#yet one last rarepair to close out the year

[wisteria-prince-of-myrrh]

My Love Is Mine, All Mine

“Nothing in the world belongs to Hot Pants but one thing.

Or;

An executioner reminds a nun of a single action that crippling guilt can't take away from her.”

[fuctacles]

The day Eddie quit his job

Me: it would be fun to mix this months microfic prompt with last years Me: hey I don't have anything for rarepair *proceeds to write CheerScoops for STEDDIEmicrofic prompts*

ANYWAY

for @stevieweek Day 7: Rare Pair + sapphic (+ one + pool) | M | 1111 | Stevie/Chrissy &Eddie, mentioned Chrissy/Eddie | open relationship, streamer!Stevie, FanslyModel!Chrissy, friends with benefits (?) lots of wiggle room for interpretation, CHAT FIC

Short stream, big announcement!

elderning: is it time????

beatred: Cheer100 this better be about the pool stream

"Chat, chat, calm down, it is about the pool stream." Stevie is rolling her eyes as soon as she appears on the screen. "I had a nice speech prepared and you're ruining it." She frowns, pouting her full lips. "Can you stop yapping for five seconds and let me speak?"

bimbothelotrguy: No yapping

ballstothewall007: Proceed queen

bimbothelotrguy: :x

"So, we recently hit one million subscribers on YouTube, which, thank you so fucking much, holy shit!" She grins. "And, true to my word, I'll be doing a pool stream as promised. Don't know when yet, but stay tuned, I'll give you a heads-up. And thank you again, though I know you had ulterior motives." She smirks at the camera.

mojito_chan: ulterior motives?? us??

mojito_chan: must have mistaken us with a different chat

bimbothelotrguy: BADONKERS

powerdrill1000: message deleted by a moderator

"Yeah, exactly," she snorts. "Okay, I don't have much time today, but there's this one game I want to check out and we can talk out the details while we're at it."

MasterOfChatters: I have a bad feeling about this

Stevie looks at her chat, and smiles.

"Are you high again, Master?"

MasterOfChatters: would you fire me if I was?

"No!" she laughs.

MasterOfChatters: then yes

She leans close to the mic.

"There's someone in your house, Eddie."

MasterOfChatters: FUCK OFF

big stream big surprise!

beatred: oh

bilbothebimbo: oh no

mojito_chan: I mean...

Stevie's not there yet, but they can see the set-up for today's stream. The pool behind SailorSteph's house is right there. Still behind her house. Still behind the glass door. Behind a huge inflatable pool full of colorful plastic balls.

ballstothewall007: is there at least some water in there?

footjoblover: -slow clap- well played

MasterOfChatters: STEPH YOU MINX

MasterOfChatters: KNEW YOU WERE COOKING SOMETHING

MasterOfChatters: @footjoblover nice nick

SailorSteph: @MasterOfChatters oh I'm not done cooking

footjoblover: @MasterOfChatters thank you good sir

The chat starts flooding after her brief appearance, and her moderator has to put it in slow mode.

"Chat, I'm coming! Calm down!" the microphone picks her up from somewhere in the house, and soon she appears in the camera's view. Her outfit is skimpier than usual, with a tiny crop top and bootcut shorts. She's holding a colourful drink and she steps into the ball pit to settle down.

footjoblover: F E E T

MasterOfChatters: @footjoblover I'll let it slide this once

She sips on her drink while adjusting the stream settings.

"I know some of you might be disappointed..." She skims over the chat briefly. "Yeah, I'm not sorry about that. If you didn't see it coming it means you're new here. Anyway, since you're not getting your softcore fix, I have another surprise for you big babies. We're having a guest today."

ggiirrllss: is it ChiChi???

prawncocktail: please be cheerscoops

bimbothelotrguy: oooo a collab?

elderning: if it's a secret boyfriend announcement imma kms

thepizzaguy: is your hot mod visiting? owo

MasterOfChatters: @thepizzaguy nope, still in my basement. thank you though

bimbothelotrguy: @thepizzaguy boooo sucking up to the mod

MasterOfChatters: @bimbothelotrguy you're just angry you weren't first

bimbothelotrguy: @MasterOfChatters u got me there hot mod daddy

"I'd be angry that I'm playing into your guy's sick fantasies, and I've seen your fanfiction, okay?" She looks straight into the camera, leaning in, eyes squinting. "So don't even try denying. I know what you're thinking about. Anyway, I would be angry if she wasn't such a genuinely lovely person. And she agreed to play with me today."

prawncocktail: SHE

bimbothelotrguy: chichi???

prawncocktail: please be chichi please be chichi please

"Come on babe, don't be shy." Stevie smiles at someone off-camera, and then stands up to help them step into the pool.

"You know, chat..." The mic picks up a new voice. "I've actually been lied to as well, and I flew in here with a bag full of swimsuits." The girl pouts and when she sits down you can indeed see she's wearing a bikini with a kimono-cut short robe thrown over it.

"I didn't lie, you all just assumed pool means water." Stevie rolls her eyes. "Besides, we can still go take a dip later." She sends a suggestive smile to the girl on her left, who takes a sip of her drink and wiggles her eyebrows with a smile.

"I think we broke your chat," she points out. Stevie turns to one of her monitors to see what's happening.

Among the slew of emotes, only her mod's messages can be seen.

MasterOfChatters: CHRIS WHAT THE FUCK

MasterOfChatters: YOU SAID YOU'RE VISITING YOUR MOM

Chrissy, aka CheerCheer or ChiChi, as she's known online, stirs her drink slowly.

"No, I said I'm visiting Mommy." She grins, throwing her long, bare legs over Stevie's lap. Stevie smiles brightly and her mod, who's also Chrissy's boyfriend, knows it's directed at him.

MasterOfChatters: I'm

MasterOfChatters: appaled. speechless. mad.

MasterOfChatters: and so glad I put these fuckers in emote-only

MasterOfChatters: iF ANY OF YOU EVEN SUGGESTS A THREESOME I'M TIMING YOU OUT FOR 24H

emote-only mode is off

footjoblover: message deleted by a moderator

MasterOfChatters: OR A FOURSOME OR IS JUST NASTY IN GENERAL

milkpudding: message deleted by a moderator

milkpudding: I need fanart refs

MasterOfChatters: @milkpudding THIN ICE

Chrissy, unfazed, turns to Stevie.

"One hundred?"

"I'd do it for free." Stevie gives her the most charming smile while idly stroking up her shin. It finally makes Chrissy blush.

MasterOfChatters: GODDAMNIT CHRIS

MasterOfChatters: ENABLERS

MasterOfChatters: @SailorSteph UNMOD ME PLEASE I CAN'T HANDLE THE CHAOS

milkpudding sent $100

"Well," Stevie shrugs, already leaning in. "A hundred dollars is a hundred dollars, right?"

"Right," Chrissy says softly, parting her lips for the other girl to slot into.

The kiss is sweet and chaste, Stevie's hand squeezing briefly her knee before caressing her cheek and letting go. She smiles at her, pecks her nose, and turns back to the camera.

"Hope you got your money's worth, milkpudding. Thank you for the one hundred." She smiles sweetly.

milkpudding: yes thank you!!!

milkpudding: see you in #fanart on discord later! teheheh

prawncocktail shared a clip: CHEERSCOOPS IS REAL

"Should we tell them now?" They share a thoughtful look. Chrissy shrugs.

"Better get this out now before Eds gets a heart attack."

MasterOfChatters: ?????????

"We made something for Chrissy's socials too," Stevie starts, playing with the hem of her friend's robe. "We can't link it here, but keep an eye out in Discord and her Fansly." She smiles at her with mischief before looking back to the chat to see the chaos they've surely created.

emote-only mode is on

MasterOfChatters: GODDAMNIT GIRLS 

[viridian-house]

Do you have any favorite naruto fics you’d recommend? Any pairing, complete or not, on-hiatus, gen, oneshots, anything is fine lol

I was legitimately just pruning my bookmarks the other day!! thank you so much for asking.

I don't read too much fanfic these days, and I'm picky when I do--only about grammar/punctuation and immersion though. I ship a LOT of stuff (I guess The Youth would call me a proshipper) and although I never read darkfic, I don't shy away from weirder kinks and unhealthy relationship stuff.

categorizing by pairing, if applicable. some of them are smutty, and please note that the first 3 come from FFN which doesn't have a tagging system, but there is some SA CW I'll give in advance.

KAKASAKU | my first OTP! formative fics that totally reshaped my understanding of what fanfiction could be, and how well-written chemistry can make it or break it

HOUSE OF CROWS is the quintessential kakasaku fanfic. it was written during shippuden and so is canon divergent because of that, but also tells a comprehensive story of its own right that is intriguing and well planned. excellent characterization and world building. leaves me gutted in the best way on my yearly reread.

DUTY BEFORE HONOR is another silvershine classic. I don't reread is as often as House of Crows but they are just about equal in quality. again, the chemistry between them is off the charts, and the world feels so alive.

WILL OF FIRE for me is up there with House of Crows in being essential kakasaku reading. cynchick is a multisaku champion and a wonderful storyteller. the stakes in this one are stressful, the romance tense and believable, and we once again get lovely world building and great chemistry.

ITAKISA | a pairing near and dear to me, because men who do everything wrong are so deeply relatable. they both know they don't deserve anything good ever again but they found each other!!!! ARE YOU GUYS SEEING THIS--

A SHARK HIDDEN INN THE LEAVES doesn't have my favorite version of Kisame, but he's plenty close enough. it's a lengthy oneshot that got me into certain *ahem* kinks. it is a very fun and wild fic that is entirely self-aware of how absurd it's being, and manages to have nothing but sincerity at the same time (and I highly recommend the author's other stories as well)

AN ORCHESTRA PLAYING ON, INSANE is a modern AU (extremely rare in my bookmarks) that absolutely tore my heart out. god is it SO much to ask for these losers to be happy?! yes, it is, and I love every moment of it

MADAMITO | a rarepair I am SUCH a sucker for that has some of the most talented authors writing for it. lots of them have ot3 elements between them and hashirama, often angsty, but stuff like that is part of the appeal for me, lol

A HANDFUL OF SKY is an unfinished fic that I genuinely think about like once a week. if it ever updates then I will be over the moon. technically hashimadamito but it hadn't quite gotten there yet

LIKE ALTARS is just such a beautiful piece of writing, mostly on madara. it is everything, that is all

BLOOD AND RIVER WATER is more mito-centric but has one of my favorite madaras of all time

YOURS ARE RATTLED BONES is another short, mito-centric but gut-wrenching piece featuring the opposite type of madara from the last one

OTHER | character-centric stuff that isn't necessarily shippy but also doesn't have a very "gen" vibe either?

A SERPENT IN THE RICE is a little series about orochimaru that makes me feel so so so many things. highly recommended

HERETIC is such a love letter to kushina, and kurama too. cannot stress enough how much I adore this one

there's a few others that I probably won't link on tumblr, mostly unhealthy and/or "problematic" smut hhfhdj but maybe I'll make a public rec list on ao3 for these different categories and stuff like that.

but yeah that's pretty much it!!! I know it's not a huge list with a lot of variety but it's what I've enjoyed over the last 15+ years in the naruto fandom.

[cer-rata]

Fav batfam ships?

See, making that plural was a mistake, dear Anon, because now I have an excuse to list one for every member I care about and also explain myself--

In no particular order:

Bruce and Talia: Partially because I am god's strongest (and most delusional) soldier and can ignore anything racist and OOC in all of her depictions over the last 20 years. I honestly think it's hilarious how disgustingly horny they are for each other and how absolutely stupid they get when left alone together. 10/10 so funny I could die, let them be dumb together as a treat.

Dick and Koriand'r: Listen. It's basic. They have problems, they've always had problems, but when the story and editorial direction allows for it they make each other so happy. Two traumatized kids from across the stars that find a moment of safety with each other? I am a simple man, it compels me.

Kate and Renee: I'm a sucker for disaster lesbians. I am. They are the avatars of lesbian disaterism and honestly good for them, keep making Aphrodite wildly upset with how hard you both can fumble a baddie, laddies.

Stephanie and Cassandra: It's popular for a reason! They are so wildly different while being weirdly similar! They care about each other in ways that are so genuine and raw, but aren't always helpful to the other party! Visually they look like a classic emo/sunshine ship, but if you investigate even a little bit it's quickly obvious that their dynamic is much weirder and more interesting. See also: the above disaster lesbians (wlw specifically here but the sentiment stands) thing.

Barbara and...Kara(?): ...This is my badly substantiated rarepair that also relies on a reality where Kara wasn't aged down. I just...it is one of the two variations of Superbat that compels me, and it purely comes down to the intensity of their personalities, the emotional weight they both carry, their intense understanding of loss and duty, and the fact that as Oracle and Supergirl they manage to have similarly heavy responsibilities on their shoulders.

Damian and Jon: The other variation of Superbat that compels me. Look. They've never got to have any consistent, wholesome, appropriate or healthy close relationships with any other viable options first off, so this isn't hard. Second, their arcs are literally designed to compliment each other, and the groundwork for that was laid out for sooo many issues. It's the opposite of Babs and Kara where there is actually so much content to be compelled by that it circles back to being painful again. Now, to be clear, I have no interest in anything happening with them unless and until they are allowed to be adults, mostly because I think those character arcs need come to completion before anything more than being best buds happens. Also, as god's strongest (and most delusional) soldier, the volcano didn't happen, Jon is going age normally and get to go to high school, they're going to fix it okay, there's a space whale--

Tim and Jason are in a weird "Y shaped" poly situation with a hairy bear named "Intensive Mental Health Care": No I will not be elaborating further.

Duke and ???: I love Duke. I have not been compelled by a ship for him yet. I know Tom King tried to make him and Gotham Girl a thing but...who wants that? I even like Gotham Girl enough to write for her, but WHO WANTS THAT!?

Anyone else I really haven't thought enough about to include...however....

HONORABLE MENTIONS THAT I DON'T WANT BUT SOMEHOW COMPEL ME:

Bruce and Minhkhoa: So funny, almost a parody of Bruce in a MLM ship, painfully comedic, Khoa is a disaster of a man and the most down bad creature on earth, beating even Talia on the obsession angle. Never let them prosper, never let them get it together, let me feast on this crack made canon.

Bruce and Selina: I DO like me some batcat, but I'm really more interested in Selina getting to be her own thing nowadays. Escape the bat-love interest curse girl, maybe go kiss an amazon or something.

Kon and Cassandra: Don't want this, but I am truly taken by the fact that was even a thing that was considered for 30 seconds. Insane. Insane pairing. Batshit. Kind of endearing? But please never again.

Barbara and Dinah: Listen 90's BoP (and often after too) was full of so much sexual tension between these two that it was almost suffocating. The one-night stand that they both fondly think about later, but told no one about? It needed to happen, but that's the end of it for me.

[i-cant-stop-fandoming-help]

Alright, after some thought, how about some Tsurei angst? They’re my precious rarepair and honestly need more content. ;-;

i remembered i have an old tsurei wip that i'm probably never going to finish and that i've proooobably posted somewhere on here before but here. you didn't win the request wheel spinning but figured there's no harm in posting this one WIP. they're a divorced couple btw. not specifically in this fic but thats just how i see 'em

Rei snorted as Tsurugi spoke, unable to process his words in her drunken state. Teruya was glancing between the two, downing a shot of vodka before patting Rei's back.

He said something to Tsurugi- it sounded like "I think we should pay and leave. Rei's had so much to drink that I think she'll probably have a major hangover."

The ginger knew it was too smart of a thing for an incompetent like himself to say, she was probably just imagining. Nonetheless, she grabbed onto his jacket, her words slurring and her vision swimming. "I am not fucking drunk, innnn…competent."

Tsurugi grunted, putting his card in the checkbook and lifting Rei up. "Yes, you are."

She could only squirm, too tired to do much else. "Not drunk..! Put me dooowwwnnn!"

Tsurugi grunted as he put her in the back seat of his car, allowing Teruya to take the front seat and beginning to drive to her house.

Her daze made her dizzy, her own house wasn't familiar, even with the teddy bear wreath and the fluffy welcome mat.

Tsurugi only then put her down, making sure she unlocked her door and went inside.

His smile was warm, his eyes looked affectionate. "Goodnight, mekaru." He whispered, just barely audible.

He mumbled something more, and Rei couldn't quite figure what it was. She just slurred out a goodnight, and closed her door. The moment she did, her vision went completely dark.

Rei startled awake at the feeling of falling- she was in her bed. She was comfortable and warm and surrounded by brown, fluffy, bears.

It was a memory. Was her dream a memory? How odd. It was… happy. She was happy.

She thought it could last for forever, or at least until she was thirty. Instead, it was taken away in a matter of about a year.

Teruya was dead. His corpse stared at her with empty eyes as she did her best to resuscitate him, joy and sorrow mixed in his eyes as his ribs cracked and his skin slowly, slowly, lost its color.

She felt helpless, hopeless, useless. And most of all, possibly worst of all, was how alone she felt. She lost her another classmate, yet another friend.

Tsurugi stares at her with pitiful eyes, it felt belittling. "It's too late, Mekaru. Otori is dead. Just… give up."

Give up? After everything? She couldn't just give up on a friend, not so quickly. Otori was one of the only surviving members of class 79, alongside Rei and Tsurugi. How could he be so willing to let him die?

Rage consumed her, hate consumed her. Tsurugi was scum, she didn't know why she ever had affection for him.

She grabbed him by his shirt, shaking and sobbing and barely able to breathe. "You!," she snarled, barely able to see his ruby eyes through her blur of tears. "What is wrong with you?!"

Tsurugi remained calm, putting a hand on her back and pulling her into a hug. "I am sorry, Mekaru. It had to happen."

She choked on a sob, hitting his chest weakly before crumpling. "Why, why… why did he have to die?"

He sighed, his legs beginning to shake before he fell backwards into his wheelchair. "We needed to make sure Sannoji's plan would fail."

Her breath was caught in her throat, her hands were clawing at Tsurugi’s shirt. He only whispered that it was okay, that it needed to happen. That he’d rather bury Teruya than bury Rei.

His words were gentle, his eyes were affectionate. Any other moment, she knew she would’ve melted into his care. Not now, not today. He was so willing to let someone die, it was disgusting.

Rei shivered at remembering his care, his… love? No, she didn’t think it was love. She thought it to be spiteful pity.

Even thinking about her affection towards Tsurugi made her gag, made her reach towards her bedside table to grab something, anything. But her usual wine bottle wasn’t there- she had emptied it the night before in one of her many emotional moments. 

She didn’t want to get up, she wanted to stay in bed and wallow in self pity, she wanted to curl into a ball and whimper and whine. Rei was pathetic, she recognized that much, but was it not justified? She had fallen in love with a man who killed the first friend she made in a long time, and even worse- that man was her boss, and he had so much care for her. 

She felt cared for, but hated at the same time. Loved but despised, cherished but loathed, adored but detested. She had fallen for what she perceived to be the devil, and it seemed he worshipped her in the exact same way she did him. Whenever he could, whenever she was sober and unable to comprehend her overwhelming emotions, Tsurugi held her close and put a hand on her face and called her gorgeous, kissed her ginger locks, loved her.

Her head was sore, her throat burned, and her back ached. The alcohol was a faint and sour remnant on the top of her tongue. She let her blankets slip from her legs as she stepped out of bed, her toes touching the floor with a gentleness she forgot she had ever had.

Her phone buzzed, loud against the wooden desk as it silently yelled for her to answer it. It was for work, she needed to come in on her day off. Like usual. She was just the worker, the person who was only good for their knowledge. Everyone thought that of her. She was nothing but a library of smarts, a keeper of wisdom. 

Her fingers trembled as they grazed upon it, and Rei didn’t even know if she had the strength to answer it. As soon as the cold met her ear and cheek, it took all her willpower not to just drop it again. The voice of urgency, the voice of terror and devastation, that all rang from the other end. 

She wasn’t even dressed properly, she hadn’t even put on her glasses properly, but she sprinted out the door with all her might. She didn’t even scream as she tripped, she didn’t feel nauseous anymore, her headache and her fatigue felt diminished. 

Rei was alert. She could feel her heart beating, ba-dump, ba-dump, ba-dump. Her eyes were twitching back and forth, and she could hear the gunshots in the distance. That fool, that absolute buffoon, what did he think he was doing? 

Bing, bang, boom, the shots were louder the more she drove. He was going to get himself killed, had any thoughts even gone through his head?

Rei couldn’t handle any more death, he should’ve known, he should’ve seen. She looked in the mirror and she didn’t even see herself, alcohol had destroyed her and she couldn’t let go. But he looked at her, and he just looked affectionate. Like he still saw Rei, and not some stumbling and stammering incompetent.

She saw the blood, she saw blue hair, she saw as bodies on the other side fell. She got out of her car as quick as she could, running to the sight and not caring if a bullet went through her skull– she needed to get him out.

Rei’s feet slammed into the ground as she ran, but he wasn’t there. That blue hair she saw, she should’ve realized, was too light to be his. It was Iranami’s, so where was Tsurugi? Keisuke just stared at her, his soldiers having knocked every single despair down and out. An iranami by blood, but he was nothing like before, nothing like Satsuki– Keisuke was just like Tsurugi. Cold, uncaring, and a murderer.

The ginger didn’t even say anything, just spun on her heel and ran to her car. Foolish, foolish, foolish. Of course he wouldn’t be with other people. 

“I’m sorry.” she thought she was imagining his voice, up until she saw his reflection in the rearview mirror. His eyes were dark. 

A stinging pain went through her head, causing her vision to fade. And the next thing she knew, she was at home, tucked into her bed with a cup of cold tea by her side. Perhaps she had dreamt everything up, but she hadn’t had tea the night before. How had it gotten there?

Her head was bandaged up, and she felt at the side. The red that danced and spread along her fingertips made her freeze, she hated seeing her own blood, her own weakness. If only she wasn’t human, she wouldn’t have such a disgusting fluid keeping her alive. 

[aldritch-ao3]

genuinely this is my fav jjk fic ever. better than canon. i like how seamlessly you weave in all the new lore! The way we slowly learn more about jian's life (and btw. character who is possesive as fuck? yeah:3 thanks) is so well done. the interactions between jian & the rest of the cast kill me - i think part of the reason i ship everyone/jian is because you write their interactions so well it just feels like you can already tell how their relationship would progress, like it would be the most natural thing in the world. also more jian+gojo interactions. 4 me. or more jian+geto interations. 4 me. or- this fic is the one i am most excited to see update in my bookmarks atm, i'm so obsessed. genuinely feels like it's own origional story. jian is my #1 fav guy of all time. i am right behind you in being about to make jian doll. also i love the way you make og!naoya feel like a part of the story still - he's almost a ghost in it, despite still living, because irregardless of how little he appears on screen he still deeply affects the story. i love his parent arc btw. insane place to take his character and yet. it's so good. also you're single-handedly making me obsessed w/ muta despite not caring about him at all before this fic. your background character promotional agenda strikes again. i think he and yuuji should talk. two guys losing control(idk how to better put it but. you get me) of their bodies because of the jujutsu system.

ALL THAT AND YOUR ART FUCKS TOO. this ask is already too long so perhaps i shall return another day to gush about your artstyle.

this is such a nice ask ive been going crazy abt it since u sent it ... singlehandedly revitalizing me after a bad sleep night twice in a row. my hero and savior ...

i'm SO pleased to have any sort of impact on any of my readers, ESPECIALLY in making them more fond of certain characters! i think muta is like, my shining star hero and saviour and best friend and im overjoyed to hear i made even a single person consider his merits as a character more. he's so spectacular and has such remarkable potential and charm. ive said before that while i adore mechamiwa (and the rarepair of throwing kamo in the mix, even!) i wish there was more media, especially fic, exploring who he is as a person outside of the girl he loves. theyre sweet but both of them deserve to shine as individuals, too! my muta agenda. everyone must love him for ever and ever

even im surprised by the directions naoya has taken in this. it just felt right. natural. jian's influence on him, and his influence on jian, makes me kind of like, bouncing off the walls batshit unhinged in a way im not sure i could articulate because i have very little room to really showcase how they are removed from each other - after all, even when theyre separate, theyre bound together as something close to a single entity. im really attached. how did this happen? no one has answers especially not me

extremely flattered you enjoy my art, too ... im very out of practice drawing people on account of the one-two punch of a warrior cats and then sonic fixation that lasted like a year each, and getting to toy with it in a fresh exciting way is a treat for me. motivated entirely by My Guys! not that jian counts there because hes like a weird animal creature. but ive rambled enough about jian's design i shant bore everyone with it again.

asks are like a little treat for me forever. just for you i post more of my Drawigns

[critter-rarepair-reccs]

We are halfway through another week, my friends, and so we have yet another recc list for you! This week, we have twelve angsty fics! As always, you can find them below the cut and if you check any of them out, I encourage you to leave kudoes and comments to spread the rarepair love 💕

I Have Been A Fool For Lesser Things by A_Orbit (3,149 words, Teen) Pairing: Veth Brenatto/Caleb Widogast (Widobrave) Warnings: None

Trying to get a hotel room for the night leads to Caleb and Nott pretending to be married to each other. Fluff and angst.

Reccer Says: Amazing character voices!

Looking for a feeling that I can't remember by CatcherWrites (2,684 words, Teen) Pairing: Ashton Greymoore/Laudna Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Swearing, General Laudna and Ashton Trauma

Team Issylra are making camp by a river when Ashton and Laudna discuss how slow their hair grows. Angsty conversations ensue and they make a pact to cut each others hair.

Reccer Says: It's not too heavy of a fic but that doesn't take away from the tragic implications.

The Last Safe House in Rexxentrum by Operafloozy (13,266 words, Explicit) Pairing: Astrid Beck/Original Female Character Warnings: Unhappy Ending, Modify Memory, Discussion of Feeblemind

Five years before a group of misfits came together in Trostenwald, Astrid Beck asks a stranger to look into some potentially modified memories.

Reccer Says: It's a juicy and complicated look at how Astrid might have reacted to Bren's escape, from an outsider's point of view.

polishing the apple eris threw to shake the dead leaves down by grayintogreen (3,558 words, Teen) Pairing: Cree Deeproots/Lucien Tavelle Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Minor Character Death

A Locked Tomb fusion fic featuring Necromancer!Cree and Cavalier!Lucien and the horrifying implications of the Lyctor process.

Reccer Says: I enjoyed it!

though the scars remain by amateurwordbender (1,472 words, Teen) Pairing: Astrid Beck/Eadwulf Grieve (Blumenduo) Warnings: Implied/Referenced Torture

Astrid is punished for letting the Mighty Nein escape, and she and Eadwulf talk about it.

Reccer Says: So much juicy Blumentrio angst packed in one short fic! Several of the lines in this have stayed in my head since I first read it.

Victim of Convenience by se1ze (54,243 words, Explicit) Pairing: Kingsley Tealeaf/Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast (Shadowidoking) Warnings: Sex While Sick

Essek has been bailing Kingsley out of legal trouble in Rosohna and letting him crash at his towers for some time and the pair have grown close. When Essek falls severely ill, Kingsley with him to look after him. Things escalate between them, which both are pleased about. There's just one complication, in the form of one Caleb Widogast, who Essek has recently begun a relationship with and who Kingsley has been hopelessly pining after for months. Things get messy.

Reccer Says: A wonderful combination of fun dynamics, messy relationship angst, sickfic goodness, and hot sex. Kingsley and Essek are such a good pair, I love their banter. The absolutely disastrous state of King and Caleb's relationship at the start is the fic is so heartaching, with the shadow of past Widomauk hanging over them. And the recently established Shadowgast compliments both of those duos so well!!! I adore the different complications that crop up along the way and the way they're all resolved in the end. Highly recommend! Also, the two previous entries in the series are excellent, though they're just Shadowgast on their own.

His Last Night by Twistmalchik (2,617 words, Explicit) Pairing: Thorn/Vax'ildan Warnings: None

Set during the events of Kith & Kin, Vax's first kiss with Thorn leads to his first time with him. All the while, the shadow of the Shademaster hangs over them.

Reccer Says: I adore Kith & Kin to no end and I loved Vax and Thorn's relationship. This is a fun expansion of what they were able to have together during the events of the book!

Time Will Tell by DEV0URMOUS (25,639 words, Mature) Pairing: Yussa Errenis/Original Male Character Warnings: None

Yussa invites Iskamyr, a long-time friend of his from the Dynasty, on a trip into the Happy Fun Ball with him. Both are oblivious to the other's long-standing feelings for them. Pining ensues.

Reccer Says: There is no fic that demonstrates the absurdity of wizards better than this. Two hundred years!!! These idiots pined over each other for two hundred years!!! Oh my god! It's great, it's so great. They're both 1200 years old (Yussa is a dragon and Iskamyr is consecuted) and they're still terrible at feelings. But also! A lot of it comes down to cultural misunderstandings, like Iska doesn't know until the fic ends that Yussa is a dragon and if he did, maybe he would've caught on to Yussa's affection sooner. But he didn't and it took the two of the forever and honestly I love that for them.

woven of (moon)light by viciousmollymaukery (2,315 words, Teen) Pairing: Mollymauk Tealeaf/Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast (Shadowidomauk) Warnings: References to severe injury

After his wizards Teleport into the middle of the Blooming Grove, nearly dead at the hands of an Aeorian creature, Molly has a lot of feelings about his partners and their mysterious city in the north. Luckily, he has a simple solution in mind.

Reccer Says: It's the perfect balance between sweet and angsty. I love Shadowidomauk so much and it's fun to see someone look at how the wizards Aeor expeditions might look in a world where they're dating Molly too! Also, Moonweaver cleric Molly is too damn perfect, I love it so much.

it's 3 am (I must be lonely) by Meridas (1,024 words, Teen) Pairing: Queerplatonic Mollymauk Tealeaf/Yasha Nydoorin Warnings: None

Yasha has a nightmare while out camping alone. She calls Molly in her panic and he comforts her.

Reccer Says: I love this series so much and this entry in particular has stuck with me since I first read it!! QPP circus kids are kind of everything to me and this is just such a perfect little snippet of them; they’re hurting but they love and take care of each other above anything.

I blame it on my own sick pride by MarsBar2019 (11,918 words, Explicit) Pairing: Fjord/Mollymauk Tealeaf/Caleb Widogast (Widofjolly) Warnings: Non-Consensual Voyeurism

Fjord overheard Molly and Caleb having sex one night and gets off on it. But paper thin inn walls work both ways, Molly and Caleb know Fjord heard them, and they take the opportunity to invite him into their bed.

Reccer Says: It’s very very hot and Fjord’s self-loathing (which is only amplified by him getting off on listening to the two of them) is such a fun complimentary pairing to the overall horniness of the fic.

I'll crawl home to him by BananasofThorns (20,262 words, Teen) Pairing: Queerplatonic Fjord/Caleb Widogast (Widofjord) Warnings: None

AU where Caleb and Fjord met a few years pre-nein. Now Fjord has been taken by the Iron Shepherds, and Caleb has to team up with the "Mighty Five" to have a chance to get him back.

Reccer Says: Looove that Iron Shepherds arc angst. Plus queerplatonic widofjord, and the *devotion,* like Caleb was willing to go in there after him *alone,* aaaaa

Thank you for joining us this week’s recc list! All the love to everyone who submitted a fic 💕 All enclosed recommendations were submitted by the community via our submissions form, which you can find here. All fic information is as it was provided by the reccer, so it may not be accurate to the author’s intent or the precise contents of the fic itself. Please assume good intent from all parties 💕

Submissions for next week’s list are already open! We’ll be featuring Spring. If you have any you’d like to highlight, you can send them in here. The week after that, the theme is Jester Rarepairs and the weeks after that we’re taking recommendations for Alternate Universes and Hurt/Comfort! Submissions for all of these themes are currently open.

If you want more rarepair fic, check out @cr-summer-wildflowers and their event collections on ao3! If you want some friendship after all this romance, take a look at @critter-genfic-events and their recc lists! And if you’re interested in everyone’s favorite wizards, you can’t go wrong with the lists at @aeor-is-for-reccing !

Thanks all and have a lovely day/night/timezone! 💕

[shiningstages]

SHIPPING INFO. answer the following for your muse(s) so people know how shipping works on your blog.

have a diantha icon edited by the lovely serin a million years ago diantha you'll be revived properly one day i swear to christ -

what’s your OTP for your muse(s)?

me cracking my knuckles as i look over my whole muse list + diantha.

diantha is easiest because its just captain/diantha and clarisse/diantha (this ship can work flipflopped too but like someone see the vision please understand LOOK AT THOSE GIRLS!!!!!!!)

ratio and screwllum next easiest b/c those two have not left my mind since they were introduced at their respective times and they should hold hands (ofc i like aventio too, but screwtio is my ride or die and also don't sleep on screwtioturine think about it pls i beg). i actually ship both of them very leniently (if that makes sense?), because i'm a multishipper and i love people holding hands, but these are very much the otps (special shoutout to argentio and screwllum/herta and screwllum/gepard though; those are also cute and the last one is the latest collected bestie rarepair and we thrive on it)

looking at my other muses...LanVane, nods nods. BeaZeta, BronSeele (hi3rd and hsr; though multishipping seele in both contexts is also really fun, and in hsr seele/silver wolf angst or hsr seele/gepard and hsr seele with any of the main express friend trio...nods nods). March 7th you can ship any person under the sun in hsr with her, but my favs are caelus or stelle, dan heng, and robin. stelle gets protag rights, but ofc exploring my fav men through her would be fun. yu takasaki with anyone in the club because also protag/past self insert origins rights, but setsuna, ayumu, and shizuku hold special places. kotohonoumi with kotonozo and kotori/minato (p3) honorable mentions. eiden/blade will always be my fav in nu carnival, but shoutout to edmond and yakumo as well. i do like tsukasa/wxs it's true (yes all of them each dynamic is cute), but i think tsukasa/shizuku or tsukasa/haruka has legs to stand on as well (hard working people with personality differences but very determined when striving towards their goals; shizuku has the added benefit of older sibling talks). though i also ship haruka/minori, and minori/kohane. nice nature/tokai teio is a classic to me.

me trying to think otp-wise for other muses...shrugs~

what are you willing to RP when it comes to shipping?

i love a good domestic fluff, or writing about a couple just being affectionate or just going through slice of life together. also very much into writing out the scenes of my muses in love and flustered but not really knowing what to do in situations when they haven't quite confessed yet. drama is also yummy; love a kind of hurt/comfort working through issues or things that come up type thing too (and the varying degrees of success or failure in that department). since i've started writing more Stuff too, i'd be willing to write out...just a tiny bit of teehee~

how large does the age gap have to be to make it uncomfortable?

me staring at screwllum, the oldest man alive...he's an exception because he's ancient.

for muses that are teens in canon (and in verses where they're teens, as in versus them in other verses as adults and stuff) it has to be pretty close in ages. but once we're past like 22 i'd say the world is our oyster.

are you selective when shipping?

not really, though on here i guess i don't seek it out as often because i'm not on here as often anymore! i'm a big fan of chemistry and usually only rping with friends anyways though, so we have to be cool with each other and think our lil dolls mesh well together before we can go and pursue more in a shipping on here sense.

how far do steamy moments have to go before they’re considered NSFW?

i haven't written any of the teehee on here yet, but i'd say when it get's steamy is like...more than kissing. when you're describing grinding and kisses going places that are obviously to get a rise out of the other muse, or when clothes are being touched or played with or tightening in ways...then the nsfw tag and the read more are implemented. if it's just kisses though, they get steamy but not too much so.

does one have to ask to ship with you?

yes absolutely!! i love communication, and if you think our muses mesh well together like that, please reach out about that and don't just assume~ though also i only really rp with friends so i only talk about it really with friends i've talked about it with numerous times before (waves at wars and serin and j even though you're not really here anymore). but still reach out if we ever rp for a bit and you have ideas~

how often do you like to ship?

:))))))) i can become a lil fiend devil if you wanna

aventio and screwtio have made me particularily feel some sort of way that makes me go even more insane than my love live shipping days, and that says a lot.

in terms of actual writing shipping, i feel like i think about it constantly but also not at all fghfgjhfgjhf discord servers have been my breeding ground for rarepairs and more talks though (surprise it's just two mainly hsr servers wow can you tell i like this game and the friends that invited me to these servers omg hi toria and rei and jules if you somehow find this)

are you multiship?

(points to literally every other answer) oh yes. yesyesyesyesyes.

are you ship obsessed or ship more-or-less?

hmmmmmmmmmm i think both. on one hand in general ships can just consume me, but on the other hand i like varied levels of writing (though also platonic shipping too let's not forget her...i love her too.)

what is your favorite ship in your current fandom?

screwtio / screwtioturine. aventio and ratioturine (i'm putting both because ppl can be really picky about name stuffs) are also very good yummy stuffs, but mushing my two men together and then adding aventurine into the mix.............yeah it's good stuff

finally, how does one ship with you?

(points to many points in this post) write with me, be niceies to me, and if you have ideas after we've gotten to know each other for a bit lemme know~

tagged by: @toestalucia warsssssssss thank you for unlocking my third eye and enabling me i love my bestie so much everyone aaaaaa tagging: teehee lmao~ @nokrysalis for crystal but also any of your other ocs or any canon muses you wanna yap about!!!!!!!!!

[jessy-the-martian-girl]

Inspired by and written for RE Rarepair New Year event #RENewYearRarepair2024

Thanks for the idea, @rerarepairmonth 🤗

But if it's not meeting the requirements for the said event, tell me and I'll take the event tag off.

Setting: Resident Evil 4 Remake, first New Year's Eve after events of the game Pairing: Luis Serra x OC: R!Jessy Jonzz Prompt(s): 9 Celebrations (plus 4 - Memories, and 7 – Traditions) ~3k words Warnings: nothing explicit or NSFW The movie they will be watching is The Enchanters, 1982

AO3 link: here

“Let us happily look forward to whatever the new year brings”

When New Year comes, as has been planned, And old year goes away, Catch a frail snowflake quick with your hand And dream on with no delay. With hope, then, hold your snowflake tight, Be careful not to squish. And ask for all that you’d like this night, Dream bravely and make a wish! – The Snowflake, “The Enchanters” (1982, Charodei)

It was supposed to be their first New Year's Eve together. And it also was the first one in a few years that Jessy was truly willing to celebrate with someone and not on her own. Moreover, it was to become a night out as Luis' new colleagues told him about a cozy restaurant with a good festive program for New Year's Eve celebration. An excellent view of the traditional fireworks over the bay and the waterfront included. After checking on availability and some reservation's details, Serra offered his girlfriend this option, and she agreed, partly to her own surprise.

The restaurant was not overly strict about dress code, so Jessy gladly abandoned dresses and skirts in favor of a royal blue pantsuit made of soft and pleasant fabric. It looked great with her winter sneakers too. The girl also decided against any complicated hairdos, opting for clean hair, gathered in a low ponytail with a fancy floral hair clip that was a part of Christmas gift from Luis. It was something she could quickly and easily do without worrying about ruining her looks with a warm hat. And a few loose dark strands with a bit of silver, framing her face, would be just a sweet touch. Her “party” look was complemented by neat red low-heeled shoes, which the girl took with her in order to change shoes at the restaurant.

Luis opted for classic black trousers, a white silk shirt with white embroidery, and black boots. He was also glad that he didn't have to wear a tie of any sort as he had a long-standing and absolute loathing to that element of clothing. And Jessy didn't see his choices as something inappropriate – she didn't try to make him change into something else, didn't act like she would be ashamed to be seen with him.

The event was set to start at 9 p.m. on December 31th, but Luis and Jessy showed up a bit late. Yet they still had an opportunity to say hi to Rebecca and Billy, and even some other colleagues too. That place was rather popular, after all – cuisine, location, music.

“Feels almost like an office party, don't you think?” - Jessy giggled softly, standing on tiptoe to reach the Spaniard's ear.

“Sí, only Leon and Ashley are missing for the full set”, - Luis confessed with a quiet chuckle and led his señorita to their reserved places.

This time they were more of observers than active participants of all the festivities that were on the list for the evening. And if for Jess such behavior was mostly “in character”, for Serra it was more of a forced condition. At least until he'd make a full recovery as whenever he has got too carried away to mind his temporary limits, a reminder from his body was still painful.

So they were simply enjoying the music, the company and the vibe of the place in total – watching all the people who gathered there to celebrate the last night of the “old” year. When they were brought the champagne, Jessy noticed that something was off with the bottle – though it looked almost as ordinary one. The brunette looked closely and then she couldn't help but exclaim in amazement:

- Hey, is it kids' version?!

- Well... yeah, - Luis' voice sounded tentatively, but as he realized that Jessy is absolutely not mad at him, the smile bloomed on his face. - It's barberry flavored. I've thought, it would surprise you and we'll have something for celebratory drink too.

- It's a good surprise, - the girl nodded, laughter sparkling in her voice. - I've never seen such bottles before. Those always had more of a cartoonish label, and this one looks like the real thing.

In addition to champagne glasses they were brought a couple of martini glasses filled with white grapes. And in response to Jessy's curious gaze, Luis told her of an old Spanish tradition for La Nochevieja: “Las doce uvas de la suerte (1), one grape at a time at each chime of the clock, at the stroke of midnight. And it is believed to welcome good fortune in the year to come.”

(1) The twelve grapes of luck

Five minutes before midnight, they've poured their champagne into glasses, took the grapes and moved with all that to the glazed terrace, where they've settled at one of the free bar-tables, ready to welcome the first minutes of the new year. The couple also didn't forget to take a restaurant wool blanket, that was offered to all the guests especially for such occasions as it was still chilly on that terrace in winter.

Instead of bright overhead lights there were festive garland lights with soft golden glow, intertwined with artificial fir paws. Each small table had its unique “snow globe”, of unusual form (like lanterns or pyramids) with artificial candles, imitating the flickering light of real wax candles. All that created a cozy atmosphere of winter charm. And there was also a large screen with the New Year's clock broadcast.

With the first chime of the clock, the couple got onto the task of eating the grapes, mindful of not to choke on those. And succeeding with finishing their share just on time, with the last grape being offered to each other as a treat. Jessy did that on impulse – wholeheartedly wishing that she could share her luck-to-come with Luis, and Serra, even surprised by that sudden turn for this tradition, still returned the gesture.

- I hope it was not something unforgivable, - the brunette quickly whispered, blushing slightly.

- Not at all, - the Spaniard smiled back sincerely, handing over her champagne glass.

With the final chime they clinked glasses, welcoming the new year.

- Happy New Year, mi luz, - Luis' voice was soft as he looked tenderly at his Jessica.

- Happy New Year, Luis, - the girl replied, gently caressing the Spaniard's cheek with her hand.

The sky blossomed with colorful flashes that sometimes were lining up into different patterns, people around were cheerfully exchanging wishes for a good year. Luis and Jessy were kissing, thoughtfully placing their glasses on the table beforehand. Then the Spaniard turned his girlfriend to the glass wall. He remained behind her, putting his arm around the brunette's shoulders and wrapping a blanket around them both. The girl relaxed into his touch, leaning her back to Serra's chest and putting her hand on his arm that rested on her shoulders.

So they were admiring the light show over the bay as if mesmerized. And even after the last spark in the sky went out, they still spent some more time on the terrace as they were so comfortable together. And of course they couldn't skip a chance to have another kiss or two.

The main lobby was noisy with music playing, people dancing and sharing festive spirit with each other. Making it back to their places and taking a few minutes to rest, Luis gently pulled his señorita to the dance floor with a quiet “just once, querida”. Jessy didn't protest and entrusted her partner with the lead role with no hesitation, even though she had danced with somebody only once before. By some coincidence that “somebody” was Luis. It happened in those old mines of Valdelobos, and they didn't even have any music that time.

This time there was music and the dance was only one, but delightful. Jessy had her eyes solely for her Spaniard, smiling at him and almost glowing with pure happiness. She noticed people around them barely enough not to bump into them. A couple of times Luis still had to urgently adjust their trajectory to avoid collision with other dancers. Fortunately, each time was successful.

After the dance ended, Serra escorted the girl to a cozy loveseat in the lounge zone to catch their breath and to get some refreshments, basically just to relax. As they sit down, Luis pulled Jessy into a sideways hug and the brunette put her head on the man's shoulder with a quiet happy sigh, watching through half-closed lids at the people around. It was not her first big and noisy festive party, but this was the first one that she genuinely liked.

No one tried to urge her into “finding a new date” or force her to the dance floor – this time she knew for sure if she had said “no”, Luis wouldn't push for that dance. A big plus was also the fact that no one tried to trick or manipulate her into drinking alcohol or shove a sparkler into her hands. Jessica didn't like those sparkling things since her childhood, when she had got an unpleasant burn on her hand from a stray spark hitting her skin. All in all, this party with - or, more likely, because of - Luis was really enjoyable and fun. And Jessy felt safe with him.

The event was nearing to an end and the couple was readying to leave too. Their apartment was not too far from that restaurant, which was rather convenient, especially in light of transport difficulties, common for the holidays. Luis helped his señorita into her outerwear and put on his embroidered winter jacket, not forgetting to tie a red knitted scarf, that was a part of Christmas gift from Jessica. And as they've changed footwear, the couple went outside and stopped for a while, taking time to appreciate bright street decorations for the season.

- It is starting to snow, - the brunette breathed out with a happy smile, catching the first snowflakes of a new year onto her gloved palm.

- A good omen? - Serra inquired, smiling at this almost childish delight of his girlfriend.

- It's just... I remembered a musical movie from my childhood, - the girl blew the snowflakes off her glove and, holding her fluffy beanie, looked dreamily at the night sky that was generously shedding those little ice crystals of unique forms upon the world. - And that movie had a song about a snowflake...

Jessy frowned slightly, trying to recall the lyrics of that old and kind song and to translate it into a language she and Luis both knew (she couldn't remember the exact translation from subtitles): “And this year that's about to start, will quickly make your wish come true, if this frail snowflake doesn't melt while the clock strikes midnight through and through.”

- And what was the movie title? - the Spaniard got distracted for a moment to respond to the wishes of happy new year from some celebrating passers-by, but quickly was back on the topic.

- “Charodei” or “The Enchanters”, - Jessy waved at the merry company too. - It's a Soviet musical movie about wizardry, miracles of New Year's Eve and about love. If you are interested, we have a DVD at home, though it only has English subtitles. I couldn't find the exact copy with a voice-over, like the one my parents had.

- I'm highly interested, - Luis grinned and offered the brunette a hand, eager to continue their night with an old movie.

They slowly walked in the direction of their home, arm in arm, along the decorated streets, under a light snowfall. It didn't take them too long to get back to their apartment, where they've changed into comfy and warm homewear and got caught - willingly - under a mistletoe (thanks to Luis, it was an easy catch). Also the couple talked to Jessy's brother, who called “from the past year” to wish his younger sister and her brave knight a Happy New Year. After that, they've brought some tangerines and sweets with hot cocoa to the living room and settled down on the couch in front of the TV, turning off the lights, except for the nearest floor lamp and the tree lights.

While they were making all the necessary preparations, Jessy had enough time to share some memories how she's watched this movie with her brother and their parents for every New Year's Eve, since she turned five (2). And how that has become somewhat of a family tradition, that remained even after their parents divorced at her twelve.

(2) Author's whim: the film was originally released in 1982 and it didn't have any special 8mm editions (at least as far as I'm aware of), but for this story it happened about three years earlier and it had such copies distributed

First there was a special shortened edition on 8mm magnetic tape for home movie projector. And it felt like a real miracle for little Jess to watch how her dad was performing “some technomagic” to make a movie appear on a white wall and it even had synchronized sound, not only moving pictures. Apart from that, the girl's memory still held the steady chirping of a movie projector in a dark room and the heat radiating from its lamp (3). The brunette also remembered those square plastic boxes containing film reels, with a mysterious word “DEARME” printed on the covers. The word turned out to be the name for the institution where the film was set.

(3) 12 minutes on how to use such movie projectors Or just 10 seconds of that sound

- You know, those might still be somewhere at Dug's home, - the girl confessed with a soft chuckle. - At least I know for sure that I've seen that old movie projector there.

Then there was a VHS with the full version of the said movie with “correct” name on the cover. And a few years after that, Jessy's brother managed to get the DVD, but the tradition of watching The Enchanters together around every New Year's Eve remained. For Jessica this movie has ever since been associated with her happy childhood memories and with mix scents of pine needles, tangerines and cinnamon.

And right now Jessy was about to let a man she already loved into that part of her life she usually kept well hidden.

Involuntarily, a less pleasant memory resurfaced, revived by their recent gross encounter with Eugene. The guy, who even after seven years from their break-up and his own marriage with some other girl couldn't overcome the fact that it was Jessy who ditched him and not vice versa. The memory brought back the time Eugene was invited to celebrate New Year's Eve at home with Jessy's family, just before that trip to Paris (4).

(4) the story where Luis meets Jessy for the first time, Night Rendezvous

Of course they all were watching The Enchanters with voice-over translation and subtitles for songs. In the presence of Jessica's family Eugene remained politely quiet, but later, as they were left alone, he spoke his opinion in not so considerate words, referring to the movie as “a piece of ancient guano, which no one in their right mind would be willing to watch”.

In the present moment Jessica winced, realizing that she had been too loyal back then and did not scold the guy. Not because of the drastic difference in tastes, but because of the form in which that opinion was expressed. But this time is different, she had to remind herself.

Besides, Jessy was sure that even if Luis doesn't like the film in the slightest, he would make an effort and find the way to put it delicately enough.

Two and a half hours of the film went literally in one breath. The girl still had to clarify some minor details, but in general, the subtitles were sufficient enough for understanding the plot.

“A magic wand that looks like a pencil?”, “He has already given her thirteen watches? And she's still not a collector?!”, “Lost, poor guy...”, “Phoenix? - Well, almost... The Firebird, a distant relative from Slavic mythology”, “Wow, a real witch...”, “So, Ivan is not a wizard, but he's still determined to learn some magic tricks to lift the curse from his bride?”, “And is this an obligatory condition that he can't kiss her first?”, “Wait, so they can have magic at specific and quite real prices? How original!”, “He even started talking!!!”

- How about we keep this tradition? - was the first thing Luis proposed after the closing credits. - It's perfect for New Year's Eve. And songs are great too!

- Sure, - Jess beamed at her Spaniard. - I'm so glad you like this movie.

Her heart fluttered at the memory of how he pulled her even closer and interlaced their fingers at the second part of the chorus for “World Without Any Love” song – most likely, imagining just what the song proposed (5).

(5) Still, the summer gives up to cold winter's taunter, And the frozen earth awaits spring, as before... But there's no need for a -- hear this now, no, I don't want a World where we don't need each other anymore!

They've discussed the idea of their new tradition a bit more, making a few adjustments. Like, if their plans for New Year's Eve don't make any time for movies, they can watch it a couple of days earlier or even later. Agreement reached, the couple stayed on the couch, with no intention to move to their bed. Luckily for them, their couch cushions could be used as pillows too, so Luis simply turned off the floor lamp and covered both him and Jessy with a blanket. They got into more comfortable sleeping positions so that nothing would feel sore in the morning, and Jessy smiled at the sensation of being spooned so naturally.

Another flash of memory brought her the only time she was to a slumber party and was the only person who didn't get any sleep, because somehow she was turned into a human pillow. And it was not a comfortable experience as someone's breath was tickling her neck, someone was drooling on her shoulder, someone's head was lying heavily on her chest and all that was rather irritating.

Now with Luis it was absolutely different. His breath was like a lullaby and the warmth of his body has become her anchor to the real world. Since the first night they've finally started sharing one bed, Jessy felt safe, protected from night terrors and bad memories. And she saw that it was working for Luis too.

They drifted to sleep pretty fast, lulled by the flickering of the golden tree lights in slow-glow mode. And as the “morning” came – the usual morning of New Year's Day that starts around noon – the couple had a light breakfast, stocked on snacks and thermoses with hot cocoa and set off to the snowed park to meet up with Leon, Ashley, Becky and Billy for a walk and, maybe, for a little friendly snowball fight.

[ectogeo-art]

Trick or treat!

(for this ask game)

Lol, thanks for sending this on anon because I didn't want to curse anyone I actually knew with my weird siskarak bullshit but since this is anon I can safely send you a fic about my most beloved cursed rarepair, mwahahaha! <3 Anyway, here's a very rough draft (written today lol, def subject to change) of the start of a Way of the Warrior siskarak fic (working title "A New Suit"):

Just as he finished trying yet again to sell Morn on the concept of Vitarian wool undergarments, Garak’s communicator buzzed against his chest indicating an incoming call. He didn’t get many comms besides his dear Doctor inviting him to lunch (or letting him know he’d be late for the same), but they’d already eaten together today so this was quite unusual. He allowed the call through.

“Mr. Garak,” said Sisko’s voice, “I'd like to see you in the wardroom immediately. Bring your tailor's kit.”

He raised his eyeridges intrigued. Did that mean what he thought it meant? Was Sisko finally taking him up on that offer he’d made a few years ago?

After a stunned moment, he acknowledged the request and closed the line.

His blood pounded in eager anticipation as he gathered his tools from his workbench and packed them into a small case. Measuring tape, pins, chalk, sonic stitcher… He also tucked a few condoms into one of the pockets on the inside.

He locked up his shop and walked down the Promenade towards the turbolift that would take him to the command level, maintaining his usual gait despite wanting to rush to this encounter. The choice of location clearly indicated that Sisko wanted discretion. They couldn’t meet in his office without Garak walking conspicuously through Ops, they couldn’t meet in either of their quarters without it being obvious exactly what they were up to, but the wardroom had multiple routes that could be taken to get to it. Warmth coiled between his legs. He had to admit, he quite liked the idea of being Sisko’s dirty little secret. 

The turbolift whirred. He wondered if Sisko would take him on the table, or up against a wall. Or perhaps in the window, on vulgar display to the stars (and any passing freighter crews who happened to look). 

He stepped into the hall. He felt like he was on the brink of everting already. It had been quite awhile since his last bit of… company. Quark had been the first to hear the rumors of Terok Nor being about to fall under Federation control and, in a low moment, Garak had duly rewarded him for passing along this valuable information. But the experience hadn’t been one either of them was willing to repeat, so he’d stuck to doling out more conventional rewards for information since. And as for enjoyable company… well, that had been longer ago still. 

Garak had never quite been able to give up hope that his dear Doctor would one day let things progress past flirting and take him to bed (and then, ideally, rail him so hard that he’d forget how cold and lonely his existence was, for a moment). But, aside from the incomparable Julian Bashir, Sisko certainly had to be one of the most physically attractive residents of the station. 

Sisko was, of course, just as hopelessly brainwashed by his Federation values as dear Julian, but he certainly didn’t seem to hesitate when it was necessary to momentarily route around such values in order to work towards a future outcome that was more in line with them. Garak found his pragmatism quite refreshing. 

Not to mention that there had always been something compelling to him about power and commands… If Sisko ordered him down on his knees, he would surely drop to them instantly with little regard for the sorry state of his ever stiffening joints. Just look at how embarrassingly fast he’d come running when he’d called.

The tip of his thorn slipped out unbidden. He squeezed his thighs together to keep himself from everting fully. It was a mercy that he hadn’t encountered anyone in the corridors. He was rounding the last corner now…

He entered the wardroom and froze. 

He realized quickly that either his assumption about the nature of this meeting had been incorrect, or Sisko had planned something much kinkier than he’d expected. It wasn’t just Sisko in here, it was nearly the entire senior staff—though no Julian, thankfully. Sisko stood in the center of one part of the room, with all of the others either seated or standing around him. If there was one good thing about this, it was that any of the concerns from a moment ago about everting too early had vanished, as he now felt more confused than aroused. 

When Dax finished rattling off some kind of statistics about fleet movements, Garak spoke up, and everyone turned toward him.

“Excuse me. I hope I'm not interrupting,” he said, hoping for some explanation before he embarrassed himself.

“I'd like to be measured for a new suit.” Sisko said it very seriously, but there seemed to be laughter buried inside of it. The edges of his eyes were crinkled from the slightest of smiles.

Moreover, his words felt like some kind of code, but Garak wasn’t sure for what. What made it all feel even more ambiguous was that when Garak had overtly propositioned Sisko during the Natima Lang business, he’d specifically couched it in terms of fitting him for a suit. Just like Sisko was now asking him for. 

Garak licked his lips. “Now?”

“Right now,” Sisko said. Where Garak was uncertain, he was definitive.

[infinitelycynical]

Your WIP sounds so good!

For the ask game:

⌛️ 🎶 🐀 🍖 🍩 🖋️ ❌

(Sorry if this is too many!)

it is most definitely not too many, i am happy to answer! thank you for the ask :3

⌛️ [Hourglass] How long have you been working on this WIP? since november of last year! there have been periods where i just stopped writing altogether, or have fervently written. i'm in a fervent writing period rn i think

🎶 [Notes] Do you have any other WIP related things, like moodboards, character portraits, playlists or similar? I don't! there is certain music i listen to when writing sometimes (like Lamp Genso by Lamp and 0 by Ichiko Aoba, for example) but I don't have a dedicated playlist for it. i have been thinking of making one, though! a good song to describe this fic is probably 光 by hikaru utada (or simple and clean, its english version, works too). all of the music mentioned is fantastic btw if you're interested definitely listen !!

🐀 [Rat] Name three reasons why this WIP is great at being insert genre here. oh, i'm no good at genre! let's pick romance, since this is the center of the wip: 1. there's a lot of confliction and contrast, between what love is expected to be and what it turns out to be, the ways a person can surprise you no matter how well you know them, hell, the differences in how love is shown in public and behind closed doors 2. our main characters banter a LOT, their banter is something really fun for me to write, and i'm sure it's fun to read 3. they have barriers they need to overcome - the kira case, japanese society, their own hesitations OH and i forgot but also this fic fits the opposites attract trope very well, these two are peak opposites attract

🍖 [Meat] How many fictional people were harmed in the making of this WIP? as of far, two, feelings have been hurt. things will get more depressing in future chapters i am yet to write though, and it will hurt a lot more

🍩 [Donut] What's the weirdest thing someone eats in your WIP? What's the best thing? no one has eaten anything weird yet, but who knows? maybe they'll eat something strange. best thing? yakitori, i haven't had it but it sounds DELICIOUS. they eat quite a bit of barbeque, now that i think about it, but i love steak so 🤷‍♀️

🖋️ [Pen] Describe your WIP in a single, terrible sentence. Local detective fumbles at maintaining an exclusively sexual relationship with his coworker, proceeds to deny making the romantic relationship official for eight months, then fumbles at being verbally romantic.

❌ [Cross] What would your WIP get cancelled on Twitter for? probably the ship! it's a rarepair, and it's not like they have a horrific age gap or a power imbalance or anything like that, it's just rare which might weird people out. i am absolved of shame though and will support it enthusiastically (character development y'all!)

[elisedonut]

very curious about your bill / percy fic :o

OK! So!

that is my Rarepair Fest fic this was the prompt i nabbed

I decided to go with like a timeline based one you know where you just have events from different dates all in order? so its more going to be a bunch of scenes strung together ngl (well that's just a story but still)

anyway i have two of the parts written so far one that takes place a couple days into the Egypt trip from poa and one from the time Bill was tutoring Fleur but before they get together The egypt one so far is almost entirely my wack attempt at smut or well voyeuristic smut. Though i kinda want to add another moment around that time to more develop? i guess Bill's feelings for him but idk yet!

The Fleur part is mostly them talking though and set up for Fleurs feelings and their eventual relationship

I do have another smuttyish scene id like to try to write after Bill gets attacked because i like the idea of Bill's senses and feelings being heightened so i like the idea of despite it being over a year since he left Percy bed/room still smelling like him to Bill's stronger senses also where i want Fleur to make it clear she's known the whole time or something because i Like the idea of her encouraging him to go for it and it ending in a bit of a Fleur/Bill/Percy fic.

And then one for after the wars over thats still very blurry in my mind.

Fic snippet under cut!

Fleur giggles softly before replying, “You must love him very much.”

“Of course I do. He’s one of my little brothers. He’s family.” Bill says plainly as he turns to look at her.

“Well, yes but you talk about him far more than anyone else I must say. I feel like out of all of them I know far more about him than I know of any of the others.” Fleur says simply looking at Bill like she was looking for something, not seeming to find whatever it was though she continues, “I did meet him briefly at the tournament you know? He seemed very sweet. It was nice knowing someone else who thought the second trial was just ridiculous. There's nothing wrong with him being your favourite.”

Bill sputtered for a second before cleaning his throat and trying to appear nonchalant. “You should never pick favourites when it comes to family you know?” He responded but judging by the look Fleur throws his way he isn't sure of how convincing it was.

“Of course, of course.” Fleur responded with a smirk before leaning in close to him and whispering, ”Don’t you worry I'll keep your dirty little secret then, yes?” Bill knows his face is bright red now but hopefully she’ll just assume it’s how close she is to him and won’t question it. Opting to roll his eyes in an attempt at normalcy he tries to urge her back to a more typical safe conversation. The last thing Bill needs is for anyone, let alone someone he’s starting to find himself interested in to figure out just how much a favourite Percy really is for him. He’s going to have to be more careful and try to watch what he says to her he had become far too comfortable.

[sageclover61]

Welcomed Into the Family

Written with myself and @hyrulehearts1123​

@cake-shop-rarepair-bingo​​

Prompts: Sixty-nine

Fandom: Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Chapters: 1

Rating: G

Warnings: No Additional Archive Warnings Apply

Relationships: Xenk & Kira

Additional Tags: Birthday cake, found family, fluff

Summary: When Xenk was brought to Edgin's home, he was not expecting to find the bard's daughter throwing him a birthday party. It was not his birthday, nor was he even close to the age that the number of candles suggested, but it was a heartwarming experience regardless.

Xenk was confused. More than confused. He had not been entirely surprised to see Edgin at the local tavern, but he had not been expecting to be persuaded to escort the bard home, particularly not for reasons such as "Kira made something for you."

He had met the bard's daughter a handful of times since he'd first met Edgin and his unlikely companions in Morbyn's shield the previous year, but he did not think that had lended them towards being friendly enough for her to make something for him.

"Lying might be against your whole you-thing, but if you hurt her feelings, I will smite you," Edgin warned.

Raising an eyebrow, Xenk stared at the Bard. "When have I been known to damage the feelings of a child?"

Edgin rubbed his face. "I  know , but, this was really important to her, okay?"

Sighing, Xenk nodded. "I promise that I will do what I can to keep from upsetting her."

"That's all I ask. Thanks, Xenk."

Nodding once more, Xenk allowed Edgin to lead him into the modest home, Kira eagerly running to greet them.

"I made a cake!"

Xenk's confusion was not lessened by the explanation. If the teenager was just beginning her culinary exploration, then maybe that explained Edgin's insistence that he not hurt her feelings, but he was certain there was still a piece of the puzzle missing.

"A cake?" He questioned, as she dragged Edgin towards the kitchen.

Left in the entryway unsupervised, an answer to his question was not forthcoming.

Sighing, he tried to decide whether he was expected to follow them into the kitchen or if he was supposed to wait.

He was saved from further overthinking by Edgin returning from the kitchen.

"Come on, it's just through here," the Bard called, amusement clear on his face.

Xenk nodded, and followed Edgin back into the kitchen.

He wasn't sure, but he thought it looked a little bigger than the last time he'd been by. Holga and Kira and Simon and Doric were all standing in it already but it didn't feel crowded, somehow. And on the table there was a slightly lopsided cake, too many little wax candles sticking out of the top of it to count.

"I know it's not your birthday, and I know you're older than sixty-nine, but I haven't gotten this spell to work on a larger number of candles yet.” Kira explained, glancing between the cake on the table, and Xenk. “I just wanted to do something for you, since you helped Dad and Holga find me.”

Xenk smiled softly at the girl, as a quick mental tally proved that the number of candles was accurate, and not just an estimation. "I appreciate the thought, regardless of any discrepancies in its execution."  

She grinned. "I've been working on a cantrip. I'll light the candles, and then you blow them out and make a wish. Silently."

In all his long years, nobody had ever decided that they were going to do something like this for him, just because they wanted to.

Immediately, he knew exactly what he wanted to wish for. He wanted more experiences like this one, with this family that somehow had decided that they should include him.

"Does it have to be silent?" he asked.

"Yeah, it does," Kira answered. "Saying it out loud reverses the magic of it."  

Xenk nodded slowly, amusement filling him. He was almost entirely certain that such magic was the thing of make-believe, but he wasn’t about to spoil her fun.

"I was just making sure," he assured her, before moving to stand in front of the cake. "Whenever you're ready, Kira."

Pacified, Kira approached the cake. She made a gesture with her hand and said a word he didn't recognize, and all the candles lit up. It seemed like a waste to blow them out immediately, he thought, watching the flickering of the little flames.

Performing such a spell was no small feat, and she seemed so proud of herself. "Impressive," he praised, enjoying the way the girl beamed. "How long did you practice in order to cast it?"

Her smile grew. "I've been practicing for weeks to get to this many candles! I did cakes for everyone else earlier this month. But now you get to make a wish."

Xenk studied the candles for another moment. They wouldn't have invited him here, for this, if they didn't already see him as part of their group in some way, even despite the fact that his oath and his gods kept him busy most of the time, and away from here. But he wanted it to stay like this, for as long as it would. He blew out the candles, feeling something like a dragon breathing fire over something sacred.

[audriel]

the moon in autumn

Summary: Fang Rui is a male omega in a society that doesn't acknowledge his existence. How would this change things? (an exploration if secondary gender exists in TKA canon universe)

I haven’t written in a long time, I'm feeling a bit rusty. Regardless, please enjoy my humble offering to King’s Avatar fandom and Ye Xiu/Fang Rui rarepair, and my first foray into the omegaverse.

*drops this and runs away*

Also published in AO3

Team Wind Howl ended in ninth this season and failed to make it to the playoffs. Their team captain and ace player Lin Jingyan’s condition was declining due to age. After the duel between him and Tang Hao at the All Star Competition, which he lost, the title of Number One Brawler was no longer his. Their team’s other All Star, Fang Rui, had a strong start, but a weak finish this season. The All Star Competition was the start of his decline. On the other hand, Zhao Yuzhe’s performance was steady all throughout the year, so he won the Best Rookie award. (Chapter 693: Award Ceremony)

Fang Rui stares dazedly at the screen. The word GLORY stares back at him. They won their last match of the season, but it’s not enough for them to make it to the playoff.

“You’ve been working hard, Vice Captain Fang.” Firm hand lands on his shoulder. Fang Rui doesn’t need to look to know who it is.

“So have you, Captain Lin.”

Neither Lin Jingyan nor Fang Rui are the type to dwell in the past. Dirty playstyle requires calm, patience, but most importantly flexibility. It is a lie to say they are not affected with what happened at the All Stars. It is a reminder that time waits for no one. They know this is likely the last season for Criminal Partners, or at least for Demon Subduer as the core and ace player of Wind Howl. They are slowly shifting their focus towards Zhao Yuzhe’s Elemental Mage as the main attacker in their tactics.

However, their rookie’s own style is out of touch with Wind Howl’s dirty playstyle. Lin Jingyan does his best to rein Zhao Yuzhe in and make him cooperate better with the team, to various degree of success, but whatever remaining respect he has left for the captain seems gone after the loss against Tang Hao that he barely listens, especially when he sees more opportunities granted to him. He’s already getting a big head even without having them say anything, so neither Lin Jingyan nor Fang Rui speak up.

This leaves Fang Rui doing the most to connect their wayward rookie with the team, unable to exert his full ability due to the difference in rhythm. He won’t be surprised if there’s more criticism headed his way than Lin Jingyan, which honestly, while it’s not his intention, it’s not entirely unwelcome, if it makes the management consider keeping Lin Jingyan, even as a substitute. He wants to give a better sendoff for Lin Jingyan for his last season in Wind Howl than this season, falling short just one ranking to make it to the playoff, so close and yet so far.

Fang Rui barely remembers shaking hands with the opponents and leaving the stadium, exhaustion is finally catching up with him as they get seated in the bus. Both Lin Jingyan and Ruan Yongbin subtly throw worried looks at him.

“We’re going to Medical the moment we get to Wind Howl.”

“Yes, yes.” Fang Rui doesn’t put up a fight. Admittedly he’s been running himself ragged in being the bridge between the old and new, and between Lin Jingyan and the rest of the team, his condition doesn’t help matters.

By the time they arrive at Medical, Fang Rui is leaning heavily on Lin Jingyan. His captain is the only reason why he doesn’t trip on his feet. Ruan Yongbin would have followed, but he has a team to distract. Doctor Peng is already standing by, quickly ushering them into the examination room. Lin Jingyan helps him lie down on the bed after taking off his jacket. In no time, Doctor Peng wraps his upper arm to check his blood pressure.

“Have you eaten anything?” The dark-haired, glasses-wearing doctor asks.

“Some granola bar.” Fang Rui faintly remembers chewing something.

“How many calories will that make for today?”

“Er…” Now he draws a blank at that.

“Almost 2,000,” Lin Jingyan answers for him.

“I know you didn’t want to miss the playoff, but honestly, good thing you did.” Doctor Peng tells them bluntly. Fang Rui couldn’t suppress the grimace at that.

“Your blood pressure is low, Little Fang. You’re not gaining much weight, either.”

“I’m not supposed to, am I?” Doctor Peng gives him a stern glare at his smart remark.

“You’re still supposed to gain some weight. Male omega body or not.”

“Well, it does make it easier to hide.” Fang Rui smirks lightly, his hand goes to his stomach, where a bump was clearly visible now with the jacket removed. Both Doctor Feng and Lin Jingyan notice how his fingers rub circles over the swell of his abdomen.

“Is the baby moving a lot?” Lin Jingyan looks like he wants to check by himself.

“I’m not sure what is considered a lot, but honestly by now I’m just used to it. The baby is calm and quiet when I play Glory though.”

“... somehow I’m not surprised.” Lin Jingyan sighs, thinking of the parentage of the child.

“That said, I suggest you don’t stay any longer than necessary after you’re finished with your vice captain duties. You’re going to have the child in your hometown right?”

“Yeah.” That reminds him, Fang Rui needs to inform his mother that he’s going home earlier than expected. He could have given birth in Nanjing, not to mention the health facilities and service are more complete and advanced, but he was too high profile in the home base of Wind Howl. His hometown has his blood pack and the doctor whom he has been seeing since he differentiated into an omega. He did go to a specialist for regular checkups, but despite having proven their worth in both skill and privacy, Fang Rui still feels more comfortable with Doctor Jin. Doctor Peng does his best, but ultimately this is beyond his ability. He is merely the team’s doctor, to mainly care for their health in relation to maintaining professional players’ best condition.

“Give me your doctor’s contact information so I can send them your medical information,” Doctor Peng’s tone brooks no argument. “Jingyan, you’re going home with him right? Make sure the kid eats and sleeps well. He needs to look much more alive than he’s right now.” Lin Jingyan, the good man he is, dutifully nods.

“Hey, I’m right here.” Fang Rui protests, but the two Wind Howl most senior members ignore him as the doctor continues listing all the reminders to his beta captain. He leans back to the bed, trying to find a more comfortable position. Even though he doesn’t gain much weight, his back and waist tend to feel sore for a prolonged time.

Fang Rui notices the edge of the skin-colored patch on his wrist gland slightly peeling off. He brings it up to his face, but instead of sticking it back on he peels it off halfway. In the first inhale, he can smell his own sharp, tangy scent of lemon, but at the second inhale, he also detects the faint underlayer of deep, bitter scent of tea. He snorts, in the end, for all his efforts, he ends up getting marked anyway.

***

It was the second to last match before winter break of Season 8, which was later known as the second to last match of Ye Qiu before his retirement. Excellent Era played a home game against Wind Howl. All the top professional players noticed how off Excellent Era had been. The Battle God was still as invincible as always, and yet, their results barely had anything to show. Then there was the public opinion.

It’s pretty well known in the circle that Fang Rui likes to brush his own tag before sleep. Some said it’s narcissistic of him, some others–who know him better–said it’s masochistic of him. He might be the only player after Ye Qiu that attracts so much vitriol from Glory fans. Praises are often mixed with condemnations, compliments with criticisms, adoration with disdain. Not many other players garner such strong and mixed reactions from the fans. However by doing so, he’s realized how far he and his dirty playstyle has come. There was little to no support in his debut, to the point that Lin Jingyan banned the team from accessing social media except for the ones meant for communication between professional players. Fans who showed support or even the slightest hint of it were not treated kindly either. But those who persist, along with Wind Howl that makes it their main playstyle, worth their weight in gold.

Fang Rui doesn’t play for fame and fortune, but he knows he and Wind Howl can last this long because of these loyal fans. Going through the tags, finding the true fans and returning their support are the least he can do to show his appreciation. It also shows him the state of the public opinion, Glory and Wind Howl fans alike. He knows how to toe the line, when to move forward and to retreat, just like his playstyle. He might not care about their approval, but the club does. And he’s Wind Howl’s vice captain.

He was among the few who first noticed the changing opinion of Excellent Era’s captain. It actually started much earlier, back in the seventh Season. There have been sporadic suggestions that Ye Qiu was no longer the indomitable Battle God in the Glory forums. Then there was the fan analysis. They caught Fang Rui’s attention because it repeated the same point despite being done by different users. Those didn’t get much traction and soon disappeared. Fang Rui didn’t give it another glance then.

However, when Wind Howl met Excellent Era in the later half of Season 7 suddenly those online discussions came to mind. Su Mucheng’s Dancing Rain has always been criticized for her overt support of Ye Qiu’s One Autumn Leaf, but in that team competition, he couldn’t help but notice whenever he was prepared for other Excellent Era’s players to cover for One Autumn Leaf, the one who came through was Dancing Rain, even if it was not as effective. It didn’t happen once or twice.

At the realization, he barely restrained the impulse from asking Su Mucheng when their teams shook hands. He wondered whether the other Master Tacticians noticed, because it was such an obvious weakness to exploit, not that it was an easy one. Wind Howl still lost against Excellent Era. He couldn’t get rid of the feeling of wrongness, so he had gestured for Lin Jingyan to go ahead while he aimlessly walked around the dark, silent passages.

Only to find the very person that could provide all the answers.

His figure was shrouded in darkness, with the only light coming from the burning cigarette in between his fingers. His back was to Fang Rui.

Somehow, that day his back looked painfully lonely.

He knew once he made himself known, Ye Qiu would only give his usual smile, as if he was indifferent, unaffected. He would give both praise and ridicule in turns about the game, which would be always difficult to refute because there was no lie in them. Ye Qiu never lied, but he did not tell the whole truth, either. So instead of giving him a chance to, Fang Rui did the most daring thing back then, he peeled off the scent blocker on his wrist gland and let his omega pheromone fill in the space between and around them.

Society might try to shame them for not being a beta, for not being normal, might make him hide his secondary gender for necessity, but Fang Rui will always be proud of being an omega. He doesn’t mind that his nature is to care for others. He likes that his scent can comfort others. His sharp, tangy lemon scent could have mistaken him as a beta, but the faint undertones when it is intended to comfort, to soothe will not be difficult to detect for non-betas.

And Ye Qiu is not a beta.

It is well-known and widely accepted that there is power in pheromones, but at the same time, it’s not desirable to acknowledge the existence of secondary gender, so it is considered proper for everyone to wear skin-colored scent blockers in public. However, considering there are fewer non-betas and not all non-betas have the same sensitivity to pheromones, the scent blockers do little to hide the pheromones for the non-betas who have sharper senses than the others. Fang Rui is one of them. It is also what makes him good at reading people, since he’s attuned to the changes in people’s scent alongside their body language.

There was no visible change in Ye Qiu’s demeanor, but somehow Fang Rui could discern that the other non-beta was initially shocked, before his expression was replaced with something soft and tired and real. Ye Qiu smiled helplessly, slowly reaching out, unerringly towards the uncovered wrist gland.

“Thank you, Fang Rui.” The alpha–something inside him was so certain–gently, so gently, carefully, yet firmly, pressed the patch back on. “You really don’t have to.”

Even when he said so, Fang Rui noticed that he achieved his objective. Something inside Ye Qiu seemed to unravel, to relax, and that was enough for Fang Rui. This was the least he could do.

After that they simply parted ways without further exchange. However, it didn’t stop him from paying attention to Ye Qiu and Excellent Era when he was not studying the opponents he would be facing that week. He didn’t know himself what he was looking for, maybe some change, some improvements? He didn’t even know why he cared so much, either.

Excellent Era qualified for the playoff, unlike Wind Howl. Even then, they were stopped at the quarterfinals by Tiny Herb who eventually won the Championship, which covered up if there were other reasons for Excellent Era’s loss.

Whatever hope he had left for Ye Qiu was dashed with the start of Season 8, Excellent Era was off to a weak start, and the dissatisfaction with the captain was getting louder, more noticeable. The “fans” involved in suggesting that Ye Qiu’s condition was declining were a bit too good, too articulate, even for fans who have above average understanding of Glory. Then there was the timing of the responses supporting and the spread of the opinion.

Fang Rui liked to gossip as much as the next person, but something like this? That there was someone or some people who were willing to go to such lengths to discredit the sole reason that Excellent Era remained relevant despite the supposedly bad performance? And that Excellent Era’s PR team did nothing to stop it?

Fang Rui didn’t entertain the possibility that Excellent Era themselves had a hand in it, and dismissed it as soon as it appeared. But… there was a time that something the “fan” pointed out, that later conveniently happened in the next match of Excellent Era to support their argument. His first thought was to talk about it with Lin Jingyan, to make sure that he wasn’t making things up, but he didn’t even know where to start.

Before he realized it, he had clicked on One Autumn Leaf in the chat group. The empty chat window reminded him that they were not the kind of friends that sought each other out, which actually surprised himself. Because while he might not be as close as the older generations with Ye Qiu (particularly certain chatterbox and Master Tacticians), he didn’t feel distant either. If they were within the vicinity of each other, they would never ignore each other, even if it was only a brief, playful jab. Not many could keep up with Ye Qiu’s trash talk after all. Oddly though, whenever they met offline, they tended to fall into silence. It wasn’t awkward, either.

It was easy, comfortable.

That was why he didn’t think twice of revealing his most closely guarded secret. In comparison, he really needed to think about it before he finally shared his secondary gender with Wu Yuce and Zhou Zekai, whom he later formed a pack with.

His fingers hovered on the keypad, before finally closing the window. He would wait until Wind Howl meets Excellent Era.

Still, nothing prepared him for how bad Excellent Era’s condition was. And bad was understatement.

During the individual matches Wind Howl surprisingly got two points from himself and Zhao Yuzhe. It was the group arena when he really suspected something was seriously wrong. He got the impression that the first two players of Excellent Era didn’t really attempt to accumulate the advantage for the next player, particularly their defending general. One Autumn Leaf won the arena with 12% blood remaining after completing 1v2, and one of them was full-blooded defending Demon Subduer.

It was the team competition that confirmed his suspicions. His ability in spotting opportunities was no lesser than Huang Shaotian, and he saw and took advantage of far too many against a team in their own chosen map. Wind Howl won against Excellent Era, 7 to 3. He and Lin Jingyan exchanged glances by the end of the match, unable to fully bask in their victory.

Fang Rui wanted nothing else but to talk to Ye Qiu, but Wind Howl’s press conference should be after Excellent Era, and he needed to be ready to go anytime for their turn. He actually considered actually making an appointment with Ye Qiu, empty chat box be damned. He was about to do that when they were leaving the stadium.

He was barely taking a few steps outside, leaving the hidden exit, composing a text on his phone when he caught a whiff of a familiar scent, stopping him dead in his tracks. Ruan Yongbin who was walking with him at the end of the group faltered.

“What’s wrong?”

“I think I forgot something in the lounge. I’m going back to check. Can you tell Old Lin?”

“Should I wait for you?” Ruan Yongbin asked.

“Nah. Besides, our hotel is pretty close.” Fang Rui made a waving motion for his teammate to carry on. Ruan Yongbin didn’t argue, they knew the city well enough by now. Fang Rui waited until the other turned his back before going back in. He slowly retraced his steps, frowning imperceptibly when he confirmed that he did smell that particular tea scent that belonged to Ye Qiu. He wasn’t supposed to be able to scent the alpha at all.

He made several turns to a hidden corner which was oddly closer to Wind Howl’s side than Excellent Era’s where the scent was the strongest. A hunched figure was leaning against the wall, an unlit cigarette on their lips.

“Old Ye?” Before he was finished calling his name, Ye Qiu had turned towards him.

“Dirty Fang.” When Fang Rui approached him, he noticed the strangeness of Ye Qiu. There was an odd sort of dazedness, listlessness in the way the other held himself.

“Are you okay?” Fang Rui frowned deeper as he noticed as he got closer it didn’t seem that Ye Qiu removed the scent blockers. He wondered whether he was extra sensitive today or it was something else.

“...I’m not quite sure.” That response certainly made Fang Rui snapped up sharply into attention.

“Let me take you to Excellent Era.” This was no good. Ye Qiu shouldn’t be alone like this in the first place. He felt the urgency to get him somewhere safe and familiar.

“No.” The quiet, firm reply stunned Fang Rui, and he saw the same surprise reflected on the other’s face. The implication was clear.

“Okay then. Let’s go to my place.” Fang Rui didn’t question him further, leading them towards the hotel where Wind Howl was staying. Coming out to the brighter outdoors, Ye Qiu seemed rather flushed. Without thinking, Fang Rui removed his team jacket and put them over Ye Qiu. They were of similar height, so it perfectly covered Excellent Era’s jacket. Ye Qiu could have been easily mistaken as a Wind Howl player, especially since no one knew the face of the Glory Textbook. When he and Ye Qiu passed by the exit designed for the home team, Fang Rui thought he saw more than one reporter hanging around. They didn’t react to their presence, which could only mean they were there for Excellent Era in particular. Fang Rui didn’t think much of it then, more concerned in getting Ye Qiu away, more so with how quiet and docile he was.

Fang Rui expected to feel relieved when they finally entered his single room without encountering anyone, but Ye Qiu merely stood a few steps from the door, hands clutching Wind Howl’s jacket, nose buried into the raised collar. In the silence, he thought he could hear his quick breaths. His heart was sinking when he recognized the signs. He walked in front of Ye Qiu so they were face to face.

“...Old Ye, are you in a rut?” Fang Rui watched his expression carefully. The usual sharpness was still there, he could see Ye Qiu truly assessing his own state.

“...Shouldn’t be.” And yet he was. They stared at each other at the realization.

Fang Rui has an alpha for an older sister, so he knows enough of ruts. He had been with her during her ruts, particularly during the worst of them. Unlike what’s assumed by the public and perpetuated by the media, ruts for alpha and heats for omega are not purely sexual. It can be suppressed–soothed may be the better word–with the scent of their pack in their nest, and better with the presence of their pack, particularly with the omega of their pack. Their sexual urges can be satisfied with closeness and intimacy. A partner–sexual partner or bonded mate–is not necessary to get through the cycle, though definitely more effective.

It can be said that his shamelessness is partially attributed to spending his own heats and his sister’s ruts with her. They’ve learned there’s nothing shameful for being open and vulnerable, for asking for and basking in comfort and reassurance. Their beta parents don’t fully understand this, but it doesn’t stop them from indulging their children, especially seeing there’s no harm in it and if anything, it strengthens their bond as family and pack. It’s an opinion that’s unfortunately not shared by the rest of society. It’s only natural then that Fang Rui tends to hold little disregard of societal standards.

If this was a natural rut, Fang Rui’s best bet was to have Su Mucheng here. She’s a beta, but undeniably pack to Ye Qiu. Faint as it was, he could recognize Ye Qiu’s scent intertwined with Su Mucheng’s natural one and vice versa, in the way typical for pack members to scent each other. However, if this was not a natural rut, bringing Su Mucheng would only endanger her. Fang Rui was growing more sure that this was an artificially induced rut, from the way Ye Qiu’s bitter tea scent got more pungent even through the scent patch he wore and the visibly growing desire shown from the tenting on his pants. Besides the obvious fact that for all he could be so casual, Ye Qiu was the most uncompromising when it came to Glory, he would not be so careless that he would allow his rut to affect the game. Fang Rui was no Master Tactician, but he was quick on the uptake when it came to people and what they were capable of.

Fang Rui’s mind rapidly connected the dots. Changing public opinion. Declining condition rumors. Quiet PR team. Disconnection within the team. Bad performance of the team. Reporters waiting for Excellent Era players, or player.

This was foul play. The worst and most heinous kind.

And it was committed by Excellent Era themselves. To their captain, their founder, and their main reason for achieving their fame and fortune.

Fang Rui was not one easily angered, but he couldn’t help the rage that threatened to choke him.

“Fang Rui… It’s best for you to leave.” Ye Qiu’s voice was hoarse. Fang Rui was sure it took all of him to keep his sanity. No wonder he barely made a move since he got into the room, an omega’s room. Fang Rui’s scent was both what kept Ye Qiu in control and could make him lose it.

A surge of protectiveness came over him.

At that moment, Fang Rui made his decision. First he went to lock the door, putting up a Do Not Disturb sign, then he walked to the nightstand next to the bed. After sending off a message to Lin Jingyan, he put down his phone and opened the drawer. As expected, it was well stocked. He pulled off the scent blockers covering his glands. Even with his back to Ye Qiu, he could sense all of the alpha’s attention narrowing, bearing down on him. He put the thick leather collar on his neck, designed to prevent marking.

“Fang Rui… You…” Ye Qiu’s pupils had dilated by now, his eyes completely dark, his alpha’s instincts were closer to the surface. Somehow Fang Rui dared to approach the alpha on the edge of losing control. He took the beautiful hands that had brought so many victories and earned him the title of Battle God, but could have been easily damaged with how hard he had been clenching it. He placed those hands on his waist instead.

Fang Rui had run through all the options. He could have given him a strong dose of suppressant, but there was a chance it might not work. And there was also the possibility that it reacted badly to whatever induced his rut. He could just leave him be and deal with his rut alone, but considering that this was no natural rut, it was certainly going to be long and painful, and with little to no control, he might end up hurting himself. He could go through it with a partner, but instead of hurting himself, he might end up hurting someone else. This left dealing with the rut alone as the best and safest option. Ye Qiu’s tactical mind certainly came to that conclusion before he could.

However, the Master Tactician didn’t take into account that Fang Rui might be willing to help, to get him through the rut in the most surefire, natural way. Ye Qiu is an alpha. Fang Rui is an omega. If anyone can get through an alpha’s rut safely, it will only be an omega.

Fang Rui had never been with anyone sexually. He didn’t really know what it entailed besides what he had seen and heard. However, he knew enough that the best way to get through it was not to fight against his omega instincts, to let them take over. It was honestly a tall order. Having to keep his secondary gender under wraps and to protect himself, it was almost second nature to him to fight his instincts.

Despite his nervousness, his hands remained steady as he peeled off both of the patches on Ye Qiu’s wrists. He nearly buckled at the strong, heady alpha scent. He slowly breathed in and felt the growing heat in his core. He could feel Ye Qiu’s fingers spasming against his waist while remaining unmoved, frozen in position. It made him realize that Ye Qiu’s was still fighting against his instincts, despite the obvious concession. Fang Rui found himself smiling at the realization. This was not just any alpha, this was Ye Qiu. He was the other person besides Lin Jingyan whom he had willingly revealed himself to.

He trusted him.

Fang Rui held Ye Qiu’s face and captured his lips. His other hand ripped off the last scent patch on the other’s neck. The effect was immediate.

The scent was overpowering, domineering. It completely overwhelmed his senses, and awakened his desire. He could not help the moan that came out from him, which appeared to be the only invitation Ye Qiu needed as he snarled, all restraint gone as he seized his waist in a bruising grip, slamming his back against the wall, prying his mouth open and stealing all his breath. When he finally caught his breath, his wrists were pinned above him, Ye Qiu’s mouth on his throat and his hand roaming under his shirt, their bodies pressed closely together.

Truthfully, Fang Rui cannot recall all the details of that time. All he has mainly is impressions because he has let his instincts completely take over, which now, in hindsight is indeed the best decision. Otherwise, it would have hurt.

Having held back for so long, Ye Qiu wasn’t gentle. He nearly ripped apart their clothes in his haste and barely wasted a moment in burying himself in his soft, pliant body. Omega’s natural reaction towards alpha provided enough lubrication for easy penetration, but it didn’t prepare for the expansion. He remembered his choked off cry, his back arching against the wall, his reflexive resistance as the alpha drove into him, bigger, deeper than he’d had experienced before. Though it quickly turned into pleasure as Ye Qiu fucked him senseless.

At that moment, Ye Qiu was undeniably an alpha, the powerful, formidable Battle God.

Fang Rui was completely at Ye Qiu’s mercy. He could only let him have his way with him.

When Ye Qiu found he couldn’t mark him due to the collar covering the neck gland, it was as if he made it his mission to claim Fang Rui in every way possible. He left no skin unmarked. He knotted him not just once, but twice, while biting the collar hard enough to leave a deep dent in it. Now he thought about it, it was no wonder that the pills didn’t work.

When he finally regained his senses, his body was sore and aching all over, even in the places he didn’t know he could be. He was completely and utterly exhausted and he could hardly believe it when he checked that it had only been two days. Fortunately, they somehow found their way to the bed, so he counted his blessings.

Meanwhile, Ye Qiu was completely dead to the world next to him. It seemed the aftermath hit him hard. Nothing could rouse him. Otherwise, he was completely normal. Taking advantage of his comatose state, Fang Rui dragged his tired body out of the alpha’s possessive hold to clean and refresh himself. Suspecting there might be more side-effects of the induced rut, Fang Rui decided to clean up the room and everything inside it. By the time Ye Qiu regained consciousness, there were no signs of the rut, and Ye Qiu himself only remembered that he suffered an abnormal state, and was brought to the hotel room by Fang Rui, but nothing more. So Fang Rui played along and told him that he helped give him suppressant and checked on him periodically while letting him go through his rut in his hotel room out of the kindness of his heart.

Ye Qiu believed him.

Fang Rui had time to think about it while waiting for Ye Qiu to wake up. What he had was merely suspicions, and he couldn’t share it with Ye Qiu. Because he knows that Excellent Era is not just a club, not just a team for Ye Qiu. Just like Wind Howl for Lin Jingyan.

If it was true that it was Excellent Era’s doing, that Excellent Era’s people are capable of doing this, Fang Rui didn’t want to think how much of a blow it would be for Ye Qiu. He didn’t dismiss the possibility of them hatching another nefarious plan, but he knew Ye Qiu was not stupid, and that he would be more careful after the incident. Considering how close it was to the winter transfer window, Fang Rui gave them time before deciding on the next course of action.

When the news of Ye Qiu’s retirement came out, Fang Rui might be the only one not surprised. He was sad and angry, but also relieved for Ye Qiu. Whatever sense of duty and responsibility that kept him in Excellent Era, he is now free of them. He can do whatever he wants.

Afterwards, Ye Qiu has pretty much disappeared from everyone’s sight. At least, he was not seen anywhere online. Busy with competition, Fang Rui didn’t have time to hunt the wayward Glory Textbook. He could ask Su Mucheng, but he and Ye Qiu aren’t renowned for being close, more so he’s not anywhere familiar with Su Mucheng.

Until he showed up with Lord Grim.

Fang Rui was among the professional players who crowded into the private room in the Arena. He didn’t hide his presence, but he also didn’t bring attention to himself. He was as surprised as the others at the Unspecialized and the Myriad Manifestations Umbrella, but if there was anyone who could utilize them to the fullest it would only be the Glory Textbook. Lord Grim couldn’t be anyone else but Ye Qiu. He couldn’t help the knowing grin to see no hints of the declining condition that Excellent Era used to kick him out. While he was disappointed he couldn’t get a chance to play against Lord Grim, he was certain it was a matter of time to see the Unspecialized ion the professional stage.

With the speculations of Lord Grim’s identity rising in public, Fang Rui sneakily asked about Lord Grim to the Guild department. It was like a dam just broken, before he knew it he got the whole history of Lord Grim and his reign of terror in the Tenth Server. He was very careful not to cackle out loud, because if he were in their place he would have a lot of complaints himself. As the master of dirty play, he truly admired the man’s cunning. But what caught his attention was the fact that Lord Grim started a guild named Happy.

Fang Rui knew the significance of starting a guild. He was of the younger generation, but he had heard the stories.

Ye Qiu was building a team from scratch.

Somehow Fang Rui managed to hide his preoccupation throughout his way back to his room. Locking the door, he reached into the hidden corner in the back of his closet to bring out a box. After a moment’s hesitation, he opened it, revealing multiple slim white sticks in various types and sizes. They were pregnancy test packs, of different brands, and used in different times.

All positive.

Being a professional player, more so as an omega hiding his secondary gender, Fang Rui paid close attention to his body. While physically omega’s body is no less strong and resilient than alpha, as both of them are ultimately the protectors of the pack, omega’s reproductive system is more trouble than it’s worth. Unfortunately unlike their fellow child-bearing counterparts aka beta women, omegas have no safe medicine of sorts they can take to control heats. The only consolation is that their cycles are considerably longer than them.

Stress can delay the estrus, but Fang Rui’s has been relatively stable. So when there were no signs of incoming heat, it only took a week for him to take the test. The result was returned positive, and so were all the following at home test packs he took. By then he was around 8-9 weeks along.

It should be a clear choice.

Fang Rui is currently at his prime as a professional player. Pregnancy and childbirth are likely to affect his state. Even if he is lucky and regains his condition after childbirth, then there’s the matter of raising the child. He cannot and won’t give up his child. His conscience and his nature won’t allow him to, the moment he decided to keep the child.

He shouldn’t keep the child, not if this season would be Lin Jingyan’s and their Criminal Partners’ last.

Then there’s the sire of the child.

Not only did he lie to him that they spent his rut together but the man’s whereabouts were also currently unknown, and even if he found him, what would Fang Rui say? Sorry I lied to you, but we actually spent the rut together, and now I am with your child? Besides, the poor alpha didn’t ask for any of it: the rut, Fang Rui spending the rut with him against his wishes, and then the child.

However, Fang Rui hesitated. He dawdled.

And Fang Rui is no good at denial. He accepted that he was actually considering keeping the child.

The only person he could go to was Lin Jingyan.

As it had become routine, both captain and vice captain of Wind Howl stayed in the training room long after the scheduled time to review their progress, followed by dinner and late night conversation in either of their rooms. The moment Fang Rui suggested his room, Lin Jingyan gave him a knowing look that finally his vice captain would share whatever had been troubling him lately. Fang Rui smiled inwardly, he couldn’t really hide anything from his captain. Being around Fang Rui for a long time, everyone in Wind Howl has picked up that no one goes into his room without an invitation. Only the original Wind Howl team members know that the reason is due to his omega’s territorial nature, which now only Lin Jingyan and Ruan Yongbin are left. When you are invited, it means a display of trust.

For a long time, there was only silence. Lin Jingyan just sat there patiently, waiting for his junior. But still, it didn’t prepare him when it was finally broken.

“I am pregnant.” Fang Rui stared straight at his captain, his teacher, and his friend as he broke the news, belying its truth and seriousness. Lin Jingyan didn’t doubt him, but he wondered how it could happen considering how careful Fang Rui was. For all his playfulness, the younger man was never reckless when it came to his own wellbeing.

“I had a heat partner when it came early.” It was the excuse he gave to Lin Jingyan when he told the team to leave Hangzhou without him when he was actually helping Ye Qiu. Lin Jingyan was no slouch either, he recalled the only time that Fang Rui mentioned having his heat came early and knowing full well that he would not take any random people as a heat partner, he slowly but surely narrowed down the possibilities.

“...Ye Qiu?” Fang Rui’s heart jumped in surprise, though his face betrayed nothing. Lin Jingyan wasn’t sure, but Fang Rui’s reaction said it all. The older man was about to speak, but he paused, looking at him thoughtfully. Fang Rui felt himself sweating nervously, unsure of what Lin Jingyan was seeing. Lin Jingyan’s expression softened, reaching out to his clenched hands. Fang Rui didn’t even notice that he had been doing so unconsciously.

“You want to keep it, don’t you?”

Fang Rui, the man who loved surprises, was for once completely taken by surprise. Only then he realized that he had made his decision, and what he needed for Lin Jingyan was not his advice, but his support. And Lin Jingyang came to that realization before he did.

“I would make sure it won’t affect the game.” Fang Rui assured his captain.

Lin Jingyan only smiled at him sadly, helplessly. The knowledge of non-beta bodies is not as complete and extensive as their beta counterparts. While it is known that omega’s bodies are physically above average, it won’t matter if something goes wrong because of lack of information. More so, Fang Rui isn’t just an omega, he is a male omega. The rarest of them all. The doctors can miss something, or give improper treatment. Something minor can turn out major. The game should be the least of Fang Rui’s worries.

Fang Rui couldn’t help the chuckle, even though it was devoid of mirth. He knew the risks, better than Lin Jingyan. It was the reason why he took so much time to make a decision. His prime for playing professionally happens to coincide with his prime for childbearing. His current age actually has among the lowest risk for childbearing. And admittedly, Fang Rui wants a child of his own.

He had never quite thought about it, but now that it happened, he was unwilling to let it go. This is Fang Rui’s personal, selfish choice. However, Fang Rui is also Wind Howl’s vice captain and Lin Jingyan’s partner.

Lin Jingyan let out a sigh then, giving him an affectionate, exasperated look that was so familiar whenever Fang Rui did anything particularly stupid and careless, drawing trouble to himself. The part of Fang Rui who would always be Lin Jingyan’s junior and student, instinctively prepared to protest and defend himself.

“We’re a pack, aren’t we?”

The words died in his throat. Coming from his first pack leader outside of his blood pack, it meant much, much more. Because it would be them against the world. Fang Rui’s secondary gender in Wind Howl is only known to a limited few, the manager, the doctor/health advisor, and the Wind Howl pack.

Like everything related to secondary gender, pack culture is becoming lesser known, being considered irrelevant in the beta-dominated world, though the word pack is still often thrown around. However, pack is important for non-betas, for their overall safety and health. And Lin Jingyan who was given stern talking to, not to mention the following strict observation by Fang Shijing when he showed interest in poaching Fang Rui from Blue Rain, made himself and all the regular starters of Wind Howl learn of pack culture and made a pack out of all beta men. All the while taking up dirty playstyle as Wind Howl's main playstyle. Fang Rui knows it must not have been easy for Lin Jingyan, but he never showed it in front of him. He has always been his greatest supporter and protector.

This time was no different.

Fang Rui was nearly brought to tears at the acknowledgement and reminder.

"Just promise me this: you will not take unnecessary risks when it comes to your health. We will have the best specialist looking after you. The price doesn't matter, if need be I'd pay for it, so would Yongbin. Whatever the doctor gives you, medicines, vitamins, instructions, you will follow it to the letter." Before Fang Rui could protest, "We'll make them consider that you also need to maintain a competitive state." Lin Jingyan looked at him sternly, brooking no argument. Fang Rui knew better than to argue when his captain and pack leader was like that.

"And you better tell Ye Qiu. It's his child too."

"I have no intention of hiding it from him. Just, I won't tell him now, or anytime soon." Lin Jingyan frowned at his answer.

"Why not?"

"One, I don't know where he is, and I cannot ask without letting Su Mucheng know. Two, he's starting a team."

"You think he's really joining Heavenly Justice?”

"No, not Heavenly Justice. He has established his own guild in the Tenth Server." If Fang Rui understood the significance, Lin Jingyan surely did.

"Then why?"

“In typical Ye Qiu’s fashion, he draws aggro wherever he goes,” Fang Rui snorted.

“Protection?” Lin Jingyan caught on.

“It was two separate announcements. One was about Lord Grim joining the Heavenly Justice guild. The other is about the guild leader creating a team to join the Alliance. People are just connecting the dots themselves.” Fang Rui inwardly sighed at the speculations that Ye Qiu’s retirement was related to Heavenly Justice's future team, as if he had no love and loyalty for Excellent Era. Fang Rui knew better, that was why he was so sure that if Ye Qiu built a team, it would be completely his own.

Happy, was it? The name of the guild in the Tenth Server. Simple, nothing so grand like Excellent Era, but it might be exactly how it was supposed to be.

“So what? You’re… going to wait until he comes back from his retirement?”

“No.” Fang Rui shook his head, “Until he returns to the Alliance. Because he will.” Of that, he had not the slightest doubt.

Creating a team was not easy, Ye Qiu must know that better than anyone else. However, unlike in the beginnings of the Alliance, everyone else would have a head start. He could only imagine the difficulties he would have to overcome. And knowing the lengths Excellent Era went to take him out of the picture, they would be one of them.

A child would only complicate things.

This was his choice, just like his choice to help Ye Qiu’s with his rut. The consequences were his to bear.

Fang Rui absently touched his still flat stomach under Lin Jingyan’s watchful eyes. The older man sighed in acquiescence, he knew when his partner and pack member had made up his mind. Fang Rui could only smile apologetically, but his heart was calm.

***

Fang Rui winces against the bright lights. His vision is slightly blurred by tears. A shadow falls over him, giving him reprieve. His mother’s smiling face greets him, patting his face gently with a towel. His concentration is shot, but he can sense his mother’s well-concealed worry throughout the labor. He can’t really blame her.

It has been a long and difficult delivery. His water broke last night, but until this afternoon he was not fully dilated enough that eventually his doctor decided to induce labor. It’s within expectation considering his circumstances, but it still didn’t prepare him enough for the intense pressure and constant discomfort due to the contractions. When the time finally came, the agony was excruciating, but it was gone as soon as it arrived, replaced with sweet, sweet relief especially when he heard a loud, hearty cry.

“Where?” Fang Rui doesn’t hide his impatience, earning him a chuckle from his mother. This time he can see the relief in her eyes.

“Patience, my dear. Doctor Jin is just getting here with your child.” Right when she says that, he can hear the cries getting closer. Doctor Jin appears with a small crying bundle in his arms, his wizened face crinkled happily, which settles Fang Rui’s heart that there’s nothing wrong with his child. His mother helps with opening the front of his hospital gown to initiate the first skin-to-skin contact.

“Careful.” The good doctor slowly, gently, lowers down the tiny figure on top of Fang Rui’s beating heart and close to his neck gland, his own hand instinctively raised to support the baby, covered by his mother’s hand in the case he hasn’t fully regained his strength.

Like magic, the cries stop. In its stead are adorable contented sounds.

“Oh.” Fang Rui is at a complete loss of words. He is completely enraptured by this living, breathing miracle.

“Congratulations, it’s a healthy girl. She’s smaller than average, as expected, but nothing suggests she won’t grow and gain normal weight.”

“A girl.” Fang Rui repeats breathlessly, tracing his daughter’s features with his eyes and finger, from her already thick dark tufts of hair to her incredibly tiny fingers. Gender hasn’t really mattered for Fang Rui, so he doesn’t know he’s having a daughter until now. He is counting her five perfect fingers when his index finger is caught in firm grasp. He faintly hears a gasp from his mother, not that he is any better. He finds himself looking at her in wonder.

“Hey there.” Fang Rui grins widely, eyes creasing in happiness. “What a strong grip you have.”

“What would be the name on the birth certificate?”

The question doesn’t seem to register to Fang Rui, his gaze remains fixated on his daughter. There was only himself and his daughter. Doctor Jin and his mother exchange knowing glances.

“...Fang Qiuyue.” Finally, Fang Rui speaks up.

“Her name is Fang Qiuyue. Daughter of Fang Rui and Ye Xiu.”

[beautyofsorrow]

4, 7, 11, 18 :)

4. Longest period of time it's taken you to write one fic?

HILARIOUS. i still have not finished longing/love. i started it last fall. i would like to finish it before 2023 is over but turns out it's really hard to write shipfic for a ship you don't ship anymore. or at least do not ship in such a way that it vibes with the way you shipped them in the opening chapters. ANYWAY.

mermaids georg, who has twenty-five years of lore and multiple chapters, is a statistical outlier and should not be counted.

um oneshot-wise i'd say the most amount of typing time i've spent on a thing is....a week? two including rest time + revisions? it gets to be bloodshed (/adhd) if i work on something longer than that. which is another reason why i don't do longfic. i will often rotate a fic in my head for months before actually writing it though, which is a crucial part of the revision process. i go through probably 3-7 drafts in my head before i ever type a word, and it's very efficient. thank u ann patchett for affirming this practice.

7. Is there a character or ship you'd love to write for, but haven't yet?

look. i have built a truly embarrassing amount of una/neera lore. snw 2x02 changed me ok? my ao3 subscribers are not ready for the day i drop that obscenely long oneshot. unfortunately i don't have the energy to write it right now so it just lives in my head rent-free, making noise.

would also love to write the b7 locked tomb au of my dreams but that's never gonna happen because HAHAHAHAHA imagine trying to hold a candle to tamsyn. could not be me.

some day i might go off the self-indulgent rarepair deep end and write jadzia/b'elanna/seven, or REALLY go off and write olivia dunham/seven, but like no one in the world would read a fringe/picard crossover except me so it will probably remain an unwritten mental-stims-only type thing, which is fine because so often those fics are better

11. Share a favourite comment a reader has left you.

"anyway, thank you for the pain. it was very good pain" at the end of a stupendously long comment on my hurt-no-comfort seven/jay fic has got to be the high point of my career. i also laugh daily at the one-liner "i want to put this fic in a blender and watch it dance like a rock." i have no idea what it means but i understand it perfectly. peak comment culture

18. What's your most-used additional tag?

"femslash," closely followed by "friendship," which is how you know i'm an aromantic allosexual dyke

[mottlemoth]

So I’ve been hiding a lot. I’m really sorry. Being back on Tumblr makes me feel like it’s fine to share some of this - I’m sorry if it’s weird to hear - I’m just having a tough time and I need to be honest.

Various things are happening to me in real life at the moment. It’s been one thing after another, and there’s more to come. Usually I turn to fandom for a support structure and an escape from stress, but I’m realising that sense of comfort has been missing from my life for a few weeks now.

I came to OFMD from a small rarepair with a very close and very supportive community. I absolutely wasn’t prepared for the kind of things I’ve experienced in the last few months on Twitter. The OFMD community there has a lot of problems right now, one of the most worrying being a lethal lack of awareness that fan writers are fans. We’re writing for fun, sharing our work for free. But we’re being ripped apart by people who’ve had years of practice at criticising showrunners for creative decisions they don’t approve of. The abuse is largely motivated by jealousy - any author who picks up too much kudos or appears on too many rec lists becomes the next target, and it’s usually cloaked under a false banner of social justice. It’s happening over and over again. It’s transparent and it’s exhausting, and the things being used to justify the abuse are so tenuous that I often can’t believe what my actual eyes are reading. I’ve been accused of misogyny for writing Edward ‘Shoot-The-People-Who-Teased-Me’ Teach as reacting emotionally, therefore “female-coding” him, therefore sexism. I don’t know how to cope in this kind of environment.

I’ve been through endless rounds of coaxing myself to try to relax - to forget about the paranoia and the toxicity, and shut up and get on with writing because I have a duty to finish this fic and everyone’s waiting for the next chapter and if I don’t hurry up and post it then I’ll get Tumblr messages saying “when can we expect the next chapter” and - suddenly I realise, wait. I’m not actually obliged to do any of this.

This is my hobby.

I am 100% allowed to stop doing this at any point I want to.

“But you have a duty to the people who’ve--”

Look, I get that this isn’t something anyone wants to hear, but... no. I don’t. I’m an exhausted thirty-something sitting in her pyjamas after work, having a cry because my hobby somehow turned into a full-time job on top of my already miserable full-time job. AO3 writers don’t have a duty to do what they’re doing. Fanworks are literally a gift of time and energy from a complete stranger. I’d love to be able to ignore the people being abusive towards writers, but I can’t. And, again - this is my hobby. I’m not obliged to ignore the abuse and just get on with the task. If I’m upset, I’m allowed to stop. (Let’s say I joined a knitting club. Let’s say some of the members were routinely vicious and awful to anyone who got “too good” at knitting, and none of the other members ever hit them with any consequences for their behaviour. I don’t have a duty to stick around at Toxic Knitting Club, even if I never finished that pair of socks I started. If the club cares about its own survival, then it needs to make the environment feel safe and welcoming. It can’t just expect people to ignore the nastiness.)

OP, I blanked your name and pfp from this message because I don’t want you to get grief. But I’ve searched for your username in my email inbox, and found that this is the first time you’ve ever spoken to me. You’ve never reached out to chat or be kind or make friends, but you’ve reached out to prod me when you think that I’m being tardy with delivery of your content. Chapters 1 to 43 appeared at least once a week, sometimes twice or even three times a week. Did it cross your mind that maybe there’s a reason why chapter 44 hasn’t dropped yet? Did you think, something must be wrong, maybe I should ask if they’re okay? No, you just came to bang on the vending machine. I’m sorry if this is an uncomfortable lesson to learn, but the writers in your fandom aren’t staff. We’re guests. Tonight, when I get home from work, I have the option to run a long bath, have a cry and play The Sims until I fall asleep, or the option to sit down at my desk and write something for you, even though I might get harassed and bullied for it. You haven’t tipped the scales in the direction you meant to.

I don’t know how to even begin concluding this post.

I’ve been struggling ever since I was dogpiled back in September. I feel very lonely and very tired. Twitter is an awful bloody website and it’s structured around division and argument. I’ve been feeling better since I came back to Tumblr. My breaks at work are now spent scrolling through pretty GIFs or cool meta or funny things about Izzy, rather than drama, and it’s helping. So... I don’t know, OP. Don’t start being like this here. I’m fighting so hard to find reasons to stay in OFMD. Life is rough at the minute, and I want to spend my free time feeling happy and safe with people who see me as a friend, not a vending machine. I’m doing everything a professional writer does, but for no pay, with no protection or support from a publisher, and I’m fitting it around a full-time job. That’s... well, that’s the situation. That’s the situation all your fan writers are in, however well they seem to be handling it. It’d be great if you could reflect on that.

TLDR; this is my hobby, and I work on my hobby when it feels fun.