#written: dec 5 2023

[sammy-writes-sometimes]

Word count: 558

“Your child hissed at me.” Bdubs says, voice thick with annoyance.

“They what?” Tango laughs as fae turn around, project planning abandoned the second the dryad had come into faer workshop with their three month old.

“Your child hissed at me.”

“Aaawwwwww, Nova.” fae fawn. “Did papa Bdubs upset you? Is he too cold?”

Bdubs rolls his eyes, shaking his head.

“Can I?” The netherborn held a hand out as fae offered.

Faer husband simply shrugs his shoulders before gently setting Nova into faer arms.

It doesn't go so smoothly though, Nova seeming to growl as Tango cradles them.

“See? See? They did that to me.”

“Wow.” Fae murmurs, a gentle hand running over the baby's forehead. “You okay, buddy?”

“I– I checked. Nova's fine just– just they keep growling and hissing. I didn't even know netherborn could hiss!”

“I don't do it often.” Tango jokes, swaying from one side to the other.

Fae start to purr, watching Nova carefully as they melt into the sound and start purring as well.

“Having a spicy today, buddy? Upset at everything?” Fae joke. “Don't worry, dad's here. I'm here.”

Nova doesn't settle easily, to be fair they never have. From the moment they opened their eyes, they seemed to hate everything that even simply moved. But they do settle down, falling silent against Tango’s shoulder as they purr softly, quietly.

Bdubs then presses a kiss into his cheek before starting to walk off.

“Snookums? Where–”

“I'm taking a nap, my love.”

Tango looks from him to faer workbench then back again. “Can I join?”

Bdubs smiles, kissing faer cheek again, just as gently as before. “If you put Nova to sleep for me.”

“Wow, making me do all the work?”

“I fed and changed them so don't complain.”

Tango sighs, flicking his tail as he adjusted how fae held Nova, the little netherborn’s head leaning against faer shoulder.

“Fine, but it means your next turn is longer.”

This only really makes Bdubs glare harshly. “And what if I make someone else take it?”

“As long as it isn't Zed.”

“Alright.”

Faer still purring as Bdubs leaves, trailing not far behind as they exit the building and into the wide, open meadow they made their home in.

A cherry blossom, not yet in full bloom, stands not far outside their home. Not exactly small, it had to fit a growing family of five adults and two babies, but still it felt miniscule when compared to what fae’ve grown used to on other servers.

Nova’s asleep by the time Tango gets to the house, tucked against faer shoulder as the duo purrs. There’s laughter from another room, Zedaph and Impulse talking about something as the demon cooks.

Tango sets them into a small, hand carved crib that rests on the ground of the living room, almost nest-like in design and feel.

Fae turn faer head, Bdubs already laying down on the couch with one raised, a silent invitation for faer.

The purr in Tango’s chest doesn’t grow quiet, only becoming louder as fae curl up against Bdubs’ chest and–

Dove starts wailing in the nursery.

“‘s not my turn.” Bdubs mutters, half-asleep.

“Fine, I’ll look after her..” Tango grumbles, pulling away. “Get some rest, okay?”

Faer husband doesn’t respond, simply smiling contently as fae leave the room to look after Skizz’s baby.

Our ko-fi

[multigenderswag]

Multigender Survey Results Dec 2023: Language (part 1)

Number of pronouns 

Participants were asked “How many sets of pronouns do you use?” (single selection) and participants whose pronouns differed depending on slightly were asked to answer what they used most often. The options provided were: 

No pronouns: 2 (0.3%)

1 set of pronouns: 69 (9.3%) (nice)

2 sets of pronouns: 197 (26.5%)

3 sets of pronouns: 131 (17.6%)

4 sets of pronouns: 58 (7.8%)

5+ sets of pronouns: 98 (13.2%)

All pronouns: 72 (9.7%)

It changes regularly: 78 (10.5%)

Questioning: 38 (5.1%)

Number of pronouns vs number of genders

Participants’ answers to “How many sets of pronouns do you use?” and “How many genders do you identify as?” were compared and sorted into the following categories:

Number of pronouns is the same as the number of genders (for example, two genders and us two sets of pronouns): 109 (14.7%)

Number of pronouns is less than the number of genders (for example, all genders and one set of pronouns): 47 (6.3%)

Number of pronouns is more than the number of genders (for example, three genders and 5+ sets of pronouns): 56 (7.5%)

Number of pronouns and/or number of genders were non-numerical answers (for example, “I don’t know/I choose not to count them” for number of genders and all pronouns): 531 (71.5%)

Multiple pronouns

Participants were asked “If you use multiple pronouns, do you prefer that people use all of your pronouns interchangeably?” (single selection). The options provided were: 

Yes, and it is misgendering if they don’t: 81 (10.9% of participants overall, 11.8% of participants who use multiple pronouns)

Yes, but I don’t mind if they stick to one set: 366 (49.3% of participants overall, 53.2% of participants who use multiple pronouns)

No, I prefer that people stick to one set: 47 (6.3% of participants overall, 6.8% of participants who use multiple pronouns)

I don’t have a preference: 126 (17.0% of participants overall, 18.3% of participants who use multiple pronouns)

I don’t use multiple pronouns: 55 (7.4%)

There was also an “other” option in which participants could write in their answer. Written in answers were divided into the following categories:

It depends on context: 19 (2.6% of participants overall, 2.8% of participants who use multiple pronouns)

It depends on the pronouns (for example, using he/him and she/her interchangeably is preferred, using just he/him is okay, using just she/her is considered misgendering): 18 (2.4% of participants overall, 2.6% of participants who use multiple pronouns)

Preferences change frequently: 13 (1.7% of participants overall, 1.9% of participants who use multiple pronouns)

Yes, and I don’t like it if people stick to one set, but I don’t consider it misgendering: 11 (1.5% of participants overall, 1.6% of participants who use multiple pronouns)

Other: 7 (0.9% of participants overall, 1.0% of participants who use multiple pronouns)

Most common pronouns

Participants were asked “What pronouns do you use?” (multiple selection). For participants who only used a given set of pronouns sometimes, they were asked to select those pronouns for this question. The options provided were: 

He/him: 565 (76.0%)

She/her: 380 (51.1%)

They/them: 422 (56.8%)

It/its: 275 (37.0%)

Xe/xem: 199 (16.0%)

Fae/faer: 66 (8.9%)

Ey/em: 66 (8.9%)

Ze/hir: 52 (7.0%)

Ze/zir: 59 (7.9%)

Ae/aer: 53 (7.1%)

E/em: 53 (7.1%)

Ce/cer: 22 (3.0%)

No pronouns: 69 (9.3%)

Any/all pronouns: 135 (18.2%)

Any/all neos: 124 (16.6%)

Additionally, there was an “other” option in which participants could write in pronouns. With the given and written in pronouns combined, a total of 171 unique subject pronouns were used. 

Honorifics

Participants were asked “Which of these honorifics would you want to be referred to with?” (multiple selection). The options provided were: 

Ind.: 40 (5.4%)

Lady: 14 (1.9%)

M.: 151 (20.3%)

Masteress: 33 (4.4%)

Miss/Ms./Mrs.: 165 (22.2%)

Mistrum: 47 (6.3%)

Mr.: 339 (45.6%)

Mx.: 108 (14.5%)

Sir: 328 (44.1%)

Sirlady: 62 (8.3%)

No honorific: 311 (41.9%)

[cheeseplants]

2024 fic roundup

Can I just create an ask game? I wanted to create a snapshot for 2024 for me, and would love to hear from others, so I’m going to interview myself like a loon.

Please join in if you want 🙂 I know we’re in Dec, so feel free to answer at the end of the month if you wish!

What fandoms do you write in?

Good Omens! Aziraphale/Crowley!

And I wrote one for the tiny fandom of The House in the Cerulean Sea. Linus/Arthur 4ever.

How many words have you published in 2024?

This is a tricky one. My official total is 270,737 words but three of those were collabs. So if I count the fics that only I wrote it’s 117,911. Which is still a bit mind-blowing to me, as I only started doing this Nov 2023.

What is your greatest achievement this year?

It has to probably be my first ever longfic over 50k. I set myself a goal to write something long and follow the beats of a classic romcom. And I did it! It was really me muddling through it trying to work out what the Hell I was doing. But it exists and some people even said they liked it, so I count that as a win. 

It’s called The Apple Doesn't Fall Far and it’s about Crowley inheriting a cottage from his aunt and butting heads with Aziraphale the councillor who is in charge of knocking it down. And spoiler alert. They fall in love

What are your favourite top three fics you wrote this year?

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far - as above! 

Rating: E 

Wordcount: 58,135

It’s sugary sweet with enough light angst to create some nice drama. But it’s mainly cosy, low stakes, comfortable, contemporary British romance vibes. 

The Ecstasy of Eden

Rating: E

Wordcount: 28,303

5 times they used sex pollen, and the one time they didn't Through the Ages fic. Written for the High Sex Pollen Event. It is a fun romp through the ages with some surprising angst chapters that I absolutely love. They are silly piney fools. ALSO I got art made for it!

If we were

Rating: E

Wordcount: 3,362

In 1941 Aziraphale and Crowley imagine their life as humans.

This fic fell out of me almost fully formed. I was half asleep and began daydreaming fic (as you do) and by the time I got to my laptop, my fingers wrote it in basically a couple of hours. It is everything I love. Bittersweet, yearning, them being completely in love but unable to do anything about it, slow dancing, almost kisses and some spice!

What was your biggest pit of despair moment?

The Ecstacy of Eden was a slog at times. I had written chap one and three, but it took so long for me to get chap two into shape. I couldn’t work out what the Hell I was doing. Got beta feedback where they could tell I was clearly feeling really stuck after I wrote it because it was all a bit lacklustre. 

Almost totally gave up. I had a few: I’m never writing again, what’s the point? moments.

Somehow I pushed through and made it work. 

In a lot of ways, that was probably the moment I saw my writing improve the most. BUT IT WAS A HORRIBLE SLOG. Ugh. I wanted to say this because I know we all have them and it’s good to talk about it!

What have you learned?

Honestly, how to use commas better! I can already tell my grammar has improved a lot from when I first started. I don’t rely on epithets as much. I know what semi-colons are for (thanks @fishey-me!)

I am getting better at letting fics breathe. I feel like my background in marketing and comms makes me want to write very precisely and I am slowly learning to cast that off and take time setting scenes. I also found a few tools to help me outline better. 

Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes

Take Off Your Pants!: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker

They’ve been invaluable in teaching me what the Hell I’m doing. My main takeaways - work out your character's flaws and work out the theme of the story. 

I also learned what sex pollen is and then wrote a 30k fic about it.

What fic did you want to do but never made it off the ground?

Ugh, I have one in my drive called Crowley and Aziraphale go on holiday. I imagined it as a canon-compliant fic post S2 where they go on a sort of make-or-break holiday. I just liked the idea of Crowley being all grouchy in the sun and Aziraphale awkwardly trying to flirt over Sangria. ALSO only one bed! But it sort of sits in my drafts and I’ve not done much with it. 

Did you beta any fics? Any favs you want to shout out?

YES. Many fics!

But I think I’ll have to give my biggest shout-out to @kneelbeforeyourdogbabylon for Sins of Knowledge! I’ve help beta more than 100k of that (wow) and it’s a wild ride. Go check it out. 

What three fics have you read this year that you love?

Listen I have tons and tons I’d love to recommend, but I am going to whittle it down!

First up it has to be @happynachohologram who surprised me on my birthday with not only their first ever fic, but basically one of the best South Downs retirement fics ever. I still think about it. It’s under 2k and it’s absolutely beautiful. 

The Best Part by @happynachohologram

Rating: E

Wordcount: 1,702

A throwaway comment from Aziraphale sets Crowley wondering about the best parts of retirement.

-

UGH, next up @gaiaseyes451 This fic changed me. I don’t know if I’ve ever been more hooked while being emotionally devastated as this fic. Mind the tags but it’s wonderful.

A Little Life by @gaiaseyes451

Rating: E

Wordcount: 71,624

When Professor of Botany Anthony Crowley met bookshop owner Ezra Fell one November afternoon both knew their lives had irrevocably changed. From that moment forward, Anthony and Ezra’s existence was intertwined. Their story was written in the moments and memories they created as they moved through life’s chapters of coming together, building a family and facing the challenges of being human. This is a story of unconditional love and the joy and humour, obstacles and grief that inevitably come with choosing the same person, day after day, over and over and over again.

-

Gorgeous pine-scented Crowley and one of the best premises I’ve read in a while. I know most people must have read this but if you haven’t you’re in for such a treat!

Stuck on Me by @zin-lynn-c

Rating: E

Wordcount: 56,538

After a drunken handfasting ceremony goes awry, Crowley and Aziraphale find themselves magically bound to be touching at all times. In order to set the situation to rights, they must embark on a multi-day journey to seek help from the last true witch in England.

What ideas are percolating for next year?

I think my next longfic is probably going to be a road trip with college-aged Az and Crowley. The characters keep yelling at me in my head, so I think they want to be written. So far Crowley is an activist punk who needs a lift back to London after graduation and Aziraphale is a posh boy who represents everything Crowley stands against.

Animosity to lovers my beloved!

It’s probably set in the 90s so no one has a mobile phone and Crowley can be obnoxious with a box of cassettes playing Az a bunch of bebop he pretends to hate. I have a scene of Crowley taking Aziraphale to his first gay bar in my head that I can’t get rid of, so I probably need to write it. 

Who do you want to thank?

OMG all of @goodomensafterdark for giving us a platform and being a lovely bunch of pocket pals! I want to give A BIG shoutout to @happynachohologram for letting me yell all my insecurities at you and for always screeching when I send them pictures of Crowley and Aziraphale holding hands in the South Downs. 

And to @kneelbeforeyourdogbabylon for agreeing to beta my 50k longfic! Pretty sure it would never have been published if it wasn’t for you two. 

And @doonarose for organising the madness of the original CYOA!

Anyone in my tags feel free to join in or in fact anyone at all. I'll tag a few more below. Tag, answer any Qs that suit and play along!

@adverbian @isiaiowin @onedappercat @angie-words @brenna

[likeadevils]

if you had to guess purely on vibes, what order do you think the ttpd and anthology songs were written?

i know you said just based on vibes but i wanted all of my opinions to be researched and defensible so this has taken me hours to write. most of these are still opinions though!!

2022/Early 2023: i'm guessing she was mostly working with aaron on new stuff this year, while her and jack were building instrumental tracks and stems, so they could streamline writing while she was on tour if she wanted to. i'm also guessing she did 1989 tv early in 2022 and speak now tv that winter, but that's mostly based on vibes.

UNKNOWN: Clara Bow, Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus (i could see this being recorded later in spring 2023, but it just sounds so 2022 to me), I Hate It Here, I Look in People's Windows (could easily be a post mh breakup song, but this is my list), Cassandra Dec 2022: Instrumentals for Fresh Out The Slammer, Florida!!!, and Guilty As Sin are recorded in New Orleans (FOTS and Florida were confirmed to have their vocals recorded in New York) Apr 12, 2023: Taylor is photographed at Electric Lady, then Aaron shows up to all three of her eras dates in Tampa (Apr 14-16). The songs credited to both Jack and Aaron are But Daddy I Love Him. (implausible given how she and Matty were not publically dating at the time, this would be three days after her and joe announced their breakup) and thanK you aIMee (more plausible imo but still unlikely). If I had to guess I would say Taylor was recording Who's Afraid, but idk she could've not recorded anything and just have been in the studio to be in the studio, yknow

MAY: matty month. i'm guessing she was mostly working with jack, but theres nothing stopping her from working with aaron (until he leaves for tour on may 28 and is gone the rest of the month). i'm also guessing she was planning on recording a taylor's version this month, because fresh out the slammer, guilty as sin, and the alchemy all have christopher rowe credits, who is taylor's main tv collaborator.

UNKNOWN: But Daddy I Love Him, Fresh Out The Slammer (i could also see this being what i call a "wrap up song", which is a song written late in the process about emotions felt earlier in the process, in order to fill listeners in about some crucial detail(s) she hadn't covered in a song. think like, style being the last song written for 1989, or fortnight almost definitely being written in october), Guilty as Sin? (this might've been written earlier, but i doubt it was recorded before late april), Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?, The Alchemy (i'm a "it was originally about matty healy but it fit so well for travis that she decided to retroactively transform it into a travis song" truther, but that can obviously be totally wrong) May 7, 2023: The Albatross (mostly based on taylor and aaron both being in nashville and her officially getting together with matty, but i could see this also being a wrap up song) May 24, 2023: Florida!!! May 31, 2023: The Tortured Poets Department (two photos of her from this day are labeled as "the tortured poets department" and "ttpd" are on her and jacks insta)

JUNE: reports that taylor and matty broke up hit early june. jack leaves for europe in july and gets married in august, so i'm guessing he wasn't super available again until september (she also isnt photographed at electric lady between Jun 28-Sep 5). so i'm guessing the more intense jack stuff was written in june (aaron was def still around though)

UNKNOWN: My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys, I Can Do It With A Broken Heart, imgonnagetyouback (just based on when GUTS was released, i'm guessing this wasn't written after september 8) Jun 22, 2023: The Black Dog Jun 29, 2023: Down Bad

JULY: seems like aaron time! jack is seemingly in europe, aaron wasn't touring, and he showed up to two eras dates this month

UNKNOWN: So Long London, The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived, How Did It End? (this might've been written in april, but personally i would need a couple months to be able to process and express this), The Prophecy, Peter

AUGUST: a weird month! aaron is touring (though he is in nashville on the 15th), and Jack gets married on the 19th so i imagine he was busy. taylor was photgraphed in a studio in LA on the 2nd that, as far as i can tell, was not credited on TTPD (i don't have the anthology credits though).

SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER: wrap up time! i'm guessing theres probably a ton more down here, but i erred on the side of songs being written in the moment-- but i don't think she was writing multiple songs a week while on tour from may-july

UNKNOWN: I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can) (i guess it could technically have been written earlier but it feels too playful to me to have been written pre-september. also the christopher rowe credit makes me think she was recording another tv late in the year), loml (it feels like a june/july song to me but it has a christopher rowe credit and that throws me off) So High School (for obvious reasons) Early Oct, 2023: Fortnight Nov 13, 2023: Us (taylor also played bdilh for gracie that night, so we know it was written by november)

WHO KNOWS: i could see all of these being written in 2022 or 2023

UNKNOWN: thanK you aIMee, The Bolter, Robin, The Manuscript

[captainelliecomb]

2023 Fic Stats

February 2023, I decided to start tracking the amount of fic I read. I travelled a lot last year, quite a bit more than normal. I read a lot of fic when I travel.

I did a half year update at the end of June 2023. Between February and June, I read just under 13 million words.

February through December, I read just over 30 million words and 2,049 individual fic (though several are the same fic on a reread).

Some stats:

First read: Head, Hand, Heart by ddagent (@ddagent) (GOT canon divergence, Jaime/Brienne) (04 Feb 2023)

Last read: Other Brother by AlynnaStrong (ASOIAF canon divergence, Tyrion/Brienne) (31 Dec 2023)

Top 5 Most Read Authors

By number of fic. I reread frequently, so this is number of times I read a specific fic, not the author necessarily having written that number of fic.

ddagent, 78 fic (@ddagent)

Aviss, 72 fic (@aviss)

winterkill, 62 fic (@thebrimmingheart)

Lady_in_Red, 61 fic

chrkrose, 58 fic (@chrkrose)

By word count.

cardinalgirl75, 1.8 million words

winterkill, 1.3 million words (@thebrimmingheart)

sdwolfpup, 1.1 million words (@sdwolfpup)

angelowl, 1 million words (@angelowl-fics)

Aviss, 900,000 words (@aviss)

SeeThemFlying, 900,000 words (@seethemflying)

Top 5 Most Read Completed Fic

This includes number of times I read the entire fic while they were works in progress, which skews numbers. I'm doing something different in 2024.

so all the world can see by EllisJay: 12 (ASOIAF, Jaime x Brienne)

Simple by languageintostillair: 11  (GOT fix-it, Jaime x Brienne)

when the sun shine, we shine together by cardinalgirl75: 9  (Modern AU, sports, Jaime x Brienne)

Runaways by greenmtwoman: 7  (@greenmtwoman) (ASOIAF canon divergence, Jaime x Brienne)

Undisclosed Desires by Roccolinde: 7  (GOT fix-it, Addam x Jaime x Brienne)

Top 5 Longest Fic Read

The Keeper by PalyGirl, 532,733 words (GOT canon divergence, Aegon (Young Grif) x Brienne, Jaime x Brienne) (WIP)

Heart Full of Gasoline by sdwolfpup, 406,767 words (@sdwolfpup) (Modern AU, sports, Jaime x Brienne)

Diamond in the Rough by cardinalgirl75, 374,333 words (2x)  (Modern AU, sports, Jaime x Brienne)

Honor Compels Me by angel_deux, 335,399 words (@angel-deux-writes) (GOT canon divergence, Jaime x Brienne)

Truth and Measure by Telanu, 271,584 words (Devil Wears Prada, Miranda x Andrea)

Fic Over 100,000 Words Read More Than Once

Brienne-centric Kinktober 2021 by dancinginthecenteroftheworld, 101,177 words (3x)  (@dancinginthecenteroftheworld) (Brienne x all sorts of people and settings)

let's exchange the experience by cardinalgirl75, 116,080 words (3x) (Modern AU, Kimi no Na wa, Jaime x Brienne)

None But the Lonely Heart by OccasionalAvenger, 121,079 (3x) (ASOIAF, Jaime x Brienne) 

To Reach for Spring by Kadi219, 173,394 (2x)  (GOT fix-it and canon divergence, Jaime x Brienne) (WIP)

when the sun shine, we shine together by cardinalgirl75, 126,951 (2x) (Modern AU, sports, Jaime x Brienne)

Anima Dannum by motorbike_on_the_avenue, 121,021 (2x) (Modern AU, soulmates, Jaime x Brienne)

come on now, baby girl by angelowl, 119,957 (2x) (Modern AU, Veronica Mars, Jaime x Brienne)

Cubs and Gemstones by ddagent, 113,073 (2x) (Jaime x Brienne in all sorts of settings)

Brienne Pairings

I am here for Brienne of Tarth stories, and I will read her paired with almost anyone. Jaime x Brienne is my favourite, but here are several other Brienne pairings I read in 2023.

old Jaime/young Jaime/Brienne

Addam/Jaime/Brienne

Aegon (Young Griff)/Brienne

Arthur Dayne/Jaime/Brienne

Brienne & Brienne

Bronn/Brienne

Cersei/Jaime/Brienne

Cersei/Brienne

Cersei & Brienne

Dickon/Brienne

Dothraki OC/Brienne

Hyle/Jaime/Brienne

Jon/Brienne

Leonette Fossoway/Brienne

Margaery/Brienne

Melara & Brienne

Multiple people/Brienne

Oberyn/Brienne

Oberyn/Jaime/Brienne

Oberyn/Ellaria/Jaime/Brienne

Olenna & Brienne

Pevensies & Brienne

Susan/Brienne

Peter/Brienne

Podrick/Brienne

Podrick & Brienne

Renly & Brienne

Robb & Brienne

Sandor/Brienne

Sansa/Brienne

Sansa & Brienne

Thor/Brienne

Tormund/Brienne

Tyrion/Brienne

Tyrion & Brienne

Tywin/Brienne

Settings

Almost 1,000 fic were marked alternate universe. Various AUs include:

Apocalypse and dystopia

Fairy tale

Historical (including 1920s, 1940s, 1950s, 19th century, Regency, Victorian, Vikings, WWI)

Horror

Modern (including actors, artists, bikers, bodyguards, celebrities, doctors, chefs, farmers, firefighters, mafia, models, museums, photographers, politicians, reality tv, royalty, sports, students, superheroes, teachers, veterinarians, wedding planners, and writers)

Space

Western

Canons Used in Crossovers or Fusions

Belinda Blinked

Blade Runner

Dungeons & Dragons

Dragon Age II

Dune

Fight Club

Full Metal Alchemist

Frasier

Fury Road

Ghost and Mrs Muir

Inception

Kimi no Na wa

Leftovers

Leverage

Mountain Between Us

Narnia

Nutcracker

Old Guard

Only You

Pacific Rim

Persuasion

Ponyo and Dory

Romancing the Stone

Sense8

Sharknado

Ted Lasso

MCU Thor

Tortall

Veronica Mars

Westworld

When Harry Met Sally

Witcher

What We Do in the Shadows

Zombieland

Canon settings and divergence

Canon: 303 fic Canon divergence: 747 fic Fix-it: 666 fic

Most of the fic I read last year was Jaime x Brienne. For GOT, I consider canon divergence any story that diverges from Jaime returning to King's Landing in Season 8 and fix-it any story that deals with that return.

[soulofapatrick]

TAG LIST - updated 21st Dec 2023

KEY:

🌶️ = NSFW

🥹 = SFW

😡 = angsty

How I Picture Them 

𝒮𝓉𝒾𝓁𝑒𝓈 𝒮𝓉𝒾𝓁𝒾𝓃𝓈𝓀𝒾 𝓍 𝑀𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇

Not That Type of Crush 🥹

Teasing Kisses 🌶️

Scent Mark Me 🌶️

Everything To Me 🥹

𝒮𝓉𝒾𝓁𝑒𝓈 𝒮𝓉𝒾𝓁𝒾𝓃𝓈𝓀𝒾 𝓍 𝐹𝑒𝓂𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇

Falling Into You 🥹/tiny bit of 🌶️

Everything to Me 🥹

𝒥𝑜𝓇𝒹𝒶𝓃 𝒫𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒾𝓈𝒽 𝓍 𝑀𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇 

To be written...

𝒥𝑜𝓇𝒹𝒶𝓃 𝒫𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒾𝓈𝒽 𝓍 𝐹𝑒𝓂𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇

Make You Feel Better 🥹/🌶️

𝒫𝑒𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝐻𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝓍 𝑀𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇

Innocent Gold 🥹

Changes For The Better 🥹

𝒫𝑒𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝐻𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝓍 𝐹𝑒𝓂𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇

Pack Instincts 🥹

Under The Mistletoe 🥹

𝒮𝒸𝑜𝓉𝓉 𝑀𝒸𝒞𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓍 𝑀𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇

Kiss Me Sick 🥹

𝒮𝒸𝑜𝓉𝓉 𝑀𝒸𝒞𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓍 𝐹𝑒𝓂𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇

To be written...

𝒟𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓀 𝐻𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝓍 𝑀𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇

Hypnotised 🥹

Returning to Normal 🥹

I Could Get Used to This 🥹

The Pack Realises You Love Derek - Part 1 // Part 2 //  Part 3 // Part 4 // Part 5 🥹/😡

𝒟𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓀 𝐻𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝓍 𝐹𝑒𝓂𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇

Accidental Admittance 🥹

Lover's Embrace 🥹

Rebuilding 🥹

𝐿𝒾𝒶𝓂 𝒟𝓊𝓃𝒷𝒶𝓇 𝓍 𝑀𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇

Dance With Me 🥹

The First I Love You 🥹/🌶️

Feigning Innocence 🥹

𝐿𝒾𝒶𝓂 𝒟𝓊𝓃𝒷𝒶𝓇 𝓍 𝐹𝑒𝓂𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇

Midnight Confessions 🥹

𝒯𝒽𝑒𝑜 𝑅𝒶𝑒𝓀𝑒𝓃 𝓍 𝑀𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇

Flirt Your Way Into My Heart 🥹/😡

𝒯𝒽𝑒𝑜 𝑅𝒶𝑒𝓀𝑒𝓃 𝓍 𝐹𝑒𝓂𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇

To be written...

𝒥𝒶𝒸𝓀𝓈𝑜𝓃 𝒲𝒽𝒾𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝓍 𝑀𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇

Aftermath 🥹/😡

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Ouroboros Der Siebente Ring Stefan George Illus. by Melchior Lechter Berlin: Blaetter für die Kunst, 1907.

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

December 7, 2024

Heather Cox Richardson

Dec 08, 2024

On Thursday, December 5, in Chicago, Illinois, former president Barack Obama gave the third in an annual series of lectures he has delivered since 2022 at his foundation’s Democracy Forum, which gathers experts, leaders, and young people to explore ways to safeguard democracy through community action.

Taken together, these lectures are a historical and philosophical exploration of the weaknesses of twenty-first century democracy as well as a road map of directions, some new and some old, for democracy’s defense. In 2022, Obama explored ways to counteract the flood of disinformation swamping a shared reality for decision making; in 2023 he discussed ways to address the extraordinary concentration of wealth that has undermined support for democracy globally.

On Thursday, Obama explored the concept of “pluralism,” a word he defined as meaning simply that “in a democracy, we all have to find a way to live alongside individuals and groups who are different than us.”

But rather than advocating what he called “holding hands and singing ‘Kumbaya’” as we all tolerate each other, Obama described modern pluralism as active work to form coalitions over shared issues. His argument echoed the concepts James Madison, a key framer of the Constitution, explained in Federalist #10 when he was trying to convince inhabitants of a big, diverse country that they should endorse the newly written document.

In 1787, many inhabitants of the fledgling nation objected to the idea of the strong national government proposed under the new constitution. They worried that such a government could fall under the control of a majority that would exercise its power to crush the rights of the minority. Madison agreed that such a calamity was likely in a small country, but argued that the very size and diversity of the people in the proposed United States would guard against such tyranny as people formed coalitions over one issue or another, then dissolved them and formed others. Such constantly shifting coalitions would serve the good of all Americans without forging a permanent powerful majority.

Obama called the Constitution “a rulebook for practicing pluralism.” The Bill of Rights gives us a series of rights that allow us to try to convince others to form coalitions to elect representatives who will “negotiate and compromise and hopefully advance our interests.”

Majority rule determines who wins, but the separation of powers and an independent judiciary are supposed to guarantee that the winners “don’t overreach to try to permanently entrench themselves or violate minority rights,” he said. The losers accept the outcome so long as they know they’ll have a chance to win the next time.

Obama noted that this system worked smoothly after World War II, largely because a booming economy meant rising standards of living that eased friction between different groups: management and labor, industry and agriculture. At the same time, the Cold War helped Americans come together against an external threat, and a limited range of popular culture reinforced a shared perspective on the world—everyone watched the sitcom Gilligan’s Island.

Most of all, though, Obama noted, American pluralism worked well because it largely excluded women and racial, gender, and religious minorities. He pointed out that as late as 2005, when he went to the Senate, he was the only African American there and only the third since Reconstruction. There were two Latinos and fourteen women.

In the 1960s, he noted drily, “things got more complicated.” “[H]istorically marginalized groups—Blacks, Latinos, Asians, Native Americans; women and gays and lesbians; and disabled Americans—demanded a seat at the table. Not only did they insist on a fair share of government-directed resources, but they brought with them new issues, born of their unique experiences that could not just be resolved by just giving them a bigger slice of the pie. So racial minorities insisted that the government intervene more deeply in the private sector and civil society to root out long-standing, systemic discrimination.”

Women wanted control over their own bodies, and gays and lesbians demanded equality before the law, challenging religious and social norms. “[P]olitics,” Obama said, “wasn’t just a fight about tax rates or roads anymore. It was about more fundamental issues that went to the core of our being and how we expected society to structure itself. Issues of identity and status and gender. Issues of family, values, and faith…. [A] lot of people…began to feel that their way of life, the American way of life, was under attack” just as increasing economic inequality made them think that other people were benefiting at their expense.

Increasingly, that economic inequality cloistered people in their own bubbles as unions, churches, and civic institutions decayed. “[W]ith the Cold War over, with generations scarred by Vietnam and Iraq and a media landscape that would shatter into a million disparate voices,” he said, Americans lost the sense of “a common national story or a common national purpose.” Media companies have played to extremes, and “[e]very election becomes an act of mortal combat.”

With that sense, there is “an increasing willingness on the part of politicians and their followers to violate democratic norms, to do anything they can to get their way, to use the power of the state to target critics and journalists and political rivals, and to even resort to violence in order to gain and hold on to power.”

For all that he was speaking in 2024, Obama could have been describing the realization of the fears of those opposed to the Constitution in 1787.

But he did not agree that those anti-Federalists had won the debate. Instead, he adapted Madison’s theory of pluralism to the modern era. Obama stood firm on the idea that the way to reclaim democracy is to build coalitions around taking action on issues that matter to the American people without regard to personal identities or political affiliations. Pluralism, Obama said, “is about recognizing that in a democracy, power comes from forging alliances, and building coalitions, and making room in those coalitions not only for the woke but also for the waking.”

And that, in many ways, identified the elephant—or rather the donkey—in the room. In the 2024 election, the Democratic Party under Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota governor Tim Walz very deliberately moved away from so-called identity politics: the idea that a person builds their political orientation around their pre-existing social identity. During the campaign, Harris rarely referred to the fact that if elected, she would be the first woman, as well as the first woman of color, to hold the presidency: when attendees at the Democratic National Convention wore white in honor of the suffragists, Harris wore black.

Instead, Harris and Walz embraced investing in the middle class and supporting small businesses. But that shift to the center did not translate into a presidential victory in 2024, and those on the political left, as well as progressive Democrats, are not convinced it was a good move.

Since the rise of Donald Trump, the MAGA party has been the one championing identity politics, rejecting American pluralism in favor of centering whiteness, a certain kind of individualist masculinity, Christianity, and misogyny. Making common cause with Republicans, even non-MAGA Republicans, in the face of such politics seems to the left and progressive Democrats self-defeating.

Obama disagrees. “[I]t’s understandable that people who have been oppressed or marginalized want to tell their stories and give voice fully to their experiences—to not have to hold back and censor themselves, especially because so many of them have been silenced in the past,” he said, “But too often, focusing on our differences leads to this notion of fixed victims and fixed villains.”

He stood firm against compromising core principles but said: “In order to build lasting majorities that support justice—not just for feeling good, not just for getting along, to deliver the goods—we have to be open to framing our issues, our causes, what we believe in in terms of ‘we’ and not just ‘us’ and ‘them.’”

And he emphasized that such cooperation works best when it’s about action, rather than just words, because action requires that people invest themselves in a common project. “It won't eradicate people's prejudices, but it will remind people that they don't have to agree on everything to at least agree on some things. And that there are some things we cannot do alone.” “It’s about agency and relationships.”

Then Obama addressed the political crisis of this moment, the one the anti-Federalists feared: “What happens when the other side has repeatedly and abundantly made clear they’re not interested in playing by the rules?” When that happens, he said, “pluralism does not call for us” to accept it. “[W]e have to stand firm and speak out and organize and mobilize as forcefully as we can.” Even then, though, “it’s important to look for allies in unlikely places,” he said, noting that “people on the other side…may share our beliefs in sticking to the rules, observing norms,” and that supporting them might help them “to exert influence on people they’ve got relationships with within the other party.”

The power of pluralism, he said, is that it can make people recognize their common experiences and common values. That, he said, is how we break the cycle of cynicism in our politics.

Obama’s argument has already drawn criticism. At MSNBC, Ben Burgis condemned Obama’s “centrist liberalism” as inadequate to address the real problems of inequality and warned that his political approach is outdated.

But it is striking how much Obama’s embrace of pluralism echoes that of James Madison, who had in his lifetime witnessed a group of wildly diverse colonists talk, write letters, argue, and organize to forge themselves into a movement that could throw off the age-old system of monarchy in favor of creating something altogether new.

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[spotsandsocks]

✨ 2023 writing round-up ✨

Tagged by (and I might have missed some people sorry) @exhuastedpigeon @jamespearce9-1-1 @heartshapedvows @thekristen999 @jesuisici33 @daffi-990 @hippolotamus @wikiangela

Links to all 23 fics I’ve written which I’ve just realised coincidentally matches the year maybe I shouldn’t work on that Christmas fic after all 🤔 All under the cut cos that’s quite a few and your dash does not need to be bothered by that! 😆😆 I will forget to tag someone I know it, so if I do I didn’t really and you’re tagged too cos you’re wonderful

💕💜💕Thank you to each and everyone of you who talks to me, tags me, supports and encourages me, reblogs and likes. Sends asks and questions and prompts and love in my direction. Thank you for sharing your time, talents , your words and creative skills with us all. You make my days brighter and more fun. I adore you all and wish you all a happy kind and peaceful 2024. 💕💜💕

January

Home Wanted 6k established Buddie new pet based shenanigans 🐀🐁🐀

Could Have Should Have Would Have 3k my biggest hit this year angsty then sweet

Who You Gonna Call? 9k Eddie calls Buck and works out how he feels

February

This Must Be Love 5.7k fluffy valentines fic featuring pea puns 🫛

March

Just another minute 1.2k 6x10 spec

No Place 8.4k coma!buck spec fic with a few similarities to what we got actually

It's Such A Feeling 1.8k couldn’t remember but apparently hand appreciation fic that gets smutty 😉

April

Date Night 2k I got stuck on bus for almost 3 hours and this happened - surprisingly popular considering I had no plans to write it until traffic hit!

The Answer I Needed 2.4k Buck is always there for Eddie 5plus 1 across time till love strikes

Always There 1.6k Tía Pepa sees all at Christopher’s birthday party

May

Everything But (temptation) 4.7 5plus 1 of Eddie being a flirty tease and driving Buck crazy

Worth the wait5.7 same fic but from Buck’s perspective

July

Good Knight Sweet Prince 167,316k ahh my best beloved started in 2023 and finished this year. I adored writing and sharing this what turned out to be epic length fantasy au. Knights princes dragons thwarted love and a happy ending what can I say if that’s your thing give it a go.

Let me stay by your fire (for nothing warms me like you do)4.5k couldn’t let go of mediaeval theme so knight Buck this time coming home to his blacksmith friend Eddie. Oh and bees. 🐝

August

Something Worth Staying For 21k an enemies to lover (although not really enemies) small town newspaper au where Buck turns up and Eddie hates him until he doesn’t. Featuring my real life computer disaster 😆

Tied To You From The Start 13.4k a challenge I took on and did rather well if I say so myself 😆😆 paranormal mysterious shenanigans. Buck in peril and on the run Eddie trying to save him from his own self sacraments and hot sex.

September

The Comfort of Your Hands 2.9k inspired by an anon talking about Eddie running fingers through Bucks hair. No plans for this one it just happened and again was well received. Maybe I should stop planning fics and just see what happens.

October

The Price of Love (is high) 7.7k autumnangstfest drama. I put them both through it. All past traumas coming back to cause trouble.

Your heart or mine? Yours every time 3.6k a hungry vampire!Buck and Eddie get stuck in a lift … things occur

November

100 word fics added a short fic to this little collection i actually love doing these. It’s a great challenge

Only one answer 590 couldn’t remember.. had a look and went oh yeah that was cute. Proposal fic in under 600 words

In my defence I was left unsupervised 1.3k Buck gets bored with sissors Eddie likes the results … who could resist buzz but Buck… not Eddie it seems

Nov/Dec

The Lost and The Found wip 5/10 48k this was not meant to be this long but guess what.. got carried away and plot is plotting and demands around 100,000 at least in the end I suspect. 5 chapters out number 6and 7 before Christmas this counts as 2023 doesn’t it? Come join me for the ride

@daffi-990 @shortsighted-owl @monsterrae1 @rogerzsteven @hippolotamus @loserdiaz @the-likesofus @stagefoureddiediaz @yelenasbuddie @hoodie-buck @buddierights @bekkachaos @thekristen999 @ronordmann @caroandcats @spaceprincessem @disasterbuckdiaz @heartshapedvows @underwater-ninja-13 @wildlife4life @wikiangela @thewolvesof1998 @exhuastedpigeon @weewootruck @giddyupbuck @housewifebuck @honestlydarkprincess @pirrusstuff @elvensorceress @jesuisici33 @eddiebabygirldiaz @jamespearce9-1-1 @theplaceyoustillrememberdreaming @wh0re-behavi0r @princessfbi @jacksadventuresinwriting @ci5mates @katries @megsvstheworld @like-the-rest-of-la

[hezekiahwakely]

As anticipated, here are my extensive red string notes from the pilot:

God knows how relevant any of this will turn out to be, but I'm nothing if not a collector of trivial information

Very long text beneath the cut:

Page 1

The Magnus Protocol Pilot 10/25/23

Characters (in order of appearance)

Alice Dyer -O.I.A.R. employee -Dated Sam in uni -Jokester -Training Sam -Gets along with Colin

Teddy Vaughn -Retiring from the O.I.A.R. after 4 (?) years -Going into insurance field

Colin Becher -O.I.A.R. IT Manager -Vegetarian 🥬 -On the hook of "his nibs" (boss, male) -Sensitive about FR3-d1 app development, communicates w/politicians, trying for 2 years -Only gets along w/Alice -Knows computers are listening -Jokes about being killed

Lena Kelley -O.I.A.R. Team/Department Manager -Authoritative, follows protocol -Doesn't think Gwen is qualified for management

Gwendolyn Bouchard -O.I.A.R. employee -Backlog of casework -Dislikes Lena, wants her job -Dedicated to detail -Accused of nepotism by Alice -Thinks current job is beneath her -"Not like most people." *static*

Samama Khalid (Sam) -New O.I.A.R. employee -Dated Alice in uni -Wanting to 'get back on his feet' -Familiar with TMI -Didn't know what the Incidents were before hire!!

Page 2

Pilot notes con. 10/25/23

Listening Tech - Turns on by itself 💡

Dated computers (O.I.A.R.)

"Manager's speakerphone" (Lena's)

CCTV (O.I.A.R. breakroom?)

Cell phone (Alice's)

*O.I.A.R. formed in 70s? Accor. to Alice*

*Response Department no longer exists*

Still in onboarding paperwork, "Response 121"

Sam ticked this box

Tech Specs

O.S. = Windows NT 4.0 (modified) -Extended support for this O.S. was ended Dec. 31, 2004 IRL -Runs on workstations connected by LAN -Similar GUI to 95; comes w/Internet Explorer

FR3-d1 -Custom research software circa mid-90s -Flags Incidents and creates a database -Can search private/protected sources (email) -Alice claims no one has understood its workings for 15 years -Written in German source code

*1 Year = Average Employee Stay*

Page 3

Pilot notes con. 10/25/23

Classification System

Used in FR3-d1's database

Structure: CATXRXXXXX-XXXXXXXX-XXXXXXXX

CATXRX -> From reference table (CAT = Category?) First four digits -> Main subject of Incident DPHW (?) Next eight digits -> Date of Incident Last eight digits -> Current date

Example: CAT2RC1157-12052022-13012024* -First one we hear they file. "1157" is the "DPHW" for "dolls, watching."

*Jan. 13, 2024 is the date of Sam's onboarding/training (after Teddy's going-away party)

*as listed in transcript; in-show, it's quoted as 22102023, or Oct. 22, 2023

Page 4

Pilot notes (con.) 10/25/23

FR3-d1's Voice to Text/Text to Speech

Voices (named by Alice, which Gwen dislikes):

Neil = Alex

Chester = Jonny

(those two most common)

Augustus = ?

Neil's Incident

Occurs in "Cyberspace" via the transcript

"I'm so sorry. I should have listened. I just couldn't face the thought of the rest of my life never hearing him again, I had to try." First lines 😢

Email from Harriet Winstead to Darla Winstead, May 12, 2022

Recitations *can* be paused by pressing "space"!

Chester's Incident

Also occurs in "Cyberspace"

Topic: Magnus Institute Ruins.

On forum, user RedCanary, begins April 10, 2022. Explored 4/19-20/22.

Third floor gone. No old papers.

Suspicious, occult (?) graffiti, stains (!)

Took box with strange symbols (same as ones on walls/floors)

4/30/22 Posted image of gore/eyes, possibly of themself. Banned + did not return.

Page 5

Pilot notes con. 10/25/23

Early release video Case #: CAT1RA1353-03102023-22102024(listed as 202"3" on Patreon)

Video was posted 10/22/23.

Listed as "Incident" on Patreon.

According to transcript, the O.I.A.R. offices are located in Royal Mint Court.

Johson (sic) Smirke Building

Main building.

5 storeys, Grade 2 listed.

Designed by James Johnson, but constructed between 1807-1812 by Robert Smirke after Johnson died. To be used for mint.

Entrance lodge also built by Smirke, in front of building.

Page 6

Pilot - Public Release -TMAGP#001

Changes:

Sam's first incident number - today's date

CAT2RC1157-12052022-13012024 -> CAT2RC1157-12052022-09012024

Voice (first incident)

Neil -> *Norris*

Minor word/date changes in incidents.

Minor line read differences.

Descriptions of Incidents in new transcript:

Norris': CAT1RBC5257-12052022-09012024 Reanimation (Partial) -/- Regret [Email]

Chester's: CAT23RAB2155-10042022-09012024 Transformation (Eyes) -/- Trespass [chat log]

[shadowthestoryteller]

Health Hiatus Announcement

This is gonna be a long post, but a necessary one that has quite a bit of important info relating to the future of my creative works concerning the Adventures!AU series. First, look at this lovely new cover art for Off to a Great Start I had done by my bud Arven92 on DA. The title has changed to The Adventure Begins, but the main story within is the same. 

The light reveals their true Alphian form (symbolic only, not a lore aspect) while their shadow shows their ultimate fate as a member of Clone Force 99/Bad Batch. The bookshelves are a key location (library), but the merge into woods represents how they're entering into a very real adventure that isn't just a fantasy they write into books. Really happy how it turned out ^^

Onto the main post! 

TLDR: Adventures!AU is being drastically shortened for my sanity and physical health into two arcs (six books each) but most likely will cease full chapter uploads after arc one as I am tired af, I don’t want to be doing this series into my 50s, and I want to turn my focus back to my originals eventually. Next year will see postings of the series prologue, Anachronism, as well as hopefully the Remaster of Off to a Great Start/The Adventure Begins. I will still be very active on my discord, where some chapters of next year's stories have already been posted. But for my other story posting sites (aka Wattpad) all new Star Wars content is on hiatus until 2026.

Been wanting to make a big post for a while for the people who aren’t a part of the discord, especially since I’ve more or less dropped off the face of tumblr after it became unhealthy due to comparison eating me alive. If you like my work, you’re welcome to join the server which is dedicated to my works. I’m active in there a few times a week, and even post bi-weekly updates as to what I’ve been working on. And I’ve posted six chapters of remastered Off to a Great Start/The Adventure Begins complete with new scenes, new povs, and even more snark! Just message me for the link, I'm still wary of a stalker finding me again.

Now, for the meat of this update. 

Y’all. I am just… dog dead tired. And stressed beyond belief. Some of it isn’t related to the Adventures!AU itself (job hunt, burnout from completing my Masters in May, ect), but a lot of it admittedly is. Considering I’ve written almost 500k words in just under 5 years, it’s no surprise. Some people don’t write that in a lifetime, and I’m out here doing that on top of college. Proud of myself for that. 

What I’m not proud of, however, is ignoring my body’s warning signals and pushing myself past my limits not once, but twice. Once in 2022, and now again in 2024. Nothing major or genuinely life-altering, but when I say my health anxiety went off the rails. Been a rough few weeks lol. 

But that leads me to now. 

Adventures!AU. My series following the adventures of my self-insert as they become a member of Clone Force 99 back when it was just four members, with the added twist of it being in an alternate universe where the Star Wars universe has crossed over with my original stories. It’s not as big as non-self insert series, but Over the River and Through the Woods (which sits at a whopping 66 chapters and 200k+ words) once got #19 out of 60k in the ocs tag. The series has been going since April 2020, seeing four completed stories of various lengths and one WIP that sits at 21 chapters and 93k words. 

Aside from the recently completed Fallen Not Forgotten, it’s been on hiatus since Dec of 2023. At least as far as chapter uploads go. It’s certainly not been collecting dust. To say it underwent some intense restructuring in July is an understatement. A big understatement. 

I originally had seventeen books planned for the series as of three months ago, sectioned into four arcs with Anachronism kinda being a “prologue” to the main Adventures!AU series. Before this timeline is banished to the dream graveyard, I’m sharing it so y’all can at least see where it was gonna go. The four arcs would have had four books each, and were structured thus:

Bonds Forged Through Fire and Storm

Off to a Great Start (25 chapters)

Over the River and Through the Woods (66 chapters)

To the Far Reaches (66 chapters)

Welcome to War Games (25 chapters)

Into the Light Through Acts in the Dark

Commander, Meet the Cat (Remastered, 20 chapters)

Fallen Not Forgotten (Remastered, 20 chapters)

Risk vs Reward (20 chapters)

Bane of My Existence (20 chapters)

Wars of the Realms

Call of the Wild (20 chapters)

Convergence Hijinks (20 chapters)

Let’s See What You’re Really Made Of (20 chapters)

Anachronistic Adventures (20 chapters)

Decaying Dreams and Deadly Dances

Shadow in the Dark (40 chapters)

Murder Uncle Mayhem (40 chapters)

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished (40 chapters)

A Legacy in Question(40 chapters)

The plans I had for this series were intricate, deep, and would push many characters to their limits. 

But turns out, it wasn’t just the characters pushed to their breaking point. 

I got sick. A rather severe case of acid reflux that landed me in the docs office for the second time in two years. That started in mid-July, and I’m still dealing with it. Will probably be dealing with the sickness afterward for another month at least. But leading up to all that, I’ve been reflecting on the series as a whole and where exactly I want it to go, how I want it to end, and all that jazz. 

Then I did a scheduling test in Excel using the above chapter load plus the 30 I had planned for Anachronism. Assuming two chapters a month with minimal breaks here and there, this series would finally end in 2050. That is by no means sustainable, and while I have had a lot of fun with this series and daydreaming about the different plotlines is a comfort activity, I can’t see myself writing these books for that long. I really want to publish my original stories some day, but I also won’t pretend that I’m not a bit tired of the series. At least, tired of pushing myself to work on stories that just don’t give the same rush of dopamine they used to. It’s almost a chore now to work on them, at least in the case of FNF. 

Full disclosure, that story has been a problem child since day one. Actually, I’m pretty sure the stress of that story is what pushed me over the edge and caused the health issues in 2022 that sent me to the doc with acid reflux the first time. Messing with canon and trying to keep the timeline continuous (with timetravel in the mix too) was nothing short of infuriating. The trajectory changed so many times as I wrote it, which I sadly feel is evident in the story. It really seems like a disjointed mess. I’m just so disappointed how it turned out, but I was determined to at least finish it and not leave everyone on a cliffhanger. And I’m proud of myself for at least finishing it, even if I cut out at least four threads from the ending. It just wasn’t healthy to keep going. 

Nor was it going to be healthy if I kept the series structured like I had it. 

So, I took the steps to fix that. 

Seventeen stories became twelve, four arcs became two. Some storylines were combined into one book (ex: Risk vs Reward and Bane of My Existence) while others (ex: Adventures!AU Batch meeting canon batch in Convergence Hijinks) were cut completely. I hated to lose some, but I’ve always been one to appreciate quality over quantity. Combining books and plotlines will help streamline things and make it more manageable. Some books also get new titles.

Arc one keeps its name, and will cover six books; Four main books then a prologue and epilogue of sorts. Anachronism, The Adventure Begins, Over the River and Through the Woods, To the Far Reaches, Welcome to War Games, and Moving Back to Look Forward. This arc covers Shadow’s initial fandom jump into the Tintin 2011 movie, their first mission with the Bad Batch, and them meeting the sailors again this time with the Batchers. Arc two will also keep its name and cover the entirety of the group’s interference of Star Wars the Clone Wars canon (rescuing Domino to taking down Palps), with a similar set up to arc one. Fallen Not Forgotten, Risk vs Reward, Level Up, Shadow in the Dark, No Good Deed Goes Unpunished, and A Legacy in Question. 

But I know that even the shortening isn’t drastic enough. I feel only dread thinking about the series now, and that won’t do. So, though it kills me, Arc One will probably be the only arc that gets an official posting. Once Moving Back to Look Forward ends in 2030 (barring any major complications), that will be it for official full length postings of Adventures!AU. I’ll still post snippets and segments from arc two on Discord (like I do now occasionally), but MBtLF will end in a way that wraps everything up nicely. I’ll be sure to craft it so it can remain open ended to their adventures, but the current trajectory will see the “main” storyline with Shadow and the Batch, plus the Tintin sailors, close in arc one. 

That’s the long term goal. So what’s short term? 

Next year I plan to at least partially post Anachronism. That story has remained in the drafts for long enough. Yes, that means To the Far Reaches is backed up another year for posting (2026). That story has a lot of emotional moments, a lot of dealing with past trauma and relationship issues, and I just don’t have the spoons for that right now. For those intense moments, I have to crack myself open a bit and let my heart bleed onto the page. I’m not in a position to do that right now. Anachronism lacked that depth, being a bit more surface level than the stories with the Batchers. It’s got its own emotional moments, but it’s not nearly as taxing. Additionally, I’m going back through what was Off to a Great Start (now The Adventure Begins) and bringing it up to the standards I try to hold OtRaTtW and TtFR to. But I learned my lesson posting stories out of order so I’m going to get Anachronism finished so there’s no continuity issues. 

That brings me to my next point; Adventures!AU canon. 

I’ve already announced that the posted C,MtC and FNF are both non-canon and should not be taken as fact. You can still enjoy them (best you can with the crack-writing) but any continuity issues should be ignored as they are from an earlier draft of the Adventures!AU. Well, that decanonization treatment is extending beyond those two. The Adventure Begins, Over the River and Through the Woods, and To the Far Reaches aren’t non-canon per se, but rather some elements of the remastered versions may contradict the original postings. Going forward, the “truest” version will be those depicted in the works posted to Adventures!AU Remastered on Wattpad. The first story (The Adventure Begins) won’t drop there until at least November 2025 but you’re free to watch it in the meantime. It’ll sit dormant for quite a bit longer though. Nothing major will change in the stories, but I plan to add some extra scenes and tweak some minor details (the Batchers time in the galaxy is one big thing I’m looking at tweaking). 

Let’s see. checks notes Yep, I think that covers everything! At least for now lol. I always have stuff to say, but this will probably be the last long update post for quite some time. 

Thanks for hanging around, and for reading this long post lol.

[its-me-renmimi]

Alnyisolestorian

Alnyisolestorian - A gender that is like a story of changing & altering. Of taking what once was and making something new out of it. Of community but also isolation; of never having been more alone than you are right now. Of being brought to the brink over and over and over again, of endlessly falling and endlessly failing. Of not knowing what is right anymore, of losing your sense of self, your sense of individuality. Of bending and twisting and being eaten up inside until you finally break. Of terrible circumstances and feeling like the world itself hates you, that this story that was written has it in for you in particular. Of wishing you could be anyone else, another version of yourself who got to live a happier life; of having to face the fact that you’re not. Of the fact that despite everything you’re still you, pain and all. Of learning to deal with the cracks in your facade, the cracks right down to your soul. A story that itself is about stories and storytelling, about endless possibilities and facing the reality of the one you’re in.

Day 10 (Dec 19th): A term that is like a love letter (or hate letter) to your blorbo | @mousesquared Tagging: NA

Think you know what group of characters inspired this term? Feel free to send me your guesses! Any time from now until ~5 days after the end of the event (Dec 24th 2023) ^^

[sammy-writes-sometimes]

Word count: 445

---------

“So, this is it.” Impulse says lightly, leaning against a wall. There a few shulkers scattered around, filled with a mix of personal belongings and items leftover from building.

“This is it.” Bdubs adds as he looks through one of the shulkers, gently placing his art supplies inside.

The dryad sighs, shutting the last of the boxes before standing up.

“Well, this isn’t it.” The demon motions between himself and Bdubs.

“My love, you make it sound like we’re breaking up.” Bdubs points out.

Impulse chuckles, scratching at his scalp.

The dryad, his husband, easily strides up to him before placing their hand on his chin. It’s a small motion that he can’t keep himself from purring at as Bdubs starts to lightly scratch.

“I hope you don’t get rid of this.”

“Eehhh… bad texture…” Impulse says cautiously. “I might, just not this long.”

Bdubs almost pouts, but still he smiles. “Fine.”

There’s a small, swift kiss to his lips before Bdubs steps away.

“You gonna help me or what, stupid?”

“Wow, way to talk to your husband.”

“We’re not newly weds anymore, Impulse.” Bdubs laughs.

And yeah, they weren’t. It’d been a year and a half since Double Life and a year since Impulse re-proposed to Bdubs after deciding he truly did want to spend the rest of his life with the dryad.

As if Bdubs could read his mind, like they were still tied by a soulbond, he moves to play with the pocket watch Impulse had made for him.

“Hey, Bdubs?”

“Yeah?”

“A lot– a lot has happened this season… but I’m glad it led me to you.”

His husband stands there, almost dumbfounded as he stares at Impulse. But so easily, he breaks into a wide smile. “Oh you–...” He laughs awkwardly, almost backed into a corner. “Impulse?”

“Yeah?”

“I– I say– gods, this is hard.” He rubs his arm. “I– I love you so much. I love you more than the earth and sun and the moon.”

“I love you…” Bdubs’ smile turns small, soft and gentle. “And I’m– I’m more than happy that we’re together– that we’re still together.”

Impulse holds his hand, squeezing lightly as he kisses Bdubs’ cheek.

“We’re staying together, no matter what.”

“You better promise not to kill me again.”

“I, uh… I can’t do that.”

Bdubs glares before shoving him away. “Okay, alright, I see how it is.”

He can’t stop himself from giggling, and he can’t help but notice the smile that Bdubs tries to hide.

“I love you Bdubs… promise…”

Bdubs is silent for a moment, playing with the pocket watch – their wedding ring – before turning to Impulse. “I love you too.”

---------

Our ko-fi

[foxes-that-run]

Since you're losing me was written and recorded in Dec 2021, does that change who you think it is about / timeline on the different things?

Thanks anon, I hadn't seen the detail on December 2021. Jack's Story added below - thanks @leftamarkonme She might have shared it now so people stop being trauma-core about her Eras performances saying she was crying when she wasn't.

To be honest, if You're Losing me was written in 2021 would not surprise me or change how I view it. He wasn't at the All to Well SNL launch but I thought it was too cynical to say it was over 18 months before the announcement, even if I thought it. Because I think Glitch was written after the Brits in May 2021.

Also, they were seen looking frosty AF at a 2022 Oscars Party and 2022 VMA after party. Maybe she wrote it and they continued to try to make it work for another couple of months to May. Or maybe it was over and they had agreed engagements to give themselves some privacy while they recovered before it went public. I actually hope it is the later because I think making space herself is fantastic.

This is the timeline I had with midnights post:

2020

25 November - In the Long Pond Session Taylor said Joe was William Bowery

16 December - Taylor said to Zane Lowe that Happiness is about ending a long term relationship, she switched to first person

2021

15 March - Grammy's Joe had never come & it was COVID limited, but he won a Grammy for *Album of the year* & I'd say she has the pull for a ticket for a producer of it

April - Folklore credits update to add Joe as producer on 6 songs, including 3 William Bowery wrote, Grammy eligible. No credits for midnights and evermore.

12 May - Taylor was honored with a Global Icon award at the Brits. Harry also there and won. Joe left to film in Belfast the week before

21 August - Joe actually seen with Taylor

14 September - Taylor seen in ireland, seen at conversations with friends cast party

14 November - Blake, Ryan, Sophie & Selena join Taylor at the SNL All to Well launch party. Joe A was filming in Panama.

5 December - You're Losing me written here

2022

27 March - They went to the Vanity Fair Oscars pre-party, but Taylor skipped the 2022 Grammy's, Brit Awards and Oscars. It's interesting that the only photos of Taylor are of getting out of the car with Joe squinting, they bypassed the press line.

Taylor stopped liking Joes IG posts here

18 May - Taylor receives an honorary doctorate from NYU, while not a party it is a massive deal. In her speech she smiled at a particular part of the audience when she referenced friends and family, but Joe was at a Rising Hollywood party in LA.

31 August - VMAs afterparty - Joe & Taylor's unglamourous run to a car. The VMAs have been important to Taylor since 2009. She was on the cusp of winning the most VMAs ever, announced Midnights and All to Well won. I wonder if Midnights was already done though.

20 October - Midnights pap walk where Joe uses a coffee table book to shield his hand from being held.

2023

9 February - Grammy afterparty- she wore his jacket, the huge deal made out of this is enough to say it was already over.

31 March - The 1 replaces Invisible String.

8 April - break up announced said it occured 'weeks earlier'

[vacantgodling]

re. wip master list

an ever updating list of all of my wips and ideas that i juggle in my brain at any given moment, laid out as simply as possible for y’all’s convenience.

this list will probably update often as i revamp old ideas or come up with new ones

EDIT -> dec 2023: these are ideas i plan on writing or have written for and plan to come back to. back burner ideas or ideas i don’t plan to write anytime soon will be removed for the time being

THE FALL OF GALERÉ BOOK I: PARAMOUR

“saved” from an imminent social death through arranged marriage, HYACINTHUS SHRAPNEL is whisked away to The Chateau aux Aisles D’or, where an unlikely sexual relationship with his butler AMON leads to far more than he bargained for.

STATUS: WRITING BOOK 1 || 8 of 27 chapters written

wip intro & powerpoint intro || character intros || gunn sibling kin assigner || s: paramour (main tag) || writing recaps

CAGE **HANZO SHIMADA/COLE CASSIDY FANFICTION**

COLE CASSIDY doesn’t like HANZO SHIMADA—doesn’t like that kinslayer one fucking bit. It takes every ounce of self control he can muster to not put a bullet through the fucker’s skull when Genji brings him to the recall with promises of “redemption” and “honor” and “second chances.” But the Hanzo Genji brings is different than anyone was expecting: he lives like he’s already staring down the gallows, and that death wish could get them all killed, if they’re not careful. Can he break through Hanzo’s walls and discover what exactly is making this man tick? Or will Hanzo be left to rot in this cage of his own making, unable to redeem himself even unto death?

STATUS: currently writing || 20 of 20 chapters written! FINISHED!!

read here on AO3! || ff: cage || playlist & spotify link

THE CHRONICLES OF LATHSBURY BOOK I: THE WRATH OF THE DEMON KING

five adventurers from different backgrounds must face The Labyrinth as the deep magic that keeps the chaos within it at bay begins to rip apart at their seams.

STATUS: worldbuilding hell and idk if i'll ever get out of it

wip intro || character intros || crash course || s: tcol (main tag)

THE LIMINAL SPACE SERIES

a series of 5 continuous books and 1 spinoff tale centered around this universe’s concept of liminal spaces. what they all have in common is they center on death, Reapers, Witches, magic, possession, and horror, but above all liminal spaces.

Liminal Spaces are defined as the place a person is in during a transitional period. this can be emotionally, physically, metaphysically or all of the above. in this series liminal spaces are more akin to separate planes of existence where death and horror reign supreme and magic is in the air. nothing is impossible and your worst nightmares usually come true.

STATUS: on the backburner but thinking about quite a bit

wip intro || tags -> s: donut wip / s: noi alone / s: jenna the reaper / s: jenna the witch king / s: mason at the airport

VAMPIRES DON'T TAKE ROAD TRIPS

summary: 20 year old darren de leon is content with just living his life as is, with his father dave, step-sister (kinda) olice, and not including his father’s girlfriend veronica as much as possible. that is, until someone he never thought he would meet shows up at their doorstep—his absentee mother, lizette rouzet blanc who… incidentally is a vampire. someone is out to hunt darren down and so they have to leave town to get to safety… leading to the most awkward and life changing road trip he’s ever been on.

STATUS: on the backburner but thinking about quite a bit

powerpoint intro || how vampires work || tag -> s: darren and co

[wrecklwj]

2024 writing round-up

Just wanted to share some of my progress because I’m really happy with how things turned out! This year I:

Published 12 new fics on AO3

Wrote 128,720 words (nearly 10.7K words per fic!)

Used the following tags a lot of the time: Hopeful Ending (7 times), Masturbation (5 times), Grief/Mourning (5 times)

Some reflections on my own writing journey

On the “Hopeful Ending” tag: in the course of writing over the year, I came to realize just how much I love open endings. There is something wonderfully appealing about setting up a storyline and orchestrating events to allow readers to get a glimpse into various important moments and exchanges, and then gently withdrawing once I’ve let the cards fall as they may. And there, I’ve told the story I wanted to tell, and now I’m leaving the characters to their fates (and this is where the Hopeful Ending tag comes in, in that I hope that the happy or peaceful resolutions the characters find will indeed come as a matter of consequence). I find the idea of not having to spell out endings deeply satisfying — I feel that in doing so, my words may linger with the people I’ve shared them with, and they would have the freedom to draw their own conclusions about what happens next.

On sadhorny: this seems to have been one of my central themes for 2024. Grief (and the horny expression of it) can manifest and be explored in so many different ways. Examining grief from a diaspora angle was one of the best writing experiences I’ve ever had, and it resulted in my favorite fic of all those that I wrote this year: 等不到天黑（the price of salt）

On stepping out of my comfort zone: I accomplished this at least three times this year. The most obvious example was with a kink-heavy fic that dealt with a professor-student relationship in 窗外 (outside the window). This one was a lyrical challenge, and I enjoyed stepping deeper into the shoes of the characters than I previously had. The second lay in exploring (and inverting) the omegaverse trope in 卻上心頭 | winter plum — I had never previously written any omegaverse stories before, and this fic required some amount of research into the trope to get moving. The third fic was my bottomji big bang fic, 咏红尘 | an ode to red dust, coming in at a whopping (to me) 39K. I had never written anything longer than 25K before, so the word count requirement felt daunting at first. I started writing this one in Dec 2023, finished it in July 2024, and published it in Oct 2024. It was a long journey, and I couldn’t be prouder of myself.

What do I have up my sleeve in 2025?

I’m taking a little break now that it’s the holiday season, but I’m already slowly outlining all the new fics I hope to share in 2025! You can expect the following from me:

Expansion of more diaspora angles, potentially in a historical setting with real-world events (colonial era, Japanese Occupation, merdeka/nation-building)

More specific kink, especially kink that tends to be regarded as “taboo”

Further exploration of Wangxian + others (as a couple and individually)

Writing characters at older ages than how they’re typically depicted in fandom (40s and above)

Deeper dives into grief — not just in terms of death, but in terms of relationships too

Writing in Chinese language

Uploading of old threadfics to AO3 and possibly expanding on them

Thank you everyone for supporting me on my little writing journey. I started writing for the first time in my life in 2021 and the process has been personally very rewarding. I’m proud of myself for coming this far and improving so much. Here’s to more fics in 2025! (And happy dongzhi!) 🎑

[young-royals-confessions]

YRC 2023 Top 10 Posts 🎊

1. 200 notes - Oct 2 2023

Q: Whenever I watch Young Royals with a friend or a loved one...

2. 187 notes - Aug 20 2023

Q: I don't think I've ever read a YR fic where Wille and Simon aren't written occ...

3. 169 notes - Nov 15 2023

Q: I'm legit freaking out here and yours was the first tumblr that came in the Young Royals tags, so please bear with me...

4. 154 notes - Oct 24 2023

Do you have a comfort fic that you keep going back to?

5. 147 notes - Aug 26 2023

Q: One of my absolute favorite scenes of the show isn't a Wilmon scene...

6. 147 notes - Aug 22 2023

Q: Edvin and Omar are both so goddamn beautiful, I‘m stunned every time I see them...

7. 143 notes - Aug 24 2023

Q: Wilmon hugs are the most romantic ones 🥰...

8. 125 notes - Dec 18 2023

Q: Each time I remember Wille saying he had "chosen not to get involved in any emotional relationship", I want to break something...

9. 124 notes - Oct 27 2023

Q: I haven't seen any confessions about how perfect Simon is in awhile...

10. 121 notes - Oct 29 2023

Q: i think that simon is REALLY REALLY underrated...

Created by TumblrTop10