#writing inso

[heyitslapis]

Concept: Red Thread of Fate but instead of just directly leading to your soulmate it gets tangled around the people in your life that are meant to hurt/distract you in order to make you think they were meant for you, but eventually you get away from that person(s), untangle them from your life and you are finally able to follow the string to your real soulmate

[taytay4674788]

I used Homework Radio's channel for many many years during college. Their witch, Mermaid, Angel, and Demon playlists was what helped me through studying tbh. For saomething more "light” Dreams Dreams is a solid go to for me, it's from a game that's kinda been lost to time (mostly) but it was so ahead of it's time for tackling themes of anxiety and depression as early as 1996. SUCH a good game series and fire music tracks. But this one I study too as well. gives me cozy vibes to just chill. for some nostalgia and sensation of mall/vaporwave, this is a go to, this one is good I feel like I'm looking up in the sky on a summer's day in the lake, this one has good vibes for sure, if you want to cry your eyes out iyk yk of course this collection of sea shanties is an absolute go to without fail everytime for me. Eliza Lee slaps everysingle time. hangin with dracula here and here

Ambience Playlist

A collection of inspiring, moody, and relaxing ambient sound vids from youtube. some have rain, some have music, but i tried to get just stuff that's ambient. Great to write, draw, study, or chill to.

video games

Goodsprings desert town | Fallout New Vegas

Rapture hotel suite | Bioshock

Columbia floating city | Bioshock Infinite

Walking in the Rain at Night in Saint Denis | RDR2

Horseshoe Overlook campsite | RDR2

Riven ambient Jungle sounds

Castlevania Dracula's Castle while it's raining

driving through Silent Hill with a friend on a road trip

Horizon Forbidden West Ambient Nature Sounds

movies / tv

Gotham City rooftops while it's raining | Batman

Relaxing in the Stranger Things Palace Arcade

meditating in Hidden Leaf Village | Naruto

Hey Arnold's room in 1997 listening to music

Star Trek: TOS Enterprise Bridge

Data's Quarters feat. Spot purring | TNG

unique places

living in an abandoned church

Liminal Space Swimming Pool

abandoned factory in a post-apoc wasteland

rainy cyberpunk car cockpit

shipwrecked from a storm, sirens sing you to sleep

Marador - Dreams of Hope [SYNTHWAVE]

z3n fam is my go-to for lofi, ambient, and game tracks but i can't share everything of theirs on one post, so i mixed in kitspy's dreamland and others

[lili-loves-whump]

can u write abt a hero and villain who everyone thinks is enemies but r actually in love??

Love ur writing!!

heeeeeeey anon, sure I can do that!!

lili-loves-whump presents:

Sky Blue Ties

Hero patted down the fabric of their suit. Their hair was pulled into a ponytail, slick at the back of their head. It hurt.

Their suit was deep black, and as they walked up to the door of the ballroom, the music slipped through the crack in the door.

Grand piano tunes.

Crashing violin melodies.

Flutes- so many different notes in flute.

Hero took a final deep breath, before stepping inside and beginning to walk- float, almost- down the steps.

"(HONORIFIC - LADY OR SIR) (FIRST NAME) (LAST NAME)," the caller boomed, his projection reaching the end of the hall. The king and green sat, a glass in each of their hands, watching with pursed lips as they continued down the steps.

Their eyes swept the room, trying to find someone they knew.

Medic was by the punch bowl, discreetly using a dropper to distribute the pink liquid into a tiny vial. They shook it around, frowning as the grapefruit-coloured juice turned a deep indigo.

"Medic," Hero muttered, bowing their head slowly, "do you remember the plan?"

"Of course, Hero," Medic said simply, sharp eyes squinting. "But why were you announced as (FIRST NAME LAST NAME)?"

Hero squirmed in their suit and rubbed a hand over their neck. A smear of foundation came away with their fingertips.

"I need an alibi, daring Medic."

Medic seemed content with this, smirking and turning towards the dance that had ensured. "Don't drink the punch," they said, blending into the crowd.

Hero looked around slowly, ignoring the whispers around them.

"Have you seen the person in blue?"

"Sky blue- yes. Like that person's tie, right there."

"Their looking at us! Oh, you fool, you should have said nothing!"

Hero glanced down at their tie, sky blue with embroidered clouds, before glancing over their shoulder.

Villain was dressed in a sky-blue jumpsuit, the fabric flowing off their body like silk. They caught Hero's eyes and smirked, stepping forward.

"Hey, darling," they purred, "I knew the matching was a good idea. Care to dance?"

Hero went bright red, against their better judgement. They glanced at the food table, and the alcohol spiked punch, then back at Villain, a playful smirk dancing on their lips. Wit a sigh, they extended their hand.

"Sure."

Villain took their hand and bowed, holding back a chuckle as Hero did the same. The pair walked away, ignoring Medic muttering under their breath.

"Not in love, my ass. Go have fun, Hero. I'll continue the mission on my own, apparently."

[omgeto]

omg what? empress is gonna write and post another exes to loves fic... crazy 🧍🏽‍♀️

[steel-and-fire]

.

[innersonder]

[OLIE] - 5

the girls have a chat and olie gets replaced as a sister....

inner sonder updates with 3 chapters on the 6th and 18th of every month! it can also be read on webtoon! thanks for reading! <3

[nomazee]

the ao3 shutdown is inspiring me to write again BYE. i’m opening up requests again…

[takkamek]

It depends a lot for me, but I usually use Obsidian on my computer to start a new folder where I write down like information about the characters and the world, as well as obviously the plot (or, what I currently know about the plot lol, it can end up many paragraphs or just few sentences!). And I really like moodboards, so I use Pinterest for characters and the main places. For some stories I do have physically in notebooks, and the first pages of them are for the info, the rest is for the plot.

I tend to stick with Michael Hauge's six stage plot structure when it comes to plotting, and Novel Factory has good outline templates for free that I take inspiration from!

How do you plan out a story? Like story boarding with the setting, the characters, and other things. Moodboards? Do you have them digitally or are they somewhere in a notebook like a bullet journal kind of thing?

[sheisjoeschateau]

misha's masterlists

Hi, I'm Misha. Thank you for diving into my stories and supporting my writing :)

My fanfics [+this blog] are dedicated to Steve Harrington. All fanfic series, one-shots, blurbs, etc. listed below are written by me. Do not repost or share anywhere without proper credit. Thank you.

SERIES MASTERLISTS:

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"Oh, so we DO love Steve..."

Steve Harrington x Bauman!fem!reader enemies to lovers, heavy angst, hurt/comfort, upside down mayhem, S2-S4, post S4 universe hot-take, end-of-the-world / dystopian setting, ugly fights turned smut (...but with hella plot). 18+

[PART I] | [PART II] [PART III] | [PART IV] | [PART V] [PART VI] | [PART VII] | [PART VIII]

[Part IX - blurb] | [Part IX - full]

[Part X] | MORE COMING SOON

SUMMARY: WHEN THE UNEXPECTED NIECE OF MURRAY BAUMAN GETS THROWN IN THE MIX, THE GANG HAS NO IDEA JUST WHAT THEY'RE IN FOR. SCRATCH THAT - STEVE DOESN'T KNOW. YOU GET ALONG WITH EVERYONE WELL. YOU BANTER WITH THE ADULTS, WHO APPRECIATE YOUR HELP. THE KIDS LOVE AND WORSHIP YOU. YOU'RE HELPFUL ALL AROUND. BUT AS FAR AS STEVE IS CONCERNED, YOU'RE JUST NUISANCE. AFTER ALL, YOU'RE THE REASON HE LOST THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE AND MISSED OUT ON A LIFE THAT "COULD'VE BEEN." IF YOU HAD JUST KEPT YOUR SORRY ASS OUT OF THE PICTURE... IF YOU HAD NEVER GONE WITH NANCY AND JONATHAN AFTER THEY LEFT YOUR WHACK-JOB UNCLE, MURRAY BAUMAN'S, BUNKER? HE WOULD BE HAPPY. SO F*CKING HAPPY. BUT HERE YOU WERE. YOU WERE BASICALLY THE COOLER (...AND SURE, MUCH MORE ATTRACTIVE) FEMALE VERSION OF MURRAY BAUMAN. YOU WERE SARCASTIC, QUICK-WITTED, TOO SMART FOR YOUR OWN GOOD, AND APPARENTLY BUILT FOR THE WAR. SURE, YOU WEREN'T AS BRASH AS YOUR UNCLE. BUT IN STEVE'S EYES, YOU WERE SOMEHOW FAR MORE OBNOXIOUS. HE DOWNRIGHT HATED YOU.

HE WILL FOREVER HATE YOU...

BUT WILL HE?

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"You're there. You've always been there."

Steve Harrington x OC!fem!reader Childhood friends to lovers. Sloooowburn. Angst. Romance. Smut with plot. Action. Told from second-person view, reader is Nicole (character from S1), different POV, hurt/comfort, upside down mayhem, pre-S1-S4, eventual post-S4 universe.

[PART I] | [PART II]

Summary: Steve Harrington was six years old when he met you: Nicole St. James, the girl who carries the other half of him. Since 1972, the two of you have been inseparably tethered by the soul. You give Steve a home in his big house with no parents, and he gives your introverted heart a longing for someone. The King of Hawkins High and princess of this small town, you tell each other absolutely everything...except that you are in love with each other.

Everything changes that one afternoon at school, when you catch the school's social outcast -- Jonathan Buyers -- has been stalking Steve, his posse and his girl, Nancy. Little do you both know, the monsters in your favorite fairytales are real. And you're both going to have to fight them together.

You both share the best days and worst days, through childhood and teen years, until you both find yourselves roped into the perils that exist beneath your feet in Hawkins.

But through it all, despite all the doubt, Steve knows one thing: you're there. You've always been there.

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"At the Chateau, We'll Be Alright."

Steve Harrington x Jonathan Byers x fem!reader A crossover au inspired by Saltburn and Call Me by Your Name. Additional Inso from Joe's theater performance as in Spring Awakening. Song Inso: "Chateau" by Djo

Strangers to best friends to lovers. Slowburn. Angst. Romance, with polyamory themes and schemes. Smut with hella plot.

[MULTI-PART SERIES] COMING SOON. Click here for a preview.

Summary: The reader lives with her parents at a fancy chateau, in France.  This year, her father offers their home as a housing sanctuary to a select student or graduate.  He decides to invite two graduate students to live with their family over the summer, coming from different working class backgrounds, and help with their academic paperwork as a professor of archaeology.

Steve Harrington: a rich kid from a swanky boarding school with a bad boy reputation and too much charm for his own good.  Surprisingly, his grades say otherwise.  A’s and B’s, his parents claim that is seeking one-on-one tutoring so that he can progress in his studies — but it sounds more like an excuse to ship him off for longer periods of time, giving them an out for having their son around during the summer.  The pretty boy’s all about ladies…but that’s only because he hasn’t met a boy who awakens his bisexuality.  Yet.

Jonathan Byers: a kid from the lower working class, excelling in his studies and AP programs at the same boarding school as Steve which he only got into because of community sponsorship and grants.  Quiet wallflower, little to no friends, a bit cynical.  A closeted gay, he’s more determined to stick with being perceived as “ace” than come out of the closet.  Until he goes to stay at a chateau with a handsome boy, and a beautiful girl who understands him.

Twists, turns and terrifying risks, you all put your hearts on the line that summer at the Chateau. Add the reader's cousin Eddie into the mix, along with her best friend Robin, Steve's ex-girlfriend Nancy, Jonathan's estranged mother and your progressive parents alongside Steve's absent parents -- it's a cruel summer.

[dimepdf]

★  𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓𝐘 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄. + 𝐆𝐎𝐉𝐎 𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐔

masterlist. / taglist. / tip jar. synopsis. the lovely feelings Gojo would experience knowing just how vulnerable he was to your roughness.

✧. ┊    notes. everyone thank @ouchthathurts for getting me back on my writing grind, lord knows I need to start posting fics again. | — feedback is always welcomed & don't forget to reblog 🤍

✧. ┊    genre and warnings. +18 nsfw under the cut. minors dni | drabble | slight sub!gojo | hair pulling | strength kink | established relationship | body worship | oral sex(f receiving) | cunnilingus | pussy eating | fingering | overstimulation | multiple orgasms | pain kink(?) | title Inso by this song.

IT WASN'T SHOCKING that everyone thought that Gojo was significantly stronger than he had ever shown anyone.

It was also just the fact that he never really felt the need to flaunt the mass extreme of his abilities in front of others out of the pure amount of boredom he would feel being all serious and how tiresome he would feel wasting his time fighting all the damn time, surprisingly, including over performing in front of you as well.

Because of this, it was only logical to assume from an outside perspective that he was the "strong" one in your relationship. Even if the blue-eyed man did not have an unfair advantage over you with his supernatural abilities, he would still be the one to carry the weight of having the most powerful legacy within his bored, lengthy fingertips from his hidden lean build.

Gojo frequently outshone you in strength, and that was just a result of your extreme inability to even remotely compare to the godlike level of power he possessed. However, as the saying goes, behind every strong man is an even stronger woman.

Gojo can recall the number of times your influence has caused him to feel genuine fear, even though you weren't unable to destroy demons with the snap of a finger, and that you have not shed a few tears after stubbing your toe on something.

Despite all of this, Gojo would openly admit that you were the only living thing to ever manage to strike genuine fear into his heart, as well as the only living being to actually harm him in any way.

There were times when you weren't even aware of your strength. Gojo would still wince when you would find something just too funny to the point where your body would react on its own, playfully slapping him on the shoulder or whacking the front of his chest, too caught up in your fit of giggles to see that you would manage to catch him off guard enough to knock some air out of the poor man's lungs.

So sure, Gojo had his powers, but you were strong in your way. And the mere idea of it would be enough to get your boyfriend worked up all by itself.

When you're with Gojo, you don't even bother to hold back, and he admits that he adores that about you a little too much on his part.

His silvery white hair was caught between each of your knuckles, Your nails not letting up from their death grip, and your fist balled up at the front of his scalp as his mouth parted, leaving wet kisses between your inner thighs to let out a needy vocal reaction from the tug you had at his scalp.

The raw, intimate feeling of Gojo’s mouth teasing at your sensitive clit made it impossible for your hips not to jerk against your soft duvet bedding, even despite his locked-in hold around the bones of your hips. the small indents of his fingers already leaving small marks that you both knew would mix with the warming brown of your skin into a bruising color later.

Even with his hands holding you in place, your hips somehow still managed to buck against his hold so easily, the newfound strength building from the promise of your third orgasm of the night fighting against the man with impossible ease.  

You don't even realize that your hips are rolling involuntarily to the clouded thoughts littering your thoughts as you eagerly press Gojo's face closer between your legs, a low moan of impatience escaping from your throat, wanting him to do nothing more than settle the building orgasm that rudely threatened the proper wire of all your nerves.

Without embarrassment, his long finger's piston inside of you knuckle-deep, pairing almost too perfectly with the warmth of his tongue. The lewd, wet sounds reverberate through your shared master bedroom, making your body flush with a sweating sense of heat.

He made you feel so good that it almost started to hurt. Convinced at the thought of your bones having melted into some type of putty in Gojo's grip, and yet the sight of him lying on his stomach between your parted legs, with one knee bent lazily over his shoulder—the muscle tremor was barely noticeable if it weren't for the twitch of your toes, with the other one folded up—could barely be made through the tears that clung to your lashes.

Your breath was almost heaving at the piercing blue eye contact you had gotten back, and the flutter of his long white lashes almost tickled you as they brushed against the plush of your inner thighs. You could tell he was smiling with the telltale crinkle at the corners of his eyes when he would squint, despite his mouth being all too preoccupied with eating your pussy.

As he coaxed another orgasm from your poor, trembling body, you felt as if he was holding you captive. The whimpering release tensed you farther into your euphoria, having you lean your head back against your pile of pillows.

Your fist clenches tighter into Gojo’s locks at the slight slapping noise of your thighs squeezing together with Gojo’s face smothered and caged between the thick of them.

It takes a few moments along with a few breaths for you to come down from your climax, your legs unsensing and shifting quickly to something comparable to jelly as Gojo frees himself from your plush prison, wanting to laugh at whoever would consider you weak with a deep sigh accompanied by an all too happy famous beaming smirk.

🔖 @souljagrldotcom / @toji-dabi-wife / @dilfs-lover / @venussakura / @mimixrx2 / @unheolybakugo / @dunixxd / @songbirdgardensworld / @s-witch-bitch / @chloee0x0 / @kawatabae / @haitaniwhor3 / @pluzo / @momoewn / @angel-luv-04 / @laylasbunbunny / @celi-xxmoon / @sheluvzeren / @kogoshidied / @sacvh / @disaster-rose / @zombieghoulfriend / @hoohoohope / @thisbicc / @jadeisthirsting / @zuuki / @rumi-rants / @kiyomeichann / @anotherlovelyruin / @lone-poltergeist / @wenumsmol / @namidaass / @justanotherkpopstanlol / @awkwardaardvarkforever / @lexiinanime / @melty-kisses / @kageyama-i-want-tobiors / @crissteetee / @princesstiti14 / @watyousayin / @ziggy-09 / @carcarmeowmeow19 / @p-rizz-ha / @lilvampirina / @atsumubabe / @lialia3945 / / @innocxntdexth / @simpforsat0ru / @inumakiiz /

tap here to be added to taglist.

[wrightingdungeon]

Sibling Heist

I have been wanting to write a Maru and Sebastian story for a while now and I got my inso i needed!! Warnings: Don't steal Catalytic Converters... Just dont... P.S. I think this is why Lewis's truck dont move, Imagine Maru, Sebastian, and Sam like 1/2 years younger than they currently are

Maru sighed roughly as she sat down on the lawn, placing her head into her hands. She looked down between her legs at the code reader, glaring at the exhaust light warning that seemed to taunt her with its steady, relentless blinking. “Thank you, I know….” Maru groaned, shaking her head in frustration, her hair falling into her eyes.

“Know what?” Maru jumped slightly and looked up, her heart stopping for a moment as she heard Sebastian's voice come out of nowhere. He had a knack for appearing suddenly, it reminded her she needed to buy him a bell. “Whatcha you doing? Looks like something broke?” Sebastian asked as he sat down next to his sister, his curiosity piqued.

Maru picked up the code reader and passed it to him. “This,” she said, her tone filled with annoyance. “Ah yes… a blinking light…” Sebastian said, moving the code reader around in his hands, inspecting it from different angles as if he could coax a different answer out of it.

“The exhaust output is way too high, that's why I started working outside…” Maru said, leaning her head back against the house in exasperation.

“Well, thank you, I do like waking up in the morning,” Sebastian said, putting the code reader down with a light thud. “How do you fix it, Miss Genius?” he asked, nudging her with his shoulder in a playful manner, a teasing smile on his lips.

“I need a catalytic converter, but I just bought brake shoes, so I’m broke right now…” Frustration was clear in Maru's voice, as she let out a deep sigh kicking the grass in the direction of her creation.

Sebastian hummed thoughtfully, placing his mouth in his hands as he considered her problem. He was silent for a few moments, his eyes narrowing in concentration. “Well, Lewis did just buy a truck…” he said, looking over at Maru with a smirk that hinted at mischief. “They have catalytic converters, right?” he asked, chuckling at her shocked expression.

“Sebastian, we are not stealing a catalytic converter from the MAYOR!” Maru said, her voice rising in disbelief as she gawked at her brother like he had grown three heads.

“Oh, no, no, we won’t… But I know that you can teach Sam how to,” Sebastian said, smirking as he saw the gears in Maru’s head starting to spin.

“You… You think he would do that?” Maru asked, biting her thumb nail in thought, her mind racing with possibilities. She glanced back at the code reader, its blinking light seeming to challenge her. Blinking ‘do, it, do, it, do, it.’ up at her

“Oh, I know he would,” Sebastian replied confidently, leaning back on his hands and looking up at the sky, his eyes sparkled and his smirk widened as he imagined the plan unfolding.

As the day turned to night, Maru couldn't help but glance around nervously as she trailed behind Sebastian and Sam. Every rustle of leaves and distant sound made her jump. She followed closely, her grip tightening on her tool bag.

“It’ll be real quick, okay? It’s for Frankenstein,” Sebastian said, patting her shoulder gently. His touch was somewhat reassuring, reminding her that this mission would finally fix all her exhaust issues.

“Ooo, this is gonna be awesome! Best prank to pull yet,” Sam exclaimed, practically vibrating with excitement. Sebastian chuckled and shook his head at his friend's enthusiasm. “You’re just excited to fuck shit up.”

The trio approached Lewis's home, its familiar outline looming in the darkness. They could see the shiny new truck sitting in the driveway. Maru swallowed hard, her nerves tingling. “Are we really going to do this?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper as she gripped her tool bag tighter.

“You said it would take five minutes tops,” Sebastian reminded her, positioning himself against the wheel well to stand guard. Sam knelt next to the truck, his excitement palpable.

Kneeling beside Sam, Maru pulled her angle grinder out of the tool bag, carefully slapping a battery into place. “Please don’t touch the blade…” She hesitated slightly as she handed the grinder to Sam, biting her lip and feeling a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach. Sam laughed like a madman, the sound sending a shiver down her spine. “Sam, shut the fuck up,” Sebastian whispered harshly.

“Okay, okay, vibe killers,” Sam whined as he lay on his back, shimmying under the truck. Maru laid down on her stomach, next to him, pointing out the catalytic converter. “You need to cut on both sides… a little more left… more… no, a bit right… stop, there,”

Sam squeezed the trigger, and the angle grinder kicked to life, sending sparks flying at his face and chest. “Fuck yeah!” he laughed, the sound echoing in the quiet night. Maru shushed him urgently, she knew it would be loud, but the fear of getting caught was ever-present.

As Sam was three-fourths of the way done, Sebastian suddenly kicked Maru’s side, whispering urgently for them to stop. The trio froze, their breaths held. From their position on the ground, Maru and Sam could see Lewis’s feet emerge from the house.

“Sebastian? What are you doing out this late, and what’s all that racket?” Lewis’s voice was groggy, the remnants of sleep still clinging to his words.

“Ah… Me and Demetrius got into it again…” Sebastian improvised quickly, holding up his phone and shaking it slightly. “Just walking, listening to some Anthrax.” He shrugged nonchalantly. “Song’s name is ‘Blood Eagle Wings,’ if you wanna listen,” Sebastian said, chuckling slightly, a smile on his face.

“Oh, no thank you. But do keep it down, it’s nearly two AM,” Lewis replied, yawning.

“Sorry, I’ll just finish this song and go home,” Sebastian promised, his eyes flicking to Maru and Sam, urging them to remain still.

“Thank you, good night Sebastian,” Lewis said before he disappeared back inside.

Maru waited, her heart pounding in her chest as she stared at Sebastian. The moment seemed to stretch, every second dragging on as if time itself had slowed down. Finally, Sebastian gave them a thumbs-up, signaling it was safe to continue. Taking a deep breath, Maru nudged Sam, who was still lying on his back under the truck.

Sam grinned widely, his earlier excitement returning in full force. He squeezed the trigger again, sending more sparks flying. Maru watched the metal glow and shiver under the relentless force of the blade. “Hurry up, Sam,” Sebastian urged, his voice low but insistent. He scanned the surroundings, his eyes flicking between the houses.

“Almost there,” Sam grunted, focusing on the task at hand. The grinder finally cut through the last bit of metal, and with a triumphant laugh, Sam pulled the converter free. “Got it!” he whispered excitedly, holding up the piece like a trophy.

Maru quickly stuffed the converter into her tool bag, her hands shaking slightly from the adrenaline. “Let’s get out of here,” she said, her voice barely audible. She stood up, her legs feeling unsteady beneath her.

The three of them moved quickly and quietly, Maru could feel her heart pounding in her ears, the rush of the night’s events catching up to her. When they finally reached the old community center, they stopped to catch their breath.

Sebastian turned to them, a small smile playing on his lips. “We did it,” he said, a hint of pride in his voice. He looked at Maru, his eyes softening. “You did great.”

Maru managed a shaky smile in return. “Thanks. I just… I was so scared we’d get caught.”

“Hey, you kept it together,” Sam said, clapping her on the back. “And now, Frankenstein wont smoke like he does.” Sam laughed as he pointed at Sebastian with his thumb. “Fuck you as well, Sam.” Sebastian retorted, rolling his eyes.

Maru chuckled, the tension slowly easing out of her as the older two joked. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

They started walking back to Maru and Sebastian's home, the thrill of their successful mission lingering in the air.

Sebastian glanced over at her, his smile widening. “See? I told you it would be quick.”

Maru laughed, the sound light and relieved. “Yeah, you did. But next time, maybe we can pick a less risky plan?”

Sam groaned dramatically. “Where’s the fun in that?”

As they arrived home, Maru smiled softly at Sebastian. “Hey, thanks, by the way,” she said quietly, appreciating his support even if their actions weren't entirely legal.

“Don’t worry about it. Just don’t kill us with carbon monoxide, ok.” Sebastian replied, laughing as he gave her a quick hug. His embrace was brief but warm, a rare moment of physical affection. He pulled back, his expression softening for a moment. “Don’t tell anyone, but I do care about you,” he teased, before he disappeared to his basement room with Sam.

“Love you too, Seb” Maru murmured softly as she shut her bedroom door behind her, excited to get back to work in the morning.

[barringtonishigh]

My fanfiction info~!

Whattup! I'm Barrett and i write fanfiction!

I currently write for:

Pete Wentz

Patrick Stump

Joe Trohman

Andy Hurley

William Beckett

Adam Siska

Mike Carden

Michael Guy Chislett

The Butcher

Ryan Ross

Jon Walker

Dallon Weekes

I will write:

Fluff!!

X readers/ocs!!

Angst

Romance

Platonic

Family

I WILL NOT write:

Smut

Ships

Basic dni stuff

Anything that makes me uncomfy :/

My requests are OPEN!!

My masterlist:

[peachsayshi]

I am opening up requests for Geto! I miss writing for my pretty boy

please send smut requests to my side blog @sourpeachsayshi

(note: playboy geto x reader is in the works, I finally have an outline together but I want to write other things for him and could use some Inso x)

[whatstruthgottodowithit]

Because I Liked A Boy [Part One]

Fandom: Harry Potter [Marauders Era]

Pairing: James Potter x Regulus Black, James Potter x Lily Evans,

Characters: James Potter, Regulus Black, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Lily Evans, Barty Crouch Jr, Evan Rosier, Marlene McKinnon, Mary MacDonald, Peter Pettigrew, Fleamont Potter, Euphemia Potter,

Word Count: 6401

Rating: Mature

Summary: Everything’s derailing. Was only tryna hold you close while your heart was failing.

Tags/ Warnings: Hogwarts, summer Challenge, Writing Challenge, Song Fic, Marauders Era, Period Typical Attitudes, Coming Out, Abusive Households, Kisses, Angst, Fluff, Regulus is underage, Wedding, Engagements, Lost Love,

Notes: One day I'll write a happy jegulus fic but not today. Also I hated having to use lily as a barrier but it's what fit the song inso so x

Summer Challenge 2024 // Song Inspo

Part One // Part Two// Part Three

‘Well go on then.’ 

Regulus didn’t know how he’d gotten here, staring down at the furious face of the red head as she watched him with flaming green eyes. He’d been standing with Remus in the corner, neither one of them party animals and therefore birds of a feather nestled away by the wall where no one would notice them. Well no one but Sirius who had tried nigh on ten times to get his boyfriend to dance, cajoling his brother into encouragement too, and now Lily who was watching him incensed.

Except she wasn’t the only one. Behind her several party goers were watching them, the same anger not displayed against their features but rather curiosity at what had gotten the normally mild-mannered witch so riled. The only one who didn’t seem curious was James who stood behind her, looking unnaturally shy as he tugged on her sleeve and said, ‘Lil leave it.’

‘No!’ Lily said, shooting him a glare before she turned her sights back on Regulus, ‘if he has something to say he can say it to my face.’

‘Oh leave off will you,’ Sirius said as he pushed through the throng of onlookers, ‘he’s just a kid.’

‘Well if he’s big enough to spread nastiness about,’ Lily said angrily, making Sirius glance at his brother curiously for a second, apparently now conflicted about whatever this spat was about. Of late he’d been coming to Regulus’ defence without question but a lifelong loyalty to James Potter was not something he gave up lightly and it was clear whatever this matter was it was about James even if Regulus feigned innocence, pushing himself up from the wall as he asked, ‘what have I done?’

Lily scoffed and shook her head before she replied, ‘you said we shouldn’t get back together. Told him that I didn’t deserve him, filled his head with all sorts of rubbish.’

Regulus said nothing but he allowed his gaze to drift past her to James. He hadn't looked at the boy once, his hazel gaze fixed firmly at his feet as he allowed his ex-girlfriend, or whatever she was, to fling her accusations around. Accusations she was waiting to be confirmed or denied as she snapped, ‘well?’

‘Lil please just leave it,’ Remus said from his side, as always the voice of reason. And as always drowned out by a Black’s sense of righteousness.

‘Well it’s not untrue,’ Regulus said simply, folding his arms as he stared the girl down.

‘Reg,’ Sirius warned, his gaze flicking between them all but landing firmly on his brother who shrugged and said ‘well it’s not. Or did she not dump him to find herself?’

‘I had a lot going on,’ Lily said defensively.

‘More like you thought you could do better only when you got there you found there wasn’t much of a demand for uptight cows and turned tail-‘

‘Reg,’ Remus groaned but Lily wasn’t for relenting, coming closer as she yelled shrilly, ‘how dare you! You have no idea what you’re talking about! As a matter of fact it’s none of your business!’

‘It is when,’ Regulus started but he was cut off, watching as Lily’s nostrils flared, her freckled skin becoming patchy red in places as her anger grew.

‘When what?’ she demanded, ‘you don’t know anything about us. I mean what are you to James? Sirius’ little brother? Some mixed up school kid trying to make grown up friends? Is that it?’

Anyone would’ve thought she was demanding the answers of Regulus except she’d turned, watching James instead, the way Regulus had. James looked up when he felt her move, panic on his handsome face as he tried to scramble for an answer. Except he didn’t make a sound. He wasn’t one to hide from the spotlight and yet now with everyone watching him he didn’t speak.

Regulus looked at him, grey eyes boring into his face as he willed for him to speak up, to say something. But he didn’t speak.

And again Regulus wondered how he’d gotten here.

He supposed Lily was right. Up until this summer he hadn't been much to James, well any of them really. Love his brother as he might Sirius’ antics had put a strain on their relationship over the years as had his immediate found friendship with ‘the marauders’. It wasn’t until one drizzly day in May when he’d gotten a letter from his mother, one that spewed hate and bile having not one but two what she deemed ‘unfit’ sons, did Regulus know there was no going back. He’d spent six years trying to not be like his brother only to find they were two sides of the same coin and when he’d written to him telling him so Sirius had been more understanding that he could’ve asked for. He’d taken him in for the summer, of course his and Remus’ apartment wasn’t massive so it meant a month or so of kipping on the sofa, but it was a home filled with love and acceptance, which wasn’t something he’d ever really known.

He also had not known a group of people to spend so much time at the pub. Of course he couldn’t complain but seeing as Remus and Sirius’ route to their bedroom would cross his path it did mean he found himself disturbed most nights. Fortunately when they came in this time he wasn��t asleep, he was sat in the armchair, curled up with a blanket and a cup of tea as he read his book, and tried to block out the dream he’d woken from not long since, the lashes of his father’s belt still feeling raw on his ankles though there was no marks to be seen.

Only when they came through the door this time, stumbling in as always, they weren’t alone. Slouched in between them was a very limp James Potter, Regulus could tell even though his head was flopped forward as the messiness of his dark locks was a telltale sign.

‘Jesus he’s like a lead weight,’ Sirius grunted as they hauled him into the room, his feet barely making traction against the cream carpet.

‘Least we managed to apparate most of the way,’ Remus grunted as they flopped him down onto the couch, adjusting himself as James sprawled out on his back, ‘I wouldn’t have liked doing that the muggle way.’

‘Nah me neither,’ Sirius agreed as he shrugged off his jacket and flung it over the back of the couch though only then did he seem to realise Regulus was awake, watching the pair of them standing over the now snoring James, ‘oh sorry Reggie didn’t see you there.’

‘It’s fine,’ Regulus muttered, trying not to wince at the sound of his detested nickname, ‘what's up with him?’

‘Blotto,’ Remus said with a yawn.

‘Heartbrokens more like it,’ Sirius said, glancing at his friend with sympathy before he looked back to Regulus and said, ‘you don’t mind if he sleeps here tonight do you? He was too upset to go back to his flat what with them living together-‘

‘It’s fine,’ Regulus said, already able to feel the crick in his neck he’d have from sitting up all night.

‘Thanks mate,’ Sirius smiled, patting his brother on the shoulder as he headed to his bedroom. Remus moved around the room for a minute, taking James’ shoes and glasses off and procuring a bowl for him to be sick into if needed. Regulus pretended not to watch though he offered the other man a smile before he disappeared behind their bedroom door.

Once he was gone silence fell, the only thing to be heard James’ heavy drunken breathing and the turning of Regulus’ pages though admittedly they had slowed. He didn’t know why he was watching the boy; it wasn’t like he’d never met him before. He’d known of the infamous James Potter at school, though admittedly he’d kept his distance as Sirius was normally not far behind, and he’d met him a couple of times since landing on his brother’s doorstep, normally in passing as the pair headed for a night out.

Still his curiosity had been sparked, not because they'd been out drinking but rather because Sirius had said he was heartbroken. Of course Regulus knew about Lily. After all, even from Slytherin house one couldn’t escape James Potter's infatuation with the redhead. If anything it had amused Regulus to see self-assured Potter put in his place here and there, at least he had been until she’d caved in sixth year and the pair had started dating. Or at least had been dating up to now it seemed.

‘I can feel you watching me you know,’ the boy grumbled, his eyes still closed though it was enough to make Regulus freeze like a deer in headlights. James shifted, cracking one eye open and watching Regulus who looked away and muttered, ‘I wasn’t watching you.’

‘It’s alright. But just so you know I normally charge a galleon for people to come and marvel at my beauty,’ James yawned as he rolled over pushing himself up until he was sitting before he peeled his jumper up over his head, causing his hair to fall into disarray even further. Regulus rolled his eyes at the comment though he couldn’t stop himself from looking at the boy, even though his knuckles were almost white holding his book, begging him to return to the page. He almost wished he had as when James looked up and caught him looking again he smiled and said, ‘sorry if I woke you up.’

‘You didn’t,’ Regulus said, the memories of his nightmare creeping into his brain though he forced it out, ‘I was awake...I was reading.’

‘Right yeah,’ James said, flopping his head back against the couch as he looked towards the fireplace. It was unlit, old, burned wood laying in the hearth but he watched it as if there were flames dancing around to mesmerise him. And just like the dreams had crept in on Regulus the thoughts of heartbreak appeared on James’ face as he came to.

And though he knew he probably shouldn’t, he wasn’t much of a talker himself, he found himself asking, ‘are you okay?’

‘Not really,’ James said honestly, tearing his gaze away from the fire with a sniffle.

‘Do you…do you want to talk about it?’ Regulus asked, scolding himself for doing so. What was he going to talk to James Potter about? He barely knew the man, not to mention it wasn’t as though Regulus’ love life was anything noteworthy. And it wasn’t as if he could offer any advice about girls. Fortunately James shook his head and realising that was a way to get away Regulus nodded and stood up, slinking the blanket onto the floor as he asked, ‘want a cup of tea?’

‘Tea?’ James asked.

‘Yeah, Sirius always used to make me a cup of tea when I was upset but I was making one anyway,’ he said, feeling red tinge his ears at how caring he sounded. James yawned, ‘sure go on then.’

At that Regulus darted into the kitchen, thankful of the wall now between them which hid his crimson cheeks from view. He didn’t know why it embarrassed him so much. Then again he wasn’t exactly accustomed to being nice, not overtly anyway. His friends were more of an eye roll and scathing wit kind of vibe rather than the unfathomable enthusiasm and gentle teasing his brother’s friends seemed to thrive in. Though maybe it was just because he’d brought up a topic James would rather not speak of and as someone who was used to the ‘stiff upper lip’ he'd made an error by bringing it up. Then again maybe it was the way that seeing an upset James had tugged at his heartstrings, the way he’d wanted to do something, anything, that would make him feel better.

Regulus brushed it aside as he made two cups of tea, one black and the other strong but milky with enough sugar to stand a spoon up in it in anticipation of fending off the other boy’s hangover. When he appeared back in the living room James was sitting up near his side of the couch, reading the back of Regulus’ book though he placed it down as the boy appeared, reaching out to take the cup from him as Regulus muttered, ‘here.’

‘Cheers,’ James said, taking a small sip.

‘It’s alright,’ Regulus said as he took a seat in his chair and took a sip himself. They were quiet for a moment and again Regulus felt the need to speak, something he never normally felt and so he offered, ‘I er, I looked for biscuits but I couldn’t find any.’

‘It’s alright,’ James shrugged.

‘Yeah…I guess I just fancied a custard cream,’ Regulus said, his throat drying up as James looked at him inquisitively, ‘they’re my favourite.’

James nodded and looked away, taking another small sip as Regulus tapped his fingers around the rim of his mug. It was ceramic and thick, unlike the China tea set his mother had which he had to admit made the difference. He missed that tea set. He missed drinking tea in the garden on a summer's afternoon.  And as always to his surprise he missed his mother, as twisted as it was to miss someone who no longer wanted you.

‘She dumped me,’ James mumbled, snapping Regulus back from thoughts of afternoon tea in the back garden of Grimmauld place.

‘Oh,’ Regulus said, ‘I’m sorry.’

‘S’alright,’ James sniffed, analysing the cup before him as though that should be his focus even though he’d been the one to bring it up. Regulus realised he could probably leave it there but the hurt in the boy's voice made him want to hear more. After all, if he heard more maybe he could fix it.

‘Did she say why?’ he probed.

‘We’re too busy for a relationship. It’s not like it was at school. She wants to find herself,’ James said, parroting the words rather than speaking them himself as evidenced by the scorn in his voice, ‘just think she was sick of me to be honest.’

‘Well you’re not so bad,’ Regulus said. He’d been biting his lip, holding in the snark that was destined to break free from him if he didn’t, but at hearing the downtrodden way James spoke of himself he felt compelled to refute though he didn’t know why. He knew of James Potter, it was hard not to, and though he’d never gone out of his way to know him well he knew one thing, he wasn’t that bad of a guy. James looked up as he spoke, ‘even if you do stumble in at one in the morning and wake me up.’

‘Thanks,’ he chuckled.

‘It’s alright,’ Regulus smiled softly.

‘And er sorry about that,’ James said with a grin, ‘maybe if I make it up to you I’ll go from not so bad to fairly decent eh?’

‘Maybe,’ Regulus agreed.

After that the pair settled down to sleep, whatever booze was still in James’ system combining with his sugary beverages and pulling him fast into slumber, only when Regulus awoke late in the morning he was alone. He had been right about the chair, the crick in his neck was so stiff but as he spotted the jumper still strewn across the back of the sofa he couldn’t help but smile, the flutter of butterflies in his stomach at the sight of it. He tried to ignore it, in fact when Sirius, Remus and James returned from James’ flat, after having gathered some belongings for a temporary stay, Regulus made himself scarce, opting to spend time in the boys’ bedroom or out on the tiny balcony. He only reappeared when it was nearing ready for bed, ready to take root in his designated armchair since James had somehow wangled the couch full time.

When he did he found Sirius looking in the mirror as he ran his fingers through his hair in the hopes to get it looking naturally windswept. Remus however didn’t seem bothered about his appearance as he was too busy yawning as he tried to lace up his boots. 

‘Going somewhere?’ Regulus asked as he took a seat, eyeing the couple and then James who was practically vibrating with enthusiasm as he stood opposite.

‘Pub,’ James said happily.

‘Pub,’ Remus answered at the same time, far less enthusiastic.

‘You can come if you want,’ James said though Regulus ignored him, opting instead to ask, ‘didn't you go last night?’

‘Yeah but someone said we’d go again,’ Remus said, shooting Sirius a dirty look.

‘Well it’s better than moping around here all night,’ Sirius said, moving towards James and pinching his cheek, ‘can't stand it when he mopes.’

‘Gerroff,’ James grunted, his excitement waning just an ounce, ‘M’not moping. Besides, it was your idea too. We don't have to go.’

‘We want to,’ Sirius said, sharing a serious look with Remus, ‘right Moony?’

‘Right. Let’s get this show on the road then,’ Remus agreed standing up and looking towards Regulus, ‘sure you don’t want to tag on?’

‘No thanks,’ Regulus said, relieved to have some time to himself.

‘Suit yourself,’ Sirius said, ‘see you later.’

‘Yeah later,’ Regulus said as the three walked to the door though as Sirius and Remus disappeared, walking down the stairs outside the flat James stopped, glancing to make sure they were away before he dashed to his backpack and pulled something out tossing them to Regulus who caught them smoothly, twirling the yellow packet around to see what he was holding.

‘Custard creams,’ James said with a smile, ‘as penance for waking you up.’

‘Last night or tonight?’ Regulus asked, feeling his stomach flutter as James smiled.

‘Well let's see what happens,’ James winked, and without another word he flounced out leaving Regulus looking at the packet of biscuits and trying to dispel the fizzy feeling in his stomach.

Following that first night Regulus did try to maintain his distance from James. He had his own friends, he didn't need his brothers too, but it was hard to do when you shared a makeshift bedroom with someone. In fact over the next couple of weeks they fell into an unspoken routine. With jobs yet to start following their departure from school they were all still on borrowed time and spending their days lolling around the flat and their nights in the pub. Regulus didn’t attend but every night when James came home, in various states of inebriation, he found himself waiting up for him, ready to spend ten minutes to two hours just speaking with him. He didn’t know why, what drew him to those conversations but somehow they felt mutually beneficial. Like whatever was said was confined to them, not to be mentioned again or used against one another in the real world. Their own little bubble. Regulus knew what it was. Two broken hearted people trying to hold one another close in the hopes of keeping themselves together but at times he found himself wondering if it was just that. When James looked at him a little too long or he caught himself mesmerised by the way James spoke. He thought there may be something more.

Of course he only thought those things in the dead of night. In daylight it never seemed the same, namely because in the day his brother was usually sitting not far away and would surely notice him ogling his best friend. Which was why Regulus was taken off guard one July morning when Sirius appeared from his bedroom and decreed the pair of them spend the day together.

‘You want us to go on a day out together?’ Regulus implored, ‘why?’

‘Not a day out together. I just want you both out of the flat for the day,’ Sirius said, rolling his eyes.

‘Why?’ Regulus grumbled.

‘Moony’s not well and I want to make him feel better,’ Sirius said, silencing James with a hand as he said, ‘and no you can't help. Not with what I’ve got planned anyway.’

Rather than being scarred for life Regulus had promptly made himself scarce though he’d only found himself down the street before he felt a presence by his side and looked up to find James smiling down on him.

‘Thought we could both find something to do,’ James said, ‘beats trudging around London on our own.’

Regulus hadn't been able to refuse, even if he had he doubted James would’ve heard him with the amount of ideas he had been rhyming off as they strolled the streets of London. To Regulus’ surprise though they stayed away from the alley opting to spend the morning in a muggle café before wandering to the local park. They wandered around the large pond it held for a while before taking a seat on the grassy knoll next to it and watching the ducks swim by. There wasn’t much talking whilst they sat there, as if they’d run out of things to say without Sirius or Remus as a buffer or that their normal topics of conversation were somehow off limits in the daylight.

Though after a while he could feel James watching him and when he turned he was, his arms resting back behind him as he watched the younger boy closely. Regulus turned away self-consciously as if he could fend off whatever was going to come from James mouth though he could sense it coming.

‘So,’ James started, ‘are you looking forward to school?’

‘No,’ Regulus said dully, turning his attention to plucking grass from the ground.

‘Why not?’ James asked, ‘it’s your last year isn't it? I mean the exams are shit but it’s a fun one.’

‘Yeah real fun when everyone knows you're staying at your brother’s because your mums disowned you both for being as bent as a hundred galleon coin.’

‘They’ll not care,’ James reasoned, sitting up and watching Regulus. His face was stoic and poised but he could see the way his lip quivered before he muttered, ‘it’s gossip. Of course they’ll care.’

‘Yeah I guess,’ James said, watching him sadly. The pair fell quiet with Regulus staring out at the ducks on the pond, swimming gracefully along to murky water, whilst James watched him. He knew he probably didn’t have a right to ask, that it was none of his business, but he had found this weird understanding with Regulus that he hadn't expected. He didn’t know if it was an instilled politeness within the boy that forced him to continue the conversation whenever James started, which granted was so frequent his mother had once remarked he’d be able to start a conversation in an empty room, or whether he’d come to like James the way James had come to like Regulus. But whatever it was he found that whenever he asked a question Regulus would answer it. Whatever burden he offloaded he’d listen to. Whatever curiosity he proffered would be met with a smile and an eye roll but accepted all the same. James liked it and, curious, he found himself asking another question.

‘How did you know?’ he asked, causing grey eyes to glance in his direction, dark brows fusing together as he tried to get a hold on what James was asking. James could practically see his train of thought before he replied, ‘that I was gay?’

‘Yeah,’ James said, pushing himself up until he was sitting beside him, an understanding yet curious expression on his face. Regulus tensed and shuffled under the scrutiny.

‘Why do you want to know?’ Regulus asked quietly.

‘Dunno,’ James shrugged, ‘just curious I guess.’

Regulus could feel his heart hammering in his chest. He’d never really spoken about it before, his friends had assumed but not pried and besides one tense conversation with Sirius it’d sort of faded into the background. It was just a part of him. Like being a Black was. Not something he wanted scrutinised and poked at. Except it was James who was asking. James, with his carefree, unbelievably understanding attitude to everyone. James who was watching him closely, a sympathetic smile on his plump lips.

‘Guess I’ve always known,’ Regulus uttered after a moment.

‘That’s what Moony says,’ James sighed, ‘well he said he didn’t know know until we all went girl mad. But Pads said it came out of the blue. Like it was about Moony not boys you know. Is that what it’s like for you?’

‘Well considering I’ve never had a Moony I don’t think so,’ Regulus said, his heart still thudding.

‘Yeah I guess,’ James said, looking as though he was deep in thought as the furrowing of his brow caused his glasses to slip further down his nose, ‘so how do you know?’

‘How did you know you liked girls,’ Regulus challenged, though he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear it. It was one thing to hear about all the ways his relationship had gone wrong and all the things he no longer liked about Lily; it was another to hear what he actually liked.

‘Fair point,’ James said, ‘but maybe I don’t. Maybe no one does.’

‘What?’ Regulus asked, confused.

‘Well Pads thought he liked girls but what if it doesn’t work like that. What if you like what you’re told to like until you’re proven wrong,’ James said, looking up at the boy though as he noticed the gentle drop of Regulus’ jaw he shifted rubbing the back of his neck. But Regulus persisted.

‘Wait so you think I’m gonna kiss some girl and be straight,’ Regulus scoffed, trying not to feel hurt. Was it possible James was only okay with being gay when it came to his best friends. When it was Sirius only having eyes for Remus and not any boy that walked by? Was it possible James Potter was just as narrow minded and stuffy as most pure-blooded wizards seemed to be? Regulus prayed that wasn’t true but given the way James became shifty and moved away from him he felt his stomach churn.

‘Never mind,’ James said, standing up and dusting the grass from his backside, ‘let's head back, they're bound to be done by now.’

‘Eugh don’t,’ Regulus said as he climbed up, simultaneously grateful for the distraction and abhorred at the idea of what Sirius was up to.

‘Let’s just hope they stuck to the bedroom,’ James said, offering him a cheeky grin and darting out of his way as Regulus went to shove him.

Fortunately Remus and Sirius were both up and in the living room, fully dressed, when the pair got back to the flat. And though Remus seemed tired they seemed happy to relive James’ retelling of their day out as they watched TV. However as they got to the duck pond, James conveniently left out the conversation they’d had which only made it blare in Regulus’ mind and so for distraction he stayed out on the balcony reading once more until it got far too cold to bear. When he did get inside however Remus was curled up on the couch, his head in the lap of Sirius, who was watching TV, albeit by trying to navigate his head around James who was standing in front of the screen.

‘Please Pads,’ James whined.

‘No,’ Sirius said.

‘It’s one night,’ James reasoned.

‘I don’t mind,’ Remus said, though he barely got the words out of his mouth before he yawned.

‘We’ve been out all bloody week,’ Sirius said, ‘Moony wants a night off.’

‘And he’s said you can go without him!’ James challenged, ‘or can you two not be apart for ten minutes?’

‘Reverse psychology isn’t going to work on him. You’ll just put him in a bad mood,’ Regulus said as he slipped into his chair, earning himself a glare from James and a wry smile from Sirius who knew he was right.

‘Look one night off isn’t the end of the world,’ Sirius reasoned, ‘and nothings stopping you from going out you know.’

‘I can't go out on my own, that's just sad,’ James pouted, folding his arms across him.

‘Ask Pete?’ Remus reasoned.

‘He’s going on holiday tomorrow,’ James said, ‘he never lasts long anyway.’

‘Well take Reg if you’re so hard up,’ Sirius said.

‘Excuse me?’ Regulus scoffed.

‘Pads he’s underage,’ Remus said, though the way he glanced at the younger boy signalled he was trying to get him out of going rather than a disapproval of underage drinking.

‘And?’ Sirius said rolling his eyes, ‘we got served underage he’ll be fine. And it’ll stop him from moaning.’

‘Do I get a say in this?’ Regulus asked looking between the three of them only that didn’t last long as James was in his space immediately, pulling him up and grabbing his coat as he said, ‘nope. You’re coming whether you like it or not.’

Needless to say, Regulus' first time in a muggle club didn’t go down all that well. He had not minded the pub, that was easy going and James actually spoke to him then. He’d even been so happy to have someone come out with him he insisted on buying every drink. Only the more he’d drunk the more boisterous he’d gotten. Their conversations turned to drunken nonsense with James intent on bringing anyone they saw into the group. That was how they’d ended up at the club, Regulus stood in the corner nursing a gin and tonic as he watched James move from girl to girl throwing out cheesy chat up line after cheesy chat up line with unmovable confidence. Regulus watched them fawning over him, the dorky self-assurance he had a charm for ninety percent of them. The way it was for Regulus in every moment but this one. After an hour of watching him Regulus could take no more and so as another girl sashayed back to her giggling friends he presented himself at James’ side. He looked confused to see him, as if he’d forgotten they were even there together but he smiled at him nonetheless, a smile that dimmed as Regulus said, ‘I’m going home.’

‘What?’ James asked, ‘you can't.’

‘Why not? So I can sit and watch you flirt with every girl who walks past,’ Regulus said rolling his eyes, ‘no thanks.’

‘You can’t just go,’ James protested.

‘I just want to go to bed,’ Regulus sighed, ‘I’ll see you back at the flat.’

And before James could utter another protestation he was weaving through the mass of sweaty bodies until he was finally out into the small reception area only before he got out the door he was dragged into an alcove, club goers and security moving past the pair of them as if they weren’t there. James looked flushed, his cheeks tinged with pink and his hair pushed back from his forehead as he looked down at him and said, ‘Reg don’t go.’

‘Why not?’ Regulus said.

‘Cos I don’t want you to,’ James said.

‘So you’ve got someone to drag your arse home when-‘

And then his snappy retort was cut off because he was up against the wall, James’ body against his as he kissed him fiercely. Regulus went limp allowing himself to be kissed before James pulled back with a small smile on his face, that self-assured nature never failing him, ‘told you I didn’t want you to go.’

They hadn't spent long in the club after that, a grimy club in east London was alright for a first kiss Regulus supposed but he wanted James to himself and so they quickly headed back to the flat. And where their nights had been chalked with talking it turned to more, the same give and take they'd had before as they learned more about one another, shared more than they ever had before. It wasn’t easy. It was new territory for the pair of them and it felt like if they spoke about it it’d all come crashing down, the intangible turned disastrous. So it lived between them in stolen moments and knowing glances.

That’s how Regulus came to be lying in his brother's bed, James’ head in his lap as he played with his hair. It was baking, the sun blaring through the windows and radiating the room but Regulus had no desire to move. That was coming soon enough, he was due back at Hogwarts in a matter of weeks which meant an end or at least a change to whatever this was.

‘You’re quiet,’ James said, turning to rest his chin on his arm that was splayed across Regulus’ thigh.

‘Just thinking,’ Regulus said, running his fingers through his hair.

‘About?’ James asked.

‘Me going back to school,’ Regulus admitted, trying to ignore the lump in his throat.

‘It’s ages off yet,’ James said quietly.

‘Two weeks,’ Regulus corrected.

‘So?’ James murmured.

‘So…’ Regulus hesitated, ‘so what if you forget about me?’

‘Bollocks,’ James said, rolling his eyes.

‘James,’ Regulus mumbled but he wasn't listening but sitting up and pulling Regulus with him until they were face to face, that self-assured smile on his face.

‘How could I?’ James said, ghosting his finger along the razor-sharp line of Regulus’ jaw.

‘Because you’ll be here living a proper life and I’ll just be a kid at school,’ Regulus mumbled, again amazed at how open he could be when it came to him, ‘it’s not even like anyone knows.’

‘You said you didn’t want to tell anyone,’ James reasoned.

‘Yeah because…well it’s different for me,’ Regulus said.

‘Why?’

‘Because I’m not…you’re my first everything and I’m…’ he didn’t finish fearing the look in James’ eyes if he mentioned the word rebound would confirm the fears he’d been having.

‘Well no, you’re not my first, well you kind of are in a way,’ James said, interlacing his fingers with Regulus, smiling as he murmured, ‘but you are my favourite…and I guess I didn’t know I could love someone like this.’

‘James,’ Regulus mumbled. He wanted to say it back. But he couldn’t make the words come, not before there was a jangle of keys in the front door spurring them into action and breaking them apart.

After that he didn’t really know how to bring it up and as the deadline for Regulus to leave crept closer he felt as though to utter it, to speak it into existence would only make it harder to leave. Because he didn’t want to leave. He wanted to lock himself away and stay with James forever no more so than when he felt him pull away, their time together curtailed by Sirius’ new need to see his brother as much as humanly possible, even going so far as to host a party before he was destined to return to Hogwarts. The night before the dreaded get together was the last moment alone he’d gotten with James, the pair of them huddled on the couch, the tv on in the background, murmuring to itself as James said, ‘I er, stopped by flat today.’

‘Your flat?’ Regulus asked.

‘Yeah,’ James said casually, ‘picked up some stuff.’

‘Was Lily there?’ Regulus asked, hating the tightness that came into his voice just as much as he hated the way James shifted uncomfortably.

‘Yeah,’ James said, ‘she um, asked if she could come to the party. Seeing as everyone else is.’

‘What did you say?’ Regulus asked though he was sure he knew the answer. James Potter was not one to leave a person out, no matter the circumstances.

‘Well I said I’d ask,’ James mumbled, ‘but it’s okay by me.’

‘You don’t care?’ Regulus asked, unable to see how weeks of moping over the girl had suddenly transpired into not being bothered though he hoped that was due to his handiwork.

‘No,’ James said, ‘we erm, talked it out.’

‘What did she say?’ Regulus asked.

‘She said she was sorry,’ James said, ‘I said it was okay.’

‘That was all she said?’ Regulus pressed.

‘Yeah,’ James muttered. Regulus was watching him closely but in a manner unlike himself James wasn’t looking at him as he spoke, keeping his eyes on the TV as if he was avoiding the scrutiny. As if he was avoiding Regulus entirely. After a summer of nothing but raw honesty it was unsettling for Regulus to feel so out of his depth. He was sure there was something more to it, James wasn’t exactly hard to read, but he didn’t feel as though he was allowed to press on. The fact that he had withheld himself the past week meaning he would be a hypocrite to demand answers. Instead he swallowed the lump in his throat and said, ‘well if you don’t mind it’s okay with me.’

And that was it. Whatever James had held back leaving him here, thinking of everything that had brought them to this moment. It all passed through his mind like a blur. And yet now the only thing he could think of now was the way James was looking at him, guilt in his eyes as he cleared his throat and said, ‘she’s right.’

‘What?’ Regulus whispered.

‘It’s nothing to do with you,’ James said, not meeting his eye, ‘it’s none of your business.’

‘Well sorry I interfered,’ Regulus said tightly, whatever snappy quip he could offer dying on his tongue as he realised it would do him no favours, not when everyone who was watching the interaction was bound to be on their side. After all, what was Regulus to them? A sharp-tongued brat. Sirius’ kid brother. A reason to come to a party and nothing more.

And as it seemed from the way James looked at him, his hazel eyes large and apologetic, now just a memory. Nothing more.

‘Yeah well in future keep your nose out of other people's relationships,’ Lily snapped.

‘Alright you’ve said your piece,’ Sirius said, getting between them as Regulus shrunk back against the wall, ‘he’s said he’s sorry.’

‘Pads is right everyone back to dancing,’ Remus said, stepping in front of the boy and blocking him from view as he spied the glassy look in his eyes. Regulus didn’t thank him. He barely made a noise as he slipped into the bedroom and closed the door behind him, locking it with his wand before he sank to the ground and allowed the tears to fall. 

[mudpuddless]

007 fest 2024 masterpost

[big fan of the new system. weekly deadlines help a lot with planning and keeping to the plans without planning too much and struggling to keep up]

intro post

->John Doe, Janitor, only kind of a patriot and only during work hours

writing

->Inner workings (The day to day business of keeping MI6 afloat set in an imaginary time period between quantum of solace and post no time to die in which Q, Eve and Bond are chaotic best friends)

art

a wild James Bond appears (wearing the `raw dogging life crop top)

->a tired Q appears (in a stolen sweater) id in alt

->comic sketches 1-5 (Inso for Inner workings) id in alt

recipes (in the notes of the chapters where they appear)

->shrimp-parsley-tagliatelle (agent friendly bc frozen/pantry items only)

->vodka-tomato-spaghetti (bonds and Eve's depression meal. Q is chilling)

beta read

->A Quiet Lunch by Arwen88 on AO3 (Tanner and Mallory spend Lunch together because they are the two only people not interested in smalltalk. everyone else thinks they're dating)

->The Real Stuff by Arwen88 on AO3 (the sequel to A Quiet Lunch where Tanner and Mallory ARE dating but no one is surprised. weird...)

[ayasenisan1713]

My list of favorite novels (named 'Favorite novels (recommend+++)' in my tabs…):

1. ✨'Lord of the Mysteries'✨

2. ´Trash of the Count’s Family' (sorry orv, you appear later)

3. 'Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint' (sometimes I see people recommend these three novels and I’m like "You have good tastes, let’s see what other novels you liked so that I can read them…")

4. ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Side Story' (I’m joking, it’s still orv… but I’ve really written this.)

5. (In truth, the 4th) 'The Demon Prince goes to the Academy' (In life, some things are particularly underrated, and this is one of them. Especially on ao3, someone please write fics for this.)

6. (In truth the 5th) 'The Law of Webnovels' (The manhwa is named 'Inso’s law'.)

7. (The 6th, all favorite novels are equal in my heart from here on) 'The Novel’s Extra' (I don’t know why… It must be the psychological struggle in the middle…)

8. (Still 6th) 'The Hero Returns'

9. (Still 6th) 'How to Raise Your Regressor' (less heavy (I guess…?), for those who like humor)

10. (Still 6th) 'My Death Flags Show No Sign of Ending' (only reproach is the lack of chapters)

11. (Still 6th) 'SSS-Class Suicide Hunter'

My criteria for choosing my favorite novels:

First, I went to the list of novels I read and didn’t drop.

Then, I eliminated all those that I didn’t even remember what they talked about. (I called them third rate novels)

After that, I searched for the ones I remembered the names of the characters in it, then realized that it couldn’t be a criteria since I only remembered the names of people from lotm, tcf and orv.

Then, I put all the novels I really liked as first rate novels, the rest as second rate novels (but I like all of them too), and finally put all the novels I would bother rereading in my list of favorite novels. Tadah.