#uncharted g/t

[gina103]

Tiny Treasures (Nathan Drake x tiny!reader)

I know absolutely nothing about the Uncharted series other than the 2022 movie which I literally watched last night. Hopefully, this will get me out of my writer's block. Also note that the reader is female in this!

word count: 675

Nathan had no clue what he was looking at.

Nothing Sully had explained about this mission could've prepared him for this moment. Here he was, in the basement of some billionaire, trying to steal something that was incredibly valuable, and highly sought after by all kinds of rich people and criminals alike. Apparently, this something was worth billions, but Nathan had no idea that this wasn't a something, it was a someone.

You were sat in a bird cage, and you were so incredibly small. Nathan was pretty sure a New York City rat could take you out any day. You trembled in fear at the sight of him, crumpled up in the back of the cage, trying to appear even smaller than you already were. Besides your miniscule stature, you were so perfectly normal-looking, so human in your movements, in your fearful eyes, and in your shaking form. Nathan felt a surge of responsibility in his chest, he couldn't let some billionaire or criminal keep you for their own evil interests, he knew he needed to protect you at all costs.

"Hey Kid, what's the hold up? Whaddya see?" Sully's voice spoke from his earpiece.

Nathan didn't know where to begin.

"Yeah...about that, I don't think we can sell this, Sully."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"It's not a thing, it's a girl..." Nathan slowly walked closer to the cage, noticing the way you seemed to shrivel up in utter fear at his presence.

"A girl? Are you joking?"

"Yeah..." He studied the lock on your cage, locking eyes with you in the process. He could only imagine what you had been through so far.

"Hey, hey, it's ok. I'm gonna get you outta here, don't worry," Nathan uttered to you. Even though he lowered his voice, you still flinched.

"Kid? Are you gonna explain, or are you just gonna leave me hanging here?"

Nathan stepped back from the cage to look around for the key. "Listen, Sully, you're just gonna have to see for yourself, I'll see you when I get up there."

"Hey! Wai-" He turned off his earpiece before Sully could finish.

Once he found the key, Nathan bent over before your cage once again. Trying to give you a reassuring look, he put the key in.

"Hey, I know this is all really scary and stuff, but I promise you I want to help. You're gonna have to trust me, ok?"

"How do I know?" You suddenly spoke, catching Nate off guard, "How do I know you aren't just like the others? That you aren't just going to sell me for a profit?"

You stared him straight in the eyes as you spoke, so you were courageous too?

"To tell you the truth, you don't," Nathan answered bluntly, "But I can tell you right now, I will do everything in my power to never let that happen again. It's your choice whether to trust me or not."

You seemed taken aback by his honesty, he opened the cage door and held his palm up, giving you the choice to walk on or not. You had been through so much up to this point, and you knew that trusting other people at this size wasn't a good idea. But something about the sincerity in this gigantic brunette's eyes was melting your resolve.

Nathan's heart leapt when you walked closer to the cage door, he was much happier than he'd liked to admit, you had chosen to trust him.

Slowly, you stepped onto his palm, hoping to God that you wouldn't regret this.

"That's it, you're doing great, sweetheart," He said softly, "My name's Nathan by the way." The sensation of your little body in his hands was positively electric, when you were finally settled, Nathan couldn't help but feel that you fit perfectly there.

Ignoring the way your heart fluttered at the nickname, you looked up into his chocolate brown eyes. "(y/n)," you answered.

"Pleasure to meet you, (y/n)," A smile bloomed on Nathan's face, "Now, let's get outta here."

[olivexing]

Becoming human 🧜‍♀️

Does the shrinking hurt, like being squeezed and split in half? Or is it like being hugged all over?

I don’t draw usually shrinking because it freaks me out! What do y’all think??

[tinydefector]

Megatron rut cycle

Word count:1.9k

Warnings: smut, nsfw, somewhat non-con, Consent given, G/t, oral, sex, valveplug, heat cycle, rut cycle, human/robot alien

Sorry this took so long ended up on a holiday, and then got sick but here it is before I work on editing another prowl piece I wrote while sick.

Masterlist

Megatron masterlist

Rut cycle masterlist

_______________

Megatron optics land on one of the humans that was still inside the autobots base. Megatron wasn't planning on sticking around after the agreement had been struck with Optimus. The human moves around reading screens and taking down notes unaware of Megatron's presence in the room. A pen hangs from their lips as they work. their presence in the Autobot base causing a stir amidst the rut cycle chaos. Their attempts to assist the bots do not go unnoticed by the Decepticon leader, his gaze lingering on their form as they check charts and read energy levels. "Hey OP was checking your energon level readings like ratchet said…" they start before turning only to tense up and freeze when they realise it wasn't Optimus standing there. They instinctively take a step back, a subtle sign of their unease being in a room by themself with Megatron. 

Megatron's optics continue to linger on them, tracing their form as his engine snarls in need, ruby optics narrow as he watches each little movement from them waiting to see how they would respond. Their eyes dart around looking for one of the Autobots, their breathing becomes slightly shaky and the scent of fear and the subtle Arousal  has Megatron exventing almost like a snarl. "Bee!" the human shouts out, their voice filled with a mix of panic and desperation. But before they can utter another word, their voice is muffled by Megatron's servo as he glares down at them.

The human's reaction triggers a mixture of irritation and amusement within him. He finds their fear and vulnerability amusing. With a low growl, Megatron takes a step closer to the human, his presence looming over them. "Do not waste your breath calling for the Autobots," he hisses, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. "They cannot save you from me." His words carry a hint of sadistic pleasure, relishing in the fear he instills in them. They shutter in his hold before Megatron speaks again. “if I wished to Harm you I would have done it by now” he huffs out. 

As the human's muffled voice fades, as they look up at him with pinched brows trying to figure out what he wanted. They squirm slightly, their body trembling against Megatron's servo as they gaze up into his crimson optics. As Megatron looks down at the human, his mind briefly entertains the idea of interfacing with them. The thought of indulging in an almost taboo act, more out of his distaste for humans, but they seemed so soft and pliable in his servos. It's tempting. After all, he is Megatron, the powerful leader of the Decepticons, feared by many. But the question lingers in his processor: Is he really considering interfacing with a human?  

The notion is both intriguing and unsettling to Megatron. He is no stranger to unconventional desires, having experienced the pleasure of interfacing with Cybertronians. But a human? It is uncharted territory. Megatron prides himself on his control, but also the fact at that moment he was fighting his systems which desperately wanted to interface and the sweet scent coming from the human was making each second harder to reign his control. 

"What do you want from me?" They ask in a shaky voice, The human's question hangs in the air. Megatron continues to assess them, his optics scanning their form, taking in every detail. And indeed, he can see why Optimus was entranced by this human.  

With a low, rumbling chuckle, Megatron leans in closer to the human, his voice dripping with dark amusement. "What do I want from you?" he muses, “ I require assistance with an issue." He does state much, leaving it rather vague over what he wanted. They both go quiet before they finally let out a small, “oh” in realisation of what Megatron was asking for.

“I didn't think you liked humans” they mumble softly, trying to avoid looking at his optics, Megatron was an intimidating bot and even worse so whenever bot in the perimeter was acting like a feral beast due to their rut. 

“I will not hold you here against your will, tell me to leave and we will never speak of this again” he states, optics fully focused on them. They shutter under his gaze as his servos traces over their arms. They let out another shuttered breath before finally meeting his optics, taking in the mechanics and shimmering lights that flicker behind them. “If I agree to help you with this issue, you won't hurt me?” They ask, trying to not let the fear so in their voice.  

Megatron lets out a deep hum as if contemplating their request. “I give you my word that no harm will come to you from my hand nor my order” he states. They shutter at his words. They give a little nod to him to continue, despite everything Megatron is rather gentle with peeling their clothing off his digits tracing over their skin as if to admire.

 They lay there looking away from him in embarrassment goosebumps follow in his wake. As they gasp, they find themselves pinned down to the table by Megatron's large frame. "Such vulnerability," Megatron purrs, his voice laced with smug satisfaction. 

As his digits continue to explore their skin, tracing patterns, Megatron leans in closer, his voice dropping to a low tone. "Hmm, I wasn't expecting humans to be this pliable and ..soft" he whispers, his words a tantalising promise. "I can see why the Autobots seem to enjoy your race so much."

They squirm more as he leans over them the sound of his frame creaking, pistons and gears grinding. their eyes dart back to him before they feel his mouth on their shoulder. A small little moan leaves them and it makes Megatron chuckle as he indulges on the sweet taste of their skin. "Fuck.." they whine out before one of their hands shoots out to grab the side of Megatron's face as he slowly trails down their body.

"Fascinating," Megatron murmurs, his voice laced with a mixture of amusement and arousal. "I can smell your need." He relishes in the effect he has on them. The taste of their skin is intoxicating, and he indulges in the sweet sensation, savouring every moment of the taste against his glossa. 

Their whine of pleasure and need only fuels Megatron's desire to explore further. As his mouth trails down their body. The touch is both a desperate plea for more and a feeble attempt to assert some control in that moment. 

Another moan leaves them as Megatron spreads their legs, his mouth moving between them as his glossa traces over their arousal, the taste has him nearly drooling, "Fuck!, fuck! If one of the Bots walks in and you're dead!" They whisper and yell at him. A low growl rumbles from deep within Megatron's vocalizer as the human's whispered yell reaches his audials. "Then you'll just have to keep quiet," Megatron responds, his voice dripping with amusement. "Let them watch, if they dare," he continued. 

 They gasp and arches against his glossa as Megatron continues to pull them down onto it. Despite his general disdain for organics, this particular individual has managed to captivate him, igniting a desire within Megatron that he cannot deny whether it was his rut or their soft body he didn't care at that moment. With a deliberate slowness, Megatron withdraws, watching as they quiver on the table before him. His optics narrow, a predatory glint shining within them. He knows that he will keep this human for himself. There is something about their response, their vulnerability, that entices him, drawing him in deeper.

As his interface panel releases, Megatron's spike presses against one of his servos, he lets out a deep guttural groan as he slowly strokes his length, optics staring down at the human spread out on the table in front of him, the anticipation of claiming them building within him. With a swift, calculated movement, Megatron positions himself, pressing his spike against them and slowly grinding it against them, enjoying how soft they are. 

 They cry out as he slowly presses into them,  each inch has them clawing at the table and his plating, pitiful whimpers leave them as he stretches them open. Their body writhes and convulses under the force of Megatron's thrust, a mixture of pleasure and pain intertwining in every movement. their body stretched open and their pleas echoing in the air. 

When Megatron is as far in as he can go he stops. Letting them adjust, his servo brushes across their face, they twitch and whimper softly, their body trembling under his much larger frame. With a low, gravelly voice, Megatron leans in closer to the human, his servo gently brushing across their face. "Such fragile little creature," he growls, his tone dripping with dominance and a hint of sadistic pleasure. "But the idea of filling you, of leaving my mark on you... it's tempting, isn't it?". His servo takes up more than half of their waist as he slowly pulls them onto his spike, grinding into them as a melody of moans fall from their lips. 

They moan and clench, feeling every inch of his spike. Transfluid slowly leaks from Megatron into them with each thrust. "Fuck Megatron " they whimper sweetly.  His thrusts grow more intense, Megatron leans in closer to the human, his voice dripping “I can see the outline of me spike within you," he growls, his words laced with a chuckle as his digits brush across the outline of bulge. their body trembling under his frame. 

"Please,please!" Breathless pledes leave them with each thrust as they claw at his plating. Megatron feels them clench around him, their moans of pleasure driving him wild with a deep snarl, he can't help but be consumed by the intoxicating sensation of their body and scent. The tightness of their grip on him feels as if they are trying to extract every drop of his transfluid, milking him like a pleasure bot. The thought alone sends shivers of delight down his spinal struts.

With each forceful thrust, Megatron relishes in the way their body responds, their stomach bulging with the delightful pressure of his spike. His optics drink in the sight, savouring the visual feast before him. "So eager for me" he growls, his voice dripping with dark desire. "I think I might just have to keep you for myself." He groans. 

Cries leave them as their orgasm hits, wails fall from their lips as Megatron continues railing into them, his spike driving deep within their smaller body. The sensation of their orgasm pulsating around him only fuels his hunger, his need to claim them completely.

With a dark, commanding tone, Megatron growls, "That's it, my little plaything"

Megatron's thrusts become more urgent, Another choked moan leaves them as they clench tightly around Megatron. As he reaches the pinnacle of his pleasure, a primal growl escapes his vocalizer,  his field singing in delight. He can feel their tightness gripping him, their walls clenching around his spike, urging him to release. 

They gasp and whine as transfluid overflows from them running down their thighs as Megatron continues pumping more into them soft purrs fall from him as he grinds deeper. With a mixture of satisfaction and possessiveness, Megatron admires his work, his voice laced with a dark, smug tone. "Look at you, my little vessel. Overflowing with my fluid, it suits you well". He chuckles. The sound of shouts around the base alert him to the Autobots along with the sound of heavy foot fall. “I believe we have been caught” he rumbles against their ear.

_____________

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Taglist

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[neptunescore]

Please elaborate on carlandoscar.. I would love to hear your thoughts and I want to be convinced

Hello nonnie<3

God I have so much to say, like their dynamics just make so much sense??

First of all, just the absolute poetry that is their current stages of life. I don't know if that's the sentence you'd use to explain it, but. just listen:

Oscar- what might be

Lando- what is / what could be

Carlos- what could've been

Bc isn't that what they are.

We all know Oscar is championship material; he's got the mentality, and his racecraft and understanding of the car just gets better, especially considering the fact that it's literally his second year in F1.

Lando is the one who is, right now. He very nearly got his first championship this year, and he's just getting better. I've also written 'could be' mostly bc of the fact he still isn't a champion yet, but even with all my mclaren haterism, I do know it's a very realistic possibility.

Carlos, on the other hand, is all spent potential. Not necessarily wasted potential, bc I do feel he made a name for himself, but he's spent all his potential in teams that never gave him a proper chance to compete. Like with Renault and Mclaren it was the car, and with Ferrari it was the car AND the team's clear show of favour (not said in like a bad way, more so in a sad way). And obv torro rosso was smthng else.

So, just. The combination of these 3 different stages is so compelling to me.

Next, we have their relationships with each other.

With Lando and Carlos and all their history, as well as them still being so close with each other, while Oscar and Carlos are always making snide remarks about one another. Except. Then you have Carlos calling them 'magnets' and Oscar only speaking up when Carlos does smthng small on track, and suddenly. They're giving each other fist bumps. They're smiling at each other when their eyes lock. They're following each other on instagram. And they're talking.

And ofc, you also just have Lando and Oscar. Lando, who will take any chance he has to tease Oscar. And Oscar, who will keel over and die with laughter at anything remotely funny, Lando says. Lando, who gave oscar his Sprint win without even being asked. Oscar, who's followed team orders with no complaints to make sure Lando stayed in championship contention.

They're just so perfectly intertwined.

Now, on to my more rpf thoughts.

I honestly fully believe that while Lando and Carlos have been friends for much longer, Oscar and Carlos would get together first. I can totally see both of them being forcefully/coincidentally put into situations where there is no choice but for them to talk. Over time, I think they just start to enjoy it. Like first, they feel genuine irritation with each other over their stupid arguments. Now, they're having fun. They like getting on to each others nerves. It becomes a sort of game.

This just keeps happening until one day they take it too far, stumble into uncharted territory, then stumble into each other, and then just stumble into bed together. Come morning, Oscar is waking up to the smell of freshly made pancakes, and him and Carlos are arguing about toppings and, well. It just feels natural. It clicks. They're together now, and neither of them even has to say it bc the other one just knows.

Lando is much more complicated. Honestly, I think he'd have a whole crisis about it. First, he'd go thru the 'wait, am I G-A-Y???' breakdown during his F2 years. Then, he'd go thru the 'ohmygod I LIKE CARLOS?!?' breakdown midway thru their second year together in Mclaren. And I can totally imagine him having his, 'wait why do I think Oscar is cute and why am I still not over Carlos why is this happening to me.' breakdown during the summer break after Oscar's first year.

Honestly, I've already written way too much now😭 if yall are still interested and wanna know how I think Lando gets with them just leave me an ask and I'll respond to that bc this is WAY to long. And if you're interested in their relationship/bedroom dynamics, then feel free to ask abt that too bc I have put MUCH thought behind it😭😭😭

Anyway, I hope this convinced you at least a little bit nonnie<3

[pjohoo-reclists]

Percy Jackson & Neptune Fic Recs

A list of fanfics featuring the platonic/familial relationship between Percy Jackson and Neptune. Enjoy!

kept you like an oath by aadarshinah

Not Rated | 800 words | Complete

Percy Jackson & Poseidon, Percy Jackson & Neptune

Temporary Amnesia, Percy Jackson Needs a Hug, Flower Crowns

"You were born for a reason, Percy Jackson. Perhaps it was to remind these Romans of the power of the sea." Or: One universe over, a world exists where Percy gets 24 hours between being accepted into the legion and being sent to Alaska on the quest to free Thanatos. This has a greater effect than anyone could realize.

Daddy's home by IncompleteTh0ts

G | 1.2k | Complete

Percy Jackson & Neptune, Neptune & Poseidon, Hazel Levesque & Frank Zhang

Memory Loss, Camp Jupitar, Son of Neptune

Percy finally meets his father.

Fishing And Fishermen by orphan_account

G | 1.3k | Complete

Percy Jackson & Poseidon, Neptune & Poseidon, Neptune & Percy Jackson

Post-Son of Neptune

In the attempt to make the visit less awkward, Neptune- employed by Juno/Hera to talk to and make sure Poseidon is well- tells a cryptic story of Perseus's time in SON. Later he finds himself answering a prayer Aka: Uncharted bullshits their way into extending the storyline and narrative and finds themself actually liking its actions upon the story

Storm Drains by Phoenix_And_Thestral

G | 2.1k | Complete

Percy Jackson & Poseidon, Percy Jackson & Neptune

Short & Sweet, Bonding, Pre-Canon

He had not come here to speak to the boy. He really shouldn’t have stuck around as long as he had. Neptune had just thought to see him, to see what child Poseidon had borne after so long heeding the oath. He could tell the child would be powerful someday -- assuming, of course, that he lived that long. And yet, Neptune found himself sitting on the curb beside a storm drain, trying to convince the mortal child that there were great whites under the streets of New York.

bellow, bid our father rise by magdalenes (ariadnes)

T | 2.5k | Complete

Percy Jackson & Neptune

Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Camp Jupitar, Father-Son Relationship

The first thing his father ever says to him is, "Y'have a way of prayer, boy. Best be careful with those thoughts. Ye may be my get, but I'll leave you for the gulls to pick over just as quick."

He's Mine by PunkFlame

T | 3.1k | Complete

Percy Jackson & Poseidon, Percy Jackson & Neptune

Seafam, Powerful Percy Jackson, Ascension

"He doesn't belong to you." Poseidon spat, allowing his own form to burst from its bounds. Neptune laughed, "Any of your treasures, especially your treasured offspring, belong to me. He has been mine from the time he drew his first breath." Poseidon growled, the water around them beyond ice cold. "No. You will leave him be. Stay away from my boy." "I think not. You've had your chance, now it's my turn."

bloodtide by DragonflyxParodies

Not Rated | 4.5k | Last Updated May 23, 2024

Percy Jackson & Neptune, Percy Jackson & Kymopolia, Percy Jackson/Nico di Angelo

Non Canon Compliant, Past Genocide, Divine Retribution

There are no water gods in New Rome.

marked me like a bloodstain by aadarshinah

T | 5.5k | Complete

Percy Jackson & Poseidon, Percy Jackson & Hazel Levesque, Percy Jackson & Neptune

Temporary Amnesia, Father-son relationship, Powerful Percy Jackson

"Nice to see you're not letting losing that upstart Achilles' curse slow you down."

Perseus Jackson and dii Consentes by CarpePugna

M | 6.7K+ | Last Updated Oct 16, 2023

Percy Jackson & Jason Grace, Percy Jackson & Neptune, Percy Jackson & Lupa

Roman Mythology, Camp Jupitar, no sugarcoating the myths here

Life’s been pretty normal for Percy and Jason since they left the she-wolf Lupa and arrived at Camp Jupiter; but now, with tensions stirring amongst the gods, Jason and Percy must band together to protect not only New Rome but the rest of the world itself. AKA the Roman!Percy au that’s not very original since I’m plastering over canon with Roman legends instead. But I hope you like it all the same!

Even with just a name by 60sec400 

G | 8.6k | Complete

Percy Jackson & Poseidon, Percy Jackson/Annabeth Chase, Percy Jackson/Neptune

Dark Percy Jackson, Good Parent Neptune, Roman Percy Jackson

Small snippets in a world where Percy chose the ocean. Neptune finds his son. Perseus Jackson has a quest for the glory of Rome and the glory of Neptune. Only, well, he's met another god. And that god wants him to find Annabeth Chase, the one name he's had in his head since he's woken up other than his own. aka. disconnected scenes that could exist in a son of neptune au

The Ascension of Percy Jackson ( as brought to you by Poseidon) by breakerfaith

T | 22k+ | Last Updated May 31, 2024

Percy Jackson/Annabeth Chase, Percy Jackson & Poseidon, Percy Jackson & Neptune

Ascension, Poseidon Loves Percy Jackson, Alternate Universe

Poseidon looks at Percy and decides " no you don't get to die" and focuses on turning Percy into a god.

[sleepinginmygrave]

A L L A B O U T J !!

hi hi lovely friends !! names are jupiter or james, but nicknames are really appreciated !! ( jupi, jamie, j, etc . )

i'm a minor , they / him / hers pronouns , capricorn sun virgo moon aries rising , french / norwegian , infp im pretty sure , introverted , birthday's on january 5th !! , harp player for almost 9 years now , actually evan rosier , witch , christian , slytherclaw , children of poseidon legacy of thanatos , nonhuman , want to look cool so bad but im actually a huge loser

faves !!

musical artists : ichiko aoba ; lamp ; tv girl ; the smiths ; radiohead ; current joys ; ethel cain ; chet baker ; berlioz ; sade ; the marias ; frank sinatra ; ella fitzgerald ; nate king cole ; laufey ; beabadoobee ; deftones ; slipknot ; limp bizkit ; faye webster ; clairo ; mazzy star ; lana del rey ; mac demarco ; alex g ; strawberry guy ; duster ; liana flores ; her's ; weezer ; gorillaz ; rammstein ; sum 41 ; weyes blood ; vendredi sur mer ; the beatles ; nirvana ; vashti bunyan ; tyler the creator ; steve lacy ; t.rex ; fleetwood mac ; chappell roan ; vacations ; yot club ; the plums ; david bowie ; siouxsie and the banshees ; strawberry switchblade ; the velvet underground ; slowdive ; cocteau twins ; the cranberries ; the smashing pumpkins ; cigarettes after sex ; beach house ; pinkpantheress ; crystal castles ; men i trust ; abba ; macabre plaza ; molchat doma

composers : piotr ilich tchaikovski , maurice ravel , gabriel fauré , claude debussy , antonio vivaldi , sergeï rachmaninov , franz liszt , frédéric chopin , wolfgang amadeus mozart , camille saint-saëns , piero piccioni ; eric satie

medias i enjoy? (so random im sorry) : interview with the vampire (show and currently reading the books) , riordanverse , dead boy detectives , spiderman into & across the spiderverse , uncharted (still don't have the last one sadly) , rayman legends , my little pony !! , warrior cats , journey , given , princess jellyfish , and there is so much more sorry ,, uhm i like reading classics (jane austen and brontë sisters mostly)

favs bds (bandes dessinés) !! : tintin , les tuniques bleus , astérix , blake et mortimer , lucky luke

i am . really passionate about animals . hjhhgh .. here are some i reallyy like .. : bovines (any) , african wild dogs , horsesssss , sheeps , borzoïs ,

if i like something i will prbably reblog things about it ,,, i think everything is tagged so if you wanna check it out ,,

blinkies and userboxes!!

[cameliawrites]

Kanej Fic Recs: The "Figuring Out Intimacy" Trope

If you're anything like me, you're a glutton for very specific fic tropes applied to your very favorite OTPs (and we all know my OTP of OTPs is kanej). To this end, ao3 tags are your best friend. When you see that delicious combination of tags like "emotional hurt/comfort" and "healing" and "pining" with some sort of moody, vaguely poetic title, that's the good shit right there. That is a MEAL, and you are about to feast.

Anyways. I'm getting off track.

I come to you today with more than just an offering to the potluck; I am here to open up the doors to the whole damn buffet. That's right - FIC RECS. Specifically, fic recs that scratch the particular itch for "post-canon fics where Kaz and Inej figure out how to touch each other, but really the Physical Armor is always symbolic of the Emotional Armor that they have to learn to lower if they hope to ever really Be Together." Do you know what I'm talking about? If you know, you know. It's kanej figuring out intimacy. It's touch, but it's about the way they touch each other's souls. It's a fandom-classic fic trope. FEAST AWAY. (And feel free to reblog and add any of your own favorites! This is certainly not an exhaustive list, just some favorites of mine that fit the bill.)

They're all complete, they're all canon compliant (I had to set some limitations because my list was getting out of hand lol), and they're listed in order of rating (T, M, etc.), but otherwise they're in no particular order, and the summaries and/or most of the excerpts are those provided by the authors on ao3!

Can We Stop? by thegoldenkneazle (Rated G, 220 words, drabble)

Excerpt:

Kaz immediately drew back, rolling over onto his side of the creaky bed to create space between them. “Are you okay?” he asked, dark eyebrows drawing together.

Every Time We Touch by Pokemon67 (Rated G, 1k words, oneshot)

Summary: "Inej hadn't been exaggerating. It wasn’t easy for her either."

Excerpt:

She couldn’t quite recall how they’d ended up here, in Kaz’s room, on his bed. She was perched on his legs, right in front of him, and if she raised her head she could look into his eyes count the little flecks of gold the light always teased to her were there. 

Uncharted Waters by insignificant457 (Rated T, 5k words, oneshot)

Summary: "One step on the long and winding road to intimacy."

Excerpt:

Perhaps Inej should be insulted that she’s been penciled into Kaz’s schedule, fit snugly in between a Crow Club shareholders’ meeting and a parley with the Liddies, but when it comes to taking steps forward in their relationship, romantic spontaneity is not exactly something they can afford.

Council of the Tides by blacktag189 (Rated T, 15k words, multichap)

Excerpt:

With each tiny step forward they made, the urgency to be pulled out to sea still built. She couldn't ignore the brutal truth in that - that no matter how much he gave her here...one day everything would align just right and she would leave. But today wasn't that day.

Discover the Rest by Silver_89 (Rated T, 4k words, oneshot) (note: restricted to ao3 account holders)

Summary: "Post Crooked Kingdom fic where Kaz and Inej have made some progress with touch but touch is not the only progress Inej wants to see from him. She wants to know him too."

Excerpt:

Inej didn’t share much about her time at the Menagerie...And yet she had shared that she struggled with touch too. He understood why. But she didn’t know why he was the same. I will have you without armor, Kaz Brekker. Or I will not have you at all. It was time he tried taking it off.

All Flowers in Time (Bend Towards the Sun) by laurie_ipsum (Rated M, 10k words, multichap)

Summary: "Does this fandom need yet another Kaz and Inej figure out intimacy fic? Probably not, but I did it anyway."

Excerpt:

Kaz wants all his firsts. It’s written in his eyes, on his face, in every line of his body. She can tell it terrifies him. It terrifies her, too.

One Thousand and One Nights by Trogdor19 (Rated M, 11k words, multichap)

Summary: "One new touch, every night…"

Excerpt:

He dips his head, his cheekbone brushing against hers so quietly it’s like the way she moves. So silkily between shadows no one’s ever quite sure it happened. 'Wait for me,' he breathes. The letters barely given enough air to shape them.

The Trouble With Wanting by A_nonnie_mouse (Rated M, 6k words, oneshot, part of a series)

Summary: "Inej begins to reckon with her own armor so she can have what, and who, she wants."

Excerpt:

“Kaz.” She was frustrated at his self-deprecation. “Please understand. My mind wants you. My heart longs for you. My body…” She struggled for words, the shame rising again, threatening her eyes with tears. “My body isn’t entirely convinced something horrible isn’t going to happen again. This wasn’t because of you. You understand that, don’t you?” 

show me where my armor ends (show me where my skin begins) by kingsandqueensofthebarrel (Rated M, 25k words, oneshot)

Excerpt:

“You’re something I want, Wraith,” he says, his tone all business like. “And I don’t stop until I have what I want.” “That could have sounded romantic.” “It’s a fact.” She hums and squeezes his hand.

collision course by cameliawrites (Rated M, 10k words, oneshot) (shameless self-promotion)

Excerpt:

Inej adjusts to Kaz the way that winter adjusts to spring: she thaws, and thaws, and thaws—and then she utterly melts.

you're a bandit like me, eyes full of stars by sarathedreamer (Rated M, 54k words, multichap, part of a series)

Summary: "Kaz and Inej learning to be with one another after Crooked Kingdom (events in Rule of Wolves might be mentioned in later chapters but you'll be warned!) Basically a slow burn filled with angst and fluff, and little plot :)"

Excerpt:

She blushed and felt a smile tug at her lips, so she looked down at his hand, held up in front of her like an invitation. His fingers were barely shaking. Inej looked back up at his eyes, asking a silent question once more, and Kaz nodded after a short hesitation. She gently cupped his hand in hers, fascinated by the softness of it, by the way two of hers were not quite enough to hold one of his. No one but she could know how graceful Dirtyhands’ weapons were under his gloves, and that was another one of his secrets she would gladly keep close to her chest.

Things We Can Never Do by rainstormdragon (Rated E, 3k words, oneshot, part of a series)

Excerpt:

They had done this before more than once. First words, then their hands on their own bodies. Gasped encouragement and shared fantasies. “Tell me what you’d want to do,” he urged her, not moving even a hair’s breadth toward her, giving her the safety of the space between them. “Tell me what you’d want me to do.”

Closer by lilieswho (Rated E, 7k words, oneshot)

Excerpt:

There is a deep desire crawling under Inej’s skin. It’s a feeling she’s begun to grow used to by now — the feeling of wanting someone, wishing for their touch and hoping they wish for hers back. Not someone’s, no. Kaz’s.

If you've made it all the way to the end of this rec list (hi!! thanks!), you should absolutely reply to or reblog this post with your favorite "kanej figure out intimacy" fic, whether it's on this list or something else! :) Support your local organic pasture-raised fic authors, etc. etc.

[valscodblog]

So-I s'pose ye'll be needin' this.

@thealtofvalleyxdoodles's sideblog <3

SHIT ABT ME! (Sorry for the horrible fake scottish accent. I am A Soap girlie thru and thru.)

❣.·:*¨¨*:·.❣ ғѧṅԀȏṃṡ ❣.·:*¨¨*:·.❣

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare one, two and three (Fuck the ending of three omfg) also-LONG LIVE '09 GHOST AND SOAP!

Call of Duty: Ghosts (Keegan <3)

Hazbin Hotel (so random compared to my other fandoms)

Baulder's Gate Three (I dont remember how to spell it-)

Resident Evil

The Witcher (I blame my father for getting me into this)

Dead By Daylight (Is that a fandom? If not-let's make it one)

DC/MARVEL Comics and some of the movies.

Uncharted (i swear-the first game i played i nearly died bc OMG "God Girl" AHHHH! Nathan Drake the man you are, Nathan Drake.)

Gravity Falls (I watched it as a kid-and re-watched as a grown ass adult. Still love it.)

and prolly some more i cant remember rn.

·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚ ʍǟֆȶɛʀʟɨֆȶֆ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙ Red means N/A blue means its up!

Office Workers, John Price x reader, Season one

"One night only" Simon Riley x Reader (will be worked on soon)

"Bonnie" John MacTavish x Reader

"The CIA Files"

╰┈➤ SᎾMƐ SᎾИƓS Ī ṖĿΛY Λ ŔƐṖƐΛŦ ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

Too Sweet; Hoizer| anything and E V E R Y T H I N G by the artic monkeys| Pumped up kicks; foster the people| Dirty Class-China remix or whatever it's called.| Alien Blues (i forget who its by)| Same old Love; Rihanna/Selena Gomez| I like the way you kiss me; Artemas| Soaked; shy smith| Paint the Town Red; Doja Cat; Diet mountain due (Demo and actual song); Lana Del Rey| anything by Lana tbh-| anything by Eminem| 679; Fetty Wap| Breakin' Dishes; Rihanna| tbh-anything by Rihanna too-| Favorite; Isabel LaRosa| Army Dreamers; Kate Bush| Harpy Hare; Yaelokre| and more!

❣┈⋆┈⋆┈ ⋞ 〈 ＢＡＳＩＣ ＴＨＩＮＧＳ 〉 ⋟ ┈⋆┈⋆┈❣

Pronouns: She/They Age: 18 (19 in Nov.) Race: MEXICAN

Fav Foods: Tacos, and Banana Bread Fav curse word: FUCK

Fav Color: P U R P L E Fav CoD Character: uhm-Soap?? (was that a question-? jk jk, it was.)

.·:*¨ ¨*:·. ƬĦƖИǤƨ Ɩ Δ˩˩ѲƜ ѲИ 🇲Ƴ β˩ѲǤ .·:*¨ ¨*:·.

Requests for x readers (Male, female, non-binary, all of it.) and x oc's! (I will tag you). I do allow people to use my Oc's for thier fics, I just ask for a tag and some credit! I do allow requests with dark themes. I ALLOW DARK THEMES ON THIS BLOG. DEAD FUCKING DOVE-DO NOT FUCKING EEEAT, OKAY!? I WILL NOT HAVE MY BLOG BE BLOCKED BC YALL DONT KNOW HOW TO READ WARNINGS! Anyways! I do allow a wide array of kinks! (Yes i do NSFW) and yes-i do take art requests-its just very hard atm bc my ipad is very old and porcreate no longer works-and my new one is on the way. (i used Amazon-im sorry but i dont feel like gong into a damn store-PLUS IT WAS BLACK FRIDAY!! :) ) I do allow you to nickname me aswell!

(sorry for this gifs-i just needed to see my husband)

THANKS FOR READING, BYEEEEE!

╰•★★ 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮, 𝓥𝓪𝓵 ★★•╯

GO FOLLOW MY MOOTS!

@skauni @needa-sum-luvn @seconds-over-first @thebunnednun @writing-with-moss @mishellii @crazyfandomluver @staytrueblue @devil-in-hiding @artistic-vixen <3333

[bahbahhh]

Fic Masterlist 2024

2022-2023 fic masterlist - contains begin again, desire path, and more!

Across Time: A Zelink Timeline Project 

- see you soon, promise HyLink with a little Skyward Sword - Rated G- one-shot - <3k words

History would have you forget – before it marked the completion of the annual Wing Ceremony or guided the spirit of the Chosen Hero toward his destiny – the “Ballad of the Goddess” was a love song.

- side quests with amazing art by lunabrush Age of Calamity - Zelink - Rated G - one-shot - <5kwords

How do you tell someone you love them without actually telling them? When the world feels heavy and the stakes are too high to speak the words? The answer is actually quite simple — you feed them.

-the depths post-TotK - bad ending au - rated M - ongoing mini-comic, wips, concept art, and more here

Zelda never returns after the battle with the Demon King. Link is determined to bring her back, no matter what it takes or where it takes him. So when the Light Dragon starts to dive into the Depths, which have remained dark and uncharted since the Gloom faded away, he prepares to descend as well.

- the fixed eye BotW Impa POV/Zelink - Rated T - ~10kwords - complete! sheikah and yiga lore/ world building

Impa travels with Zelda and Link to Gerudo Town following the festival of Sahasra’s Pass and tries desperately to only see what is really there. Of course you catch every little glance if you're looking for one. Every touch seems lingering if you’re watching long enough! It doesn’t mean anything. It can't! Not now…not when the King has given her a direct order to inform him if such things are happening. Not when there are Yiga in disguise and the end of the world hangs dark on the horizon. What good is a third eye to a Sheikah if it’s fixed?

-of braids and wisdom BotW Queen POV - motherhood - rated G - <6kwords - complete! for #MaddieDTIYS by @flutefemme (banner from art by Maddie<3)

Every child born of great destiny in Hyrule also has a mother. Part of a small collection celebrating mothers who are often tragically underdeveloped or completely left out of the LoZ series. In collaboration with @mistresslrigtar!!

✨Story fanart by @louwhose !!

[aziraphales-library]

Hello there, thanks for the stuff you do here for our crying souls. Found awesome fics thanks to you!

Ive heard somewhere about fanfics of post s2 Crowley healing a bit and trying to be more independent without Aziraphale? If that makes sense? Do you have any recommendations?

Hi! We have recommendations like this here and here. Here are some post-series two fics in which Crowley tries to heal and move on without Aziraphale...

What about suffering? by ThatWeirdGuyWithIssues (T)

Crowley is trying to move on from everything that happened… but Aziraphale comes to him for help.

What's the harm in answering a few questions? by Juniper_413 & Sk3tch (T)

Crowley is not doing well after... well, just after. Muriel, the new angel on Earth is curious about her new home and has a couple questions about how things work. Luckily they know someone who's been around for a while. What could be the harm, Crowley thinks, in answering a few questions?

Uncharted Territory by Justanothernerdsstuff (G)

“Absolutely, unless you feel inclined to open that bottle of wine behind the cash?” Crowley asked, playfully, passing Nina enough money to cover the coffee and a large tip. “Six shots of espresso, coming right up,” Nina replied, shaking her head and smiling as she walked away to get the coffee. This had become Crowley’s normal. Catching up with Maggie, joking around with Nina, and sharing some of his favourite earthly things with Muriel, who was relatively new to the whole place. There was a lot of longing for Aziraphale mixed into all of it, but he had found little ways to be happy. *** Seven months after Aziraphale took his new position in heaven, Crowley is coping the best he can.

HEAVEN DOPE by kyrilu (T)

After Aziraphale leaves to rejoin Heaven's ranks, Crowley does his best to move on as he becomes Nina's flatmate, marathons a tonne of Coronation Street episodes, and reluctantly picks up ghost-hunting. But this isn't, of course, the end of the story. Featuring: a MacGuffin hunt for a holy relic, a journey to San Francisco, and a journey to Hell. (Which are not the same place, no matter what some NextDoor users might tell you.)

Hisses and Sawdust by ineffablymanic (T)

A heartbroken demon on a healing journey befriends a carpenter. or What if two unearthly beings met and thought the other was human? or What would you do if you realized you were accidentally flirting with your ex-bosses sacred offspring? or The author tries her damnedest to imagine what it would be like if an occult being decided to become more mortal

Growing Pains by hope_in_the_dark (T) (WIP)

“So if he comes back, you’ll… what? Take him into your arms, let him back into your life? No questions asked?” Crowley grunted. The therapist — Mark, Nina had said — was sitting forward in his chair, looking at Crowley with a kind smile and wide eyes. He was what the humans would call ‘emotionally intelligent.’ Crowley was looking to tap into a little of that. ———— Crowley goes to therapy, because he needs it. This is a story of healing, learning, growing, and an eventual happy ending.

- Mod D

[jessilynallendilla]

CAPTIVE PRINCE FIC REC POST CANON & CANON DIVERGENT

TITLE/LINK RATING COMPLETED-WORD-COUNT SERIES

Home Post

let me know if the links aren't working and feel free to recommend any

POST CANON 

Soft  G 801 

"You make me feel at ease", Laurent said. At ease. That meant so much to him. It meant so much to both of them 

Kings Ruling  EX 25031 

Takes place after the events of Kings Rising and The Summer Palace. Damen worries about a specific threat to the unification of their kingdoms; the problem of an heir. 

A Helping Hand  EX 9689 

King Laurent navigates the uncharted waters of friendship 

Early Mornings  NR 1875 

Laurent wakes up from a nightmare. Damen is there to comfort him. 

An Honest Man Stays Bought  T 1428 

Berenger has lost everything. Ancel would have to be mad to stay with him now. 

King's Destiny  EX 6199 

Damen is skilled in the arena of war, and Laurent in the arena of politics, but in the wake of defeating Kastor and the Regent, they find themselves facing a challenge neither of them is prepared for--the arena of the gods. 

To Be in the World  EX 30192 

Erasmus settles in to his new life in Patras, finding comfort and pleasure in serving Torveld as he was trained to do. But when a very familiar envoy comes from King Damianos to discuss the abolition of slavery, Erasmus must decide what he really wants from his life. 

Youth  G 735 

Damen realizes how much Laurent had lost: not only his brother, but also much of his childhood. 

Daughter of the King  G 

Five years after the death of Kastor, King Damianos has secured his rule over Akielos. He is working tirelessly to create peace not only within his own kingdom but also with other nations. His highest goal is something of a secret, something he would risk his life to see come to pass. Then seemingly out of nowhere he finds he is actually the father of a little Vaskian girl and he suddenly finds his priorities shifting. For now, his princess shines like a beacon of hope in a divided kingdom but raising her will force the King to change and make some decisions. Some that will affect other loves of his life... 

So long and goodnight.  M 545 

Nicaise stood at the end of the bed, as he always did, eyes too-pale in the moonlight, pearls glinting in his hair, a wet ring of red around his throat, bleeding black onto the ripped collar of his shirt. Laurent couldn't bring himself to look away. This Nicaise, he reasoned, was better than no Nicaise at all. 

The King of Vere  G 613 SERIES 

It was Prince Laurent of Vere, the traitor. Then it turned into King Laurent of Vere, The Righteous. 

Defining Legacy  G 941 

In the days following King Damianos's death, a committee meets in the Akielon part of New Artes to decide on his statue for the Kingsmeet. 

Follow the Heartlines  M 50994 

”Apologies, Exalted. What I meant – ” 

“What you meant is that you don’t know why I can’t remember anything since His Majesty flayed my back and had me dressed in gold paint and slave’s garb to serve him. But he was a prince then. And a king now.” 

Laurent tried to hide his flinch at the words, at his own memories. He looked away to the marble floor. 

Damianos continued: “You say that was four years ago. In that time, I seem to have aligned myself with him in country and in marriage. And no one tried to stop me.” 

The Shadow of Things That Have Been  G 5613 

Prince Auguste was dead, to begin with.... On a snowy Yule night, Laurent can only wait while an injured Damen struggles to keep a promise, and spectres from the past haunt the longest night in a more than metaphorical way. 

for you, a kingdom  G 12843 

Laurent thought he knew everything about his beloved brother. But even the dead have secrets. 

Hold So Tight  G 1031 

Augustinia, the eldest of their children, has just turned thirteen. Laurent is handling it. He is. 

And We Will Call You Our Home  M 

You opened a door for me when I was trapped. You asked me if I would have done the same for you.. to which you answered that you did not know. Truthfully, I would not have. But you are a better person than me, and you helped me, even when I didn't ask for it. I must ask for your help now, once more. Not as a selfish woman who cares about her life, but as a mother. When I die, my son Helios will have no family left, except Damianos, his uncle. All I ask is that you convince Damen to let him stay at your court-- that you convince him to let Kyrina raise him there.  -Jokaste. 

All That's Left of Yesterday  G 

Laurent sees a young girl while riding through a village two years after his ascension. Not more than 10, with strikingly familiar features. Auguste had said he was more interested in women, and that some policies in Vere were old fashioned. Laurent could not ever had imagined this. 

Water of Life  EX 15805 

Laurent bore the pain of labor stoically, until he didn’t. 

Unintentionally Unsaid  G 6790 

Damen has left for Isthima on a political mission, leaving his love and best friend to rule in his stead. Nikandros doesn't think it will be a problem, until Laurent starts acting...strange. 

Perennial  M 6883 

When Damen awakens with with a head wound and the memory of being flayed, he takes Laurent as a hostage in order to escape from Arles, unaware of what has occurred during the time that he cannot remember. 

well I rose, and I rose  T 18709 

Theomedes wakes from his long illness to find that one of his sons is dead, the other has become a man, and some cheeky Veretian upstart has taken up residence in his palace. 

Undone T 15333 

Five weeks in Ios. Five weeks Laurent has, to sow the seeds of their shared kingdom. He begins with the slavery issue 

Fault Lines  G 11874 

Perhaps the longest day in Akielon history for the two kings. Takes place on the last day of a political summit in Akielos, a few years after canon. 

Starlight Skin M 1654 

“Things have changed since I first married you,” Damen sat him down, wrapping his thick arms around Laurent’s trim waist to stop him from shifting away from his frowning reflection. “Sure, your hair has lightened to a shining starlight, and perhaps your skin has thinned to a beautiful cream, so what causes you such thoughts?” 

“Damen, I am aging into an old man, whether you notice it or not,” Laurent huffed, crossing his arms over his chest and glaring at Damen through the mirror. “Everything that you loved about me when we were young has faded, of that you can't deny.” 

Syncopation  T 1905 

“Is that what this is?” Laurent asked, “A typical alliance?” 

“No,” Damen said, “Akielos is yours. Its people will serve you as they serve me—as their King.” 

“And its nobles will attend my ascension,” Laurent added, leading. 

“Yes,” Damen repeated, unsure of where exactly he was being led. 

Wicked Game  M  186951 

Two years have passed since the bells had rung. The kingdoms are united, and Damen and Laurent are prospering as the kings of Akielos and Vere. Everything is perfect. Until an accident occurs, and Laurent wakes up in bed next to who he knows as Damianos, prince-killer. 

Soleil  NR 2353 

Laurent takes Damen to Auguste's statue 

once in a thousand years  NR 3234 

Kallias had often dreamt of what it would be like to see Erasmus again, after Erasmus had been taken from Akielos.  He no longer has to dream. 

New Life  NR 2623 

The news fell official today: there would be no more slaves, ever, in the Artesian Empire. Kallias had been warned, as had everyone, for a few months now. The Kings had announced this on the very day of their ascension to the joined thrones. But a few months had not been enough to ready himself. 

Made of Love  G 1073 

Ten years of reign. They seem to never run out of traditions to remake their own. 

Legacy  NR 1149 SERIES 

Damen still has a little family left, after all. And he does need an heir. But Laurent is not easily convinced. 

This Dream is Ours  T 2263 SEIRES 

In which Damen finds it extremely tedious to lay around in bed all day, even if he’s recovering from a stab wound. Thankfully, Laurent is there for him, with his walls down, ready to share some details about his past never before spoken of. 

Consider Me In Stillness  T 2260 

The first hazy days that Damen couldn't recall well... 

All Wounds Scar Differently  M 970 

Damen watched Laurent from the bed as he marked some final notes on one of the treaties they’d discussed that afternoon. The unification between Vere and Akielon was going as smoothly as could be expected, though it would take years still for true peace to unite their peoples. It would take time, but it was worth it. Laurent was worth it. Which made what weighed on his mind so much harder to find the words to say. 

Memories  T 700 

Laurent is happy, now, after. Truly. Except, sometimes, when he is exhausted and succumbs to sleep, his mind is not his own. 

Repercussions  EX  2225 

After Damen is stabbed by his traitorous brother, Laurent learns a much needed lesson about what it means to be in love, and in a relationship. And Nikandros is salty. Of course. 

 Wounds of a Less Physical Nature  T 2480 

A domestic night and morning between the two Kings. A canon take on a realistic future between them, a few years after their respective ascensions and implied marriage. A little hurt, a little comfort, mainly people helping other people. 

Sonnets of the Heart  EX 

After overcoming a great many hardships, Damen and Laurent witness the execution of the Regent and the death of Kastor. Laying on the marble floor with a pool of blood surrounding them, the two Kings of their respective countries make an oath to unite their kingdoms and rule alongside each other as equals. But at what cost? With the fate of the two countries hanging in the balance and their fragile relationship constantly threatened by long-held traditions, political conflict, and jealousy, Damen and Laurent come to the gruelling realization that maintaining peace is much harder than waging war. 

Freedom  NR 1696 

When the slaves of Akielos are freed, there are two golden cuffs remaining. They could take them off—but Damen doesn't want to. 

i. The Unexpected Heir  G 1242 SERIES 

The servants who worked in the royal palace were trained to handle almost any situation. They could cook, clean, perform, deliver messages, tend to the needs of visiting nobles, and even dispose of the remnants of broken wine jugs as quickly as though they had never been there -- a task that became more frequently required when King Laurent decided to start wearing chitons -- among other things. However, the servants who worked in the royal palace were not trained to handle this. 

Alone, Without Friends  EX 18193 

Explores the time between Kings Rising and The Summer Palace, inspired by snippets given to us in The Summer Palace. 

Sciamachy  M 4310 

Laurent took another second to steady himself. Then he said, quietly, “Do you remember when you asked me about my uncle?” 

Damen tensed, and his heartbeat stuttered, his reactions as unrestrained as always. Laurent waited it out. “I remember,” Damen finally said, with effort. 

“I think,” Laurent said, “I am ready to talk, to you, about that.” 

Lion Salient on a Field of Gold  T 6288 

Laurent will be damned if he'll let an assassin kill him in King Damianos' court. 

who set you free  T 2845 

Isander knew what it was to play a role. It was all he had ever known. But things change after he is freed. Luckily, he finds someone who can help. 

Kings Reign  M 191070 

Directly following the events of Kings Rising. Damen is on bed rest and Laurent is taking care of him. What follows is their story and the story of two kingdoms becoming one. 

The Akielon Gardens  M 1940 

In Torveld’s dreams Erasmus was a free man and they were not master and slave but lovers. Erasmus was intelligent, creative and empathetic. He would have made a great advisor to the king or a praised and famous poet. Instead he had been made into a work of art, a source of pleasure. A tool. A very elaborate tool, a masterpiece even, but still a tool. This slave was made to please, this slave was made for a master, this slave was made for his master’s pleasure. Whenever Erasmus formulated it this way Torveld felt sick. Whoever had made Erasmus into a slave had not only created a work of art, they had also broken a man beyond repair. 

The Gold-shackled Singer, or the story of Erasmus and Kallias  M 12078 

When slavery is abolished in Patras, Erasmus becomes a poet. 

Say It  M 8606 

Seven months after the war, King Laurent rides to Ios to meet King Damianos and seal the peace between the two nations -- and two lovers. 

After the Bells  EX 6068 

Damen and Laurent talk, and do a little more than talking, and finally, a score is settled. 

The Fate of the Unnamed Pet  T 10298 

King Laurent said, "There is a child." 

"I see!" said Charls, who didn't. 

"His family are unable to care for him. He was brought here by my late uncle," King Laurent said. "I would appreciate it if you would take him on as an apprentice." 

Echo chamber  EX 9147 

After months of separation, Damen is more than eager to reunite with Laurent. Unforeseen situations make their night together more emotional than either of them anticipated. 

The messenger  NR 1416 

“Is my dear Berenger more sullen than usual, tonight?” he asks draping himself on the opposite couch, where they can't accidentlly touch him, but have the most appealing sight of him. 

“He ought to be,” another laughs, “We’ve received a messenger from Akielos half an hour ago. It's over for Prince Laurent. He's been tried for treason and will be executed - was, by now.” 

Sapphires  NR 2388 

Laurent is struck by a memory of Nicaise, causing many emotions to surface. 

Taste of Honey  EX 3148 

“I think you’re speaking of yourself, beloved,” Damen said with a slight laugh, still kissing along the soft skin at Laurent’s jaw. He smiled when he felt a shudder run through him. “Though my intention was for you to enjoy the horse, so I suppose I have succeeded.” 

“Mm,” Laurent hummed. He let Damen carry on for a short while longer, then with the press of his hands against Damen’s chest, pushed him back. “I have plans of my own, however.” 

Damen’s eyes widened. “Is that so?” 

we should have had this conversation long ago  G 1289 

“Ancel?” said Damen, the name uprooting a sour memory. “The same Ancel who—” 

“Yes. Ancel from the gardens,” said Laurent, watching him carefully. Then: “I never apologized to you for that.” 

“What?” 

“Ancel. The gardens." 

The Ghosts Between Us  G 1749 

Damen and Laurent talk about Auguste and lay an old ghost to rest. 

Willpower  NR 1804 

Try as he might, Laurent cannot stay awake forever. Through his hazy recovery, Damen catches a rare glimpse of him sleeping by his side; it's not as sweet as he thought it would be. 

Apologies  NR 1078 

Damen has a late night conversation with the late prince of Vere. 

Forgetting to Remember You  NR 

After hitting his head in a practice accident, Laurent forgets the past ten years. He must re-adjust to his life, attempt to regain his memories and try to remember why the barbarian who killed his dear brother is calling him My Love. 

summer sleeps  M 1902 

It’s still in the room, a few candles burning and the air from the open window blowing in the summer winds of Vere. The palace is quiet, calm. It begins to sprinkle outside, the start of one of many storms that come with the season. Damen snores peacefully next to Laurent, face pressed into the side of his chest as Laurent lays on his back, fighting the monster he was stuck with in his dreams. 

Till China and Africa meet, and the river jumps over the mountain  M 2316 

Piece by piece, it all fell into place. 

Hakesh  EX 10242 

Hakesh, or "Laurent drinks the fun-time juice." 

CANON DIVERGENT 

The Exiled Prince  EX 80125 

When King Theomedes dies, his heir, Kastor, exiles the younger bastard brother. Damianos turns to King Laurent of Vere for military aid in challenging his brother for the throne. Laurent never expected to be allied to the man who killed his brother, but their alliance could be a perfect cover for the revenge he has spent the last six years of his life dreaming about. 

Non, je ne regrette rien EX 39633 

Delfeur is being handed over to become an Akielon territory - and Laurent is being handed over to cement the alliance fully. He is to marry an Akielon barbarian and spend a lifetime as the convenient toy of a brute. 

Home  M 

Laurent reached up and touched the pin at his shoulder absently, fingers tracing over the design. Vere and his family were no longer his top priority. He had been traded off to a new country and family and he would be expected to put them first. He wasn’t a shining star, like his brother. He was a lion, like his husband. 

After Marlas  T 2102 

Before he dies, Auguste makes Damen promise to keep Laurent away from their uncle. Bound by a dead man's last wish, Damen demands, as part of the terms of surrender, that Prince Laurent go with him to Ios. 

Beyond The End of the Stars  EX 147016 

Damen, still a slave, is falling in love with Laurent, and, against all of his instincts, Laurent is falling in love with him too. Unfortunately, they don't know how to deal with that at all. There's lots of staring and general pining. 

Sometimes you don't need to fight the flow  M 46631 

Instead of being allowed to take the throne of Vere as the last son of the dead king, Laurent is offered up in marriage to a prince from another nation. Akielons are a wealthy and powerful nation, even if their leadership isn't united. They're divided into nomadic Clans and Damianos is one of the most popular leaders.  Having never met him before the wedding, Laurent goes into this union without much hope for it working out well for him. 

A Beast Of A Burden  M 14675 

The first thing King Laurent does upon his ascension is declare war on Akielos. His only goal: to avenge his brother’s death and kill King Damianos, the Prince-killer. Instead of succeeding in this plan, he becomes a political prisoner to Akielos and realises that he has lost the loyalty of his countrymen from his single-minded desire for revenge. It is from here that he must decide whether to let the past go or to continue in his goal. 

Winged Cupid Painted Blind  T 20163 

When Laurent's cousin - the soon to be fiancée of King Damianos of Akielos- elopes with her lover, Laurent hatches a plan to avoid a war. Masquerading as his cousin, Laurent must be as politely unlikable as possible to make Damen decide to call off the wedding. Unfortunately, Damianos happens to be one of the most amiable men he's ever met. 

An Arranged Marriage  EX 17785 

Afterwards his father only remarked, “His features are very fine.” 

“I am not marrying him for his features,” said Damen. 

“No, you are marrying him for his dowry,” said Theomedes. 

with hands that are dying and resurrected  M 

in which the Regent did what we were all hoping for: kick the bucket. 

One the Other M 201078 

Marlas goes badly for Damen. He goes back to Ios with Laurent as his reluctant ward.  

thick skin and an elastic heart  M 1401 

The wind lifted Damen’s hair in a wild tousle of loose curls. His gaze traveled from Laurent’s face, moving lower. He said, “I could throw you over the back of my horse.” Laurent felt a shockingly crystalline pulse of dizzy fear, quickly subsumed as a prickle of heat swept down his chest. He focused on keeping his eyes clear, impassive. But even as he responded, he imagined how it would be. 

sanguinary poultice, love charm  M 99944 

A different brother dies at Marlas, a king is crowned, and a new prince is born. In a garden in Patras, Damen meets Laurent. 

Ransomed Prince  NR 106471 

When 13-year-old Prince Laurent is captured by Akielos at the Battle of Marlas, his brother must choose whether to abandon him to life as an Akielon slave -- or ransom him as an Akielon's future husband. 

From the Air in My Lungs  EX 

Akielos was supposed to go to war with their enemy nation. Instead, a peace treaty is signed between Akielos and Vere, and Damen, Crowned Prince of Akielos, has been named ambassador of peace for his country. Damen sails to Vere to meet with their own named ambassador and Crowned Prince, Auguste, expecting to meet a man of pampered royalty and Veretian arrogance. Instead, he finds a man not unlike himself, his curious little brother, Laurent, and an unlikely friendship between all three. 

The Oath  NR 78205 

Young prince Laurent arrives in time to stop the killing blow from falling at Marlas. A split second decision has Damen swearing Auguste an oath to protect his younger brother, and it's not until he brings the Veretian princes back to parley with his father that Damen realizes how difficult that oath will be to keep. 

building empires  M 40102 

“Marriage,” Prince Auguste bursts out and everyone stares. “A marriage between our royal families,” he clarifies, visibly clearing his throat and his head before he continues, “To symbolize the pact between our kingdoms, for generations to come. Not foes, not friends, but family.” 

self-mythology  M 

the war with Akielos continues for years until Arles is invaded, and Damen takes Laurent prisoner 

Masquerade  M 11244 SERIES 

"Don’t take drinks from strangers. Poison isn’t always deadly; the people who administer it are.” 

atque vale  G 1039 

Aleron has lost one son. He tries to make do with the other.  

Felis  M SERIES 

Laurent's uncle had been planning to take the throne for years. After all, what's a stray arrow in the middle of a battlefield? And Akielos had done him a grand favor in killing Auguste. It’s a shame Laurent had to die too though. His secret pet had been so sweet. The only worrying thing was Laurent's body had gone missing. He had been found alive by two enterprising Akielon soldiers who end up sending him into the care of Pylaeus to be trained in the art of servitude to one day be presented to Damianos-Most Exalted Prince. Of course being a mute amnesiac has its advantages and disadvantages as Laurent and his new acquaintances will soon learn. 

[clumsiestgiantess]

Writing Master Post!

I’ll continue adding to this as I put out more stuff.

Alexis & Erica’s story, the Other-world Universe.  In the midst of a thunderstorm, Alexis falls into another world entirely too small for herself.  Misconceptions and hijinks ensue:

Chapter 1 - [They were trees]

Chapter 2 - [Walking is difficult when you can't see your own feet]

Chapter 3 - [Two figures, one dark alley]

Chapter 4 - [The power of a pile of free cash]

Chapter 5 - [From everything to nothing]

— — — — — — — —

Erica pov Chapter 5 - [When you think you’re alone, someone’s watching]

— — — — — — — —

Chapter 6 - [The truth comes out]

Chapter 7 - [Progress is progress, I guess]

Chapter 8 - [A little rain never hurt anyone]

Chapter 9 - [Hangover? I hardly know her]

— — — — — — — —

Erica pov Chapter 9 - [Invisible friends and flying cars]

— — — — — — — —

Chapter 10 - [What Could Go Wrong?]

Chapter 11 - [Deer don’t carry phones]

— End of arc one —

Chapter 12 - [Who all this was for]

Chapter 13 - [Is Stealing Still Illegal?]

Chapter 14 - [Is now a bad time to say I told you so?]

Chapter 15 - [Throw caution to the wind]

Chapter 16 - [The Smallest Sensations]

— — — — — — — —

Erica pov Chapter 16 - [A love larger than life]

— — — — — — — —

Chapter 17 - [Round One: Fight!]

Chapter 18 - [Sympathy, Speed, and Safety all start with S]

Chapter 19 - [Inspiration Strikes]

Chapter 20 - [Testing the Waters]

Chapter 21 - [Calm Before the Storm]

Chapter 22 - [Round Two: Knockout]

Chapter 23 - [Welcome to the Real World]

Chapter 24 - [Round Three: Rematch]

— — — — — — — —

Erica kicking ass - A cool animation

— — — — — — — —

Chapter 25 - [The Consequences of Your Actions]

Chapter 26 - [Uncharted Territory]

——————————

Erica pov Chapter 26 - [Unrestrained Exploring]

——————————

Chapter 27 - [Love in all Shapes and Sizes]

Chapter 28 - [Road Trip]

— AUs —

List of potential AUs

AU masterpost

*bonus stuff*

Size Swap Episode - Takes place in the middle of chapter 28, but barely mentioned.  I wonder why…

THE GIRLS THE GIRLS THE GIRLS - A silly little animation that I love <3

What happened to the people who were abducted? - Bad stuff, that’s why I left it out of the main story.

Stolen Story Lore - Lore taken right off the desk of a character in the story.

The poor soul who fell into the normal-world (aka Alexis’ and our world) - Unfortunately, falling into strange worlds goes both ways.

Refs - The main three + the founders! (I will add more refs later)

Refs ver. 2 - canon heights in the other-world universe (my hand for scale)

A&E’s relationship - A bit about their love languages and how they connect

A&E’s insecurities - Every character has their flaws. (Might add more characters as they’re introduced)

The GEMS - Each holds a different weapon.

(Kaijune Book - A bit suspicious that I’m putting this near the other-world stuff, isn’t it?)

Shrinking Cabin series:

Shrinking Cabin - Daniella inherits a cabin from her late uncle.  Little does she know the cabin has a much smaller connecting counterpart.

Shrinking Cabin pt 2 - Living in a cabin that can be peered into at any moment isn’t very fun. Daniella tries to get her point across, but now things are so much worse.

Shrinking Cabin pt3 - How long will Daniella be stuck here? Things would be so much better with a friend around.

Shrinking Cabin pt4 (finale) - After one problem finally gets solved, Daniella can focus on the several other problems that aren’t.

Disappearing Cabin series:

Disappearing Cabin pt1 - Back to where it all began. Can Daniella reverse the affects of the cabin, or will she be stuck small?

Disappearing Cabin pt2 - From big to small then back again, Daniella can’t seem to keep any one size!

Winter’s Everlasting:

Winter’s Everlasting - A freezing world where wolves can talk, fairies and dragons exist, and- oh! The circus is in town!

Winter’s Everlasting Creature Index

Language barrier g/t:

Takeover Scenario - A dying Earth meets a slightly better (and bigger) version of itself.

Takeover Scenario pt2 - Learning what works between worlds.

little bonus snippet

Takeover Scenario Future - A different story that takes place after Survivors become the norm.

Takeover Scenario Future (part two) - Ritchie decides to take home a survivor, but is the little human willing to stay?

Takeover Scenario Future (part three) - (If you’re here wondering why I didn’t put this on my master post when I made it… that’s because I forgot…)

Takeover Scenario Future (but it’s the past) - Julie and Ronele’s backstory!

DNAliens stories:

List of everything - Covers the heights, mutations, living spaces, and a bit of backstory of the DNAliens that live/have lived on Earth

Short stories masterpost - A list of all the (mostly) short stories I’ve written about the DNAliens so far.

Promptober/Inktober 2023: Month-long list - A conglomerate of DNAliens, Other-world Universe, and free-standing content.

Fantasy/Reality:

Plot Map - A long story I’ll never fully write, so take the bulleted list of plot points.

Promptober short - A snippet of events that happen after the story.

The Walls Won’t Be There Forever:

The Walls Won’t Be There Forever (1st half) - A pet borrower accidentally reveals her sentience to her captor. She expects the human to hurt her, or even send her off to a lab, but they’re.. apologizing?

The Walls Won’t Be There Forever (Part 2) - Wren is finally free! Now the pet across the hall has freed herself too! Surely only good things can come of all this freedom! Surely.

Bonus oneshot - Takes place in the same world as the main story, but has no correlation with it.

What if half the population just.. shrank? (aka Thanos Snap Doomsday Crisis Scenario):

main story - (eventually…)

Bonus Scenario 1 - Tinies don’t tend to last that long when they’re barely big enough to see…

Bonus Scenario 2 - Can the universe postpone the upheaval of everything as we know it until after the first date, please?

Poll story:

Master list of all parts

CREATURE LORE - Some info on Ralyr’s species and its kin.

Creature Concept Pages

Random Prompts:

g/t brainrot - Something short I posted on a whim.

Role reversal - This time giant is scared of tiny.

Dad bros bonding prompt - Pretty much what the prompt says. A human and a borrower finding some common ground.

You Get What You Wish For - It’s not fun being cursed to live as a doll, especially when it’s you who cursed yourself (and your family, but they don’t know that).

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Tall boi gets smol - What if I create a dude who’s 6’4? What if I have him drink something weird once that makes him shrink smaller and smaller in intervals in front of his fiancé? What if little dude finally stops shrinking at 1 & 1/2 centimeters tall? What if I put him into some situations?

pt 2, another situation - Not only has he lost his only way of communication, he HIMSELF got lost. Here’s hoping he makes it back in one piece.

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Giant as unlimited resource prompt - Would you like to be an unwilling supplier of a new self-sufficient nutritional meat product for the rest of the world? Trick question, it doesn’t matter! You’ve been selected!

Landfill Apocalypse - Inspired by a post about tinies living isolated from humans.

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Freezing Weather prompt - A borrower ends up stuck in a freezing car. His only way out? The car’s human owner.

Freezing Weather prompt (part 2) - Wow, Alice seems really stressed out. Surely it’s not the tiny man who ran away into her walls that’s causing all that stress, right? It’s exam week, after all; everyone’s stressed.

Freezing Weather prompt (part 3) - Finally, with Alice knowing the truth about him, Fen can rest. Or can he…?

Freezing Weather prompt (part 4) - Time for Alice’s pov! A recap of the first two episodes, but experienced from the ‘giant’s’ perspective.

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

“You too” - Something I felt compelled to write after seeing a silly comic strip.

Uncanny Valley - Quick drabble about the idea of an uncanny valley giant.

Alien Abduction horror (but make it g/t) - Two guys chillin in a rental house in the middle of a desert known for ufo sightings. What could possibly go wrong?

A couple g/t dreams - Some dreams that had pretty decent story plots that I quickly wrote down, then expanded on.

Tinies as figurines - The story of a beautiful music box (inspired by the one in this music video)

Tiny stuck outside -> tiny stuck inside - A story inspired by this post.

Consciousness trapped in a video game - What happens when you use a real person’s memories to create a life-like AI

Fatal Vore Horror Story - Pretty much what the title says… Someone’s about to have a bad time.

Celestial Body g/t - My first and only story about my celestial body ocs

[themculibrary]

Mystery, Thriller, and Horror Masterlist

a cabin in the woods (ao3) - nightwalker steve/tony E, 26k

Summary: It was supposed to be a relaxing vacation, a chance for them to spend some time as a couple and work out some of the kinks in their relationship. That was before everything got weird.

A Morbid Taste for Ice (ao3) - sitehound darcy/loki M, 198k

Summary: Darcy Lewis likes to think of herself as terribly adaptable, with an "If life gives you lemons, zap life with a Taser and demand chocolate" sort of attitude. And life, lately, has had a perverse sense of humor, first trapping her in a state of perpetual Science Assistant in the armpit of New Mexico known as Puente Antiguo; and then forcing her to live in a trailer home with Jane Foster, Jane's guy, Thor, and his brother, Loki, master of mischief and wide-scale urban renewal.

But Darcy's not about to let her situation get her down. She's managed to get pretty good at her job, and with liberal application of a credit card, made her rustic house a home. And wielding a Taser and armored by her snarky wit, she's more than a match for the God of Mischief.

Stumbling face-first over the frozen body of a friend on the front porch, however, is more than even mostly unflappable Darcy can handle. The obvious suspect is her mentally unstable roommate. But despite all his other faults, Darcy is certain Loki isn't the perpetrator. And not just because she's starting for fall for him....

A Sky Full of Stars (ao3) - OllieCollie pepper/tony T, 52k

Summary: The kid is small, but he’s a dead weight in Tony’s arms. As he pulls back and away from the cryopod, something catches his eye, stopping him in his tracks. In the bottom of the pod, underneath where the boy had just been lying, is a stamped image of a spider. Next to the symbol lies a small but clear logo. Oscorp.

Provided with the opportunity to get access to life-saving treatment for his ill daughter, Tony Stark accepts the position as pilot for a two-year long delivery across the galaxy. But when an undocumented asteroid causes the ship to crash land on an unknown planet, Tony uncovers a dark secret about his employer.

Now he has to hike miles over uncharted terrain with the only other survivor—a traumatized teenager with strange, spider-like abilities. Danger lurks around every corner, and it’s a fight to survive as the duo faces deadly threats, ranging from rushing rivers to forty-foot predators.

Oh yeah, and the kid he’s with doesn’t even speak the same language as he does.

Cyclical (ao3) - Pandagirl23 bucky/tony M, 24k

Summary: An old estate was bought. Under the weeds are tunnels and the halls. Light shall be shed on a wrong that was done.

Dirty Little Secret (ao3) - spideynoir mj/peter M, 71k

Summary: MJ is now a successful journalist in New York. Peter is getting his masters while handling two jobs at once. When they reunite after years of not seeing each other since high school, it reignites a flame between them that neither expected to feel again. Starting a relationship isn't an option, but what if they remove all the complications of dating and keep all the... fun? While MJ deals with finally letting her guard down, Peter struggles to keep his two worlds from colliding. Not to mention that a dangerous menace has reached their city and now Peter has to do everything in his power to protect those he cares about.

eight feet under (and no air to breathe) (ao3) - DustySoul G, 13k

Summary: Daredevil gets buried alive.

The horrible and random demise of a civilian effects Nat and Clint. They’re going to waste time digging up this day old grave - just like the mice in this little game knew they would. They don’t actually expect the man to be alive.

Matt Murdock has to pull through, somehow, and protect his identity (both of them) while he tries to make his way back to Hell’s Kitchen. At least the journey is easier from Midtown and not a grave.

ex nihilo (ao3) - angrbodagiantess M, 27k

Summary: Something sinister is happening in Avengers Tower, and where is everybody?

haunt, haunted, haunting (ao3) - katling T, 8k

Summary:

To haunt - To appear or recur often, especially as a ghost Haunted - Often visited by ghosts or spirits Haunting - Persistently recurring to the mind, difficult to forget

Natasha Romanov returns after the Civil War, thinking she can carry on just like before. She’s wrong. She’s very, very wrong.

I'll Tell No Lies (ao3) - doctorestranged peter/wade E, 77k

Summary: When a series of murders take place, Peter Parker goes undercover in Sister Margaret’s to get intel on Tony Stark’s prime suspect: Deadpool. Peter goes in hoping to get enough information so that Spider-Man can save the day, but like everything in Peter’s life, it becomes a bit more complicated than that and it soon becomes apparent that he might not be the best fit for the job.

I'm the Guy That Didn't Marry Pretty Pamela Brown (ao3) - Kathar clint/phil M, 56k

Summary: Agent Phil Coulson of SHIELD is reluctantly heading home for his high school reunion, at the request of an old friend. Natasha Romanov is playing the part of his girlfriend, even though she’s not. Clint Barton’s shown up with his bike, his bass, and a surprising knowledge of bluegrass. To complicate matters, Phil's parents wish he’d just settle down, Natasha has a hidden agenda, Clint ends up aiding and abetting juvenile delinquency, and the town in general is extraordinarily concerned with alien carp.

Interworld (ao3) - Captain_Panda steve/tony M, 12k

Summary: You won’t ever get tired of an Avengers, Assemble! call at four in the morning.

There is no formal alarm; you are awoken by the crack of wood being liberated from its hinges. As the shadowy creature tosses the door aside, you register five facts: it is huge, crackling, jagged, bleak, and cannot be of Earth. It advances quickly.

You have a gun in the drawer next to your bed.

(1) Cowboy up. (2) Duck and roll. . o .

You're Tony Stark.

Tonight, every choice will count towards your survival.

life’s for the living (and the things in between) (ao3) - SalParadiseLost T, 70k

Summary: The Avengers get called in to help with a series of disappearances in Norway that seem to be connected to an old Norse legend. Thor has been shattered by Ragnarok, but he goes on the mission to get away from the memories that haunt him in New Asgard. Instead of a reprieve though, he finds himself facing his ghosts more than ever, especially once one of them begins to sound suspiciously like his brother.

Aka Thor is haunted, first by Loki, and later by a much less friendly ghost.

Provenance (ao3) - kingdomfaraway T, 81k

Summary: “I heard a rumor that you were introducing your new protégé to the world. I wanted to come and meet the young man who impressed Tony Stark while only in High School," Mr. Osborn spoke.

“No poaching,” Mr. Stark responded in a firm voice. “Finders keepers.”

Peter almost had to laugh at that one, technically if anything, Mr. Osborn helped create Spider-man, he would have dibs over Mr. Stark. But he certainly wasn’t going to mention it to either man.

(or: Peter Parker Struggles With Identity, Tony Stark is Concerned Dad and Norman Osborn is Creepy)

returning (ao3) - harcourt N/R, 3k

Summary: While under the influence of Loki’s scepter, Clint keeps finding strange notes telling him to wake up and isn’t quite sure what to make of them.

And they keep appearing.

The Devouring Storm (ao3) - blondsak, mysterycyclone mj/peter, ned/flash T, 98k

Summary: The city is unusually quiet tonight. Oh, sure, he’s had his usual crimes: muggings, drug deals, a few break ins. Nothing special. Nothing that could possibly explain the thread of tension winding through him, slowly tightening like a noose. Ever since last night, his spidey senses have set off at a low, maddening hum, distracting him, needling him, filling him with a restless energy that’s robbed him of restful sleep. He’s used to dealing with his super powered anxiety, but this feels different somehow. More ominous. And what’s weirder is that other people seem to be a little more wary, a little more on edge than usual, too. Cops, firefighters, even one of the guys Peter caught snatching a purse commented on it from his web cocoon on a street light.

“You feel that, Spidey? The city’s all weird tonight. Feels like the whole place is holding its breath, waiting on something.”

The One That Got Away (ao3) - lomku steve/tony T, 13k

Summary: Steve Rogers wants to go on a coffee date. Maria Hill is out for the enemy’s blood. Tony Stark is arguing with himself about what to do with a certain super-soldier’s advances. Oh, and the Skrulls are invading. Again.

The Weeping Siren (ao3) - GalaxyThreads T, 90k

Summary: When Vanaheim requests aid dealing with a creature dubbed the Weeping Siren, Sif had never thought Loki capable of doing something so recklessly selfless. Then again, this whole fiasco has made her acutely aware of something: she and the Warriors Three never really knew Loki. (AKA the Warriors Three and Sif realize they were wrong about Loki) gen, Pre-Thor

What's The Worst That Could Happen? (ao3) - slightly_salty_ace peter/wade M, 33k

Summary: Spider-man narrowly missed landing on the rooftop, but grabbed the gutter at the last second. It creaked under his weight, threatening to give. The vigilante's arms shook as he struggled to haul himself up. The bitter taste of blood filled his mouth, and his chest ached as he fought for air. Suddenly, the gutter broke free, sending Spider-man crashing into the busy street below.

Civilians screamed in shock, some scattering while others crowded around the fallen hero. There was a thud next to Spider-man's head, and he opened his eyes to see Iron Man standing over him. The armored man pointed a repulsor at Spider-man's head.

"Surrender, Spider-man. You can't win."

[seasidesandstarscapes]

Uncharted Waters - Chapter 2

Previous - Next

Chapter Summary: Strangeness in the water...

Chapter Rating: G-T

Words: 1975

-

AO3

or

Bobby swears, kicking a bucket all the way across the deck. 

It was stupid of him to come this way and now one of his nets is destroyed. At least a day will be wasted to get back ashore just to get the supplies to fix it. Then, he’d be better off just buying a new boat.

Pulling up empty would’ve been better than this and Bobby drifts back into his darker thoughts. Trying becomes more and more pointless as the days pass. He should just give up now. Yet, he can’t. There is a gnawing at the back of his mind, a need to prove he’s still worth something. To stop would be letting the world win and Bobby is much too competitive for that. 

Settling into his losses, Bobby charts the nearest port and decides to head on his way. That would all be fine and well, but now his engine won’t start. 

Bobby spats curses at the cranking key, he charges back and forth to check the fuel, the engine, any little thing that could cause a problem. When nothing gives him an answer, Bobby lets a frustrated scream fill the air. 

He buries his face in his hands, nails starting to dig into his forehead. Maybe this time he’ll be able to pull his brain out and stomp on it. 

Just as he’s getting lost in his thoughts, a thud under the boat scares Bobby. He clenches his hands into fists and looks around, waiting to see one of his rigs fall into the water. Nothing moves, the water is an eerie calm. Unsettled, Bobby takes slow steps towards the side of the boat. He holds his breath and that’s when another thud shocks him. 

Bobby races over, peers into the water. There’s nothing, not even a tiny school of fish. It can’t have been his imagination though. Bobby knows the ocean better than that. 

He keeps on staring, hoping for a sign of anything, but the water is as still as ever. Bobby chews on his lip, his mind buzzing with a million questions. First things first, he should make sure the bottom isn’t damaged. 

Digging through one of the storage compartments, Bobby pulls out a wet suit and a pair of goggles. This might be one of his worst ideas, but no one is here to stop him. 

He dresses quickly, pulls the goggles over his eyes before jumping into the water. It’s just on the edge of too cold but Bobby pushes through the chill and trails under the boat. 

To his relief, there’s no dents or scratches, his anchor still holds strong. This satisfies him enough and Bobby turns himself around to resurface. 

An inhuman face stares back at him. Golden piercing eyes with slitted pupils, a pale complexion dotted on the edges with blue spots. A watery shout escapes from Bobby and he flails to the surface. He claws at the side of the boat, scrambles up onto the deck, pure instinct driving him at this point. 

Bobby spits sea water out, pants as his mind tries to process what he just saw. That…thing had hair too, brown and flowing in the water. Maybe its mouth had pointed teeth, Bobby isn’t sure. All he knows is it wasn’t human. 

Collapsing onto his back, Bobby stares at the blue sky above. He imagined his mental break to be different than this. Really, it’s a bit ridículous. As if all his childhood stories joined together to form one unnatural being. 

Bobby grapples with his thoughts, tries to come up with one logical explanation. Then, all he can do is laugh. It must be stress, his emotions manifesting into something greater. That makes the most sense and he sits up, still laughing at his idiotic reaction. 

His boat is fine, he just needs to get it up and running. Content with this, Bobby changes before pulling out his toolbox and tinkering away. 

All goes well at first but then Bobby’s thoughts drift. What he saw was too real to simply be his imagination. He can still see the face, see its odd features. There’s no horror movie he can think of to match it. When he gives up on the engine for a bit and flips through old books and logs, nothing gives him a solid answer.

Trying to shake away the memories of his encounter, Bobby gets back to work. That is, until there’s another thump. Bobby stills, holds his breath. Again, it happens, as if someone is hitting their fist against his boat. 

Bobby doesn’t know what to do. He shouldn’t risk jumping in again, but whatever is here is overstaying its welcome. Worry gnaws at Bobby, the gentle lapping of the waves doing nothing to calm him. 

Perhaps if he takes a nap, his mind will sort itself out. That’s all this is. He’s just tired. With a sigh, Bobby lays on top of his bed and sleep takes him the moment his head hits the pillow.

Bobby wakes to the afternoon sun, a little better and to his shock, without a dream lingering above him. He takes this with stride and slides off the bed, hunger now swaying his decisions. 

As he prepares some food, Bobby ponders bugging his friends, getting them to come out on a rescue mission. He has a dead engine, he might be losing his mind, it’d be quite the story to tell.

Climbing back up deck, Bobby sets his plate on the boat edge. He sits down in front of the radio and fiddles with the knobs, thinking of who to call first. Then, he remembers. 

His friends are busy. They’re getting ready to welcome Joe and Joyce back after all. He’s not in dire straits yet. Bobby holds the receiver near his mouth, takes a hesitant breath in. There’s no point. He can’t bring down the mood. He sets the receiver back in place, goes to fetch his plate. 

Except when he sees his plate, all the food is gone. Cursing to himself, Bobby looks for the seagull culprit but there’s not a bird in the sky. He shakes stray crumbs off his plate into the water and that’s when a flash catches his eye. 

Setting the plate to the side, Bobby leans over, squints at the water. There’s a few ripples, nothing more, and then it’s there. That face, pale with golden eyes staring up at him from under the surface. A gasp leaves Bobby and he stumbles back, tripping over some rope. He lands on the deck with a harsh thud, but he doesn’t feel the pain. Instead, his mind reels, sweeping all doubt away. 

There really is something in the water. 

His rational side returns and Bobby scrambles back to the railing to see if the face is still there. He’s not surprised when nothing but darkness stares back and he lowers himself down to sit. 

Curiosity sparks in his mind. He isn’t one to believe in something like this. Even at a young age he scoffed at fantasy and the unknown. But now, it’s as if all that has flown out the window. 

He wants to see the creature again. Wonders if it’s dangerous. It didn’t try to attack him, but it’s come back much like the sharks that wait around his nets.

With a newfound determination, Bobby goes back to figuring out what’s wrong with his boat, but in between his fussing he keeps checking the water, hoping for another glimpse of the creature. 

When night falls, there hasn’t been sight of another living thing, not even something he can bring back to sell. Disappointment doesn’t begin to cover it and Bobby trudges below deck to try to get some rest. 

In the calmness of the night, the gentle rocking waves lull Bobby to sleep and with it, his repeated dream. 

This time, the man holds his face, stares deep into his eyes. A shiver runs down Bobby’s spine but still he lets the man drag him under. An indigo tail covered in scales wraps around his legs, draws him in ever closer. 

And like always, just as their lips brush, Bobby wakes up. 

He glares at the sun, this curse he’s wrought. He’s no saint, but surely he doesn’t deserve this. Forcing himself out of bed, Bobby starts his day as he ended it.

Maybe a miracle happened overnight and Bobby turns the key to the engine. The machinery groans and sputters giving Bobby his answer. There’s no missed calls from his friends, the radio offers little in the way of weather updates. 

Bobby thinks he’ll have breakfast today and he slips into the tiny kitchen to make sandwiches. His thoughts drift back to the day before and he slaps another piece of bread down to prove his theory. 

Does the creature like tomatoes? Bobby shrugs to himself, puts the tomato on anyway. Maybe the creature has fingers. It can pick off what it doesn’t like. 

With the sandwiches in hand, Bobby climbs back up to the deck. He sets his offering on the edge, takes slow, tentative bites from his own sandwich. 

A few minutes pass before a scaly hand appears, snatching the sandwich from the boat. As much as Bobby wants to run over, he keeps himself planted. Trust takes time and Bobby doesn’t want this to be their last encounter. 

A splash snaps Bobby to attention before a tomato slice comes flying up, landing on the deck with a wet splat. That answers one of his questions.

“Sorry,” Bobby calls out as another slice shoots out of the water. 

At this, Bobby laughs to himself. The creature can’t possibly understand him but an attempt at an apology must be better than nothing.

Just as Bobby is down to his last few bites, the hand appears again, feeling around the edge of the boat. Bobby mulls this over, then with a shrug, he plods over to the hand, presses the last of his sandwich into its palm. 

Up close, Bobby can see the hand is webbed, slick. Its nails are akin to claws and the skin he thought was pale beige is more of a greyish hue. 

The hand snaps back into the water but when Bobby follows it and stares down, there’s nothing to be seen. He steps back, disappointed at the few glances he’s gotten. He wants to see the creature for all it is, ask why it stays by the boat. 

This can’t be coincidence. He’s not as lucky as that. With a sigh, Bobby tries to focus on his work, knocking the engine about, attempting to fix the net. It’s enough to keep him occupied but he still listens for any bumps, checks the water before throwing one of the smaller nets in. 

Somehow he makes it to sunset. With his food dwindling, Bobby goes through his best option. He could cave in, call his friends and be back home by tomorrow night. He’ll be broke for the rest of the season, but at least he’d be on land. He could find work some way, somehow. 

There is a knock on the hull and Bobby bites back a laugh. The creature must have mind reading powers and frankly, Bobby agrees with its retort. He’ll stay out here for a little longer, get to know this creature better. It’d be a shame to go back now, when he doesn’t even know what he has on his hands. 

A haunting melody floats through his mind, unfamiliar yet comforting all the same. Bobby hums out loud, breaking the silence of the ocean and his boat. In his mind, he sees himself dancing, wrapped in the man’s arms, secure in his love. 

With this song, Bobby readies himself for sleep, this time eager to see the stranger who occupies his dreams.

[cchickki]

My Fanfic Masterlist

My fanfics through the years from both ao3 and fanfiction.net

thinking about opening requests for some one shots soon! i also have more ideas for some shorter fics, but i want to try and catch up on what i'm already working on first

complete - story is finished

in progress - story is among my wips/currently being worked on

incomplete - not sure if i'll ever finish this story

Image credits for headers: (x) (x) (x) (x) (x)

Thank you all for the support <3

Spiderverse / Marvel

Tomorrow Never Came - Miguel O'Hara x fem reader ao3 | ff.net | chapters: 15/? | rating: M | status: in progress Say Yes to Heaven, Say Yes To Me - Miguel O'Hara x fem reader ao3 | tumblr | chapters: 1/1 | rating: M | status: complete Surprise! - Miguel O'Hara x fem reader ao3 | tumblr | chapters: 2/2 | rating: G | status: complete

HBO War / Band of Brothers

A Woman At War - Donald Malarkey x OC / Floyd Talbert x OC ao3 | ff.net | chapters: 65/65 | rating: T/M | status: complete A Woman At War (Rewritten) - Donald Malarkey x OC / Floyd Talbert x OC ao3 | ff.net | chapters: 13/? | rating: T | status: in progress A Miracle In Bastogne - Eugene Roe / Renee LeMaire ao3 | ff.net | chapters: 6/6 | rating: T | status: complete Embedded - Nate Fick x OC (Generation Kill) ao3 |ff.net | chapters: 3/? | rating: M | status: incomplete

Uncharted (video game series)

Crossing Paths - Sam Drake x OC ao3 | ff.net | chapters: 21/21 | rating: T/M | status: complete Crossing Paths Part II - Sam Drake x OC / Nadine Ross x Chloe Frazer ao3 | ff.net | chapters: 2/? | rating: T/M | status: in progress Crossing Paths AU Libertalia - Sam Drake x OC / Rafe Adler x OC ao3 | chapters: 1/? | rating: T | status: in progress

Mass Effect

Beyond the Deep - Kaidan Alenko x (Custom) Fem Shep ao3 | ff.net | chapters: 11/? | rating: M | status: in progress

More Stories (misc)

Movies

Serenity - Shu Lien x Mu Bai (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) ao3 | ff.net | chapters: 1/1 | rating: G/K | status: complete Ameliorate - Furiosa x Praetorian Jack (Mad Max) series ao3 | parts: 3/3(?) | rating: T/M | status: in progress

Video Games

Rage Against the Dying of the Light - Astarion x Tav (BG3) ao3 | chapters: 3/7 | rating: M | status: in progress it would feel like this - Gale x Tav (BG3) ao3 | chapters: 1/1 | rating: E | status: complete The Ugly Truth - Ellie Williams (The Last of Us) ff.net | chapters: 1/1 | rating: M | status: complete A Grim Prognosis - Genji Shimada x Angela "Mercy" Ziegler (Overwatch) ao3 | ff.net | chapters: 3/? | rating: T | status: incomplete

Television Shows

Hallelujah - Charlotte "Charly" Weiss x Wilhelm Winter (Generation War/ Unsere Mütter, Unsere Väter) ao3 | ff.net | chapters: 4/? | rating: T | status: incomplete Run, Girl, Run - Roman Godfrey x OC (Hemlock Grove) ao3 | ff.net | chapters: 3/? | rating: T | status: incomplete Joanne - John Shelby x OC (Peaky Blinders) ao3 | ff.net | chapters: 8/? | rating: T | status: in progress?

[omegaremix]

Cold Waves @ Warsaw; September 15 & 16, 2022.

If I told you that I was feeling shaky going into attending Cold Waves, you’d write me off instantly. Why would I still feel nervous about attending shows? Sure, the event is everything, but every trip to grandiose New York City is still a major thing for me. It’s still feels like uncharted territory and I’m still not over it but it has everything Long Island fails to provide: the venues, the people, the exciting energy, and an allure I still can’t put my finger on. It’s all for the taking, whereas on Long Island I had way more than enough. Also: anxiety. (Film at 5.)

I was only mere days away and I had to get ready for two straight nights of taking trains to and from Brooklyn. Cold Waves would be the third show I’d attend this year - fourth if I cared going to Ministry’s “Industrial” Strength tour which I didn’t go to. I was a frantic wreck anticipating this industrial legends / synthwave festival. The tremors in my black heart would stop only if I finally arrived at Warsaw. It’s my third visit there. The first was for Hospital Productions’ 20th Anniversary and the second was for Black Marble and Cold Cave on a hot June day - before my world, my momentum, and soul were all upended.

I don my black cap, a Clock DVA shirt, blue jeans, black boots and new black leather jacket. It’s sunny out, a hazy blue sky is being invaded by cumuluses all over the place - perfect conditions for an afternoon drive westward on the Long Island Expressway, down on Sagtikos Parkway, through Southern State to Rt. 231, and heading south to Rt. 27A to the Babylon station. I took no chances catching the earlier one-hour train to Penn Station, then hopped on the ‘E’ line to Court Square’s ‘G’ line to Greenpoint Ave. The train ride was bliss as hardly anyone was on it.

It was 6:15 PM when I stepped off the G and went upstairs to Greenpoint, my favorite Brooklyn neighborhood. It only took me 15 minutes to walk a few blocks down to Driggs Av. in Kings County’s Polish neighborhood. It’s only 6:30 PM and already I’m being greeted by a crowd of three at the very front of the line. One of them saw my DVA shirt and gave me two thumbs up. “Great shit, man!”, he said. I smiled and my heart rate went up 20.00% knowing I made the right choice of t-shirt for night #1 of Cold Waves. I found myself standing at the exact same spot on line more than four years ago when I waited to enter the venue for Cold Cave and Black Marble. It was that very corner where Wes Eisold stood with Genesis P. Orridge before that show. Doors open at 7 PM as all of us trudge towards the venue for our security checks before entering paradise where I’m immediately hit with the smell of incense, a special smell distinct to my Brooklyn travels and nowhere else.

The music existed before the beginning of time and it was pumping. No wonder - DJ Andi (Harriman) was behind the wheels of steel. She’s a fixture of the neighborhood where she fit perfectly with the industrialists and synth-wave demographic that populate there. With me being 15th in line, I won a spot up front. As always without fail. I was feeling great about what was about to go down for the next five hours. The first person I thought of was my Roman goth friend Lira* who I wished was there with me. She would’ve blended in with all these vampires, witches, and mistresses attending; many walking around wearing 242, Wax Trax, Pig, Pigface, Hocico, and Twin Tribes shirts.

7:45PM is here. The dee-jay fades out, the overheads turn off and the first act is ready to go. Cold Waves is finally underway.

Spike Hellis was the first of ten on the roster and kicked off the entire festival. The fresh Los Angeles duo have enjoyed a new sizable uptick of exposure. They were active and had lots of energy on stage; a theme that they’d set the tone for the entire program. Their fast-paced EBM, electro, and electronic hybrid was a fine example of the current sound that Los Angeles had to offer. Both Cortland Gibson and Elaine Chang traded instrumental and (screaming) vocal duties with each other while conveying themes of agony, control, rage, emotional despair, and submission that rubber-stamped their own pandemic-era, all accentuated at the end with an annoyed Chang dealing the finger to an audience member as the cherry on top. Who knows what happened there? What I do know was that someone threw an empty beer can at them during their set and security called him out on it; eyes and pointy fingers in his direction with a one-and-final warning not to do it again.

For those wondering why Rein is being highly praised all over, you’ll see why. One of two solo acts, Rein wasted no time taking the stage and it wasn’t long for her to show everyone why she’s one of the most talked-about synthwave acts of recent. It’s not just her razor-sharp EBM delivery and style but also her choreography which made her perfectly groove to the music. She can seriously move it like no other and also delivered plenty of hard-edged sounds of equal measure. It was more than enough to ask who the fuck Shakira was, because she’s got nothing on her. It wasn’t just Rein who was motioning to the music. I look to my right and seen a good number of people getting into it, too; such as the guy three spaces away from me who happened to be wearing a gas mask through her set. After she closed out her set came another intermission. The next three legendary acts have yet to come into play and right behind me are three belligerent drunks (one male and two females) fighting over who bumped into who, not saying ‘excuse me’, who stood where, and lots of name-calling and f-bombs lobbed at each other’s slovenly faces. Not a dull moment so far.

Portion Control was the third and most enduring act of the festival with their debut cassette release A Fair Potion dating all the way back to 1980. I’ve constantly heard of them through new-wave, industrial, and synthwave circles. It’s my first go at them and Wow. They. Nailed. It. They became one of the very few artists I ever discovered to give me a perfect example of everything I was looking for on the very first listen. Perhaps the hungriest, meanest, and venomous act I discovered live or not. I may have caught them at their best ever and it lead me to the three Seed e.p.’s. Onstage, Dean Piavanni was a vocally sinister, persuasive, and direct force who could’ve easily taken on the audience (and would’ve won); as Jon Whybrew was on the controls transmitting ultra-energetic and juiced-up EBM and industrial techno for the small masses. It was the most exciting payout of the night so far.

If there was ‘the’ reason that attending Cold Waves was an absolute must, it was the team of former Wax Trax and Ministry members Paul Barker and Chris Connelly. They are part of the reason why everyone had some of the best moments of their lives and made for some of the greatest industrial releases ever. Billed as The Revolting Cocks Corpse and in conflict with Al Jourgensen’s version of the band, it would be their last-ever appearance. I hate to admit, a scratch off the bucket list was long overdue and years in waiting. Now, here was my chance of seeing both of them live in one shot.

Want real-deal Cocks classics? You got ‘em. Paul Barker handled his iconic bass logo-ed with the Cocks’ Beers, Steers & Queers emblem on it before kicking off with “38” and brought out former Cock (Front 242’s) Richard 23 on vocals. After that comes Connelly onstage in casual wear in a trucker hat, jeans, and a shirt that’s scrawled “Strong And Pretty” on the front, so we’re getting the nutty version of him. Then the rest of the hits came rolling in: “Attack Ships On Fire”, “Cattle Grind”, “Crackin’ Up”. When Connelly asked himself out loud what else to play, the audience yelled “Let’s Get Physical” (rest in peace, Olivia Newton John). “Well, I didn’t ask for your help!” he said coyly to all of us and we couldn’t help but to laugh. They did cap off their monumental set with “Do Ya’ Think I’m Sexy” and it felt like a dream. Connelly leans on the speakers acting all cute and blowing kisses to the crowd with a smile. Before you know it, he’s laying on the floor with arms wide open like he’s just fallen in love as Barker and company call it a night. Nothing but good times and an ultimate culmination of their Wax Trax output as I hoped for.

Finally, it was Front 242’s turn to take the stage; the apex of an already high-flying night. It would be a bittersweet performance at that as this was one of many shows on what was their final U.S. tour. Many fans thought it was because of Jean-Luc De Meyer health issues but thankfully that wasn’t the case. No matter, it was everyone’s last chance in the states to catch them before leaving North America once and for all with no turning back. I considered Front 242 to be a bonus for me as I was heavily into their pioneering Eighties material during my community college years, their later albums, and C-Tec which De Meyer took part in. I had absolutely nothing to lose seeing them live. All throughout the night I’ve seen photographers-for-hire huddle around the space in-between the rail and stage getting their dozens of shots in. For Front 242, the three-song policy got extended to four. It had to be. Warsaw security managed to catch one snap artist who didn’t know better.“No flash! No flash!” they told him as they pointed at and called him out on it. Which also begged the question: where the hell is Brooklyn’s industrial / synthwave fixture-photographer Nikki Sneakers? It’s been at least five years since I’ve seen her shooting at venues.

Front 242 played their most-recognizable and popular classics that established and pioneered EBM with “Don’t Crash”, “Operational Tracks”, “U-Men” and many more. It was all Richard 23, De Meyer, and Patrick Codenys in their unmistakable iconic tactical outfits with a shirtless Tim Kroker on live drums. They took all the power and energy they had and kept it going all the way, delivering nothing short of a rhythmic and beat-heavy experience they were known for. One funny moment to be seen was when De Meyer stood cross-armed wearing his huge shades and had such a scowl on his face, looking all bad-ass as the other three carried on. After eight or nine songs, 242 left the stage - not to lock targets and catch men - but to gear up for their first encore. We all knew there was more to come and what came was “Headhunter”, one of industrial / EBM’s most historic songs ever written. Two more songs later and 242 left the stage again charging up for another encore. As soon as we all heard the soundbyte “Hey, Poor!”, it meant only one thing: “Welcome to Paradise”. Only then was the perfect Front 242 show complete. The team of 23, De Meyer, Codenys, and Kroker took in a lengthy applause and gave a standing ovation as they all thanked New York City and bid farewell. The lights turn on for all of us to head out of Warsaw. I turn around to get going and behind me I see a female fan being consoled by her husband - and she’s in tears. Either she finally fulfilled her life-long dream of seeing Front 242 or saddened that they would say goodbye and farewell to the states, never to return.

The first five acts were amazing. It felt like I did a great service to myself in attending. I already checked off all the boxes I wanted to: take mass transit, visit Greenpoint, see Barker and Connolly play, and be associated with my kind of people. A night out in Brooklyn never fails and the thrills would still continue after the show ended. There’s always the experience of taking the alphabet and number lines - taking the ‘G’ and then the ‘7’ line to walk from 10th St. towards the Empire State Building and then arriving at Penn Station all by one-in-the-morning. Like the ride from Babylon to Penn Station, the reverse ride was quiet and not as crowded as a can of sardines. More exhilarating was the ride from Babylon back home where all the roads were empty and quiet, leading up to driving east on a wide-open Sunrise Highway at three in the morning and getting home all in 25 minutes time.

Night One of Cold Waves was now in the record books.

**********

Friday afternoon? Well, what an adventure. I had no idea that traffic was literally paralyzed on Sagtikos Parkway. It was that point where I knew it would be down to the wire getting to the Babylon station. From then on, I was finding every inch I could to cut other drivers off, find detours, and get head-starts while waiting for green lights and cursing out turtle drivers. Traffic was tight and every decision counted. One minute I thought I was going to make it and the next minute I was doubtful. South on Commack Road, down Deer Park Avenue then Route 231, and finally to Route 27A where I was only a few thousand feet away from the station. I arrive at the parking lot across from the station, bolted out of my car, ran across the street and up the stairs like a motherfucker. I finally reach the platform and - it’s taking off. Fucking great.

I had one hour until the next train to figure out how to unfuck myself and get to Warsaw in time. I tried signing up for OMNY (New York City’s wireless transit pay) months ago but was unsuccessful. Now time to try again. I downloaded the Apple Pay app- and then had to call the bank to connect my card. Now that it’s tied to my phone, I tired again to sign up for OMNY. Success! The 4:35 PM Babylon train arrives and I had 55 minutes to map out the quickest path in getting to my destination. The train arrives at Penn Station and I waste no time hauling ass to the ‘E’ line. Here we go. I hover my phone over the turnstile and - GO. Raced up and down the flights of stairs and I catch the ‘E’ train by five seconds before its doors closed. I take another 20 minutes to cool down before the transfer to Court Square / 23rd Street’s ‘G’ line. I hop off, sprint, and find the ‘G’ train that would take me to the Nassau Avenue stop, the closest one to Warsaw. It took me about two minutes and 1,000 feet to get there. I finally arrive out of breath before I go through the security checks and magic wands before entry. All clear. It’s 7:40 PM. Five minutes to go and I’m at the exact same spot I was the night before. All worship to Lucifer that I made it.

And now, night two begins.

If there was any artist to kick off Friday’s festivities that represented his hometown and carried its flag, then Confines was it. The hard-hitting, beat-heavy industrial-techno / EBM project certainly had some punch to it. Like Rein, Confines was a one-person show who did all of his instruments and movements on his own. Not bad at all. At the time of this writing I learned something about him that totally kicked me off of my seat: Confines happened to be David Castillo, co-owner of Brooklyn’s Saint Vitus bar and venue, host of the Age Of Quarantine podcast, and lead singer of Primitive Weapons. Are you fucking kidding me?! I was on the lookout to spot him at my last visit to -Vitus to see Uniform but I was shit out of luck. Now I finally found him performing at Cold Waves and didn’t even know that was him until after the fact! Fucking right. And it doesn’t stop there. I also learned that both Geography Of Nowhere 1 and Work Up The Blood was mixed and mastered by Hospital Productions’ Kris Lapke / Alberich and laid out by Sannhet’s AJ Annunziata. Wow. Talk about getting five-in-a-row on that bingo card.

Fans of Vancouver musicks enjoyed a two-for-one approaching the middle of the night’s bill. We were all treated to Leathers consisting of Shannon Hemmett (vocals), Kendall Wooding (synths), and Adam Fink (drums). For anyone who wanted the 2022’s tense of what an Eighties’ synthpop / new-wave show would look like? Well, now you have it. It was a treat seeing them perform and also seeing the slender Hemmett as an Eighties dream while Wooding and Fink played a smooth mid-tempo set. But with a wardrobe change and Jason Corbett coming into play, Leathers became Actors and Artoffact’s flagship band was the iteration that appeared on everyone’s radar as of late. They traded in their Eighties’ synthpop and new-wave cool for heavier rock. This time Hemmett took over synth duties and Wooding wielded bass as Fink stayed on drums and Corbett helped Actors push more power and electricity into their second set to keep the excitement steady from start to finish. I tried out both Leathers / Actors before and for some reason they’re not my type of heavy-rotation listening. However, there’s no denying that their talent brought them their well-deserved fanfare and exposure.

Not since Merzbow’s personnel bringing out his gear at Output have I been bracing myself with another artist’s set-up. Lighting fixtures attached all over and bulbs placed in front of huge cymbals might’ve told me that the next set would burn my eyes right off my face. Luckily, I was wrong. That was Kite’s visual set-up and a precursor to their performance. The Swedish duo of Niklas Stenemo and Christian Berg were another act I never heard anything of, and afterwards tilted me to give them a shot. Both were skilled in playing two keyboards at once (or keys- and knobs in Berg’s case) as they delivered a lively performance and Stenemo a few kicks, switching between synth-wave and synthpop. Their latest single “Bocelli” was the highlight on the night, showing their dramatics while also providing a soulful, heartfelt, and at times acclaimed power.

While Kite tore down their equipment, I thought of something. It’s been five years since I attended Hospital Production’s 20th Anniversary. I remember one moment near the end of the showcase when Bone Awl was playing their set - where all of a sudden Dominick Fernow (Prurient and Hospital- label-head) runs to the apron, stage-dives over the pit, and into the audience for a crowd-surf. It was a moment that never escaped me since then. Here I am back again at Warsaw for Cold Waves five years later and I’m at the rail for both nights. During one intermission, something dawned on me - I look at the rail, then the edge of the stage, and then the rail once again. I thought to myself: how in the fuck did Dominick have enough clearance to fly in the air, avoid banging into the rail, and land safely on top of the crowd? Good thing he successfully pulled off that spectacular feat.

Asterisk: New York City was supposed to receive Stabbing Westward as the closer to Cold Waves but had to bow out. That’s where Cold Cave gladly stepped in and ultimately sealed the deal for Cold Waves’ entire New York City stop. “Remember when we last played here?” lead singer Wes Eisold asked the audience. Yes I do, Wes. Yes I do. Seeing Cold Cave again for the second time in the same venue was another special bonus to me, and always a welcome one at that. I walk through previously-ventured territory and this time it was just as exciting as the last. All hits and zero misses from Eisold, his lady Amy Lee, and company. “Glory”, “People Are Poison”, “A Little Death To Laugh”, “Confetti”, “Rainbow Girls”, “Godstar”, “Theme From Tomorrowland”. You named it, they played it. For 50 minutes they kept a steady upbeat energy of synthwave and classic goth pedigree; not to mentions tons of smoke and fog fired towards our way to where I’m seriously considering getting myself screened. The only difference between their 2018 appearance and this one at Cold Waves? No sign of Max G. Morton, and Eisold’s heroine Genesis P. Orridge who joined him on guest vocals had sadly passed away since then.

But there was one shining onyx that fit the head jewel of the crown: when Eisold and Amy Lee brought their daughter out on stage. How fucking amazing was that? The audience collectively melted. Imagine being in your single-digits and having an amazing story to tell your friends back in school about how your rock-star dad brought you up on stage to sing for the crowd. Through their entire set, Cold Cave never let up and missed any of their targets as Eisold, Amy, and the rest played through their last encore and that’s all they wrote.

Before I knew it, it’s 12:20AM. Cold Waves in New York City was now history.

**********

I walk out of Warsaw and away from the busy volume of the patrons standing around in front of it. The night skies changed their tune to a purplish overhead. They were nice enough to wait until my moment was over to return. I’m now processing how to put the last 48 hours into words and also my place in the universe after being where I wanted to be. I head west on Driggs Street through McCarren Park weaving through the pedestrians walking towards me and observe a few small groups of people congregating and chilling on park grounds with their portable speakers. It’s only a few more blocks before I enter the ‘L’ line that will connect me to the ‘2’ line.

If only I can tell you the city’s delights that I’ve seen during my travels to Penn Station. I’ve seen female torture artists and double-pigtailed mistresses in their black onesies and shiny knee-high boots. There’s an Asian girl my height in a low-cut purple dress and her thigh is all bloodied and bandaged up; situated below her very visible purple underwear. Across from me was this gay guy who was the stunt double for The Ukiah Drag’s Tommy Conte, kissing his boyfriend on the cheek and sad-gazing in his boyfriend’s eyes who boarded off the ‘L’, but not before he blew Tommy a kiss goodbye. Another couple hopped on our crowded car. His blonde girlfriend’s neck and chest were literally covered red with hickeys and didn’t give a soaring aerial fuck about all the eyes and stares aimed at her. The ‘L’ ends and I transfer to the quick ‘2’ which only took five minutes to get me to Penn Station, leaving me with a half-an-hour wait for the Babylon train to arrive. Lather, rinse, and repeat with a left-hand forward ride to the station and another Sunrise Highway night drive back to my quiet-as-night neighborhood. A return to silent normalcy.

**********

Chicago has been widely known as the industrial capital of the U.S. It’s where Jim Nash and Danny Flescher established Wax Trax as a record store and the label that’s given birth to the careers and legacies of Ministry, KMFDM, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Meat Beat Manifesto, and countless other acts. It’s also where Public Image Ltd.’s Martin Atkins created Pigface and Invisible Records and gave life to Chemlab, Damage Manual, Dead Voices On Air, Murder Inc., Ritalin, Sheep On Drugs, and Test Dept. All these artists made my identity, or part of it. Throughout the years I’ve followed all of my favorite artists and have never given up on them. They were there for me during my difficult times at community college and to this day I’ve never tired of their projects. It wasn’t until recently when I revisited the classics that I realized that these artists and labels were in my heart all along. Millions of industrialists join each other in various online groups to share their stories and live memories and say “hi!” to the many legends who lurk around and keep that cameraderie going. I see the company around me in Greenpoint who share similar interests, qualities, and aesthetics and those are the people I want to be associated with.

I thought attending just one Boy Harsher show was a rite of passage. Yes - more in the synthwave world. I’ve also attended shows for Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, and Killing Joke and that’s more than enough for me to hoist my flag for this genre. (Naysayers will wave their filthy unclean fingers at me and say “not so fast” because I wasn’t able to go to a Skinny Puppy show.) I’ve heard many great things about Cold Waves that I’d be a fool to miss out. Mutuals who went told me it’d be amazing and they were double-right. With Front 242’s final American appearances and with Braker and Connelly having to quit the RevCo name, this year was a non-negotiable. What started out as a one-night benefit and an honor of Jason Novak (Acumen Nation, DJ? Acucrack) and David Schock’s fallen friend Jamie Duffy evolved into an (almost) annual round of the best and legendary industrial, synthpop, and synthwave acts. Like my attendance with the previous Cold Cave and Black Marble shows, attending Cold Waves was a thank-you to the scene that gave me an identity but also to a certain number of acts that helped build it.

It’s been one of the best and most exhilarating moments of the year, ranking as high as Sacred Bones’ 15th anniversary. If the line-up for next year is as good or better (how could it?), then I guarantee you I’ll be returning.