daylilys137

[daylilys137]

Another month of reading, though I don't feel like I read as much this month.

Zutara -

You Light a Fire Under My Skin - The inner monologuing and expansion of Canon events leads to crazy chemistry. It doesn't have a lot of chapters, but the chapters are lengthy.

Depth - This one asks the question of what could've happened if Zuko and Katara had more time to chat in the caves below Ba Singh Se. Could he have changed his mind? Would they have had a deeper connection and understanding of one another?

Reylo -

Force Mandated Bottle Episode - I really love that the author of this fic really built a good background for Ben and Poe' s brotherly relationship. The race to the finish of this fic is very action-packed. The moments between Rey and Ben are either sweet, friendly, or agonizing. Quite angsty!

I'm also doing some beta reading right now, so I didn't have as much time to read more fics. But again, if you have any fic recs for me, I'll be excited to check them out!

[daylilys137]

I know that Adam Driver has said that the original plan for Kylo Ren was that he would become the anti-Vader (a man conflicted by the light, that by the trilogy’s end becomes fully committed to evil), but this is one thing I am glad they pivoted on. The story of the Skywalkers can’t end with their lineage embracing evil: they are the Chosen Family. For all of their sins, they need to represent the purpose and hope of the light, to fix what is broken, even within themselves. Bendemption was true to the values of Star Wars from the beginning, and I’ll always cherish getting to see Ben as his true, ideal self for whatever brief time we had.

[daylilys137]

I ran this poll before, and based on the results and reblogs, I see that I made some mistakes by not including certain series (forgive me, I was ignorant). I looked over the tags from the previous poll, and to get a better gauge of truly what book series people enjoyed the most when they were younger, I offer you an updated poll. Wish I could have included more options, but I'm limited to 12.

[daylilys137]

This cute little Zutara comic makes me smile. 😊

[daylilys137]

Reading and recommending fanfics all the time in my 30s.

Reblog if you’re over 20 and still read/write fan fiction.

I’m curious!

[daylilys137]

Here's a question. There are so many good fanfictions, and so many good currently unfinished ones, but if you could only see 1 of the unfinished fanfics you've read be finished, which story would you pick?

I can narrow it down to one, but it's difficult.

[daylilys137]

End of another month and end of the year! Here are some of the fics I've read recently.

Zutara-

Crush, Crush - Super cute ongoing story about Zuko suddenly becoming Katara's roommate. Poor Katara is struggling, trying to keep up the boundaries she believes she should have with a roommate she has a crazy crush on.

Christmas Chef's Kiss- Katara is a homegrown chef with lots of talent. Zuko is a professional chef with years of experience and education. Both are competing on a baking competition. The description on the food is magnificent!

Hot Ice, Strange Snow - Zuko is injured trying to help Aang escape from the Pohuai Stronghold. This forces him to sorta join the gang early. The slow build of trust, of friendship, the beautiful moments Zuko and Katara have together... I'm really enjoying this one so far.

Reylo-

The Perfect Gift - A fluffy cute Christmas one-shot that I enjoyed. I like the idea of Ben being the Guru of gift giving.

Mr and Mrs Solo- an ongoing fic based on Mr and Mrs Smith. So much tension, angst, and I just cannot wait for more of this fic!

Also read several fics by Writingwife83. My favorite was Armistice. Very fluffy, takes place between TLJ and TROS. Ben decides to take a break after the fallout with Rey for a couple of days. Leia orders Rey to take a break and clear her mind. Both Rey and Ben happen to choose the same location to do this. Ben cooks!

[daylilys137]

It's the end of another month so here are the fics I read and enjoyed.

Zutara-

The city of walls and absolutely terrible, horrific, idiotic, wonderful ideas - This Zutara fanfic was spicier than I'm used to, and I found myself skipping quite a few paragraphs here and there, so if you like spice I'm sure you will really enjoy this. Skipping aside, the plot was magnificent, the adorable turn of events, Jin is a fantastic friend, Jin and Iroh totally ship it and the sequel was also good (though it's not quite finished, although it's super close!) I would read this one again!

The Fall of the White Lotus- This story was sweet, and had a lot of beautiful description! Katara and Zuko go on a journey to try and save the White Lotus. I give the author kudos for creating some amazing background lore on the White Lotus Council, for the use of floral imagery (I practically fell over myself when she mentioned the clematis, and exceptionally underrated flower if you ask me), and for a fabulous amount of fluffy and sweet epilogue!

Vermillion Seas Cardinal Skies- Still an in progress story, but I'm really enjoying it! I love the idea of there being a white fire!

Taken - This one is only on Tumblr, it is by @mysticwolfshadows and has 70 parts currently. This story starts with Katara being taken to the fire nation years before Zuko receives his scar. She is forced to try and heal, though she's never been trained. It takes some turns but eventually follows Canon events (mostly). I've really enjoyed the friendship her and Zuko have had since childhood and its eventual development.

Reylo

The most recent Reylo fic I have read is "Every Part of Me Dead and Buried" which I finished about mid month. Exceptionally beautiful story about overcoming trauma and creating beauty.

I will also put out there that I'm looking for more Fanfic recommendations if anyone has any for Reylo or Zutara!

[daylilys137]

So I wanted to do another month reading update even though I'm late. I've read a lot of fanfics this last month. I will cover a few others I'm still in the middle of in a few weeks. But I loved loved and greatly enjoyed these.

Zutara - Man in the Wooden Mask - This fic is long and still being written! There is currently 81 chapters! I devoured them all so fast. This fic is dark. There is quite a bit of death, violence, and a fair amount of gore. But I actually quite like how Katara falls for Zuko in this one. How focused on justice and on others Zuko is. Jet is extra gross in this one. But I really have enjoyed the way Azulas character is used in this fic. Great read.

You Came. You Called. - Another in progress work. Aang is not a good guy, very focused on himself and very clearly doesn't care about Katara. But Zuko is the knight in shining armor coming to save his princess. I love Druk and the idea that Appa, Momo, and Druk are all actively trying to care for their people.

Reylo

Every Version of Me Dead and Buried- This one was so sweet, heartfelt, and fluffy. Ben Solo is an artist and a very talented one who has been through some major trauma. He meets Rey at a coffee shop. It's mainly written from Reys' point of view. But I loved loved loved this fic. Takes place in New York. (mostly)

All's Well That Ends Well- Rey decides to work at a Renaissance festival with her friends Rose and Finn. The festival is coordinated and put together by Ben, his mother, and a few others. All I got to say is Ben as a Renaissance style pirate hits on some very sexy level. Love it!

[daylilys137]

The way I literally make almost every other book character with dark hair look like Ben Solo... also, seriously, my favorite movie is The Last Jedi. I know not everyone will like the same things as me, but that's ok... also can we talk about Talon Card from some of the old books? Because there is just something about him. And I will die on the hill that Grand Admiral Throng is the best Star Wars villain ever created.

Ok you know what, let's spread some positivity. Reblog this if you actually like Star Wars

And I am refering to all of star wars and not just select parts of it. Even if you have issues with parts of it, you still enjoy it.

[daylilys137]

don't forget to boop today!

[daylilys137]

4th part of Scare Tower.

The haunted house had closed. All the families, young kids, and teenagers had gone home. She successfully passed the first 6 floors of the simulation, though only barely escaping Finn. The experience thus far had been so fun and exhilarating. There were plenty of laughs, too. Poe had caught her but had been severely disappointed he wasn't getting lunch. Now, though, it was time for her to give Ben a run for his money.

As she entered the 8th floor she couldn't hear anything. It was dark, but she could see the outlines of the path and some of the different props. She had walked this floor several times just this week, making sure she knew it as well as the back of her hand. As she slowly walked into the space, she kept her eyes peeled for any movement.

She passed the “cemetery” that was set up and was nearly a quarter of the way through the floor. Where the hell was Ben? She was sure she should've seen him, or rather his phantom character Kylo Ren, by now. She touched the wall as she reached the pitch black hall, feeling spider web like materials hanging, creating an uncomfortable texture. She remembered the crawling tunnel near the end of this hall, which gave runners two exit options, one continuing down this hall, around a corner and down another hall or through the tunnel and down the opposite hall to the other exit door. There were lots of props, rooms, and hidden spaces in both. She knew where she was and had multiple exit strategies.

This came in handy as she suddenly heard running footsteps coming up behind her. She surged ahead, running down the hall at full speed before turning the corner quickly and rapidly climbing up the walls using a parkour technique she'd practiced several times. She had just been fast enough as he ran beneath her. She waited a couple of seconds before dropping as quietly to the floor as possible and walking back towards the tunnel.

She was nearly to the tunnel when she heard him stalking back towards her, so she quickly slipped in and, using a catapulting arm movement, quickly made it to the other side of the tunnel. She could hear him coming across and prepared herself in the shadows near the tunnel's exit to get her revenge. He came out, quickly rose to his feet, and started moving towards the second exit. That's when she did it. Moving quickly, she tripped him and shoved herself back in the tunnel. She smiled to herself as she heard him break character, yelling as he fell to the floor and cursing as he tried to turn around to the tunnel. His size was his disadvantage, and she was positive he wouldn't be able to catch her now. So she was shocked when just before she reached the other end, his hand shot out and grabbed her foot, and pulled her back to him.

“Nice trick, Niima. You've improved. It nearly worked,” Ben said as he knelt over her in the tight tunnel.

“You caught me… but I made you scream instead of me,” Rey taunted him.

“There are still ways I could make you scream…” Ben said pulling her leg so she was nearly flush with his body and coming close enough she could feel his breath on her neck, “If you want I could show you.”

She shuddered as a chill ran down her spine. Did he just ask permission to make her scream in a physical way? Why was she considering it? He pulled his mask off, and she could feel some of his long, wavy locks against her cheek.

“Or… since you did, in fact, scare me, I could take you to lunch instead?” Ben added, massaging the area around her left knee.

The light in the tunnel was so dim, but she could see his eyes moving between looking at her eyes and looking at her lips. She was surely going to have so many inappropriate dreams about this moment, pinned on the floor with him above her.

He must've heard the change in her breathing, or felt the slight upward movement of her hips, because his lips lightly brushed her cheek, kissing her, before asking, “What do you want Rey?”

She kissed him. And his response was immediate. He deepened the kiss, pulling her lower lip gently between his teeth as he pulled her knee again to better place himself against her before moving it to her lower back.

For several minutes, the only sounds were of them rocking against one another, of their kisses, of their light moans filling the tunnel.

Ben pulled back. He took his hand from her back and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“What's it gonna be, sweetheart? Do you want to owe me lunch…. or would you like me to take you to lunch tomorrow instead? You've totally earned a free lunch, in my opinion.”

Rey was so very tempted to see just how he was going to make her scream, but it was probably not a wise choice for them to get too physical at work….

“I don't know… I'm still kinda curious how you were going to win the bet…?”

“I could always show you after I take you to lunch…”

“Fine. You owe me lunch.”

Ben kissed her deeply again. Rey didn't really want to leave this moment, but surely it would be suspicious if they were there too much longer.

She crawled out of the tunnel, and Ben was not far behind. As he stood up, he took her hand and walked her to the exit.

“How did you hide the first time I passed you?” Ben asked as they walked to the elevator.

“I climbed up above you. You walked right underneath me,” Rey smiled at him as the elevator doors closed.

“Damn Niima! That's impressive!”

Before the elevator opened on the first floor, Ben kissed the back of her hand.

“Meet me tomorrow at 11:30 on the quad by the science building,” Ben said, winking at her.

“See you then.”

[daylilys137]

Here is part 3 of my haunted house Reylo AU. We now get to see what Ben's point of view is for all their past experiences. If you want to read the previous parts go to the link above.

Ben had been excited and anxious all day. Tonight, Rey would be running through his floor of Scare Tower. As he was helping run the basic haunted house that evening, he couldn't help but continue to daydream about what tonight might be like.

Ever since Rey's first year, he had been fascinated by her and irked by her at the same time. It had become pretty clear during their first training sessions that she was very competitive, just like him. They took turns chasing and escaping one another, and she started to talk a little crap anytime she was even a little successful, and he couldn't help but match her energy.

On the 3rd day, he had cornered her, and he had nearly made a move, but he remembered that he was training her and it would be inappropriate. Uncle Luke didn't need anymore reasons to treat him like the troubled teen he used to be. He was constantly giving him lectures, and Ben didn't need to hear yet another one.

After that near kiss, he had also realized that it might even be creepy of him, as a 22 year old man, to hit on a young 19 year old freshman student. But then the next year, he'd nearly done it again, and Uncle Luke had plenty to say to him for his “unprofessional actions” during the simulation. But this year, if the opportunity presented itself, he wasn't going to shy away from it anymore.

Rey was just too beautiful and he was tired of not fully expressing his feelings because it was “unprofessional” especially for a job that was so short lived and that he likely wouldn't be doing again after this year.

Ever since the first year, he'd had dreams of what he would love to experience with Rey. He sometimes dreamt of making his Mom's butternut soup with Rey. The sound she made every year when she finally got a bite still living in his brain rent free. Sometimes he'd dream of those moments during training, but instead of chickening out at the last minute he'd actually kiss her, push her up against the wall, tell her how beautiful and hardworking she clearly was. He would dream of going on picnics or hikes with her, of taking her to family events, of making her his in every possible way.

If he could make her scream tonight, he could at least guarantee himself a lunch date, during which he would tell her how he honestly felt. Though, he was a little nervous that she might reject him. I mean based on her physical reactions to those moments of training with him he was pretty sure she was attracted to him, but then again all the sarcastic comments she made to him, the way she rolled her eyes, even the disappointed/angry way she'd looked at him after he hadn't kissed her…. What if she wouldn't want him back.

He really just wanted to be with her… he would be happy just having quiet days with her, eating soup, and making her smile….. he would not let his competitive nature and his Uncle's voice in the back of his head screw it up this time.

[daylilys137]

An AU for any ship really where one of them breaks their guitar and now there's "only one guitar" instead of "only one bed". 😉

[daylilys137]

Had an idea based on that tik tok of the girl riding her horse around town as the headless horseman. Rey and Ben are both hired for a Sleepy Hollow festival that lasts a full week in October. Ben being somewhat strange looking but still attractive is the perfect Ichabod Crane while she chases him as the spooky headless phantom. But all the nights of setting up each night, putting saddles on their horses, grooming their horses, and talking about their experiences growing up around horses (Rey's last foster family raises them) brings them together.

I love new ideas, but I don't have time for them 😕

[daylilys137]

Above is the first part of this Haunted house/Modern AU Reylo story. But here is part two.

Rey could taste the cinnamon and nutmeg, feel the warmth of the soup… she saw him looking down into her eyes as their fingers brushed over the soup ladle…

Suddenly, she was running and crawling quickly through another short tunnel, chasing a figure in black ahead of her. She could hear him laugh as he let her nearly catch him just to run off again. Each tunnel of the haunted house suddenly seemed to stretch…

She was running through the dark when something caught her from the side, pulling her into their warm body before backing her up against the wall. Ben Solo was smiling down at her so close. He smelled like spice and smoke… appropriate since he's so elusive.. she could never seem to catch him. But now she was caught, and his hand was on her hip as he dipped towards her, kissing her full on the mouth. He tasted of fall, of all her favorite autumn moments. Her knees were weak as she kissed him back, and he pushed further into her body. He still wasn't close enough...

“At this rate, you're going to be stuck on the first floor. You need to try harder, Niima. You're too easily caught, and you can't quite keep up,” Ben practically hissed in her ear…

She was covered in sweat and frustrated when she woke from her dream. Every year since her first year, she'd had this dream. Sometimes, he caught her and simply told her she wouldn't get far, which is what had actually happened at the end of her 3rd training session. Other times, it was more... physical… It made her angry at herself for finding him so infuriatingly attractive even after he'd teased her so much her first year. 

Hell, Ben had even said something last year when he ran the simulation. She'd finally caught him at the end of the 3rd floor cornering him with a somewhat smug smile. He'd smiled back before moving towards her, closing the distance. 

“See I can be better than the first floor,” she taunted, “I can catch you too.” 

Ben closed the distance and she felt her breath hitch as he leaned in… for a kiss she thought, but yet again, as he had that first year, he shifted at the last second, “Perhaps you didn't consider the fact that I let you catch me?” he whispered so closely to her ear she could feel his lips. 

He had then stepped back and smiled at her before adding, “You're better Niima, but you'll have to be much better than that to actually catch me…” he said before heading up to the 4th floor. 

It was the way he'd laughed, taunted, and run her ragged that first year that had pissed her off so much, but especially the way he'd given her feedback. He was so close to her, seemingly going in for a kiss before whispering it in her ear. 

Rose and Kaydel had been lucky getting to train instead with Poe or Finn. But I guess she owed her successful accent to the 5th floor to how irritated Ben had made her. She'd joined a gym where she figured she'd get in better shape. But then she made a friend named Chewie who started teaching her Parkour, which is why she'd moved so quickly to the 5th floor. 

Why work so hard for a job that lasted a month and a half when she was a student at the university getting her degree in mechanical engineering? It was because of Ben. She wanted to catch him or outrun him. Prove herself and shut him up. Of course, sometimes her subconscious brain would remind her again that she could always try shutting him up with her own lips… 

It didn't help that she'd occasionally see him around campus. He was in his 5th year there, Poe had told her, starting his master's degree in business. Every time they caught each other's eye, he would smirk at her, and she would scowl back.

Today, she would outrun him. She wouldn't be caught. She would prove herself. And there was no way Ben was getting lunch. Not a scream to be heard from her. At best, she would laugh at him as she achieved her exit off his floor. 

[daylilys137]

As Rey took her first sip of the delicious butternut squash soup she smiled to herself, savoring the spices on her tongue, clove, cinnamon… It was Rey's turn to run through the simulation and she couldn't wait.

It was the end of September, and the Scare Tower was opening its Haunted House tomorrow and its “Horror Survival” simulation Friday. This was her 3rd year working here as an actor and chaser, but she had finally drawn the straw this year. She would run the simulation and ensure everyone was ready for their first extreme guests! She was excited to see what her friends were doing in their sections of the Tower, but she also couldn't wait to get just a bit of revenge!

The butternut soup was really hitting the spot, and the spiral ham was delicious. She had also piled copious amounts of mashed potatoes and gravy on her plate. After all, she had been rehearsing like crazy the last few weeks, preparing for Spooky Season. Running, jumping over set pieces, and making sure she was ready to put any “survivalists” to the test.

Every year, the director and businesswoman who helped run the Scare Tower started the season with a banquet on September 30th. Leia loved the fall season and spoiling her cast members. The food was always good and the company better, well, at least for the most part. Rey felt her cheeks warm at the memory of just moments ago accidentally brushing Ben's fingers with hers as they had both reached for the butternut soup at the same time. The way he had teased her her first year… she had worked so hard to be better to prove him wrong.

Rose and Kaydel sat next to her with their now full plates. No soup though…

“I can't wait to try and scare you tomorrow!” Kaydel exclaimed as she grabbed a fork full of potatoes.

“Oh Come on, it's not like I really scare anymore after working here for 3 years,” Rey replied.

“Yeah, this place is fun to work at, but it takes away that fearful excitement most people get watching scary movies or walking through haunted houses,” Rose said.

“I'm sure we could still scare you ladies if you came and ran through our floors,” Poe added confidently as he sat across them, gesturing between himself and Finn. “In fact, I’m positive I could get your blood pumping if you came to the 6th floor,” he added with a wink.

“Well I guess Rey will test that theory for us tomorrow. What do you think, Rey?” Finn asked.

“I think I'll have fun running through everything, but I definitely won't be scared. I'm more likely to laugh than scream,” Rey said after swallowing an especially delicious bite of ham she'd dipped in her soup.

“Perhaps we should make a bet…” a deep silky voice said from behind her.

Rey rolled her eyes because, of course, Ben was coming to join them.

Once he sat down, he took a quick sip of his soup and said, “Mmm… good soup,” while looking tauntingly at Rey. She agreed, it's "good soup," but she simply took a bite of her mashed potatoes looking back at him, daring him to look away first.

“What kind of bet?” Rose finally interrupted the momentary silence.

“Well, since Rey insists that she's unlikely to scream I say we make a bet that if any of us get her to scream she owes us… let's say lunch,” Ben said, taking yet another sip of soup before eating some potatoes himself. He finally looked away, and Rey felt like she had won yet another small victory over him. She could see a light blush on his cheeks, and once again, she had to berate herself mentally for finding him attractive.

“There's no point. I know you all too well, and this is just too fun. There definitely won't be anyone getting lunch. Might as well do something else,” Rey stated matter-of-factly, glancing at Finn and Poe, who had been nodding along with Ben's idea.

“Well then, there's no harm in betting lunch if none of us will get it…” teased Finn.

“Fine,” Rey rolled her eyes. She couldn't help but notice the slight smile that appeared on Ben's face before he licked his lips.

Ben watched Rey return to her butternut squash soup. He had noticed how much she had loved it her first year at Scare Tower. She had had three bowls, and he was pleased to see someone else loved it almost as much as he did.

Yes, he was going to win lunch… He was determined to do so. Though he would much rather have her screaming for reasons other than fear…. A memory of some of her first year training sessions came to his mind unbidden… Yeah, he would much prefer that….