#you don’t want to go on a journey?? you don’t wanna sit in excited suspense until the next part????

[tsauergrass]

Hi! I noticed your comment on gnarfs fic recs and was wondering what are you favourite fics and which you would recommend :)

oH it would not be an exaggeration to say I’ve been waiting for this ask since practically the day I created my blog lol (I’m so excited!!)

I do have a fic rec list sitting in my drafts (tagged forever ago by @rockmarina and still haven’t found the time to complete 😭) but oh dear here we go! In no particular order:

Running on Air by eleventy7

Draco Malfoy has been missing for three years. Harry is assigned the cold case and finds himself slowly falling in love with the memories he collects.

This fic is so beautiful it will break your heart without you even knowing it and you will be left aching for days. It will forever be my favorite fic and it is the most beautiful fic I have ever read—it is the one that brought me into Drarry when I didn’t even ship them! The loneliness is so well captured, the scenes so beautifully described, and both the suspense and the emotional storylines are so well crafted. td;lr: please go read this stunningly beautiful fic I promise you won’t be disappointed

The Lip-Lock Jinx by cassisluna

It's a jinx that renders the victim mute, unless he/she serves the purpose of the jinx and kisses the person that they desire. It's just Harry's luck that he's in love with Draco. HPDM, one-shot, eighth year.

Already fussed over it once but here we are again! Eighth-year fic, Draco is quieter but still witty, Harry is clumsy in his affections, Ginny is brilliant. It’s so soft you will place your hand on your chest and sigh, you will smile helplessly because your heart is brimming with softness. A dose of this fic on a bad day and I promise you will feel just the bit better.

Stop All the Clocks (This Is the Last Time I’m Leaving Without You) by firethesound

Living with Draco was difficult; living without him is unbearable. But if there’s one thing Harry learned from the war, it’s that even when one life ends, the rest of the world goes right on living.

Warning: MCD, it is—oh dear it is the angstiest fic I have ever read. It tore my heart out of my chest and it is so, so good. The writing is beautiful, I love the way Draco and Harry’s relationship progressed, I adore their characterization, how they bicker and care. Harry’s road to recovery is rocky and winding but it is,, so genuine. (I also adore the structure of this fic lol, the two timelines are weaved together seamlessly and it just fascinated me!) This fic will leave the most beautiful scar in your heart but really, if you can afford it, it is so worth it.

Grounds for Divorce by tepre

Malfoy finds a coin. Harry finds a letter.

A story about histories, a story about families. A story about a lemon tree somewhere in Upper Egypt.

This is, like, the slowest slow burn of all slow burns. It’s a bond fic, as you will discover pretty soon into the story—but it proceeds so differently than I ever expected. It is messy, beautiful, winding, Harry and Draco proceed to take the same freakin path two thousand times without ever reaching the destination—but it’s all good, and you see the beauty in the messiness because that is how life is. And when they finally get themselves together it’s just, so sweet you can’t stop smiling and you can feel their happiness, so close to your heart. It’s a slow journey and you have to take it with them if you want to see it bear fruit, and you realize in the end it doesn’t matter how winding the paths are, because you were always going to reach that place. And stay. Like I lie in bed at one a.m. and I think about how Draco and Harry are sleeping together in Grimmauld and I wanna tear up. The prose is beautiful, and messy like the story itself, and I just adore the way everything is described, so authentic, and the way the start of the end is the beginning (no spoilers yes?) Go read it and afterwards sit at the same place for twenty minutes in complete awe and content

The Generation Who Lived by lettersbyelise

In the months leading up to the 10th anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts, Draco Malfoy writes a series of articles about war survivors.

So far, he’s managed to interview everyone he wanted.

Everyone...except his old nemesis, his one-time lover, and the elusive war hero who stubbornly refuses to be featured in Draco’s interview series; Harry Potter.

This fic tackles so many different aspects of consent—and weaves them into the story itself so well. There are many controversial topics, and they were explored with honesty: nothing is shunned, nothing is avoided, there are many voices that challenge what you really think. And these are the best kind of fics, really. I especially love the characterization of Luna, because it is so difficult to get her right—but she is, wonderfully candid in her whimsical way, tripping you over in your own thought. I love Draco and Harry’s story as well, the misunderstanding and the miscommunication—the confrontation, a reminder for a lot of us that being upfront and honest is so so important. The way Draco is neither redeemed nor un-redeemed yet trying in his own way is also very dear to me.

Sharing Different Heartbeats and Let Them Wash Off in the Rain by talithan

Before Harry ever saw Draco’s room, before they ever shared a greasy order of chips or long-held secrets, before Draco’s boss ever tried to chat up Harry, they hadn’t even exchanged mobile numbers. To be fair, Draco didn’t have a mobile then.

*

It’s Harry’s first time in New York City, and he is determined to have a good time. How Draco Malfoy figures into this remains to be seen.

I recently discovered them and just, ahhh. Completely adore them! They are not related, just by the same author. Both are so gentle and it feels as if nothing really important is happening—and nothing is—but the feelings are there all the same, gentle too. It’s like sitting by the window listening to soft rain. The sky is grey, the lights are dim, and you’re not really thinking about anything... just listening to the rain falling...

These are some of my absolute favorites! There are many more, (so many more,) and if you’d like you can check the bookmarked recommendations on my ao3! (It’s a messy, rumpled place but) here are a few of them:

fly like paper, high like planes by harryromper

Harry Potter, Head Coach of the Appleby Arrows, is very content leading a quiet life. He has a doddery old house-elf who makes his breakfast, a team of players who love Quidditch almost as much as he does, and a Kneazle that curls against his damaged leg at the foot of his bed at night. The absolute last thing he needs is a fit, tattooed, and wildly talented Draco Malfoy back from living his life on the margins. Soon he’s dealing with goblins for the first time since the war, traveling to Prague, eating dodgy squid, and maybe, just maybe, accepting that Quidditch, Malfoy, and even Harry himself are still capable of change.

(I love Draco covered in tattoos, Draco with a family in Prague, Harry with disability, Harry and his kneazle, amazing OC’s)

Reigniting Harry Potter (A Task For Draco Malfoy) by QueenofThyme

Harry Potter is depressed and won't leave his house, or his bed if he can help it. Hermione has the bright idea to send Draco Malfoy over, who is surprisingly gentler than Harry realised, and might actually just be able to reignite a spark in Harry...if he stops being an arrogant prat of course.

(It’s a gentle story, I love the ending and the description of Harry’s depression just feels really genuine)

To Hurt and Heal by cassisluna

They say that everybody who gets out of Azkaban comes out a little mad. After the war, Draco Malfoy spends three months in Azkaban. He just wants to go insane in peace, but Harry Potter finds that he, inexplicably, still can't leave Draco alone.

(It’s. Heartbreaking and tender all at once)

Don’t let go by parkkate

When Draco ends up having to take care of Teddy’s new pet, he’s sure the universe is trying to torture him. Little does he know things are about to get so much worse. And of course, it involves one Harry Potter.

(The amount of cuddles is atrocious in the fic, I repeat, atrocious. The depth is also amazing and unexpected)

Take Into the Air (My Quiet Breath) by GuardianMira

Draco is dying of Hanahaki Disease. Serves him right, Harry thinks.

(But this is, like, the perfect Hanahaki disease fic. The perfect blend of angst and tension and relationship development with a heartbreaking, beautiful ending.)

Four Times Harry was Late...and One Time He was Late again by dracogotgame

Title says it all

(FLUFF. LOTS OF THEM. And it’s so clever you want to throw your phone across the room and clutch your heart and AWWWWWW, you’ll know it when you get there)

Talk to Me by Saras_Girl

When the usual channels of communication are shut down, the most surprising people can find a way in. A strange little love story.

(The setting is similar to The Lip-Lock Jinx, so very sweet!)

Slow Hands by eleventy7

Blood, shadows, and paper hearts. The Shadow hunts students, but Draco Malfoy most of all.

(This is,, beautiful. Gentle. Quiet, like when you wake up early before dawn and no one else is up.)

Everything a Word Can Mean and Constant Flux by rockmarina

In a world where magical people are born with the nickname their soulmate will call them by tattooed on their skin... what does it mean that the word on Harry's chest is the thing he hates to be called the most?

*

Harry Potter is the one constant in Draco's life, only each time in a very different way.

(These are just. Soft. Fluff. The first one is so poetic I love it so much, the second one gave me so much Feels)

Inferno by jadepresley

If he was ice then she was the fire, and though he loved her he was quite certain they were destined to destroy one another in the end.

(Okay this one is not Drarry but it will BLOW YOUR MIND. Seriously, the writing is so beautiful, the story so vivid, so strong. It will ring in your mind)

There we go! There are so many more fics I would gladly rec only this post is getting quite long. I would also recommend you check out the rest of an authors’ works if the first one you read fascinates you, you won’t be disappointed!

[maychorian]

Weekly Voltron Fic Recs #54

A little shorter this week. I took some vacation days and did a lot of other stuff besides reading fanfiction, because yeah, ironically, I read the most fanfiction when I’m at work.

Rules: You can find past weekly rec lists here, and non-list recs in my general fic rec tag. Also follow @maychorianrecs for individually tagged posts, the easier to search and reblog. This is stuff I like, and I have a huge bias toward Lance, hurt/comfort, and general fluff, in that order. Gen unless otherwise noted. Please comment on the fics if you read and enjoy them!

Know Yourself by exclamation Words: 28,139 Author’s Summary: In trying to reconnect to the black lion, Shiro makes a worrying discovery: he might not really be Shiro. Suspecting that he might be a clone, Shiro decides to go on a mission back to the Galra science base where he was held captive. He’s not ready to tell the others what he suspects yet, but when Matt catches him sneaking out of the castle, it’s clear he’s not going on this mission alone. Shiro has to find out what was done to him, and if there is another version of him out there in need of saving. My Comments: Excellent exploration of the Shiro clone theory with some awesome plot twists, great characterization, and powerful action scenes. I really enjoyed this a lot.

The Christmas Episode by FunkyWashingMachine Words: 1,422 Author’s Summary: It’s Christmas on the castle ship, and no one loves it more than Lance. To his slight dismay. My Comments: Sweet and funny and just a little angsty. Lance deserves a happy Christmas, for sure.

Precious Cargo by LightPinkTheColorOfMyAura Words: 5,315 Author’s Summary: The team is tasked with rescuing an alien princess. Pidge and the others are not very excited to watch Lance fall all over himself for a pretty girl, so they decide to keep him…busy. When their plan falls through and they find someone unexpected, Lance pulls through like they should have expected. My Comments: Sweet, a little angsty, very cute. I don’t wanna spoil the twist, but it’s good. I enjoyed this very much.

Beacon by glitteringconstellations Words: 21,863 (6/?) Author’s Summary: An emergency mission to answer a distress call wasn’t unusual. The urgency in Allura’s voice wasn’t necessarily unusual, either—she was very much of the mind that Voltron was obligated to answer every single distress callbrought to their attention. Being the defender of the known universe came with a certain number of responsibilities, after all. But seeing the pinched, pale look on both Allura and Coran’s faces when they converged on the bridge was unusual. “The universe is vast even in terms of those planets still yet beyond the grips of the Galra. But…. the distress call came from the Terra Firma Quadrant.” Earth. My Comments: This story is absolutely harrowing, evoking all kinds of horrific things from Earth’s past, but on a global scale. Really, really, amazingly good. Very suspenseful and exciting, and it’s very cool to find a story not quite like any other Voltron fanfic I’ve read. Highly recommended if you can stand some pain.

Breathe by SuperKat Words: 2,192 Author’s Summary: The first wave of panic hits Keith out of nowhere. One second, Lance is “catching him up” on everything that’s happened since he left Voltron, and the next second Keith has a flash of memory – the two of them, walking through this hall, talking and bantering, just like this – and suddenly his breath leaves him. My Comments: I have a soft spot for someone having a panic attack and someone else talking them through, as anyone who has read my stuff will know. This was a great one.

Christmas on the Castleship by slowbronite Words: 1,939 Author’s Summary: The team raids the Space Mall’s Earth store for Christmas decor and subsequently freaks Coran out with the concept of Santa Claus. My Comments: Very cute fic with a slight focus on Coran that I really enjoyed. Happy paladins are always good to see.

War Games by FunkyWashingMachine Words: 2,160 Author’s Summary: The paladins build opposing pillow forts and declare war. Shiro is both liaison and collateral. My Comments: So cute and funny, gah, it’s wonderful to see the kids enjoying themselves. I’m pretty sure Shiro was pretending to be neutral just play off both sides, though, sneaky.

fight in the ring by ebonynightwriter Words: 2,605 Author’s Summary: When a rescue mission goes south, Allura and the team find themselves in a hard situation. // “Wait, Shiro’s the Champion?! Since when?” My Comments: Very cool little action fic.

Geslorp’s House of Terrors by AmnesiaticRoses Words: 6,815 Author’s Summary: Lance is excited when Hunk agrees to visit a carnival-style space haunted house with him. The haunted house should be fun, and Hunk’s reactions should be funny. But Lance forgot to account for the power of technological curiosity… My Comments: Cute fic with my favorite boys having an adventure together. It kind of backfires on Lance, haha.

Plundered Plumage by Quiddity Words: 5,374 Author’s Summary: Something odd crashes to the deck of the ship during a sudden storm. An avian. More common than their siren cousins, but stil rarely seen and never captured. Until now. Captain Sendak wastes no time in securing the exhausted avian, Shiro, intent on handing him over to the Pirate King Zarkon for his own gain. However, Keith, sold to Zarkon as a slave as a child and forced into a life of piracy, just might have trouble sitting back and allowing that to happen. My Comments: Really fun Pirate AU with Keith taking a big, big risk to save Shiro. The fic is short, but the world feels fully realized, and I loved the cameos from the other characters.

Rebuild all your Ruins by BossToaster (ChaoticReactions) Words: 6,074 Author’s Summary: There are consequences to Shiro’s refusal to kill. Pain hasn’t worked on him so far, but another tactic might. My Comments: This is hurt with no comfort, so know what you’re getting into. Awful stuff, but very well-written, as always.

Where the Heart Is by SmolGooDragon Words: 5,153 Author’s Summary: Lance has graduated from the Garrison at the top of his class, and will be leaving for a mission to space in a few weeks. He’s happy to be with his family and everything is going perfectly, but he feels like there’s something he can’t quite remember… like something’s missing. My Comments: Starts out as Lance going home to see his family, but there’s a twist! A good one! I don’t wanna spoil it. Just read the fic. If you like the hurt!Lance recs I typically post here, you will love this story.

Don’t Forget to Call Home by isabeau25 Words: 8,827 Author’s Summary: Just because Keith has decided to join the Blades of Marmora, doesn’t mean the team is going to let him disappear from their lives. My Comments: Absolutely beautiful fic about the other paladins keeping in contact with Keith while he’s away in Season Four. I especially loved Lance here; isabeau25 always writes Lance so very, very well. But everyone else was wonderful too. The end scene, after Keith’s nearly disastrous decision, is especially warm and comforting. So, so good.

Burning Bright by IcyPanther Words: 9,693 Author’s Summary: Last chance, they told him. If this family didn’t work out then it was back to the group home for him. And as much as Keith disliked the foster system, he hated the group home. He’d endure anything life threw at him to avoid going back. But when he meets Shiro, Keith realizes that, perhaps, there’s more to life than just enduring. His world is about to become a whole lot brighter. My Comments: Heartbreaking and heartwarming backstory for Keith and Shiro that matches up with my personal headcanons very nicely. I really felt everything Keith was going through, from the despair to the pain to the dawning pleasure and ultimate joy. So good, so satisfying, I just love it.

Seven Vargas by VelkynKarma for buttered_onions Words: 18,006 Author’s Summary: Shiro has a bad habit of disappearing unexpectedly. But the team really should have anticipated it this time, with him being the most wanted person on the planet. My Comments: This is a thrilling read of the action/adventure type, but with a healthy dollop of pathos, too. Shiro has a really rough time of it, but it was great to see him constantly fighting to get himself free by whatever means he could, and of course the others’ frantic need to find him and rescue was lovely.

Signals From Space by Eastofthemoon Words: 3,814 Author’s Summary: Fame spreads farther than anyone could have known. My Comments: Lance’s family is sweet and funny and perfect, and this is a delightful way for them to find out that Lance is alive. The final chapter was especially heartwarming.

reprise, refrain by obstinateRixatrix Words: 8,180 Author’s Summary: When the castle picks up an Altean distress signal, Allura desperately hopes to find surviving Alteans. She does - just not in the way she was expecting. My Comments: I like the canon version of this episode just fine, but this is also a very fun alternate take, and much easier on Allura’s heart, I think. All of the OCs are delightful.

What Happens Under a Full Moon by imperiality Words: 9,136 Author’s Summary: When Lance accidentally partakes in a new planet’s ritual under their greatest full moon, the paladins have to find out how to reverse his spell. Or, he could have just taken off the mask to begin with. My Comments: Fantastic worldbuilding here, very immersive and enjoyable to read. It’s like taking a journey, traveling with Lance through this exciting festival he enjoys so much. And the solution to the trouble he finds himself in made me very, very happy.

Previously Recced Fics That Updated:

The Purity of Sin (22254 words) Home and a Half (109291 words) As Color Fades Away (217819 words) Gate Keeper (119177 words) Why it sucks to be a snake in space(59933 words)

[searchforthescars]

Little Beast - Chapter 9/9

IT’S HERE!

Real quick, I want to say a big thank you to @bombshellsandbluebells for her tireless editing and encouragement, @thecarstairsheir for listening to me blab about this AU for close to a year and a half, and to @lindseysfandoms, @daisytachi, @maskingtapepoetree and @memorifics for their amazing reviews and tags. It’s alway a sad day when a story ends, but you guys have made the journey worth it.

Also, if you want me to continue the story via a collection of disconnected one-shots (anyone remember The Bunker Diaries? kinda like that...), let me know. I’m not sure I’m ready to let these kids and the small town go just yet, but it’s all at my readers’ behest. :)

Once again, THANK YOU for reading, and enjoy the end.

We pull our boots on with both hands but we can’t punch ourselves awake and all I can do is stand on the curb and say Sorry about the blood in your mouth. I wish it was mine.

I couldn’t get the boy to kill me, but I wore his jacket for the longest time.

Three years and four months later…

“Are you doing it tonight?” Raven asks Murphy under her breath from where she’s perched next to him on one of the diner’s bar stools, letting her bad leg dangle off the edge.

Murphy taps the small, wrapped gift on the counter beside him, nodding slightly. “She can read lips,” he hisses, “so watch it.”

Raven grins brightly, bouncing slightly in her seat. “I’m so excited! But are you sure you don’t want to do it alone, just the two of you?”

Murphy shakes his head. “We’d end up texting all of you anyway.”

Raven laughs. “You’ve both come far since you met. Remember when she hated all of us?”

“I never hated you,” Emori says, sitting on Murphy’s other side. She kisses his cheek. “I just wasn’t sure what to do with you.” [Read on Ao3]

Murphy gently smacks Emori’s hand away when she reaches for her present. “No, Mori,” he says as if she’s a naughty child. “Wait until we exchange gifts.”

“Can I guess?” she asks, lips pursed in a tiny pout. Murphy fights the urge to kiss her.

“No!” he exclaims. “You always guess right and it isn’t any fun.”

Emori smirks. “True. I am good.”

“Damn right,” Raven laughs, and the two high-five over Murphy’s head.

“God help us,” Luna mutters as she passes, giving Murphy a conspiratorial look. Murphy chuckles and grins, the butterflies in his stomach churning.

“Can we exchange gifts now or what?” Octavia shouts over the chatter and the Christmas music coming from Lincoln’s repurposed jukebox, which sits in the corner lit up in red and green. The entire friend group, plus their significant others, Anya, and Lincoln, had drawn a name out of a bucket right after Thanksgiving. Murphy got Octavia, and he’s pretty sure Emori got him, which was surprising, but welcome.

Obediently, the music is turned down and everyone moves tables and chairs to sit in a circle. Octavia sits next to Monty on the floor, and there’s a space between them meant to be filled by someone who will never show up. Harper leans against Monty’s shoulder, her other arm around Lexa. Bellamy, Clarke, Miller and Lincoln sit on the booths closest to the circle, and Luna hikes herself up to sit next to Raven.

“Who wants to go first?” Lincoln asks, barely getting the question out before Anya steps over Monty to give an envelope to Bellamy. “Well, okay then.”

“Consider this your reward for being the diner’s first employee and getting Baby Blake into college. And no, you can’t give this back,” she says firmly, stepping back and watching him tear it open.

“Oh my gosh,” Clarke breathes at the same time Bellamy half-yells, “What?!”

“What is it?” Octavia asks, jumping up to look over her brother’s shoulder. “Holy shit , Bellamy!”

“I can’t take this-” he starts to protest.

“What the fuck did I just say?” Anya grumbles. “You can, and you will. Get your ass in college with that money. Become a teacher and make sure all those kids-” she gestures out the window toward the elementary school, “turn out as good as you.”

She sits down with a decisive nod, and Bellamy thanks her quietly, looking to Clarke, then to Octavia, lost for words.

“You deserve it,” Clarke whispers, leaning forward to give Bellamy a kiss. Bellamy shakes his head wordlessly.

The exchange goes on after that. Octavia appreciates the pocketknife Murphy gives her, though he doesn’t miss the angry glares Bellamy shoots him. Emori insists on going last, so when it gets to her turn, Murphy can already tell that the entire diner is quietly buzzing with curiosity and anticipation.

After she gives her gift, Murphy’s going to give Emori hers. His heart is pounding in his chest, his hands shaking no matter how hard he balls them into fists.

“I got John,” Emori says softly, a laugh in her voice. “And my present is...sort of a big deal, I guess. So get ready.”

She hands Murphy an envelope, then sits back in her stool, biting her lip as he turns it over in his hand.

“Open it!” Lexa shouts, craning her neck. Murphy carefully undoes the seal, then pulls the single sheet of paper out.

“Holy shit,” he breathes, his trembling hands nearly wrinkling the paper. “Is this-”

Emori nods, lower lip trembling as she wraps her arms loosely around her torso. “Flip it over.”

He does. Written in Emori’s distinctive hand is Baby Murphy. 19 weeks. And below it, Surprise, John! It’s a girl.

“Emori-” he chokes out, tears in his eyes. “Holy shit .” He pulls her arms away from her torso and rests his hand over her stomach. There’s no bump yet, but his heart swells with love for the tiny baby that’s there, right under his palm. He can’t tear his eyes away from the ultrasound photo, either, but makes himself when Raven snatches the paper from his shaking hand with a happy shout.

“She’s beautiful,” he whispers to Emori, kissing her temple. “I can’t believe it.”

“Are you upset?” she asks, doubt in her eyes.

Murphy shakes his head. “Never.” He kisses her forehead until her nervous frown smooths out. “I’m going to be a dad!”

“Hell yeah!” Anya, who has seemingly gotten over her shock, yells.

“And actually…” he pushes his present toward Emori and the entire room goes silent as Raven shushes them loudly. “This fits perfectly with my present.”

“Oh?” she asks, face glowing as she beams up at him, obviously relieved that he’s not angry. As if he ever could be. “Does this mean I can finally open it?”

He nods, the nerves threatening to overwhelm him. “Yep.” Please let her say yes.

Emori takes the small package, curiosity calming the adrenaline still rushing through her. She wasn’t sure if the anxiety surrounding her gift was good for the baby, but she couldn’t think of a better way to reveal her pregnancy than surrounded by all their friends. She knew John wouldn’t mind, either, which is the only other reason she had done it.

She carefully unwraps the ribbon tied around the package, watching the ultrasound photo pass from hand to hand around the circle, while all eyes remain on her. Briefly, she wonders if there’s something the others know that she doesn’t, because the atmosphere is too expectant for this to be any ordinary present. Disappointingly, no one’s eyes give anything away.

“Just rip into it, Emori!” Raven says, leaning forward, eyes bright. Emori rips into the paper, tossing it aside to reveal a small white box.

“John, what-”

“Open it,” he says, voice unreadable. Emori does so, and lets out a gasped “oh!,” touching the delicate gold band with one finger. “John, is this-”

When she looks up, John is down on one knee, and the entire room is holding its breath.

“I knew I wanted to marry you three years and four months ago,” he says. Emori feels her chest tighten and tears prick at her eyes. “And I’ve never changed my mind. I want to wake up with you in our shitty apartment and live my boring life with you because you make it less boring. You make it perfect. I want to love you even when - and especially when - you don’t love yourself. I promise to try every day to be the person you think I am, the person our daughter will be proud of.”

He reaches for the box and turns it toward her. “Will you marry me?”

She reaches out blindly, grips the edge of the counter tightly, her thoughts scattering. “I- I don’t have a left ring finger,” is all she can think of to say.

He laughs, more nervously than anything else, and reaches up to pull the ring out of the box. “It’s on a chain, babe. See?”

“You really do think of everything,” she laughs, wiping a runaway tear from the corner of her eye. She reaches for his hand and pulls him to his feet, wrapping her arms around his shoulder. “Yes, John,” she says, sniffling slightly. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

“Thank God!” he exclaims in a rush of breath, bending down to kiss her, then wrapping her in a hug as the entire room breaks out in cheers. When he puts the ring around her neck, she touches it and smiles.

“Finally!” Raven exclaims, throwing up her hands and giving Monty a high-five. “I’ve known about this for months! The suspense was killing me!”

“You knew?” Emori asks, laughing when Raven nods dramatically. “And I never even had a clue.” She looks up at John. “You’re learning the art of the con. I’m so proud.”

“Dude, we love you, but move,” Miller tells him. “We wanna see the ring more than your ugly mug.”

Obediently, Murphy steps aside, staying close to Emori, his hand in hers, as her old family celebrates the start of her new one.

The next morning, she goes to the gravestone she erected for her brother after his cremation and tells him the news.

“Thanks for bringing us here, Otan. To Virginia, I mean.” she finishes. “I owe you one. Actually…” she touches her stomach. “I owe you everything.”

She turns, feet crunching in the fresh Christmas snow, and goes to join John at his parents’ graves.

“Hi, future parents-in-law,” she says to the weathered stones. The smile John gives her is blinding.