#missing bram hours

[apocalypticsword]

Rereading all the Bram scenes because I miss my Wife Part 7

Tw: suicide implications (although she ended up surviving)

This scene still BREAKS me ~1 year later.

People don't talk enough about how Aya was absolutely ready to throw herself off a building to save the world. She 100% thought she would die as she had no way to know about Bram/Aku saving her.

Man.

[frankenjoly]

Hopefully tumblr doesn't troll you again with the asks... (this app is so buggy sometimes)

I'd like to request Bram & Aya + "beach" (it's missing them hours)

thankfully i discovered the issue quick-ish lkjlk but yeah... also: bramcraft mention bramcraft mention bramcraft mention

“And here I thought you wouldn’t like this.” Aya said, with an amused smirk, as she gave the final touches to the sand castle they had spent part of the afternoon making. “The beach, I mean.”

“What I am not an enthusiast of is being too much exposed to sunlight, but I do enjoy the shore and the sea.” And a day as cloudy as that one did the trick, even if they needed to be ready for the possibility of some rain. Besides, such weather also meant less people around, something Bram wouldn’t exactly complain about but quite the opposite.

“Yeah, it didn’t occur to me that you gotta come here a lot with your sea creature boyfriend.”

“Strictly speaking, Mr Lovecraft does not exactly come from any sea.” Or that planet by that matter, nor was ‘boyfriend’ as a term enough to describe their relationship either. But it started conveying the idea, he had to give that some credit.

“I know, I know, but you get me.” She simply said, and Bram nodded.

“I do.” The last detail was adding some little stones as decoration, then putting a tiny paper flag over the highest tower. And once that was done, Aya smiled from ear to ear. “Waddaya say, lord, count and expert? Is this a good castle?”

He didn’t even have to think about it; the answer was obvious.

“The best from the best, undoubtedly.” Bram assured her, smiling too.

(Also on ao3.)

[laughatlocksmiths]

bram stoker's dracula really does belong on the "would be such a great movie if it wasn't an adaptation" list

[gay-dorito-dust]

Recently got into DMC and have been enjoying your headcanons so much. May I request headcanons for Dante and Vergil with a s/o who enjoys reading nearly as much as Vergil does?

Dante

never been a reader, unless you count magazines but i wouldn't put it past him to have a handful of books himself that he can actually get through and enjoy.

he's more fond of books that contain alot of actions more then anything, but besides that he doesn't read nearly as much as you or his brother did.

both you and his brother could read like there was nothing better to do, spending hours sitting down and reading a lengthy book, whereas dante could proably get into a couple of chapters before his need to move and do something else takes over.

yet if there's one thing that could get him to relax for long periods of time was listening to you talk about your readings, loving how excited you get with each and every chapter, even holding and comforting you when you hit emotionally destroying aspects of the book where certain characters meet unfotunate ends.

he just loves seeing you read as it feels as though he was reading along side you.

he loves the way your face reflected how you were feeling during certain aspects of the story, finding it cute when you mouthed the story to yourself to make sure you didn't miss an ounce of detail in case it'll come back futher down the line.

however he will become a pouty boy if you give your books more attention then him, seriously he'll get all huffy and act like your neglecting him if he sees that you were lost within your readings.

'just one more chapter dante.' you tell him, only for him to rest his head on your shoulder and groan.

'you said that five chapters ago. Pay attention to me.’

Needles to say you had to make yourself a schedule between times spent reading and time spent with a mopey half demon that demanded cuddles and kisses as compensation.

Dante would ask people who were well versed in books, even his own brother, when he wanted to get you something after seeing that you’ve pretty much read and re-read every book within your possession multiple times over.

He wanted you to start something new even though you had no issue re-reading some of your favourites that have become comfort stories to you at this point that it felt like you were being welcomed home in another universe in a way.

Yet the look upon your face when he does get you a new set of books was enough to make him mimic your wide smile as you threw yourself at him, clinging to him tightly as you gush over the new additions to your already overflowing collection, kissing his cheek in multiple thanks.

You felt loved knowing that Dante went out of his way to find you something you haven’t read yet, it was more precious to you than being given jewellery or any expensive gift. It held more meaning to you in ways most wouldn’t grasp.

But do expect Dante to drag you outside for some fresh air now and then, you tend to get lost in your books that Dante drags you out of the room and out the house, claims your both going on a walk together with your fingers tightly interlocked together.

Vergil

he's naturally founder towards people who appreciate reading books and or has a fondess for poetry as him.

it makes things a little easier for him to make conversation and to understand the inner workings of your mind.

would you have met at a bookstore? reaching for the same book in every cliche meet cute? yes because i too am that cliche and Vergil will take note of your taste in literature from the books within your hands and makes an hum of apporval.

Edgar Allen Poe, george Orwell, Mary shelley, bram stroker, Harper Lee, emily bronte, Jane Austein, R F Kuang (i love adding her, sue me) Kurt Vonegut amongst many, many more.

finally someone who wasn't always preocupied by their phone, dwlindiling their attention span to pathetic lows that even a goldfish would outsmart them with embrassing ease. (he can't use one for shit, nor does he want to)

so to find that you had affilation to spending most of your days within your home, busy reading books and delving into stories as your face gave away your feelings towards the plot lines and character development.

meanwhile the only reactions you get out of him when he's reading is hums and furrowed brows and subconciously mouthing the poem to himself a though he was reciting it to memory for future reference.

other then that he's mainly deadpan in his expression, having acustomed himself with not ever revealing how he truly felt towards anything.

but he's not against sharing his thoughts and opinions on the written arts with you as it only provides even further insight even if you two had completely differnt viewpoints in a characters choice or the overall message of the story being told.

it becomes a tradition for you both to stay inside within his makeshift study and just read in silence, sure it might seem boring to some, but to you and Vergil you wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

it was nice for Vergil to share his love of reading with someone else, it brought a sense of comrodery, a sense that someone could understand him by the things he reads and he could understand you by the things you read.

You even compare notes if you were reading the same book, which is fun for the both of you, like a pair of absolute nerds. (Affectionate) you’d even look for books that the other might find interesting, which is sweet knowing that Vergil was actively looking for something to read for one extra person now instead of his lonesome self.

The Liberian/ bookstore owner would be excited that he has someone to share his passion of reading with, they’ve been waiting for this moment forever then minute this solemn looking man in blue walked through the door like an omen of death.

He’s flustered when confronted about it and a little defensive but deep down he’s happy too that he found someone alike him. He truly is sappy, but it’s in moments like these where his mind is elsewhere (you) from the his usual thoughts, it lifts a weight off of his chest in knowing he’s no longer alone.

Not anymore. (I need to give this man a fucking hug for fuck sake)

[verstappen-cult]

a request for Max Verstappen where you guys are cuddle in bed and can hear the kids and Jimmy and Sassy waking up to come to your room

✦ ۰ —ᣞ ⊹ ݁ ﹙ 🖇️ ﹚: mornings with max.

mornings with max are your favorite time of the day. as simple as that. you love the life you have with your kids, caring for them and spending the day at home doing the most of every day. but it can be chaotic, like most days are, and mornings are calm. mornings are for just you and him.

waking up early and staying in bed for as long as your kids will allow you is what you always do; with max’s arms wrapped around your body, holding you tightly against his chest. and today is no exception.

“want to stay here all day.” those are his first words, voice raspy and muffled by your hair.

“yeah? but we could, you know.” you turn to look at him with a small smile while lightly brushing his arm with the pad of your fingers. max’s eyes light up at finally seeing your face, as if he didn’t just fall asleep looking at you hours earlier. “we just need to make room for two little people.”

he snorts, helping you turn your body around to face him. “i love those two with my life, but i need some time alone with my wife.”

you lean closer to leave a chaste kiss on his lips, but then he’s grabbing you by the neck and forcing you to stay there. you’re more than happy to oblige.

however, you’re in the middle of making out when a sudden sound makes you pull away.

“i’m going,” max says, kissing your cheek. but before he can even begin to get up, you can hear one of your kids shushing the other one. “what are they doing?”

jimmy jumps on the bed, startling you both, followed closely by a very startled sassy.

“hey, buddy?” max is still holding you very close and tight, but you manage to scratch behind jimmy’s ears, making him purr and lean into your touch.

“i swear they love you more than me.” your husband groans, pouting just like your little ones do when they don’t get what they really want, like ice cream for breakfast. which is an issue every single morning.

“what can i say,” you shrug, sticking out your tongue at him. “everyone loves me.”

“yeah but no one more than me.” he’s still pouting and you really can’t help but touch his bottom lip with your thumb before kissing him.

“i don’t know. i think i need you to prove it.” you tease him and max is right there with you, mischief dancing in his ocean blue eyes.

but before he can even think on doing anything, the screaming and running outside the room makes you look at the two little angels with their pretty smiles and tiny feet coming your way. and as they jump on the bed, scaring the cats and forcing them to hide beneath the blankets, you know the moment is over.

“good morning you little devils, what were you doing, uh?” max takes the girl, floris, in his arms and she goes willingly, happy to be in her daddy’s arms.

“flo wanted ice cream,” her twin brother, bram, says while sliding in bed with you. “couldn’t find it.” and mirroring his father’s actions from before, he pouts, looking at you with those bright blue eyes and the most manipulative look on his face.

“mh, let’s see,” max doesn’t miss the warning look you give him, he chooses to ignore it. “if you can make jimmy and sassy eat all their food without making a mess, you can have some.”

both of them scream in excitement, jumping off the bed as quickly as possible while calling for the cats to follow them, which they do immediately.

“max!” you groan in frustration, but max just raises his hands in defense.

and as innocent as he can, he just says: “don’t blame me!” max tries to get out of bed without you noticing but you are one step ahead of him and before he has time to leave, you grab him by his shirt. “but schat! blame them and their little round and glassy eyes, they bought me!”

you know that whatever you do, they will have their ice cream for breakfast, max included. you just need to be prepared for three kids and two cats running like crazy around the house.

mornings. you wouldn’t trade them for anything.

[netmors]

Mr. Bridger looked at Lady Sabine's sketches with irony, hoping to cheer the girl up a little in such a depressing situation: - So who was it? Miss Wren? I don't believe you saw a living dead person? Your thoughts are frighteningly correct, Mr. Bridger, - Alexander joined the conversation. - According to the found records of old Captain Pellaeon, he personally witnessed the death of the admiral at the Battle of Bilbringi… Hera turned even paler. Five hundred years… Impossible. - Wait, Alexander, but that was over five hundred years ago! How could he? How can it be alive now?! - I would like to know this as much as you, Miss Syndulla. - Arghhhhh, I am more concerned about those who were with him in the castle and attacked me, Mr. Kallus and Mr. Jarrus. They do not seem like his usual pawns. They were… not very kind. - Hm, calm down, Mr. Orrelios, that's what we're trying to find in the journal. Presumably, they're not as free to act as the former Grand Admiral. - After they dealt with Pryce and chased us, I'm not so sure of your words. - Oh, here it is!

…."On my deathbed, I can finally tell, no, I can forget these terrible memories of that fateful day. I will never stop thinking about what happened that day, and I will blame myself until my last breath on this mortal world, but… But, Force, I… I must go… Go before they come! The traitors who dared to go against the will of the Emperor! Who turned their back on their Grand Admiral! Those he came for in their final hour!"...

Mr. Kallus finished reading the last entry, and the company sank into an uncomfortable silence. Then, sighing, the former Imperial said: - Well, things are starting to make sense… Other records from the Coruscant archive mentioned two allies of the Grand Admiral, supposedly responsible for Thrawn's death, however… Years later, they also died. - As you can see, no, - Miss Wren summed up the conversation gloomily, and then looked at Alexander. - Apparently none of the former Imperials can find peace even in the afterlife. Or… Unless they followed him voluntarily…

Making the text in the "style" of the 19th century turned out to be more difficult than I thought.

Inspired by the first half of Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula", this unusual art post for Halloween turned out.

Soundtracks:

Secession Studio - All Your Rage, All Your Pain

Secession Studio - Be Bold and Be Brave

Secession Studio - Veil of Shadows

[its-luna-noel]

fluctuations of the mind | jason todd x reader

03. stoker

summary: working at the local library while you work on your phd thesis seems like the perfect fit. you don't expect it to bring your childhood friend back to you after over a decade. now that you have him back, you refuse to let him go, no matter the challenges you face together.

contents: 18+, MDNI, f!reader, english phd student reader, fluff, angst, smut, drinking & drugs, past abuse, trauma, mental health issues, mental instability, ptsd, depression, suicidal ideation, classic literature, dark academia

word count: 2.7k

chapter 3/? (probably 20ish) prev chapter | next chapter

masterlist | link to ao3

notes: hello! specific content warning for this chapter: drinking, partying, implied drug use. thanks for reading!

“Loneliness will sit over our roofs with brooding wings.”

― Bram Stoker, Dracula

~

Jason has always felt lonely in a crowd.

When he was growing up, he was looked over, ignored in favor of the better parts of society. Then, as he learned to disappear into the background of every scene like a shadow, fading into darkness.

So, all in all, he’s not entirely pleased when you ask him to join your night of bar hopping. But, it’s you, and despite the fact that Red Hood is still angry with you, Jason Todd has no reason to be.

So he agrees, because he can’t stand to see that little pout on your face when he hedges, “I dunno….” When he sighs and says, “Fine, I’ll come,” you practically jump for joy, and even though he’s still fighting annoyance at your apparent lack of understanding that you could kill yourself buying off random drug dealers in Gotham, he can’t hold back the gentle chuckle that rises from deep in his chest.

“Alright, alright,” he says, placing a hand on top of your head and shoving you aside. “Ready when you are.”

You jump up from your couch, where both of you have been lounging for the past hour talking about books and school, and practically skip towards your bedroom to get dressed. He shakes his head after you, his lips curled in the smallest of smiles, before he watches you shut the door behind you.

You get dressed in a cropped sweater, something skin-tight and long-sleeved, which reveals a strip of skin above the waistband of your skinny jeans. You’ll be cold, stepping out like this into the winter air, but you know dancing at the clubs you frequent will heat you back up enough that it won’t matter. You quickly swipe on makeup, knowing Jason is probably impatiently waiting and not wanting to upset him by taking too long. Then you shove your I.D. and debit card in your bra and check your outfit one last time in the mirror before stepping out into the living room once more.

Jason looks up from his phone, still smiling softly, and nearly chokes when he sees your outfit.

In his mind, you’ve always been the ten-year-old kid he left in Park Row. Even when he saw you after all this time, he couldn’t get that image of you out of his head: scraped knees, missing baby teeth, stubbornly running after him. But now, looking at you in that crop top, seeing how it follows every curve of your upper body and shows exactly how much you’ve changed, he finds his mouth going dry and his mind stuttering like a caveman.

As he hits himself in the head with his metaphorical club, he tries to clear his throat and averts his eyes. “Ready to go?”

You nod happily, smiling at him as you make your way past. Is he imagining it, or is there more of a sway in your hips, like you know he’s watching? He feels his face heat up at the thought.

He tries to peel his eyes away from you, but he can’t seem to. So instead, he tries to watch respectfully.

You lead him out of your apartment, locking it behind you, and you pick back up where you left off in your conversation.

“Okay, favorite classic horror, and why?” you ask, arms wrapped around yourself as you head out into the chilly night.

“Frankenstein,” is Jason’s immediate answer, looking away from your hips to glance at your face. Though it’s difficult for him to explain why the novel resonates with him; how can he explain that he himself is a reanimated corpse not meant to exist, that he wants to drop to his knees and beg the world for kindness rather than violence? So he just shrugs and says, “I think Mary Shelley is awesome.”

You narrow your eyes at him; you’ve never heard him talk about books with less than twenty minutes of intellectual discussion. But he just shrugs and asks, “What’s yours?” And so you sigh and reply.

“Gotta be honest, I liked Dracula better than I liked Frankenstein.”

“What?” He sounds almost outraged. “That’s insanity!”

You shrug. “Just my honest opinion.”

“So you just don’t like to see women winning, huh.”

You huff a laugh and shake your head. “It’s not that! I just think Mina Harker is a badass.”

“Mhm,” he hums sarcastically, bumping his shoulder into yours. You grin up at him and lean into his side, enjoying the warmth of him as you walk the streets.

He wraps an arm around your shoulders, unable to resist. He wants you close.

You continue your walk to the bars of Cherry Hill, his arm still around you. When you lead him inside, he sees that the environment is actually quite chill, and he wonders if this night will end up with the two of you just drinking together and talking literature.

You grab his hand, and heat spikes through him through the touch. He can’t remember the last time someone touched him as casually as you do.

You lead him over to a high-top table in the back, the lights of the club illuminating the sparkling makeup on your eyelids and cheekbones. Jason watches you, entranced, as you walk up to your friend from the library and squeal, “River!” and hug them tightly.

He has to fight the hint of jealousy that flashes through him.

You turn and smile at him, your hand still on your friend’s arm. “Jason!” you say, your tongue lilting out his name brightly, and he basks in the sound of it on your lips. “This is my friend, River!”

He nods to your friend. “Hi.”

They smile back. “Hey.”

You laugh and lean into their side. “You guys are terrible! Absolute party poopers. Let’s get some shots going! That’ll lighten you guys up.”

Jason goes to try and stop you, to say he doesn’t want shots, but you’re already gone, leaving him with your friend. He sighs, and he and River level a gaze at each other, both seemingly uncomfortable.

“So,” River says, tilting their head at him, “how long have you known her?”

Jason shrugs a little, looking away from their wondering eyes. “We were friends as kids. Haven’t seen her in a while.”

River hums, eyes trained on him. “You guys must’ve been close. I saw the way she reacted to seeing you, that day at the library.”

Jason’s face seems to burn at the words. Were you close? You were kids; did you really know what it meant to be close to each other? He isn’t sure. He shrugs again. “I guess.”

Before River can further grill him on your relationship to him, you come back, several shots balanced between your fingers. You grin up at him. “You guys ready to get this party started?”

Jason raises an eyebrow. “Going a little hard, aren’t we?”

You just grin at him and grab a plastic cup. “Come on, come take a shot with me!”

River gives him a look like they’ve been through this tradition several times before. They grab a shot glass and clink it with yours.

Jason does the same. You all hit the bottom of the cup down on the table, and then shoot your drinks back. The taste is a mix of sour and sweet, and as he shoots it back he can barely taste the alcohol. Not exactly his vibe, but he’ll do almost anything for you.

You quickly go to the next shot, and he grimaces. “Hey, bug, you might wanna slow down.”

You give him a look, and it’s equally playful and chastising. “I’ve got a rhythm, Jay,” you say, and you take yet another shot.

Jason sighs to himself. It seems he’ll be taking care of your inebriated ass tonight.

You look at him, eyes still fully clear. He wonders how much you drink on a normal weekend to still be this lucid. He watches you take yet another shot, and then follow it up with a chaser of a vodka cranberry. He shakes his head at your antics, wondering if you have something else on the back of alcohol to make you this animated.

You grab River’s hand and his hand. “Let’s go dance!” you cry.

Jason groans, but lets you pull him along. River comes along willingly as you tug them onto the dance floor.

The lights haven’t even gone down yet, but you’re already throwing it back, shaking your hips and dancing animatedly. Jason isn’t sure if he wants to laugh or cringe at your wild movements, but it’s easy to tell that you don’t have a care in the world as you move to the music. Before he can get too embarrassed by your antics, the lights go out and the smoke machine starts, and the music is raised to the next level.

You go crazy.

You’re dancing so hard you’re breaking a sweat, grinding on River, swaying against Jason. It’s like you can’t decide who you want to bother more, and every time you come back up to him, he has to tighten his jaw so he doesn’t put his hands on your waist and drag you against him.

The combination of you and alcohol is a dangerous one.

You eventually come back up to him and press your chest against his, grinning up at him. “Are you having fun?” you shout over the music, your voice slurring drunkenly.

He lies, “Yeah, bug, having fun.”

“You’re a terrible dancer.”

He scoffs. “You should see yourself; you look like a toddler learning how to walk.”

You giggle and wrap your arms around his shoulders, pulling yourself right up against him. His eyes widen in surprise, but when you don’t pull back, he lets his hands rest on your hips. You sway with him for a moment. “I’m having so much fun, Jay,” you tell him, your words right in his ear.

He gives your hips a little squeeze. Can it truly be this bad for you to drink like this when you sound so honest and open? And how can he stay upset with you when you choose him to come take comfort in, to hug and dance to the music with?

He’s always felt alone in a crowd, but he doesn’t feel so alone when it’s with you.

~

You’re a mess.

Jason’s got you propped up against his chest as you stumble and slur, saying goodbye to River, who seems reluctant to let you stay with a strange man you only just reconnected with. It’s obvious you’re plastered, and he needs to get you home before you hurt yourself or someone else.

You’re also being a brat. “I don’t wanna goooo!” you whine.

River gives him a sympathetic look, obviously having dealt with you when you’re like this. He gives a deadpan expression, and they smile before grabbing you by the shoulders.

“You good?” they ask, searching your eyes. Making sure you’re okay with him walking you home.

You nod happily, grinning. “I’m okay! I wanna keep dancing.”

River shakes their head. “No. You’re going home.”

You stomp your foot like a child. “I wanna stay!”

Jason and River share a look. River just sighs and squeezes your hand. “Go home,” they say, before they take their leave and walk out of the club, getting in their Uber.

Jason sighs and grabs your arm, fingers wrapping around your bicep. “Come on.”

You huff and start to follow him. “I’ll walk you home and come back,” you say resolutely, and Jason rolls his eyes at you, shaking his head. There’s no way in hell he’s allowing you to leave once you get back to your apartment.

He tugs once on your arm. “Let’s go.”

You stumble after him, right into his side, practically bouncing off because he’s so muscular. He has to catch you so you don’t fall on your ass. He tugs you into his side, wrapping an arm protectively around you as he leads you out of the club and down the street.

You’re pouting the entire way. “Jay, I don’t wanna go.”

“I know, bug.”

“I wanna go back.”

“I know, bug.”

“You’re mean for making me leave.”

He sighs. “I know, bug.”

You fall silent, and he’s not sure if it’s because you’re actually upset with him, your drunk mind playing tricks on you and making you think he’s actually being unreasonable to walk you home, or if it’s because you’re finally calming down.

He walks you up to your apartment, and your hands fumble with the keys. He covers your hand with his and helps you slide the key into the slot. It turns without further hindrance.

You smile up at him, eyes hazy. He has to look away.

You take off your shoes and pad through your apartment to your bedroom. He hopes you won’t mind that he’s wearing his boots inside; he wants to be able to get out right after you fall asleep.

You don’t make that feat easy.

You putz around your apartment, making stops in your kitchen for a snack and then to the bathroom to brush your teeth and use the facilities before bed. Jason stands in your bedroom, rocking back on his heels as he sighs and waits for you. Then, when you walk into the bedroom and unbutton your jeans, stripping without warning, he blushes and turns away quickly before he can see anything besides the flash of red from your underwear.

He’s trying to be good.

Then, finally, once you’re in bed and ready to sleep, he pets your hair. “Good night,” he tells you, and then he steps away.

You catch his sleeve. “Stay?” you ask.

He shakes his head. “Can’t. I’ve gotta go.“

“Stay,” you pout, and this time, it’s not a question.

“Bug, I can’t–”

You interrupt him. “Yes, you can! You can stay! You can stay like you didn’t all those years ago, and you can make all of this better, and you can be my best friend again!” And with that you deflate, and you lament, “I missed you.”

His heart aches at the sight of you hurting so much, especially when only half an hour ago you were dancing your ass off and laughing like you were the happiest person in the world. “I missed you, too, bug. I’m here.”

You tug on his sleeve. “So stay.”

And so he sighs, because he can’t fight with you like this, can’t argue with you when you’re baring your broken heart to him. He kicks off his boots and shrugs off his jacket, climbing into bed beside you, uncomfortable in his denim jeans, but he’ll fight through it for you. You smile and curl closer, as close as you can, until your face is pressed against his chest.

“Thanks, Jay,” you say.

Jason just runs his fingers through your messy hair. “You’re welcome. Now go to sleep.”

It’s quiet between you for a few moments, and your breathing starts to even out, and he thinks you’re already asleep. But then you speak one last time.

You mumble into his chest, “Love you, Jay.”

His breath catches in his throat. He looks down at you, watching you fall asleep right next to him. He doesn’t know what possessed you to say that, even if you’re just saying it platonically – you haven’t seen him in twelve years; how could you still love him? But he slowly lets himself relax into the bed, and he can’t deny that – even if he wouldn’t call it love – there’s something still there after all these years, something that yearns to protect you, yearns to make you happy.

Yearns to see that bright grin without the hazy cloud of alcohol behind your eyes. Wants you to feel actually happy without relying on all your substances.

He wonders, if he went looking, how many drugs he’d find in your apartment.

But he doesn’t go searching. Instead he nuzzles his head against your hair. As he closes his eyes and tries to fall asleep, trying to ignore the feeling of your body curled right next to him, he can’t help but let his mind wander.

And he can’t help but wonder.

What are you trying so hard to forget?

thanks for reading! -luna xx link to ao3 | next

(taglist: @corpsedogs, @lulawantmula)

[rivermask]

Tumblr Book Clubs I am Currently Following, in order of how hard I think they would be to catch up on if you wanted to join the fun:

Around the World Hourly (Around the World in Eighty Days with entries sent according to the in-story hour of events, started Oct 2)

The Public Domain Book Club (started Frankenstein for the month of October on Oct 1)

Lord of the Rings Newsletter (started late September with some very long posts, but will be variable length as they follow the dates of events in the story)

Dracula Daily via Re:Dracula (chronological Dracula by Bram Stoker - OK, you've missed most of this one, but the audio format is very engaging - you could still catch up for the exciting conclusion!)

My Dear Wormwood (The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis - 22 short letters so far, posted on a weekly basis)

What Manner of Man (original vampire romance by St John Starling - 24 shortish and very fun chapters so far, posted on a weekly basis)

Whale Weekly (Moby Dick by Herman Melville with roughly chronological timescale - we're 70-some chapters in but there are often long breaks between them so you could probably catch up)

Les Mis Letters (a chapter of Les Miserables by Victor Hugo every day for a year - catch-up difficulty level: impossible)

Please add your own!

[kassischaos]

Okay so stuff coming straight from the Witherburn After School News discord theory channel:

For a while we’ve been encouraged to look at the following list of characters birthdays by Francis:

The Reporter July 22, 2008

Birdie May 4, 2008

Bo Stoker November 8, 2007

Dyce December 4, 2007

Coach McMillan February 29, 1980

Eva Sinanger February 20, 2008

Francis Smith January 16, 2006

Hunter Clark October 26, 2007

Mr. Pickler October 20, 1967

Tina Young August 23, 2007

Now there are some things that we already knew or were quick to figure out (ie. Mr. Pickler’s birthday being the day of the infamous bigfoot sighting) but we were clearly missing something considering we kept being urged to look at the birthdays more. Supposedly the birthdays had some meaning that would reveal something that would foreshadow season two of WBASN.

Now today Francis again was urging the server to look at the birthdays but was now italicizing certain letters, specifically O and B. It took as way too long (the witherburn server over complicating things? who would’ve thought/sar) but eventually we figured out that we were being pointed at Bo Stoker. (Well first we were thinking that OB=08 and went a long rabbit hole but that got dismissed after an hour long mental break.)

From there we started looking at Bo Stoker’s birthdays and things that happened on that day (November 8th). It was confirmed by Francis that what we were looking for was on the wikipedia page for that date, and after a whole of searching I came across the fact that Nov. 8th was the day that Bram Stoker created Count Dracula.

That along with some other hints (Francis asking about Tim Stoker from The Magnus Archives last name being Stoker and if that meant he was secretly a vampire, and a 2 truths 1 lie that had been asked in the server that included “vampires are real” as one of the options). We concluded that vampires seem to be a likely thing to show up in season two of WBASN.

Additionally we were told to listen to the halloween episode of witherburn and when I listened to that there were two things that seemed relevant:

1. The Witherburn Ghost. Her being seen with a hole where he heart should be could point towards a wooden stake to the heart (where vampires need to be stabbed with a wooden stake to be killed)

2. The Stoker family being obsessed with the blood orange pie. Specifically a pie that is a currently a very well kept secret (secret ingredient? Blood?)

Well that’s all the theorizing for now. If anyone wants to add anything I missed feel free to.

@witherburn-after-school-news

[phoenixwatchesmovies]

Dracula Season Watch Party: Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

The centuries old vampire Count Dracula comes to England to seduce his barrister Jonathan Harker's fiancée Mina Murray and inflict havoc in the foreign land. - Dir. Francis Ford Coppola

I haaaaaaaaaaaaated this the one and only other time I watched it because, for a movie calling itself Bram Stoker's Dracula, it sucks ass at adapting the novel. It hits all the beats but misses the themes and adds extra stuff, and Jonathan doesn't even go after the Count with a shovel, ffs. However, it is technically one of The Most Faithful adaptations we have to date, which is impressive considering how much story there is to adapt. And if I stop being such a purist turd.... *sigh* it's a good movie.

Like..... REALLY good. The costumes, the colors, the music, the camera work, everything has such a surreal vibe, and the scene transitions move with something like dream logic. Actually, I think "movement" sums up everything I loved. Shots moving around a scene, SO MUCH gauzy fabric moving in a breeze, Dracula and Mina moving through a crowd. It's ✨pretty✨

It's also horny AF. Jesus Christ.

That being said, I think the criticism I've seen saying this version turns Lucy into a slut is pretty unfair. She and Mina gossip about their relationships (and kiss in the rain, by god I ship it), and she's flirtatious with the suitor squad, big deal. She's never overtly sexual until she starts becoming a vampire, and that's nothing that doesn't already happen in the book. The two scenarios don't compare. One is established friendships that come equipped with camaraderie and intimacy, the other is a corruption. Like, that's literally what's happening, and that's where the horror comes from. As for this version's take on her sleepwalking, we are NOT calling that slut behavior. That's all I'm saying.

Speaking of the suitor squad (Lucy's potential fiances, for the uninitiated), I understand there is only so much you can squeeze into a two hour run time, but I wish they had more time to shine. I need more of Quincey being a manly man with the most golden heart of gold ever. I need more of Jack being the most lovesick and emo wreck of a human with a side of medical malpractice. Most importantly, I need Cary effing Elwes to have more to do as Art. Not that any one of Lucy's boyfriends loves her more than the others, but I feel like Art's devotion to her is given more weight because he was the one Lucy chose to marry, and ASDFGHJKL. You can't cast CARY ELWES, aka WESTLEY THE FARM BOY, of Thee Greatest Movie Ever Made The Princess Bride, and then NOT give him any room to work in that space. He could have eaten that shit up! You know it! I know it! The only people who apparently don't know it are the people who called the shots on everything from the script to the casting, because if we had spent more time with canon couple Art and Lucy and less with fanon couple Drac and Mina, WE COULD HAVE HAD IT ALL. *insert Adele gif because I couldn't actually find one*

While we're on the subject of Dracula and Mina as lovers doomed across centuries, YES, it's fucking romantic as shit and I've come across the concept in other stories and would have snorted that shit if possible, BUT. The addition here detracted from time we could have spent on Lucy, as mentioned above, and despite what I've said about that so far, I understand why you'd make that call. If there's going to be an epic Gothic romance, it might as well be the focal point of the story and therefore needs to happen between the leads. But.

BUT.

THAT'S ALREADY IN THE SOURCE MATERIAL. IT'S MINA AND JONATHAN!!!!! Jonathan Harker is peak Gothic wifeguy. Dude never stops thinking about how awesome his wife is and how much he loves her, and I can't even think about his refusal to let her be condemned to hell alone and his determination to damn himself with her if she became a vampire without getting in fits about it. He said "fuck God if he doesn't love Mina, he's not good enough for her and I love her enough for both of us," and you think ANY other love story can beat THAT??? They did my good friend Jonathan so so dirty.

On the subject of my good friend Jonathan, I know I'm not the only one who thinks Keanu Reeves would look so. Fucking. HOT. With gray hair. I don't know what they did to him in the back half of this movie, but rather than be disappointed in how fake it looks, I'm choosing to look forward to the day we finally get Silver Fox Keanu.

Other details I loved now that I'm done complaining include Mina's wardrobe echoing Elizabeta's gown in the prologue, red light reflecting off Renfield's glasses when he's talking about his master, red appearing more prominently in Mina's and Lucy's wardrobe as they fall under Dracula's influence, the zoom-in on the bite marks on Lucy's neck transitioning into the wolf's glowing eyes in the next scene, Dracula's shadow moving independently of his body, everything Anthony Hopkins is doing as Van Helsing, and the entire standoff between him and Mina and the brides.

I think I've said all I feel like saying, and it took a full 24 hours to stop talking, so in summary: I DO like this more than I used to, but I like it more when looking at it on its own merit and not as an adaptation. What I like, I really like. What I don't like, pretty much has to do with how it differs from the book. The most important part is that I had fun watching. Even if there aren't any flappy bats on a string.🥂

[apocalypticsword]

Rereading all the Bram scenes because I miss my Wife Part 6

Facts about Bram:

He saw all of his people die

He begged for his people to be spared and to only kill him

He doesn't/didn't want to turn anyone else into vampires

[fuckyeah-beringandwellsfics]

🎃 13 👻 spooky 🧛🏻 Bering and Wells 🧟 fic 🩸 recs! ☠️

Here is a list (under the readmore, ordered from short to long) of spooky and/or Halloween-themed fics: short ones and long ones, AUs and casefics, something for everyone! Feel free to add your favorites in reblogs or replies!

Bite Me (858 words) by @tigerkid14 Chapters: 1/1 Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Summary: Kinktober 2017 prompt: biting; Myka and Helena were apparently affected by a copy of Bram Stoker's Dracula and have a chat in the aftermath.

I have wanted to know you, lover of books (1463 words) by @purlturtle Chapters: 1/1 Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Summary: Honestly I love the "I didn't know where else to go" trope, and this morning I had an undeniable inspiration - I've teased vampire!Helena before, but this is a different vampire!Helena. Then again, can there ever be enough vampire!Helenas? No there can't, so here we go. (also available as a podfic!)

Halloween (1493 words) by @madronash Chapters: 1/1 Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Summary: Created for Bering and Wells Appreciation Week 2022, Day Three: Special Occasions/Holidays/etc. Could also be called Fright Night: Fake Blood

Dreadful Tower (2042 words) by @nerdsbianhokie Chapters: 1/1 Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Summary: Half-living animatronics, a fear of drowning, and a Jenga tower. A fun night off for the Warehouse agents.

I Ain't Afraid of No… Artifact? (5298 words) by @amtrak12 Chapters: 1/4 Rating: General Audiences Summary: The Ghostbusters meets the Warehouse 13 team! or Three Times it was an artifact and One Time it was actually a ghost. Includes background Toltzmann and Erin cluelessly being really gay for Myka.

Dawn of the Dragonborn: Heart of a Hero, Heart of a Predator, Heart of Dovahkiin (8907 words) by @tryingthisfangirlthing Chapters: 5/? Rating: Explicit Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Graphic Depictions Of Violence Summary: A vampire. A Dragonborn. Two women, a little in love. Coffee? Mead? Or maybe save the world… M'aiq'a is an investigative agent for the Penitus Oculatus, the Emperor's personal bodyguard, sent to Skyrim to try and figure out what's behind these damned vampire attacks that killed her foster brother. Hlenea, clutching an ancient scroll and beset by gargoyles, is the woman she quite literally unearths, sought after by vampires and hunters alike. 'Beware of becoming the very thing you despise' has never been more true. Never mind falling for one… But centuries of unlife make for layers of secrets, and trust is hard to come by. The world is running out of time, and they will both have larger roles to play than either of them ever wanted…

Nightmare Warehouse (11709 words) by @anandabrat and @starshipblueberry Chapters: 14/14 Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Summary: Once upon a time, like two weeks ago, starshipblueberry said I’ve got this idea about Nightmare Before Christmas and Bering and Wells, and I said, “That’s a fabulous idea. Can we Good Omens it?” So we wrote in patchwork, one day each trading off. We weren’t supposed to peek. It was supposed to be like Christmas. That didn’t even last a day. We texted each other back and forth for hours. We left each other breadcrumb trails to follow or ignore. We thought we had the ending sorted out like five different times before we actually wrote it.

Transient (38674 words) by @tantedrago Chapters: 14/14 Rating: Mature Warnings: Major Character Death Summary: AU: H.G. Wells wakes up in a house without knowing who she is. Slowly, she realises that people can't see her and don't react to her: Helena is a ghost. The literature professor Myka Bering buys her house. As the American moves in, HG slowly falls in love with her. But there is still this problem with her being dead and unnoticable to other people. But with Miss Bering, something is different.

Aye, Zombie (57793 words) by @ifourmindbeso Chapters: 13/13 Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Rape/Non-Con Summary: Bering and Wells Zombie AU. Set in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, but in another universe where the Good Friday agreement never happened. What if Myka was the former villain? This is the result of a particularly vivid dream of mine, which may or may not have been aided by large doses of (prescribed) painkillers. So if it reads like a bad trip…that’s why. Trigger warnings for pretty much everything you can imagine - violence, assault. Also, lots of swearing.

What Goes Around Comes Around (That Halloween Story) (61467 words) by @purlturtle Chapters: 13/13 Rating: General Audiences Summary: Myka rolled her eyes at him – but she couldn’t be mad at him for long. Steve was way too good a friend to begrudge a bit of teasing. “Shut up,” she said, but her heart wasn’t in it. “You did save the damsel in distress. And her baby.” “Shut up,” Myka repeated, this time with a bit more oomph behind it. “There are worse meet-cutes, you know. Wait till Claudia hears of this; she’ll heart-eye all over it.” “Shut up!” Myka laughed.

The Courtship of Christina's Mother (73987 words) by @jdaydreamer3 Chapters: 5/5 Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Summary: Myka Bering is content with her life as it is. A well-respected architect of a flourishing business. She doesn't have time for love. Or so she thought. Then fate steps in and knocks on her door in the form of Helena Wells and her daughter Christina. Love is inevitable.

Illustrated Misdeeds (99633 words) by Felix_27 Chapters: 18/18 Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Summary: Post Season 5. Myka, Pete and Helena have been reunited for their first mission in some time. Tension is a little high as the artifact chase has them following a familiar traveling carnival that has desires of its own with horrible consequences.

Death, or something like it (104700 words) by @ifourmindbeso Chapters: 26/26 Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Summary: Sheriff Myka Bering lives in a small town in Mississippi. Children are dying in the most horrible way possible, and she has no idea why - until she meets the vampire. The vampire who senses something different about Myka. Suddenly, nothing in Myka's life makes sense, and she faces a battle to save her town from a wave of darkness - from both within and without.

[lover-lyn]

For the ever sweet and lovely @kimisbunny , I hope you like it:)

Can't help falling in love

Shall I stay?

Would it be a sin

If I can't help

Falling in love with you?

Elvis persley↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺

To think, thousands of years roaming this earth

Only to be rendered a fool with nothing more than a couple words, a look, a touch.

Count Bram, lord of vampires, a deadly calamities, a king sat upon a mighty throne, was a fool.

A lovesick one.

He was death incarnate, with more power than any could suppose

But all he was to you was Bram.

Bram, who got you flowers daily, always with a hidden message using their meaning

Bram, who would hold your hand and lead you to bed, the sun is still shining bright but he misses your embrace too much to care

Barm, who would sit with you for hours, admiring you as the melodic sound of music would swipe you away from reality

Oh how he loved it, music soothed his soul like no other

For a few moments, he would be pure, and he would know no pain, no blood, no loss.

'Euphoria' did not do the effect music had on him justice

But what he felt when lost in the beauty of melodies pales in comparison to how he felt when in your presence

Your voice made the most sophisticated an elegant of pieces sound like a child's screeching

Should he have to give up the sweet joy of music to be with you, he'd chose holding your hand with nary a thought

He'd go through the pain of losing you over and over again if it ment getting to live besides you once more, even if only for a moment

Hopefully, he was ment to love you in every lifetime of yours

And maybe, he was fated to lose you in every single one as well

But it served some comfort to know that, someday, he would finally rest alongside you in death.

A semblance of some hope for peace

[sundaybossanova]

Witch's Love Chapter 1

Paring: San x OC

AU: Fantasy

Word count: 4,1k

Summery:

It was a normal day for Sera, brewing potions, visiting the market and trying not to blow her cover but a sudden uninvited guest changes everything. Lying on her doorstep is a young man on the brink of death and she has no idea what she's gotten into after saving his life.

With a heavy sight Sera finally stepped back from her cauldron having finished putting the last bits of dried lavender into the now finally finished potion. With the sleeves of her ebony blouse, she carefully dabbed away the sweat drops on her forehead. It has taken her longer than expected to craft the potion seeing as she ran out of marjoram halfway through the making process. “Maybe if I had checked my stock before starting this whole thing would have been done quicker” the white-haired witch said to nobody in particular. Walking slowly to the tiny window in the house she admired the glowing moon that was shining brightly in the dark night sky. Beside the last crackles of the dying fire the house was silent with the feeling of peace hovering in the air. Two soft knocks could be heard breaking the tranquil silence and making Sera give one last glance to the moon before moving on to open the wooden door of her humble abode. “Why do you come home at this hour Bram?” the girl asked opening the door wider to let the large black dog enter her home. Without much of a response the familiar trotted to the kitchen, went past the cauldron containing the finished potion and finally settled down close to the extinguished fireplace laying down trying to preserve the last bits of warmth offered by it. “Oh come on tell me what you have been up to, I missed you while you were gone.” Pouting slightly the girl continued “Did you meet someone interesting? Or have you found new customers in the village?” Still the dog seemed not one bit interested and simply answered “It was a long day and even though I haven’t interacted with a lot of people, actually none, I am still exhausted.” He repositioned his head so he could watch the witch make her way to a cabinet taking out ingredients for their shared dinner which turned into a late-night snack. “Did you finish your potion we have to bring it to the customer tomorrow.” Bram reminded the girl still remembering times where the young witch would forget the deadlines for her potions causing a lot of her clients to become angry and dissatisfied with her work. The young witch just hummed as a form of saying yes, too concentrated on cutting the ingredients for their shared meal. “Everything is finished I just have to fill it into a flask, don`t worry so much.” And with that she continued her task with a small smile on her lips.

As the first rays of sunshine slowly appeared Sera was already finishing getting dressed in dark green woollen dress with a white ruffle-sleeved blouse underneath it. Her delicate hands grabbed onto the necklace laying on the small dressing table in front of the mirror. After looking at the three green stones embedded in the pendant, she quickly put it on and started braiding her hair. “We have to leave soon I feel like there will be a storm coming and I would rather get home with my fur still dry” came Bram’s voice from his place on her bed. His comment made her hurry up grabbing her black cloak, basket and coin pouch ready to leave if it wasn’t for her familiar calling out to her: “Haven’t you forgot something? Maybe a little thing you worked for all night long?”. With that said Sera turned around and swiftly grabbed the flask from her worktable muttering a quiet “Thank you. Now let’s go”. The black dog was following the witch through the still quiet woods where the animals and plants had yet to awake. The fog was slowly lifting as the two neared the village and could hear faint voices from the marketplace in the centre of the town. Making their way into the bustling streets the screams of many sellers became louder and they had to push themselves through the crowds of busy villagers on their way to get groceries and what not. “Remind me why I had agreed to join you today?” Bram’s voice was laced with regret not enjoying being nearly being stepped on and pushed around by people. “It was your decision don’t try to put the blame on me now.” She answered with a light chuckle finally seeing their destination coming closer. The little shack seemed to be quite old and rundown she guessed nobody has used it in some time. “Doesn’t it feel weird that the customer has requested to meet here out of all the places? This place seems abandoned and there aren’t any people around” her familiar spoke up with questions that have also been going through her mind. “Honestly I don’t know who ordered it, in the letter it only said she needed the potion as soon as possible and I feel like when somebody asks for this particular one, they are very desperate, so I wanted to help without asking any questions.” The girl finally admitted realizing her own mistake of being too naïve and taking on requests she couldn’t be sure were worth her time or would endanger her life. “I do think you know to not do such stupid things ever again, if they find out a witch has helped getting rid of a child you will be solely accused of killing an innocent child they won’t care or believe that you only acted out the mothers wishes.” Bram’s voice was stern trying to control his anger that comes from his underlying fear of the girl getting hurt by the strangers living in the village.

Before she could continue apologizing for her wrongdoings, they could hear light footsteps coming near. “Excuse me Miss but are you the- “the hooded figure was slowly coming to a halt in front of the two nervously looking around “are you the witch?” she finally finished her question after stumbling over her own words. Sera raised her head to look the person in the eyes finding a pair of storm grey eyes filled with worry. “Yes, I am the one you’ve been searching for I presume you are the one who wrote me the letter” Shily the girl nodded and tried to crack a small smile, yet the only thing visible on her face was her nerves. “Here take the potion” she pulled out the flask and handed it to the shaking woman. “To make it more enjoyable, mix it into some tea and drink it before going to sleep. This potion will cause you to miscarry, you might feel a sharp pain in your stomach and become a bit dizzy the next morning but as soon as the miscarriage has ended those symptoms will pass eventually.” Sera has spoken those words without breaking eye contact with the person in front of her. “I hope after this you will be happier and if you need anything else you know where to find me my dear.” She ended her little speech with a comforting smile patting the girl’s shoulder before making her way in the direction of the forest. Too stunned to speak the young woman nearly forgot to thank and pay the witch for her service. “Wait up! Here`s your money I am ever so grateful for your help. Honestly, I don’t know what I would do without this potion, so I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.” With those final words the younger one put the gold coins into Sera’s hand and ran off without looking back quickly disappearing behind corners and buildings of the village. “She seems too young and innocent to get pregnant, this whole thing gives me a bad feeling.” Her familiar finally spoke up after the girl was out of sight. “Maybe it was an accident, maybe she was forced we will never know, and we especially shouldn’t intervene with the business of others. We’re doing our job by providing the people with potions and remedies for their problems, nothing more nothing less.” Continuing their way home they stopped at a few booths with Sera picking up items she ran out of and Bram staying close by her side looking out for any potential dangers. Unfortunately, it had begun pouring down some time after they entered the forest again. “I told you we should have left earlier to avoid the rain.” The witch chose to ignore the familiars’ words and just kept on following the small path home. The rain has started to sicker through her cloak and slowly she began to feel the cold creeping up on her. When the small hut came into the girl’s view, she sighed out of relief . “It wasn’t that bad, was it? If you want, I can make us some hot supe and meanwhile you dry yourself in front of the fireplace? Deal?” she suggested looking behind her to face the dog. “This actually sounds like a good plan, I am in.” the wolflike creature answered but before he could add anything Sera let out a short scream while falling on the ground. Confused and utterly shocked the girl looked down at her feet seeing something she hadn’t expected to find. “How, why…. When” She couldn’t find any words while staring at the severely wounded man lying on the ground. The guy tried to get up by pushing his right hand into the mud pulling his upper body a few centimetres off the ground, head only raised long enough for them to make eye contact before he collapsed again letting out muffled groans. Finally, the silent whimpers and expressions of pain pulled Sera out of her thoughts, and she suddenly rushed to the stranger’s side holding his bloody face in her hands. “He’s burning up, we have to get him inside as quickly as possible.” She said in a rushed voice, already preparing to carry the man’s body into her hut with the help of Bram.

Her kitchen table was turned into a makeshift hospital bed after they had laid the young lad onto it. Running around collecting the needed items Sera didn’t realise that the boy had awoken and tried to stand up. “What do you think you are doing?” said Bram in a stern voice. The witch turned on her heels and pushed the upper body of her patient back down. “Lay down, you are severely injured and you’re only making it worse.” She was quite angry, yet her touch was gentle while putting him back into place. With efficient moves she prepared all of the tools she needed and started to work on healing his wounds. The only sound coming from the man were muffled groans and yelps of pain while Sera was putting different ointments and herbs on his many wounds. “This one will hurt a lot.” She said in a quiet whisper lazed with concern as she slowly poured alcohol on the deepest wound on his chest that was oozing blood. “You’re quite lucky the arrow didn’t hit your heart”. Bram was watching everything from a distance not wanting to disturb her while she was in her trance of healing. The sweat on her forehead was glistening in the dim light of the room as she placed the final dressing over her patient’s upper body. Huffing out a sigh of relief she turned her body to the familiar, a small smile escaping her lips. “He is doing fine now; you can go to sleep. I will stay and look after him” Not fond of this idea the wolfish creature stated it would be best for her to rest and he will wake her the moment the stranger shows signs of waking up. Finally feeling the exhaustion taking over her body Sera gave in and made her way up the stairs into her bedchamber and after lying down on her comfortable little bed it didn’t take long for her to fall asleep.

“Get away from me you damn beast” was the first thing the young witch heard upon waking up the next day. Without a thought she ran down the stairs to find her dear familiar being threatened with a knife by the person who just yesterday was lying in front of her abode on the brink of death. “What do you think you are doing?” she was enraged, and the man suddenly turned upon hearing her voice. “What do you mean, I am defending myself from this creature.” After that comment Bram couldn’t take it anymore and with a venomous voice he finally spoke up “I did nothing to you! Ungrateful brat. You are the one pointing weapons and wanting to fight.” With that said Sera had enough and in one big stride went to the strangers’ side gripping onto his arm completely taking him by surprise. “I will not tolerate this kind of behaviour in my house! And you should lie back down, or your wounds will reopen, and all my work will have gone to waste.” Flabbergasted, the man let her lead him back to the kitchen table he had previously laid on and sat back down. The witch was mumbling incoherent words while scurrying around the room doing who knows what. Before he could speak up, he was interrupted by the woman. “How about we start over. After all this seems like one big misunderstanding.” Now that he has somewhat calmed down, he took in the appearance of his apparent saviour. A petite girl of similar age to him, with long white hair, fair skin and eyes a shade of green he only knows from the depths of the forest. It took him some time to speak up himself: “I agree also I am sorry for threatening your ehhh… pet wolf?” While in the end his sentence sounded more like a question Sera had to hold in her laugh. “He is not a wolf but a black shepherd and my familiar. His name is Bram.” She said, smiling faintly while putting a kettle over the little fire she had started. “Oh, how rude of me, my name is Sera.” she added, turning around to face him. “San” Was the short answer from the stranger who still looked wary of his surroundings. “It’s nice to meet you San, I am curious how you got into the state you were in yesterday”. Patience was not one of her strong suits therefore she just had to ask him. Her green eyes full of curiosity were now fixated on him waiting for an answer. “Well, you see, I have been running away from the royal guards with my brother and to distract them we split up upon arriving in the forest but they defied my expectations and kept up with my pace even getting close enough to hit me with an arrow” his hand was subconsciously hovering over the bandages around his chest. “After falling to the ground I thought it was over but because of whatever reason they ran back to the castle after hearing the sound of a horn, without that I would probably be dead by now” pausing for a moment he lifted his head locking his brown eyes with hers. “And if you wouldn’t have found me I also would be dead, so thank you again I own you my life”. The sincerity in his voice was so eminent that a smile crept itself on her face. “I would do it again in a heartbeat.” she said confidently, finally breaking their eye contact to hand him one of the mugs full of deliciously smelling tea. The following silence was not an awkward one but rather one of mutual understanding and want for some peace.

“Do you live here alone?'' It was his time to ask a question again and she nodded her head taking off the bandages carefully. “Ever since I was 16 but I have Bram, so I am never really alone” The wolfish creature's ears peaked after his name was mentioned and his curious eyes followed his master's movements meticulously. “I see, still I can’t really imagine how it must feel to live like this coming from living with seven other guys. Your situation seems like the complete opposite” he said, cracking a smile at the end a little lost in his thoughts about his brothers. Would they be searching for him, maybe they thought he was dead in the end? He just hoped they wouldn’t do anything stupid because of his absence. “My turn. Why were you running from the guards?'' The wound was now fully unwrapped, and she began applying a self-made ointment on it. “Should have known you would ask” he mumbled quietly trying to avoid her forest green eyes. “I may or may not have stolen something from the palace” Her hands stopped working, eyes looking up searching for his. “You really stole from the king?” her voice was low still in disbelief waiting for him to start laughing or telling her it was a joke. But to her further surprise he kept his sheepish posture confirming her it was the truth that he spoke. “Wow… this is unbelievable but what was so important to sacrifice your own life? There is nothing more valuable than life itself?” her answer surprised him, instead of flipping out after finding out he committed treason she was wondering about his reasoning. “We simply stole money and riches, we didn’t even take a lot to stay unnoticed but on our way out we were spotted by a guard, it rarely happens so we weren’t really ready.” “Wait so you did this more than once?'' Now the shock was evident in her eyes as she dropped the new bandages she prepared. San finally raised his head showing the serious expression that was previously hidden behind his hair. “I know this sounds horrible and I understand if you do not want me here anymore but please don’t tell anyone and let me leave. I promise to never come back” he sounded so earnest taking her hands in his pleading her to understand. It took her a moment to realise she had been staring blankly at him. He took her lack of response as a sign to leave dropping her hands and trying to get up from the kitchen table. This was finally enough to rip her from her daze. “No stay you’re still hurt” her hands were pulling him back gently while her facial expressions made him feel at ease taking away the fear and panic that began bubbling inside him. “It is true that stealing, especially from the king, is a severe crime but I’d like to believe that you have your reasons to do so. Furthermore, I cannot let you walk around the forest in this state knowing I could have helped you more.” The sincerity in her eyes took him by surprise making him smile showing off his dimples. Letting out a breathy thank you he still couldn’t believe she wasn’t about to kick him out or worse tell on him to the guards. “Are you sure you want to help a traitor of the crown?” he asked willing to give her one last chance to avoid the mess she was about to get into. “Don’t worry about me, if the king were to find me helping you would be the least of my crimes. After all being born a witch will forever be my biggest crime.” The smile on her face seemed forced her eyes not meeting his while she busied her hands to finish bandaging his chest. He was too stunned to speak her bravery admirable to him, yet he caught on to the change of mood and he couldn’t imagine how it must feel to be in constant fear of being caught. “Well in my eyes your powers seem more like a blessing then a curse it just scares the ones who are afraid of change and the possibility of losing their power.” This made her heart speed up, he wasn’t afraid of her instead he seemed rather fascinated and intrigued about her abilities. For the remaining time they stayed silent, the only noise coming from her working on changing his bandages.

“You should stay the night to rest and gain more energy to go back home” was the first thing Sera said while they were having dinner. Mid-bite San raised his head looking at her, “sounds like a plan thank you for your hospitality” the smile on his face shone so brightly making her join him. Waving one of her hands dismissively she tried to explain how she liked to help people and would do it again any day. The rest of their meal was filled with random topics, some stories of their past and a lot of laughter. He told her more about his brothers, how one of them tried to cook but instead nearly burned down their house or how the oldest reminded him of her because he was the one who would take care of their wounds. Through the evening they got a lot closer realising how similar they were yet so different at the same time. “They would love to meet you” he commented with a big grin. “I’m not so sure about that one, they don’t even know I exist, and they would probably think I am awkward.” The last part was more a whisper to herself, she knew that her social skills were lacking and just thinking about meeting all of his 7 brothers made her shrink in her seat. “What do you mean? I can already see Seonghwa thanking you for taking care of me and asking about all the salves and ointments you used.” His eyes seemed so sincere that Sera felt more at ease, yet in the back of her mind the fear of judgement was still present and would probably not leave any time soon. “You should try to get some sleep now, it’s getting late and we want your wounds to heal as quickly as possible right?” the young witch said with a small smile, starting to clean the table. “You`re right, let me help you” and after a quick argument about how he should rest and not clean dishes right now, which she lost, they finished tidying up and she showed him to her room. “You can take my bed, I'll give you some clothes for you to sleep in.” Before he could disagree with her statement the girl was already going through her drawers picking out a pair of loose fitting trousers and a linen shirt. “Take these I will be downstairs, just call me if you need anything. Sleep tight:” and with those words she quickly left to get some sleep herself after all the day had been quite long. With her leaving the room San looked at the clothes in his hand and felt a weird sense of comfort, one he had only experienced when being in the presence of his brothers.

The first rays of sunlight hit the white sheets and reached the golden skin of the person underneath it. Scrunching his nose San tried to avoid the light by covering his face with the fluffy piece of cloth yet his efforts of going back to sleep were in vain as he heard soft footsteps and a knock on the door. “Good morning, I prepared breakfast if you want some '' he heard the soft spoken words come from the other side of the door. Suddenly realising that he isn't in his own bed in the comfort of his own room, San takes a moment to grasp the whole situation. “Ah yes of course I will come down in a minute” he stumbles over his words while trying to get up as quickly as possible. A sudden pain in his abound makes him groan in pain altering the young witch outside. Without a knock she rushes into the room to assist San, chestering him for being so careless. He felt her soft hands supporting his back, subconsciously rubbing soothing circles while he waited for the pain to lessen. “You should be more careful, you were on the brink of death yesterday. You can't just get up like nothing happened or you will make it even worse.” Her hands are now all over his body checking the bandages and the wounds on his face, concern clearly evident in her actions. “I'm sorry, I acted before I could think.” his lips were formed into a small pout which she couldn't help but think of as cute and endearing. “Come on now you need to eat something and then take the medicine i prepared for you” Sera patted his shoulder one last time, giving him a reassuring smile and leaving the room. San sat on the bed for a little longer, trying to root himself and get rid of the light red tint on his ears.

This is my first fanfic ever so I am really nervous, I still hope you enjoy it!

devider by @cafekitsune

[gay-dorito-dust]

damian wayne fluff pls

Damian didn’t have much of a childhood, at least not a one he could look back at fondly and proudly. So whenever he saw you indulge yourself in an adult colouring book had him was conditioned into thinking was boring or childish, and yet he would still find himself missing something that he couldn’t put his finger on without becoming irritated.

‘Damian?’ Your voice brought him out of his thoughts as he looked over to you, seeing that you had stopped colouring to stare at him with concern.

‘Yes?’ He replied, not liking the fact that he has been interrupted from his reading Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

‘Would you like to colour in a page of this book with me?’ You asked as you gestured to the book in front of you and Damian scoffed, going back to his book. ‘No, I don’t partake in childish activities.’ He responded.

‘Is that what you believe or what you’ve been told to believe when with the league of assassins?’ You said all of a sudden and Damian bristled as his eyes darted to every possible corner of the room, almost as though the aforementioned league could be overhearing your conversation from their hiding spots.

‘What makes you say such a thing.’ Damian hissed as he moved to look at you but you were far more interested in colouring the page of your book, hyper aware of the stare he was giving you but you didn’t care you just wanted him to know what it’s like to be normal, even if it was for five minutes. ‘I just think you deserve to do something that you can look back on and remember that not everything is bleak and downpours of rain, it can be warm and golden.’ You shrugged your shoulders as you finally allowed yourself to look over at Damian, who had a conflicted look across his face, and you couldn’t help but bring your hand over his and squeeze reassuringly.

‘It’s okay to let the walls down Damian, you’re not there anymore, you’re with me and you can find yourself here if you feel comfortable enough to do so.’ You continued as Damian closed his eyes and sighed deeply. He knew he was in a safe place with you, that he didn’t doubt, but he couldn’t just bring his walls down all that easily even if he wanted to and he really wanted to. However he didn’t know how to without relapsing into old ways that’ll end in you being pushed away as a result; he was scared of how things would end for him if he dared to open his heart just a little.

‘What good would that do me?’ Damian says sharply. ‘End up with everyone I know dead because I decide to give one person an ounce of trust and let them into my life?’ He adds and he felt you squeeze his hand again but also the caressing of your thumb against the back of his own. ‘You’re a great judge of character Dami, you wouldn’t have trusted me otherwise and I’m grateful for that, but have I made you distrust me yet?’ You questioned him and Damian knew that you knew the answer to that, and it was no.

He looks at your hand and squeezes back softly, making you smile, before he gestures to your colouring book. ‘Is the offer to colour one of your pages still available?’ He asks and you were quick to share your colouring pencils with him as you presented the book before him to pick a page of his choice. ‘Oh absolutely.’ You replied as you made yourself comfortable next to him as the next hour you and Damian spent colouring in pages and making the other laugh.

[kjcreed]

The Jewel of Seven Stars | Chapter 1

Wanda Maximoff x Reader

Series Masterlist Prologue

Warnings: a tiny bit of angst; illegal transportation; sea sickness

Pronouns: they/them

Summary: The year is 1954. 9 years after the Second World War ended. Most people in the blooming city of New York should be living pretty peacefully by now. And most of them really are... Well, except for you... And your brother Tony for that matter. Your father was an archaeologist working to uncover the truth about the legend of Queen Nefret and the prophecy that has been engraved on the walls of her tomb which your father discovered with his team. The only problem is that he went missing and now it's your job to find him. But what if you unintentionally become a part of said prophecy? And what if you meet a persistent librarian and her extravagant brother along the way?

Disclaimer: This story is inspired by the 1999 film The Mummy, partly inspired by the book The Jewel of Seven Stars by Bram Stoker and a little by the life of Queen Hatshepsut.

-

"Wanda! I don't pay you for burying your nose in those Egyptian books for 8 hours a day." The young woman was startled by a ringing doorbell and the booming voice of her employer coming from some corner of the not-so-small library.

The woman's eyes darted up, startled by her superior’s voice, and she stood up quickly with a confused look on her face. "How did you…" She trailed off, looking around for any sign of the man.

"I know my books, Wanda." The greying man's head popped out from around the bookcase. "Now go and get the door." He scolded the woman, making her mutter a small "Sorry, Doctor Strange." and walk hastily to the door.

She wasn't expecting the sight she saw before her eyes the moment she walked around the corner to the front desk.

"Pietro?" And there was her brother. Sitting on the front desk with a book in hand. Swinging his legs, kicking the desk slightly in the process. The man looked up at his sister and grinned widely.

"Sestra!" He jumped down from the desk and greeted his sister with a warm hug. "Pietro, what are you doing here?" The small brunette slightly tilted her head in confusion with a small fond smile playing on her lips.

She hasn't seen her brother in a couple of months. You might think it's not that long, but Wanda and Pietro were attached at the hip practically ever since they were born. Pietro has been travelling a lot lately and Wanda missed having his giddy presence around.

"I need to show you something, little sister." The bleached blonde hopped off of the desk and started walking around the library. "What are you looking for, brother?" Wanda asked the man, confused. "A quiet place."

Wanda waited a second before responding. "We are literally in a library, Piet…" 

-

The man stopped at a table, hidden by numerous bookcases. Then he motioned for his sister to sit by him on one of the couple chairs at the table.

When Wanda sat down, Pietro placed the book he was cradling in his hands the whole time onto the table. "What is it?" Wanda questioned, observing the book. 

The book's binding was from brown leather and looked very old, almost ancient. Wanda noticed the fading gold symbols that were carved all over the book's exterior. They seemed to be Egyptian hieroglyphs, making Wanda more and more intrigued.

"Open it." Pietro insisted eagerly. The brunette hesitantly opened the book, revealing pages filled with Egyptian symbols, a map folded between the pages and a few small papers with notes in English. They were most likely someone's translations.

-

"Betrayed and humiliated she lies in her grave, 

but in the walls of her cage a prophecy has been engraved:

For millennia she'll stay, buried under stone. 

Her belongings tossed away, leaving her all alone.

Once the four wanderers unite them, earning a generous reward. 

Queen Nefret, she will rise again and her power will be restored."

-

Wanda read out loud one of the first translations. "Queen Nefret… I read about her before." She thought out loud. "It's an old Egyptian legend… But I've never seen these texts before." She continued. "It's not just a legend, it's a prophecy!" Pietro beamed.

Wanda stayed silent for a while before speaking up again. "Where did you find this?" She asked her brother, picking up the book and observing it from all sides, more closely this time. "A friend gave it to me." Wanda offered Pietro an unimpressed look.

"Their father was a historian and they just wanted to get rid of it. They even seemed a little relieved when they gave it to me for some reason." Pietro added quickly, trying to persuade his sister into believing him.

Wanda looked through the book once more, studying the condition and credibility of the book and the writings in it. "I've never seen hieroglyphics this accurate when copied and the book itself does look like it could've been written at least a dozen centuries ago…" Wanda trailed off hesitantly.

"So… Do you want to go on an adventure with your big brother, Wands?" Pietro asked with a sparkle in his eyes. "I don't know Piet… I have work and responsibilities." Wanda sighed. "Come on. You know you hate it here. Besides, don't tell me you don't want to find out whether the prophecy is real or not. And have you ever seen a mummy in real life?" Pietro pushed.

"I'll show this to Doctor Strange." Wanda stated after a minute of silence. Yes. It was probably the best idea to get the opinion of someone more experienced…

-

"This is ridiculous. It's just a legend." Doctor Strange said dismissively as he was looking through the book. "But sir, the book speaks of the legend as if it really happened and I've never seen hieroglyphics that good be counterfeit." Wanda tried to reason with the older man.

"There's also a map that seems to be leading to the artefacts." She said as she carefully took out the folded paper. Doctor Strange took it from her. "And there's also a big reward in store for those who find Queen Nefret's tomb and bring the artefacts there." Pietro muttered bashfully, making Wanda slap his arm before scolding him, resulting in good old sibling bickering.

In fact, the two got so lost in their little squabble they didn't notice the paper catching on fire in Doctor Strange's hand from a nearby candle until the man let out a startled sound.

"Oh my god!" Wanda gasped as the burning map fell onto the floor. Pietro and she ran to it and started patting it and stepping on it to put it out. And when they finally managed to do so, the map was half burned already. 

"What now?" Wanda asked rhetorically as she picked up the burned paper. "Well…" Pietro's finger travelled along the page, landing on a red stain. "Looks like we're going to the Caribbean." Wanda furrowed her eyebrows and brought the paper closer to her face to examine the mark.

"Are you really going to up and leave for some red mark on an old map in a book that talks about a legend as if it was history?" Doctor Strange chimed in. Wanda and Pietro looked at each other before looking back at the older man. After a minute of silence, the man sighed.

"Why do I even bother?"

-

"Are you sure this is going to work?" Your older brother asked as the two of you snuck past the guards to get to the side of the ship. "Please. I've been doing this since I was 13." 

You replied nonchalantly as you carefully and slowly opened the storage door, revealing a room full of bags and briefcases along with a few barrels of spices and other trading products.

"Of course you have." Tony grumbled as he shut the door softly. He watched you get into a corner and make yourself comfortable among the bags.

"Y'know… dad used to be worried sick about you." Tony walked further into the room and found a spot next to you. "When you wouldn't return for days." He added. You looked away, feeling somewhat conflicted.

"He sure had a great way of showing it." You replied, vividly seeing those memories.

-

It was a rainy summer evening. Howard was listening to the raindrops hitting the roof of his home as he sat in an armchair, facing the front door, waiting. The door finally cracked open and in walked a 16-year-old you. You had been gone for two days after another ruthless fight with your father.

"Nice of you to finally show up." Howard said sarcastically. "Father." You replied in a monotone voice and were about to go off into your room before your father stopped you. "That's all you have to say to me? After you've been gone for what... two days?" The older man stood up from his chair, getting angry.

"Oh… I'm surprised you noticed." You retorted. "What's that supposed to mean?" Howard furrowed his eyebrows. "Well, I don't know… Just thought you'd be too busy reading that old stupid book of yours or being in the garage with Tony." You shrugged your shoulders.

"Stop being so childish Y/N." Howard scoffed. "I don't know what you want from me!" You threw your arms up in frustration, your voice now picking up on volume. "I just want to know why you're being like this!" Howard's voice became louder too. "Running away, talking back to me, being so headstrong, thoughtless and selfish-"

"Because of you! You made me like this!" You interrupted your father. "It's because you don't notice me. At all. You're either with Tony all the time or locked in your office doing god knows what. And whenever you do notice me it's just to correct my mistakes or to give me a disappointed look." You felt the tears starting to sting your eyes.

"And I'm the selfish one." You said after a moment of silence before heading up to your room to spend another evening crying yourself to sleep.

-

"I hope he's alright." You said, looking down after snapping out of your memories. Tony looked up from the ground towards you. "Come on." He playfully shoved you with his shoulder. "It's Howard Stark you're talking about. Of course he's okay." He grinned, making the corners of your lips twitch upward.

After a minute of silence, you pulled out a book from your small backpack. "Now, let's try to find out exactly what the Great Howard Stark has gotten himself into once again." It was your father's diary or a notebook of some sort. It's because you found this book, that you have even the smallest idea of where your dad could be.

"Where did you even find the book anyway?" Tony asked. "He left it in his office…" You trailed off. "Why would he leave it?" Your brother looked at you. "I don't know…" You stopped to think for a second.

A look of realization crossed your face and you let out a huff of disbelief. "That crazy old man knew something was going to happen." You whispered to your brother. "What?" Tony asked, dumbfounded.

"Queen Nefret… Dad has been researching this legend for years now, right?" You started and Tony nodded in agreement. "If he was going to Egypt again just to research or dig some more he would've taken his journal." You said. "But he didn't." Tony finished.

You and your brother stared at each other in silence for a few seconds before Tony spoke up. "Do you think that he…" He trailed off. "Found Queen Nefret's sarcophagus and accidentally got sucked into it or something? Quite possibly." You finished for him. 

"So does that mean that the…" Tony slumped his back against the wall. "Prophecy is most likely real and we have to fulfil it or our dad is as good as dead, we don't even have the said prophecy anymore and the only lead that he left us were two silly little books one of which someone stole from us? I'm afraid so." You banged the back of your head on the wall. 

"You forgot to mention that the 'silly little book' that we do have is leading us god knows where in the Caribbean for some talisman…"

-

"Oh, I'm gonna be sick." The rather greenish-looking boy said as he wobbled over to the edge of the boat. "Come on Pietro. Stop being a wuss and focus." Wanda scolded her brother as she leaned on the wooden railing next to him.

"You know I get nauseous on a boat." The boy muttered as he tried his hardest not to throw up. The two had been on the cruise for god knows how long and Pietro was getting sick of water being everywhere.

"Hm… Then how do you complete all of your travels, Mr. Worldwide?" Wanda mocked her brother. "By plane, sestra. By plane." Pietro replied, seemingly unamused. Wanda ignored her brother further on and took out the book that he brought instead.

She had been trying to decipher more the whole trip, but she hadn't been as successful as she'd like to be. It's like she couldn't tear her eyes away from the book and the strange feeling in her belly has been growing a lot stronger, the closer the twins get to their destination.

"Oh finally! I can see the island." Her thoughts had been interrupted by her loud brother's exclamation. She was about to say something back to him, but she got interrupted by a yell coming from one of the workers on the ship.

"Intruders!"

-

Author's Note

Well, that's it for the first chapter of my first-ever official fanfic that I really intend to finish. Thank you so much for getting all the way down to this part and I hope that you liked it, dear reader. If you have any notes on how I could make my writing better, anything would be much appreciated. Hope everyone is having a great day/night!

See ya next time :)

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Series Masterlist Prologue