#''why of course stardust ^^'' (they then refuse to elaborate.)

[riggedbones]

look look look everyone in isat being plural could be something you could just do with canon but it would need to be the focus of a story if you really wanted to get knee deep into it so we'd be making it a modern au. with time loops still. and stuff. siffrin syscovery time loop where the equivalent to beating the king is telling his friends about being plural and then the real answer to the time loops is them slowly figuring out how to get the others to reach syscovery. and loop is there but like as another system in a separate body. to help with the loops of course.

[costellos]

a/n: the Crusaders have a very special place in my heart during the holidays. I finished Part 3 around this time last year, and things were a lil rough then. as a result, I wanted to focus on happier things for this year! so without further ado, here are ya fav globe-trotting boys and their fav holiday traditions.

tw: mentions of death and alcohol in Polnareff’s section.

❥ ┋ ❝ stardust crusaders & their favorite holiday traditions to do with you!

joseph joestar.

Joseph’s favorite holiday tradition is putting up Christmas lights.

the eldest Joestar is really obnoxious when it comes to holiday traditions. while he loves them all, he has a particular affinity for decking out his house in elaborate light displays. it brings him a lot of good memories from when Holly and Jotaro were still young.

that said, he has to get you involved in helping him. he pulls out the biggest boxes from storage and drops them at your feet. despite his being a literal millionaire, it feels very... suburban. not that you mind. you knew exactly what you were getting into when it came to Joseph. that childish zeal for everything keeps you on your toes, and while putting up lights may not be the most fun activity in the world, his boisterous laugh makes you think otherwise.

Joseph’s smiling ear-to-ear as you help him, especially when you set up an LED wire reindeer without his help. but nothing will top that toothy grin when you’re standing side-by-side, right in front of the house, and he plugs in the displays.

the house erupts into a flurry of colors ― blues, reds, whites, greens ― too many for you to count. that LED wire reindeer comes to life, with its head slowly rising and falling. and the trees, all laced with bulbs that mimic stars more than tacky lights from Home Depot, twinkle and dance to the displays around them. it’s beautiful. (and like him, a little obnoxious.)

you feel an arm wrap around your shoulder, pulling you to Joseph’s enormous figure. though his smile is unwavering, his gaze isn’t on the house in front of you. no, it’s on you yourself. for all the sweat and effort you both put into this, his attention still falls back to you. ↳ “haha! there you have it. you have a real knack for this, kiddo. couldn’t’ve done it without you. ...now let’s go back inside, I can’t feel my damn fingers...!” 

muhammad avdol.

Avdol’s favorite holiday tradition is drinking hot chocolate.

though he doesn’t celebrate Christmas, Avdol enjoys the traditions that come with it for you. his personal favorite is drinking something hot after a long day. Cairo may be in the desert, but it still gets quite chilly at night!

he usually opts for tea in the evening (masala chai being his favorite), but he’s starting to warm up to hot chocolate. while American hot chocolate is far too sweet for him, a pinch of cayenne pepper and a little cinnamon makes it more tolerable.

it’s become something of a challenge to get him to drink hot chocolate. it’s not his first choice. sure, he’ll still drink it if you offer, but you’re quick to notice that small grimace as he takes his first sip. you’ve taken it as a sign to make something delicious for him. so you go back to the basics: cayenne and cinnamon. considering Avdol’s distaste for overly sweet foods, you opt to make the beverage out of semi-sweet chocolate. mix it all together with some warm milk, add a cinnamon stick and some nutmeg at the top, and you’ve got the key to Avdol’s heart.

you place it proudly in front of him. this has to be it. you know him well enough to recognize his tastes. yet when he rests his mug against his lips, taking that first sip... you can’t read him. his features are still. 

truth be told, it’s exactly the kind of drink he’d love. damn. you nailed his tastes a little too well. but he's not going to admit defeat. seeing you try so hard to impress him in a desperate attempt to share your culture with him... it’s heartwarming. he doesn’t want it to end. so he sends you a click of his tongue, a sly grin, and the shake of his head. ↳ “it tastes much better, but I think something is missing... why don’t we try to find it together?”

jotaro kujo.

Jotaro’s favorite holiday tradition is eating Christmas cake.

Christmas cake is just a strawberry shortcake. it’s a simple dessert, something that most Japanese families eat around the holidays. Holly’s become a master at baking it. and while Jotaro doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth, he loves Christmas cake.

the only thing he loves more than Christmas cake is his family, though he’d never admit it outwardly. he has a lot of fond memories of eating Christmas cake right after dinner. sometimes if he behaved well enough Holly would sneak him a slice before then. even now he gets a warm feeling seeing all his favorite people together, sharing the fruits of Holly’s kitchen labors.

and because he’s dating you, you’re one of those people, too. the invite is casual; he makes it sound like you can come if you have nothing better to do. so of course you come. you show up at his house, smile in tow, eager to celebrate with him and his own family. (but let’s be real, Holly has adopted you as one of her own ― his family is as much as yours now.)

that same warm feeling creeps up on him as he watches you and Holly bake the cake. you look so happy here, so natural, as if you were always meant to be a part of this household. he won’t smile back at you. no, if you catch him staring, he’ll just dip his head and turn away. you know by now that he’s happy too, however.

when it comes time to eat, Jotaro won’t say anything. he’ll let his mom, Joseph, and Suzie Q do their little pre-feast speech, rambling some bullshit about tradition and midnight Mass. but when he looks back at you, standing there at his side, that warm feeling bubbles in his stomach once more. you belong here. this is where you’re meant to be: right here, with him, placed so perfectly within his own family. ↳ “hey. you know you can come back whenever. being surrounded by all this noise is actually tolerable when you’re here.”

noriaki kakyoin.

Kakyoin’s favorite holiday tradition is exchanging presents.

though his family isn’t Christian, Kakyoin fondly remembers his parents exchanging presents every year. small things, tiny trinkets and letters to express their love for one another. as such, he’s always wanted to celebrate it with someone special. he’d be lying if he said he hasn’t romanticized the holiday.

as such, he’s beyond excited to celebrate it with you. he tries to keep his cool about the whole affair, but his eyes are bright and he refuses to let go of your hand as he pulls you through the streets of Tokyo.

the city is decked out in all sorts of light displays, from hanging icicles to flashy LEDs. mascots line the streets delivering candy canes with advertisements for local restaurants. the smell of chocolate is evident throughout every street you turn on.

but the city is only part of it. a big part of the date, yes, but Kakyoin has the finale all planned out. he brings you to a shrine outside of the hustle and bustle. it’s a bit of a hike and it’s dimly lit, though you figure that’s why no one else is up here. he sits you down on a short bench, short enough for you to be sitting shoulder to shoulder, gazing down at the city below. that’s when he gives it to you:

it’s a small gold box wrapped with a red ribbon. fancy, you think to yourself. with his teasing you to just open it, though, you get to work pulling apart the red ribbon. you’re not sure what to expect. Kakyoin’s not one for brands, nor does he like anything flashy himself. had he gotten you something like that...? yet when you open the box, what stares back is a cassette tape. of course. he’s far more thoughtful than you gave him credit for. ↳ “clichéd, I know. but every time I hear any of these songs, all I can think of is you. I can, ah... I can play it for you when we get back.”

jean pierre polnareff.

Polnareff’s favorite holiday tradition is shopping for presents.

shopping for presents is a melancholy activity. it was a tradition he had with Sherry, to go about the nearest market and pick out the best gifts for their family and friends. she’s been gone for a while now. even still, it hurts all the same.

he’s beyond thankful that he has you. you don’t try to get him to forget about her, but you also don’t let him to wallow in self-pity. you honor her memory, letting him reminisce about better times. likewise, you’re more than happy to accompany him on his shopping trip.

Polnareff is quiet for most of the trip. it’s uncharacteristic of him, and if you’re being honest, a little uncomfortable. though you know he’s doing his best to focus. you can tell from the way his gloved fingers stay laced with yours, his grip tightening just the slightest to remind you that he’s still present. 

you try to cheer him up by getting a spiced wine and offering to share with him. and. jesus christ. his eyes just light up. it’s that cute, couple-y shit that he loves and you did it for him like it was nothing. from then on, Polnareff is a little less mopey. more lighthearted. the Polnareff you know and so deeply love, back at it with his high-spirited self.

he stops you when it’s time to return home. shopping bags rest in his grip, with the faintest tint of red on his upper lip from all the wine. you’re pretty exhausted ― both from shopping and trying to keep him happy ― and he knows this, yet he stops you nonetheless. it’s a quick affair, where he puts a simple, glass heart ornament in your palm, the date written in silvery letters. oh? he must have gotten it when you weren’t looking. ↳ “you’ve helped me a lot today. you know that, vérité? I just... want to remember this day forever.”

[fanfictionquotess]

Rec List: The Umbrella Academy

Part 1  Part 2 I’ve been hit hard by cupid’s arrow and fell in love with The Umbrella Academy. It’s all I’ve been reading this past week. So, I’ve decided to start compiling my rec list now.  Everything listed in this rec list are gen fanfics.  I most likely will only ever read gen fanfiction for this fandom (unless I see a particular Klaus x Dave or Agnes x Hazel fic that catches my interest). In addition, this list only includes completed works. I’m also going to include an all encompassing drug-content warning because Klaus Hargreeves. 

Total Fics Recommended Thus Far: 26 This is my second Rec List, so feel free to let me know what you think of the formatting and whether or not I need to make adjustments (like splitting it up into two parts bc this is more than I expected). 

As always, my inbox is open to rec list requests.

 Is the sadness everlasting? (love, I think it is) by ArmedWithMyComputer

Words: 3161   Chapters: 2    Post-S1

Summary:  A look into what Klaus' newly discovered ability could mean for the siblings.

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Things Aren’t Quite the Same by oscarwildechilde

Words: 6632   Chapters: 1   Pre-S1

Summary: Ben reads to Klaus when the dead get too loud for him to beat. He’s always there for him, and always will be.Ben and Klaus’ friendship and the start of Klaus’ problems.

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Simpler Times by  bucketbarneslove

Words: 5181   Chapters: 1    Pre-S1

Summary: On one of the last nights that the Hargreeves siblings get to be anything close to normal, Klaus suggests they have some fun. His idea? Heading over to the 24/7 doughnut shop and getting absolutely trashed on sugar.

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Ghosts of You(th) by SilvertonguedClotpole

Words: 10,110  Chapters: 1    Post-S1, e10 au

Summary:  It was a mausoleum, and right now it was probably the best chance they had at hiding from those chasing them. But of course, a mausoleum isn't just a mausoleum to Klaus. It was a hell. And his siblings were about to see a true glimpse of what it was like being Klaus Hargreeves.

When they're forced to hide in the cemetery, the siblings get more than they bargained for when they have to fight to remain hidden, and fight to keep their brother from toppling over the edge.

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For the Record by aye_of_newt

Words: 3645   Chapters: 1  Post-S1, e10 au 

Part 1 of Vague AU

Summary:  Diego finds Klaus' police record.

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I know That Everyone Gets Scared by MidnightRavenFromTheClock

Words: 2945   Chapters: 1  

Summary:  What if the Hargreeves siblings did a little better?

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Some have names but most do not (If you find one, please let me know what piece I've lost) by  Brain_Brainson

Words: 3235   Chapters: 1    Post-S1

Part 1 of  Real Names, Fake Names, Chosen Names

Summary:  Five has only been around for a week but already Klaus won’t leave him alone.“You need a name,” he says, hanging upside down from the couch.

“I have a name,” Five says.

Comments: Did anyone say Non-binary!Five?

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I've been searching for my Father (I can not explain why he grows old) by  Brain_Brainson

Words: 5481  Chapters: 1    Post-S1

Part 3 of  Real Names, Fake Names, Chosen Names

Summary:   Despite being the perfect fairytale villain, Five doesn't actually hate their Dad.

Comments: Somehow I missed p2 and need to rectify that immediately In all likelihood it’ll also be recommended.

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Secrets I have held in my heart (are harder to hide than I thought) by  Brain_Brainson

Words: 7732  Chapters: 1      Post-S1

Part 4 of  Real Names, Fake Names, Chosen Names

Summary:  Your Family is caught up in some emotional bullshit and everyone is ignoring each other and it’s making you feel things you don’t wanna feel?Well, what the fuck do you do then?

Comments: I really love their portrayal of Luther.

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Something of a Success by magikfanfic

Words: 3130  Chapters: 1     Pre-S1

Summary:  Klaus is the first to know.

Comments: CW for Major Character Death. In particular, our boy Ben.

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A Little Family Bonding by dirkygoodness

Words: 1954   Chapters: 1

Summary:  Each and every one of them flaked on world-saving as soon as it was out of his mouth.So instead of getting up and being productive Five jumped down to the local liquor store and stole two bottles of whiskey for himself. If everyone else wasn’t going to give a shit, then maybe he’d give it a try too.

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Whatever It Takes by Galliumite

Words: 1033   Chapters: 1   e10 spoilers

Summary:   A One-shot in which the probability map in episode 5 of the show gives a name that Five doesn't want to see. And that leads Five to responding to Luther's threats towards Dolores slightly differently.

Comments: An interesting AU idea. 

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Ordinary by Fourfivesix

Words: 987  Chapters: 1   Pre-S1

Summary:  Klaus wishes he was ordinary like Vanya.

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The Boy At The End Of The World by Devilbaby

Words: 2093  Chapters: 1

Summary:  There's no crying in the apocalypse; water is too valuable a commodity to be wasted on tears and sorrow. The world didn't care about his suffering, so neither did he.

A character study about Five, why he is who he is and why he does what he does.

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Your Father Isn’t Here by GiuGiu

Words: 2388  Chapters: 1    Pre-S1

Part 2 of TUA Kid Fics

Summary:  “We wanted to be bird feeders.” Number Four grinned, leaning over to pick a chia seed off of Number Six’s ear.

“Like the one we made during crafts.” Number Six elaborated, pushing his brother’s hand away from his face. Grace had used last week’s recreation time to make peanut butter bird feeders with her children. She had carefully written the report asking for permission, justifying her choice with data about gross motor skills and basics of biology instruction.

This had not been in her contingency report. She would need to be more thorough next time.Or, raising seven four-year-olds while having limited free will isn't easy.

Comments: Grace-centric and beautifully written.

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Just In Case by starsandsupernovae

Words: 1171   Chapters: 1

Summary:   Vanya and Five are kids and it's cute and happy and then it's not

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Blood Like Lemonade by Ford_Ye_Fiji

Words: 2860  Chapters: 1

Summary:  Hunting high and low to seek revenge, Brand new moral code, got made reluctant renegade. Leaving empty souls when he avenged, Evil spirits flowed he drank the blood like lemonade.

-Five's sordid past comes to light in, quite possibly, the most unpleasant way

Comments: Really cool idea to explore, personally.

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breathe in, exhale (the blood flood) by doc_boredom

Words: 852  Chapters: 1

Summary:  Diego Hargreeves held his breath and counted to five. Not second by second like a normal person would, but minute by minute, until his lungs threatened to explode.

-Also known as Diego Hargreeves carved my heart from my chest and I let him do so willingly.

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show me how to struggle gracefully by Karturtle (karturtle)

Words: 3197   Chapters: 1  Post-S1

Part 1 of you ask me where i've been(like i ask you where you are)

Summary: Ben watches his family as it heals, and starts to do a little healing himself.

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love you without any strings attached by Karturtle (karturtle)

Words: 4739   Chapters: 1  Post-S1

Part 2 of you ask me where i've been(like i ask you where you are)

Summary:   Ben and Klaus have been a pair ever since Klaus was old enough to drag his brother into mischief.

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I’ll never dance again by The Séance (TheHavok)

Words: 322   Chapters: 1

Summary: ONE SHOT, Klaus Hargreeves badly dealing with losing his lover.

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bright by classyfanperson

Words: 1133   Chapters: 1    Pre-S1

Summary: There's no reason Klaus can't have pretty things, even if he has to steal them.

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Every Mountain You Climb Takes Me Further Away by siriuslyrose

Words: 3061  Chapters: 1   Pre-S1

Summary:  In 1989, Sir Reginald Hargreeves adopts seven babies from around the world. By 2007 only one remained.

They all left for slightly different reasons. But for all six of them it was The Monocle that forced them out the door. Ironically, he was also the reason his Number One never follow them.

This is the story of how the Umbrella Academy went from Six (Seven) members to One.

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Elide by Willowcatkin

Words: 484    Chapters: 1

Summary: And even when her home crumbles to nothing around her, no one will hear it. Debris born from grudge that stems deep into its foundation falls. Rocks and ash drift like stardust, muffling and soft like sound through water. The walls that used to block out the notes, amplifying them and distorting their intricately crafted meanings, collapse and fold like the delicate flutter of a butterfly’s wings.  

Comments: One of my personal favorites. I always love characters studies written with such nicely flowing prose.

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And Then There Were None by friedlieb_ferdinand_runge

Words: 1005  Chapters: 1

Summary:   They were all broken in the end.

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if you must mourn (don’t do it alone) by AndreaLyn

Words: 2120  Chapters: 1

Summary:  They're putting the grief in Hargreeves.

or “How the Hargreeves family moved on (except for the one who refused)"