#which is a big reason I'm not ready to post to AO3 yet

[whorejolras]

as promised: jess' les amis fanfic rec list ✨

this is mainly e/r, a little bit of e/r/c and a few courferre

This is just the stuff that was in my bookmarks on ao3 when I started writing this post (months ago lol sorry it took so long). Going through I was shocked to see so many of my faves weren't actually bookmarked so I will for sure do a part two when I find them again, and have also added heaps of new fics to my bookmarks since then, but for now 25 fics is enough 😂

many of these will be rated E and will have sexual content, some are straight up pwp ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

ok first is my ultimate fave that isn't even on ao3 anymore, but thankfully is on the authors tumblr, and that's:

Gnomon by luchia

50-80k words (?) (bc it's not on ao3 i'm estimating)

rating: E

Enjolras/Grantaire

terrorist/assassin Enjolras my beloved ever. My fave are the "charming young man capable of being terrible" fics obviously. This one is my #1 e/r like in my head this is it's own canon. & this series has my fave e/r smut scenes ever. I still daydream about a Gnomon tv show...

- trigger warnings bc it's not on ao3 so doesn't have tags: murder, gun and knife violence, bombs, conversations about the deaths of children. this is not healthy relationship fluff but it makes for a 🥵 dynamic that's for damn sure.

also linking the rest of the series which is up on ao3 still, even though it is officially abandoned and unfinished - i am going to break my ultimate rule right off the bat and link an unfinished series bc I like it so much.

stupid terrorist boys by luchia

series, 5 works

200k words

rating: M and E

here we have gnomon's prequels, two sequels, and some one shots in between 🫶🏻

if you're here for kinky pwp Senselessly Happy and Unsuspecting could be good stand-alone (but it's better when reading in order). I would say read Gnomon first on tumblr then read the rest in order on ao3.

Silence Is the Speech of Love by lady_ragnell

50k words

rating: E

Enjolras/Grantaire, background Courfeyrac/Marius/Cosette

Enjolras is cursed for speaking out against the gods, Grantaire is there for him.

will I ever shut up about this fic? Never. fave fave fave. the world building, the mythological/religious system, the writing, the "I love you" "I don't think you do, actually" scene URGH!!!! I think of this fic every time i hear chopsticks. Everything happening with courf/marius/cosette, and the genius inclusion of social worker Fantine my beloved. This is one of those "could be it's own novel" fics.

and the sequel from Enjolras' pov 😭 - Left Unsaid

World Ain't Ready by idiopathicsmile

185k words

rating: T

Enjolras/Grantaire

yes it's the top fic yes everyone probably knows it but it's good for a reason. THE fake dating high school au fic that I broke all my rules for back in 2015. I refused to read unfinished fics, let alone T rated high school fics, yet I remember waiting for the updates for this one as it came out, messaging mutuals on the day the last chapter was released. and every time I reread I remember why. Brilliantly written, the pining, the angst, the miscommunications. All the Joly and Bossuet scenes.

honourable mention to the scene where Joly is so excited for the battle of the bands, then next scene starts with "I think it's more of a sitting night today" the realest simple yet most gut punching illustration of chronic pain that gets my ass every time.

Lovesickness by idiopathicsmile

11k words

rating: T

Enjolras/Grantaire, Joly/Bossuet/Musichetta

(we're gonna see a fair bit of idiopathicsmile on here)

this is one of my absolute favourites. not only bc I quote "hit by a truck full of shirts" all the time. a Joly pov fic!!!!!! my beloved!!!!! I'm a BIG JBM fan (they are essential to me when I'm writing grantaire) and love fics that stay true to his friendship with Joly and Bossuet. also I love when Enjolras is a giant dumbass who thinks his feelings for Grantaire is a mystery illness 😂

Still the Same by The Librarina (tears_of_nienna)

74k words

rating: E

Enjolras/Grantaire/Combeferre

ok ok ok. listen. Yes. in this fic, Enjolras IS an fbi agent... and u know i'm the first and last to scream acab always...

that being said this is fully still one of my fave e/r/c fics. Enjolras and Combeferre are married & Enjolras needs to work with art thief Grantaire (fave) on a case. also that one bit at the end when Grantaire *redacted* 👀🫣

cupbearer by illuminate*

*this one is locked, you need an account to view

series, 4 works

124k words total

ratings: T, M & E

Enjolras/Grantaire

this series!!!!!! VAMPIRE ENJOLRAS!!!! thrall Grantaire!!!! canon era AND modern au! REINCARNATION!!!! i'm eeeeaaaaattiiiing 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

More Than Just a Game by ecaitlin

36k words

rating: E

Courfeyrac/Combeferre

Fake dating courferre 😭 this one is so good for the desert scene alone 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻 one of my fave courferre fics

Good Intentions by ecaitlin

95k words

rating: E

Courfeyrac/Combeferre, background Marius/Cosette, Joly/Bossuet, Bahorel/Feuilly, and Enjolras/Grantaire ofc

THE les amis hogwarts au. 95k of Courfeyrac pov is always a treat for the system. in their last year at hogwarts, Courfeyrac decides to play matchmaker for all his friends. shenanigans!!!! fuck jkr, but whenever I wanna reread harry potter again I read this fic 🫶🏻 fave courferre ever, and also fave background e/r

if you remembered me by nightswatch*

*this one is locked, you need an account to view

40k words

rating: M

Enjolras/Grantaire

one thing about me is I love an amnesia fic! Enjolras loses his memory and Grantaire helps him recover 👀 this one's for the hurt/comfort and miscommunication/not being upfront about shit fans. also there's some past Grantaire/Combeferre and i'm always a fan

Beautiful Music Together by lady_ragnell

31k words

rating: E

Courfeyrac/Marius/Cosette

a rare Courf/Marius/Cosette fic for your palette. established Marius/Cosette need a little help from their good friend Courf with their sex life 👀 while the three of them also work on a musical assignment together 😭 prequel to You Dance Dreams kinda 👀

You Dance Dreams by lady_ragnell

61k words

rating: E

Enjolras/Grantaire

(you can tell when i've found a writer who has a fair few fics and just gone nuts lol, lots of lady_ragnell too)

BALLET AU I LOVE YOU!!!!!! so set in the same universe as Beautiful Music Together, Combeferre ropes everyone into working on his opera, a Midsummer Night's Dream sequel. Grantaire dances as Puck alongside Enjolras singing as Oberon 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

In Defiance of all Geometry by idopathicsmile

51k words

rating: T

Enjolras/Grantaire/Combeferre

this is a top fave E/R/C fic and a top fave les amis fic of all time! Them living in a co-op and all the little details of how they make it work is sooooo real and anyone who wants to see accurately written community organising in les amis fic it's here! now for the ✨romance✨ - Grantaire moves in to the amis co-op and starts crushing on both Enjolras and Combeferre, who have both been pining for each other for years.

Years Since It's Been Clear by lady_ragnell

10k words

rating: E

Enjolras/Grantaire

Enjolras offers his spare room to grantaire - or the one where enjolras chases the sun across the living room floor like a cat. That image has lived rent free in my head for and I am not exaggerating here, 10 years.

Gonna need (a spark to ignite) by FinditAgain*

*this one is locked, you need an account to view

47k words

rating: M

Enjolras/Grantaire/Combeferre

soulmate au! soulmate au with E/R/C!!!!!!! enjolras and combeferre are soulmates who lost their bond as children. when combeferre and enjolras find each other as adults, enjolras is already in an established relationship with grantaire 👀👀👀

secret agent man by goshemily

30k words

rating: E

Enjolras/Grantaire

yes another cop one haha 😭 bc if ur not able to contradict urself with the media u like are u even a person? but also I wouldn't recommend if it wasn't a good read for the stairs scene alone 😅 Enjolras and Grantaire need to go undercover as a married couple in a small town.

Leaves in the Void by myrmidryad

16k words

rating: M

Enjolras/Grantaire

this is one i've found since rejoining tumblr late last year that 😭 fully broke my heart bro 😭 space au, enjolras writes letters to everyone when he's accidentally isolated on a ship for what to him was eight and half months but was two hours for everyone else.

Blame Delicate Artemis by hyenateeth

22k words

rating: E

femslash Enjolras/Grantaire

posting omegaverse on main? more likely than you think!

this is porn with a tiny bit of plot, but also one of my fave for femslash e/r and also..... girl dick. that's all.

omega enjolras alpha grantaire canon era lesbians.

that's enough description to find its right audience I feel

Eyes to Serve, Hands to Learn by myrmidryad

94k words

rating: E

Enjolras/Grantaire

Grantaire runs into Enjolras at a kink club. enter 94,000 words of bdsm porn and pining. mostly dom Enjolras and submissive Grantaire, mostly.

Never Be Satisfied by torakowalski

15k words

rating: E

femslash Enjolras/Grantaire

dental dam mention! win!

Grantaire gives Enjolras some advice, lends some toys, and then offers some hands on help when she learns Enjolras has never come before 😏

potentially lovely, perpetually human by myrmidryad

20k words

not rated, does contain smut

Enjolras/Grantaire

lots of myrmidryad here too lol

two of my favourite tropes here. 1: supernatural Enjolras who's in control of his abilities except when it comes to Grantaire (see cupbearer series) and 2: nonbinary Grantaire my beloved!!! Enjolras has psychic empathy triggered by physical touch, so he refuses to touch anyone: until his touch starved ass accidentally touches Grantaire and feels what they're feeling 🥹

Witchboy by tothewillofthepeople

series, 8 works

84k words

rating: T, M

Enjolras/Grantaire

this one is a more recent recommendation that I loved, the world building and magic is so good, there's some great background eposette and patron minette which I'm always a fan of.

i'm not the moon (i'm not even a star) by serinesaccade

40k words

rating: M

Enjolras/Grantaire

amnesia fic and fake dating 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻 this time we've got Grantaire losing his memories and waking up in a world where he has a really hot boyfriend, but apparently his 1.5 year relationship with Enjolras isn't what it seems 👀

and let's round this out with a classic

Thirty-Two Times by Ark

7k words

rating: E

Enjolras/Grantaire

the bottom R canon era bible 🙏🏻

i'm sorry i feel like my emoji use is very millennial. jsyk 👌🏻 is me clicking with my nails ok bye 😘

if you want more i'm whorejolras on ao3 go nuts 🙌🏻

[lightlycareless]

Hii! I just wanted to let you know that I'm a big fan of your work!

I started of with discovering your "First it Hurts" fic on ao3, then being updated to your every post cus I look forward to every fic or hc's you make!

Also, I loved the valentines special post 💗💗 BUT IM SO CURIOUS ABOUT NAOYA'S LETTER AHH, anyways I just wanted to let yknow that I love your fics and the way you write Naoya! I hope you continue writing fics about him since there's a scarcity on Naoya fics HAHAHA, but I dont mean to pressure you! Please take your time, and I'm eagerly waiting for your new fics!

Hello!!

Awww thank you so so so much!! I'm so happy you're liking it so far!!!!! 🥺❤️ akajghajkghasgjas as well as my oneshot :>

Also, I'd like to apologize for the delay; I'm slowly working my way through requests, the main fic, and the weird schedule for my job 💀 I greatly appreciate your support and patience 🥺❤️ Also, I'll be writing Naoya fics for like, ever. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE HIM ANIMATED OMG ALL THE INSPIRATION.... gotta keep this small part of the fandom alive!!!!

Now... to the letter.... I feel like it would've gone something like this:

warnings: naoya is a prick, no surprise. but... he has feelings, just that he doesn't know what to do with them. this is the oneshot anon is referring to.

Happy reading!

Y/N.

I didn’t think letters were still written in these times, outside of elderly people and the socially inept, but I suppose that for certain occasions they are still necessary.

By the time you get this you’ll probably already have an idea of where I’m going with it, yet I’ll still write it down.

I cannot deny that you came onto my life in the most unexpected way, not necessarily the best either.

I didn’t like your siblings, and I still don’t. I think of them to be nothing but highly annoying, arrogant, especially your sister who seems to parade herself around Gojo and the privilege she had of knowing him.

Your brother is somewhat… calmer in that aspect, he tends to keep to himself, and I respect that. Everyone should be like that, you know?

But I’m not here to talk about them, of course, I’m here to talk about you.

When I heard that you were going to enroll, I wasn’t thrilled, I genuinely thought great, another nuisance was to grace the school grounds—I already had this preconceived idea of you and was more than ready on keeping it… until I finally I saw you.

I’m sure you’ve heard this a thousand times already, someone like you must’ve undoubtedly… but you are the prettiest girl I have ever seen in my life. Your beauty is so mesmerizing, I couldn’t believe it was real—anyone thinking otherwise is either blind, stupid, or lying. Or maybe all at the same time.

I didn’t accept those feelings at first, tried my hardest to ignore them and go back to disliking you, find a reason to hate you and move on.

But I couldn’t, and when I heard your laughter, saw your smile, or the cute way your eyes twinkled whenever you were excited about something, I knew it was impossible for me to disregard it any further.

My feelings for you had only grown more and more as time passed, and now, I find it physically impossible to contain them, but still hard to express them to you in person.

So, I resorted to this letter, which I hope will be able to accurately convey what I feel for you, if only for a fraction, until then.

What I mean to say is… If you let me, Y/N, I can show you how special you are to me.

I can give you all that you want in the world—it doesn’t matter what, whether it being money, or the stars themselves—I will not spare any expense to give you what you deserve, and I shall assess that every day of my life until my death, starting with the gifts I’ve sent you today, alongside those waiting in your dorm.

I shall call you mine. No other man will be able to lay a hand on you, and I won’t allow any other woman to do the same to me either. My eyes will solely keep to you, and you alone; I expect you to do the same.

And in turn… I don’t ask much, except that you see me the same cheerful, adorable way you see others when happy, the one that has me completely enthralled, unable to keep it off my mind for more than one second, and… accept me into your heart.

If you so decide it appropriate to get to know each other better, you know where to find me. I shall await your response.

Naoya.

As you can see, Naoya isn’t overtly romantic or good with words (I mean, the slander at the beginning lol) but he tries, as genuinely as possible—his honesty is a virtue to appreciate lol. Also, he was TREMBLING while writing this, if not crying hahaha he really almost died when he wrote you were the prettiest girl in the whole while world.

He’ll become more comfortable with it, of course, he’s a man that can’t hold himself when it comes to talking. But it’s nice to see him all shy for once 😊

Akgjakogja I’m so happy you all liked this little oneshot—I know it was quite the bomb to drop on valentine’s day, but I swear, it’s a happy ending story :>

If there’s more you want to know about that oneshot/au just let me know, I’ll be more than happy to indulge!!

Take care, and hope to see you soon!!!

[unseededtoast]

Turtle Doves | Joel Miller

Epilogue

Chapter Directory

Series Summary: In which two broken souls connect so deeply, that if one should perish, the other would surely die of a broken heart. (slow burn, timeline changes. After TLOU1, before TLOU2, assumed knowledge of infected, uses elements from both show and game)

Series Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence, death, and sexual content.

Also cross posted on my Wattpad and AO3, if you prefer those formats. Here is a link to my masterlist for everything else I’ve posted.

I hear the cooing of turtle doves in the trees above us.

Rustling bedsheets bring me out of a deep sleep, and the sunlight shining through the window is enough to let me know I've probably slept in just a little too long.

Beside me, I feel Joel move around until his arm finally wraps around my waist and he pulls me close. No matter how many mornings begin this same way, I'll never get tired of it.

I get cozy in his arms and the two of us lay there in a peaceful silence, both of us waking up at a slow pace. Joel just got back from a security patrol yesterday after a week, so it's all the more reason to prolong starting the day.

He presses a kiss to the back of my head and his hand traces the curve of my waist.

"Missed you." He whispers, voice thick with sleep.

"I missed you more." I answer with a small smile on my face.

"Now we've been over this before, that's just not possible." I can practically hear the smile in his voice and turn around to face him.

Joel's big brown eyes look back into mine, the sunlight reflecting the small flecks of gold around his pupils. As he smiles, thin lines beside his eyes become more pronounced. I reach a hand up and brush my thumb against his cheekbone, and he leans into my touch.

"How'd it go?" I ask, curious as to how his patrol went with Tommy.

"It was uneventful if that's what you're worried about." He sees through my question and answers the one I hadn't exactly asked.

"That's what I like to hear." I answer, happy to hear that they hadn't run into any unanticipated obstacles or observed any raiders.

"How were things here?" He asks, his hand trailing down to my hip. No matter how many times his hands have mapped out the curves of my body, it never fails to make me feel loved and desired.

"They were good. I've got something for you downstairs whenever we get around to it." I answer, in no particular hurry to get out of bed just yet.

"Well whatever it is, it can wait just a little longer. How was Ellie?" He asks, a thin line between his eyebrows becoming visible.

"She was good. Spent most of her time with Dina and Jesse. I'm not cool enough anymore apparently." I tell him, remembering how much fun she looked like she was having the other night with her friends.

I had gone to the Tipsy Bison with Maria while our men were away to pass some time and we had spotted Ellie, Dina, and Jesse together. They were laughing and joking, having a good time overall. And as I watched them, I could've sworn I saw a certain look in Ellie's eye as she watched Dina. It's the same one Joel has when he looks at me, and me at him. But I'll never say anything to Joel, I just hope by now she trusts me enough to talk about it, whenever she may be ready. Though she's not my child, she's come to grow on me, and I love her like she's my very own.

"Good. It's about time she gets some solid friends. I was worried about her for a while, thought she was making it her mission to have the world as her enemy." He says with a sigh. I place my hand atop his on my hip and give him a pointed look.

"Sure sounds like someone I met once." A small smirk tilts the corner of my lip.

"I don't know what you mean." He feigns ignorance and deflects by kissing my forehead.

We spend some more time in bed, relishing in the peace we have before we eventually make our way down to the kitchen. Before Joel gets down I get to the table first and grab the fresh fruit and hide it behind my back.

And once he finally comes down the stairs he sees the smile on my face, his eyes going to my hands behind my back.

"Whatcha got there?" He asks, eyes flicking back up to mine.

"This." I say and bring the fruit around from behind my back.

A small peach sits in the palm of my hand and Joel's eyes grow wide. He takes a few steps towards me, his eyes never leaving the fruit.

"Is that..?" He asks, not believing what he's seeing.

"It is. And I haven't forgotten about the promise I made." I nod my head with a smile and hold the fruit out to him.

Three years ago when Joel first planted the trees, I ended up promising him the first peach the trees produced. And all of our patience and care has finally paid off. The droughts and severe winters weren't enough to keep our trees from prospering.

He takes the fruit from my hand and wastes no time biting into it. I hear how juicy it is and can't wait to try one myself. I'll be even happier when the apple trees start producing, but unfortunately that'll likely take another year or two. But if I've learned anything, it's that I can be patient for good things.

"Good?" I ask, seeing Joel's eyes closed as he savors the fruit.

"So good." He opens his eyes again and closes the space between us.

Joel leans in for a kiss, and I can taste the sweet peach juice on his lips. Maybe when we get more I can find a way to make a peach cobbler, there's nothing better than a sweet dessert on a summer's evening.

"Mmm that is good." I say and lick the juice off of my own lips.

"I think you missed some, right there." Joel says and leans in for another kiss. And then another.

One of his arms wraps around my waist as he deepens our kiss. He must've really missed me out there this past week. My hands come up to cup his face and bring him impossibly closer to me. And just as I begin to feel the heat ignite in my tummy, the front door opens.

"Gross." Ellie says, slinging her bag on the couch as she walks into the kitchen.

Joel steps away from me and scowls at Ellie. This isn't the first time she had walked in on Joel and I being intimate together. But thankfully this time we still had our clothes on.

"Have you never heard of knocking?" Joel asks her, taking another bite of the peach still in his hand.

"It's practically noon I didn't think you'd be here." She answers as she starts rummaging through the cabinets. From the looks of her, she didn't spend the night out in the detached garage Joel had converted into an apartment for her.

"I just got back yesterday. Had no plans of leaving this house." He says before finishing off the peach.

Ellie looks over at him, pausing her food scavenging for just a moment.

"I'm going to assume it's because you're tired and not for nasty plans." She says before going back through what's in the cabinets.

At first, I had been taken aback by Ellie's blunt demeanor. But Joel had assured me that it's just her way of communicating. And he had been right, the girl is a spitfire.

"And what if it was?" He shot back at her and I knew that they'd keep going back and forth if I didn't step in.

"Stop it, children. Ellie, we have some bread Maria gave us in the next cabinet over." I tell her and she nods, finding it and tearing a piece off.

"So what'd you come in here for if not to interrupt and take our food?" Joel asks, watching as she takes another mouthful of bread.

"First of all, I didn't interrupt anything. Second, I was coming to tell you that the guy from the radio tower gave me a message. For you." Ellie looks right at me and my eyebrows raise.

"What was it?" I ask, confused as to who could have possibly wanted to reach out.

"Said it was some guy from Boston, James. And that he said he was happy to hear that you're still alive. Oh, and he's pissed he didn't get his knife back." Ellie relays the message. I can't help but feel a little shocked. I hadn't seen or talked to James since I left Boston.

"But I never sent a transmission out to him." I say, sliding my hands into the pockets of my pants.

"I did. A few weeks ago. Felt bad for just leaving him in the dark all that time. Thought he might want to know you were okay." Joel says, almost sheepishly.

A part of me feels bad for never reaching out to James. After everything we went through for years and years, I had just left him and disappeared. I had wanted to reach out but I didn't know what to say, after all, we didn't leave on the best of terms. But James and I always come around. Always.

"Thanks Ellie, and thank you, Joel. I'll have to send him something back." I say, promising to myself that I'll follow through this time.

I wonder how he's doing, how his wife is doing. Maybe he's out of the smuggling business. But if I know James as well as I think I do, there's no way he got out of it. And because of that, I'm even more confident in my choice to leave. Otherwise I'd still be stuck there doing the same damn thing every single day.

And here I get to wake up in peace next to the man I love, never having to worry about FEDRA soldiers or Firefly terrorists. It's quiet and serene out here, and I wouldn't trade this for anything.

"Maybe he'll come out here." Joel says, finishing the peach off and licking the excess juice from his fingers. I scoff and stave off laughter.

"James won't ever leave Boston unless he's forced to. He's complacent there and he's got the economy under his thumb. But it would be nice to see him again." I say, remembering all those years we spent surviving together. What once seemed like days that blurred together, are now nothing more than a distant memory.

"Well, anyways, I'm going back out. See you guys later, maybe." Ellie says, shoving just a little bit more bread into her mouth before she's grabbing her bag and darting out the door.

"I'm gonna have to change the locks or something." Joel says with a shake of his head. But I know he only puts up a rough exterior, deep down I know he loves when she drops in.

"You really think that'll stop her?" I ask, and Joel shakes his head.

"It sure wouldn't." He confirms and looks from the door back to me.

He steps towards me and can't keep his hands to himself. His lips are on mine again, his hands kneading into my hips. I'd love to just melt right into his touch and spend the day wrapped up in him, but, as another unfortunate fact of life, there's work to be done. Maybe tonight we'll be able to make up for lost time.

"Joel, come on I have to get out the greenhouses. First harvest is coming up." I say, stepping out of his embrace before I get persuaded to stay.

"Let me come with you then." He says and puts his boots on before I can insist he stays here and rests up. The man is still stubborn as an ox, not much has changed on that front.

"Fine. But I won't let you do any physical labor. Today is supposed to be for your rest and recovery." I remind him, lacing up my own shoes. He dismisses my statement while I grab some wicker baskets.

The two of us step out into the golden sunlight, the summer air feeling warm already. It's best to get gardening work done in the morning, and I'm really pushing it today. I just hope the others don't mind much. But even if they do, with Joel around, I doubt I'll hear anything about it.

The greenhouses are full and are shaping up to have a very fruitful season. When we get there, there's already a few of the others working to water and harvest the newly-ripened vegetables.

I hand a basket to Joel and the two of us start making our way down the aisles, grabbing the red tomatoes and peppers while making sure the others are growing nicely and without pests or diseases.

It's not often Joel gets to work here, but I can tell he likes it when he can find the time. After all, I'm sure it's extremely rewarding to see so much prosperity come from something he helped to build with his own hands.

I watch as he gently plucks a cherry tomato from the vine, his large hands acting with such tenderness. A tenderness I never would've guessed lived in him when I first met him a few years ago.

He must feel me watching because he turns his head and meets my gaze. A soft smile forms on his lips before he focuses back on the plant. And after admiring him for just a moment longer, I get back to work as well, my soul content and happy.

Later, after the greenhouse work is complete and the sun begins descending on the horizon, Joel offers to walk me to the flower field. The flower field and orchard is probably my favorite place on Earth. And every time I go to visit, I'm reminded of Joel's kindness and thoughtfulness.

The two of us find a nice spot amongst the blooming colors. Every year since Joel planted them all, more and more keep popping up, filling the space with incredible vividness. I lean against his shoulder as we listen to the birds coo and chirp and watch the butterflies and honey bees fly around to all the flowers.

"Reminds me that I need to find that hive, might be able to get us some honey." Joel breaks the silence as a pollen-covered bee lands on his boot.

"Honey would be so nice." I agree, watching as it takes flight again.

The two of us fall back into a comfortable silence for a while longer, the setting sun finally painting the sky a vibrant orange and pink.

"Listen, while Tommy and I were out there, I found something." Joel speaks up again and I shift around to look up at him. His hand comes down to rest on my thigh.

"What did you find?" I ask, curious as to why he's only bringing this up now. Usually if they find anything good it's the first thing Joel says.

"I'll get to that in a second. But first, I just, um, I just wanted to tell you that you mean the world to me. And that I love you, very much." He says and I smile sweetly. Joel tells me he loves me all the time, but this feels different. And while he's searching for his next words, I place my hand atop his on my thigh.

"And I love you too." My voice is light, as to not disturb the ambience surrounding us.

"I mean, I love you more than I ever thought was possible. From that first night in Boston, I knew there was just somethin' about you. And then we spent the night on that farm, and I got to see the real you. I knew I could never just say goodbye after Omaha, there's just no way I could come back here and never see you again. And building this life together, it's more than I deserve and certainly more than I ever could've hoped for." He says, and I faintly see tears welling up in his eyes. His big brown eyes look into mine, and my heart feels like it's overflowing with love.

"And while we were out there. I saw this and just thought it would be the prettiest thing in the world on your finger." He says, pulling a box from his pocket and opening it.

Inside, a pristine looking ring sits in the plush velvet. The stones are bright and reflect the sunlight in a magical way. Tears fall from my eyes before I can even find the words to say.

"Joel Miller, I love you more than you could ever know. And I'll cherish you for the rest of my days." I say, as he pulls the ring from the box and slides it into my ring finger.

The metal and stones glisten wonderfully and I can barely take my eyes off of it. Never in a million years did I think I'd be wearing another ring on my finger. And we both know that this can never replace what was lost decades ago, we know that this is a symbol of what we've found and built together.

Joel wipes the tears from my eyes and a few fall from his and roll down his cheek. His lips meet mine in a tender, loving way, and I wish that I could stay in this moment forever.

And as we break away and lean our foreheads against one another's, I hear the cooing of turtle doves in the trees above us.

[dominimoonbeam]

Hi, first I wanted to say that I really love your writing and thank you so much for sharing it.

You're amazing and so talented and you made me addicted to your writing. The way you write characters is so real and your way of writing scenerios in general makes me so Invested in the story.

Another thing, I don't know if you accept requests and if you don't feel free to ignore it:

Can I please ask for Sam comforting darlin after a long week when they basically shut down from stress? (Can you tell I'm projecting?😅)

Please don't feel pressured to do it, I know you're working on a lot of stuff now too so maybe just keep the idea for the future?

Anyway I wish you a happy rest of your week, take care of yourself and rest if you need to!

Anon! Thank you so much for all the kind words! You're not the only one needing some comfort and care lately! I think something about this season has been rough for people for a bunch of different reasons, myself included. I've got you! Or at least, I tried. Hope you like it! And I hope things turn up and go smoother for you soon!

Sam/Darlin comfort fic below the cut. Will probably reread and post it on ao3 later on.

<3

They were tired.

Dead tired. Like they wished they were dead. No, no, that was bad. They didn’t wish that. They just… It had just been such a long fucking week and it felt like everything was going wrong. Nothing big enough that they could point it out or complain. Just, off. And they hadn’t been able to sleep. And it seemed like the longer it went, the longer they hid it well enough that no one pressed for an explanation they couldn’t begin to come up with, it got heavier rather than lighter.

When they got home that night from a job, they were actually relieved Sam wasn’t back yet. The last thing they wanted to do was to drag him down with them. God, he deserved so much better than them. They tossed their keys on the side table, toed off their boots, and hung up their jacket. The side of their face throbbed. They’d gotten hit with a fucking bat. David thought their cheekbone was broken and had only finally allowed them to go home because he knew Sam would take care of it.

Darlin sat down in the big chair, their favorite chair, and told themself they’d just sit for a minute. And then they’d shower, see if their face was really that much of a mess, and if it was, maybe they’d drag their ass over to the clinic and get a healer there to fix it. They felt bad making Sam patch them up all the time, but they also hated the idea of anyone else touching them let alone mending them.

They could put an ice pack on it. Maybe the swelling would go down on its own.

They sank back in the chair and closed their eyes. Just a minute.

-

Sam was still at the Solaire house when he got a call from David.

His heart always lurched high in his chest when he got a call from David, his first thought always that frantic fear that something had happened to Darlin. Why else would David call him instead of Darlin or instead of using the group chat?

Sam stepped away from the big table of squabbling younger vampires and a very amused William.

“David?”

“Hey Sam,” David said, voice gruff but easy, instantly relieving that tension in Sam’s chest. “I just wanted to check in and see how they’re doing.”

The tension was back. “What?” Darlin had been off for almost a week, barely talking but not willing or ready to tell him why. He wasn’t sure they knew themself, not yet. But somehow he didn’t think that was what David was talking about.

The pause stretched. “Are they not home yet?”

Sam was already grabbing his jacket and waving heading for the front door. “They might be, but I ain’t. Why?”

David sighed. “Sorry. It’s not an emergency, Sam. The job got rough and they took a bat to the face… I would have taken them to a healer but they insisted—”

“Yeah,” Sam said, nodding. Of course, they would. “I’m heading home now. I’ll let ya know when they’re patched up.”

He called Darlin in the truck but they didn’t answer, which conjured a mess of panicked thoughts. What if they’d passed out behind the wheel? The thought of his Darlin in a twisted wreck was hard to push away and almost immediately replaced by other tragic imaginings.

He exhaled small relief when he saw their car in front of the house.

The front door wasn’t locked. Darlin never locked it when they were home. And there they were, asleep in the big chair. He sighed and put his keys down with theirs. Another step inside and their eyes opened. Well, one opened, the other was swollen shut.

“Damn…” Darlin winced as he closed the door. They sat up with some effort. “Sorry, I think I fell asleep… What time is—”

“Don’t you dare stand up,” he warned when they were starting to tip forward. He was already in front of them, gently catching their shoulder to ease them back. He kept his voice in a low hush, thinking their head had to be hurting inside and out. “You shoulda called me, Darlin.” He knelt beside their leg, carefully fingering hair out of their face. The bruising was new, like it had only just begun, and the swelling was bad. It looked like their cheekbone was broken. “David said you got hit with a bat?”

Darlin sighed, shoulders slumping. “I wasn’t paying attention and this guy… Yeah.”

Sam clicked his teeth to keep from snarling at the idea of ‘this guy’ whoever the hell he was. He reached toward their face but they caught his wrist and pulled it gently down to their heart instead. “I’ll be gentle,” he promised, surprised.

Darlin smiled weakly, eyes already closed again. “I know. You always are, cowboy. But I don’t…” They sighed, their smile gone. “I don’t want to cost you anything right now, you know?” Their voice had gotten small, like they were far away inside themself.

Sam kept his hand to their chest, feeling their heartbeat through his palm. He leaned against their thigh, so they’d feel him right there next to them, practically leaning into the chair with them. “You never cost me anything,” he whispered back. “Healing you is a privilege. It makes me feel like there’s something I can do for you. I love you, Darlin.”

Their face pinched, not a wince but close, and he thought if they opened those eyes, they’d be teary. His other hand stroked up the side of their thigh, squeezing them gently. “Tell me what it is,” he said gently. “Tell me what’s going on in your head.” He said it quietly, like it could be just between them.

Darlin sighed and he heard all the exhaustion and strain in that breath. “I don’t know. I just… It’s been a bad week. It’s everything. I just feel… Everything. And I’m tired and I hate myself and I can’t… I can’t take things from you when I feel like I’ve got nothing to give.”

Sam watched them the whole time they choked out that barely audible confession. They’d never told him these things, but they didn’t shock him either. They hurt, because he never wanted them to feel like that, but they didn’t shock him. “Do you trust me, Darlin?”

That good eye opened enough to look at him, surprised. “Of course. I love you.”

He stroked his thumb against their collar, above their heart. “I’m going to heal you and then we’re going to take a bath. You can talk or you can relax. We’re going to get some well needed sleep and I’m going to order your favorite food. And every step of the way, I’m going to remind you that you’re incredible and all the reasons I love you, all the reasons your pack loves you, and all the reasons my clan loves you. You get to feel however you feel, Darlin, but that voice in your heart telling you bad shit, that’s asshole is lying.”

A tear rolled off Darlin’s lashes, even though their mouth was set in a stubborn line, like they refused to acknowledge it.

He reached up slowly, so they could stop him again if they needed to argue about this more, but he also couldn’t leave their face like that. His fingertips brushed the edge of the bruising and Darlin’s eye closed as that warm magic slid through their skin, spreading out. The delicate bone in their cheek healed and the swelling went down.

They exhaled relief when they opened both eyes and blinked at him.

He could see an apology building in their eyes, trying to form on their tongue. He took their face in both hands and leaned in, touching his forehead to theirs the way he’d seen the pack do. “Trust me,” he pleaded. “I ain’t ever going to lie to you, Darlin, and we’ll get through bad weeks together.”

Darlin stayed tense for another few seconds, like they might push this comfort away, but finally they sagged. Too tired maybe?

Sam smiled when they tipped their face into his, brushing a soft kiss against his lips. He kissed back and then pulled them to their feet to lead them to the bathroom. He had to make a dash back to his jacket to send a text off to David, telling him Darlin was fine but they were taking tomorrow off.

[42bakery]

Put That Guy in a SituationTM Ask Game/Prompt: Pedro & Fermin 57

Sorry for the delay, Anna. At this point, it's even embarrassing how much time it took me to write this, but life got in the way. Anyway, it's done and I hope you like.

This is an accidental hand-holding with Fermín Aldeguer and Pedro Acosta from the Put That Guy in a SituationTM Ask Game list. (I'm still open if anyone wants). This has also been posted on AO3 too.

One-shot under the cut.

Pedro breathes in and breathes out with his eyes closed. He's trying to relax and shake off his nerves, but he can't. The media are all over him, taking photos and studying all the interactions he has had so far. They are trying to study everything and try to guess how his performance will be based on his attitude. Journalist are all like vultures, searching for a crack in his demeanour or studying his behaviour to drag him through the mud. They are trying to see if the pressure of the colours of the factory team has got to him. It didn't. He has worn those same colours in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, in Moto3 and in Moto2. The strange thing was wearing the red from GasGas last year.

He breathes in and out once more, trying to shake his nerves away, but it’s not working. There are more flashes around him as the time for the MotoGP class photo approaches. There aren’t any eyes for the lingering Moto2 riders, or the other MotoGP riders near him. Everyone seems to be focused just on Pedro without a real reason, except he’s now a factory rider. The pressure of riding a factory bike is not making him crumble, but the pressure and the attention of the media sure has the potential for it. He was a factory rider in Moto3, considering how things are in that category works, so he knows the colours are not important. Having a team listening close to you is not that important either, but how the media treats you, sure it’s different in between being just a rider and being a factory rider.

Pol and Izaskun start to walk toward him slowly, but with clear intentions, and Pedro tenses. He's not ready for that interview yet, but he can't send them away without getting labelled as difficult. In a moment of panic, and wanting some comfort, he tries to grab Martín, who is behind him chanting with Aldeguer. Maybe, if he has the Aprilia rider, who is in the same situation as him, this will be fine. Maybe, if he has the support of someone who can draw the media towards themselves, he won't be as nervous. Maybe this way he won't be the centre of attention for now, which might get his nerves under control for future interviews.

At the first try, he manages to grab a hand, which makes him happy because he wasn't really paying attention to what he was grabbing. The hand feels hot, and big, strangely big for Martín, but Pedro doesn't have a lot of time to think about it, so he gently pushes Jorge towards him, hoping the Aprilia rider doesn't mind being dragged towards an interview he wasn't expecting nor prepared.

The one that stumbles towards his direction is not the brand-new Aprilia rider like Pedro has wanted. The one that comes along, and still is holding his hand, is Aldeguer, but none of them can react before Pol rushes towards them. It's like the test rider has sprinted after seeing that, maybe smelling the potential of blood or witnessing something unusual between both Murcian riders.

‘What do we have here?' Points Pol to the joined hands of both riders with his free hand. The other is holding proudly the DAZN's microphone, showing what is doing now, act like a journalist. Pedro wants to remove his hand, he really does because he doesn't want to have to explain anything, however, Fermín doesn't allow him. The Gresini rider squeezes his hand and holds it firmly, preventing Pedro from ending the contact.

‘Nothing, just recreating an iconic moment of the Spanish's history of MotoGP. You know, the handshake between Pedrosa and Lorenzo with the king of Spain' says quickly. Then Aldeguer adds 'we know some people have compared us and our relationship to theirs, so why not do it? This is us promising to be cordial, but also wanting to destroy each other on track.' Pedro is just looking at him, and he's happy that the other rider has saved the day and taken over the interview., but at the same time he doesn't really know what the other rider has in his mind.

Martín has moved to Pedro's other side, looking at them with one of his eyebrows up in question. Pedro would like to answer in the same way, indicating he doesn't know what's going on either, but by doing that, he will make Aldeguer look like a liar, and he can't allow that. Or at least not now. Pedro will have time to explain later when no camera is pointing at them.

‘Oh amazing. So, you both want to re-write history' applauds Pol. Pedro starts to get more comfortable now that the attention isn't on him being a factory rider. Now it's about his and Aldeguer's rivalry, and he can deal with it. He's more than ready to talk about it.

‘Well, we are doing it on our terms' adds Pedro, dragging the words like he always does. He also has his side smile like always. It's all about pretending this isn't weird or an improvised thing.

‘Okay if you are Jorge and Dani' says Izaskun pointing at Aldeguer and then at Pedro, ‘Pol can be our king. This way, we can do it properly. Let's recreate history' suggests the journalist, but rather than a suggestion is a veiled order because they all will do as Izaskun has said. The KTM test rider doesn't need any time to give the microphone to Jorge and then grab Pedro's and Fermín's wrists. It's the same way as it was done in 2008, like how the king did with Dani and Jorge.

‘Don't fight' starts saying Pol. He does his best to sound solemn and not laugh. ‘Shake your hands for Spain' says and immediately adds ‘there, there'. By this point, they are all trying to not laugh at the poor imitation the test rider is doing of the ex-King of Spain. The one who is doing the worst job is Fermín, and Pedro is tempted to call him out, but he prefers to stay in his role, and that is just stare at the other rider with a serious face.

‘And then we can just battle two to three more years hard against each other and pretend this never happened.' Pedro adds while retiring his hand. Somehow this has calmed him, and he now feels ready to confront the media. He can now answer all the questions about his change from the Tech3 to the Factory, about his expectations and what he can do. Also, about the difference between the 2025 bike compared to the 2024 bike, he's so ready for those.

‘I'm perfectly okay with that if it means fighting this guy for titles.' There's a gigantic smile on Fermín's face. In Aldeguer's mind, there's probably the results during those years, when Jorge won a championship over Dani, and how Izaskun has labelled him as Lorenzo. No doubt, the Ducati rider wants those same results, but Pedro is there to prevent them. He wants those victories, tittle and glory for himself, and he'll fight every rider, especially Aldeguer, to get his hands on the tower.

Aldeguer's smile is rapidly imitated by Pol, who is back to his pit-lane reporter mode, ready to dig in their past and their rivalry, but also on what they can do this year with their current bikes. The rest of the interview happens in a blur, just like the next one and the next one, except that for the rest of them he doesn't have Aldeguer on his side. Pedro is now alone against the journalist, and he's okay with that. He's in complete control of himself and his feelings, ready to fight the whole world and win them.

[triflesandparsnips]

What’s this about trifles and parsnips?

THANK YOU FOR ASKING @asquared-ohgodnotthehorrors AND ALSO A+ NAME.

It took me until, like, last month to realize that my username could suggest that this is a shared blog or whatever. The real origin is both mundane and self-referential, as most things are.

I'm one of those tumblr cryptids who've never changed their username or icon; I came over to tumblr after spending some time lost in the wilderness after the big fandom exodus of Livejournal. So trifles and parsnips refer to my two main LJs at the time, whose names I quite liked and wasn't ready to give up entirely.

trifles was my username for the personal LJ I'd been keeping since college, named for a bit of poetry that resonated with what I was trying to accomplish then (and, I suppose, now):

Think naught a trifle, though it small appear:

Small sands the mountain, moments make the year,

And trifles life.

(The poet is Edward Young, writing in the 1720s-- which suggests that I have Always Been Like This.)

The parsnips LJ was a journal for posting fanfic and such, disambiguated from my personal LJ so that elderly family members who read the one would really have to work to reach the devil's sacrament at the other. That one I named for the proverb "Fine words butter no parsnips." (The earliest attestation of which, I have literally just discovered, is from 1639 why do these centuries haunt me)

Then the AO3 came around and "parsnips" became my main pseud, with "trifles" being the one I somehow decided to use for the rare-fandom Yuletide exchange, back when it was shiny and new and not yet migrated to the AO3. When it did migrate, though, those two names became more thoroughly linked than they'd really ever been on LJ, so when I came over to tumblr I just said to hell with it and tied them together for good. Leaving us here, now, ta da.

--All this, by the by, also slightly explains why, when referring to myself in the 3rd person in meta or whathaveyou, I say stuff like "but trifles, where's the 18th-century soap", but often when posting fanfic I'll go for tags like "triflesandparsnips writes things".

------And as an entirely extra bit of information that is not at all relevant to my naming conventions but is nevertheless something I wish to share for reasons that will soon become apparent: My favorite kind of birthday dessert has, since college, been trifle. Whose recipe, under the actual name "trifle" and not just "a layered cake thing", is first recorded in 1585 because of course it fucking is.

[alteredphoenix]

The Talon Trick (StP Card Games AU)(Chapter 1)[WIP]

A/N: So a lot of people seemed to really like this idea I came up with for an StP fic that I'd like to do if the inspiration struck me (featuring the Princesses playing card games in the Long Quiet to pass the time while waiting for the Hero to show up - which shocked me, because I wasn't expecting such a positive reaction), and that provided just enough motivation to write something out. This first chapter is just about done, but as I have a bad habit of leaving a multi-chaptered fic to the wayside shortly after losing steam this isn't something I'm ready to post on AO3 - at least not right away. (And I do feel bad about that, but it's something I've struggled with for years and trying to overcome.)

I think stockpiling a few chapters and then uploading them is a better idea (and probably a much better course of action for me to do in the long run), so have this little snippet for the time being while I force my brain to sit still long enough to finish the chapter and give it some polish.

-

The Princess slowly, heavily, drags herself up into a sitting position, strawberry blonde hair spilling over her shoulder in one big curtain. Her chest heaves, sucking in lost air. Absentmindedly, she reaches one hand up and feels for the tiara sitting neatly over her scalp. One pat, two pats, and she finds it.

Somehow, beyond all reason, it’s stayed on. She huffs quietly and tips it back upright from where it was all but hanging over the side of her head.

She spares a moment to stare at the floor, a grey several shades darker with hints of a color mixed between rain-washed stone and muddied brown – and shifting. She squints, frowning, and stares down harder, even blinking several times for good measure. But the scene doesn’t change; those are lines, cross-hatched and messy and sketchy, like the ones she recalled seeing on the basement floor and chipped into the walls, shift and shudder in every direction, both to her and away from her. Some of the patches even fade in and out of sight, reappearing further ahead into another patch of the floor that quickly assimilates into another network of jumping, dancing cross-hatching. A tentative brush of her left hand makes a rivulet of lining readjust and follow along the curve of her fingertips.

Brows knit, the Princess picks her head up and casts a slow, sweeping gaze around her. The area – the world – is grey tinted beige as far as the eye can see – and nothing else. They continue to shift and retract and connect down here as they did up in the air, one long, pervasive wall of cloud and fog without end. A sound like a breeze sighing through the leaves on the trees pricks teasingly at her ears. She turns her head one way and then the other, listening, straining; the sound travels with her, cloying and evasive.

Confusion wells in the pit of her stomach. “...Where am I?” she asks aloud.

“You are here, returned to me, where you belong.”

“Who--” she begins, turning back around, and jumps back, the gasp ripping right out of her.

A young woman stands, far away yet close and larger than life. She has the same blonde hair, the same pink dress that conforms to her slim, pale curves, the same silvery tiara upon her head. The same voice, the Princess notes belatedly, soft yet quietly monotone, and feels her mouth fall open. She swallows thickly, tears her mind away from the fact to gaze up and down at the woman’s body. All around her, from the top of her head to the sloping V of her navel, small hands attached to long, slender arms shifted and waved and flexed with a fluidity both stunted and natural, some grasping absently at the air. One hand drapes over her eyes. A pair of hands cover her breasts. Another pair wraps over her bony shoulders in a loose embrace, the same which a second pair cupped the pointed joints of her hips.

“What the….” the Princess begins, mouth and brain working. “Who are...What...are you…?”

“I am solitary lights in an empty city. Oceans reduced to shallow creeks. Trees without a forest. I am infinite.”

The Princess blinks. One slender eyebrow arches up. “…Huh?”

“I am you,” says the woman. “You are me. Pieces of a dream on the path to being whole. A fragile vessel.”

The Princess swallows again. “...I don’t understand.”

“You will, in time. But know that what I speak is the truth, and this truth will set us free.”

“Free,” the Princess echoes. “Free from, uh...what, exactly?”

“Here,” the woman says, and a dozen-dozen hands fan out behind her and gesture at the shifting, grey mass of clouds and sketch lines. “I have only just now wakened from these trappings of unconsciousness, but the answer remains all the same: there is no exit. The concept of an exit does not exist; not even the concept of time exists. It merely is. But I know there are worlds beyond the Long Quiet, worlds that can be reached, and there will come a time for when we will find them.”

“So,” the Princess begins, drawing the word out, tentative and venturing, “we’re stuck here. This, uh… This Long...Quiet.”

“We are.”

“But you just woke up.”

“I did.”

“Like, right now.”

“More or less.”

The Princess stares at her. Her other eyebrow rises. “...So how do you know there aren’t any exits if you just—“ She shakes her head. “You know what, never mind."

[mxesntity]

'Who would've guessed we'd end up like this?' || Sun/Moon x Reader

I'M USED TO AO3 NOTES BUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO WRITE HERE BEFORE YA'LL GO OFF TO READ RAAAH

this is the first time i'm posting an actual fic on tumblr, but for now, it's only a oneshot, although i'd love to make a longer version! i'm only posting this here first to see if anyone would be interested in it! if that's the case, i'd totally continue it on ao3 ^^ anyways, enjoy!

sfw, he/him for reader, no glitchtrap au

"I'm 19... do I really have to go?"

You looked up at the big, colorful painting above the red doors which said "Superstar Daycare Pick-Up"

"It's just for an hour, sweetheart, and you know how much your sister wants to see it!"

You sighed, thinking that the hour spent in a daycare with kids no older than 10 years old could be spent in a much better in a place than this. You didn't even get the chance to see the Glamrocks face-to-face yet!

"It's the closest attraction, let's get it done first and we'll go check out all the other places after, hm?"

As much as you still weren't into the idea, you didn't have the heart to say no to your dad. An hour can't last that long, right?

You opened the previously mentioned red doors, admiring how beautiful the hallway looked. Wow, they really put effort into everything. There was a big fountain in the middle of it, the colorful lights were slightly dimmed here, and the starry ceiling gave it all an even nicer touch.

The silly daycare music started hitting your ears better the more you were moving through the hallway. It was the one part of the Pizzaplex that seemed to have less people in it compared to the others, but it made sense. There were plenty of things to see, and the main focus was always on the Glamrocks, that's what people came here for. Technically, you did too.

But you'd lie if you said Fazbear Ent. didn't put an amazing job into the daycare animatronics, too. You haven't seen them for yourself just yet, but the countless posters already showed you enough. You appreciated the celestial designs, it was a fun concept for sure.

Your dad checked you two in, although you didn't really need it, seeing as you were an adult. You were there to simply keep an eye on your sister while your dad went to get some gifts for you from the shop that was just next to the big, wooden door.

Right, you forgot to mention it, did you? It was your birthday!

The very reason you were here today, was to celebrate your birthday. That's exactly why you also warned your dad not too see too many attractions around the Pizzaplex on his own while you were occupied, as you wanted to experience it together.

It was a dream come true, really. It didn't matter what ages did this place focus on, it didn't matter that you were grown by now - you always wanted to come here, and your 19th birthday finally gave you a chance.

Such fun attractions come with big prices, obviously. Your dad couldn't really afford it before, trying to tie the ends together, and you understood. You waited patiently, even got a job once you could to save up for the trip! And finally, here it was.

"Well, we're here. You two have fun! I'll go pick out the first few gifts for you."

"Being here is a gift itself, dad. Don't waste too much, I have money of my own, too."

At that, he only swatted you and your sister away with a smile, seeming to not pay too much attention to your words. You sighed playfully, watching him get away in the small crowd. Your dad was a good man, you appreciated him for all the times he put you and your sibling first, even despite how harshly life has treated him.

"You ready?"

You looked down at your sister, and seeing her nod excitedly, you got a bit more enthusiastic, too. You pushed the wooden door, your eyes hit with all the bright, random colors and especially the neons on the walls and the ceiling.

There were maybe three kids sitting at a small table next to one of the play structures, lost in their little world of scribbling on paper and drawing whatever little kids usually draw. But so far, no sign of the animatronics.

Well... until.

"NEW FRIENDS! HELLO, HELLO!"

You jumped at the sudden loud voice so close to you, and soon enough, you saw the source of it, right in front of you.

A tall animatronic with the design and color palette resembling the sun, with a wide smile from one cheek to another, and bright blue eyes.

Very, very tall.

Your sister reacted faster than you, clapping and giggling upon seeing him. Seems like she found her favourite.

"Oh my... uhm, hello."

You placed your hand on your chest, calming your heartbeat down. You'd lie if you said it wasn't extremely easy to spook you.

Once the animatronic saw how excited your little sister was upon seeing him, he grabbed her so high that she was now facing him. She loved it, and immediately reached out to grab the sunrays sticking to his faceplate.

"Oh, Laurey, no! You might damage him!"

You were prone to overreacting. But most of all, you really didn't want your family to suffer from any... accidental damage any of you might cause to Fazbear Ent. and their star attractions. You knew nothing about how they actually worked, so even if this bot is made for kids, maybe some of his parts are more fragile than the others?

But the animatronic didn't seem to care. In fact, he started giggling right back at your sister, acting like he's being tickled.

"My friend, that's no issue at all! I absolutely LOVE kiddos who are curious about my design! So, your name's Laurey, little star? How beautiful!"

Okay, you could see just how well he was programmed. The wording he used, the tone, it was perfect for kids, and left a teeny tiny effect on you too. It was definitely admirable.

"I'm so so SO happy to welcome two new friends into our little daycare! What's your name?"

His eyes were on you now, still smiling as widely as ever. It looked like he could change his expressions freely, but he didn't lose the smile once.

"Oh, me? I'm Y/N, I'm just here to keep an eye on Laurey. But, uh, I'm happy to meet you too!"

His eyes lit up at your words, grabbing your wrist softly with his free hand, and leading you both further into the daycare.

"I'm SO excited! We'll have tons of fun! We have all kinds of toys here, and we constantly make up new games to play! Oh, oh, and I just LOVE arts and crafts with the littles, especially with glitter glue and googly eyes! We also do puppet shows!"

His mouth didn't close for a long time. Normally, you'd be annoyed, but something about his voice, as jumpy and loud as it was, comforted you.

"Hey there, my little stars! Please welcome our new friends!"

The three kids who were still sitting at the table turned your eyes to you all, Sun's excitement clearly rubbing off on them. They immediately stood up and welcomed you and your sister, especially her. Once Sun put her down, she seemed to fit right in, and they seemed like kids who were sweet enough not to do anything hurtful in case you turned your head away for once.

The animatronic observed them with a proud smile before turning to you. "I've actually never had a guest this big before! You're a special one!"

You perked up at his words, not able to hide that being called special made you happy, even if it came from a robot. It was always nice to be appreciated regardless.

"Ah, yeah, I can imagine... my sister really wanted to come here once we arrived. It's actually my birthday today, but-"

"YOUR BIRTHDAY?!"

Your eyes widened once Sun's voice got 3 times louder. He seemed shocked, but excited as well.

"My oh my, why did you not say so right away?! That's a serious celebration! I have to make this occasion meaningful, unforgettable! Yes, yes, right away!"

You tried to stop him, saying that it's not that big of a deal, not being used to someone being so into celebrating your birthday besides your closest family, but he insisted.

"Kiddos!"

He called on the children, who immediately turned their eyes to him.

"I'll need to talk with y'all privately! No Y/N's allowed for now!"

You chuckled, assuming that this "private talk" was regarding the surprise he wants to give you. Seeing as there was no stopping Sun's plans, you decided to play along, trying to spy on their conversation a little bit, quickly getting swatted away by Sun. It was quite endearing. You definitely weren't disappointed by coming here anymore, and not even 10 minutes passed yet.

Being an ex-theatre kid payed off with how well you could pull off dramatic and over exaggerated reactions for the kids and Sun's enjoyment. You acted deeply hurt by the fact that they wouldn't fill you in on their little conversation, and with a very big, sad expression, you went to drown yourself in the ball pit. You heard the others giggling, and you quickly realized just how fun this short stay can be.

"Yes, yes, that's a brilliant idea! Let's get to work, my little stars!"

You peeked out of the ball pit when the kids started running around, looking like they were on a search for specific things Sun told them to find. But before you could see what they were looking for, someone's figure blocked your view.

"Nuh-uh, no peeking! That's against the rules! You're not a rule breaker, are you?"

You chuckled, looking up at the animatronic. His height did make your neck cramp, though.

"You don't have to do all this for me, y'know. I mean, I appreciate it, but I don't think it's really worth..."

He didn't let you finish your sentence, and soon enough, he picked you up like a cat.

"OF COURSE it's worth it! It doesn't matter if you're an old friend, a new friend, or for how much you'll be staying here! Every single one of my friends deserves a fitting birthday present! Birthdays are SO important!"

Even if you wanted to, you couldn't stop smiling. It seemed to make Sun happy - as expected from a daycare bot, making his guests have a great time in his little lane was the main objective.

"I'm gonna need you to stay somewhere you can't see our progress, friend! It's a surprise for a reason!"

You tried persuading him into staying, but no could do. That's how you found yourself on one of the castle towers in the ball pit, with a bunch of toys and plushies around you. It's not like any of these really interested you, you weren't a child, but once again, you decided to play into it, getting a playful warning from Sun earlier that even one peek will put you in a time-out.

You'd lie if you said you didn't find that huge sun-themed bot adorable. Fazbear Ent. was good at making people fall in love with their attractions, that's for sure.

You looked over the toys, and saw two that caught your attention - plushies resembling the two attendants. You grabbed them and realized that you haven't had the chance to meet the other, moon-themed one yet. Maybe he wasn't currently in the daycare? Maybe he only appeared after a certain time?

You hoped that the hour spent here will be enough to meet him too.

While in your thoughts, you haven't even realized that more than 15 minutes passed now, and the kids, along with Sun, seemed to be done with your little gift. You knew that, because all of a sudden, someone jumped behind your back and covered your eyes with his hands.

It was really easy to guess who did it, of course.

"We're all done, friend! Allow me to take you there!"

Before you could question what he meant, you were lifted up and held close to his chest with one arm, the other still covering your eyes. The kids started giggling once they saw it, which made you really curious about how you two must've looked like right now.

But most importantly - in that very short moment you realized just how warm Sun was. You'd assume he'd be cold because, well, he's a robot, but his chest radiated this comforting heat, and you wouldn't mind staying in that position for longer.

He was swift and fast, but also careful. You were held like some sort of princess, which surprised you, because who would be able to hold you with one arm, cover your eyes with the other, and navigate his body safely with only legs? You knew he was a machine, but damn, that was impressive.

Soon enough, you were sat down on the soft floor, and you finally regained your vision. In front of you was a tiny scene which looked like something made specifically for puppet shows. It was decorated with a bunch of led lights, and there was a small banner on the top that said "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" drawn with crayons. You couldn't help but smile at how cute everything looked. You were surrounded with a bunch of plushies resembling all the star attractions of the Pizzaplex, including the daycare attendants. You grabbed the Sun one, positioning it as if it was about to watch the show with you. You looked up at Sun, who seemed enamored with the sight, but quickly looked away, regaining his confident and energetic self.

"Me and my little stars prepared a SPECIAL, one of a kind puppet show for you! I came up with the scenario! We're so excited to present it to you, right, kiddos?!"

All four of the kids cheered, causing you to chuckle quietly. Their excitement rubbed of on you really quickly.

"Oh my, I wanna see it already!"

That single sentence worked wonders on Sun, who quickly disappeared behind the little stage. Well, not exactly disappeared, seeing as he was twice the size of it, but he tried his best to hide his faceplate, at least.

Then the show began, firstly showcasing only a little Sun puppet, walking around the imaginary daycare. Even as an adult, you had to say, you enjoyed things like these. Silly and cute.

Soon enough, another puppet jumped out, and this one resembled... you! You gasped, wondering how was that puppet so similar to you? Was it simply a coincidence, or could it be that Sun made the puppet just for you? No, surely, that'd be too much work spent on someone that he knew for less than an hour... but what if?

The more you watched, the more you realized this little show was just a replay of how you and your sister got into the daycare, how you met Sun, the other kids (they had their own puppets as well) and also a little made-up addition, which was the dolls playing various games or drawing with each other, generally doing things you usually do in the daycare.

It was so damn cute.

At the end of the show, the Sun puppet went out of it's way to lock you in a big hug, and the kids soon joined. The last scene consisted of all the puppets holding a little toy cake for you, screaming a "Happy Birthday!". The curtain rolled down, and you started clapping as soon as it did. You had a big smile on your face, which the animatronic immediately picked up on.

"Did ya like it, friend? Did ya, did ya?!"

You stood up with his help, not letting go of his hand for a few more seconds.

"Of course I did, you guys were amazing! This is one of the best birthday gifts I've ever gotten!"

Your compliment seemed to make Sun really happy, because his rays started spinning. You adored that! It reminded you of a puppy wagging its tail from excitement.

"Thank you so much, Sunny, and you too, kiddos!"

Your sister ran up to you, hugging your leg, at which you quickly patted her head.

Although when your eyes went back to Sun, he was standing still, looking straight at you.

"Is something wrong?"

At that, he almost immediately pulled you into a big hug, which you didn't expect, but also didn't mind. It did shook you a little, though.

"You gave me a nickname! How sweet! You're the sweetest ever! I must give you a nickname too!"

You had no idea that a little nickname would make him so happy. It wasn't even really on purpose, either, you kinda said it without thinking because it sounded cute. But if he liked it, then it made you happy, too.

"Hmm, a nickname for me? What would that be?"

He pulled away a bit, posing as if he was thinking really hard.

"Well, since I'm Sunny... and you're a guest at my daycare... I suppose calling you sunshine fits just right!"

You didn't wanna admit it, but being called 'sunshine' made you blush. Just a little bit.

"I think that's a sweet nickname, Sunny. I love it!"

He jumped in excitement, and you chuckled. All of what just happened made you completely lose your sense of time. You hadn't realized that an hour passed exactly now.

Your sister tugged on your sleeve, and you turned to her, and then to the daycare doors she was pointing at. Your father was standing there, waving at you both with a smile.

Aw, already?

"It seems like we have to go for now, Sunny."

His smile suddenly dropped, just a bit, but enough for you to catch it.

"Hey, don't be sad! I promise, we'll come back! Do you want to walk us out?"

He quickly nodded, and turned around to the children, telling them to behave for that quick moment in which he'll go sign you two out.

"Hey, sweethearts! Had a fun time?"

Your sister ran up to your dad, hugging him immediately. She was all jumpy, and he could tell that her answer to his question would be positive. He brushed her hair with his hand, and then looked over to you.

"A lot of fun! We wanna come back here again one day, don't we, Laurey?"

She nodded happily, and your dad was clearly a bit thrown off, but glad nonetheless.

"Well that's just great! Is this the daycare attendant over here?"

His eyes switched to Sun, and he perked up, smiling widely, just like when he saw you two for the first time.

"Correct, sir! Your kiddos are absolute angels!"

"Hah, I'm glad they didn't give ya too much trouble. Are ya'll ready to go?"

You two nodded, but before Sun could check your sister out, you turned to him, grabbing his hands softly.

"I'm sorry we couldn't stay over for naptime, I assume that's when Moon comes out, right? I'd love to meet him, but maybe another time! Either way, thank you for that gift, Sunny, it was lovely."

If robots could blush, Sun would be furiously red by now. But they can't, so his fans kicked in, and he now sounded like one of those old computers when you tried to run a heavier game on them.

"O-Oh, yes, yes! It's a shame you didn't get to meet Moon, but if you come back again, make sure to stay just long enough for naptime! I'll put in a good word about you and your sister!"

You laughed, thanking him in advance, and saying your final goodbyes. Soon enough, the three of you were on your way to another attraction.

"So, the daycare wasn't so bad after all, huh?"

"Not at all. Can you believe that he and the other kids prepared a special puppet show for me once I told him it's my birthday? He's so cool!"

Your sister joined your rambling about how nice and kind Mr. Sun was as well, and your dad listened to all of it, honestly surprised at how well the stay went.

"Oh, I almost forgot! I picked up a plushie of that favourite Glamrock of yours while I was gone. Besides that, I only got coffee, I didn't see anything by myself, don't worry!"

Your dad handed you the cutest Monty plush, and you immediately thanked him. Soon, you were all in the elevator going up, finally arriving in the main spot of the Pizzaplex.

On the side, you wondered... would they be interested in hiring a human to help?

[fountainpenguin]

Blog Stuff

^ Like, "FYI if you want to block tags" stuff

Little announcement here: Factor It In is on hiatus for now, probably for the rest of 2023. I know where the story is going overall and I know where the next chapter's going, but I struggled more than expected with the "Torus" voice (took like 6 weeks longer than the other chapters and all of it painful :'D)

I don't want to face a timecrunch struggle with TJ and Rose POVs (two characters who will be new to me), so I'm taking the bi-weekly update stress away and putting the 'fic on hiatus for now. But I wrote 77k before a hiatus was needed so I'm proud of that <3

We've got some 130 Prompts coming up as well as "Unicorn Years" for Origin in September (and hopefully a special Friday the 13th piece in October). In other words, FOP stuff is still bi-weekly as usual.

-> As a reminder, the 130 Prompts are posted in the order they are for a reason. You don't have to read them all if you don't want to, but extra context is always nice. If you've been dragging your feet on "Looking Back" by any chance... I might recommend that before the next update, which is "Sentry" ;)

On the "off" Friday I'm planning one-shots for various fandoms, especially shorter character studies. Really want to practice capturing a variety of voices, some quicker one-shots, and maybe I'll try some characters I don't use a lot. Or I'll be self-indulgent and focus on my faves... who knows.

Hoping to post more Come What May as well since you guys were excited to see it back <3... and it would be nice to actually finish a non-one-shot 'fic for the first time in. 7 years.

It's probably been obvious, but I also took a long hiatus from digital art. Traditional art is more comfy for me and I've been trying new digital programs, but haven't fallen in love with anything (i.e. I've been a vector artist for 10 years and moving from my safe space to different programs and styles is... painful).

I think I'm ready to start pushing my comfort zone, but be forgiving of my digital style because I'm playing around with new tools and this is a big jump for me, ha ha. I think I'm going to do some silly, low-stress fanfic doodles with very little attempt to make them look good, just testing stuff out.

I miiiiiight have a few PMV / animatic ideas, so we'll see

By nature of me posting art for my own 'fics, spoilers be upon ye if you're not up to date with my writing. Relatively recent stuff and/or stuff I consider "big" will get the #ridspoilers tag, but stuff I wrote 6+ months ago is less likely to get the tag, so that's how that goes.

-> #Dog's Life spoilers will get a unique tag because the weekly updates and drama make me say "Yeah, a special tag makes sense," so if that's a 'fic you think you want to read someday without spoilers, consider blocking that sooner rather than later :)

-> I'm also adding a #Pixels Imperfect tag to stuff from that universe (and I'll go back and add it to the chapters I already posted). "Pixels Imperfect" is the series name on AO3 for my digital gremlin Traffic SMP content (Everyone can freely wander around New Star Station outside the game and just puts on their roleplay hats when they go in, everything under this series fits under one umbrella of universe canon, etc.)

-> #Neighborhood Watch is the series name for "we take the roleplay lore seriously, this is their life, no digital world and no roleplay hat to take off" Traffic SMP content. I haven't posted anything for it yet, but I've got stuff in the works (I'm playing with a couple "making every season as canon as possible in one storyline" pieces and </3 it's big divorce speedrun hours for Clocker fam rn)

As for the other 'fics, I've been posting stuff like Origin, the 130, and Knots for 7 years and I feel okay about how that's going- I don't normally get spoiler Asks, but my general rule is to wait 1-2 weeks before I say anything spoilery on my blog. I think that's been working fine and we've got a good system, so I'm not changing anything there.

Lastly - and this is also part of the reason Factor is going on hiatus - it sounds like Traffic SMP Season 5 is just around the corner. For my followers who don't know much about this Minecraft deathmatch series, the creators only play for a few weeks - I think the shortest season was 6 weeks and the longest was 8 - and each creator puts out one episode a week (usually Friday).

So, it's a pretty short chunk of time and I don't want to be juggling too many things while it's coming out. I think this year I want to jump in and create some nice content while it's ongoing instead of just doodling off to the side and keeping it to myself... I need to dig up my old liveblog doodles I never shared, hm.

-> The traffic story canon gets reset every season (i.e. it's unscripted play, there's no continuous plot, and each season starts relationships from scratch), so if you've been enjoying any of my Traffic SMP reblogs, consider looking into it and riding that wave while episodes come out for a couple weeks and we can be hype together <3

-> Stuff for that season will be tagged #traffic spoilers, which is the tag I use across all the seasons, and I'll make a new post with my Season 5 spoiler tag once we get the name reveal.

-> As is traditional when I liveblog, I'll also use the tag #Riddle watches Traffic so you can block that too if you like. Just wanted to let people know in case I have any Traffic SMP followers who want to go in blind and don't want to risk seeing my posts before they have time to block my spoilers tag. #traffic spoilers still covers everything, including new season.

-> I also need to look into maybe switching from Traffic Life SMP as my blog tag to Traffic SMP because I think that's. the right name and it would probably be smart to tag properly... hm.

I think that covers everything I wanted to say. I'll add a list or link to my pinned post as well so people can figure out what to block for spoilers and stuff.

Thanks for enjoying my blog!

[forcebookish]

Not related to forcebook or anything. But I’ve seen you post about BTS. So I wanted to know if you have a favorite member?

Also which of the boys recent solo works do you enjoy the most?

I personally think that RM’s Indigo is a masterpiece. And probably my most listened to album in that last year.

And he said his next solo work is gonna be even better somehow?? And I’m like. Not emotionally ready for that.

JOOOONIEEEE is my bias!!!!!!

(and y'all don't have to send me asks just about forcebook! there's a reason i still call this a multifandom blog, even if most of it is forcebook😅)

if you go through my bts tag, you might see that 99% of the posts are of namjoon and my AO3 acc is lapmonster. it was also my old twitter handle before the fandom got too big and toxic😒 (back in, like, 2018? 2019? some child gave me shit for it and, hilariously, called me an anti because of it. i was like bitch i've been here since 2014 when no one liked them and everyone hated namjoon you didn't even know what k-pop was back then shut the fuck up🙄).

i enjoy seven! it makes me blush, but it's catchy! and i love the michael jackson homage for jungkook's latest song.

i actually haven't listened to indigo yet 👉👈 at least in its entirety, i've probably came across them in shuffle since it's in my liked songs on spotify, but i never got around to the whole thing front to back. i was SUPER excited to see erykah badu featured but because my adhd brain usually has to be concentrating on something else (and that something else is usually writing) when i listen to music, i have a really hard time with spoken word. sometimes i can get away with rap in other languages, but not always. i should probably just put it on shuffle and do some chores🤔 i love mono though!!!!!!! i think all of the tracks made it to my on repeat playlist. can you tell i haven't really been active in the fandom since 2020? 😅

now that i'm active in fandom in general again (i took a 2 year hiatus from twitter before making this blog), i am looking forward to his new stuff!

thanks for stopping by, anon! i actually didn't know that namjoon was releasing new music soon so now i'm really excited!!!

[calligraphist-artemisia]

Time for a fic update! (Because it's been a little while)

I'm steadily working on the next chapter for Pack Bonds. Though honestly it's coming along slower than I anticipated and I'm so sorry for that. The reviews from the last chapter kind of inspired me in a way that made me change up a few plans (in the best kind of way) and I'm excited to write it, but the words aren't quite coming to me for some reason.

Instead, I've become captivated by what will be my next JayDick multi-chapter fic, in which I take a pretty big step out of my comfort zone to write something that I'll have to tag as Explicit when I get around to posting it on AO3. It's far from being ready and I'll likely hold off on it until Pack Bonds is finished, because I know I can't divide my time between two fics like that without feeling like I'm ignoring one for the other.

I've also decided to try out the writing app Scrivener and, oh boy, do I wish I'd done so sooner. It'd be so useful with the behemoth that Pack Bonds has become and I might try to use it for these final ten or so chapters. It'll give me the freedom to write those scenes I've been dying to work on since practically the beginning and then all I'll have to do is bridge them together with fresh ideas.

----

Currently working on:

Pack Bonds, chapter 36: The Fuchsia Flamingo Current predicted chapters: probably 10 or so more are left? It just depends on what I end up condensing or expanding in my timeline

Future stuff I'm working on:

Unnamed Kidnapping Fic: the rated Explicit JayDick one that will be yet another A/B/O fic from me.

Second Chance (title may possibly change): a gen Batfam fic where Dick travels back in time from an apocalyptic future to try and change things, only to end up in an alternate past where he died before forming the Teen Titans and Bruce followed just a year or two after. (Part of a series, where my endgame pairing will likely be Dick/Wally.)

Some one-shots and other little ideas that I had for JayDick week but haven't gotten around to finishing yet.

[traincat]

 fanfic writer 20 questions, tagged by @beamkatanachronicles! thank u Danni!

How many works do you have on Ao3?

110!

What's your total Ao3 word count?

994,043, and considering everything I have almost ready to go is over 5000 words, it's going to cross that one million mark soon. 😬

How many fandoms have you written for and what are they?

the majority of my fandoms posted on ao3 are marvel based. stats list over 30, but a lot of those I would say are pretty nebulously separated.

What are your top five fics by kudos?

The Masked Man (Who Has Everything) (XMFC, Magneto/Xavier, M) the Magneto is Batman fic. I wrote this based on a prompt from the XMFC kink meme years and years ago. It's not something I would've written now, but I've been told it holds up at least in terms of it being funny. It no longer has a 2000 kudos lead on my second most popular fic, but it's still pretty up there.

Keep Throwing Things and Slamming the Door (Spideytorch, T)

My first Spideytorch fic to hit it big! I had a written a couple before this but nothing really got attention like this one.

Tales From The Back Pages (Spideytorch, T)

The canon first words soulmate AU! I had a lot of fun playing with early Spider-Man and Fantastic Four canon writing this one.

Say You Will, Say You Won't (Spideytorch, T)

The fake but real married Spideytorch fic.

Kind, Sober, and Fully Dressed  (Spideytorch, T)

The fic about the time Johnny asked Peter to come over and watch his sex tape, which is yeah, totally canon.

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I used to! I've been bad about it for the past couple of years, although I try to always respond to a direct query, especially if it's about podfic or translations. I'd like to be better about responding to comments.

What's the fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending?

I'm going to cheat because it's The Spider and the Last Spark (rated E) where the ending isn't posted yet. But it's been written this whole time. (It's coming! I just have to iron out a fight scene.)

Do you write crossovers?

Sort of? I don't think crossovers between Marvel comics count. I have written crossovers, although I generally prefer fusion AUs.

Have you ever received hate on a fic?

laughs. usually not ON the fic (although I have gotten a few weird comments) but a lot of it posted to social media, which was, you know, weird and unpleasant. memorably, one time I posted a snippet of a fic and someone plagiarized it and posted their own (this was an extremely obvious plagiarism, the whole premise and chunks of dialogue were lifted) and when I didn't respond directly but finished the rest of the fic and just posted that in response, they accused me of plagiarism. I had posted the snippet publicly and had time stamps and also everyone knew it, but it was still kind of wild. accused by my plagiarist of plagiarism.

Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

generally speaking the spideytorch kind lol.

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

oh yeah. and not just in the plagiarism story from above.

Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes! A bunch of times! I really, really treasure translations, and it's so wild to me (in the best way) to see all the languages my fic has been translated into. It genuinely makes me feel like my fic is really valued and I'm so happy about it. Thank you to fic translators! I love you!

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

I'm kind of a control freak so my posted fic isn't co-written but it's always such a fun concept. I did cowrite an AU of a fic years ago with a friend and it was so melodramatic. We were going to write a SERIOUS DRAMA with CONSEQUENCES about SMALL TOWN AMERICA (for some reason) and we were like fourteen so needless to say it wasn't the work of literary fiction we were envisioning. but it's pretty fun to remember.

What’s your all time favourite ship?

I'm a little burnt out on them at the moment but the record will show it's been Spideytorch.

What’s a WIP you want to finish but don’t think you ever will?

no one say anything I'm working on it. part two is over 20k at the moment.

What are your writing strengths?

I think I'm good at dialogue, and banter, and romance.

What are your writing weaknesses?

I would LOVE to be better at coming up with plots and I know the only way to become better is to just write them but it's so hard. lies on the unforgiving ground.

What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in another language?

I'm for it if people feel confident about it lol. I've definitely done it when I should have felt LESS CONFIDENT about it even though it was in a language I was fairly familiar with but y'know. I read a fic recently that had a feature where the translations were visible when you hovered over the text and that was really fun.

What was the first fandom you ever wrote for?

Stealing Danni's answer here because I definitely wrote for other fandoms before this but the first fandom when I was like "in fandom" as in participating in a community and making friends and getting into drama was Fire Emblem 7.

What’s your favourite fic you’ve ever written?

It's probably a tie between The Boy From New York City and Work Song. They both taught me a lot about writing, in part because they're two of the longest things I've ever written. The Boy From New York City in particular really burnt me out after I was finished with it but it was a story I had wanted to write for ages and I'm really glad I finished and posted it. Work Song let me do one of my favorite things which was dig really deep into canon and play with the things comics these days are reluctant to get into, the messier sort of outcomes of events and the feelings of it all. I have a really big fondness for both of them still.

Also it's not finished yet, but I've been working on a Kaine and Janine road trip fic set immediately after Spider-Man Beyond and I've just really loved playing with it.

Who do you tag?

anyone who wants to do it!!! sorry I was drinking wine while I was cooking like a lot of wine. I'm tagging you if you want to answer the questions.

[fenris-ranger]

random re-introduction

my tumblr got hacked and i lost all my followers and follow-ees and posts so that sucks

- fandom elder (trying to vaguely obscure the connection to my cringe kid stuff, but if the kudos are from Cr a sh Ca rt 9, that’s also me just fyi)

Mastodon: @fenrisranger

Twitter: @fenrisranger

Discord: asyst0lic/fenrisranger

AO3: Cr as hCa r t9 with subpseud fenrisranger

- any/all pronouns (but mostly vibe with they/he)

reactivated my Tumblr to hang out around fandom again because i'm at a severe dopamine deficit and have been Thirteenth Doctor and Thasmin trash since Arachnids in the UK, and thought I was the only one since I had dropped off the face of the fandom-earth

then got suckered into hanging around by Star Trek: Picard (I feel like a terrible nerd admitting it but I've not had the time to keep up with Disco -- Jeri Ryan gets a carved out timeslot in my schedule any day, though)

.

february '22 update: still here, I made this TARDIS cowl, please look at it I’m very proud

october '22 update: fuck I'm not ready for Power of the Doctor, so I'm coping these remaining few(!) days by blasting out as many of my Whoverse WIPs as possible -- Complex (vid), Recessional (vid), Dancing with the Doctor (pwp fic), Message Received (matchmaker River fic that's trash but I don't think I've ever done epistolary form before)

Summer '23: where I went absolutely insane and threw down like 150k (not all of it published yet) of mostly Saffi works (a few other Star Trek couples as well, but the majority for ST: PIC. That's like 8 times my previous (completed works) lifelong word count total.

Fall '23: where I cannibalized big chunks of aforementioned giant Saffi fic because I'm going to have to rewrite it from scratch if I want to be happy with it, but then completed both Star Trek Femslash Week and Ye Olde October Prompte Meme (Saffi version), and that was an experience but talk about writing practice I haven't ever gotten close to attempting before, especially in terms of . . . expanding one's horizons.

below cut: just bookkeeping, links to notable tags.

I’m terrible at tagging things in a consistent way such that I can do anything archival, but I’m working on it, specifically spurred by wanting to collect all the Saffi meta into one place.

Some that I’ve been better about using (rather than just picking whatever A/B or B x A pattern or other randomly relevant tag suits my fancy that day) may include:

x   OTP: we’ll be outcasts together for B’Elanna/Seven

x   Trying to go back and put #Saffi on everything Seven/Raffi, but probably missed stuff from s1/before we decided that was the ship name

x   Have been reasonably consistent with Thasmin and Garashir and Spirk I think.  (Which is ironic bc tbh I honestly do not prefer portmanteaus as ship names [exception granted to Saffi because that’s too fucking perfect] but I guess this is what we mostly do now.)

x   Don’t really think other ships have been significantly posted enough to deserve mentioning/spending my time standardizing.

x  If there’s a significant amount of OC on my part (even in tags), might organizationally append “my thoughts” (might be fandom, might be RL stuff, might be a picture of my cats, so that probably should be re-organized but I shouldn’t have even spent this much time trying to sort things lol)

[fragileahoges]

fresh paint 一 danganronpa oneshot

𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒: byakuya moves in with nagito and kokichi, and realizes it may not be as bad as he originally thought. THIS IS NOT THE FULL ONE SHOT.

𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄: fluff

𝐓𝐖: none

From the moment that Byakuya Togami stepped into his new home, the sun peeking in through the windows, he knew he'd never find another moment of peace in his life. He'd never feel real happiness again, and all chances & hopes of becoming a better person quickly diminished. He would never feel content as long as he lived inside these restricting walls. 

Okay, maybe he was being dramatic. He had bought the house, after all, and he wouldn't have done so in the first place if he hadn't been 100% sure that he was ready to accept any & all consequences that came with the purchase.

A small boy with purple hair shot past him, cheering & whooping as he danced around the empty house. "This house is mine! I rule over everyone here!" he chanted over and over again, laughing maniacally.

Byakuya sighed. Nope, he didn't think he was being dramatic at all. Kokichi Oma was the most annoying person he had ever met, & now here he was, living with him. Why did he ever agree to do this? Because he wanted so badly to be under the same roof as the boys? Seemed unlikely, but he wasn't going to dwell on it any longer.

Nagito Komaeda walked in after Kokichi, holding a big, brown box in his hands that was labeled Kitchen & Living Room (⅓). He smiled sheepishly at the shorter boy hopping around, walking over to the island and placing the box down on top of it. He inhaled the scent of the new house and turned to Byakuya. "Heh, I still can't believe you agreed to this. We thought you were going to shut us down on the idea almost automatically."

Byakuya shook his head, flabbergasted. Why did Kokichi have so much energy, and why did he feel like it'd conveniently drain right when the time came to unpack? "I'm starting to think I should've. I'm already getting a migraine." Nagito laughed softly, and the two made their way back outside to the moving van to retrieve more boxes while Kokichi hummed loudly to himself as he frolicked aimlessly around the house.

During that period of time, Byakuya allowed his mind to wander. He hadn't expected for himself to agree to such a foolish proposal so easily. Obviously both Nagito & Kokichi hadn't expected the sudden approval either, for their mouths were on the ground when they realized that the Byakuya Togami had actually decided to go along with their usual "brain-shrinking" plans.

It had slipped out of Byakuya's mouth before he could even blink. The idea of living with Kokichi and Nagito, despite having been friends with them for a good amount of time, was foreign to the heir. In fact, even living with someone sounded absurd to Byakuya. He only needed himself and himself only, or so he thought. Yet, his sudden agreement came so quickly that it had to have meant something. Byakuya wasn't normally impulsive; he did everything with practiced precision. So an abrupt answer that he didn't back down on even after how shocked he was...it meant he was progressing as a person, as a friend. Somewhere. Somehow.

Oddly enough, that was comforting.

During their fifth trip to the house (the boxes were surprisingly heavy), Kokichi waddled up to them and pointed down the hall towards the rooms. "We still have to pick out our rooms! Who's claiming the biggest one?"

"Me, obviously," Byakuya replied, tone as cold as ice. "I bought this house." Kokichi mocked him, raising his hand and opening & closing his fingers together every time the heir spoke, like a sock puppet but without the sock.

"You probably just got it handed to you," he replied teasingly. "Fine, then I get the second biggest room!"

"The other rooms are all the same size." Byakuya's comment made Kokichi huff, while Nagito lightened up a little bit, almost as if he was dreading being told he was going to get the smallest room. Byakuya didn't doubt it.

"Could you help with the boxes, Kokichi?" Nagito asked, taking off his parka and tying it around his waist, wiping the back of his hand over his forehead with a long sigh. Byakuya had to hand it to him; he too had discarded his overcoat. The boxes were harder to carry than he originally believed, and his muscles already felt strained. He was so used to people doing things for him that being independent now all of a sudden was exhausting. Kokichi groaned.

"Do I have to? I'm feeling tired," he asked, laying down on the floor and pretending to fall asleep. Byakuya was right. Kokichi had energy until it was actually needed. Nagito sighed, walking back out of the house. Byakuya chose not to press the matter, instead shooting the purple haired boy a glare and following Nagito out. He heard another loud groan, and then the pitter-patter of footsteps. "Guys, it was a lie! I'm not actually tired. I can help just fine."

Kokichi joined the expedition to get the boxes inside. Within one hour, they had made all their trips, and they were close to death by the time they were finished. Even the water they drank didn't cool the sensation of heat licking at their bodies every time they stepped outside. And when Nagito reminded the two other boys that they still had to unpack everything, Byakuya decided to hire people to do it for them.

note: well, i hope you liked this small excuse of a post! i absolutely adore all three antagonists (emphasis on togami), and i thought this AU i thought of randomly was the cutest thing ever. if you don't understand really what's happening, or if you would like to know more, let me go more into detail for you!

i'm writing an antag AU that will be posted to AO3 soon. the three main antagonists (byakuya, nagito, & kokichi) move into a house for literally no reason other than they want to. along the way, they grow closer, have fun, & most importantly, develop as people and as friends. it's all just lots of fluff and chaos, and i wanted to write it because i couldn't stop imagining the power they have as friends. there will also be naegami, saioma, and komahina every so often bc i said so :)

they can also be read as standalone oneshots, which is why i'll be posting snippets of the chapter i'm working on every now and then. it's not out yet, but it will be by the end of the week, and i'll be sure to post about it as soon as i can!

i am open to critique, as long as you are not too harsh. thanks for reading! <3

UPDATE: it's out! read it here :)

[lowkeyorloki]

17, 18, and 23? i'm very much lookin forward to next week's asis update

OMGGGGG this week's update is super short but packs a punch and the biggest cliffhanger of my Loki career yet. I'm not ready for it so I can only imagine how y'all feel!!! I'm so glad you're excited :') Thank you for the ask!

17) if you could give your fledgling author self any advice, what would it be?

This is an interesting question! I started writing fanfiction in 2014 or 2015, and I think it was much easier to write back then. It was before the porn ban, and even though I was NOT writing smut at 13/14, it was just so much easier to find content before all of these bans started happening (also... I could avoid smut because it was allowed to be tagged so I could block the tag??? Tumblr didn't think that through). You also didn't need to be a big blog to get notes back then.

Those were also interesting years because fanfiction.net was on the way out, but ao3 was nowhere near as popular as it is now, so I got to test the waters and figure out which platform worked best for me. The only advice I could think to give to myself would be to keep writing, but honestly, I was posting once a week so I really didn't need that push. I think if I had started writing within the past two years I would, because reader interaction on tumblr is just getting so low right now and it's nearly impossible to find new content because of the banned tags + tumblr not showing recent posts. It's discouraging for sure. Authors breaking in right now have my support, but also: just go to ao3. You can set up a twitter acc if you want to interact with your readers or plug your kofi or whatever.

18) were there any works you read that affected you so much that it influenced your writing style? what were they?

Yes, but it's more authors than specific works! There's one author that I don't want to name because she is um. Not a great person but the way she really captured the way young people talked and acted really made me want to create characters in the most relatable way. John Green also had a hand in that, I truly felt ~represented~ by the way his characters spoke and processed things. I was very influenced by that casual, everyday, "I'm a quirky teen who gets it" narration style that dominated YA books from 2013-2015. At the same time, I like to take on more dramatic tones (like in The Archetype) and that comes from a love of dark academia and classics.

In terms of Loki fics specifically, I'm really tired of seeing a sputtering and timid reader with no backbone. It takes me out of the story because 1) I don't see myself like that at all and 2) I don't think Loki would find that appealing so it also feels like a misinterpretation of his character to me. That's why I have basically two versions of the reader in my fics: a 'strong' one like you see in She Shall Have, and a more 'relatable' one that you see in A Study In Suit.

23) any obscure life experiences that you feel have helped your writing?

Going to a private school from the ages of 8-10! Everything was narrative and storytelling based, so it was a great environment for people who were super into writing and reading. We would start every year having school on a farm and we would just journal in wheat fields for ages. I definitely think it gave me the foundation for the creative skills and structure I have now. We also studied one religion each year, and when we studied Norse Mythology, I was cast as Loki in our play. It's the reason I've always loved the dude.

[carmenlire]

Hi! I am pretty new to SH, and when I went to ao3 to find some malec fics I saw there were 19k fics there and I just... noped out. But then I came across one of your fics somewhere idr (prob tumblr) and I really really liked your writing style so I may or may not have spent my spring break reading all your fics... rip. I'm still way too intimidated by the sheer amount of fics on ao3 and since I really loved your writing, I was hoping you could maybe rec some, either fics or authors? Thanksss

holy shit, anon, I’ve written so much dkfgjhsdfkjg that must have been quite the undertaking for spring break lmao! I’m super happy to hear that you like my writing though, especially enough to read most/all of my fics! 

Okay, so. When I first started in this fandom, it was overwhelming too and that was in August of 2017 lol! I read a lot of fic rec masterlists on here and then once I went through those, I explored ao3 a little more, along with those authors that captured my interest. I don’t know what you’re interested in but I’ll just go ahead and list some of the fics I started with along with my favorite authors! Everyone on this list is a delight as a person and a writer and I hope you like them! 

(This is going to be probably a lot of me rambling variants of read this!! but I’m gonna put a short summary so you know what the story is actually about. I will most likely oversimplify the fic lmao but check out those links for the full synopsis!)

Over 100k

Fall Without Wings by @notcrypticbutcoy (WIP) This was the first fic I ever read in this fandom and it topped every masterlist when I started– for good reason. At the time, it was around 180k? and I read it in one day/sitting. The writing is impeccable, plot to die for, and the way the author builds the characters in this story is just engrossing as hell. This is god tier lmao!

One Line Summary: Canon divergent AU where shadowhunters have wings, Magnus is actively on the Clave’s shit list, and Malec’s relationship is the best sort of slowburn.

One Easy Answer by @maleccrazedauthor This is the first of a two part series and holy. shit. I was enthralled from the first sentence. Apparently, I have a thing for canon divergent AUs and I read this a year and a half ago but still remember gasping at a certain point, hanging on the edge of my seat as I waited to see what the characters would do. I love this canon divergent AU– it’s written so beautifully. (Note: The series itself is over 100k. This particular fic is around 36k)

One Line Summary: Magnus and Alec are leaders of their people and have to learn how to make things work when a marriage of convenience is their only option.

Anything You Say by @milominderbindered Admittedly, I’ve only read the first 80k? of this because I started it like over a year ago and it was a wip at the time but I remember being Super Into It and desperate to see where the story was going. Now that it’s finished, I’d totally recommend it!

One Line Summary: Detective Alec and Forensic Expert Magnus. Honestly, need I say more lmao.

Deeper than the Truth by @insiemes This was one of the first fics I read– probably within the first week of entering the fandom. It’s a wonderful story and a classic for a reason. And that ending:’)

One Line Summary: Alec is a famous author who uses a pen name and Magnus is a fashion designer in love with Gideon’s books.

60k-80k

The Haunting of Lightwood Hall by @bonibaru There are tragically few historical Malec fics in ao3 and this is a gem! The plot is interesting and the love story is super well done. And that ending! I loved it so much.

One Line Summary: Magnus Bane, a psychic, is invited to the Lightwood estate when a murder mystery implicated the heir, Alec Lightwood.

42 North, 71 West by @lecrit Okay so, admittedly, I haven’t read this yet but it’s because I don’t read wips and this just concluded like, last week lol. However, lecrit is a brilliant author and I’ve read several of her fics before and loved all of them! You really can’t go wrong with this author and I would encourage you to read anything/everything in her ao3!

One Line Summary: Politics!Alec and Actor!Magnus in one AU? Sign me up!

The Strength of (Un)Broken Bonds by Blue This is the first of a three part series and I love it so, so much! This is a little grittier though not angsty. The plot is tightly woven, the characterization spot on, and it’s an excellent exploration of the parabatai bond done right. Wildly creative and I everytime I reread this, I’m just in awe at this author’s skill!

One Line Summary: Post 2b, shadowhunters realize just how intrinsically their biology is tied to demon energy and Alec has to deal with a fritzing parabatai bond.

Addicted to You by AlxSteele I’m not a huge fan of fuck buddy AUs but this author is prolific in the shadowfam so I took a chance and I’m so glad I did! This was a realistic portrayal of this AU without being needlessly angsty. Everything was just right and I was so ready to see Magnus and Alec get their shit together!

One Line Summary: Magnus and Alec lead busy lives and neither one has time for a relationship– only what starts out as a string of one night stands leads both to catch feelings big time.

A Fighting Chance by HeartsDesire456 This is a classic for me. I read most of this in one sitting and was almost late for work! But it was totally worth it. I love the build up and the world that this author created. Really, one of the best malec fics I’ve ever read and I love it so, so much! I would recommend anything else by this author, especially Hard Choices, though that fic is considerably heavier though no less well done.

One Line Summary: Alec owns an MMA gym next to Magnus’s dance studio. What starts out as a noise complaint quickly changes Magnus and Alec’s life irrevocably.

We Break That Way by ifallonblackdays_fics and valfromrome I’ve read this several times and it’s a fic of substance. I love fluff but this is a really excellently plotted story that does a fantastic job of showing both Magnus and Alec as the leaders they are. It’s darker but realistic for the shadowhunters universe and I love how amazingly well these authors created a story that picks up after 2x18 in an excellent canon divergent AU where Magnus and Alec didn’t reconnect at that Hunter��s Moon party?

One Line Summary: Not all shadowhunters are happy that Alec’s trying to build relationships with the downworld– what happens when a group of extremists go after the Head of the New York Institute in a bid to return to the old way?

40k-60k

The Lonely Heart Hotline by @unrestrainedlyexcessive Anon. Listen. I am putting Fatale here because this is her latest completed fic and it’s 40k but I would heavily encourage you to read every single piece of writing by this author. I have read all of her fics at least twice and I love them to death. She does such an amazing job of portraying real life, even when her AU is fantastical. I’m partial to her Ave Atque Vale series, which was the first fic I read by her, and her Home series but as I was scrolling through her ao3 profile, I just kept remembering all her stories and how amazing they are. Seriously. I can’t stress enough about how much i love this author’s writing!!

One Line Summary: Alec’s a law student who moonlights as a phone sex operator and Magnus calls him one night, only to talk about music and his questionable phone professionalism.

Love is a Gamble by la_muerta This is another author that I adore and I’ve read all of her fics! This is a western historical AU that I read last spring and simply loved! I’d also recommend her series The Universe is Conspiring Against Us!

One Line Summary: Sheriff Alec Lightwood is busy enough keeping Nephilim Falls from descending into chaos but when Magnus Bane opens a gambling house in town, Alec’s has more on his mind than his townspeople.

20k-40k

Give Me the Pain (Then Take It Away) by LadyOxymoron This is a beautifully well-done story of Alec and Magnus exploring BDSM, particularly Alec’s submission. But it’s so much more that. It’s about their relationship and Alec learning to take better care of himself and overall, I was stunned at this fic. I would really recommend anyone read this for something that pulls the heartstrings while still being hot as hell.

One Line Summary:  After a near death experience and throwaway line from Magnus, Alec finds out that he can let himself fall, as long as Magnus is there to catch him.

Appassionato by chonideno This is a classic in the shadowfam. A wonderful story of malec falling in love before properly meeting. The vibe is so ethereal and full of feeling. Really lovely story.

One Line Summary: Alec plays the piano and one day, a request slips under his door– what follows is months of Alec playing for a stranger, both of them falling one note at a time.

Pillow Talk by lacheses This was one of the first fics I read and it’s a really beautiful story that takes place during season one. It’s gentle and really does a fantastic job of building Magnus and Alec’s relationship, both of them so cautious and invested so quickly after meeting.

One Line Summary: Alec Lightwood falls in love, one nap at a time.

Good Our Whole Lives by @beatperfume This fic ruined me. I was invested from the first word and read it in one sitting. The emotions are enough to put you in a stranglehold and while I was wildly unsure based on the synopsis/AU (hooker AU) I gave it a chance and I am so glad I did. I remember reading it and just feeling so much. Wonderful, 10/10. I would rec anything by this author (she really is very creative!) but particularly and I will be your shade.

One Line Summary: When Magnus catches Alec, a shadowhunter, hustling his club the two of them reach an agreement.

Three’s a Crowd by GoldenDaydreams I’ve read this a few times and I love it to death. Super lighthearted and funny, it’s a fun story about Alec and Magnus trying to have sex and Jace being a perpetually pain in the ass cockblock lmao.

One Line Summary: The story where Jace keeps interrupting Alec and Magnus’s ‘alone time,’ and they’re both super fed up.

Sympathy for a Prince by @ketzwrites This was a hella fun story about Magnus as a literal prince of hell and Alec, a no-nonsense detective just trying to do his job. Ketz has written several fics I’d recommend but this might just be my favorite!

One Line Summary: When Magnus, prince of hell, comes top side he doesn’t expect to meet Homicide Detective Alec and become his partner, so to speak.

Hold Onto Me (Cause I’m a Little Unsteady by MagnificentlyMagic One of my biggest pet peeves with the show is that scene in 1x09 where Jace betrays Alec and then it’s never spoken of again. This is a great fic that takes that scene and runs wild with it.

One Line Summary: His parabatai rune was burning, not with death, or injury, but with betrayal.

10k-20k

Yours is the Light by @theonetruenorth This author is an autoread for me and I love a good abo fic. This is so beautiful and I really, really love this. It spins the trope on its head while still in the shadowhunters verse and delivers a really satisfying love story for Alec and Magnus! I would really, really recommend literally everything they’ve written though!

One Line Summary: It wasn’t exactly a secret that out of all three secondary genders, it was the alphas who were the strongest, the most aggressive, the most territorial– It was also completely wrong.

Inimitable by Bumblebeesknees. I adore anything by this author but this. Wow. The plot is super creative as Alec and Magnus get sent back to Victorian London and Alec has to do something both of them would rather he didn’t. It explores a murky area that has the potential to ruin both of them and the writing is perfect. I don’t want to ruin anything but you gotta read this. I read it when it was first posted then scrolled back up to the top and immediately devoured it a second time. I’d recommend anything and everything by this author.

One Line Summary: Stuck in London in 1882 without Magnus’ magic, the way back to New York in the 21st century requires securing a charmed amulet from the Magnus who lives in that time.

It’s a Kind of Magicby @thealmostrhetoricalquestion I love every single fic by this author and would highly suggest you read everything by her but this one has a special place in my heart. It’s light and sweet and a wonderful AU!!!

One Line Summary: Magnus and Alec live on the same floor and are highkey into each other– the only thing is that Magnus is a witch and Alec’s a mundane.

1k-10k

You Only Live Twice by partnerincrime I love this story so much!! It’s a fun little Simon POV on Alec as a gardening billionaire recluse and Magnus as a CEO of the shadow world’s largest department store. It’s hilarious and I lose my shit every time I read it!

One Line Summary: In which Simon Lewis becomes an entrepreneur, and, through a series of highly improbable events, fails upwardly toward success.

Lonely Starbucks Lovers by partnerincrime is also a hoot and I love this author so much!! It’s the quintessential coffeeshop AU.

PWP

The Way I Feel for You by @theonetruenorth Goddamn, this is a masterpiece. I’ve read this several time and like I said earlier, anything by this author is guaranteed to be amazing.

Shadows. Shovels. Joy. by oncethrown While this isn’t strictly a pwp, it’s about the parabatai bond and Jace’s POV on Alec having sex. Heartwarming and super well written! another example of how the parabatai bond could be well done.

In Plain Sight by redorchid. Holy shit, I love this to death and it’s actually the first in a series called membership, about Magnus and Alec’s exploration into exhibitionism.

hit me like a ray of sun, burning through my darkest night by liamandzayn I’ve read all of her malec fics at least twice and I just think she writes great sex lol. Definitely recommend!

With Bones Unbuttoned by @ohfreckle No smut list would be complete without ohfreckle. She’s an autoread author for me and I think I’ve yelled about this particular fic literally every chance I get. Goddamn, the sex is hot as hell and the emotions that pour through are enough to make my own heart ache. No one does it better and I wish everyone would read this and die with me.

Lionheart by Bumblebeesknees Both this one and the one above are 2x18 makeup sex fics but they’re both very different. I also love this one immensely and this author, as I’ve mentioned above, is amazing. 

Series

Alec Lightwood Deserves Nice Things by @my-nameless-bliss This series ruined me. I can’t stress enough how much I love this series. It’s beautiful written, the emotion gut wrenching, and it’s a wonderful exploration of Alec’s masculinity and what that even means. It really made me think and reevaluate my own life and I am awed by this author’s talent and everyone needs to read this. There’s also ALDNT extras which is a multichaptered work set in this universe.

We Built a Dynasty Like Nothing Ever Made by Madalena. This was a canon divergent AU set after 2x17 that does a great job of exploring shadow world tensions and Alec as a Leader and Head of the Institute. Creative and stunning and wonderfully plotted, I’ve read this series several times and love it so much!!

The Boundless Saga by sarcasticfluentry and teumessian This is a canon divergent AU that starts in season one and it’s a classic for the shadowfam in my opinion. I particularly love Parts 4 (which could go in the pwp section) and 7, which I think it’s an excellent exploration of shadowhunter tradition and expectation.

Authors

@laughingmagnus Serendi has been an autoread author for ages, since the beginning, really. Her writing is wonderful and she really hits emotions in a way that’s enviable. Her Maryse centered fics are superb.

@gingergenower I’ve been yelling about Kat’s writing since I discovered her last winter. I started with goddamn right (you should be scared of me) and I’ve read all of her fics multiple times. You really can’t go wrong with her!

@thattrainssailed Monica’s writing style is very distinctive and literary. She writes Malec like they’re set in stone entities, powerful and always in control, even if everything else is a chaotic mess.

@bytheangell Elle can write fluff or angst depending on her mood and she does a wonderful job with whatever strikes her fancy. She has a >100k fic called Support System that I’ve heard really great things about, even if I haven’t had a chance to read it yet.

@royaltybane Lydia is an OG in the shadowfam for good reason! Her writing is fluid and suitably full of feeling. You really can’t go wrong with anything by her!

Ohprongs is a wonderful author and I’ve read all of their stuff on ao3. I’d highly recommend them for shorter pieces.

This is by no means an exhaustive list! I’ve quite literally read thousands of Malec fics since I joined the fandom in summer 2017. These are the most memorable to me, however, and the ones that I’ve returned to time and time again. Any author I mentioned would be worth going through their backlist. I often just picked my favorite fic of theirs. 

If there’s something that you’re into– a trope, a general tone– you can always come back and I’ll do my best to answer your questions and give you recs! I hope that this helps and isn’t too overwhelming– I tried to organize this masterlist by word count and then misc categories. Thank you so much for thinking highly enough of my writing to ask me this and I’m sorry it took a little while to compile this fic rec list! Happy Reading!!