's Minion Rec List (Part 1)

So I recently completed a little project I set myself-- to tag and organize all of my (iwtv) A03 bookmarks. I've never been motivated to this before, but there are SO many talented writers in the Devil's Minion tag and I had bookmarked so many things that it was becoming unruly. Devil's Minion is such a fun fandom space to be, because writers are taking inspiration from the book and the show, creating AUs, writing old Daniel/young Daniel/vampire Daniel, assuming the 1970s/80s Devil Minion era did or didn't happen... there are endless variations and it's such a creative space. So it was fun to go through and sort all of the fics I like into different categories. It was also great distraction during a personally stressful time when my disability was making it hard to type and work on my own fics. And now of course that personally stressful time has become a nationally stressful time. I was initially going to write a bunch of different rec lists, each with their own topic/themes, and I probably still will do that eventually. But I thought I would start with a list of some of my all time faves in case you need some sweet vampire escapism in the wake of the horrible election results this week.

cranefucker island circa ‘82

by katplanet/ @gatoplanet

Word count: 22,365

Rating: explicit

Summary/Why I'm recommending it: This is an interactive fic, where clicking through different highlighted words takes you to different parts of the story. I love stories that use interactive or found media, and the nonlinear structure of this one perfectly captures the way that older Daniel recovers his memory of the Devil's Minion era. The individual scenes are also so beautifully written. (The one where young Daniel realizes that Armand can fly is etched into my brain).

Eighty Proof and a Lifetime

by doztoevsky

Word count: 11,003

Rating: Mature

Summary/Why I'm Recommending it: There are so many great "what happened after Dubai/How was Daniel Turned" fics out there, and I have to say that my favorite subgenre is "Daniel goes home to New York as a human and Armand follows him." (I guess I'm biased since I am also writing one these!) This is one of my favorites, largely for it's mix of lighthearted scenes and heartfelt emotions and the perfect amount of simmering sexual tension, and for all it manages to accomplish in a relatively short word count/single chapter. The image of Armand breaking down Daniel's bathroom door and using it to create a temporary coffin lid over his bathtub is so endearing and memorable to me, and there's a scene in a vampire bar that I think is just *chefs kiss* in terms of creative world building, character development, and spice level.

Unmade

Words by Klimppisoppa, Illustrations by @verimuru

Word count: 22,483

Rating: Mature

Summary/Why I'm Recommending it: This is largely based on book canon, with some TV show character flavor thrown in. What if Armand made up his mind to win Daniel back after Daniel went to live with Marius? Armand and Daniel's reconciliation is so gentle and lovely in this fic, and it really lets both characters develop a sense of agency as they separate themselves from Marius. It also has some really beautiful illustrations.

i'll ask for more time (but mother forgive me)

by @ignorethepineapples

Word Count: 3,512

Rating: Mature

Summary/Why I'm Recommending it: I think this is my all time favorite Devil's Minion fic. It's a shorter fic that uses a nonlinear structure to tie together Armand and Daniel's turning and it is achingly beautiful. The author has decided that the illness that nearly killed Armand before Marius turned him was syphilis, which can have Parkinson's like tremors as a symptom. The author connects Amadeo's illness with the AIDS crisis that was ongoing during the first part of Armand and Daniel's relationship with older Daniel's Parkinson's. This fic is heavier than some others on this list, but it is so cathartic and wonderful. I felt like this author reached inside my brain and pulled out the exact reasons these characters are important to me. It made me cry but also felt like the most healing of hugs, if that makes any sense at all.

Backroads to Sonoma

by burntcrimson

Word Count: 16,409

Rating: Mature

Summary/Why I'm recommending it: It's the 1980s, and a closeted Daniel is road tripping across middle America, surviving on gas station food and interviewing run aways and truckers to try to scrape together enough stories for a book. He picks up the hitchhiking Armand, who has a dangerous secret, and offers to drive him to California.

This fic is technically incomplete (one chapter remaining!) but the first four are SO GOOD it absolutely doesn't matter and you need to read it. This is a human AU, which I am not always into, but this author does such a good job of capturing Daniel and Armand's characterization and still maintaining Armand's aura of otherness and danger that it totally works. I honestly think this author could file the serial numbers off of this and expand it into it's own novel. The world building is so evocative, and the pacing perfectly balances Daniel's developing feelings for Armand with dramatic plot developments.

Ok, that's what I've got for you for now. If you want to check out my own Devil's Minion fics they're here. If you want to sort through my now gloriously organized bookmarks for yourself to find something to read you can do that here. Or send me an ask if there's something Devil's Minioned flavored you're craving-- maybe I'll have a personalized rec for you.

Feel free to reblog and add your own recs or reply in comments if you have a fic you think I should read. I am going to try to do more of these soon!

Also if you are one of these authors or know their tumblrs, let me know and I'll tag them.

#itwv #interview with the vampire #devil's minion #fic recs #armandaniel

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infamous-if · 2 years ago

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Are there any IFs you'd recommend? I have a demo hangover from yours and need to do something while I wait for Chapter 2 (begging for it)

*rubs palms*

M (@mwritesc) has recently released the demo to Cyprus and it is a gem! Her writing is mind blowing and so vivid.

@reapersbayif by @dakotawritesif ! I feel like I made my love for Striker known by now shshsh their writing truly comes to life. And they are so so nice.

@greatprotector-if ! The one word I can use to describe Cassian's writing is cozy. Like a warm hug <3

@fateunwritten-if heyyy shadow whats up haha me? just hanging out and not obsessing over ur existence haha

@stephschoices is writing a naruto IF ! also steph's art is awesome cries

@jaunefleurwrites if you want your heart squeezed and squished (in the best way) A World Without You is your jam

@zico-if Zico recently published the rewritten version of the demo and I was levitating reading it! Also how specific and abundant the customization is? awesome.

@unwilling-souls-if one name: Xander and the concept is so unique and fun like wow

@kalorphic's Novaturient. Agent X is everything to me yup

@coeluvr's Crown of Ashes and Flames. I love me some angst and drama and the opportunities for both are chefs kiss

@thegrandheist-if i love me some heists also i love the whole traveling back in time trope. it's one of my favs.

THERE'S A LOT MORE but I've truly become attached to these stories and characters and I am such a fan! Not only are they great writers but such great people! I recommend them allll

Edit: also yes I’m ready to have brainrot over wayhaven in 2 days

#other ifs #recs #yes my reviewing skills need work #i am a narrative writer not a critic or reviewer OKAY

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kyeomniscient · 1 year ago

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seventeen ao3 fic recs

other rec lists

pt. 2 (completed mid-length fics, <50k words)

pt. 3 (completed shorter fics, <10k words)

pt. 4 (incomplete fics)

so i recently got into reading svt fics and this is a compilation of a few of my favourites :) all recs here are completed (yay no cliffhangers)!

these are mostly minwon, but there are some other pairings as well and i'll be updating this as i go~

also props to anyone who writes!! both fics and in general bc writing is not easy and the creativity and flair that some of these authors have... simply unmatched

edit: i've split the original post into several shorter lists (according to fic length) so each post is a little more readable - links above, happy reading!

---

all-time faves (last updated 9/5/2024)

as y'all can tell i love the longer fics bc they are j so immersive and memorable esp when the characters capture the essence and little quirks of svt so well sooo here goes

Catch the Stars (minwon, 150k words, completed)

this is often hailed as one of the top 3 minwon fics of all time and i wholeheartedly agree!! this might be my fave fic of all time - i really love the city boy x country boy trope, where the mcs form a connection in spite of their different backgrounds and life experiences hehe also random but some of the scenes reminded me of cmbyn (small town italy peachy summer vibes) lolol

Kalon (minwon, 200k words, completed)

my heart broke for wonwoo in this fic and it was absolutely worth the read :"") it's by the same author as catch the stars and her writing is just *chef's kiss* really loved how each conflict and setback was handled and built upon, and wonwoo's inner conflict due to his fear of relationships was really well-depicted and realistic, and the intimacy of them spending time together in the spectacle shop after hours was everything i could've asked for

Love Stuck (minwon, 200k words, completed)

don't usually read parent aus because i prefer stories where the mcs are closer in profile to the actual pair but this was very well-written!! loved how the author handled the struggles of single parent-child dynamics as well as the slow burn - each character was really fleshed out, the chapters didn't feel repetitive despite the fic being quite long and it was all in all a vv wholesome fic hehe

'til kingdom come (minwon, 160k words, completed)

this was a historical au and the writing was so poetic!! and exquisite!! not forgetting the tension and drama of it all, how the world-building was so intricately wrought out, the language so befitting of the period, the development of the entire war arc beyond the romance, each character so original yet still bearing hints that remain true to their persons, the chapters being well-paced, the epilogue that wrapped things up so beautifully... i can't even begin to fathom how long it took the author to come up with this gripping masterpiece askshdfjkdsf i'd give a million kudos if i could

---

others (in order of descending word count)

the sun and the silver lining (minwon, 60k words, completed)

this one made my heart feel things :"") really loved this author's descriptions (the metaphors in this fic were unparalleled) and how they give nuance to the internal thoughts and feelings of the characters!! slight b99 vibes with policeofficer!wonwoo x paramedic!mingyu lolol

Like the Beginning (minwon, 55k words, completed)

this was heartbreak/comfort with a second-chance romance and slight hospital playlist vibes lol i relish in the pain of reading about wonwoo trying to go back to how things were, mingyu being torn between indulging him and wanting to keep his distance, that feeling of looking at someone you once loved only to realise that you never moved on in the first place ugh

in defense of the side character (minwon, 55k words, completed)

actor!mingyu x scriptwriter!wonwoo - super well-written and it even has art!! the scripts made it all the more realistic and i have a soft spot for fics on the entertainment industry bc the overall atmosphere is always a little different from the slice of life/school aus like there's this underlying tension of being under public scrutiny and the pressure of being public figures and i j love when the fics capture these nuances in the story hah

Ask me no questions (and I'll tell you no lies) (jicheol, 52k words, completed)

jicheol: island survival edition

Change of Ends (soonwoo, 52k, completed)

tennis!au - this might actually be my favourite soonwoo fic ever?? loved how their relationship was fleshed out over the years with the use of a non-linear narrative to sprinkle in memories from their past between their moments at present, and wonwoo was so sweet and loving here and it was such a refreshing take on his character bc he is usually the colder one. also, the level of detail for the sport was incredible and made the reading experience extra immersive so highly-recommend!!

A Mighty Stranger (minwon, 50k words, completed)

a fantasy minwon au for a change! really cool concept for a fic and there was so much effort and research that went into this bc the story spanned across different continents and time periods so i'd recommend this to those looking for smth diff

feel free to rec any fics based on what i've shared!! would really appreciate it thank you hehe

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biconickyoshi · 1 year ago

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Thought I’d share some of my favorite songs on my playlist for my Zukaang AU, The Avatar and the Fire Prince! I have a lot more songs than just these on there, but these are the ones I feel like are just *chef’s kiss*.

If you haven’t read it, in this AU, Zuko and Iroh discover Aang in the iceberg right after Zuko was burned and banished at age 13 in 96AG, so he and Aang are only one year apart in age. The AU will eventually follow a similar course of events as the canon show, just over the span of 4ish years instead of 1, meaning that Aang will be nearly 16 when Sozin’s Coment arrives in 100AG. The images of Aang and Zuko below represent what they will both look like at that time (pic of Aang is from the Imbalance comic trilogy where he’s around 15-16, pic of Zuko is from S3E21 where he’s 16, likely nearly 17).

19 chapters are currently posted on ao3 (most recent update was 9/15/23), and I’m getting super close to 1k kudos, which is absolutely mind-boggling to me!! I never expected that my fic would get this much love, especially as someone who has never posted a fic before lol. If you’re a reader, thank you so so much for your support! ❤️

Links below are all to YouTube videos since I know not everyone has Spotify :)

muse - MisterWives

light - wave to earth

Clouds - flor

Colours of You - Baby Queen

Glue Song (feat. Clairo) - beabadoobee

like everyone else - zeph (this fits pining Zuko so well)

UNDERSTAND - keshi

From The Start - Laufey

More Than The Day Before - Cody Fry

Smitten - Leanna Firestone

Would You Be So Kind - dodie

Body Language - Mint Green

Anyone But You - Particle House, Le June

#atla #zukaang #the avatar and the fire prince #taatfp #zuko #aang #zuko x aang #aang x zuko #avatar the last airbender #a:tla #avatar: the last airbender #atla au #a:tla au #ao3

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witch-oftheflowers · 8 months ago

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Twins??

AN: ALRIGHT THIS IS IT. THE LAST BABIES- WE GOT TWINS ON THE WAY!

TW: Violence and angst ahead

And thank you to everyone that has enjoyed this series! I'm excited to do this final chapter. It's a long one so enjoy!

Masterlist

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Simon remembered the day well. It was leading up after Los Almas and everything after. And finding out Laswell was zoning in on Makarov recently. It sent him a bit worried, his family and his wife, being high targets on Vladimir's list. He knew it. His wife knew it. They had two exciting kids, both enjoying the childhoods they were having so far.

When he came home. Hearing the little steps as he let a soft groan out. His eldest squeezing her arms around his waist. Her face buried into his stomach, and the flood of blonde hair trailing behind her. Those bright brown eyes gleam up to him as she spoke up

" 'Elcome home papa!" Anna sang the words out. Another thud on his legs as he glanced to the side near his daughter. The sea of brown curls tossed around till he noticed his son beaming with joy at him. A toothy grin as he spoke

"Papí. Papí we missed you-" the toddler sang as he smiled. Softly bouncing on his toes as he snug his face into his dad's side. Both kid were tall honestly. For their ages even, as he engulfed them into hugs. His bags to the side as he didn't care. The black paint smear over his eyes still, he was worned out. But that didn't stop the brute of a man as he carried them into the living.

He caught sight of his small wife cooking away. Even a pie on the counter as he took in the messy kitchen.

"Oi! You gone mad chef on me?" He teased his wife. His voice boom a bit as she flinched at the surprise. Turning around, flour on her tan skin. Her eyes shined as she rushed around the kitchen island. Practically throwing herself into the family pile as she squeal in joy

"Aye por dios! You're home!" She smiled as the kids let out roars of laughs. Getting out their father's grasp as they didn't wanna be buried in their hug.

Anna squeeze out as she pulled her brother from the grips. Both kids laughing as they ran to the couch. A small 'Ewww!' as they let their parents have a lovey dovey moment.

"They're so gross-" Anna said as she gag a bit. Johnny laughing a bit as he mimiced his sister.

But the two didn't care. Enjoying each other as Ximena was kept to date about everything. Even helped with the General Shepherd's situation as she knew something was wrong.

Simon clung to her as he let a sigh out. Getting a whiff of her vanilla shampoo. His large hands manhandled her hips as he held her closer.

"You saved us some 'rouble ya know 'hat?" He teased her slightly as he pressed a firm kiss to her forehead. Pulling back Ximena nods her head as she hums. A bit of love dazed in her eyes as she pressed a firm kiss to his lips. Savoring his taste as she hums.

"Mhm.. at least you're home right?" She whispered as she pinched his cheeks a bit. On her tippy toes as he winced.

"Go clean up. I don't need my kids to know bad hygiene Simon." She demanded as she went back to the kitchen.

Anna and Johnny were settled into the couch enjoying their movie. Simon stole by as he gave them both kisses on the head. Even little head rubs as he snuck to their room. Taking a moment to decompress and be able to be just Simon Riley-

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A week would fly by as they settled back in. Getting used to the domestic aspect of their lives. The lads visiting as they had a big family meal to celebrate their return home.

Ximena was in the garden with the tots as they picked fresh vegetables and fruit for the dinner that night. Anna was helping Johnny as they pulled the carrots out the garden. She smiled as the kiddos got excited with their harvest.

Ximena had Luna, her military pup, with her. As the pup was on high alert lately. A small scream filled Ximena ears as she noticed her daughter held her ear. Luna quickly ran off into the forest that was their backyard.

And mama mood kicked in as Ximena checked Anna. A small wound to her ear, a clean shot but still-

"Simon!" She cried out as she yank Johnny under her arm. Rushing them inside, her eyes filled with fear as she heard a grown man yelling and Luna's growls behind her.

Simon was simply cleaning the living. But his eyes widen the second he heard the scream and Ximena's voice

"Fuck-" he scurried into the kitchen a gun was safe kept away. As he loaded it and ran out, rushing his small family in.

Ximena let him. Knowing one had to stay with the kids.

Both were crying and freaking out. Ximena had to stay calm as she grabbed the medical kit from the kitchen. Getting to work as she checked Anna for anything else. Her hands held her daughters as she gauzed her ear. Cleaning the wound as she softly sang to the two trying to ease them

The words shook out, trying to remain the trembling fear she had. Someone found their home... Their kids. A one fear they had since day one.

When she finished up the job. Looking to Anna as she had a small frown on her lips. Big blue eyes stared into her mamas as she sniffled a bit

"Did I loose my ear?"

"Aye no.. Mija no. Just a small cut..." She laughed a bit as she rubbed her daughters head bringing her in for a hug. Holding her close as Johnny snuck in and they hugged

"We're ok... We're ok... Alright?" Ximena said as she gave each a kiss on their head. The backdoor opened as Luna trot into the house. Simon behind as she disarmed his gun and locked it away. He looked grim as he held his phone in his hand.

"Lads are coming over now... I contacted Laswell about a clean up and investigation... You're not allowed to be home alone without someone here Xi..." He whispered to her as they stood in the kitchen. His brown eyes bore into hers as he boxed her into the corner.

The kids were put down for a nap in the middle of the day. Especially Anna who was scared afterwards.

Ximena stared up to Simon. Her eyes shook a bit as she nods a bit. Softly she bit her lip as she was thinking.

"I'ma... Need you to go with me tomorrow..."

"For what?"

"I'm renewing my birth control Simon... We don't need to bring more kids into this..." She said as she met his gaze. And honestly he agreed, seeing as one of their worst enemies was seeking their family. And even behind bars he was planning to harm them. It was a simple decision, no more kids till after this was settled.

And that night when the lads came over. The kids got loads of love. Anna was a bit spoiled as she was a tough girl after everything. Johnny was the little brave brother who was with his sister-

And they had a fun family meal. Eventually a small dance party to cheer the kids up.

Anna was dancing with her mum to some Spanish music. The two having fun as the lads were playing a game of cards. Lil Johnny on his papa's lap as he was playing.

Soap laughed a bit as the tot showed his cards

"Anyone got ones?" The little lad said as Johnny and Gaz smiled to him.

"He's playing Go Fish." Gaz said as he ruffled the sea of brown curls in the kid

Price chuckles a bit as he sipped his drink. A firm smile to his face

"Lads we're playing Poker..."

"Little man ain't. We ain't either" Soap said with a grin as he gave the kid an ace card

The tot grabbed the card as he finished his deck

"I win!" He said so innocently as he smiled.

Simon laugh a bit as he put his cards down.

"I lost a long 'ime ago little man..." He said as the table roared with laughs and cheers for the kiddo. It was a simple night to forget the terrible events from earlier.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And honestly they didn't think they'll be here. Hearing those words as Ximena sat in the doctor's office.

"Ximena you're already two months long-"

"I shouldn't be I've been on the pill. I've been injured a few times a month ago I should of known then -"

"Ximena you have a medical degree like me. And you know this like me that it can always be a fault of medication oopps, or you missed a pill or even just a simple antibiotic mixed with the normal pill you take."

"Wait what do you mean by antibiotics?" Simon said as he sat besides his wife. Who honestly looked pale, her eyes were a bit wide as she was trying to stay calm. And her grip on his large hands didn't help him much

"If you take some medications it can cancel out the birth control..." The gynecologist stated as she looked to the two

".. I was on some a few months back ..." She sighs as she remembered now. And how-

She softly swat Simons arm as he flinched at his wife's reaction.

"You couldn't wait one night Simon Riley-"

"I didn't do bloody shit "

"Well you clearly did because we're two months in a pregnancy Simon" she said as she glared at him a bit. He gulped a tad as he rubbed her back. Trying to calm her down as she sighs a bit more.

"Well you two do have options..."

"We don't... Do those options you know that doc..." Ximena said as she softly smiled to her long time doctor she had since Anna.

Simon nods his head as he sighs a bit.

"Yeah... We'll be ok 'hough." He said as he pulled her in for a small side hug. Giving her a squeeze as the doctor smiled to the two.

"Well here's the game plan then." She said as she gave them the details for their appointments to come.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When they got home. Ximena was a bit guilty as she thought they'll be ok. Simon noticed his wife being off.

"hey... It's nothing different. We'll be ok... Just have to be careful is all..." He spoke softly as he pressed a kiss to her temple.

Her shoulders slumped as she buried her face into his chest. Her eyes pooled with tears.

"But they won't be safe... None of them will-"

"Oié. No none of 'hat right now." He firmly tilted her chin up. Making them keep eye contact, his eyes soften a tad seeing her cry

"We'll be ok... 'he lads offered to help... If we get deployed or anything we'll have safe guards in place ok.. if anything changes we'll fix it as we must... I'll inform Laswell too. See if she can help.." he whispered as they stayed in the entrance way.

He engulfed her into a tight hug. Lifting her up a bit as she let a soft giggle out. Her curls swaying around as she clung to him.

"Ok... ok we'll be ok. Aye you do make me worry less.. thank you..." She whispered as she pressed a kiss to his cheek. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she clung to him. He held her up as he snuggled into her soft hair.

"Mm 'hats what 'm here for...."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As if the universe itself wasn't giving them a hard time. As the new year rolled in, and they were able to enjoy some peace for another few months.

Ximena was five months long now. And the lads were on deployment. They had tighter security around the cottage, Luna was alert constantly now since that day.

Anna was inside as she didn't like going out much. That day changed the usually bubbly child a bit. Johnny would try to cheer his sister up even. But it wouldn't work often sadly.

Ximena was showing a bit. Her clothes getting tighter around her waist. As she opt for Simons clothes.

Her phone rang that day, constantly. She eventually picked up as she noticed several missed calls

Laswell

Ximena left the living as she stood in the hallway. Phone to her ear as Laswell voice rang through.

"Ximena! Thank God you answered." Her voice was a bit worried filled. She ran a hand through her blonde hair as she sighs.

Ximena was confused as she spoke up. Feeling the anxiety on her end

"Kate what happened?"

"Makarov got out."

Ximena froze in her spot as she was thinking.

You're fucken kidding me...

"Kate how long ago?"

"18 hours. I already contacted the boys. I'm already here in the UK. Please get to base with the kids. We'll go from there-"

Ximena was softly panicking. She usually didn't, she had a strong head on her shoulders. But the fact her family was in danger already again. Her feet moved as she packed bags for the kids.

"Ximena please- I know this isn't good timing with you and all."

"Kate you think?!" She burst out but sighs as she didn't wanna let her emotions bubble over

"I'm sorry... Just... Been stressful... Anna hasn't been the same..."

Laswell listened in as she was waiting for the helicopter to land. Her eyes soften as she sympathized with the woman

"Ximena I know the kids are not handling this. And I know you alone can't do it.. come to base. I know we have a temporary safe place for you three here... I gotta go but just hurry." She said as she ended the call.

Ximena placed her phone down as she grabbed the bags and got the kids dressed. Anna stared to her mum as she saw the stress and worry.

"We'll be ok mama. Right? Plus we might get a glimpse of papa." Anna said as she tried to cheer her mum up.

"Maybe.. maybe after all this. But ya know, nothing isn't impossible with this family hm?" She said as she load them all into the Jeep they had. Luna was in the back as she was keeping her ears up. The pitty was excited as she noticed her mum in the car.

Leaving their little home as it was locked up and dark now. Seem weird as if something was gonna happen....

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

How did she get here?

Laswell asked her kindly. As the group stood in the heli shelter. Her hair was rushed up into a ponytail as they heard about General Shepherd's inquisition.

Her eyes shut a bit as she listened to his random rant. Looking away a bit as she stood by Nikolai.

"They always talk much big talk?" He asked her softly as she nods. A small smile to her lips.

"Always..." She whispered as she looked back to the big screen.

"If it isn't Ximena-" General Shepherd's voice boom as he said her name.

She rolled her eyes as Ghost blocked his view.

"She's just here for information. 'Eave her out 'his." He said clear and stern. Glaring behind his mask

"Come on send her back out. He keeps looking into her. Trying to find the woman that rat him out."

"She's not going anywhere. He already got a hold of one kid." Price bumped in as he was firm. His eyes narrowed as he glared at the man.

Gaz and Soap were quiet. But nodding along, this wasn't a thing the lass needed.

"I propose this. Shadows and 141 with Farrah's group. But Ximena would be great for doing Intel we all know that. Those men would be praised for bringing her in." Graves said and butt in.

Fucken Americans

Kate cleared her throat as she ignored the idea.

"And you said General that there was a dam they were thinking about exploding too?"

"There is as well..."

Ghost looked to Soap as he smiled behind his mask.

"Kate I'll send you the details. We'll keep in contact."

Ximena was zoning out as everyone kept talking. Her thoughts drifting off as she looked to the floor.

Nikolai gave her a soft shake. Seeing she wasn't there.

"Come on I'll escort you back." He said as she nods.

Ghost and Soap beamed with their plan..but noticed the lass walking away already.

"Kate why you bring her in?" Ghost asked as he was concerned

"She's... Been off since they came to base. All of them. The little one doesn't get what's happening but he's trying to comfort the two." Her voice was soft as she tapped away on her laptop

"Go talk to her before you and Soap leave. Please." Laswell said as she looked up to the boys.

Ghost was thinking as he sighs and left the area. Quickly on his feet before she climbed into the Jeep.

"Hey." He was huffing as he looked at her in the seat.

"Hi...." She whispered as she leaned over.

"Come back safe.."

"What's wrong...? Kate said."

"You know what's wrong.. just fix it." She said as she looked to him. Her curls swayed in the wind as she sighs.

"Get that man before I go out and do it my self." She said as she pressed a kiss to his masked forehead.

"Go you gotta go protect people. Don't worry about this little woman here, I can handle myself." She said as she smiled a bit.

"Go Ghost I'll be ok..."

"Now I don't wanna go. You pregnant on the field?" He teased her a bit as she giggled.

"I did it before."

"Bloody hell 'm not letting you."

"Ghost go!" She teased him as she shoved him away from her passenger side.

"Fine.. at least I made ya smile." He teased her, pulling up his mask a tad. Popping a kiss to her lips as he quickly vanished as he came.

Nikolai chuckled from the side as he began to drive. A smile to his rugged face as he noticed her smiling

"He's a good man.."

"Always been one..."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When they heard about Makarov was on their home turf. It scared Ximena honestly. She helped the units with intel as she was brought back into the tuff of it.

All hands on deck, even her.

The kids stayed with some privates. A Gary Anderson was eager to help the Captain. Even if he didn't know how to entertain kids.

She was quick to assist. Hearing the commotion in the train tunnels. She was worried as the teams split up.

Hearing the fire fights, and the amount of trains that were hacked sadly. Her team on their end blocked new trains going in and out. All the public transportation was shut off for the train systems. Making sure no other civilians were exposed to this.

As she heard the radio chatter. Trying to stop the other trains. It was chaotic in their war room.

Ximena was calm, the best she could. As the sounds of one the bomb ticking away.

Her eyes shut as she heard the boys chatter about it being stopped. Along with the sad sound from Price.

"We have one KIA."

Her heart stopped for a second. Her eyes blinked as she asked for Price

"Price. Repeat that last comm." Her voice shook a bit. The lads on the other end stared to each other as they heard her voice.

"Captain Riley... we have one KIA. Send assistance if able. Our target got away." He was cold as he sighs. Knowing that wasn't gonna help the woman.

"Understood. We've already contacted for public services, the team will give control over after Captain. Let them do as we must." She said as she sighs. Sitting down as she knew none of them would be the same.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Her eyes soften when the Task Force came back. Softly she rushed through the crowd of soldiers as she noticed the lads. Her curls were up still, as she noticed them.

Gaz, Price, Ghost

"Where's Soap...?"

The three stared at her as Ghost came besides her. Trying to pull her in for a hug.

"No no... Where's the lad? Where is here?" She said as her head whipped to the others. Softly she panicked as she noticed Price grim face. He felt guilty as he shook his head.

"He's not coming home Xi..."

She stood there as she slump into Ghost. The man engulfed her in his arms as she sighs. Letting the tears pool and drip as she remained calm.

Gaz sighs as he walked over and gave the lass a hug. Honestly they gave her a group hug as they needed it.

"We came home though... We'll make sure he suffers for what he's done..." Price whispered as she nods.

"I'm going..." She stated softly.

The three pulled back as Ghost stared at her.

"You're not .."

"I am. I'm who he wanted originally. Soap just didn't kill him when he had the chance..." She walked away from them as the boys stared.

Price sighs but softly chuckled as he pat Ghost shoulder.

"She's stubborn...."

"For Johnny... She will be..."Ghost said as he went to follow the woman.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The lads were planning a trip to spread Johnny's ashes.

Before that they got their first ultrasound done.

"Oh look. Two sacks..." Her doctor said as she twirled the wand over her stomach.

Ximena was looking as she knew what she meant.

"Twins??!" She said the words as she squeezed Simons hand tight. The man flinched a tad as he looked at the small screen.

"Bloody hell... Two?" He looked to his wife as she shrugs.

"we'll they're twins, not identical but fraternal. They have the two different sacks, so two different sperms then. You two have strong babies it seems." She joked a bit as Simon stared at the screen

"I didn't know we could have 'wins..." He whispered as he softly smiled. Looking to his wife as Ximena she softly hums.

"It's like a gift ain't it?" She whispered as she looked to Simon.

"I'll let you two have a moment and we'll continue alright?" Doc said as she left the two alone for a second.

"A gift? What you mean by 'hat?" He asked her as he rubbed his hand over hers. Softly soothing her as she looked over to him

"Like Johnny wanted us to have twins..." She whispered as she leaned into him. Her eyes shut as she was thinking about their life.

He sighs as he nods his head, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

"Mm maybe. Does sound like a joke he'll make. Give us 'wins, 'wice the work." He joked a bit as he closed his eyes. Trying to ease his feelings and concerns.

"You'll be ok while we're gone?" He whispered as he rubbed her hand again.

"Mhm I'ma have to be..."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As the last month dwindled. Ximena was home constantly, her stomach peak underneath Simon's shirt.

She radiated a happy glow around her. And just a day to their caesarean date. She felt a soft nervousness as she was scared Simon at anytime would be called for deployment.

Her eyes soften as she saw her husband coming in alone. Dropping off their tots with her parents for the weekend. He looked really irritable-

She softly shook her head as she smiled. Thinking her hormones were all over the place. Her eyes crinkled as he came over, wrapping his strong arms around her stomach.

"I love you..." He whispered a bit as he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. Her curls swayed around her as she hums.

"I love you too....Are we all ready for tomorrow?" She whispered as she leaned into him a bit. Her hair swaying as she pressed her swollen stomach into his. A soft chuckle left his lips as he rest a large palm over her stomach.

"Mhm... All set; extra clothes, babies wear, I got your comfy nightgown too." He spoke as he pinched her cheeks lightly.

"Ya old lady." He teased her as she swat his arm a bit

"Im not old, it's just nice during the baby year and labor, hush it." She jabbed his chest slightly as she smiled to him.

"I'm just excited to get this over with...." She humed the words as she rested into him. His hands resting on her back, pulling her in for a tight hug

" 'Een 'hrough to much 'his year..." He whispered into her hair. Softly playing with it to ease her anxiety. His eyes flutter shut as he got a whiff of her scent. Vanilla with a hint of dirt.

Her eyes flutter shut as she hums. Letting him cradle her against him

The two has a small meal. Especially since she couldn't eat after midnight. As they crawled into bed, her eyes shut softly. Snuggling into Simon, onto her side as the baby bump snug into his side.

Her leg was thrown over his waist. Her arms clinging around his free arm. She felt her chest ache as she knew her body was ready for the pregnancy to be over

Simon let her be, his eyes shut as he dozed off. Letting his wife ease next to him. He just hoped they'll be ok.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As they checked into the hospital. Getting into their private room.

Ximena was in her hospital gown. Sitting on the bed as she whines softly. Her head resting on his shoulder as he sat besides her. His large hand resting on her knee, rubbing soft circles on her skin.

"Mmm it's ok dove... 'M right 'ere..." He whispered.

The nurses came in and assisted the two. Getting the lass down as the very English nurses helped her. Got her in a hair net along with Simon.

Made the nurses laugh a bit seeing the large man in scrubs and a hair net.

" 'His not my style...." He stated as he gave Ximena one more kiss before they rolled her off.

Letting him follow and watch as they started the C-section on his sleepy wife. Who decided to take a nap during the procedure.

But once the first cries filled the room. Ximena's eyes flutter awake as she smiled to Simon.

"Hi.. our lasses are 'ere..." He whispered to her softly. The nurses showed them both one of the girls

Her dark tan skin like their mother's. Curly curly brown hair on her head. And her wails of being born as the nurse took her to check her health

As they pulled the next one. She was so quiet, her hands squished into fist as she was resting in the nurse arms.

As the twins were pulled away and given their shots. Along with tears ran on them. They wheeled the four of them to the room. Letting them have a moment together.

Ximena held both twins in her arms. Softly humming. She was thinking, ignoring the searing pain in her stomach. And the way she just wanted to nap after a intense procedure.

Simons stepped out as he called his wife's mum. Letting them know the twins were healthy and born. And a visitation was on the table for the family in a couple of days.

Ximena was lost in thought. Loving the twins as she observed the little details. Their cute noses, the adorable yawns they gave out, the way they snuggled in her arms-

She didn't hear the hospital door opening. Or the sobs from the nurses outside. Kinda surprising Simon didn't hear it either-

Steps echo in the quiet room as the man came over. A smirk on his face as he stood besides the hospital bed

"look at you..."

Ximena's eyes widen as she slowly glanced up. Seeing the one man she's been working so hard to hide from. Her brown orbs shook as she clung the girls closer to her.

"You need to get out ..."

"No I don't. Your husband isn't here to protect you..." Vladimir said as he sat on her bed. Giving her covered leg a pat. Showing off his power in the moment

"I just wanted to visit my favorite person.... Congratulations to the twins..." He mocked as he saw her clinging to the babes

His eyes eyed her over. Trying to stay calm and his demeanor shifted. His hand touched over hers as he whispered

"You're lucky I won't do a thing now. But just know.. I can always get my hands on you or your family..." Vlad spoke as he smiled to her warmly. Getting back to his feet as he fixed the suit he don often.

"Till next time..." He said as he left her hospital bed.

Moments later. Simon burst in as he huffed, the nurses were killed. Along with multiple people in the hospital.

Just to send a message.

The two knew. Their lives were never gonna be the same.

Especially since after Ximena was released from the hospital a week later.

And they swiftly took her in for interrogation. Why?

Ximena was a spy. That's what they were told...

#rosie writes #call of duty #cod #oc #cod oc #writing #canon x oc #ghost cod #ghost x oc #cod ghost #cod ghost x oc #ghost x original character #simon ghost riley #ghost mw2 #oc x ghost #simon riley fanfic #simon ghost riley x oc #simon riley #simon ghost riley angst

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furiousflamingfeline · 29 days ago

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What are your good and bad thoughts about the Reds 👀

Good question, I’m sure from recent posts on Reddit and other social media it might look like I hate the Reds. I don’t. 😇

I’ve been in this fandom for all 26 years and Blossom is my favorite character of all time, so I’m pretty much open to shipping her with almost anyone as long as it’s thoughtfully written and keeps her pretty much in character.

My small child started watching PPG last year which got me back into the fandom after being away for a while. Since then I’ve read pretty much all the Reds that’s worth reading on FF.net and AO3. Some great stuff out there, of course. But after a year of consuming Reds I decided I was tired of the pairing so I wanted to try writing Blossom with almost anyone else.

I mostly don’t like the fanon exclusive version of Brick when his entire character completely changes with no explanation, pretty much only just to make him a palatable love interest for Blossom. Hint: if the character has to change drastically to make Blossom like them, maybe it wasn’t meant to be lol. I particularly hate the dark triad mysterious badass trope that the fandom likes to give him. I just don’t buy it. I feel strongly that (IF the boys got friendly with the girls as they aged) Brick would just be slightly nerdy and a bit of a dweeb. Best comment I got on my story recently says he would grow up to be a dramatic theater kid and I can’t unsee it now. (A good example I can think of right now is “On Top,” on FF.net where Brick is just a giant goofball and Blossom’s exasperation actually makes their chemistry really adorable).

If a good Reds story comes across my dash I will definitely still read it, and I’ll never turn down a spicy Reds scene. But as far as actual realistic compatibility with Blossom? Not a fan.

This is the girl who envisioned a perfect society where the world is run by women. Brick in the canon, of course, is famously a misogynist bully. Making him mature as he ages is fine, but it’s just hard for me to buy that both characters would make a beeline in the complete opposite direction, not without some serious setup by the author.

So, that’s why I’m writing Harry Pitt/Blossom right now. I got sick of the fact that there were almost no alternatives for Blossom and I figured if I couldn’t find it, I’d write it myself.

My other OTPs are Blossom/Princess, Blossom/Butch and Blossom/Robin. (A multi-chapter Blossom/Princess story is already written and coming soon, but I gotta finish the art for it and proofread more before I post lol.)

My headcanon for Blossom is bisexual and for Brick is gay. One fic I read once that was super cute was Blossom doing Brick’s makeup for the first time after he begrudgingly asks for help. That, to me, is a peak Reds interaction. Brick dealing with his true self and internalized homophobia and Blossom being pure Everything Nice for him. Thats’s just *chef’s kiss*

Anyway this comment was way longer than intended lol. I just love Blossom and Brick separately and I wish they worked better together in my headcanons but I like them better as bi/gay rivals or besties rather than romantically.

#powerpuff girls #ppg #ao3 fanfic #ao3fic #ao3 #the powerpuff girls #blossom #ppg 1998 #blossom utonium #powerpuff blossom #ppg brick #reds #blossick #ppg blossom #rowdyruff brick #rrb brick #ppg x rrb

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beautifulmakkaris · 1 year ago

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justice_for_skull on ao3 left a really lovely comment on the most recent chapter of lucy takes the long way home, but one of the things they said is how lockwood checking for lucy's pulse to ground himself is going to end up being used again and again in fanfics after being featured in mine (and possibly already has!! i know there's some hand-on-chest-feel-my-heartbeat ones out there and the pulse scenario has cropped up in many a nancy drew cw fic including my own)

it got me thinking about how i love when fanon spreads through fics and fanart until it becomes tropes that are synonymous with fanworks even when it isn't originally in the source material

so here are some of my fave l&co fanon tropes that i never tire of (and have used almost all of at some point or another):

locklyle sharing a bed in a 'platonic' way after visiting the other side (or even before then, bed-sharing is *chef's kiss* in every fic)

lockwood calling lucy 'darling' as a pet name (gonna take some partial credit for this one from starry eyes though i'm sure it popped up before)

lucy and lockwood both being entirely incapable of cooking (even better when there are allusions to them almost burning down the house)

the morning routine of george making the breakfast, lockwood making the tea (domesticity my beloved)

any combination of the iron trio/cot3 having middle of the night cups of tea together after nightmares (again, domesticity my beloved)

lucy calling lockwood 'anthony' and him making her say it again (it gets me!! every time!! no matter whether it's in a fluffy or smutty or even angry context, every time 'say it again' ahhhhhh)

LOCKWOOD LITTLE SPOON SUPREMACY (this one is not as common, but it's one of my absolute faves)

betting pool on locklyle run by george (even better when side characters like arif are in on it)

lockwood knowing how to dance, lucy having two left feet (this one is probably the most rooted in canon but it still counts to me)

at least one of the boys knowing when lucy is on her period and providing her favourite chocolate/extra tea/being super nice without mentioning it to her (especially when it's george and he's like I HAVE A CALENDAR)

there's definitely more, tell me what i've missed!!! i just love when a fandom shares one braincell <3

#lockwood and co #locklyle #l&co #lucy carlyle #anthony lockwood #george karim #fanon #save lockwood and co #renew lockwood and co

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aloneinthehellfire · 10 months ago

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aloneinthehellfire's fic recs: steve harrington

I've recently been obsessing over so many steve fics that I thought, why not put them in one place for everyone else to enjoy! I'll try and update this as much as I can but for now, if you're on this list, just know I have been stalking your account ;)

show these the love they deserve!

Like It's Love [series: ongoing] by @upsidedownwithsteve

soulmate au, steve and reader find eachother in ever life - this series is already heartbreaking but written so beautifully!

because of you [series: ongoing] by @crappymixtape 18+

an enemies to lovers fic set in st4 - immediately obsessed with the interactions between the characters *chefs kiss*

you and i (back at it again) [one-shot] by @lighteyed

set immediately after the battle of starcourt, reader shows up for steve when he has no one else - I genuinely bawled my eyes out

orange juice [one-shot] by @sattlersquarry 18+

post st4, steve is grieving over reader but soon discovers he doesn't have to move on - it's hard choosing just one fic but this one is truly a masterpiece, it is my roman empire

Adventures in Babysitting [series: ongoing] by @worth-the-chaos

stranger things reader insert, acquaintances to lovers - when I tell you I binge read all the chapters available since the new year, I mean I sat for a whole hour and just consumed, I love it so much

I'll Be There For You [series: ongoing] by @supernovafics 18+

roommate au, best friends to lovers - I recently fell in love with what I assumed to be a one-shot until I discovered there is a whole universe of these fics to read, I highly recommend if you want to feel giddy :)

"Oh, so we DO love Steve..." [series: ongoing] by @sheisjoeschateau 18+

post st4 dystopian au, enemies to lovers, reader is murray's niece! - I should probably warn everyone that if you do start reading this... your entire brain space will be occupied by the INCREDIBLE writing and storyline this fic has to offer. I am obsessed. (unhealthy)

I will be back to update more! As for now, I hope you enjoy reading!

aloneinthehellfire's masterlist

#stranger things #stranger things x reader #fanfic #steve harrington #steve harrington x reader #stranger things reader insert #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington fanfic #steve harrington x you #aloneinthehellfirerec #fic rec

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weast-of-eden · 9 months ago

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it seems like some people actually liked my last fic rec, so here's another one, guys! this time i tried finding some fics that were a little different, like AUs, different POVs, rarepairs, WIPs, etc. again, these are pretty all set in canonverse (ACD or Granada) or victorian era unless specified otherwise. so without further ado, here is:

Eden’s ACD/Granada Unique Fic Recommendations

And With Him Disaster by eggshellseas (@/maxwelljacobfriedman on tumblr) 14k | Rated E Summary: John Watson is being stalked by a vampire. Notes: not-your-mother's vampire au, that's for sure. definitely read the tags before getting into this but man, this fic is so, so good. features not only vampire!holmes but also dark!holmes and it's a ride from beginning to end. ugh i want to talk more about this fic but i can't spoil anything!!

Into darkness then without a candle by Solshine (@/thehumantrampoline on tumblr) 10k | Rated T Summary: At first, Moriarty is just a disguise, like all the rest in his wardrobe; a helpful alias to bring Holmes closer to the evils he duels. And then the disguise wins at the Reichenbach Falls. AU inspired by the stage play, “The Secret of Sherlock Holmes." Notes: i can't even get into this. I CAN'T EVEN GET INTO THISSSS. there are no words. if there were, the word would be: UGH. this is such a unique fic and watson really pulls through in this. I CAN'T EVEN GET INTO THIS RIGHT NOW.

Back to Edinburgh by mightymads 4k | Rated T Summary: The Jezail bullet in Watson’s leg causes him so much pain that he is on the verge of despair. London doctors deem it impossible to extract the bullet without inevitable nerve damage. Holmes finds a surgeon in Edinburgh, who agrees to help. It is none other than Professor Joseph Bell. Notes: Dr. Bell says 'gay rights'! also Scottish Watson for the win! this is such a beautiful story, Watson really gets to take the center stage while Holmes gets to worry for his well-being. oh how the tables have turned. plus lots of ACD's personal life mixed with Watson's own, which I think makes this such a unique fic. it's just really nice to read. *chef's kiss*

The Red Notebook by Garonne 10k | Rated T Summary: Holmes is dead, or seems to be. Watson starts to write, and Mycroft starts to read. Holmes/Watson slash set during the Hiatus. Mycroft's POV. Notes: i LOVE Mycroft POVs, and this is one of my favorites. also i love fics that depict watson's stories as completely false, like Moriarty is not real and 'The Final Problem' was just john's way of coping. STELLAR FIC.

Some Power of Selection by wordybirdy 12k | Rated E Summary: John Watson is a struggling doctor in recent practice on London's Upper Wimpole Street. One dreary Wednesday, an urgent telegram summons him to 221B Baker Street, where he meets a sombre and initially taciturn gentleman by the name of Sherlock Holmes. Sparks immediately fly – but not of the positive, life-affirming variety... Notes: enemies to lovers AU for the win! Stamford is such a knob in this one, truly. but that's okay, our heroes figure themselves out anyways. great banter in this one, if you like rom-coms then this is the fic for you!

One Page Is Missing by PlaidAdder 2k | Rated T Summary: "From this point onward I will follow the course of events by transcribing my own letters to Mr. Sherlock Holmes which lie before me on the table. One page is missing, but otherwise they are exactly as written and show my feelings and suspicions of the moment more accurately than my memory, clear as it is upon these tragic events, can possibly do." --The Hound of the Baskervilles, Chapter 8 **** This is the missing page. Notes: ok first of all you should read all of PlaidAdder’s Missing Pages series, it’s so beautifully written. this is the first of the series and the premise is so interesting and mysterious! this fic is for any fans of HOUN (me) or enjoyers of jealous Holmes (also me)

On the Orbits of Asteroids by Sheila_Snow 22k | Rated E Summary: Watson has a secret from his past that he's kept from Holmes, but the past has a tendency to come back and haunt you. Notes: Watson/Moriarty fic. yes you read that correctly and YES it's crazy good. there's still holmes/watson but it's angsty and– i can't even get into it, you just gotta read for yourself. also feat. Moran who is currently questioning his sexuality (yeah watson will do that to you mate)

The Better Part of Valour by rachelindeed 7k | Rated T Summary: Mr Melas considers himself a coward, but more than one man's courage comes with complicated cracks. Notes: for any fans of 'The Greek Interpreter' (aka ME) this fic is the coolest ever. POV from Melas, who is smart, witty, and very observant. you get to meet Paul Kratides when he's not in the middle of being tortured, plus the ANGSTIEST background story about Watson's war injury. Oof. But I literally love this fic guys pwease read it

☆The Adventure of the Purloined Heart by ladyblahblah (@/hungrylikethewolfie on tumblr) 15k | Rated M Summary: A gruesome murder unveils secrets kept buried for years. Some feelings can only be hidden for so long. Notes: This fic checks every single box for me. HOLY SHIT. It's got murder, mystery, intrigue; it's got pining, secrets, and unrequited (?) love. I think the reason I'm so unwell about this fic is because it's a WIP that ends on a doozy of a cliffhanger. if god loves me he will let this fic be finished one day. IT'S SO GOOD GUYS PLEASE READ THIS FIC. in my ao3 history is says 'visited 12 times in the past month.' what is wrong with me

i hope someone out there enjoys these! also i was going to tag the authors whose tumblrs i knew, but then i chickened out, so... sue me i guess?

also if there’s any AUs, tropes, or somesuch fics you wish existed but can’t find, feel free to ask me!! maybe i’ve read something you’re looking for :)

#sorry if i got a little wonky at the end #but that last fic is literally my bible #ngl i kinda gave y'all the goods on this one these are all soooo good #sherlock holmes #acd holmes #granada holmes #granada johnlock #acd johnlock #fic rec #acd johnlock fic rec #granada johnlock fic rec #holmes/watson

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