#we run out of tea and i am out of commission

[morganski-19]

The One Where Eddie Gets Another Job

Steve and Robin walk into the coffee house after work. Nancy, Jonathan, and Argyle already sitting in their spot. Robin sits next to Nancy on the couch while Steve flops into the armchair.

“How was the first day of school,” Nancy asks Steve.

Steve groans. “I have three Gabriels in my class and all of them want to be called Gabe. And two of them have a last name that starts with H. Then the fire alarm went off because Beverly decided that popcorn was the perfect lunchtime snack. Three moms tried to hit on me when I was doing car line, and I think one of the kids was sick. So that’s about to be spread around my classroom.”

“That’s,” she starts, trying to find something positive to say. “I have nothing, that sounds like shit.”

“I could never be a teacher,” Robin sighs into the couch. “I didn’t like kids that much to begin with. And after the things you tell me, never.”

“I don’t know,” Argyle pipes in. “It could be fun. And very rewarding.”

“I could totally see you being a kindergarten teacher,” Steve suggests.

The group does a vague nod in agreement.

“For anyone wondering how my day was,” Robin perks up. “I had a very nice conversation with this Italian man. He’s opening up a small bakery with his wife and wanted someone to go over the contracts with him. He’s bringing me some pastries as a thank you when they get up and running.”

The conversation about work continues for a bit, each of them sharing how their day was and destressing.

“Where’s Eddie,” Steve eventually asks. He’s normally here by this point.

Nancy starts laughing. “Oh just wait.”

“What,” Jonathan looks up from his laptop. “Did we miss something?”

“Like I said,” Nancy continues to laugh over her coffee. “Just you wait.”

Like speaking of him suddenly made him appear, Eddie walks out of the backroom of the coffee house. With an apron tied around his waist and a pencil behind his ear. He heads over to an empty table with a wet rag, wiping it down.

“Oh my god,” Robin whispers with surprise.

“Is that Eddie, working?” Argyle questions. “Here?”

Nancy nods, her laughter getting louder. “Yes.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Eddie working,” Robin comments. “It’s like watching an animal out in the wild.”

“I can hear you, you know,” Eddie groans. Shoving the rag in his apron pocket and walking over.

Robin smiles. “I meant you to.”

“How long have you been working here?” Steve asks.

Eddie shrugs. “A few days now.”

“I thought you were working on being a tattoo artist,” Jonathan says. Taking a break from editing photos on his laptop to invest in this conversation.

“That I am. But I needed to shut down my Etsy page for art commissions, because people were being a bunch of dicks, so now I’m down one job. So I got another. Because rent is fucking expensive.”

Nancy makes a gesture with her hand. “And that’s with it rent controlled.”

Eddie makes a gesture toward her. “Also, I blew all of my savings moving out here, so I am trying to build those back up.”

“Aw, look at you being financially responsible,” Robin teases. Poking Eddie’s arm.

“You’re growing up,” Nancy eggs on. Feigning wiping away tears.

Eddie rolls his eyes. “You guys are the worst. I knew it was a bad idea getting a job here.”

“I don’t think I ever envisioned you being a barista,” Argyle notes. “Bartender, yes. Barista, no.”

“Well, I work the late shift too. So I am both of those things.”

“Oo,” Robin turns around on the couch. Standing on her knees to see him better. “Do you get a discount? Can we abuse it?”

Eddie shakes off her hand. “Yes, I get a discount, no you cannot abuse it. I sort of need this job, so I’d rather not get fired. It says strictly in the rules that I cannot use it for friends.”

Robin falls back down, defeated. “Boo, you’re no fun.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Eddie walks away behind the counter. Cleaning off the counter and starting to make someone’s order.

“I’m going to go get something to drink,” Steve says, standing up. “You want anything, Rob?”

“Just a green tea. Not feeling coffee right now.”

Steve nods while going over to the counter. Sitting down at one of the stools. “So, you work here now.”

“I thought that was already established.” Eddie hands off the drink he was making to the girl further down. Coming to stand in front of Steve.

“Is that why you couldn’t come over last night? You could have said that.”

Eddie shrugs. “I didn’t want you to know, quite yet. Thought you wouldn’t really like how much I bounce around jobs.”

“You’re not though. You have a job, you just needed a second one. No shame in that.” Steve leans further across the bar. “It also helps that I find bartenders to be really hot.”

“Steven,” Eddie gasps. “I am at work.”

Steve smirks. “I know.”

Eddie shakes his head. “Did you want anything, or are you just here to flirt with me?”

“Only if flirting with you gets me a discount. Otherwise, I’ll just take my business elsewhere.”

“Is that really all I am to you?” Eddie starts making Steve’s usual drink order. Waiting for the espresso to brew.

“And Rob wanted a green tea.”

Eddie nods, pouring some hot water into a glass and adding a tea bag. “How was work?”

Steve rolls his eyes. “Don’t even get me started. The first day is always hard.”

“Oh, I bet.” Eddie steams the milk, adding it to the top of the espresso and drizzling it with caramel.

“And I just can’t wait until I get to hear all of the single, and not so single, PTA moms throwing their cheap pick-up lines at me.” Steve says that with a leading tone. Hoping that Eddie takes that in the direction he wants it to.

Eddie slides the drinks across the bar. “That something they do,” he says, with a lilt of jealousy.

“Every year. Without fail.”

“Any way I can help with that?”

“Come over later and find out.” Steve gives him a flirtatious smile. “What do I owe you?”

Eddie waves his hand. “It’s on the house.”

“I was joking before. Seriously, what so I owe you.”

“And now I’m being serious. I get a free drink a day that I can give out to a friend, so consider that covering Rob’s, and then I am personally paying for yours.”

“What was it about needing to save up money?”

“That doesn’t apply to you, sweetheart.” Eddie leans over the bar a little bit, palms pressed into the edge of the counter.

“Steve,” Robin yells from the couch. “I thought you were getting us drinks.”

Steve rolls his eyes. “I’m paying next time, no arguments.”

“Whatever you say so.”

He walks back over to the group and hands Robin her tea.

Tag list (let me know if you want to be added or taken off) @slowandsteddie, @annieofhearts, @cacdyke, @ubpd, @captain--low,

@thespaceantwhowrites, @goodolefashionedloverboi, @anne-bennett-cosplayer, @lunaticparisianlady,

@apomaro-mellow, @dolphincliffs, @dragonmama76, @maggiebug417, @stevesbipanic,

@fearieshadow, @eightpackdiaz, @au79burger @bookworm0690 , @practicallybegging,

@potato-of-the-lord, @autumncrocusandladybug, @estrellami-1, @ilovecupcakesandtea, @gregre369

@my2amgaythoughts, @ellietheasexylibrarian, @emmabubbles, @eriquin, @grtwdsmwhr

@croatoan-like-its-hot, @dreamercec, @dreamy-jeans137

[nomelwelloy]

Oh- a tipsy Alhaitham running his fingers through the ends of Kaveh’s hair, his ministrations slow and thoughtful.

Kaveh has been rattling on about something, leaving his cup completely untouched. Maybe it’s about the newest Genius Invocation card deck- the topics are shuttling back and forth between him and his colleague and it’s too much of a hassle to keep up. Kaveh is animated, eyes glittering as he taps his card back repeatedly, as though completely unaware of Haitham’s actions.

Reclined in the booth’s divan with his arm propped along the seat back, Haitham curls a stray blonde lock and tucks it behind Kaveh’s ear, letting his fingers follow the length of hair as it’s laid over his shoulders. He continues weaving gold strands between his fingers, gaze tracing them to the tips that fade to brown.

“What do we have here…” the colleague sitting across him leans in with an ugly, teasing look. “Look at you, so docile…” he slurs, making the snark remark with a crooked grin. “Who knew the mighty scribe had such a side... Makes you wonder what he’s like in bed, huh?” He jokes to the others sitting around him, and this earns a smatter of howls and laughs in agreement.

Haitham has had a bit more to drink than he’d liked tonight, but despite feeling a little more than buzzed, he turns to him with a bored expression, “Where else am to look, if not at my lover?” Haitham replies in a flat tone. “You should worry less about my sex life, and more about how to keep yours out of everyone’s business. We don’t need your one-night stands showing up at lunch and screaming the roofs down now, do we?”

The table falls silent, and his colleague falters, blinking slowly before his face turns a bright red. Kaveh’s incessant chatter eventually trails off as he too grows aware of the sudden tension.

“How dare you,” his colleague snipes back with an acidic tone, lips pulled into an ugly scowl.

Haitham sighs like he’s bored, lifting his cup halfway to his lips when at this moment, his eyes suddenly light up. “How dare I?”

Without warning, his hand still in Kaveh’s hair snakes up the back of his head as he guides Kaveh to meet his lips in a slow, passionate kiss. Hot, open-mouthed and absolutely debauched, Haitham slides his tongue over Kaveh’s, gently tugging his head back to gain deeper access into his warm mouth. He’s well aware of the outright stares, but it doesn’t stop him from sucking Kaveh’s tongue and running his own along the insides of his cheeks, and Haitham can only think of how much Kaveh tastes like fruit tea. Had he not had a single drop of wine since sitting down?

Haitham can feel Kaveh’s balled fists twisting his clothes in a silent and vehement protest, but Haitham sinks his teeth into Kaveh's lower lip to prevent him from escaping.

There’s a loud clatter and Haitham spies from the corner of his eye his colleague kicking the chair as he storms out of the tavern. A couple others follow him, stumbling over themselves.

It is only then that Haitham finally releases Kaveh’s mouth with a soft peck brushed over his now slightly swollen lips. But despite this gentling, Kaveh is incandescent with rage and embarrassment. His cheeks are flushed a henna berry crimson to the tip of his ears (cute, thinks a dazed Haitham) and he can only stare daggers at Haitham while their colleagues look on with equal parts envy and incredulousness.

“Alhaitham-”

“Cards! Cards- did you see Cyno’s latest deck? It’s amazing- I heard he commissioned Calx himself!” Someone pipes up and the table breaks into an uproar once more, discordant conversations picking up and overlapping one another. There’s more chattering and clinking of glasses and bottles while Haitham returns to the quiet of his mind again. He sinks back the rest of his drink and into the plush cushions. Kaveh reluctantly tears his eyes away from Haitham, attempting to ease back into the conversation he was so abruptly snatched from.

Haitham returns to his previous ministrations, and he carts two fingers loosely through the hair just above Kaveh’s ear, brushing against it as he coils gold over his shoulder.

This time, Kaveh’s cheeks are stained scarlet and his eyes keep straying towards Haitham. Haitham continues his movements, silently pleased at having won his attention. Now it was only a matter of how long Kaveh could resist.

[luv-kakashi]

One of us is dead

masterlist | chapter two

chapter one - running

Deep down, I've always been reaching for a hand. A hand to save me from drowning in this criminal underworld.

Kill. Collect money. Kill. Collect money

An endless cycle of bounty hunting, killing shinobi over and over again. The cold, unyielding leather of my seat sent shivers down my spine. A relentless echo of decisions made and paths taken, leading me to where I am right now.

Alone.

My blood-stained fingers trace the rim of the tea cup I held. Its warmth burned into my cold hands.

My hands: a constant reminder of all that I am—a cold-blooded murderer whose hands could never be cleansed of sin.

I'm sick of it. I'm tired of being called Kunoichi Thirteen, The Byakuya Princess. Being born into this world with no clear understanding of right from wrong. Killing those around me was all that I was taught.

My entire purpose was to be moulded into a perfect weapon for my father to take his revenge on the shinobi world. Revenge on those who abandoned the Uzumaki clan during their time of need when the Hidden Eddy Village was destroyed by shinobi.

Hatred and disdain poisoned the clan, who wished for the downfall of the Senju clan, and all those in Konohagakure.

Yet somewhere along the road to revenge, greed blinded their eyes.

2 years ago, I was sold to a bounty hunting organisation which goes by the name "The Byakuya". All so that my sad excuse of a father could line his pockets from my blood stained hands.

My father. The rest of my clan. They don't care that I am missing. As long as I wake up everyday and make money, they couldn't care less.

Each tick of the clock echoed in silence and with each tick the image of those I have massacred reverberated through my mind. The images of my most recent mission haunted my mind.

I had one job, an ambush mission. S-ranked Konoha ninja were commissioned to assassinate any Hidden Mist Village ninja who infiltrated the neutral area between the two Hidden Villages. Unknown to both, the neutral area was occupied The Byakuya.

My Job? Simply ambush both Konoha and Kiri ninja so that they do not discover The Byakuya headquarters and retreat.

But the Konoha nin were too stubborn for their own good.

One of them even went as far as abandoning the mission just to save his comrade from being hit from one of our assailants jutsus.

We watched as the Konoha shinobi retreated, now with one fewer among their ranks than when they began.

I don't even recognise myself. No matter how much I try to hide my actions. I'm still a killer.

But I don't want to kill anymore. I don't want to be used as a tool for revenge.

That's why I find myself in my cold and dingy room revising my plan to escape the Byakuya for good.

The clock ticked incessantly; each second felt like hammer on my nerves. It's 8.45 pm.

Most of the bounty hunters will have retired for the evening, leaving the corridors all empty. The fewer the people the eas-

"Boo! Earth to Y/N," a voice shouted down my ear, startling me from my thoughts. "Here," the man said as he placed a bowl of gray goop infront of me.

"Kakuzu?! What are you doing in my room?!"

"Eat or you'll be just bones, princess," Kakuzu said as he took a seat on my bed.

"I would rather starve than eat... that," I said as I watched the gray substance fall from the spoon like slime, "and please don't call me that Kakuzu-san."

"Still formal as ever princess. Anyways, what's got you so busy?" he asks with a hint of concern across his patchwork face.

"I think... No I will do it, I'm going to run."

"Y/N..." Kakuzu says as a sigh leaves his throat, "The Reaper will be pissed when she finds out."

"It's almost like that's the whole point," I chuckled rolling my eyes at him.

"Do you even have a plan? Where are you going to go? You don't even have any money, I swear all of your bounty money goes to your clan or something?" he rambles, his face becoming increasingly panicked.

"Do what you want Uzumaki," he scoffs.

"Awe Kakuzu-san you big softie, I know you don't mean that," I tease as I know he really wants me to be safe, "That being said, do you think I have time do one last petty thing? The byakuya has done nothing for me but rob me of my life."

"You gonna piss off The Reaper, princess? I'm listening," Kakuzu says with a shit-eating grin plastered on his face.

"You think I have time to steal some precious weapons from Leader-sama?"

"What are you thinking?"

"The Swords of the Mist. We have three, no?" I pondered.

"Mhm... They'll surely go for alot. Enough for you to get on your feet and support yourself," Kakuzu calculates, "You're becoming greedy Y/N."

"What can I say, you've rubbed off on me," I say with a chuckle...

"Kakuzu, why have you stayed in the Byakuya for so long?"

"Money," he says without faltering, "I have nothing outside here, no family to run back to, no village, nothing. You are just a child with much left to live and experience. Whatever you do, don't do anything stupid out there."

"I'm not stupid!"

"I never said you were stupid, I said don't do anything stupid," Kakuzu says as he gets up from my bed and walks towards my door, "Good luck Uzumaki."

"Kakuzu... ," I whisper under my breath.

I get up from my desk and search my room for the nearest empty scroll.

I will no longer be a prisoner of the Byakuya.

I swiftly slip from my room and head towards the storage unit, where most of the prized weaponry belonging to the byakuya was kept.

I opened the scroll and placed it over the Swords of the Mist owned by the byakuya.

Samehada. Nuibari. Kabutowari.

"Sealing Jutsu: Storage Seal," I chanted as I watched the three swords become imbued with my own chakra. Just before the swords became completely sealed within the scroll, I bit my finger to inscribe the last parts of the jutsu with my own blood.

Blood Manipulation. It's a rare trait found within the Uzumaki Clan.

Since we have such large chakra reserves, reinforcing our blood with chakra creates sharper and more reinforced weapons.

Not to mention, the reserves of chakra can even be used to form more blood.

Now the scroll cannot be opened without my blood. I placed the scroll in my pocket and I continued my way to the back-exit of the hideout.

There really shouldn't be any-

"Halt! Who goes there?" a voice echoed throughout the dimly lit halls.

Shit, stupid Leader-sama and her patrol men.

"It's just me," I say as I slowly turn around to be met with a man in mask, painted with an eerie smile.

"Princess, what are you doing up so late?"

"Just carrying out some checks for Leader-sama. Don't worry yourself, I'll keep watch over this wing!" I say cheerily, mentally begging the patrol man to leave any minute now.

"Are you sure princess? Promise you won't tell Leader-sama?" he asks.

"Of course I won't silly!" I reassure him with a smile. As much as I hated the nickname, being heralded as the Byakuya princess comes with its perks. No one dares to suspect anything I do since The Reaper holds me in such high regard for my blood manipulation.

Now the only obstacle in my way are the door guards. I could cause a distraction but that would bring too much attention to the scene. My only choice is to deal with the guards myself.

Prying the door ever so slightly, I slip out into the outside.

"Wind style: smoke dome." I chant and thick wall of smoke emerged between me and the door guards.

"Who's there?" one of the guards chokes out.

"Blood Manipulation: Chakra Spear." I say, as I aim the blood spears towards the guards as it impales them.

Compress.

My blood slowly seeps into their circulation compressing all of their vessels, from small capillaries to the carotid and aortic arteries, causing the guards to fall to the floor gasping for air.

Release.

The jutsu shouldn't kill them. But they certainly won't wake up anytime soon.

Gathering my composure, I run straight through the densely packed forest contemplating my options once I find safety.

"Child, that's a lovely kekkei genkai you have there." A man said as he perched on a tree branch behind me, stopping me in my tracks. "I don't think I've ever met a ninja who can use blood manipulation."

Alarmed and now panicking, I tightened my grip on my kunai, wondering where on earth this person came from. A hybrid of a walking venus flytrap and a chewed dog toy looms above me, lurching on a tree.

"Who are you? And why are you here?" I retorted.

"I'm a nobody and I was wondering what a talented girl like you is doing. Are you going somewhere?"

"I don't tell strangers shit and stop avoiding my question, You don't work for the Byakuya so why are you here?"

"My, my, you sure are a feisty one. I'm here to simply recruit new members for my organisation and we could do with a kunoichi of your calibre."

"No."

"Well that was straight to the point, but surely you're not stupid, Y/N Uzumaki."

"Oh wow, big scary tree thinks I'll join his clique just because he knows my name. Go away please."

"It's clear you have no intention of joining but let me offer you a proposition instead." Said a new voice.

A voice sharper than any blade I've ever wielded. A voice which penetrated my body like a force of a million needles piercing my bones.

"There's nothing worth any value you can offer me." I turned around to meet this daunting voice, to be met with a masked man leaning against the tree t he venus flytrap man emerged out of.

"Oh I think you should hear me out, Kunoichi Thirteen or should I say Byakuya Princess."

My heart sunk to the pit of my stomach as a million thoughts raced through my mind. How does he know about my name from when I was in the academy, or about my life in the Byakuya?

"You're clearly on the run from the Byakuya but where will you go?" the masked man added,

"Surely you know you are quite well-known throughout the neighbouring regions as the red-haired kunoichi with the branding 13 on her neck. The kunoichi who can manipulate her own blood. Tell me where will you go? Back to the family who sold you off?" he chuckled as he spat in my face.

I was convinced that all life ceased to thrive after hearing his words. If I hadn't felt scared before, I certainly did now. This stranger whose known me mere minutes, knew everything about me.

"Maybe I will go back, why do you care?" I said defensively, my hands trembling as I tried to maintain my grip on my kunai.

"I think you should hear me out. You don't want to do this the hard way."

"What baseless threats. Excuse me, I have to make my way back to my family," I spat, as I watched the masked man turn his back to me as he walked into the dark abyss.

"Say hi to your sister for me!" the venus fly-trap chuckles.

Shit.

Whoever they were, they weren't good news. How did they know I was running back to my sister?

Whoever they were, they knew too much about me. It was suffocating.

Regardless, It's not stopping me from returning to the only place I have ever called home as I continue running in the direction of the Hidden Rivers Village.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- Here's the first chapter my lovelies!

As I was re-reading this chapter I started to overthink a lot of what I have written. Overthinking is a bitch 🤚🏽.

Let me know what you think! I'd really appreciate the feedback.

Loving you always, Suri🎀

[animestsstuff2]

Titterpated

ProHero Hawks x Fem VillainReader

Part 3

Master list here!

This will stick overall to the plot of MHA with some minor tweaks due to the self insert character! But nothing major.

Content warning: spoilers for S4/5!, manipulation, power dynamic (reader and Dabi),

15:00

Hawks wings floated him in the air as he sipped on the milky tea drink. His wings spanning out behind him as his eyes watched the bustling street below him. His eyes slightly dry and thoughts fuzzy. He was tired, coming off night patrol without his coffee was proving difficult for the avian.

He hadn’t seen you the rest of the week on his night patrol. He did, however, have a run in with a certain black haired man and the interaction left him on edge. His hair waving as he moved through the air deciding to land on rooftop as he replayed the encounter in his head. The request Dabi asked of him to prove himself to the league.

Buzz!

Hawks clouded thoughts vanished as a the Hero Commission icon displayed on his visor. His gloved finger pressing the side of the visor, answering the phone call.

“Hawks” it was Madam President. Hawks moved to sit down, allowing his feet to dangle over the edge as he sipped on his tea.

“Madam President, what do I owe the pleasure?” His voice calm and as ever laid back.

“I know you probably won’t want to hear this but we are putting you back on night patrol” Hawks stomach fluttered. The tea in his mouth getting caught in his throat. He managed not to choke and force out a reply.

“Yeah? How come? You know im an early bird” He feinted a whine. The Hero Commissions preening of him certainly came in handy as he collected himself and hid the excitement he couldn’t help but feel.

The excitement of possibly seeing you again. The excitement that swelled from somewhere deep in his mind.

“There has been movement by the League of Villains. A number of relevant people, people we needed to get more information on the League have been found..well their ashes found. Someone within the League knows, either that we are on to them or they are tying up loose ends” Hawks eyes narrowed instinctively as he thought back to the first night on his night patrol last week when Dabi incinerated that man. Was he an important figure?.

“So you want me find out why? Or just stop them before anyone else gets incinerated?”Hawks asked as his wings curled back in. His tea sat beside him as he rested his weight on his palm.

“Both if you can, finding out why is more important, stopping them is second. If you can find out who they plan to kill before it happens and relay it back to us so we can find out what they know” She stated. Hawks agreed to the request and he would be on tomorrows night patrol for the rest of the week.

Hawks felt something twitch in his stomach as his eyes scanned the ground below him. He couldn’t help but feel somewhat excited. He had orders to further pursue the League. The League that you were part of. Hawks lifted up as a distress signal displayed itself over his visor. His wings pushing him faster, feeling energised as the tea drink fell from the gush of wind. Maybe he didn’t really need coffee, something else had him all amped up.

03:00

You stood with Dabi on the rooftop of some building away from the League’s hideout as you waited. You weren’t sure what for. A yawn pushing its way past your lips as you rubbed your drying eyes.

“Tired Dove?” Dabi’s voice sent a shiver down your back. You glanced over at the man who had a cigarette hanging from his lips as he placed a booted food on the small wall around the roofs edge.

“A bit, why am I here? What are we waiting for” You asked, eyes scanning the dark sky. You didn’t have good vision at night the city lights helped a bit.

“You know why you’re here” You bit your lip at his vague answer that you understood completely. It was silly to ask Dabi why you were here. You weren’t even sure why it slipped out.

If I could i’d be anywhere else right now

Your shoulders tensed as large red wings came into view. Your eyes narrowing as you looked around for other pros as Hawks literally just appeared in front of you. Your eyes unable, however, to spot anyone else and instead focused back on the blonde man carrying a large duffle bag as he landed on the rooftop.

“Hey guys. I brought what you asked Dabi” Hawks voice was light as he dropped the duffle bag at your feet. Dabi crouched down as he unzipped the bag but your eyes were more focused on the yellow ones that stared back.

“You really did kill someone. Some hero you are” Dabi’s voice cut through the tension between you and Hawks and you stilled as your eyes glanced down, widening in horror at the body of the 3rd pro hero.

Hawks heart dropped at your expression. His fingers and stomach curling. Your eyes wide in shock horror as you took a small step away from the bagged hero. Dabi stood up from his position and looked over at you. A grin stapled across his face.

“Somethin’ the matter Angel? What? You thought a hero wouldn’t get their hands dirty, wouldn’t get blood on em’” He teased as he grabbed your wrist and kept you in place. The part of your face visible above your mask had paled slightly. Your body tensing at the almost unbearable warmth of Dabi’s palm as your eyes darted back to Hawks, whose brows were furrowed.

Why is she getting on like this? Wasn’t she a villain too.

“Hey now. I’d be a bit shaken if someone dropped a dead body at my feet huh Dabi” Hawks kept his composure as he forced a light laugh out. He hoped Dabi didn’t catch it, catch the concern he knew he let slip for a second. Dabi didn’t miss it, of course he didn’t. A man who grew up watching out for his father’s emotions, his mother’s distress. He didn’t miss anything.

Primal fuckin’ needs. Poor birdy.

“Hmm, suppose you’re maybe right Hawks. After all Angel here sticks true to her name, ain’t that right Dove. Never hurt a fly” Dabi teased as he finally released your wrist. You just nodded and kept your eyes downcast. A confusion of emotions swelling in your chest as you tried to ignore the growing warmth of your skin and feathers that trembled ever so slightly.

Ring!

Dabi’s hand reached into his coat and pulled a phone out as he flicked it open and walked a bit away. Hawks immediately casted his eyes back to you as he forced himself to say something, anything. He needed to say something to you, something within him wanted to speak to you.

“A-Are you okay?” Your eyes snapped up to meet his and you couldn’t help but feel surprised. He sounded different, sounded honest. His face no longer sporting a smirk, voice no longer light and airy rather weighed down with genuine concern.

“M’Fine just surprised me” you mumbled, growing sheepish as you crossed your arms over your chest wings reflectively coming to curl around your body as a cold breeze brushed by.

“Right, yeah. Your in the League, probably see things like this all the time” Hawks joked as he glanced at Dabi who had walked to the other edge of the rooftop.

“Yeah, always with Dabi so..” Hawks nodded as he puffed his cheeks out unable to draw his eyes away from the bright white of your wings. They were so clean and pristine. Hawks felt his stomach twist at the thought of Dabi preening you, helping with the considerable upkeep of such a quirk.

“Yeah? You guys a thing then huh.” Hawks voice was still light but his pupils had narrowed. You didn’t notice the changing look in the avians eyes as you felt your cheeks warm.

“Me and Dabi? N-No, tha-“

“So quick to say no Angel. Im hurt” Dabi’s voice from behind you made you jump as you instinctively spun round, never liking having Dabi out of your sight. Hawks watched carefully as you began stuttering again. Your wings fluffed out from surprise and embarrassment.

Yellow eyes flicked across your wings as they spotted a pin feather near the base where your wings met your shoulders. His hand reached before he could reason with his logical self that it was not a good idea. His fingers picked the feather, rubbing it between his thumb and index finger as yous stilled and the dry keratin flaked off revealing a short white plume underneath.

“Sorry! Im a real stickler for getting my own pin feathers when I seen that one I couldn’t help myself. Ya’ know like when someone sees a good spot” Hawks curled his arm around his head as he scratched the back of his head, cheeks tinting pink as he laughed lightly. He hoped both of you would buy his act at least Dabi.

“Thanks.” You mumbled as you turned back around. Dabi coming to stand beside you reaching down and grabbing the duffel bag. Hawks eyes flickering to it before meeting the blue eyes of the man before him.

“Alright Birdy. I suppose this’ll do for now. You’ll know when I next wanna talk” Hawks just nodded as Dabi turned on a booted heel and began to walk to the edge of the rooftop.

“Sorry again for touching your wings. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable” Hawks said loudly as he stared at you. You smiled slightly under your mask.

“It’s okay. I can’t get them all myself anyways” the pro just nodded as you turned and followed after Dabi who listened into the conversation as he held the rooftop door open.

“Think our Birdy likes you Dove” Dabi’s voice was cold as you glanced over at him. A stutter in your regular heart beat.

“What do you mean?” You swallowed thickly as his loud footsteps resonated in the dark stairwell.

“You know I don’t like repeating myself Angel. Out Birdy very obviously has an interest in you, probably due to those primal needs you lot carry in your genes. I was too quick to judge those primal needs of being a nuisance for me. I think we could actually use them” You couldn’t help it as your wings puffed out behind you. Dabi only chuckled.

“How would we use it?” You knew what Dabi wanted, you always did. The unfortunate ability of your quirk ensured Dabi would never go without.

“Was thinkin’ you could be my little messenger bird. You know pass all the needed information to and from Hawks and get to know him a little” Dabi told you as you exited the building below. Dabi threw his large trench coat at you and pulled a hoodie over himself.

You slipped the heavy coat on nose crinkling at the smell of cigarettes and smoke wafted into your nose.

“Well? I need an answer. That sound like a good idea?” Dabi asked as you walked down the sidewalk.

“Sounds good Dabi” You mumbled, slipping your hands into the big pockets as your wings folded further against your back.

“Good. Ill let crusty know but I just wanna make sure you remember what I told you” he stopped walking and you turned towards him as a grin crossed his face and he held grabbed your wrist with his hand, pulling you close as you gasped.

“You let those primal needs get in the way and I won’t hesitate to get rid of you. I may care for your quirk but the rest of the League couldn’t care less about your life so i’d watch it. I’m the only thing keepin’ you from deaths door” You nodded quickly as you ripped your hand from Dabi’s seeing a dark red mark forming as the her seared up your arm, tears welling in your eyes.

“C’mon. You know how much he complains if we are late” His voice was nonchalant, shoulders sagged as he walked ahead. You swallowed the thick lump in your throat as you followed trying desperately hard to ignore the burning on your wrist and the panic in your chest.

Ignoring Hawks truly would be impossible. You would just have to quell those needs festering within you. It shouldn’t be that hard, right?. You continued your walk in silence as both of you kept an eye out for any pros lurking about. The unfortunate thing about keeping an eye out for a specific thing is how easy it becomes to miss other things, things that are red, small and feathered.

The red plume having gathered the information needed shot back as Hawks stood high above on a different building, eyes focused in on your two figures as the small feather nestled itself back into his wing as decided on his next move. His wings spanning out as his feathers bristled in the slight breeze. His heart humming and skim prickling as he thought of you being the little messenger. He would be seeing you more.

Hawks took off as he searched for a 24/7 shop to find a calming tea to sort his nerves out. He had to remain professional. The commission would never hear the end of it if the news got out of him caught up with a villain. But the idea sent Hawks stomach twisting as he tried to force the imposing thoughts of you out. His hands sweaty as he ignored the feverish heat licking at him. He would need to call the doctor to see if any medicine could be taken to sort out this supposed ‘heat’ he was feeling.

[salemqz]

Pt.1

Amelia Basics/Home Island

Amelia is one of the first people newer player get to meet when they first sign in. She has been the (optional) tutorial guide since 2016 with the introduction of Monkey Wrench Island and continued to be one with the replacement of Snagglemast Island in 2019, which is no longer the tutorial as of 2024. It is "replaced" with a very short "tutorial" which gives the players the new club house.

Amelia lives (and owns) home island even having her own statue in the center.

She also runs the shop/store; selling outfits, items, pets, and decorations for the club house that the player owns. She lives in said shop with her own clubhouse being the second floor.

Amelia has some references to islands from as far back as Nabooti and as recent as Fairy Tale Island. A good few are visual but others are...teas. (Not joking, being genuine.) I'm also pretty sure that a few of the sprites come from Poptropica Worlds (rip) but that's getting off topic.

When interacting with/looking through the room (working left to right, bottom to top) we learn:

She owns home island (and has so for a while.) Amelia is rich from adventuring so much, but is not in retirement, this is merely a job she's wanted to do for a while and is now able to take time off.

The golden apple is from Mythology meaning she took it from the tree of the gods with no consequences? And didn't take a bite so... nothing magical yet?

There are several teas on this selves and they all come from different islands. In order: Fairy Tale Island, Wild West Island, Mythology Island, Nabooti Island, and one mini game; Legendary Swords.

The tea pot is one of the matching ones from Arabian Nights. No clue how she got it...maybe there was three and she just so happened to take one?

She has a trophy that she won in a big race. I'm going to assume this is a nod to Monkey Wrench Island or a similar race. Wiki says it's after Monkey Wrench so, okay?

There's a photo of her winning it right next to the trophy. The Red Baroness is in the background and is not happy. She has wrench so possibly before but the shoulder pads say otherwise.

She, at some point, got her face commissioned by the artist in Escape Pelican Rock Island and/or was in prison. I would say she went to prison but her head would need to be colored for that, but she did smuggle tea out of there...sooo 50/50

She is friends with the famous adventure Xavier Pendragon (which little is known about) but according to wiki she used to be his pilot before she, herself, followed in his footsteps and became an adventurer.

Above the entrance to her room is the head of Dragotank from Astral Knights Island, he was a mini boss/distraction on the fire planet.

Now her room...is packed with unicorns and rainbows (🏳️‍🌈?👀.) It is something she is a bit embarrassed about but indulges herself in it. We can't access this room right away, we have to do her mini quest to do so. Our character even comments, "This is all very....extra."

There is a golden trophy on her shelf of a weird slug/bug, well it's official name/species is Chthonians. It is a reference to Poptropica Worlds, specifically Crisis Caverns Island. This is the trophy you earn when completing it, meaning she's gone there and won the island. However our character doesn't seem to know what this is.

There are two shirts hanging on her windowsill, one is a plain red and the other has the same design as the hoodie in game titled, "Rainbow Ride." All I am saying the implications are there.

In the photo pinned on the corkboard, we see Amelia taking a photo of baking session. In the background is two girls ; one is wearing glasses and using her magic to torment the other girl who is being attacked by flying gobs peanut butter. (Despite my search, i couldn't find an identity for either of these girls. There was a hypothesis that since Rumpelstiltskin and her have the same color magic, personally, I don't believe this theory. There's another one about the person being attacked with peanut butter is speculated to be the Red Baroness, but I doubt it.)

Now getting to the top section, Amelia's kitchen is kind of a wreck. She has dishes stacked up in the sink, tea kettle on the stove, books on the fridge(?), and a trash can that looks like it would overflow. Our character comments, "Amelia's kind of a slob..." Props to her for the fire extinguisher though.

She has a conveyer belt in her house, that runs boxes across the screen. It is told by our character that it is shipments, no one knows where they come or go from. They kinda just exist.

So I thought this was a reference to Counterfeit Island but looking at it closer it seems to be Amelia looking at a container with magical lipstick. It poofs purple when you touch it. The wiki stated it was Rumpelstiltskin's lipstick, I don't remember him having it, but pop off king.

I think this ties back into 16. Its a diaphragm of Rumpelstiltskin and it seems like she's trying to figure out something about him. The wiki doesn't mention anything other than Amelia is wary of magical creatures.

This was a fun dive, definitely learned a lot more than I imagined I would.

[heaven-s-black-box]

Letter- Traveler & OC's mother and siblings

Return to File

Recovery date: June 9th, 2024

Description: Hello, I was reading your Neuvillette's child reader stories and I was wondering what would happen if the traveler and Paimon met the reader's mother during the lantern rite quest because she was in Liyue visiting Eliot and Odette and she shares some fond memories of her children with the traveler and Paimon, nothing embarrassing but more like sweet and simple moments.

Notes: This work was recovered in conjunction with an anonymous researcher, we thank them for their contribution. The mother needs a name, but I don't want to name her because it feels like naming her assigns whatever region she's from and I want to leave that open. So I apologize for how clunky some of this is.

Part: 1 2 3 4

Word count: 1 379

Back to directory

Hey, traveler, can I ask a favor of you?

“Let’s see,” Paimon hummed, looking over Sky’s shoulder, “that should be it, right?”

Paimon and the traveler had just arrived in Liyue for the Lantern Rite from Fontain, and were currently running an errand for Y/n. They’d originally been planning to come themself, but had gotten sick and didn’t think they’d recover in time. It was a huge disappointment for them, they’d been looking forward to visiting their siblings for Lantern Rite, but what could they do?

Send Sky and Paimon with a letter is what.

So here they were, standing next to Wanmin restaurant with a map trying to figure out where they were delivering this letter to. Y/n had given them the address of Odette and Elliot’s place, but had been clear the letter wasn’t for them. They hadn’t said who the letter was for, just that the twins would be able to deliver it when they saw the intended recipient. The whole thing was needlessly complicated, and Y/n seemed to find that amusing.

“Are you sure we don’t need to go-”

“Sky, Paimon!” Yanfei’s voice cried out. They looked up to find the lawyer waving happily from one of the balconies overlooking the market. “Hang on!”

She disappeared, rushing back and down the stairs before bounding towards them.

“Yanfei! Enjoying the busy season?” Sky laughed.

Yanfei nodded, talking about how she was working with a few Inazuman merchants to get display permits for their mechanisms. She’s halfway through her story when she notices the map sky is holding.

“Apparently the Tenryou commission is- hey, what’s with the map?”

“We’re trying to find a friend’s sibling’s place to deliver a letter,” Paimon explains, taking out the letter and waving it around. “Actually, do you know two Fontainian lawyers named Odette and Elliot?”

“Odette and Elliot? Ya, we work together from time to time. Are you looking for their place?”

“Yup.”

“What a coincidence, I have some papers I need to deliver to them. We can head over together.”

“That would be great, thanks.”

Yanfei led them down a side road towards a nice little place overlooking the water.

“See,” Sky whispered to Paimon, “told you you were pointing us the wrong way.”

They stopped in front of a door, and Yanfei knocked. A muffled voice answered them, then there was shuffling, and finally the lock clicked open. 

A woman they didn’t recognize opened the door, but something about her was familiar.

Sky looked to Yanfei, silently asking if they were in the right place, but she was just smiling.

“Aunty, it’s good to see you again! Visiting for Lantern Rite?”

“I am, my youngest should be here shortly too. You should join us for dinner, in fact, why don’t you come in for some tea?”

“I would love to, but I’m just here to drop some papers off for the twins. Are they in right now?”

“Sadly not, they’re buying stuff for dinner. I can take them papers for you if you’d like.”

“Sorry, I can’t,” Yanfei actually seemed a bit sad about it, “I’ll just have to stop by their office tomorrow.”

The woman accepted the answer, and turned to Sky and Paimon.

“Where are my manners, I don’t believe we’ve met.” She extended a hand and introduced herself before asking what brought them her, and if they were just here with Yanfei.

“Actually, Paimon and Sky were just here to deliver a letter to Odette and Elliot. Since they’re not here, Paimon guesses we can leave this letter with you?” Paimon turned to Sky for her opinion.

Before Sky could respond, a laugh filled the street.

“Looks like we need a bigger porch,” Elliot grinned.

“Sky, Paimon,” Odette greeted. Then Yanfei poked her head around the traveler. “Oh, Yanfei, do you have those papers for us?”

“Yup!” She held them up.

Elliot moved his grocery bag to his hip and took the papers, thanking her for the delivery and asking if she wanted to stay for tea. The lawyer once again declined, then excused herself to return to work.

“I see you’ve met mama,” Elliot said, addressing Sky and Paimon again.

“This is your mother?!” Paimon whipped her head around in shock, making the woman and her children laugh.

“Hey, where’s Y/n?” Odette asked, nudging her brother forward with her foot.

Their mother stepped aside, letting them through to set their bags on the kitchen counter. Sky and Paimon followed them at their insistence. They took seats at the dining table as she fixed them all some tea and brought out some mint jelly. Paimon happily started snacking, barely remembering her manners.

“I’m glad you like it, almost as much as someone else.”

“Mother,” Elliot groaned.

“What? Mint jelly has always been your favorite, at least now you don’t eat it until you’re sick.”

“Mother!”

Odette pulled out a chair beside Sky and whispered, “She’s almost as bad as Xianyun.”

Sky bit back a laugh before remembering why she was here.

“Oh, I almost forgot.” She pulled the letter out of her bag where Paimon and returned it to. “Y/n got sick, so they can’t make it, but they sent this letter. We’re supposed to deliver it to you two, but it’s… not meant for you?”

“Always one for games,” Odette sighed, plucking the letter from Sky and handing it to her mother.

“It’s why Lyney and them have always gotten on so well,” her mother sighed, carefully opening the letter, “I remember when they first met. It was so- THEY’RE ENGAGED!”

“WHAT?!” Odette and Elliot exclaimed, nearly toppling chairs as they went to read over their mother’s shoulders.

Their mother pointed at a section lower in the letter, she’d been skim reading it when she spotted the word. The three read in silence before Elliot started giggling to himself.

“Oh how wonderful,” their mother sniffled, wiping her eyes. “My baby’s getting married.”

Odette and Elliot hugged her as she tried not to cry, while Paimon and Sky tried to let them enjoy the moment. It was clear now why the letter was supposed to be delivered in such a  roundabout way, to keep them from being caught in this awkward situation.

They’d already heard about the engagement, Lyney had told them.

“Sorry,” Odette said, turning to Sky and Paimon, “we weren’t expecting big news.”

“It’s alright, we probably should have seen this coming when they couldn’t make it here themself.”

The family settled back in their seats, their mother wiping her eyes again.

“I wish they could have told us in person.” She looked back at the letter, starting to read it properly.

“I’m sure they just wanted to tell us as soon as possible.”

“Oh I knew from the start they would end up married. Remember when they saved all their allowance to get tickets for one of his shows, only for Lyney to give them free tickets? He even brought them on stage for a trick and gave them a flower.”

“The ring is beautiful,” Sky said. “Very elegant.”

“It’s not the ring that matters but the feelings behind it. Once, when Odette was young, she was proposed to with an eroded shell. It nearly got stuck on her finger.” Odette rolled her eyes but bit her tongue, letting her mother reminisce. “Y/n was really upset about that, they threw a fit at the idea of her getting married. Almost as big of a fit as that time Elliot wanted to go swimming in the middle of winter.”

“Why would he want to do that?” Paimon asked around a mouth full of jelly.

“He was too young to understand that the water was dangerously cold, and he wanted to swim. Neuvillette didn’t know how to get him to stop crying so he let him dip his toes in, which only made him cry harder.”

“Really mama?”

“If you ever have kids you’ll understand, the smallest thing can mean the end of the world. Like that time-”

The twins sighed, casting apologetic glances at Sky and Paimon who seemed plenty amused by their childhood adventures. Lantern Rite was, after all, all about family and friends.

Maybe next year Y/n and Lyney would be able to make it.

[legrandepapillon]

wyllstarion | bloodpact nation, listen up! 📣

hello all, salut à tous!

it’s been awhile since i’ve been active on this blog, but i have a fun announcement for everyone. if you’re coming from twitter, this might be especially interesting to you! 🫶🏾

as you guys know, one of my new favorite ships is bloodblade/wyllstarion (Wyll Ravengard x Astarion Ancunín) from Baldur’s Gate III. i’ve been hyperfixating on them for awhile now, and i’m really letdown by how little slice of life fic we have for them. 

i would also really love to expand my writing skills perfect my craft as writer. i’ve neglected my writing muscles in recent years and i’m disappointed in a lot of the works i write now. 

because of this, i’ll be doing something that i haven’t done in literal years! i am opening my inbox for you to submit prompts for me to write. i will post the longer ones first on AO3, then here on tumblr, and finally link them on Twitter for all of my mutuals to find. 

the shorter drabbles i’ll post here on tumblr straight from the ask & link to them on twitter. if you’re reading this, my inbox is open & i’m currently taking requests. 

for the purposes of organization, i’ll only be accepting drabble prompts & requests here on tumblr though my inbox. my tumblr is linked on both my AO3 & Twitter accounts though, so it won’t be hard to find me. 

if you have a scenario that you you’ve been dying to put our boys in, you’ve come to the write place ( 😉 ). a few rules before popping over to the inbox, though!

as of right now, i’ll only be taking requests for the Baldur’s Gate fandom specifically for wyllstarion. however, if you like my writing style & want to see me try something for your ship, send the prompt over!! you might get a welcome surprised: i’m willing to try my hand at writing anything once. my one caveat is that i won’t be attempting to write anyone’s Tav/Durge outside of the canonical durge.

this is practice for me mainly!! prompts likely won’t be perfect or very long but they’ll give me something to do to hone my craft. don’t expect a soliloquy, and if you’re dissatisfied with the outcome of a prompt you’ve submitted, you can change it up a little & submit it again—i’ll be more than happy to try it again for you.

angst & nsfw request are accepted but i don’t write tortureporn figurative or literal. i will not write anything involving any character with their canonical abuser, and i will make judgement calls about certain kinks or mature themes on a case by case basis. some stuff is just not my cup of tea, hopefully you’ll find someone else who will write that!

keep it cute! literally! fluff/romance/domestic/slice of life prompts have a higher chance of getting written because that’s where i feel i excel at.

i’m not doing this on commission! this is 100% free thing that i’m doing mainly out of boredom and hyper fixation with this game/ship. please don’t be overly demanding or don’t expect the speediest response in filling your prompt. i work full time, look after my grandmother who is going blind, and i also just sometimes don’t feel like writing! i promise to do my best to fill every prompt as quickly & concisely as i can.

other than that, inbox is open & google docs is up and running. feel free to send me a prompt at any time; i look forward to making wyllstarion nations headcanons a reality! 🖤

[lil-dinopup]

This was a commission from the lovely Sully who actually wrote a story for it!

Commissions are open if you like one~ This is a link to the prices!(This is the Link)

Story Credit: Sully (So def give her some love)

Story Below <3

“Todays finally the day!” Haruka smiles to herself as she gets ready for her morning run. ‘I get to spend all day with Minami and then a tea party with Towa? A real princess! Its going to be the best day ever!’ She claps her hands and smiles running out the door hurrying to the agreed meeting point.

Minami looks around seeing Haruka before waving to her. “Good morning Haruka. I’m glad we finally get a chance to do this its been so long since i had a chance to go on a good run.” The older girl nods at her girlfriend. “Ready to go?”

“I am too i love spending time with you.” Haruka blushes and pokes her fingers together. “O-oh yeah i’m ready to go!” She smiles before feeling a twinge in her abdomen. ‘I forgot to use the bathroom this morning ahhhh! I can’t ask to go now ill just have to go after our run its not that bad anyway.’ She blushes a little harder and the two begin there run.

Awhile into the mostly silent run Minami breaks the silence. “Are you excited for the tea party later? I know you’ll be very adorable in your princess dress.” Her voice is sweet as is the smile on her face. “I guess i should ask is it a ‘little’ tea party or a little tea party.” She air quotes little causing Haruka to blush.

“I-its a ‘little’ tea party its hard for me to stay big when I’m in my princess dress. Plus Towas a real princess and thats just the best~” She sighs dreamily before jumping a bit. “B-b-but you’re my favorite princess Mommy…I mean Minami!” She sighs a bit embarrassed to have slipped so easily. She winces that pressure in her bladder growing. ‘Almost there i’m okay!’

Minami giggles a bit. “I know i’m your favorite but nothing beats the real deal.” The two approach the school. “When we get back we can change and meet in your room and you can show me your new book youre so excited about.” Minami smiles at the Auburn haired girl.

Haruka’s eyes light her need to pee the last thing on her mind. “Yes yes yes please!” Her pace speeds up as they pass the school gates. “Ill see you in my room Minami!” She calls hurrying to her room to change. ‘Gonna show her my princess book~’ She hums to herself opening the door when Minami knocks. “Mo-Minami! Come in please.” She curtsies her little princess coming out.

“Why thank you Haruka shall we read?” She pulls Yui’s chair over to Haruka’s desk sitting down and patting the other chair. “You can even read to me. Since youre the princess expert.” She smiles at her little princess.

“Y-yes please!” Haruka sits in her chair getting her new book out starting to read aloud. “Lookie at there dresses Minami theyre so pretty!” She crosses her legs under her desk. Her bladder once again throbbing a signal. ‘Were reading body lemme have fun with mommy!’ She thinks to herself.

“Theyre very pretty but i like your dress more honey.” Minami kisses Harukas cheek causing the girl to blush.

“Th-thank youuuu that means so much coming from you.” She keeps reading when she suddenly stops and winces making a small whimper. “Mo-mommy?” Theres a small hissing noise as she stands up wet yellow trails flowing down her legs. “I-i had an accident…” She tears up and looks down at her wet dress and the wet stain spreading across the carpet.

Minami looks surprised for just a second before standing up starting to comfort the girl. “Oh oh princess its okay. It happens sometimes.” SHe kisses harukas forehead calming the younger girls sniffles. “Let mommy clean you up and then we’ll get you some…special princess pants how does that sound.” She smiles very gently making sure everything is okay with Haruka before anything.

Haruka grabs Minami’s hand and looks down at her wet spot. “A-are they diapers?” Haruka whimpers not wanting to be embarrassed in front of Towa later. The pink haired princess wears diapers herself but Haruka always felt she was a bit older in little space.

“They are special princess diapers kind of like Towa.” Minami smiles wiping Haruka’s eyes. “I promise you’re still a big girl. I just want you to be able to relax today. I think you got too excited and put it off too long this time.” Minami squeezes haruka’s hand comforting. “Lets go get you changed princess.” Haruka nods following her mommy still deeply embarrassed but feeling okay with Minami there.

[razorblade180]

Aether:Hey Noelle, I-

Noelle:*running* Sorry Aether! I can’t talk right now. I have to fetch some supplies!

xxxxx

Albedo:Noelle-

Noelle:*running* Gotta go do my share of commissions!

xxxx

Zhongli:*sips tea*

Noelle:*cuts Ruin Guard in half*

Zhongli:(What is Barbatos feeding his people?)

xxxxxx

Childe:This opportunity-

Gorou:Rally!

Noelle: 50,000k

Childe:*holds nose* Wait! Let me finish talking!!

Noelle:I am very busy at the moment!

[Library]

Aether:*opens door* Hello?

Albedo:*peeks in*

Noelle:*deep in a book*

Aether:Pssst! Noelle? Do you have a minute to-

Noelle:Zzzzzz

Albedo:Well…that explains why we found her so easily. Do we disturb her?

Aether:Nah, this is better.

They both walk over to the table and gently move the book aside so she won’t feel bad if she accidentally ruins it. Albedo places a crown right in front of her while Aether puts one on her resting head. They both quietly walk out without a sound.

Aether:She’s definitely going to cry when she wakes up.

Albedo:That’s a problem for Lisa to deal with.

[mthofferings2023]

Raine

See Raine’s existing works here and here.

Preferred contact methods: Discord: 3raine Tumblr: meralasan Twitter: merala_san

Preferred organizations: - Anything from the list of approved organizations

Will create works that contain: all the topics and tropes, AUs, angst, fluff, dark!characters, gore, kidfic, kinks, ships with OCs

Will not create works that contain: incest, underage, shippy content featuring father/mother figure and their protegé, complicated backgrounds, complicated mecha characters, Loki/Sylvie

  -- Art --

Auction ID: 1058

Will create works for the following relationships: Tony Stark/Any - MCU Tony Stark-centric - MCU Erik Lehnsherr-centric - X-Men movieverse Erik Lehnsherr/Charles Xavier - X-Men movieverse Steve Rogers/Any - MCU Loki-centric - MCU Loki/Any - MCU Venom fandom any gen and ship - Venom movieverse Avengers fandom any gen and ship - MCU

Work Description: I am offering one fully rendered sfw picture with the specified ship (throuples are also welcome!). Apart from the selected ships, I am also open to drawing rarepairs, including drawing Character/OC. Please see my DNWs for exceptions. I am a bit busy at the moment with providing content for my Patreon page and other commissions, however, I can provide the first sketch fairly quickly (2-3 weeks) and then update you regularly on the progress. If you have any questions or specific ideas that you're not sure are my cup of tea based on the provided portfolio, please reach out to me before bidding so we can discuss them :)

Ratings: Gen, Teen

Can pods bid on this auction? Yes - Podbids welcome!

CLICK HERE TO BID ON THIS WORK

-- Art --

Auction ID: 2034

Will create works for the following relationships: Tony Stark-centric - MCU Tony Stark/Any - MCU Steve Rogers/Any - MCU Steve Rogers-centric - MCU Erik Lehnsherr/Charles Xavier - X-Men movieverse Avengers fandom any gen and ship - MCU Loki/Any - MCU Venom fandom any gen and ship - Venom movieverse

Work Description: I am offering one fully rendered nsfw picture with the specified ship (throuples are also welcome!). Apart from the selected ships, I am also open to drawing rarepairs, including drawing Character/OC. I'm also open to Marvel/CoD crossover ships! :) I'd be so excited to draw a crossover between Marvel and CoD characters. Please see my DNWs for exceptions. I am a bit busy at the moment with providing content for my Patreon page and other commissions, however, I can provide the first sketch fairly quickly (2-3 weeks) and then update you regularly on the progress. If you have any questions or specific ideas that you're not sure are my cup of tea based on the provided portfolio, please reach out to me before bidding so we can discuss them :)

Ratings: Mature, Explicit

Can pods bid on this auction? Yes - Podbids welcome!

CLICK HERE TO BID ON THIS WORK

The auction runs from October 22 (12 AM ET) to October 28 (11:59:59 PM ET). Visit marveltrumpshate.com during Auction Week to view all of our auctions and to place your bids!

[sparkwithinme]

Commissions open with a new commission sheet. ^.^ For more examples, my work can be found mainly be found on my Tumblr all under this tag, but some ancient work is kicking around on Deviantart. Also post things on my main twitter.

Prices are in USD.

I now have a Commission Form to make getting the ball rolling easier!

For a quick run down, keep reading! :D

1. My own style is sorta a mix between Disney-anime, but as I'm trained in animation, I enjoy dabbling with many styles. More anime? More disney? More realistic? Not a problem. :) For OC characters, visual examples or a detailed description is a must! Pose references are fantastic too! Basically the more visual reference you can give me, the better I can capture what you have in mind. :)

2. The above examples are just estimates as complexity of the request can affect the price. I am, however, also super flexible! My sheet is just some examples. Like if you'd be happy with a rougher sketch, pricing can be adjusted. I do also make physical artwork, working in marker, coloured pencil and watercolour--again, contact me to discuss this.

3. What won’t I do? Mecha/technical things I’m hopeless at. Heavily detailed things, like armour (looking at YOU FFXIV) makes my brain melt, thus can affect my quote. And, sorry, I can't do detailed backgrounds. (Don’t ask about my animation layout class grades! Cry XD) Simplified spaces and more natural landscapes I'm much better at. And, lastly, mature content just isn't my cuppa tea.

4. Paypal is my preferred method of payment! (But if you’re a fellow Canadian we might have another option... contact me and we’ll talk! :) )

5. The finished piece is yours to use for any personal uses. (Wallpapers, icons, etc.) However, copyright over the work is retained by me. If you’re interested in work to be used for commercial use, this is something that would need further discussion. See the google form for more thorough explanation of my terms.

6. Finally... I also make stuff! I love making crafty things! And more crafty things! Also MORE! XD (And some older things!) Here is a lot of the things I currently have available and also do custom work. Currently only able to mail things to Canada and US. (Things have been getting complicated lately. :( ) My apologies. Please get in touch if interested! =D

(P.S. I also stream a bunch on Twitch! Games (particularly a LOT of XIV right now) mainly! But also art sometimes too. ^.^ Come hang out with me!

[harveyhawkscripts]

[A4A] Cuddling Your Half-Dragon Roommate [Modern Fantasy] [Roommates] [Insomnia Comfort]

AN: Welcome to the finale of Monsters for Mental Health May! Thank you to everyone who voted. Apologies if this one seems a bit rushed; I just got back from my trip and boy, are my arms tired! This one might be in the running for The Great Script Rewrite (pending). Anyway, please enjoy ^-^

Usage:

- Okay for monetization

- Please credit me as Harvey Hawk :)

- Tweaks, improv, and pronoun changes are okay! Just please do not rewrite the script completely.

Synopsis: In a modern fantasy setting, the listener has trouble sleeping due to insomnia. Their roommate, a tsundere half-dragon just back from a grueling double shift, helps them finally fall asleep. 

Google Doc

Key:

[SFX and Action]

(.) Short Pause

(...) Longer pause

(Voice instruction)

Word Count: 990

—

[Footsteps]

HALF-DRAGON

(Exhausted) Ugghh... Gods, I hate evening shift. 'M always dead afterwards.

[Muffled TV noises]

[Footsteps stop]

Tch, really? They left the TV on again? They're so damn absent-minded.

[Door unlocks, opens, closes, and locks again]

(Surprised) Oi. The hell are you doing up? It's, like, two AM. Don't you have commissions due?

(.)

How could I not? You haven't shut up about it.

(.)

(Slightly irritated) Yeah, well. I do listen. And I would like to not listen to that damn TV all night. So, shut it off and go to bed.

[TV turns off]

(.)

I don't care if you sleep or not, just go to your room and be quiet. I just had a shift from the depths of hell and if I don't get some rest, I'm going to lose my shit.

(.)

Listen. You're my roommate, so I tolerate you to an extent. But you do not want to get between a dragon and their sleep.

(.)

(Growls) Half dragon. Quit nitpicking! What is your deal tonight? You're normally so chill - which is why I chose you as my roommate by the way - the hell is your damage?!

(.)

Oh, for fu- there's nothing to be scared of! I put up wards! You know I did!

Look, if I check the magic wards, will you finally let me rest?

(.)

Fine, I'll put one on your door.C'mon.

[Footsteps]

(Whispers) Tu...tela

[Claws scraping on wood]

There. Go to bed.

(.)

Then get a glass of water. Quietly. Goodnight.

(Sigh) What is it now?

(.)

There are blankets in the closet. Problem solved.

(.)

What?! What more could you possibly want?!

(.)

(Sigh) Shit.

Look, don't - I didn't mean - I ... Ugh. I'm sorry, okay? I shouldn't have yelled. I just... I had an awful day at work.

(.)

No, you're right; it's not an excuse. I'm sorry. But I'm too tired for guessing games right now. Why don't you want to go to bed?

(.)

Insomnia...You never told me about that.

(.)

Uh, because I'm your roommate? You ever think that you being up all hours of the night might affect my sleep schedule?

(.)

No, I'm not going to find another roommate. I don't want another roommate. Idiot. I'm going to help you.

(.)

What do you usually do when you can't sleep?

(.)

Suffer? Shit, okay. No wonder you act so out-of-it. You're always tired.

(.)

You do too! You leave the peanut butter out and I always have to nag you to get your clothes out of the dryer. I just figured you were an airhead.

(.)

You're still a hell of a lot better than other roommates I've had. At least you haven't set anything on fire... yet.

(.)

Heh, sorry. But seriously. Going too long without sleep isn't healthy, dingus. Next time something's bothering you, just come to me, got it?

(.)

Yeah, really. I don't keep you around for the hell of it, you know.

(.)

It means... Well, it means....

(.)

(Growl) Don't make me say it!

(.)

Obviously I like you, idiot! I wouldn't live with you if I didn't. I... enjoy being your roommate. And if something's wrong, you need to come to me for help.

(.)

Because I said so! Anyway... let's find a way to get you to sleep.

(.)

Nah, I don't have any sleep magic. Not my thing. We might have some tea in the back of the cupboard.

(.)

Already had some, hm? Okay. Have you tried a warm bath?

(.)

Alright, check that off the list. Oh, I know! There are these, uh, audio stories for sleep online. Like, narrations and stuff. What about that?

(.)

Not even that works. Damn. Uh... Well, do you know what's causing your insomnia? Stress? Maybe you eat too much junk. I know you have a sweet tooth.

(.)

Huh? What'd ya say?

(.)

Scared and what? Little louder.

(.)

Lonely...? Ah. Oh. Hmph. Well...

(.)

(Hesitantly) Maybe I can... stay in your room. On the floor. If it means I can sleep.

(.)

Where the hell else would I sleep?

(.)

D-don't be ridiculous! Why would - I mean, you - I can't sleep in your bed!

(.)

Because that's - we aren't dating. It'd be weird. Besides, you probably kick in your sleep.

(.)

Oh, yeah, you totally do. I can tell.

(.)

Aw, c'mon. Don't give me those eyes.

(.)

(Growls) ....Fine. But kick me once and I'm going back to my room. Now c'mon. I just finished a double shift and I'm about to pass out.

[Door opens]

Um. What the hell? Where am I supposed to sleep?

(.)

I mean your bed is overrun with stuffed animals. I don't know how you expect to fit on there, let alone the both of us.

(.)

Look, if you want me to sleep with - uh, next to you, then you need to shove some of these things aside.

(.)

(Sarcastic) Sorry. Friends. You'll need to shove some of these friends aside.

(.)

A little more.

(.)

There.

[Blankets shift]

Go to sleep, roomie.

[Blankets shift]

[Blankets shift]

[Blankets shift]

Be. Still.

(.)

(Sigh) What's wrong?

(.)

Yeah, well, there isn't room for me and your big teddy. Cuddle one of your smaller plushies.

(.)

Arm support? Geez, you're so high-maintenance. Fine. Come here.

(.)

Because I'm letting you wrap an arm around me. Obviously.

(.)

Yeah, I'm sure. Get over here.

[Blankets shift]

(.)

Of course I'm warm. I'm a half-dragon.

(.)

Quit fidgeting. Just... curl up to my chest.

(.)

There, comfortable?

(.)

Good.

(.)

Nah, it's not weird. It's actually... nice. Heh, your breath kinda tickles.

(.)

It doesn't bother me. Go to sleep, roomie.

(.)

You're still tense.

(.)

Hey, it's okay. How about this? Let me trace my claws down your back real gentle... There, just focus on how that feels. I'm going to wrap my tail around you now. Like a weighted blanket.

(.)

There we go. I've gotcha.

(.)

Gettin' sleepy?

(.)

Good. Hey, before you go to sleep I gotta tell you something. It's important.

(.)

You totally owe me breakfast in the morning. I'm thinking pancakes.

(.)

(Chuckles) Okay, okay. I'll help make it.

(.)

...Yeah, I can stay with you tomorrow night, too.

(.)

Goodnight, roomie.

END

[crystalcatgamer]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

Tag by @havenotwillnotreadthebooks, lo, Kefi!

How many works do you have on AO3?

122 🎵 I’ve orphaned and deleted a few along the years, though.

What fandoms do you write for?

Uhhhh. Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint (ORV), Boboiboy, Jujutsu Kaisen and more. Currently really, really fixated on One Piece though I haven’t written fic yet, but am cooking so much toxic doomed brothers food (Donquixote Bros)

What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Vis la goddamn DSMP phase always going to be my biggest mark in the world. Excluding discontinued fics and stuff I’m not happy with anymore for now…

Run, run (Here comes the boy) 1415 kudos

May the odds (Be ever in your favour) 1203 kudos

There are days where I don’t know the person in the mirror (And there are days I don’t care) 1161 kudos

Hold you in my hands like hot tea 1155 kudos

Knowing I’m safe cause you want me 1052 kudos (A sequel to fourth place!)

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I respond to every single comment I can, though sometimes I might miss some! I’ll catch them months later lmao. It’s always fun to chat with ppl about what’s in my fic

What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I’ll call out your name, but you won’t call back. This is an ORV fic, doomed Doksoo (beloved) and since it’s canon compliant… yeah. ‘Twas full of angst that came from love.

What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

The deep blue of summer nights. This was a cute ORV fic born of me wanting to write Secretive Plotter’s birthday being celebrated by ABFD, SWK and Uriel! They’re my fav rare dynamic

Do you get hate on fics?

I think the closest I got was some discourse on my DSMP fic? To be expected, and it was cleared up soon enough!

Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

I did like years ago lmao, tucked into the depths of the internet. Definitely not on main, for this is a family friendly account sir. It was fun in a way but also I hated writing it most of the time??? More of a reader than a writer I would say. As for what kind… while, I wrote what I liked ☆

Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

I HAVE THREE (3) CROSSOVERS AND THEY’RE BOTH WITH JUJUTSU KAISEN. Maybe I’m more insane over JJK then I thought I was. In my defence they’re easy to cross. Okay so basically my craziest one is this ORV X JJK one (Something blue, something new) in which I wrote the ship Kim Dokja x Gojo Satoru because I was commissioned to

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Nope and I hope I never do!

Have you ever had a fic translated?

I have not, but as long as people ask first I’m always open to it.

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

A FNAF fic I wrote with Kefi (the one who pinged me for this game): Many vegetables, one soup, and a work full of original poems with @thenamelesshaven: You are made of the sea and the stars (and one day you are going to find yourself again)

What’s your all time favourite ship?

[glances at my art gallery] Recently, LawLu from One Piece and… Sharron/Maric from Lord Of The Mysteries

What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

We Shouldn’t Be This Kind Of Tired At Our Age! An ORV fic featuring Yoo Mia witnessing Yoo Joonghyuk’s changes with every turn!

What are your writing strengths?

Uhhhh. Being able to churn out stuff at the speed of light. And writing angst (lol)

What are your writing weaknesses?

Actually having a proper outline, ehe. It’s why I usually write one-shots.

Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

Uhhhh I? Might do it some day? I’m just a bilingual guy who barely passed Chinese. It’s cool when other people who know what they’re writing about do it in their fics tho.

First fandom you wrote for?

Ehe. VIS LA BOKU NO HERO ACADEMIA (MY HERO ACADEMIA) but the fic’s been orphaned to the void ✌🏻

Favourite fic you’ve written?

Woah. Tough question, scrambling for it… this one! when I look in his eyes, well, I just see the sky. It’s a Black Butler fic I wrote recently for Whumptober (2023), Elizabeth Midford centric! I love her a lot <3

[music-is-love-90]

A/N: Hi! I'm not dead!

Yeah, life got hard there for a bit, but I have not abandoned you. I'm not promising regular updates just yet, but I am writing again and hope to get back up and running. Hope you like this slightly shorter chapter, but it gets us to where we're going!

Ch. 29:

Preparations took on a frantic speed as Edwina and Lord Morrison’s wedding approached.  Kate was dragged into meetings at the palace and trips to the modiste as her sister’s wedding began to almost take on a life of its own.

The only bright spot was the ring she now openly wore on her finger.  She would find herself staring at it, completely enraptured by the way the light played across the stones.  She often had to force herself to look away as the ring Anthony’s father had given his mother caught her in its spell.  Once, Mary had caught her in a moment of enrapture and had burst into tears, alarming Kate greatly until she calmed enough to explain that she was just so happy for her eldest daughter that she almost couldn’t stand it. 

It had taken ages for both of them to calm down.

Kate sighed as she snuck out of the parlor where an intense conversation about flowers was taking place and she found herself in the peaceful silence of the gardens.  One more minute in that room and she would have started screaming.

“Once we’re done with this spectacle, it will be your turn.”

She turned to find Lady Danbury had followed her out.

“Yes, but mine will not include opinions from the Queen of England, which is a fact I am eternally grateful for,” She told the older woman with a smirk.

“I think you’re underestimating Her Majesty’s interest in the Bridgerton family,” Lady Danbury cautioned her.  “But her opinions will most likely be more subtle at least.”

She linked her arm with Kate’s, and they headed down the path.

“Have you found a dress maker yet?” she asked the younger woman and she shook her head with a sigh.

At Anthony’s urging, Kate had begun considering what parts of the Indian traditions she had grown up with to incorporate into an English ceremony and she had decided she wanted to wear a sari.  She hoped to commission one that would resemble the one her Amma had worn at her wedding and Kate had been forced to sell to help fund their trip to England, but finding a dressmaker in London that could handle such an order had proved difficult.

“Well, we have time,” the matron assured her.  “In the meantime, we need to speak of your sister.”

It took all of Kate’s self-control to only sigh and not groan.

“We cannot allow it to seem like you two are at odds,” Lady Danbury continued, ignoring Kate’s sigh.  “Your sister’s refusal to speak to your fiancé lends itself to rumor and inuendo.”

“I do not know what you expect me to do.” Kate replied, annoyance creeping into her voice.  “Clearly Edwina no longer cares for my counsel.”

“Be that as it may, this wedding must go off without a hitch.  The Queen has been quite forgiving with your mama, but I would not trust in her largesse a second time.”

Kate nodded and they continued their walk in silence for a time.

“How go your lessons with Lady Bridgerton?” Lady Danbury inquired and Kate smiled brightly.

Violet, as she insisted on being called, had invited her for tea several times now to begin teaching her the duties she would need to perform when she took her place as Lady Bridgeton at Anthony’s side.

Lady Bridgerton.  She would be Anthony’s wife in just a few short months.

She couldn’t help the smile that always broke across her face when the thought crossed her mind, but she quickly schooled her features this time as Lady Danbury raised her eyebrow.

“Well,” she replied, “there is much I need to learn, but Lady Bridgerton is an excellent teacher.  I am sure she will bring me up to snuff.”

“I have absolute faith that you will do very well in your new role,” the matron told her confidently.  “I have scarcely seen a woman more well suited to the role of Viscountess, even amongst the Ton who should be raised to handle it.”

Kate blushed at Lady Danbury’s praise and they fell once more into companiable silence.

“Kate!”

This time she did groan as she stopped to wait for her sister and Lord Morrison caught up with them.

“Kate, the Earl is taking us to a play tonight!” her sister announced as they joined the two women.  “Isn’t that lovely?”

“It is, Bon,” Kate replied with forced patience.  “Unfortunately, I will not be able to join you.  I am already promised at Hastings House tonight for dinner.”

“Surely the Brigertons can spare you for one evening?” Edwina said, annoyance clear in her voice. 

“One should keep one’s engagements as often as they can.” Lady Danbury interjected blandly.  “And Her Grace is not known for her patience in being snubbed.  Your sister is doing the proper thing to ensure her future familial harmony.”

“My sister is always quite proper,” Edwina said in the same tone, making Kate glare at her, which she ignored.  “Very well.  Enjoy your dinner, Didi.”

She and Morrison continued on and Lady Danbury linked her arm with Kate’s once more.

“One more week,” she told her under her breath, “and then it is your turn.”

Kate signed and nodded, letting her lead her down the path once more.

~.~

Kate was genuinely surprised when Edwina agreed to her mother's suggestion that the three of them hold a Haldi ceremony the night before the wedding.  Her sister had seemed so utterly uninterested in including any of her father's Indian heritage that her easy acceptance was shocking, but Kate chose to capitalize on her acquiescence and quickly gathered the supplies they would need.

For a while, it was as if nothing had changed between the two sisters as they went through the ritual.  They laughed and joked and teased just like they had when they were children in Bombay and for the first time in months, Kate felt like her sister was truly her sister again.

There was a lull in the conversation as Mary and Kate spread the turmeric paste across Edwina's arms.

"Are you happy, Bon?" Kate found herself asking softly.

"Of course, I am, Didi!" her sister responded instantly.  "I am going to be a countess!"

"But do you love Lord Morrison?" her sister pressed.  "Does he love you?"

"He is marrying me, knowing I have no dowry, Kate," Edwina said, annoyance creeping into her voice.  "Surely this means he esteems me.  All will be well."

Kate nodded, backing off.  Anthony didn't want anyone to know where Edwina's dowry came from, fearing how it would look before they were married.  Edwina would know after the wedding and everything would be fine again.  She would have her wish to marry as she thought a Diamond should, and she would be happy.

Kate had to hold to that hope.

"How did you know you Appa, mama?" Edwina asked suddenly, surprising Mary.

"I suppose I knew when I saw the way he looked at me," she replied slowly, both girls listening to her with rapt attention.  "But it was more how the world went quiet when I was with him.  The way his soul seemed to dance with mine, the way we settled into each other until there was no place to hide, nor any desire to do so.  It was the moment I realized I was willing to give up everything just to stay with him, that was when I knew."

Kate couldn't help but think of Anthony, of the way the world went quiet during their stolen moments in the woods, when he simply held her in his arms.  The way dancing with him was as easy as breathing.  She had abandoned every plan for the future she had ever made for him, knowing that the life she would have with him would be far greater than any she had ever dreamed of alone. 

She realized she had stopped coating her sister as her mind had wandered and she shook herself, glancing at her sister to find her deep in thought.

"Bon?"

Edwina started and seemed to give herself a shake.

"That is just how I feel with Lord Morrison," she told them brightly.  "I think I am to be very happy with him."

Kate decided to let that go.

~.~

The morning of the wedding dawned bright and chaotic.  As Kate came to consciousness, she could hear the dulcet tones of her sister, yelling on the other side of the house, and she fought the urge to burrow into her blankets and refuse to come out.

It was going to be a long day.

There was a knock at the door and Kate lifted the blanket off her head with a groan before calling for her maid to enter.

“This arrived for you this morning, Miss.”

The young girl set a large bouquet of orange and pink tulips on the table and Kate crawled out of bet to pluck the note out as the girl began readying the room for the day.

Next time, it will be our turn. I’ll see you in a few hours. A. Bridgerton

Kate smiled and set the note next to her bed.

“Kate, are you still abed?!”

Kate looked up at her sister, who was glaring at her from the doorway. 

“We will be leaving for the palace shortly and you’re still not ready!” her sister shouted, making Kate wince.

“I was just admiring my flowers, Bon,” she told her soothingly.  “I will be ready shortly, don’t worry.”

Edwina glanced at the flowers with a sniff before striding out of the room.  A moment later, Mary took her place.

“This is going to be one of those days where everyone accosts me in my room before I can even dress, isn’t it?” Kate asked dryly.

“You should be used to it by now.” Mary shot back, but her smile took the sting out of her words.  “We are running behind, though, so do make haste.”

“Yes, mama.” Kate agreed easily.  “I will be ready as fast as I can be.”

Mary left and Kate quickly began getting ready.  Within the hour, the bridal party was packed up and on their way to the palace where they final preparations for the day would take place.  When they arrived, they were quickly bundled off to the rooms that would be theirs for the day and introduced to the veritable army of servants who would be helping them.  Lady Danbury was quickly called to the Queen’s side and the Sharma women worked to dress and primp Edwina.

As Mary helped Edwina slip on her dress, Kate routed around in the various chests they had brought with them, looking for a specific item.  She finally located it as Edwina wandered over to her side of the room.

“Didi, what are those?” she asked, looking over Kate’s shoulder at the bangles in her hands.  “I don’t think I’ve seen those before.”

“They were my mother’s,” Kate told her.  “I brought them with us from home.  I had faith that this Season would be a success.”

“They are very beautiful,” Edwina said shortly.  “I’m sure they’ll look lovely at your wedding.”

Kate sighed and stood up, turning to take her sister’s hands in hers.

“I want you to wear them.”

Edwina stared at her.

“I know things have been…difficult between us lately,” Kate continued.  “but you are my sister and I love you and all I have wanted was for you to be happy.  If you believe this is the path that will lead you to your greatest happy than I will celebrate it as a blessing, just as I hope you will do the same for me.  So,” she pressed the bangles into her hands, “wear these as a sign of my blessing and know that I wish you every happiness in the world.”

Edwina stared at the bracelets, her eyes bright.

“I know you only want what’s best for me, Kate,” she said softly.  “I couldn’t ask for a better sister…” she shook her head, “but these were your Amma’s.  You should wear them.”  She pressed the bangles back into Kate’s hands.  “I know the Earl is not the one you would have picked for me, but I am glad you can put that aside and try to be happy for me.”

Kate wrapped her sister in a hug.

“All I have ever cared about is your happiness, Bon,” she whispered.  “That is all I have ever wanted.”

Edwina pulled away, taking Kate’s hand and slipping the bangles onto her wrist.

“I am happy, Didi,” she told her.  “I am marrying an Earl and I will be a countess.  What reason would I ever have to be unhappy?”

With a bright smile, Edwina turned away to continue her preparations and Kate sighed, playing with the bracelet on her wrist.  Finally, she turned back to her own preparations, sending out a small prayer that all would be as her sister believed and not as her gut told her it would be.

~.~

Anthony came down the stairs at Bridgerton House to find utter chaos.  He grabbed the back of Gregory’s coat as he ran past and plucked Hyacinth’s ribbon out of his hand.

“I was doing her a service,” his youngest brother grumbled as Hyacinth took the ribbon back from Anthony and stuck her tongue out at Gregory.

“Please try to remember that we have spent a considerable amount of time teaching you how to behave as upstanding members of this family, at least in public,” he told them with a sigh, releasing Gregory.

His two youngest siblings nodded solemnly for a second before Hyacinth kicked Gregory in the shin and they were off again.

“It’s adorable you thought that would work,” Daphne said, reaching up to press a kiss to Anthony’s cheek.  “Best to just them run themselves out and pray that they mature a little bit in the months we have left before your wedding to Kate.”

“That’s not encouraging, sister dear,” he said, returning her kiss.  “Where is your lout of a husband?  Kate will be annoyed if we’re not all there to support Miss Edwina.”

“He is already attending Lady Danbury,” she replied.  “He’s promised to check on Kate and will join us at the chapel.”  She was distracted by a moan from Colin, who was laying on a bench as Benedict grinned at him.  “What is wrong with him?”

“I do not care as long as Benedict undoes it.” Violet said as she joined them.  “This day is important to your future sister and you will behave.”

The last part was said at an increased volume that made Colin moan again and Benedict attempt and fail to look contrite.

“Yes, mother.” Her sons agreed easily.

She purposely turned away as her second born handed her third born a flask.

“How is Kate?” she asked, addressing her first born.

“Well, as far as I know.” He replied, pressing a kiss to her cheek in thanks. 

“It will be your turn next,” she told him, straightening his tie with misty eyes.  “Kathani will be such a lovely bride.”

“I quite agree,” he said, taking her hands in his and lowering them away from his neck.  “Though I know we both desire a…less ostentatious event when it is our turn.”

“A simple wedding in Kent,” his mother agreed easily.  “Well, as simple as the wedding of a Viscount from his ancestral seat to a woman who shares blood with a Maharaja can be.”

“So, not simple at all?” Benedict quipped, taking his flask back from Colin.  “Given that Queen with definitely be in attendance?”

His mother reached behind herself to swat at him.

“We’ll discuss the plans and see what we can do as soon as Miss Edwina is happily married.” She assured her eldest.  “Now, we should go.  I’m sure Kate would like you nearby.”

Daphne, Benedict, and Colin all snickered at their mother’s carefully bland face and Anthony glared at all of them.

“I am disinheriting all of you.”

His siblings just ignored him.

~.~

Kate snuck out of the dressing room and took a deep breath, closing her eyes and leaning against the wall.

“Yours will probably be worse, you know.”

She cracked an eye open to glare at Simon.

“I am considering dragging Anthony to Gretna Green just to avoid it,” she told him crossly.

“I do not think it would take much to convince him,” he told her, leaning against the wall next to her.  “But I believe your mama, my saintly godmother, and my current, your future, mother-in-law would ban together to murder you both, which would, in turn, upset my wife.”

“God-forbid.” Kate said dryly.

“Exactly,” Simon agreed with a laugh.  “So, for the sake of our family, I implore you to grin and bare what ever they throw at you.”

“Fine,” she huffed, fighting off a smile of her own.  “Speaking of, where is your lovely wife?”

“She’s coming with the rest of the clan,” he replied.  “I have arrived early to lend my support to Lady Danbury.”

“And yet you are here with me, hiding in a side corridor,” she teased.  “Hiding from the Queen, are we?”

“Oh, indubitably.” He agreed easily.  “I think she is still slightly miffed that I married Daphne, stealing her away from her royal nephew.”

“I wish I had been here last Season.  It sounds like it was fascinating.”

“I am very glad you weren’t,” Simon replied seriously.  “I did not behave as a gentleman should and I would rather have your respect.”

“You have it,” she assured him with a soft smile.  “I am quite looking forward to calling you brother.”

“And I calling you sister.” He cleared his throat.  “How is your sister?”

“Perfectly content to be standing in the light and excited to be the next Countess Morrison,” Kate replied with a sigh.

“You still disapprove?”

Kate shrugged.

“My opinion does not matter, which has been made clear to me.  She believes this is the path that will bring her the most happiness, so I must trust her judgment.”

“You can’t protect her forever.”

She smiled sadly.

“That doesn’t change the fact that I want to.”

“You and Anthony really are perfect for each other.”  Kate laughed and he reached out to squeeze her arm.  “You are a good sister, Kate.  I don’t have any practical experience with siblings, but I have spent enough time around Anthony to know what a good one looks like.  You are a good one.”

Kate smiled up at him, her eyes bright.

“Thank you, Simon.”

The Duke squeezed her arm once more before letting go.

“There you are.” They both turned to find Lady Danbury striding towards them.  “Miss Edwina is demanding your presence, Miss Sharma, so make haste.  And you, good sir, will come with me to distract Her Majesty.”

“Of course, my Lady.” Simon replied dryly, leaning down to kiss her cheek.

“You are lucky I adore your son, Your Grace.” She told him, refusing to be mollified.  “Get on your way.  I will follow shortly.”

Simon bowed to the ladies and took his leave.  Lady Danbury took a moment to look over Kate critically before allowing her face to soften.

“Have courage, Miss Sharma,” she told Kate softly.  “Just a few more hours and you will be free.”

With that, she turned and left Kate alone, wondering if she was referring to freedom from her wedding duties or freedom from Edwina.

~.~

Kate spotted some of the Bridgertons on the grounds from the window of Edwina’s dressing room and wished she could join them, but Edwina was ready and all there was to wait for the service to begin.

“Kate.”

She turned to see her sister holding her veil out to her.  On her head sat the Morrison Family coronet and Kate took the veil to attach to it as Edwina turned around.

“Are you ready, my darling?”

They two sisters turned to see Mary in the doorway.

“You look so lovely, Edwina,” she told her tearily.  “You both do.”

She spotted Kate’s bangles and her smile grew brighter.  “I hope you plan on wearing those at your wedding in a few months.  I’m sure your Amma would be just as happy for you as I am.”

“Is everything ready?” Edwina asked her, bring her attention back to her younger daughter.

“It is,” she told her.  “Are you ready?”

“I am.”

She walked over and took Mary’s arm, allowing her to lead her out as Kate followed behind.

“Let’s give the ton a wedding to remember and show them who we truly are.” Mary said, kissing Edwina’s cheek as they reached the chapel doors.

“Let’s,” her daughter agreed.

Kate smiled brightly at her sister as the music began and she began her trek down the aisle.  As she neared the front, she spotted the Bridgertons seated in the first few pews.  Anthony caught her eye, lifting his eyebrow and making her smile brightly.  She let out a small giggle as Benedict elbowed his older brother, making Anthony glare at him as she reached the altar.  She quickly schooled her features, nodding to the Earl, before taking her place.  She caught Anthony’s eye again and he gave her an encouraging smile.

The music changed and the congregation rose as every eye went to the back of the chapel.  Edwina glided down the aisle serenely on her mother’s arm, looking the perfect vision of a happy bride.  Finally, she joined them at the altar and Kate took a deep breath.

“Miss Edwina, you look lovely.” Morrison murmured, making her smile beautifully.

“Thank you, my Lord,” she demurred.  “I am happy you are pleased.”

“Please be seated,” the Archbishop began.  “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God…”

Kate let her mind wander as she played with her bangle.  Her gaze moved across the congregation before landing on Anthony and she couldn’t help but imagine what their wedding would be like in a few months.  Would he wear the morning suit traditional to an English lord, or could she convince him to wear a sherwani to match her sari?  Either way, he would be the most handsome groom she had ever seen, she was sure.

Anthony caught her watching him as her fingernail caught in the clasp of one of the bangles and, before she could stop it, the bracelet slipped off her wrist.  She watched in horror and embarrassment as it hit the ground loudly, bouncing down the steps and rolling across the floor until it came to a stop at Anthony’s foot.  The church fell silent as he leaned down to pick it up. 

“I think I shall keep this safe for now, Miss Sharma,” he announced with a wicked smile that made Kate blush before shaking her head fondly.  “Please continue, Archbishop.”

A chuckle ran through the assembled crowd, including a smirk from the Queen, as Anthony’s smile turned soft.

I love you, he mouthed at her, slipping the bangle into his coat to rest above his heart.  Kate returned his sentiment with a soft smile of her own before turning back to the altar.  She was unsurprised to find Morrison glaring at her, but her sister quickly stole her focus.

“Bon?”

Edwina was staring at Anthony, her face paler than Kate had ever seen.  At her call, her eyes snapped to Kate, staring at her as if she had never seen her before.

“Miss Edwina, are you ready to continue?” the Archbishop asked her, but Edwina just kept staring at Kate.

Morrison huffed, taking Edwina’s hand and pulling her to face him.

“Answer His Grace, please, Miss Edwina,” he ordered, but she just stared at him.

“Bon, are you alright?” Kate asked, moving forward as she started to become worried.

“She is perfectly fine,” Morrison answered shortly.  “Miss Edwina, you are embarrassing yourself.  Repeat after the Archbishop.”

“I – “ Edwina broke off, her breathing becoming low and shallow.

“Bon, do you need to sit down?” Kate asked, concern lacing her voice.  She glanced at Anthony and he quickly got to his feet, heading towards her.

The noise of his shoes seemed to startle Edwina, bringing her back to herself.  Her gaze spun around the room before focusing on Morrison.

“I need a moment,” she announced.

And then she ran out of the room.

[sereniv]

SURPRISE HATE MAIL ALERT:

binch

Today, I thought was going to be a good day.

I awoke this morning feeling oddly well-rested and despite having stayed up all night, as I do every night, this didnt seem to affect my sleep. For that I was grateful and I can easily say I still am. Or so I thought.

I used that energy I then had, to continue my routine of walking the dog which is something I had stopped doing for the past 2 days due to my hypersomnia getting the best of me. I not only felt proud of myself upon returning home from the much needed exercise, but I also felt...happy. I felt refreshed, rejuvinated, though also a little worn out; the type of feeling that really helps create a positive attitude for the rest of the day.

I made myself breakfast which consisted of a very basic 'dilla' filled with seasoned rice and pinto beans, sour cream, and some blue corn chips. Though I could have turned this dilla into a quesadilla, I still was wary of this energy I had and thus didn't want to extend more effort than I needed to.

Which you might be thinking, "How much more energy does it take to add cheese to a meal?", and with that I say: Do not question me.

During my meal, my grandmother and I sat down and enjoyed the rest of Chicken Run. We had started it yesterday night, but seeing as I was too tired we had to stop half way through. This is a common occurance and one that saddens me deeply.

After the movie, it was time to take our dog to the groomers for a scheduled nail trim and bath. An expensive appointment, but a necessary one.

We were told it would be around 3 hours until it was time to pick her back up, so I thought this would be the perfect time to work on my commission. And that I did.

I put my wireless earbuds in, which luckily I had remembered to charge last night, and set my playlist on shuffle and got to work.

Now, to be honest, I didn't just work on my commission. To help myself avoid burnout, I cycle through my commissions and my self indulgent fanart and I am very grateful to have a fandom to provide me with that. And though I sometimes get well invested in drawing said fanart, i cant say im not making good progress with the drawing I was paid to do.

After some time, I began to get tired and with great self control decided to take a nap; and though protested by a friend, I knew that if I didn't lay down then, that I would not be able to hang out later- that which we had planned earlier that day.

So I took a 6 hour long nap, and yet again I felt well rested (to my understandable suprise). I was feeling good, energized, and as per my usual routine, decided to check tumblr.

I did not expect to see what I saw in my activity feed: This Very Anonymous Message.

"No..." I thought to myself, "No, this can't be...this shouldn't be...". I started to weep.

I am now too bored and tired to continue this dumb thing lol

I love this hate mail so much i will cherish it always ty "Anon" ( @tea-withnofixinsplease )

[shadowsong26fic]

Papa and J---- Update!

Author: shadowsong26

Rating: PG/PG-13

Fandom: Les Misérables

Characters: Technically all on-page characters are OCs; Valjean, Cosette, Marius, and Javert are discussed as historical personalities. Backstory Cosette/Marius and heavily implied Valjean/Javert.

Warnings: Nothing specific, I don’t think?

Summary: Euphrasie Pontmercy–known in the art world as La Jardinière–isn’t exactly a household name. Still, the sheer length of her active career (her work was first displayed and sold in 1839, and she left one last work unfinished at her death in 1910) makes her interesting to people who actually study that century in art. But as far as the historical record is concerned, Jardinière seems to have sprung semi-fully-formed from the streets of Paris somewhere in the mid-to-late 1820s. Other than the fact that she was educated in a convent, essentially nothing is known about her parents or her childhood.

Until now.

Or:

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a PhD student with no thesis topic must be in want of an undiscovered painting to go absolutely feral over.

Disclaimer: All characters are the property of their respective creators.

Notes: Here we are with Chapter 3! Where Ari talks to Phil’s mom and gets a little more background/family lore. Which is...fairly accurate, even after nearly two centuries of generational telephone, lol. also I am. Tempted. to find someone to commission to actually make a version of the painting are any of y’all who might be artists interested/does anyone have any recommendations of artists who are open for commissions who do that kind of style

Updates will be posted here on Thursdays and crossposted to AO3 on Fridays.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

Wednesday afternoon, as soon as the last class I was TAing let out, I headed back to Phil’s house. I’d spoken with his mother on the phone the night before, and she’d agreed to meet me at four. Foot in the door, at least. First hurdle cleared.

Traffic was shit, because of course it was on a day I needed things to run smoothly, and I got there about five minutes late.

The woman who answered the door when I knocked was a little bit shorter than me, with the same bright blue eyes Phil had. Too old to be his sister, so this must be his mom.

“Hi, I’m sorry I’m late,” I said. “I’m Ari Wright, we talked on the phone?”

“Of course,” she said, and smiled, stepping aside. “Please, come in, ah…?”

“Ari is fine,” I said, and followed her inside. “Thank you so much for agreeing to meet with me, Mrs. Riley.”

“Oh, please, Louise is fine,” she said. “Would you like some water, tea?”

“Uh, water would be great, thanks,” I said.

She left me in the living room, excusing herself to go into the kitchen to get it, which gave me another minute alone with the painting.

Which was just as ordinary-extraordinary as it had been on Friday night. Exactly like I remembered it.

To be fair, I’d spent probably way too many hours the past few days studying my shitty phone pictures of it, so.

“I have to admit,” Mrs. Riley--Louise--said, rejoining me and setting a pitcher of water and a couple of glasses on the table. “I was a little surprised when Phil told me one of his friends was interested in Mémé Cosette’s painting.”

I stepped away from the wall and sat in one of the armchairs--not the couch; that would have been Awkward at least in the back of my brain. “I saw it when I was over here with Phil the other day, and…well, it jumped out at me.”

“Right,” she said. “So, what exactly are you looking for here?”

“Well, I was hoping to get your permission to do a more thorough study of the piece,” I said, then hesitated. “…if I can start by asking you some questions? About the painting and its history, whatever you know about it. And recording, if that’s okay. Easier than taking notes.”

“That’s fine,” she said, picking up her glass and settling into one of the other chairs.

I took a sip from the other glass, then set my phone to record audio and put it on the middle of the coffee table. “I suppose I should start with...well, I’m not sure how much you’re aware of your ancestor’s career--Phil wasn’t, at least?”

Louise smiled. “I know who Mémé Cosette was, or at least what I was told about her,” she said. “Euphrasie Pontmercy, also known as La Jardinère. I always liked listening to the family stories.”

“What can you tell me about the painting?” I asked. Obviously, if I went forward, anything she told me would have to be backed up by other sources. Anecdotal family history had a funny way of getting tweaked or embellished over the years, especially when the relative in question was someone even moderately famous. “Phil told me it’s always been in your family, and she’s your…”

“Great-great…great grandmother, I think,” Louise said, taking a moment to count. “My grandmother’s grandfather was her son René.”

The youngest of the five children. Right.

“I’m not sure how exactly the painting ended up in my great-grandmother’s possession, as opposed to any of the other children or grandchildren, but I know she was the one who brought it with her to the States, when she emigrated from France in 1912.” She smiled wryly. “According to the story, they almost boarded Titanic at Cherbourg, but one or more of the children had the measles. Or possibly diphtheria, I’ve heard different things at different times.”

“Not something you’d normally think of as lucky,” I said.

“No, not really,” she agreed. “Like I said, that’s the story, and who knows if it’s true. But I do know that the painting came to my great-grandmother somehow, and she passed it on to my grandmother Marie-Celeste, who left it to me. Since I was the only one of her grandchildren who liked to listen to her stories.”

“Had she actually met La Jardinière?” I asked. It was possible--if they’d been planning to sail in 1912, and Jardinière had died in 1910…

“A few times,” Louise confirmed. “She was about six when Mémé Cosette died, but she remembered visiting her.”

Well, that was a pretty damn solid foundation for the painting’s provenance. Again, I’d have to back up the authentication in other ways, but this was looking more and more promising.

“What about the subjects?” I asked. “The men in the painting, I mean. It’s labeled as Papa and J. Do you know anything about them?”

“Only the stories,” she said. “She was adopted, did you know that? Mémé Cosette, I mean.”

That was interesting; adoption wasn’t a very common practice in the early nineteenth century, at least not in the United States or Great Britain, and most of what did happen was very much behind closed doors. I made a mental note to add the history of French adoption law to my research list. It was unlikely, but maybe I’d get lucky, and there would be some kind of record of the adoption somewhere. If I could track down exactly when and where it happened.

“No, I didn’t,” I said. “Unless there’s something in an obscure French biography I haven’t been able to find and muddle through, I don’t think anyone knows much of anything about her childhood. Which is one of the reasons this painting is so interesting. When did this happen? And where?”

“I don’t know where, exactly,” Louise said. “Some little town in Normandy, maybe? Somewhere in the north of France, I’m pretty sure. Again, according to the family stories. It was when she was around seven or eight, I think? Before that…I don’t know. My grandmother didn’t know, or if she did she never told me, but I think she had the impression that it wasn’t a very good situation. And then Mémé Cosette was adopted, so that’s where Papa came into her life.”

“Do you have a name for him?” I asked. “Her marriage license listed her maiden name as Fauchelevent, but was that his name, or from her birth parents…?”

“That I don’t know,” she said. “All I know is that she was adopted, and that she named her eldest son for her adoptive father.”

And Jardinière’s eldest son’s name was Jean, which was. Extremely, unhelpfully common.

“Do you know which of the men he is?” I asked. “In the painting, I mean.”

Louise got up and went to the wall to examine it. “I…think the bearded man. My grandmother obviously never met him, and I think her grandfather--René, I mean--was very young when he died, but that matches up with what she heard from her aunts and uncles, as she passed it on to me. He was a very private person, and supposedly very strong. One story--and I can’t say I believe it’s true--involved him physically carrying another man to safety for something like twelve hours after some kind of disaster.”

Which…well, Louise was right, that story didn’t seem all that credible. But the more general description, and the kind of man who would give rise to that sort of story, did match up with the impression the painting gave.

I stood up as well, leaving my glass on the coffee table, and joined her at the painting. “What about the other man? The mysterious J?”

“We’re back to a game of generational telephone on this one,” Louise said. “I know even less about him. But my grandmother said he was a close friend of the family, according to what Mémé Cosette told her when she asked once. That he and her--that is, Mémé Cosette’s--father lived together for the last decade or so of his life. Not sure which him she meant.”

…well, all right then.

My eye was, once again, drawn to J’s hand, resting on the back of the chair. And they lived together, maybe, for a decade or so.

Of course, that could mean a lot of different things. And, you know, it’s easy to see what you want to see, especially when there’s so little information to go on. Whatever their relationship was, though, I’d been right in my initial impression of intimacy. Whatever kind of intimacy it was.

“Right,” I said. “I think that’s a good baseline, at least for now, but I might have more questions later. And I…not that I’m saying I doubt your version of the story, or anything, but…”

“But if you want to actually research the painting, you need more proof than half-remembered family stories after two centuries of generational telephone,” Louise said, and smiled again. “It’s fine, I know how research works. I remember when my husband got his Master’s degree.”

“Yeah, exactly,” I said. “Thank you, for your understanding. Um, so, with your permission, I would like to borrow the painting for a few weeks. To authenticate it, and do a more detailed analysis of the technique and construction and so on, see what else I can learn from the actual physical piece.”

“Right,” Louise said, turning back to the painting again, thinking. “Just to study it, you said? And, obviously, write about your findings if you find anything worth writing about. But you won’t put the painting on display in a museum or anything?”

I shook my head. “Not unless you agree to it, no. I’d take photographs, to include with the paper, but the painting itself won’t go on display unless you allow it.”

“And when you cite it…I don’t know how it works, exactly, but you wouldn’t have to specifically name me?”

“No, I can just list it as being in a private collection.”

“Right,” she said. “…I have to admit, now that you’re here asking questions…I didn’t really think about it before. How many gaps there are in the story.”

“It’s funny how memory works sometimes,” I said. “Especially…well, like you said, when generational telephone gets involved.”

And it was…a weirdly appropriate question in context, since that was something Jardinière had come back to time and time again in her work. This idea of memory, and how it lines up with reality. How it changes. Those repeat paintings she’d made of the same locations in Paris over the years. The series of paintings of her own memories.

And, of course, her last painting. Souvenir--inachevé. Memory--unfinished.

Definitely need to get to Chicago to see it in person.

“True,” she said. “All right. Under those conditions--that the painting won’t be displayed, and that you’ll leave my name out of it, you have my permission to borrow it and do whatever tests or study you need for your research.”

“Thank you!” I said. “Thank you so much, this…I really appreciate all your help, Mrs.--Louise.”

“You’re welcome,” she said. “And I hope you’ll share whatever you find with me, before publishing?”

“Of course,” I said. “It’s your painting, your family history.”

“Good,” she said, and smiled again. “I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

“Me, too,” I said. “Me, too.”