#cross posted from FFN

[clearwingedmaven]

So. I did a thing, and one of the oldest Sherlock Holmes fanfics I've written is now on Ao3. If you like the Granada adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, or hurt/comfort, come check it out.

Comments, kudos, favorites, or whatever you can do is deeply appreciated.

Thank you.

[ayukaze]

While I was re-reading through my TyHil stuff during last 2-3 weeks, I was also getting kudos emails for the same fics which I assumed was some kind of bot (it was all guest user) but still since I can't leave kudos for myself, I was enjoying the appreciation since the timing was so perfect. I did think that maybe there is a new reader, but chances of that felt lower than bot interaction lol.

HOWEVER I was pleasantly surprised earlier this week when I did receive a guest comment, a genuine one, so turns out it was not a bot but a new TyHil reader!!

And this was my first TyHil comment in months (edit: I checked, last TyHil comment was 152 days ago), so now I feel like I have to dig through all my stuff to post something on AO3 as a thank you to that reader.

[lunarblue21]

And I am back with a new chapter of CI bk 1! In this chapter, tensions are rising and the herd gets caught in the thick of it. Diego and Peaches' uncle/niece relationship is expanded upon more (so fluffy!), whilst, after the events of Tiger's Heart, Manny finds Diego in more danger than before... what will he do about it? Read the chapter to see! Reviews/comments appreciated. :)

Relevant links:

FFN AO3

[stu-dyingstudent]

Sakura Haruno fic recs: time travel AU

I'm finally getting around to recommending some good Sakura-centric time travel fics! There are plenty of them out there and they can be kind repetitive, but I always eat them up. Typically speaking, I really don't care much for the whole introduction bit at the start where it's the actual process of her being sent back... So just make it past there before you decide whether or not to continue!!! Also, I'm starting to think this list is getting kinda long, so maybe I'll do a second one?

I've been dying to post some of these fics in a list, so please enjoy!

Started: 2024.08.16

Last Updated: 2024.12.02

note: feel free to check out my master list which has a bunch of Sakura Haruno fic recs (all organized)!

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Sakura - lilac haze || ffn/ao3 || M || minasaku || time travel AU || complete

AU. Non-Canon. Time Travel. Please see inside for full warnings. Cross posted on Ao3. On his deathbed he was granted eternal peace and place to rest for all of time. Of course that was not appealing to him. Ever unpredictable to the end he had a counter offer. One that the Sage had to consider. In which Sakura's going to have a rough time. A really rough time.

If there is one thing I want you to take away from this list, it is this fic right here. I kid you not, Sakura is one of the best fics I have ever read. I have never felt so gutted, so heartbroken, so giddy, so stressed, all from one work. It's a masterpiece all while being criminally underrated. The characterizations and storytelling are beautifully done. You feel for the characters and the relationships formed along the way are truly great. Please share this author some love.

Check TWs before hand!!

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The Misadventures of Kakashi and the Girl From No Where - Goldfishlover73 || ao3 || kakasaku || M || time travel AU || complete

When a girl called Sakura seemingly falls in the sky, Kakashi is skeptical. Far more skeptical than the rest of Team Minato are. War is approaching quickly and this strange girl is leaving more questions than answers in her wake, Kakashi must decide where his trust and loyalties lie in a constantly changing world.

Told in the perspective of Kakashi in his youth! Really interesting take and I love how strong Sakura is in this in addition to the fact that we get to see a different side of Kakashi that we aren't used to.

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Anachronistic Drift  - Elesrea  || ffn || gen || T || time travel AU || incomplete

Her plan was flawless. Save Shisui. Save the world. Time-travel, Sakura-centric AU

Sakura spends years training to be sent back in time and save the world from Sasuke. Whilst masquerading as her younger self, she poses as an unofficial ANBU to stay anonymous in her efforts of changing the shinobi world for the better.

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Tourniquet - lilac haze || ffn || T || minasaku || time travel AU || complete

She was his tourniquet. She stopped the bleeding, she stopped his bleeding. She stopped his pain, his despair, his loneliness. She was the first face he saw. She was the first person he trusted. She was the first person to keep his secret. She was his tourniquet. He did not love her. He only loved the idea of her. SakuraXMinato. Time-Travel Fic. Alt. Universe

I quite honestly think this is a hidden gem amongst time travel AUs since I never see people recommending it, but Touriquet is so good! What's interesting here is that it isn't Sakura that's playing with time, but rather Minato. The night of the Nine-Tails attack, rather than dying, he is sent to the future where post-war Sakura is the one to find him and keep the former Hokage alive. It's a delicate situation and one which is kept a secret from many, but through Minato's depression and difficulties with his new life, Sakura becomes a close confident.

Same author as Sakura! I gotta read more of their works

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Armour-Sleeved Single Hit - thatdamnuchiha || ao3 || T || madasaku || time travel AU || one-shot complete

Sasuke always told Sakura she was weak. Even after she trained with Tsunade for years he only had eyes for Naruto whom he considered strong. She would forever be invisible to him no matter how many mountains she toppled. Being a member of Team Seven despite Sasuke’s refusal to acknowledge her meant she got herself into her fair share of sticky situations. Getting stuck a hundred odd years in the past had to take the cake though. But she was just a weak little girl and compared to the shinobi of old she’d be ridiculously pathetic. Sasuke had said she was weak to him – a modern day shinobi who hadn’t been forced into battle after battle like they did in the Warring Clans Era. Obviously she’d be nothing more than a spec of dirt in the eyes of the Founders.

Sakura manages to find herself in founding-era Konoha! While trying to prove that medical ninja are capable fighters she unknowingly gains the affection of Madara Uchiha. After all, the Uchiha find beauty in strength. Super cute read!

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here are the fruits of your labor (would you like a cherry on top?) - snickiebear || ao3 || M || shisaku || time travel AU || one-shot complete

Shisui smiles and it is unlike any smile she has seen before. She cannot remember the last time she had seen a smile. 

Sakura manages to fix everything and now tries to live her life in a past she doesn't know. Shisui is the first to find her and the two of them form a close relationship that continues through her journey of recovery.

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The Moon Knows Best - darth_healer || ao3 || E || madasaku || time travel AU || complete

The Moon has played a cruel trick on Madara. He's still home, but it's not the same. Instead of a tranquil forest, there's a colorful vibrant village. Instead of the cliffside he knows so well, it's a collection of Senju faces, one of which belongs to his good friend Hashirama. And instead of Hashirama, Madara is saddled with a very interesting, pink-haired girl. MadaSaku in which young Madara goes forward through time.

Madara finds himself far into the future where the first to stumble upon him is Sakura. He's such a brat, but his and Sakura's interactions are rather entertaining.

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In the Magic Hour - summersirius || ao3 || E || minasaku || time travel AU || complete

It's not perfect, but everything is beautiful. —Minato/Sakura

A sharingan mishap lands Sakura in the past where she drops down in front of team Minato. With her hope of returning to the present time dwindling, Sakura excepts her new life and tries to make the best of the situation and the new bonds that come with it. The dynamic between Sakura and the older generation is quite refreshing and her mentor relationship with the former team 7 is great.

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Stumble - writer168 || ao3/ffn || gen || T || time travel AU || complete

Sakura wanted to die.Sasori was fine with staying dead.But it seemed fate had other plans for them, because when they both wake up younger with blood pulsing through their veins, they had to remember how to live again.Time Travel AU

Sasori and Sakura are both sent back in time and they try to make a difference in their respective villages. Told in the perspective of both characters, but primarily Sakura. She ends up forming a pretty sweet bond with Ibiki and Genma (which I love) and they help her through some things. Sakura has a rough time

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A Twist in Time - wolf08 || ffn || sasusaku || T || time travel AU || complete

With Konoha on the verge of destruction, Sakura is sent on a last-resort mission to save her world by travelling to the past. Join her in coping with her old body's shortcomings, testing the natural laws of time, falling in love all over again, and rediscovering who she is.

With Sakura frustrated at being back to where she started in her becoming of a shinobi, she begins to train with Sasuke. This time around in her life, her relationship with her brooding teammate doesn't seem so strained. Pretty good read

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Return & Rehash - SpaceNugget11 || ffn || sasusaku || M || time travel AU || incomplete

"You," Sakura snarled with bared teeth. Sasuke gagged for air, clutching at her forearm, but she only pressed harder into him. Her green eyes crackled, and she wished she could burn him alive with the heat of her anger.

Sasuke and Sakura certainly did not end in their last life on goods terms and it is prevalent from the moment Sakura awakens and attacks her teammate.

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An Inch of Gold - KuriQuinn || ffn || sasusaku || T || time travel AU || complete

Team 7 is sent on a mission to investigate a disturbance outside of the village, where they encounter an unconscious girl in a crater. The mysterious Sarada insists she's a shinobi from the Hidden Leaf trying to rescue her teammates. When the team discovers she possesses a Sharingan, things become even more unbelievable. [Part of the Legacy of Fire Series]

Sarada lands herself back in time all while crashing into another team 7 mission gone wrong. An Inch of Gold is in multiple perspectives, but they're all done quite well. Sasuke and Sakura are obviously rather flustered by the situation and the fact they have to deal with it in front of the team makes it quite entertaining.

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These Eyes of Mine (I Can See) - tsukuyue || ao3 || gen || time travel AU || complete

They've lost. Naruto was dead, killed at Kaguya’s hands. Along with him died any illusions of hope that they could win. They couldn’t win, but perhaps they wouldn’t need to. In attempts to stop the Fourth Shinobi War from ever occuring, Sakura is sent back in time to the moment of her birth. Protecting the people she cared about would be much easier if she knew all the facts. OR Where Sakura can see the dead, and Danzō deserves to die.

I'll be honest, I can't remember much, but I do remember that it was really good! I believe a large focus is the Uchiha massacre.

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Trials of Change - Espoiretreves || ao3 || gen || time travel AU || complete

Haruno Sakura made a promise. Looking in the eyes of her Shisou and the reanimated Hokage, she took on the most important mission of her life. Go back in time and try to prevent the 4th Shinobi War. Now, Sakura is back to her 5-year-old body, with all the knowledge and haunting memories of the future. She vows to keep her precious people safe and stop certain events from happening, without altering the timeline too much. The trials her emotions and logic put her through have her questioning her very existence, but for the sake of peace, she has to push forward. No matter what.

If you love Shisui then you'll definitely like Trials of Change. Him and Sakura form the most wholesome friendship ever and try their best in taking down ROOT. A huge cast is present here and the whole thing is just great. It seems as if everyone has some character development lmao.

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Time Flies Like An Arrow - Katlou303 || ao3 || gen || K || time travel AU || complete

Sakura traveled back in time with the intent of changing everything, but something went wrong, and now she's four years old having nightmares about impossible monsters and losing friends she has yet to meet.

I always like the ones where Sakura isn't fully aware she time travelled. I find it interesting in this fic to see how oblivious Sakura is to her situation, she's a four year old in mind and body. However, she still feels the need to make a difference in the lives of the people around her.

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cut the head off the snake - itsthechocopuff || ao3 || T || time travel AU || complete

when eighteen-year-old, post-war Sakura is thrown back into her tiny, pre-Academy body, she makes a decision. she'd had a childhood once already, and this time, she's more interested in Not Dying when the inevitable shit hits the proverbial fan. so she will work harder, care less, kill more, and smile when she's done.and hey, if she ends up reviving an extinct nature transformation to attract the most corrupt, power-hungry man from her timeline, all the better for her, right?

Sakura decides that her first order of business after traveling back in time is to infiltrate ROOT and that's exactly what she does. Sai, Shin, and Shisui are all great characters and team Ro is present as well. Very good!

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The Danger of Smudged Storage Seals - bluemingqueen || ao3 || M || kakasaku || time travel AU || complete

Sakura should have known that Naruto taking an interest in seals would lead to disaster.

In hindsight, maybe she should have looked to see if the piece of paper she’d pressed a chakra-laden finger to was the explosive seal or the slightly smudged miniature storage seal containing all of her shinobi registration documents.

Perhaps one of my favourite kakasku fics and this was just recently completed too! Genin Sakura is sent back in time due to a faulty seal and maybe it was for the best? She ends up joining Team Minato and forms some great friendships in addition to a super sweet parental relationship with Minato and Kushina. There's a really good balance between training, missions, goofing around, heartfelt moments, etc.. I think the author did a fabulous job with the characterizations as they all feel accurate and unique to themselves. Also, fuinjutsu-user!Sakura??? Yes please! Slow burn kakasaku where they are both immature idiots

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A Second Chance - Invisibleninja12 || ao3 || T || sasosaku || time travel AU || ongoing

A 15 year old Sasori turns up in the Leaf Village almost one year after Sakura defeats him (in canon). Not knowing what to do with this young, (semi) innocent Sasori, Sakura hides him from the world.

A teenage Sasori somehow manages to land himself 20 years in the future and he isn't quite sure what to make of it. Sakura feels she owes it to Lady Chiyo to help out (a bratty and emotionally constipated) Sasori and ropes Sai into assisting. I've really been enjoying A Second Chance so far and I really love that Sai has a large role!

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Q: Do you guys like my little comments? If you look at my other lists you'll probably notice that I tend to reuse some of what I say (bc I'm lazy), but for the most part I try to add something new whenever I put a fic on a list. I know that descriptions aren't always very helpful, so I like to put a little something for y'all to get a better idea of what to expect!

Send me recs if you have any!!!

[destinationtoast]

Have you ever done an analysis of which fandoms are most dominated by a single ship?

I hadn't done so before. I just took a quick pass at doing so, but only among the biggest fandoms on AO3 as of Jan 2024 (ones with over 10K public works at that time). I sorted them by the size of their biggest ship relative to the size of the fandom. This gives us a bunch of very big fandoms with a high % of works tagged with a particular ship:

The raw data used to make this graph, including the corresponding biggest ships, is available in a spreadsheet here, or at the end of this post.

A few notes:

This is based on January 2024 data. Some things may have changed!

Not all these works are necessarily about these ships. Especially in the cases where the ships are canon, they may often be tagged as background ships.

There are undoubtedly many smaller AO3 fandoms that have higher percentages devoted to the top ship.

I removed some highly overlapping fandoms (e.g., Good Omens book fandom).

This is AO3 data only, and (as always!) AO3 does not represent fandom overall. In particular, ship popularity tends to vary A LOT by archive/platform. See some past cross-platform shipping comparisons from 2019 (comparing het vs. slash vs. gen on Wattpad/FFN/AO3), and 2014 (comparing popular ships from HP, SPN, and Sherlock on AO3/FFN). One highlight:

Raw data:

Fandom | Top relationship | % tagged with most common ship

Shameless (US) | Ian Gallagher/Mickey Milkovich | 92.5%

Phandom/The Fantastic Foursome (YouTube RPF) | Dan Howell/Phil Lester | 92.1%

Good Omens (TV) | Aziraphale/Crowley (Good Omens) | 83.8%

9-1-1 (TV) | Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV) | 79.2%

Hannibal (TV) | Will Graham/Hannibal Lecter | 75.6%

Shadowhunters (TV) | Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood | 75.1%

All For The Game - Nora Sakavic | Neil Josten/Andrew Minyard | 75.0%

Inception (2010) | Arthur/Eames (Inception) | 74.0%

The Old Guard (Movie 2020) | Joe | Yusuf Al-Kaysani/Nicky | Nicolò di Genova | 72.2%

Hawaii Five-0 (2010) | Steve McGarrett/Danny "Danno" Williams | 71.9%

The Mortal Instruments Series - Cassandra Clare | Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood | 71.2%

IT (Movies - Muschietti) | Eddie Kaspbrak/Richie Tozier | 71.1%

陈情令 | The Untamed (TV) RPF | Wang Yi Bo/Xiao Zhan | Sean | 70.9%

X-Men (Alternate Timeline Movies) | Erik Lehnsherr/Charles Xavier | 69.6%

Yuri!!! on Ice (Anime) | Katsuki Yuuri/Victor Nikiforov | 66.3%

Supernatural (TV 2005) RPF | Jensen Ackles/Jared Padalecki | 66.0%

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018) | Adora/Catra (She-Ra) | 63.9%

Deadpool - All Media Types | Peter Parker/Wade Wilson | 63.6%

The Witcher (TV) | Geralt z Rivii | Geralt of Rivia/Jaskier | Dandelion | 63.1%

Our Flag Means Death (TV) | Blackbeard | Edward Teach/Stede Bonnet | 63.0%

[olderthannetfic]

I think there's some strange nostalgia and romatization of what fandom was like during the good old LJ days or forum days, and I don't know if its collective amnesia or what but people were extremely rude even then!

There were harassment campaigns, doxxing and review bombing the fics. Rude comments on the fics were way more normal than they are now.

Sure fandom was way smaller in scale you could be in a small space where everyone knew each other and that was nice but it doesn't mean all the nasty stuff wasn't there.

With fandom growing and becoming more don't wanna say mainstream but less cringy to participate in of course the problems grew but lets not pretend that stuff was all rainbows and sunshine back in the day too.

We just gotta accept that fandom is like this. People take things extremely personally because naturally they are fans and people act defensive and people will cross boundaries because they will feel their love for the blorbo is justifying them to be rude to a stranger on the internet and also lets not pretend that people assigning moral values to other fans based on the ships is also a new thing.

Those are not new problems and they will continue being the problems. This is how it always has been.

I'm not saying this to say "suck it up and deal with it" but also thinking that if we got back to LJ days things would magically be better. Nah, they won't be people are still people and fans are never normal about things (I say this as a fellow not normal fan of things)

--

The difference is that people who were posting their fic to a locked LJ com (as opposed to FFN or something) could count on a moderator kicking people from the com entirely and thus cutting off their source of fic if they were too much of a jackass.

Woe to the person who was hated by the mod of the main com or mailing list before it!

[expanding-hyrule]

Expanding Hyrule Fic Archive

This is a collection of works and their links wherever they're uploaded. If you have a work you'd like to be added to the list, please reach out to the blog or reblog this post with the link to get it added!

For full archive lists on platform, check out our AO3 collection. This post is only archival, to keep the list from being too long, summaries are omitted for space.

Works by @abbyz-elda

A Link To The Stars (AO3) (In collaboration with @coffebits) A Link To The Stars: Constellations (AO3) (In collaboration with @coffebits)

To Fall In Love With a Goddess (AO3)

Works by @advocaado

A Conviction to Save (AO3)

Works by @/Allendra

Bright as Night (FFN)

Fighting Fate (FFN)

Works by @alternate-triforce

Good Morning (AO3)

Works by @amelias-calamity-quintet

Goddess of Secrecy (AO3)

Mark of a Hero - Part 1 (AO3)

Restoration Age (AO3)

Cinders of Life (AO3)

Day After Destiny (AO3)

A Taste for Adventure (AO3)

Works by @/andrhars

The Hunt (AO3)

Works by @avoicefromthedesert

A Voice From the Desert (AO3)

Works by @/batneko 

The Weekly Hyrule News (FFN)

Works by @batrogers

The Prince of Hyrule (AO3)

Works by @/beepboprobotsnot

Way of Courage (AO3)

Works by @/AzrealTheStoryteller

S.T.T. (AO3)

Works by @botwriter

Blooming in Adversity (AO3)

Works by @/CrazygurlMadness 

Fighting Gravity (FFN)

Works by @crownedcrusader

Cloak and Dagger (FFN)

Works by @daeyumi

Cycle of the Stars (AO3)

Works by @deiliamedlini

Unbroken (AO3)

Alone With You (AO3)

Into the Dark (AO3)

Works by @drsteggy

Uneasy Lies the Chosen of Farore (AO3)

Works by @fablesfables

The Legend of the Three (AO3)

Works by @haste-waste

The Baker and the Seamstress (AO3)

Works by @/jclbs 

Desert Blight (FFN)

Works by @justapixelthing

Remnants of the Past (AO3)

Works by @karama9

All That Hurts Us (AO3)

Hero (AO3)

No More. Not One Single Time More (AO3)

Works by @ixtaek

A Crossing of Stars (AO3)

Works by @ladyhoneydee

Too Old to Keep (AO3)

Works by @/leadernovaandthemacabre

On the Shores of Change (AO3)

The Temporanaut (AO3)

The Fruitcake Campaign (AO3)

Works by @/LeilaEditer

Reality (FFN)

Works by @/LiliansMalice

Make a Wish, Make it Count (AO3)

Works by @louwhose

Lock and Key (AO3)

Fall Under Your Spell (AO3)

The Final Hyrule (AO3)

Works by @loz-untold-myths

The Mage's Lantern (AO3)

Falling Into Place (Stone Fate Pre-Story) (AO3)

Stone Fate (AO3)

The Princess's Heart (AO3)

Works by @mistresslrigtar

Captain Link Araki and the Harbinger of Destiny (AO3)

The Hero and the Princess (AO3)

I Belong To You (AO3)

Works by @/nolandsman

Legacies and Bloodlines (AO3)

Words by @omegaalpha01

Restoration of Faith (AO3)

Works by @/pagankeith

Ancestral Links (AO3)

Works by @palmolli

Shadows of History (AO3)

Works by @pastelsandpining

petrichor and bones (AO3)

Works by @pelicanpig

On My Honor (AO3)

Works by @pocketseizure

The Ritual of Lomei Labyrinth (AO3)

Works by @raginghummingbird

What It Means To Be Chosen (AO3)

Works by @railtracer30

Guarding Zelda (AO3)

Works by @RandomButLoved

Break The Wheel (AO3)

Works by @reallybadgirlcovention

Depths of the Darkness (AO3)

Works by @/ReBuggy 

The Legend of Zelda: Song of the City (AO3)

Works by @ro-blaze

Vessels (AO3)

Works by @/RoughInTheDiamond

Linkubus (AO3)

Works by @/Scarlet_Curls

The Magic Awakens (AO3)

Works by @shadow-djinni

Path of the Infinite (AO3)

Works by @sillysonata

Missing Hero (AO3) (In collaboration with @fithesworddweller & @lilyhatesthenumber4 )

Works by @/SkyLeaf

And the Clouds Parted (AO3)

Works by @sparkspsps

Princess Link: Engaged to my sister's kidnapper??? (AO3)

Works by @spicymcbean

Western Hyrule (AO3)

Works by @/Split Infinitive

The Wondrous Adventures of The Righteous Maximus (FFN)

Works by @stinkyguar

The inconsistencies of fate (AO3)

Works by @tnc-n3cl

The Tale of the Realm Walker (AO3)

Works by @transmascgerudo

The King's Lament (AO3)

Works by @the--voided

Void's Grasp (AO3)

Works by @webhead3345

The Hero of the Dunes (AO3)

Works by @zarvasace

The Hand That Holds The Sword (AO3) (In collaboration with @batrogers, @seatrisa, @shinobi-addiction, @toyouhellohowareyou, @nopenototdaysatan, and @firesidoni)

Works by @zeldadiarist

The Golden Chain (AO3)

Works by @zeldaelmo

Inspiration, Illusions, and other Inconveniences (AO3)

The Promise (AO3)

Works by @zeldaseyebrows

In the Blood (AO3)

[aquaquadrant]

Hello! I have been asking ao3 authors why they joined ao3 and who else to ask!

@watcheraurora told me to ask you!

So how did you join ao3 and is there anyone else I should ask?

…. why DID i join AO3 in the first place omfg…

for reference, i joined A03 in may of 2015. which is. an actual decade ago holy fuck. some of the first things i posted were for the walking dead video game (still a beloved fandom of mine), penn zero: part time hero (one of my many old niche cartoon fandoms from my early tumblr days), and star wars rebels (a permanent rent-free tenant of my brain). before that, i was on fanfiction.net where my very VERY earliest works were for i think danny phantom and percy jackson and the olympians. they were, uh. rough and i don’t think they exist anymore hagshdha but that was all part of the journey 🫡

honestly even some of the old stuff on my A03 makes me wince but i look back on that time in my life fondly and wouldn’t dream of deleting any of it.

ANYWAY if i had to guess, i joined A03 bc ppl in the fandoms and fanfic communities i was a part of were talking about it and i got curious. i’m pretty sure i lurked for a bit before deciding to cross post my works, which then quickly turned into A03 only after ffn declined.

[jrob64]

Exacting His Revenge

- Chapter 3

I apologize for the long wait for this chapter. To reward you for your patience, I will give you another chapter after this one, for a total of 4. (You would have gotten it anyway because I am apparently just too wordy)

Happy birthday again to @kmomof4 and thank you again to @hookedmom for betaing this story.

Story Summary: When Hook sees an opportunity to finally get his revenge on Rumplestiltskin, he seizes it, putting him in the company of Emma Swan. A season 2 canon divergent story.

Rating: M (for eventual smut in chapter 4)

Words (Ch. 3): 6666

Posted on Tumlr - Chap. 1 Chap. 2 and also on ffn and Ao3

Story found under the cut

*********

As the ship got closer to Storybrooke, Hook noticed Emma frequently glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. When the lights of the town appeared on the horizon, he saw her draw in a deep breath, turn, and walk toward the steps leading to the helm. Slowly climbing them, she looked up and met his gaze.

“Is there something I can help you with, Love?” he asked.

“I was just wondering…what do you plan to do, now that you killed Gold?”

He chuckled lowly. “I’ve been wondering that myself.”

“Technically, you’re still under arrest. Now we’ll have to add escaping from jail to your charges.”

Hook reached up and scratched behind his ear. “Probably another assault charge, too.”

She widened her stance and crossed her arms. “What did you do?”

“I may have knocked your father unconscious with a pry bar.”

Rubbing her forehead in irritation, Emma sighed, “You’re a walking menace, you know that?”

“I couldn’t just sit in that concrete brig, while you were off by yourself with the bloody Dark One.”

Her eyes shot up. “You broke out of jail because you thought you had to save me?”

He dipped his head in a slight nod. “Aye.”

“Why?” she asked, disbelievingly.

“I knew what the crocodile was capable of doing. He would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. Even though he needed you to help him navigate his way to his son, you were disposable once you found him.”

“You think he would have killed me? Knowing I had a son waiting for me back in Storybrooke?”

“He killed Milah knowing she had a son. Why would you be any different?” He watched her mull over her question. When she didn’t say anything else, he asked, “Do you think Baelfire will stay in Storybrooke?”

She shrugged indifferently. “I don’t know.”

“Do you wish for him to stay?”

“I don’t, but if Henry does, I guess I’ll have to accept it. First, I have to figure out a way to tell Henry about him, though.”

“You haven’t told him about his father?”

Her face scrunched into a grimace, something that Hook found to be quite adorable. “I sort of lied to him about Neal. I told him his dad was a firefighter who died saving people from a burning building.”

“Why did you do that?”

“Because I didn’t think there was a chance in hell I would ever see Neal again. And also because I didn’t want my kid to know his father was a lying thief who abandoned me.”

Hook glanced at Bae, still sitting beside his father’s body. He was glowering at them and Hook wondered if he had heard what Emma said, or was simply angry seeing Emma talking to him.

“The lad seems to be quite adaptable. I’m sure once he hears the whole story, he’ll understand.”

“I hope so,” Emma sighed. “The thing is, it’s already complicated enough trying to juggle his time between me and Regina. If Neal is added to the mix, I’ll get to see Henry even less.”

“He does have a right to see the boy, though, doesn’t he?”

“Yeah. It’s not like Neal abandoned him, too. He didn’t know I was pregnant when he took off.”

“You don’t think that the two of you, for the boy’s sake…”

“Not a chance!” Emma snapped. “Look, a lot has changed since Neal and I were together. I’ve matured and I’m assuming he has, too. But the only feelings I have for him are…well, they aren’t anything close to love, let’s put it that way.”

Hook nodded, trying to keep the happiness he felt about her declaration from showing on his face.

“I don’t know why I’m telling you all of this,” she said. “I guess I just needed to blow off some steam, and you happened to be available.”

“I’m very happy to oblige, Swan,” Hook assured her.

Emma shifted her gaze forward and saw they were rapidly approaching Storybrooke. “If you want to sail away once we get Gold’s body off the ship, I won’t stop you,” she said conspiratorially.

“Why, Sheriff, do you intend to set your prisoner free?” he asked, a teasing lilt to his voice.

“I’m just saying that since you don’t have any reason to stay in Storybrooke…”

“Ah, but I do have a reason, Love.”

Emma’s brow furrowed. “You do?”

“You promised to join me for dinner, remember?”

Her mouth dropped open. “Are you telling me you would give up your chance at freedom just to keep our deal?”

“A gentleman keeps his word, and as I told you atop the beanstalk, I’m always a gentleman.”

“You know I’ll have to lock you up as soon as you step foot off this ship.”

“And you know I won’t stay in that cell.”

“Seriously?”

“Pirate,” he said smugly.

“Are you going to dock the ship, Hook, or are you two going to keep making eyes at each other and let it crash into the pier?” Baelfire asked, his tone venomous.

“We don’t make eyes,” Emma said, rolling hers.

“Coulda fooled me,” he grumbled.

Hook began giving directions to the two of them, as he guided the ship into a berth. Emma was quick to follow, but Bae purposely lagged, earning him some sharp words from the captain.

Once the ship was tied off, Emma pulled out her phone. “I’m calling my dad. Hopefully, he can arrange transportation for Gold’s body as quietly as possible. I don’t want Belle to find out about his death until I get a chance to tell her.”

Hook and Bae stood on either side of her as she spoke to her father. When she ended the call, she looked from one to the other. “Are you going with me to talk to Belle?” she asked Neal.

“I thought you were going to take me to meet our son.”

“Not tonight. It’s late and he’ll be in bed.”

“But I…”

Emma angrily planted her hands on her hips. ���Neal, if you want to meet him, you’re playing by my rules, got it?”

He stared at her for a few moments before dropping his eyes. “Fine. I’ll come with you to talk to Belle and wait until tomorrow to meet Henry.”

Pivoting to face Hook, she said, “You can stay on your ship tonight. If you’re still here tomorrow, I’ll deal with you then.”

“I look forward to it, Love,” he smirked.

If the look Baelfire gave him could kill, there would have been another body joining Gold’s on the deck.

*********

Hook lay in his bunk, staring at the ceiling of his cabin and replaying the events of the day. It should have been the most satisfying day in his long life. Milah’s murderer was finally dead and the darkness was permanently dispelled. Milah was avenged, her soul could rest. For the first time in hundreds of years, he should be able to sleep peacefully.

Then why was he so restless?

Oddly enough, the stabbing of Rumplestiltskin and his subsequent death weren’t foremost in his thoughts. It was his interactions with Emma Swan - every word, gesture and facial expression - which were keeping him awake. She was under his skin and he didn’t know what to do about it.

He felt guilty about the direction of his thoughts. Ever since that most horrible of days, he mourned his Milah and promised anew that he would love her until the day he finally died. Sometimes he sought female companionship, but it was only ever for a single night, never with the same woman twice, and never on his ship. He didn’t want to besmirch the love he and Milah had for one another by bringing another into their bed. Now, he was lying here, his mind filled with images of a lass whom he longed to know better and whose heart he had decided to win.

“I’m sorry, Milah,” he whispered into the darkness.

Knowing sleep was going to continue to elude him, he sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Grabbing his flask off of the nightstand, he took a healthy swig and savored the familiar burn down his throat. Then he got up and lit the lantern on his desk. If he couldn’t sleep, he might as well read.

He gave up after ten minutes. Sighing, he slammed the book closed, then donned his leather duster and ascended the ladder. He walked the decks of the Jolly Roger, rubbing non-existent smudges from her highly polished railings, double checking that her sails were folded correctly, and trying to convince himself that she was the only love he needed in his life.

The problem was, his heart wasn’t listening to logic.

Sleep didn’t come until an hour before daybreak. Thankfully, he didn’t enter REM sleep, so he wasn’t able to determine which woman would appear to him in his dreams.

*********

It was almost noon when Emma made it back to his ship. “Still here, I see,” she called up to him from where she stood on the pier.

“I assured you I wasn’t going to leave.”

She eyed him critically. “Are you alright? You look like hell.”

“Why, thank you very much, Swan. How kind of you to notice.”

“I thought you would be the happiest person on Earth, now that you’ve finally gotten your revenge.”

He shrugged. “Perhaps the day was too stimulating to allow me to sleep well.” Seeing her about to speak again, he cut in. “Where is Baelfire this morning?”

Emma closed her eyes and shook her head disgustedly. “I already regret bringing him here. He’s driving me crazy, asking to meet Henry.”

“You haven’t introduced the two of them yet, I take it?”

“No. Henry was at Regina’s last night and was off to school before I woke up this morning. Neal thinks I should pull him out of school. I keep telling him I want the chance to talk to Henry first, but he’s really pushing it. I managed to sneak away from him while he and Belle were making arrangements to bury Gold.”

While she was talking, Hook was making his way down the gangplank to stand in front of her. “I have no doubt you will stand your ground against him, Love.”

“I know. It’s just…things were good between me and Henry since Mary Margaret and I got back to Storybrooke. Now I have to tell him I lied to him and I’m afraid he’s going to hate me.”

Hook’s mind flashed to Baelfire’s reaction when he discovered the drawing of Milah in the captain’s quarters. His words were full of hatred and betrayal. To this day, he hadn’t forgiven him. Hook certainly hoped Henry wouldn’t react the same way.

Hoping to divert Emma’s worries, he asked, “How did Belle take the news last night?”

“Just as you would expect; she’s devastated. She was relieved to know that Gold found his son before he died. We didn’t tell her Neal was furious with his father for killing his mother and refused to forgive him. I’m assuming Belle didn’t know Gold’s role in Milah’s death.”

“Do you think if she did, she would have ever become involved with the bloody demon?”

“No, probably not. Belle tries to find the best in everyone, but hearing that bit of news might have been too much for even her.”

“You told her the, uh, the circumstances of his death?”

“Yeah. Let’s just say you’re definitely not her favorite person. She’s still recovering from the gunshot wound you gave her and now you killed her boyfriend.”

Hook grimaced. Thinking of the Dark One as someone’s ‘boyfriend’ turned his stomach. Not wanting to think about Rumplestiltskin anymore, he changed the subject. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit this morning, Swan?”

“I have to take you back to jail. Everyone in town knows you’ve returned. Letting you go free after you shot someone isn’t going to sit well with them.”

“Even though I rid your fair town and the world of the Dark One’s power?”

“The people in town don’t know that yet. Belle isn’t planning to tell them until after Gold is buried. I’m sure the news will leak out soon. Until then, I don’t want Leroy running around town yelling, ‘Killer on the loose! Killer on the loose!’”

Reaching around behind her back, she extracted handcuffs and held them up between them.

“Again?” Hook sighed. “You’re really into this, aren’t you?”

“Standard procedure,” she explained. “Hand and hook behind your back.”

With a dramatic display of reluctance, he did as told. They walked down the pier and onto the beach, then over to the squad car in a moment of deja vu.

On the way to the sheriff’s station, Hook asked, “How is your father, Swan?”

“He has a headache and a good sized lump on his head, but he’ll be fine. You’re not his favorite person, either. In fact, you don’t have many people on your side in this town, which is why I figured you would take the opportunity to leave when I offered it to you.”

“There’s only one person I wish to have on my side, Love. I couldn’t care less about anyone else.”

She glanced at him in the rearview mirror. “You’re really adamant about having that dinner with me, aren’t you?”

“I would never have allowed the bloody crocodile aboard my ship if you hadn’t agreed to that. I fully intend to collect what is owed to me.”

“You might have to settle for Granny’s takeout in your cell, while I eat at my desk.”

“I believe the deal was dinner on my ship.”

“Yeah, well, you might be locked up for quite a while, depending on what Regina says.”

“What does Regina have to do with it?”

Emma pulled up to the station, put the car in park and turned it off. Twisting in her seat, she said, “We don’t have a court system in Storybrooke, so the mayor decides on punishment for crimes. That’s the way she set it up during the curse and we never changed it. Considering the fact you killed her mother, I doubt Regina will be lenient toward you.”

“Regina and I had…an understanding before the curse was cast. I’m sure she will consider that.”

“What sort of understanding?” Emma asked.

Hook leaned forward, putting his face close to the divider between the front and back seat. “Let’s just say we also had a deal. It took a while, but I finally kept my end of it.”

Emma’s eyes widened. “You made a deal with Regina to kill her mother?”

“The two of them never had what you might call a close mother-daughter relationship.”

“Just when I thought I heard it all,” Emma mumbled, unbuckling her seat belt and opening the car door.

After releasing him from the back seat, she walked him into the station, her hand gripping his elbow. Upon entering the main area, David rose from the desk, strode across the room and punched Hook in the face.

“Dad!” Emma yelled.

“That’s for the last time we met,” David said, shaking his hand slightly.

Hook licked his bloodied lip before replying, “I thought you might be a bit more genial, considering I brought your daughter home safely.”

“You knocked all the genial out of me when you hit me with that crowbar.”

Emma led Hook across the room, removed the cuffs, unlocked the cell and gestured for him to enter. Dabbing at his lip, he walked in, winking at her as he passed. It might have been his imagination, but he thought he detected the hint of a smile on her face.

She slammed the door closed, then turned as an afterthought. “I almost forgot. Give me your hook.”

“If you want to hold something, Love, I have a perfectly good hand,” he offered slyly, holding up his hand and wiggling his fingers.

She huffed, but he saw the corners of her mouth turn up again. “Just hand over the hook, funny guy.” As he twisted the hook out of the brace, she added, “And while you’re at it, give me whatever you used to pick the lock last time.”

“I thought you didn’t care if I escaped and sailed away, Swan.”

“You said you wouldn’t leave until I kept my part of the bargain.”

“Ah, yes, our dinner together,” he said, glancing toward David as he said it. His reaction to Hook’s statement didn’t disappoint.

“Your what?” he shouted.

“Calm down, Dad,” Emma said, rolling her eyes. “I had to make a deal with him so he would agree to bring Gold back to Storybrooke. It’s just dinner.”

“On my ship,” Hook contributed.

“On his ship?!”

Emma threw Hook a frustrated glare, before turning to her father. “I’ll say it again - it’s just dinner. And it’s probably not going to happen anytime soon. Regina will have to decide what to do with him. In fact, I need to go to her office to bring her up to speed.”

David checked his watch. “I’m supposed to be over at the cemetery in ten minutes to guard against anyone going in while they’re burying Gold.”

Emma sighed. “We probably shouldn’t leave Hook alone. Can you get Leroy to come over and keep an eye on him again?”

“Is that really necessary?” Hook asked.

David narrowed his eyes at Hook for several seconds before picking up the phone.

Turning back to Hook, Emma stated, “Guess that answers your question. Now, hand it over.”

With a dramatic sigh, he passed his hook through the bars into her waiting hand. She accepted it, then held up her other hand. He threw her his most charming smile, but she just tilted her head and speared him with another meaningful glare. Reluctantly, he reached into his pocket and removed the long hairpin.

As she accepted it, she asked, “Why do you have this thing, anyway?”

“As you can imagine, managing all of these buttons one-handed is quite difficult, so I use that to help pull them through the buttonholes.”

“I think you missed a few,” she murmured.

“Ah, so you’ve noticed,” he cheeked.

She turned away, but not before Hook saw the blush that colored her cheeks. With a satisfied smirk, he crossed the cell and took a seat on the cot.

David left before Leroy arrived, giving Hook some time alone with Emma. “Do you have a preference of what to eat for our dinner together, Swan?”

“You’re awfully presumptuous, thinking you’ll be out of jail anytime soon.”

“I did Regina a favor by killing Rumplestiltskin. I have a feeling she’s going to take that into consideration when she decides my fate.”

“People in town love and respect Belle. They won’t be happy if you get off scot-free for shooting her.”

Hook scuffed his boots back and forth on the floor. “I do feel bad for shooting the lass. I’m glad I only wounded her.”

“At least you’re remorseful,” Emma remarked.

Before Hook could respond, Leroy burst into the office. “I’m here, Sister,” he blustered. Walking straight up to the bars of the cell, he spouted, “No funny business. I’m watching you, Pirate.”

Hook stood and sauntered over to stand in front of him, “Yes, Dwarf. That should deter me from any malfeasance.”

“I don’t know how long I’ll be gone,” Emma said.

Leroy and Hook continued glaring at each other for several seconds, until Leroy broke eye contact to say, “Charming didn’t tell me why he isn’t able to be here. Is he out on a call?”

Emma and Hook exchanged a quick look. “Um, yeah. Something like that,” Emma mumbled vaguely.

“Well, as long as one of you is back by dinner time. Granny will run out of bacon for my burger if I get there too late.”

“It looks like you could afford to forgo dinner now and then,” Hook muttered.

“Behave yourself, Hook,” Emma cut in before Leroy got a chance to respond.

After she left, Leroy sat down and began swiveling in the chair, keeping an eye on Hook. “So, I’m assuming you followed Sheriff Swan to New York after you knocked out her father?”

“You must be the smart dwarf,” Hook said, resuming his spot on the cot.

“Then how are the two of you back, but there’s no sign of Gold? Did you leave him in New York?”

“I have no idea of the Dark One’s location.” He wasn’t technically lying. The darkness dissipated, but he didn’t know where it went.

Leroy crossed his arms over his chest. “You expect me to believe that?”

Hook shrugged. “It makes me no difference what you believe. I went to New York to ensure Swan’s safety and as you can see, I accomplished that objective.”

Leroy leaned forward, narrowing his eyes. “Are you sweet on the sheriff?”

Hook very deliberately laid down and turned toward the wall, his back facing the dwarf.

“Because if you are, you’re never going to get her,” Leroy continued. “Her parents and most of the town won’t allow it. She’s too good for the likes of you, Pirate.”

Hook closed his eyes, trying to go to sleep so he wouldn’t have to listen to the grumpy man any longer. It didn’t work. Even though Leroy stopped talking, the last words he said kept replaying themselves over and over in Hook’s mind.

She’s too good for the likes of you, Pirate.

*********

Word of Gold’s death did indeed leak out, and soon the entire town was aware that they were free of the Dark One forever. Besides expressing their condolences to Belle, they didn’t show any signs of sadness over his loss.

Neal was greeted with trepidation. Granny reluctantly offered him a room at the boarding house and reassured the townspeople that she would keep an eye on him. If he showed any inkling of being like his father, she wouldn’t hesitate to use her crossbow.

Regina stopped in at the sheriff’s station the day after the ship arrived back from New York. After telling David she needed to speak to Hook privately, she stepped in front of his cell and glared at him through the bars.

“Your Majesty,” he drawled. “Or should I say ‘Madam Mayor’?”

“Is it true you’re responsible for my mother’s death, Hook?”

“Where did you hear that?”

“Word gets around. Now answer the question.”

“Aye, Love. I finally carried out your noble request.”

“Once the curse was cast, the request was null and void.”

“I wasn’t made aware of any alteration in plans or any changes in your feelings toward your mother. Just because I didn’t do it when you initially sent me to do so, the result is still the same. Now don’t try to tell me you grieve her passing, or that you would have welcomed her to Storybrooke with open arms.”

Regina’s mouth tightened into a straight line before she answered, “You know I didn’t want her here.”

He gave a slight nod. “That’s correct, so I did you a favor. And another by killing Gold. I’d say you owe me, Your Majesty.”

“I suppose you think I should give you some huge reward,” she growled. “What’s your price, Hook?”

He rose from the cot and slowly moved to stand in front of her. “My freedom will do nicely.”

Regina’s perfectly groomed eyebrows raised in surprise. “That’s all you want? That doesn’t sound like the greedy pirate I know.”

He shrugged nonchalantly. “My life’s goal has been met. I have enough doubloons to last me for another three hundred years. What more could I possibly need?”

She crossed her arms and studied him. “If I grant your freedom, I assume you will leave town.”

“Never assume anything.”

“Why would you stay?”

Hook studied his fingernails. “I don’t believe my plans are any of your business.”

“I’m the mayor of Storybrooke. Everything is my business.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You might control your townspeople, but…”

“I brought lunch, Hook.” He looked over Regina’s shoulder to see Emma coming into the room, holding a brown paper bag aloft.

Regina heaved an exaggerated sigh and turned to look over her shoulder. “Didn’t your idiot father tell you I wanted to speak to Hook without being interrupted?”

“I haven’t seen David,” Emma replied coolly. “I’ve been out on patrol all morning. I’m happy to report no one is breaking any laws.”

“No one except him,” Regina said, jerking her head towards Hook.

Emma set the bag of food on the desk. “Well, he’s locked up, so I don’t think we’ll have to worry about him.”

“Apparently he broke out once before and he’s a pirate. Locking him up doesn’t guarantee he won’t break out.”

“He doesn’t have any reason to break out this time, do you, Hook?”

“Alas, no. All of my objectives have been met.”

“I still don’t trust him,” Regina said.

“You needn’t worry, Madam Mayor. Your sheriff is quite efficient,” Hook said. “She particularly enjoys using her handcuffs on me, don’t you Swan?”

He was satisfied to see her cheeks turn pink. She changed the subject by asking, “Have you decided on his punishment yet?”

“Perhaps she’ll sentence me to house arrest with you. Do you have a spare bed? If not, I’m willing to share.”

Regina looked back and forth between them, her mouth set in a firm line. “Miss Swan, if you don’t mind, I haven't finished speaking with your boyfriend.”

Hook suppressed a chuckle, as Emma’s mouth dropped open. “My boyfriend? Hook? What’s your problem, Regina?”

“My problem,” Regina spat, “is that you’re impeding my job.”

“Fine,” Emma shot back. “I’ll be in the other room, eating lunch. When you finally finish your job, let me know.” Picking up the sack, she turned on her heel and went into the small inner office, slamming the door behind her.

Seeing her stand up to Regina filled Hook with pride and more than a little desire. Emma Swan was fiery and fierce, just the way he liked his women.

With effort, he turned his attention back to Regina. She was drumming the manicured fingernails of her right hand on her left bicep. “I’m willing to bet one of your reasons for remaining in Storybrooke involves Miss Swan.”

“I would have never guessed you were one for gambling, Your Majesty.”

She glared at him as Hook stared back at her unflinchingly, plastering a bored look on his face. After nearly a minute, she called loudly, “Sheriff Swan, come out here!”

Emma emerged, chewing and rubbing her hands on her jeans. “You bellowed?”

“I do not bellow,” Regina remarked snarkily. “I’ve come to a decision about this prisoner. He needs to be punished for the attempt he made on Ms. French’s life. Therefore, I sentence him to one month in jail. By that time, maybe he’ll be ready to board his ship, sail away and be some other realm’s problem.”

With that, she spun around and walked out the door, heels clicking on the cement floor.

Emma watched her go, then turned to face Hook. “Looks like you’re going to be our guest for a while longer.”

“Aye, but at least my jailer is a welcome sight to behold.”

“You told me you won’t stay in this cell. Do I need to make sure someone is here to watch you around the clock? Because I’ll be damned if I’m going to chase you down every other day.”

“As tempting as it is to have you running after me, I give you my word as a gentleman that I will not escape.”

She narrowed her eyes as she studied him to detect any trace of deceit. Finding none, she said, “Don’t make me regret trusting you, Hook.”

He wrapped his hand around the bars of the cell. “You’re going to take my advice and try something new, eh Swan?”

Hooking her thumbs in the back pockets of her jeans, she shrugged. “You went all the way to New York to make sure I was safe, and didn’t leave when I gave you the chance. I guess you’ve earned my trust.”

Hood couldn’t keep the grin off of his face. The fact that she trusted him was definitely a step in the right direction toward winning her heart. He reached through the bars and twisted a lock of her hair around his finger, enjoying the silky feel of it against his calloused skin. “I’m very happy to hear that, Love.”

She was just opening her mouth to reply, when Baelfire entered the room. Hook’s eyes shifted to the other man, causing Emma to look over her shoulder. As soon as she saw Neal, she stiffened.

Bae stopped short when he saw how close the couple was standing. Then he saw that Hook had a lock of Emma’s hair wrapped around his finger and his face turned crimson.

“What’s going on here, Ems?” he blustered.

“Nothing,” she answered tightly.

“Doesn’t look that way to me. Looks like the fucking pirate is trying to seduce you, just like he did my mother.”

“Give it a rest, Neal. He’s behind bars and that’s where he has to stay for a month.”

“A month?” he shouted. “That’s all he gets for killing my father?”

“Actually,” Hook began, “that sentence is for shooting Belle French. Regina felt I did the town a favor by ridding it of the Dark One.”

“What the fuck? You’re just going to get away with murder?” Neal raged.

“Oh, come on, Neal,” Emma groaned. “You’re the one who said to just let your dad die. Now you want to act like the grieving son? I don’t buy it.”

He walked over to stand in front of the cell, looking back and forth between Hook and Emma. Hook untangled his finger from her hair and pulled his hand back. As much as he wanted to smirk at the angry man, he decided it was best not to add fuel to the fire. He didn’t want to put Emma in an even more uncomfortable position.

Bae turned his back toward Hook and tried to step between Emma and the bars. “Isn't it about time for Henry to come home from school, Ems?”

She heaved a sigh and turned to look at the clock on the wall. “School lets out in half-an-hour. Once my dad gets back to the station, I’ll leave to go pick Henry up.”

“Cool. I’ll come with you.”

Emma folded her arms over her chest and fixed him with a fierce scowl. Hook was quite happy not to be on the receiving end of it. “No, you will not. I’ve already told you that I need to talk to Henry first. I want to prepare him to meet you.”

“What’s there to prepare? You just say, ‘Henry, this is your father.’ What’s so hard about that?”

“For fuck’s sake, Neal! He thinks his father is dead!”

“Why the hell would he think that?” Neal yelled.

“Because that’s what I told him! I said you were a firefighter who died as a hero…”

Neal leaned forward until his face was mere inches away from hers. “What the fuck, Emma? Why would you do something so idiotic?”

Emma didn’t back away from him as she spoke through gritted teeth. “Would you rather I told him that his dad was a thief and a liar who abandoned me and let me go to jail for a crime he committed?”

When Hook saw Neal grasp Emma’s arms, he had enough. “Let go of her, Bae!” he demanded, reaching through the bars to grab the other man’s jacket.

“Stay out of this, Hook!” Baelfire shouted, jerking away from Hook’s grip, letting go of Emma at the same time. “She’s not yours to protect!”

“She’s not yours, either!” Hook shot back.

“That’s enough!” Emma exclaimed. “Neal, you need to leave. After I’ve had a chance to talk to Henry, I’ll call you. That is, if he wants to meet you today. If he needs more time to process everything, that’s what he’ll get. And you will agree to it, or you won’t meet him at all. Is that clear?”

“I came all this way and he’s my son. You can’t keep me from seeing him.”

“I can and I will if you don’t back off. Go back to your room at the boarding house and wait for me to call.”

Hook watched carefully to see what Baelfire would do next. If he continued to defy and bully Emma, Hook would find some way to get out of the cell and go to her aid.

After several more moments of glowering at Emma, Bae finally stomped out of the office, nearly running into David, who was on his way in.

“What’s wrong with him?” he asked.

“He’s demanding to see Henry and I’m making him wait. I need to talk to Henry first.”

David took off his jacket and hung it over the back of a chair. “I can understand his impatience. He just found out he has a son; it’s only natural to be anxious to meet him.”

“You’re taking his side?” Emma asked.

“I didn’t realize you two are on opposite sides. I thought you were, um…”

Emma’s eyes widened. “Do you think we’re together?”

“Well, you do have a child together and you just found each other again after so many years.”

She put her hands on her hips. “If I had my way, I would have never seen him again.”

David’s jaw dropped. “But Mary Margaret and I thought the two of you…”

“Well, you thought wrong!” she spouted, then angrily grabbed her keys and pushed past him.

He stood rooted to the spot, staring at the door through which she just disappeared. Almost to himself, he murmured, “I’m so confused. Why wouldn’t she want to…”

“Be with Baelfire?” Hook interrupted. “Have you ever asked your daughter about the father of her child?”

David turned around, the look on his face making it clear the answer to Hook’s question was ‘no’. Instead, he said, “That’s none of your business.”

“Perhaps not, but Emma did share with me what happened between them, and let’s just say she has good reason not to want to be with him.”

“Why would she tell you and not her mother and I?”

Hook shrugged. “I think she felt a bit…trapped by the whole situation of him coming to Storybrooke and she wanted to share her side of the story with someone. I just happened to be available.”

“Did he hurt her?”

“Not physically, but that’s all I’m going to say. It’s not my story to tell.”

David eyed him critically for several seconds, then stepped closer to the cell. “Let me give you a bit of advice, Hook. She’s never gonna like you.”

“Is that so?”

“Well, how could she? You’re nothing but a pirate.” With those words, he spun on his heel and walked away.

The cocky smirk on Hook’s face faded as he watched David go. For the second time in two days, he had been told that Emma Swan would never be with him because he wasn’t good enough for her. The one consolation he had was that neither time, it was Emma who said it. He would have to cling to the hope that she didn’t feel the same way.

*********

Hook didn’t expect to see Emma any more that day, so when she came into the station soon after he finished eating the meal Granny provided, he was pleasantly surprised. However, seeing the agitated state she was in, his pleasure soon turned to concern.

“I thought I was finishing out this shift,” David said.

“I know, but I figured you would want to spend the evening with Mary Margaret, and since Henry is staying at Regina’s…”

“What? Why is he doing that? I thought you were introducing him to Neal.”

“Yeah, well, let’s just say things didn’t go as planned,” she said sadly.

“Emma, if you need to…”

“Look, Dad,” she sighed, “I really don’t want to talk about it right now. I’ll be home in a couple of hours, okay? Maybe by then, I’ll be ready to tell you what happened.”

Hook thought David was going to argue with her, but after a few moments, he blew out a heavy sigh and said, “Okay. I’ll see you at home. Be careful.” After kissing her forehead, he gave Hook a warning look, then left.

Emma dropped into a chair, threw her head back and groaned.

“Alright there, Swan?” Hook asked.

She was motionless for so long, he thought she wasn’t going to answer. Finally, she sat up and put her head in her hands. “Not really. Henry is very pissed at me for lying to him. He had no interest in meeting Neal and insisted on going to Regina’s because he doesn’t want to be around me. Then when I called Neal, he went off on me, saying it was all my fault his son refused to meet him.”

“I’m sorry, Love.”

She didn’t reply. He felt helpless seeing her sitting there, looking so defeated.

When she finally stood up, she paced back and forth in front of his cell. “Why did I ever think I could do this? I know nothing about being a mom. I probably screwed him up for life. First I gave him away, then I lied to him about his father…”

“Emma, stop,” Hook said firmly.

She stood still, looking at him with tear-filled eyes. “It’s true.”

“No, it’s not. It sounds to me like you made a very courageous decision by giving him up for adoption. Bae abandoned you and left you with very little choice. As far as telling him Baelfire was dead, you had no idea Henry would have a chance to meet him someday. You wanted to spare him the pain of knowing his father was a bloody coward, just like his own father before him. In my opinion, there was nothing wrong with telling Henry he was a hero. It was far kinder than the truth.”

“He was so angry,” she whispered hoarsely. “He may never forgive me.”

Hook’s heart ached for her. “Come here, Love,” he said softly, stretching his hand out through the bars.

She shook her head, wiping at her eyes. “It’s okay. I’m fine.”

“Emma, look at me,” he coaxed.

Slowly, she raised her eyes. Even more slowly, she reached forward to place her hand in his. He gave a little tug to pull her closer. When she was near enough, he attempted to put his arms around her, frustrated that the cell bars were between them.

“This is stupid,” she said, turning her back and walking away. He almost groaned in frustration, until he realized she was pulling a set of keys out of the desk drawer. She approached the cell again, hesitating briefly before unlocking the door. After swinging it open, she stood uncertainly, shifting from foot to foot.

Hook stepped through the doorway and into her space. Locking eyes with her, he silently asked permission and upon receiving it, gently pulled her into his arms.

At first, her body was stiff and unyielding, but as he rubbed his hand and wrist up and down her back, she gradually relaxed and let him comfort her. “You’re a good mother, Emma. Henry knows that, and he will forgive you.”

“How can you be so sure?” she mumbled into his chest.

“Because I know first-hand how hard it is to stay away from you.” He heard her scoff lightly, but she didn’t say anything. He didn’t know how long she let him hold her, but he relished every second.

Finally pulling away from him, she said, “Thank you, Hook.”

Using his finger to lift her chin, he looked into her beautiful jade eyes and requested, “Will you please call me Killian, Love?”

She blinked, then gave him a small smile. “Okay…Killian.”

*********

Thank you for reading! The final chapter is probably about half written, so hopefully it won't be as long a wait for it.

Tagging:

@qualitycoffeethings @grimmswan @cs-rylie @wyntereyez @kmomof4

@hookedmom @ultraluckycatnd @paradiselady19 @xarandomdreamx @motherkatereloyshipper

@lfh1226-linda @pawshapedheart @vampcoffeegyrl23 @tiganasummertree @bluewildcatfanatic

@eleveneitherway @elfiola @kday426 @julieenchanted-swans @gingerchangeling

@andiirivera @djlbg @jonesfandomfanatic @snowbellewells @anmylica

@booksteaandtoomuchtv @cocohook38 @ilovemesomekillianjones @zaharadessert @lyssapup27

@undercaffinatednightmare @winterbaby89 @jennjenn615 @xsajx @jackieorioncat

@teamhook @soniccat @jarienn972 @softkilly @kymbersmith-90

@apiratewhopines @hollyethecurious @laianely @resident-of-storybrooke @exhaustedpirate

@caught-in-the-filter @stahlop @veryverynotgoodwrites @darkshadow7 @fleurdepetite

@whimsicallyenchantedrose @earanemith @superchocovian @idristardis @captainswan-kellie

@beckettj @killihan-jones

[slow-burn-sally]

Thank you @totallysilvergirl for tagging me!

Who am I in fandom?

I'd love this to be tagged for others to participate. I'll include a bulk tagging so others can play if they want :)

Current handle: slow-burn-sally

Other handles: Slow_Burn_Sally on AO3

How do you fandom (fanart, fanfic, cosplay, chat, read fanfic, multiples of these, etc)? I write tons of fic! Typically if I fall hard for a fandom, I'll bang out 5-600,000 words of fic or more during a year to two year writing stretch. I also love making memes and Tumblr posts about my favorite ships.

Where do you post (ie: Tumblr, AO3, FFN, etc)? Tumblr and AO3 almost exclusively with some cross posting to specific Facebook groups. I have accounts on X and Insta but never go on either.

Which current fandoms are you in? Concalve, The Terror, Ted Lasso, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, The Adventures of Tintin, What We Do In The Shadows, BBC Sherlock, BBC Ghosts, The Hobbit, Good Omens and multiple various others!

Do you have past fandoms you aren't active in? I'm not super active in any of them except Conclave and The Terror right now, but I love all of them. Good Omens is probably the fandom I was the most intense about that I'm no longer really involved in. Not because of Neil Gaiman (Fuck him. I'm giving Terry Pratchett posthumous rights to the series). Mostly because the fire died a couple of years ago, but I love that fandom so much!

Do you have fandoms you'd like to explore but haven't yet? Andor! A friend just recommended it and I know @somepallings is a fan, and I see a lot of potential there.

Name your favorite characters. I thought you'd never ask!! I'll just give you my fave Blorbos: John Childermass, John Segundus, Aziraphale, Trent Crimm, Vincent Benitez, Thomas Jopson.

Do you like fandoms set in modern times, historical, or don't have a specific preference? I love historical fandoms! The only thing I don't love is research, but I've still learned so much from being into The Terror and Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. Now, I have a lot of studying about Rome, the Vatican, Catholicism, The Pope. I also love a modern fandom. I just get sucked in by what sucks me in.

What themes attract you most in fandom (ie: hurt/comfort, romance, horror, fluff, etc) I am a total whore for enemies to loves. I also adore fake dating/fake marriage/undercover fake marriage. Slow burns of course, and pretty much anything involving pining and misunderstandings and barriers to love. Please make me pine!

Share!

Favorite fanfics you've read:

So many, but I cannot hunt them down right now. I feel like a heel but I don't read like I used to. I have favorites and favorite authors, but never figured out keeping track. Totallysilvergirl writes fantastic BBC Sherlock fic as does emilycare on AO3. Seekwill and miaugly have written some of the best GO fics I've ever read. For JSAMN Rubyofkukundu has written stunning Johnsquared fid, as has @speakingskies

Links to favorite fanart (do not repost - please link to the original artist's post): I'm bad at links. There's too much amazing fanart out there. I've received such lovely fanart from fans of my fic. Please forgive me for not trying to figure this out. I reblog fanart constantly. Follow me!

If you create, please share some of your work!

Same problem! Not enough spoons. Please peruse my fics! I've written 189 of them!

_____________

This was fun! I tag: @speakingskies, @ohveda, @fol-de-lol @novemberhush, @drlokiren, @keirgreeneyes, @a-study-in-scarlet, @thinkanamelater

[pinkglitterliterature]

The Tortured Medico-legal Department @pinkglitterliterature

And so I present to you as evidence, My disjointed reality, corroded and oxidized. My fractures, acquired like bony spurs. My boundless query where my paradox lies. The tick, tick, tick of truth bombs. The bones that built us, then decomposed. All’s fair in love and forensics.

A slow-burn, angst-heavy journey through heartbreak, healing, and the fragile science of hope.

Canon-adjacent from Season 5, Episode 16, through Season 6, with eventual divergence. Inspired by Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department.

Cross-posted to AO3 and FFN.

Prologue| 1 | 2

Chapter 2: The Tortured Poets Department

Who else decodes you?

The air conditioning hummed gently and it was almost the perfect amount of white noise to distract Brennan from the familiar trees outside her window. She reached down to the files in her lap, straightening and collating papers that had already been straightened and collated approximately 13 times during the course of the car ride. She could feel his eyes on her periodically. She peeked in his direction and caught him mid-glance at her. She quickly averted her eyes, directing them instead to adjusting the paper clips on her straightened and collated pages. 

She looked over at his proud profile, his sharp angular features and pleasingly symmetrical bone structure. She admired him like Angela admired art, but his too-warm eyes gave her a quickening sensation in her ribs that she couldn’t identify. Granted, she hadn’t probed too deeply at the sensation lest it become too painful for her. Painful like this town which seemingly had an altogether unpleasant odor about it. Booth, she remarked to herself allowing another glance at him, had a very pleasant odor–aged tobacco and honey. Not cloying by any means, she could differentiate the all-important distinction of the cigarette smell of the side roads of her hometown and the sweet, velvety masculine scent emanating from him. She wanted to bury her face in his chest, she suddenly thought. Immediately she recoiled and schooled her face into a neutral expression of professional indifference. It was too soon, too fresh still for Booth. She could see that in the tightly held tension in his jaw. 

She could feel his eyes on her again. It was unsettling to feel so guarded around him, like at any moment she could overstep and lose him again. She errantly adjusted the paper clips into straight lines on the papers, but the feeling of his eyes on her had not subsided. “What?” She finally said, a little more sharply than she had intended. She took a steadying breath and tried not to let her surroundings color her words. 

“What do you mean, what?”

“You keep looking at me. It is extremely dangerous to take your eyes off of the road when you’re operating a vehicle.” She chided him. 

“You know, Bones…” he began, smirking good-naturedly. He had that boyish tone lingering in his voice. “The only way you’d notice my looking is if you were looking at me. So, maybe you shouldn’t distract the driver by looking, huh Bones?” He looked so proud of himself. 

“What! I wasn’t looking! That is circular logic, Booth” she smacked her folders closed and crossed her arms over themselves. 

“All I heard was that you think I’m logical.” His smirk transformed into a wide grin.

“That is not at all what I said, Booth. Your argument was predicated on the assertion that I was looking at you and therefore you are justified in your actions,” he nodded along. “However!” Her voice rose several tones, “you have entered into a socially accepted agreement to devote your attention to traffic when operating a vehicle, therefore my looking is an independent factor upon which you cannot base your argument!” 

“Yeah yeah, but mambo ipso fatto, you were looking first. Case closed, Bones.” She rolled her eyes theatrically. 

“That is not how observation works!” she giggled despite herself. “Your argument is…puerile at best and, ipso facto, unconvincing” He chuckled as she enunciated the “c” in “facto” with a particular gusto. 

“Bones, I didn’t even use any Purell, so that dog just won’t hunt!” Brennan knit her eyebrows together and slightly tilted her head. 

“I don’t know what that means.”

“It’s an expression.” he smirked as he turned back to the road. She watched as he shifted his eyes between the navigation and the road, trying to make sure he didn’t get lost in what she’d heard him call “Nowheresville, Illinois.”

“Turn right over by the water tower” Brennan quietly said after a moment, gesturing at the water tower in the near distance. 

“Bones-” he started.

“Recalculating…turn right in 200 feet.” The voice of the navigation guide rang out. He paused for a moment at the stop sign, staring at her a bit dumbfounded. She didn’t meet his gaze, but peered out the window again. She remembered the one sleepover she’d been invited to. She’d gone as she understood it was often considered a cultural rite of passage. They all snuck out to the water tower after dark–she’d had many reservations about that. Despite the weight in her stomach and the shaking of her steady hands, she had gone along with it. It was the first time anyone had called her by her actual name and not some veiled insult from popular culture. The other girls had been giggling excitedly, ready to meet boyfriends by the old water tower. We’ve got one for you, Temperance!  She didn’t particularly care if there had been a boy for her or not. She’d just wanted to be a part of something. Something inside of her that she still cannot name was screaming for her to turn back around and just go home. Her foster parents would be angry that they had to deal with her, but something inside her knew she shouldn’t have gone. 

They had meandered through the wooded area and she’d vaguely wondered if they were walking in circles. When they arrived at the water tower, there were no boys present. There was an acrid stench that burned her nose. Hollow-eyed and lifeless, a bloated raccoon lay in the shadows of the water tower. She had regarded it with confusion before turning back to the other girls. They’d just giggled. 

We thought you liked dead things, Morticia. They’d spat it like a curse. It had felt like a slap in the face when it landed. 

Morticia, go play with your dead animals.

She’s, like, a total freakazoid. 

Morticia.

Morticia. 

Her breaths had begun coming faster. Her eyes burned like her nose did. Her hands were shaking. 

Oh my god, is Morticia going to cry?

Don’t cry, Morticia. 

They left her there shortly after that. It was the middle of the night and it was raining and she’d tried to keep up with them, but the woods were disorienting her. It took a while to get home, but she had managed. 

She could recall the path all too well now. 

“Bones, how did you…” The air felt thick again, suddenly. It reminded her of humid DC days where the atmosphere seemed to reach into her throat and drown her. Something like that was happening to her now, her throat felt too tight for her words to come out in anything beyond a whisper.

“Welcome to Burtonsville,” she said quietly under her breath. “My alma mater.” Booth put the car in park as Brennan tried to put her heart in a box. It’s just another case, after all. The feelings and memories bubbled from the pit of her stomach into her throat again. Her jaw clenched.  She took another calming breath, her hand hovering over the door handle while her eyes screwed shut tight.

“I got you Bones,” he said, patting her free hand. He, of course, knew all about her difficult high school years and she was sure he could intuit the feelings she’d tried to suppress. “I got you, Bones, okay? I got you” He squeezed her free hand three times before releasing it as her other hand tightened on the door handle and she made her first step out of the car and onto the scene. 

Who’s going to hold you like me?

Nobody. No fucking body. 

Nobody. 

The rooms did not adjoin. He’d hastily ended his video conference with Sweets as soon as he’d started his annoying habit of insinuating and pressing the issue. Booth didn’t want to talk about his feelings for Bones. What feelings? He was good. Moving on and good. The rooms didn’t adjoin.Separate rooms. Separate lives. 

And that was good. Fine. 

He shifted his weight, trying to get comfortable on the lumpy, uneven mattress and stared at the beige walls, yellowed with age and, if his nose was correct, cigarettes. He could only imagine how Bones, who flies first class on international flights, would be faring in this shithole motel. Then again, he reminded himself, she’d probably retort that she’d stayed in worse places in Rwanda or Guatemala. He was inclined to agree. “Damn it,” the word slipped out as he ran his frustrated hands through his hair then buried his face in his hands. He was thinking about her again. Of course he was, she seemed to occupy even his most errant thoughts.  What was it he had just told Sweets? He was already moved on. Lie. Big fat lie. 

The date was nonexistent, but it sounded like something someone who had moved on would say. It sounded like something that would get all the nagging pests off his back. 

Sweets hadn’t bought it. He could tell by the way he just dryly repeated “who might that be, Agent Booth, who might that be.” Of course he hadn’t believed it. Hell, Booth didn’t even believe it. 

Not with the way her hand pushed her hair back out of her face and pulled it into a sleek ponytail before getting out of the car. He huffed and grabbed the remote, mashing the power button and hoping for sports. Static filled the screen. Filled the room. 

For fuck’s sake. 

“Hello?” His head snapped up and swiveled. He could hear her almost clear as day. After a beat, he realized, her room must have been on the other side of his. The rooms did not adjoin, but the walls might as well have been made out of tissue paper.

“Yes, I got into the motel just fine….No, the rooms do not adjoin.” Booth smirked to himself. “Hold on, let me put you on speaker while I unpack.”

Booth registered Angela’s voice. Of all the fucking rooms he could’ve gotten in this shitty hotel…He groaned to himself before realizing that she would likely be able to hear him too. He froze for a moment before readjusting on the bed. They were discussing Angela’s interpersonal issues with Wendell. He tried to tune that out, he did not want to get involved in that. Not that they were soliciting his input in any way, of course. 

He’d mindlessly thumbed through the witness statements and the Sarah Tidwyler case. He’d reread the same sentence ten times and hadn’t comprehended any of it. He flipped through pictures again, feeling an obligation to give Bones privacy. He was there to work. That’s all. Work. 

“High school was not a happy time, Angela,” Brennan sighed into the phone. Booth had missed the context, but he had seen a brief unguarded moment in the car. He hadn’t been sure why she’d been upset, but her gaze out the window and a nervous fidgeting were so starkly out of character that his own chest had started to ache. Her voice was strained, barely controlled, as she’d confessed she was an alumni at Burtonsville. He hadn’t even connected it before. He knew she’d grown up somewhere outside Chicago, but she was always so careful in what she’d discuss about her teenage years. It seemed to him that she’d prefer to pretend that her life began in college. Perhaps, in some way it did. 

“I didn’t know what to say. I don’t know how to navigate this with Booth. I find that I am uncomfortable with acting as if nothing happened.” Booth’s ears perked up. Navigate what with Booth? He felt himself straining to hear and hating himself for the invasion of her privacy. 

“What did happen with Booth?” Angela asked softly.

“Angela, I told you” Brennan huffed testily. “It’s not mine to discuss. I hurt Booth. Things between us are…different. Neither of us acknowledge it, but somehow I feel as though I am always aware of it. I’m worried that I will say something or do something wrong and make it worse again.”

“You’re walking on eggshells,” Angela offered.

“I don’t know how to fix this. I dislike being so…far away? I know that I am, in fact, very physically close to Booth, but it doesn’t feel that way.” Her voice was saturated with emotion. Booth felt his heart drop. He’d felt it too, of course. He hated the distance. Hated the way he was constantly overthinking every accidental touch or graze. He hated the way he had to turn everything into a joke to keep things from feeling too real, too serious. He didn’t know how to navigate this with her either. He ached to comfort her the way he always had, to pull her in close and hold her safe. Somehow that felt off-limits now. 

“Sure, you’re feeling emotionally distant from him in a way you guys haven’t really experienced before. That’s understandable, Sweetie. You want my advice? Go fix things with Booth!” Angela said emphatically. 

“Fix things, how?” Brennan replied, cautiously. Booth had the same question. “You mean, go have sex with Booth?” She said incredulously. Booth’s breath hitched and his mouth hung agape for a moment.

“Um, well I didn’t say that. Paging Dr. Freud.” Angela laughed. “I don’t know, that could work. I mean, you’re staying in the same motel. Put on something sexy and knock on his door…then y’know, knock his socks off” He could just picture her waggling her eyebrows as she said it. Her tone was suggestive and he could already hear Bones scoffing. 

“I’m not sure how that could fix anything,” Brennan balked. 

“What? You’re going to tell me you seriously haven’t thought about taking a ride on the Booth express? I have! All aboard, Agent Hot and Hunky.” Angela laughed again. Booth rolled his eyes and waited for a response.  He expected Bones to scoff. He imagined her rolling her eyes and giving Angela some overly clinical retort. 

“Of course I’ve thought about it.” She said simply. Honestly. His breath hitched. Heat ran to his groin and suddenly he could feel her shaky breath hot in his ear. Her fists grasping and clenching the motel sheets. Her low voice, saturated with need, as she whined his name. He could go over there. He should go over there. Hell, he’d knock down this wall between them and take her right now. His eyes rolled up in his head for a moment and he groaned picturing her wearing just his t-shirt. Their lips would collide like they had all those years ago. He swore he could still taste her lips from their kiss the previous month. It had been all wrong, though. 

It had been all wrong. He couldn’t just fuck Bones. That wasn’t what he wanted. Well, he very much wanted that. But it wasn’t all he wanted. What came next after that? Would they cuddle? Would they plan a life together? He didn’t want a quick roll in the hay, he wanted the whole damn thing. As much as it felt good to imagine it, he couldn’t settle for a counterfeit. 

“I imagine he and I would be quite compatible…but, it wouldn’t be right. It would hurt him. Booth needs someone who he can build a life with and I’ve–I’ve already hurt him too much. I won’t hurt him again. I can’t hurt him again.” She said it with such conviction, echoing all his concerns. He sits there for a while, making shapes out of the popcorn ceiling. She couldn’t give him the life they wanted. She wouldn’t. 

At some point, she’d ended her call with Angela and he could just barely hear her sniffling. Shuddering breaths. He wanted to hold her. He wanted to make it stop. He wanted to go back, take it all back, try again--but better, this time. It was his job to protect her and he was failing. 

He couldn’t protect her–them– from this. The hollow silence reverberated and wormed its way inside of him. He stares at the popcorn ceiling listlessly, hating the paper thin walls. Both the ones that allowed him to hear her suffering but denied him the ability to comfort her and the ones that had grown up between them like an insidious weed. 

Those paper thin walls.

God help him, he prayed they’d crumble. 

Booth didn’t like Burtonsville either, with its mean girls, its creepy janitors (that Bones somehow finds endearing), and worst of all, it’s horny-for-Bones men. He’d tried very hard to keep all that stuff he’d heard in the motel out of his head. Honest to god. He’d prayed to Saint Anthony to help him find the good sense God gave him so he could move about his day. But this was over the top. Surely, anyone could understand the position he was in. 

Brad, some guy who looked like he belonged in a shampoo commercial in 1998, gave Bones the once–no, twice-over and hit her with that smarmy line, “The years have been very kind to you, Temperance. Very.” Booth fought the urge to roll his eyes while Brennan blushed. It had pissed him off enough to shake out all that good sense Saint Tony found for him. “I’m her husband, Bobby Kent, Temperance’s lesser half.” He heard himself say it, like an out-of-body experience. It hadn’t been a conscious choice, just something dumb he said in the moment while staring daggers at Brad–what kind of name is Brad anyway? But he rolled with it. It sounded kinda nice, if he didn’t think about it too much. It felt good to pretend, especially after last night’s revelations. He snaked his hand into hers and god, it belonged there. He could feel her hand still tense in his. He didn’t dare make eye contact with her. He could feel the confusion emanating off of her, the tense betrayal hanging in the air between them. He didn’t have to look in her eyes to see the accusation in them. Her lips parted, before she caught onto the ploy. 

Ah, yes…the ploy…

Brad was asking about kids–the one subject between them that they didn’t touch with a ten foot pole. Their could-be baby had been forgotten the moment he started seeing cartoons in the interrogation room. She had wanted them. He didn’t know if she still did. Maybe the coma changed that, too. They didn’t discuss children beyond Parker, whom she “had great affection for” and wished he’d still call her Dr. Bones. “Oh no, not yet, but we want a house full. Right?” He replied, he’d finally looked to her–nudging her to play along as he closed the distance between them.

“Yes!” She beamed. “We have intercourse every chance we get!” 

“Wow.” He tried not to picture it, but flashes of his fantasies the night before came to mind unbidden. Hands clenching sheets. Hands clenching his biceps. Fuck. He blinked as he recovered with a smirk. “Uh yeah, I mean, all over the place.” He kept his crooked smile plastered on his face and tried not to let the proximity and mental images distract him from the case. 

The discomfort was clear on their faces and they quickly excused themselves. But not before Brad made some cryptic comment to Bones about “bygones being bygones.” She’d brushed it off and shut it down quickly. A very un-Bonesy thing to do. 

Things were progressing through the day pretty productively. Then he met that nimrod, Andy, who’d blatantly hit on Bones–then had the gall to ask her if the marriage was working out. “Are you serious?” He thought about taking out his gun and shooting him. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d shot a clown. 

He hadn’t been able to resist the pleasure of blowing sawdust into the creep’s eyes. She’s married. Back off. Except, she’s not married. It was just a front for the case. He had to remind himself of this, because the pang he felt in his chest when other men looked at her didn’t feel like it was just for the case. Being undercover was always this way, lines were blurry. Was she just acting when she pressed her body to him undercover as Roxy? When they shared that trailer at the circus, was that Buck admiring the way Wanda looked in her costume? 

Bobby was in love with his wife. Overprotective. Ready to kill for her. And right now, Booth wasn’t Booth. He was Bobby. It was for work. That’s all. 

Work. 

“It’s good to be back,” she’d said. It was nice to see Mr. Buxley. He’d always been kind to her and understood the way death spoke to her. It was a safe place. When she’d told him about the water tower experience, he’d told her that those girls just couldn’t understand anything beyond the surface. She’d honored him by naming her first killer after him. 

It wasn’t good to be back though. She didn’t like the way everyone kept bringing up how socially inept she was. Julie Coyle, the worst of the bunch, had been a particularly unpleasant person to encounter. Anthropologically, Julie had been the socially marginalized member of her friend group. Her place was tenuous, at best. Her membership to the group was threatened by the implicit understanding that Julie didn’t belong, really. Not like Evelyn and Sarah. She was constantly stancetaking, constantly positioning herself closer to the center. The quickest way away from the outskirts of a group is through otherization. And this, she excelled in. Brennan could still hear how well she did this even 15 years later. 

Morticia. 

Morticia. 

Morticia. 

She shuddered. She didn’t like it and the way they repeated it now–it felt like she was suddenly 17 again. She tried not to let on, to paint her face neutral. Booth didn’t need to pity her. He’d called her something she didn’t quite understand and she’d tried to shrug it off, but it needled at her. Booth would never want to belittle her the way that Julie Coyle reveled in, but it unsettled her. She didn’t know what a Wednesday Addams was, but she could intuit it was not complimentary. 

Brennan just wanted to wrap the case up and go home to DC where people actually cared that she was a very wealthy and successful author and scientist. Not Morticia. 

But wrapping up the case meant attending the reunion. Reunions were an odd ritual, in Brennan’s estimation. Reunions were essentially ritualistic practices that allowed participants to renegotiate their past selves with their future selves. Booth swore its real value laid in showing everyone how much better than them you’ve become, but she’d had limited success with that. Strangely, no one wanted to hear about the millions of dollars she’d made off of her books. 

Booth had suggested the dancing, initially. “That’s what people do at reunions. They dance. C’mon, Bones.” And just like that, he had her on the dark-lit gymnasium floor dancing to some 90s techno song. She liked dancing. She allowed herself the carefree indulgence while Booth joined her from a short distance. All his dance moves had names. Sprinkler. Shopping Cart. Cabbage Patch. It was bewildering to her. But they were laughing and for the first time, it felt like they were them again. 

Booth’s phone began to ring in his pocket. “I gotta take this one, Bones. I’ll be right back” he said as he excused himself to the table in the corner of the gym. She continued dancing, but snuck glances at him intermittently. 

The song changed. The tempo slowed as acoustic guitar strums emanated through the speakers. Couples moved closer and wrapped their arms around each other, swaying slightly off the beat to the song. 

She knew this song, she realized. It came to her in a flash. She was in the back seat of the old station wagon and her father was driving the car. Her mother sat laughing in the front seat as her father’s off key voice loudly sang “What would you do if my heart was torn in two? More than words to show you feel, that your love for me is real.”  Brennan had laughed along and jokingly told her parents they were disgustingly in love. They’d sealed their agreement of her assessment with a kiss.

That was three weeks before they left. 

She suddenly felt the weight of being alone on the floor surrounded by couples. Her feet were frozen to the ground and her head was spinning in a flurry of mylar balloons and disco balls. “Oooh, Morticia’s dancing alone” she heard someone snicker. They were laughing at her. They were all laughing at her. 

Morticia. Morticia. Morticia. 

Her eyes locked on Booth in the corner of the room, speaking into his phone. His eyes met hers and his lips parted. His lips were moving, but his eyes didn’t leave hers. He pocketed the phone and then he was moving across the room like a man on a mission. Long purposeful strides as he made his way to her. He never looked away for a second. He approached and his warm brown eyes gazed down at her with so much tenderness. 

“May I have this dance?” He asked, reaching down to grab her hand before she nodded her assent. He pulled her close, her surprise melting off of her face as she leaned into his embrace. She let the tears brimming in her eyes fall down her cheeks in soft rivulets. 

“More than words is all you have to do to make it real, then you wouldn’t have to say that you love me, ‘cause I’d already know.” She pressed her head into his shoulder and he leans his head down to rest on it. A peaceful sadness washes over her as they swayed together. His aged tobacco and honey smell inundated her and she nuzzled closer to it on instinct. She knew intuitively that whenever she heard the song from this moment on, she’d think of his cologne and his arms wrapped tight around her. Something about it felt too intimate for all they’d gone through in the past month, but she persisted. She didn’t pull away. Neither did he.

They just swayed. 

“Bones, you’re crying” he said gently, rubbing circles on her back. 

“This was the last song my parents sang before they left…” she breathed, her voice shaking as she spoke. “And I never got to have a prom. Thank you, Booth” She whispered. 

“Of course, Bones. Of course.” He continued rubbing circles on her back and kissed her temple gently the way he’d done a thousand times. The memory of him kissing her temple so softly as they waited for ambulance to come help her after she’d been stabbed with a scalpel rushed to her mind. He’d kissed her forehead and held her close. “I got you baby. I got you baby.”  She traced her thumb over the base of his neck, chuckling at the slight shiver he gave. 

Looking around she noted all the couples. Julie Coyle was slow-dancing with a tense-looking Brad. She frowned a bit. “I don’t think they like me very much, Booth.”

“I like you, Bones.”

“They don’t get me” she said as the music ended. He didn’t let go. She didn’t either. 

“I get you.”

She opens her mouth to speak, then closes it promptly–not entirely sure how to respond. His hands had lightened their pressure on her, but he hadn’t pulled away yet. The phone rang inside his pocket, jolting them away. “Uh, it’s, uh, Angela” he’d said by way of response. 

She could still feel his arms around her, even as he began to walk away.

And that’s the closest I’ve come to my heart exploding.

Their shot glasses hit the table with a thud. “I think I won that one!” Bones declared. Booth rolled his eyes. There was a chorus of naysayers.  He’d won, of course. They reflected on the case over drinks at Founding Fathers, as they often did. 

“I tried to change their perceptions of me by telling them how rich and successful I’d become but they still didn’t like me,” she said matter-of-factly. 

“She didn’t do it right,” he replied, remembering her direct approach.

“Whoa, you told her to do that?” Hodgins interjected, earning a laugh from the team. Booth probably should’ve left it alone, but he’d liked the idea of Bones putting all those losers and creeps in their places. 

He turned to face her, sipping on a drink and licking his lips before looking down at her. “Look, they didn’t dislike you Bones. They just didn’t understand you. It’s a big difference.”

There’s a knowing gleam in her eye and if he was still a betting man, he’d bet it all that she was thinking of the dance.

“I get you.”

[sammialex]

Book 8 ✅ (I’ll post book 7 after it crosses the ocean to @wyxan !!) check out raspberry jam by vvc on ffn, a classic Drarry from 2006.

[klonnieshippersclub]

Hi! I'm very new to the fandom. What Klonnie fics currently in the works would you recommend from AO3, Wattpad, or ffn?

I'll make a small master list with links. Not all are completed though fyi! please respect all authors. This is a mix of past and current fics.

Paint It Black by jazzywazzy08 on FFN:After the death of her grandmother Bonnie Bennett starts on a downward spiral and is sent to live with her mother Abby Bennett-Mikaelson. When Bonnie witnesses firsthand the life of luxury her mother has been leading, she's hell-bent on making Abby's new life miserable and taking everything that her mother holds dear, starting with her new husband Niklaus Mikaelson. Check out their other works as well!

stay awake by dirtygoldensoul on FFN: Star-crossed lovers. What a cliché. No wonder they were doomed to fail. But learning that his witch is strapped in a prison world, Klaus battles against all the pain and memories of their past to retrieve Bonnie. No matter what it takes. S3-6 canon divergence. Klonnie. Check out their other works as well!

walk of shame by dinky on FFN:It was supposed to be a business meeting between him and me. Somehow everything got tangled up. Slight A.U

Mountain High by mythorhuman on A03: She was a Bennett witch. "Was" being the operative word here. Bonnie could barely remember being a normal teenage girl. Normal teenage girls don't entertain phone calls from immortal serial killers with a thirst for blood. Normal teenage girls run from dangerous men and keep their distance from such evil. Normal teenage girls aren't willing to make a deal with the devil for their own profit. Unfortunately, Bonnie was not normal and her devil was Klaus Mikaelson. It's just another secret to keep from her friends. She's still a little hurt that her death went completely unnoticed. It's low risk, high reward. Strictly business. Nothing more, nothing less. And the lies she tells herself keep adding up.

A Witch Bargain by melmedarda on AO3: After leaving New Orleans a little over a month ago, Bonnie's abrupt return to New Orleans sends tension through the French Quarter when she seeks Klaus—the enigmatic ruler who took over Marcel Gerard's reign. Bonnie brings life-altering news that upends their lives and ignites complications. This revelation isn't the only thing that drives Bonnie's return. She has to uncover the secrets of an ancient Witch Bargain cast on the Originals before they were even born, and the only person who holds the answers is the forgotten Mikaelson sibling. Bonnie's departure is driven by more than the revelation she bears. Veiled beneath it all lies a trove of dark secrets that she carries, secrets that will soon demand their due consequences. With old grudges resurfacing, new adversaries emerging, and a curse threatening them, Bonnie and Klaus must overcome their troubles and protect their loved ones amidst the ever-present danger lurking in the shadows. Check out their other works as well!

dear little witch by cancerianwoman on AO3: Bonnie Bennett has held plenty of titles. A daughter, friend, teen witch, and a former wife. The most important one to her now was mother and business owner. She earned this life for herself and would be damned if she lost. A witch’s premonition is nothing to ignore. Bonnie values her life away from Mystic Falls and returning wasn’t likely for her until her daughter’s safety was compromised. The Salvatore Boarding School would change everything for the Bennett witches. Secrets will unfold and time can only tell what’s to come next. Hope Mikaelson won’t be the only one with her world turned upside down. Family is forever, whether anyone likes it or not. Everything is done in the name of family. -an au of TVD/TO post season 8 & 4 of TO. Check out their other works as well!

No Church In The Wild by beyonceofmysticfalls on AO3: Years after blowing the dust of Mystic Falls off her feet, Bonnie finds herself caught in the supernatural crossfire yet again. This time, however, she is playing by nobody's rules except her own. Check out their other works as well!

Labyrinth: A Bonnie Bennett x Klaus centric universe by artemiseamoon on AO3: After many years, major life events and memories, Bonnie and Klaus remain cosmically drawn to each other. After a year in Paris, Bonnie returns to the states and crosses paths with the hybrid who haunts her mind and heart. The reunion forces them both to examine their past, and feelings for each other. All the while Bonnie carves out a new life for herself in the Cresent City.

Kindred by Richoonelover1941 on FFN:This is a dark, twisted Klonnie AU story that was supposed to be a one-shot. This is not for the faint of heart, many will not like it. It contains smut, verbal abuse and violence. This is a warning! Jeremy and his girlfriend go on a road trip with unexpecting results. Bonnie B, Klaus M, Jeremy G, Caroline F. I do not own the rights to TVD or its characters, I'm just playing with.

all the devils are here by irishcookie on FFN :Both of them are broken but there is something more going on when Bonnie Bennett arrives in New Orleans needing Klaus Mikaelson's help. After a deal is struck, the pair try to work together while dealing with their losses. A Klonnie angst fic set after the series finale of TVD and season 3 of The Originals. COMPLETED. Check out their other works!

The Summoned Witch by szajnie on ao3: TVD/TO AU: Hope Mikaelson needs help. At seven years old, she's not strong enough to protect the people she cares about from the dangers that surround them. What she needs is a bigger witch. So she summons one. Check out their other works!

Truth Teller by thehedgerider on ao3: Seven years after the events of S3 of TO and four years after the events of S7 of TVD, Bonnie Bennett is in New Orleans to find a weapon for defeating the entity that's been unleashed...and finds Klaus Mikaelson. Check out their other works!

A Foolish Escape From Reality by mizzm29 on ao3: Bonnie is in desperate need of a change. Jumping on the first opportunity she gets, she embarks on a journey of being a baby sitter for a certain original hybrid. Check out their other works as well!

Uncharted Desires by waitingforyouonce:It's time for the Annual Bellham Festival, a month long celebration where supernatural women put their name on a list and are pursued by interested suitors. Normally Bonnie chooses not to participate, but when Elena implies that she's undesirable she changes her mind. Several men in town immediately set their sights on her hoping to win her heart. (Bamon/Stefonnie/Tonnie/Klonnie) Check out their other works!

The Devil's Companion by GoddessWitch/Six2VII on ao3:A prophecy forces Klaus to act against his wishes. An outdated law forces Bonnie to sacrifice her future. Magic and fate push the two together. What happens when a witch and a hybrid are forced to have a child neither of them wants? An outcome neither of them is ready for. Check out their other works as well!

Protector by mizzcullen13 on FFN: Through no words at all he let her know she didn't have to be anyone's protector anymore, because he was hers. Check out their other works as well!

Resurrection by TalulaJones on FFN: Klaus wants to be King of New Orleans but there is only one witch who can make that happen.. Check out their other works as well!

Let Bygones Be Bygones by Lana Archer on FFN: Klaus finally has everything he's wanted. Hope to himself, Hayley lost to her curse, Dahlia and Esther cemented in death. But a little witch, with an affinity of drawing on any magic in her radius rolls into town, just in time to get the Original Hybrid back up on his toes.

This has gotten pretty long. I am sorry if anyone thinks they were missed it was not intentional. Please let me know if any of these links are incorrect so I can edit them! If you have any fic you would like to add in this list please dm me.

-Rikki

[hereafteryyh]

New YYH Fic: Before Now, After Then

I don't know if this is going to find its way to anyone who used to read my fics, but crossing my crossables that it might. (And I hope they forgive me that it's not an update to The Unknown Grounds.)

A few years back, a new fic stole my heart. I started it (even started posting it), but writing and I have been at odds for a while, and I lost steam. Happy to say that is over now. This whole story is written, and of all the stories I've ever shared, it is the one I'm most proud of. I wrote it for me, but I hope it finds an audience who might adore it like I do.

So with that preface out of the way...

Before Now, After Then

Summary

BEFORE: Prior to his Jagan surgery, Hiei fights to survive among Demon World's riffraff, but when he meets Nozumi, he discovers there's more to living than being the last demon standing.

AFTER: Years after the Demon World Tournament, the tracker Nozumi receives an offer she can't refuse—find the missing apparition Yukina and a fortune can be hers. But only if her heart can bear it.

AO3: FIRST CHAPTER | LATEST CHAPTER FFN: FIRST CHAPTER | LATEST CHAPTER

TAGS: Hiei/OC, Kuwabara/Yukina, Kuwabara&OC, POV Alternating, Pre-Canon, Post-Canon, Pre-Series, Post-Series, Demon World Centric, Expands Hiei's Backstory

TEASER (Excerpt from Chapter 3)

As promised, once Hiei had scrubbed his every last crevice clean and climbed the steps to the boarding rooms, he discovered her door ajar. The light of a lantern flickered within, and he slipped inside, the shadows dancing over his toes. 

She sat upon the bed, her tawny hair spilling over her shoulders in loose, riotous waves. Her eyes were closed, her head tipped back to rest against the wall, exposing the long column of her neck. Even in the unsteady light, Hiei’s keen gaze picked out the fragile drumming of her pulse just below her jaw. 

His breath caught in his teeth. 

(Stunning.

She was stunning.)

She wore nothing but a long, threadbare tunic, one clearly knit for a male twice her size, and as her eyelashes batted open, he toed off his boots, reaching for his belts, eager to join her. “Door,” she said, before he undid his first buckle. 

He shoved it closed with his elbow, then tossed a belt to the floor. A second followed quickly. Then his fingers were at the laces of his pants, ready to shuck those as well. 

She watched, her head tilting a degree. “May I ask you something?” 

“Hn. You just did.” 

Though it was hardly a witty response, she laughed. The sound fell between them, gentle as a leaf drifting to the forest floor. “Not a question, then,” she said, “but a request.” 

He let his pants hit the floorboards, then looked up at her. 

She met his gaze squarely. “Tell me your name.” 

His brow furrowed in surprise. “Hiei.” 

“Hiei,” she breathed, soft as a whisper, as if testing it upon her tongue. 

(A shiver wracked down his spine.) 

“Yours?” he asked hoarsely.  

She smiled and drew back the bedding, slipping beneath it. As he climbed in beside her, she answered simply, “Nozumi,” and sealed her lips to his.

[spacealligator]

geez, I'm cross posting my fics from ao3 to ffn but as of now the only comments I got are all people trying to sell me their art commisions or people calling me gay slurs, I'd rather not have any comments at all what's the problem with these people?

[destinationtoast]

hi toasty, i love your stats! i have a question for you that may be unanswerable, but do you have any insight into the phenomenon of x-reader fics on tumblr? i've noticed anecdotally for a while now that reader fics tend to have many more notes (like, thousands!) than their non-reader counterparts, and that they also seem to be mostly (?) posted in full here, rather than linking to ao3. (check the tags #wolverine fanfic vs #poolverine fanfic as an example). i know there is also reader fic posted on ao3, but i'm wondering whether anyone's done a qualitative or quantitative analysis of this (if that's even possible)? did tumblr just at some point become "the place to post reader fic"?

any insight welcome. blows my mind how there's like two entirely separate worlds of posting behavior/style happening here.

Hey! :) Thanks for the kind words and the interesting ask.

I don't have any data about xReader fic on tumblr (the only xReader-relevant data I think I have is from a 2019 analysis of Shipping on Wattpad vs. AO3 and FFN that looked at xReader prevalence in the archives at that time)..

However, I do have a couple recommendations for where to start finding out more about xReader fic (and where it gets posted):

Effie Sapurdis (interviewed by @fansplaining in Episode 221: Self-Inserts) is an Information & Media Studies researcher studying self-inserts. Effie has written a paper called Self-Insert Fanfiction as Digital Technology of the Self with this very promising abstract excerpt:

Then, drawing on a survey of self-insert fanfiction conducted across four platforms (Ao3, FF.net, Tumblr, and Wattpad), we explore how such works can be discovered, read, and engaged with, and we offer specific observations about self-insert subgenres, as drawn from a selection of these works.

I haven't read most of this paper, but a quick search for "Tumblr" revealed several passages that potentially relate to your question, including:

We observed that the keyword “Imagines” (i.e., with the -s) was most often appended to collections of “one-shot” stories, many of which were originally posted on the authors’ Tumblr accounts and were then “cross-posted” to Ao3 afterward.

(This is just one section -- there are other sections about other types of self-insert & xReader works). This passage highlights one possibility: perhaps many of the works you're seeing will eventually end up on an archive as well, possibly as part of one of those multi-chaptered fanwork that's a combination of many short works. But I don't know whether most people then go back and link to the archive version from the original Tumblr post.

Anyway, Effie's the expert here -- check out her work! :) I'll also throw this open to readers -- does anyone here have any other relevant data? (xReader writers and readers are also welcome to chime in and share their personal experiences and any patterns/trends they've noticed.)