#I also do not at all remember if I'd put anything funny in the chapter notes I didn't write any of that down hashtag lost media

[bomberqueen17]

snippet post

I'm in the editing mines, lol. But I was writing a Lu POV chapter and Morvran was acting funny so I was like ok I have to know why he's in this mood or whether I need to rewrite this, so I went in and wrote, just to throw away, his immediately-preceding conversation with Kalia, Ciri's household manager and a fellow Intelligence operative.

And this is something I'd put in earlier in the series, from Ciri's POV, but it seems relevant that Morvran is aware of it now. So I'm putting it here to preserve it, as this isn't a scene that's going to go into the main continuity anyway. And I wanted to post something as a proof of life, LOL.

Kalia considered that a moment, then snorted. “Morvran, it’s not like she’s going to marry someone else.” He glanced up at her, startled by her bluntness, and Kalia gestured widely with one hand. “You think any of the other candidates haven’t committed war crimes?” Morvran blinked, trying to determine whether he knew that for a fact or not. “Well,” he said. “Would any of them write up a report about them?” she asked. “Have any of them even made an effort to get to know her?” “Kalia,” he said, exasperated. “I’m not competing with the other candidates.” It wasn’t until he said it that he knew it was true. “I”m competing with her not choosing anyone. She doesn’t need me. She doesn’t need anyone. If she doesn’t find someone to marry she can just leave. And then we’ll have another fucking civil war.”

For a separate conversation I had to go look up the name I'd made up for Morvran's little brother and in so doing I wound up rereading most of the FFP series so I'm finding all kinds of shit I've already said in there. Ciri had the exact thought above very early on, before she even arrived in Nilfgaard I think. But she didn't say so. (And yes, i'd meant initially to have there be more suspense over the other candidates, but then I just didn't create any good characters, so that fell by the wayside. It's fine, LOL, I don't think anyone really needed that to be a side plot. There's still room for someone cool to pop up. We'll see if I get to it.)

As I was rereading, I remembered that I made a deliberate choice sometime during the pandemic: I realized that it would take longer for me to edit and cut down the story to make the pacing taut, and given the givens of what was going on in the world, I wasn't going to do that. I was just going to post the long sprawling story as it was. And I've stuck to that. So it's just. This long sprawl with all these meandery side bits, and as part of that yeah, some stuff is kind of repeated.

I know it's working for a bunch of readers, and it's working for me, but sometimes I'm like oh my god why is this so long why didn't i make myself a style sheet why didn't i edit anything down ever. So, LOL, if you've ever been like hmmmm this story is getting kind of long, well you're not the first to have that thought. I used to treat fanfic as like, "practice" for "real" writing (publishing original works), which is still a thing I'd love to do and may well someday, and I know nothing published as an original work is going to sprawl like this, and the worldbuilding would be all different, but you know, it's not like I'm not learning stuff from sprawling like this. It's been a fun ride and I'm not done yet. But that doesn't mean there won't be deleted scenes; I can't include this conversation with Morvran and Kalia simply because the pacing of the chapter works better starting with the other POV, and it's not worth trying to shoehorn in a flashback.

(This is also making me remember another decision I made in the fog of lockdown, which was that I had to stop replying to comments temporarily, because I had such limited time and realized I was spending it all in lovely conversations in the comments instead of writing more material, and while that wasn't bad per se, I really needed to tell the rest of the story. And I still haven't gone back to catch up on replying to comments and I feel guilty about that. So if you've left lovely comments and I haven't answered that's why, there's a three-year backlog at this point, and I've answered a few but it's not necessarily because they were the best, it's more that they came in during a moment when I had time, spoons, attention, and mostly, just happened to click through and do the thing and hit post. Alas.)

[frogfacey]

I hate to be like. That Guy who rolls up like heyy are you the Frogfacey of Tma band au from 2020(?) entitled Bizarre Love Triangle fame. I went back to look for the fic bc I wanted to do some fanart but couldn’t find it and was like. Oh Dear. Its one of if not my favorite fic of all time & I guess this is all to ask if 1) you’d accept fanart or it and 2) if there’s any way to get an archive or pdf copy? I adore it and miss it so dearly </3

And if you aren’t that same author I am apologizing profusely I hope you have a nice day / night and disregard this completely

rest of ask -> (*got the year totally off base. 2022 I believe :’) again i am so sorry about this whole deal, I hope you’re doing well regardless and if it is in fact your writing you’re insanely skilled + I adore the way you characterized everyone in it! Tma goths in an awful little band is in fact the best way for things to go.

Also I am happy to message off anon to talk about this I just didn’t want to like. Throw my full weight at potentially the wrong person so to speak </3)

OMG yeah hi thats me! I deleted it lichrally just bc I haven't felt like writing in a whole like two years and it was making me have unkind feelings towards mine previous writing and I felt bad about having a perpetually unfinished fic sitting on the 'net when I had a whole planning document dedicated to it lol (said document says that it was conceived of in 2021 but idk if thats when I posted it). As of lichrally three seconds after I've finished writing this sentence its been put back up! :^D also I started relistening to the magnus archives a few weeks ago so I'm probs going to continue writing it I can like tell u the rest of the plot outline if u want. ripley frogfacey the magnus archives throuple fanfic lore

also yeasyeas I shall cry u may make fanart! I'm still very fond of it I have some of my own doodles relating to it somewhere that I might add to the fic upon reupload. watch this space and all. As a sidenote my hashtag fandom related sideblog is @podgemod which I am presently not that active on but that may change.

[fictionalgap]

Roommate: Too Whipped (chapter 3)

Pairing: Hazel Callahan x Reader

Summary: You can't get Hazel out of your head.

Warning: 18+ Themes

Warning: +18 themes, swearing, sexual themes

Other Chapters: Chapter 1 , Chapter 2 , Chapter 4 , Chapter 5

Song Recommendation: I Want To Be With You - Chloe Moriondo

You had two classes today and you had a four hours break. Your only option was library. Hazel had swimming practice during your break. It was one hour. Unfortunately swimming team was always going to gym before the classes so It's three hours If you count the shower and etc. You knew PJ and Josie had classes during that time. Your classmates didn't take the class you had earlier so they usually don't show up before evening class starts.

You went to your favorite spot in the library, at the corner and next to the window where you recently had the knowledge that Hazel can see you from there. You didn't felt like studying so you picked up a book you've been wanting to read for a long time.

You didn't know how much time has passed until you felt someone tap on your shoulder.

You turned around to see Hazel, whose smile met her eyes.

"Hey." your bored mood vanished.

"Hi." She said as she sat on the chair next to you.

"What are you reading? " she whispered.

You showed her the cover of the book you've been reading.

"I didn't feel like studying. Wait- " You checked your watch.

"Aren't you supposed to be at practice? " you asked as you raised a brow.

"Someone suggested we separate gym and swimming hours. We only had swimming practice today.

" Oh... Is that good? "

"Yeah. It was pretty tiring to swim after gym."

"Oh than it's great." You nodded to her and smiled genuinely.

"Yeah." she smiled sweetly at you.

"And, and also we can study together, because I will be leaving early and-, I mean If that's what you want and If you don't have anyone to, to,to hang out and maybe-"

"Yeah, I'd love to, Hazel. Studying, hangout or whatever. "

"Yeah...okay. " you could see that she was nervous.

You squeezed her arm lightly with a soft smile to make her less nervous.

She looked relieved and stared in your eyes for a while.

"Yeah so, what do you want to do now? " you cleared your throat and pulled your hand from her arm.

"I don't know. What do you want to do? "

"Did you study earlier? "

"Nah. I mean a little but I think there are some things I need to look... "

"Cool. Okay I can review my notes too. Maybe for a while then we can go for a walk around campus. I have a class later. Or, or you can stay here and keep studying since it's hard to study at home." you pouted, remembering your evening class.

You hated evening classes. You were too tired to get anything in your head.

"That's alright... Maybe we can study now and then go for a walk. Later, you go to your class and I'll study here and maybe we'll go home together."

You blinked a few times.

"Yeah, I mean, If that's what you want. " you put a soft smile on your face.

"Yeah... " She said and opened her backpack and took a notebook out.

You took your book out of your backpack and started studying as Hazel did.

~~~

You went out of your class with your classmates, tired. You were all talking about the upcoming group project. You saw Hazel at the corner, waiting for you. You couldn't help but blush when see her there waiting, only for you. You said goodbye to your classmates and walked to her.

"Hey."

"Hey. You look overwhelmed."

"I am overwhelmed. It's an evening class and our professor gave us a group project. We have to speak in front of whole class. Who wants to speak in front of whole class."

"Wow... that's overwhelming."

"I know...and that's not the worst part!"

"What's the worst part? "

"I blush so much when I speak in front of a crowd. My cheeks look like tomatoes."

Hazel chuckled to your reply.

"What? It's not funny. I am going to look like a loser. "

"First, I personally love it when you blush. You look so cute. Second, you can't look like a loser cause you are not one."

Hazel called you cute. Hazel called you cute. Hazel called you cute. Hazel called you cute. Hazel call-

"You only say that cause you are my friend. "

"Best friend and no, I don't. It's my honest idea but I think, If that's the part you are afraid of, you know, the speaking in front of whole class part, you can practice with me and maybe that'll help with your fear and blushing."

'How could someone be so fucking nice?' you thought.

Only Hazel. She was so sweet, kind, caring, adorable and cute. She was like a marshmallow sweet, fluff, soft and yummy. You wanted to know what she taste like down th-

"Y/N? " she blinked at you.

"Hazel?" you started at her, confused.

"You kinda froze for minute. Are you okay? " she asked, worried.

'Fuck.' you cursed to yourself.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm just tired. Just want to go home that's all. " you tried to hide your blush with your folder.

"Okay." She said and you knew she was smiling from her tone of voice.

'Dammit. Did she think I thought of her?' You groaned mentally.

~~~

You went home to see PJ and Josie laying on the couch while watching a movie.

"And now you came home together, huh. Since both of you are the commitment type, I hear wedding bells. " She raised her brow, smirking.

"Josie, push a pillow on her face till she can't breathe for me, will you? "

"My pleasure. " Josie said cheerfully.

Next thing you now there was a serious pillow fight in your living room. It wasn't like cute sleepover pillow fight. It was kind of a eat shit kind of a pillow fight. Concussion is included kinda pillow fight.

You went straight to your room and changed into pajamas. Then you joined the pillow fight too. Then Hazel joined too.

After a while, you were pretty tired from fighting. Others seemed pretty tired too.

"Should we like... order pizza? " Hazel asked.

"Yes! "you three shouted.

You ate your pizzas and watched another movie. Eventually, you all went to bed.

You saw Hazel in your dream. You were in your living room and you felt her kiss you, her hands on your both cheeks. You even felt the cold metal of her rings. When she pulled she beamed at you. Then PJ came out of nowhere and clashing both pans in her hands with an annoying smile. Hazel vanished.

"What the fuck!"

"We are celebrating!"

"Celebrating what?"

"The fact that you're gonna make a fool of yourself in front of whole class! " she said and then started to laugh maniacally. Just like the villan in stories.

Then Josie came who was wearing a suit and sunglasses like in the movie 'Men In Black' and pulled a small box out of her denim's pocket and squeezed her into the box.

"Sorry for her. I try to keep her in the place but she gets out of my hands from time to time."

You couldn't say anything.

"Anyways, bye." She left just like that.

She didn't even use the machine to make you forget for seeing them...

"Okay... That's not weird at all."

"What's weird is... that you still don't go down on me, Y/N..." Hazel's voice came from behind.

You turned back to see Hazel standing, lust filled in her eyes.

'Fuck.' you thought.

'Yes. We should definitely do that. Fucking. ' She was smiling mischievously.

You froze to what she said. You only thought that.

"The thing about dreams Y/N..." She slowly make the gap between you smaller. You could feel your heart in your ears. "They are part of your thoughts so they know your other thoughts too and I know you want me." She took your hand and put it on her vagina and suddenly she was naked.

Oh my god. You never saw her naked. It was your mind's doing. You were touching her naked vagina while she was naked in front of you. Naked.

You gulped nervously.

"If you want to go down on me, go down on me Y/N. It's all yours. " she said and left you there only to lay down on the couch of the living room. She opened her legs as she was waiting for you.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

You felt her eyes on you as you got closer to her. Her chest slowly rising and falling with each breath. You sat between her legs. You were about to look at her vagina, of course the dream fucking had to end here.

You were having a sex dream about going down on Hazel and It had to end here.

Well, at least she kissed you. Even If it's in a dream...

You got up from your bed, feeling horny but you didn't want to masturbate. You felt frustrated that you couldn't just have sex with the gorgeous woman just a couple steps away from you. Masturbating while thinking of her, would make you feel hopeless and lonely.

You got up from your bed, got dressed and made your bed. You took your phone with you and walked to the kitchen. You decided to make some chocolate chip cookies.

Cause why not? Right?

You tried to do the recipe you know like the back of your hand as quiet as you can be, to not wake up your roommates.

You put them in the oven and then cleaned all of the stuff. When there was nothing left to do, you sat down next to the oven, watching cookies.

You liked to watch whatever you made transform in the oven. It was just so satisfying to see them how they change.

You saw Hazel with pjs coming to your direction. She kneeled on the floor next to oven, facing you.

"Cookies? This late?" she raised her brow with a side smile.

'You're the reason.' you wanted to say.

"Couldn't sleep."

"Oh... " She bit her lower lip.

You pulled your knees to your chest. Your back was facing the kitchen drawers.

"What about you?" You tilted your head to the side.

" I just woke up and smelled something amazing so, here I am." she smiled cheekily.

You grinned. "Flattery will get you nowhere."

She pouted to your answer.

"Are you saying you are not going to let me eat cookies?"

She looked at you with puppy eyes.

"Stop making that face... " you whisper-shouted.

"Or what?" she asked playfully.

This version of Hazel was one that got out of her sometimes. It was cocky and confident. You didn't see her showing this side of her to the others. Maybe the ones you don't know did know her this side. Maybe It was just for you.

It burned down there to know It was only for you.

You couldn't believe you were horny again. Just when you thought you could get rid off the feeling...

You couldn't answer to her question. Instead you looked at the oven and saw the cookies were about to burn If you wait another five minutes.

"Ow... " You stopped the oven and got up to take kitchen clothes for both of your hands to get the tray out of the oven without burning your hands.

"Can I help? " Hazel asked even though she knew the answer.

"I got it. " you said sweetly at her.

You put them on the counter and inhaled the magical smell.

"Can I have one? " Hazel stood next to you, her eyes wide and excited. Your arms were touching each other.

"It needs to cool down a little bit Hazel... then you can have as many as you'd like."

She grinned while looking at the cookies.

'Cookie Monster... ' you thought of her and smiled.

She was just so fucking adorable...You knew you would fight with everyone for her. Didn't matter If you got hurt or end up dead. You would do it for her. Knowing that she will keep smiling like that.

You took a cookie and broke it in half.

"Do we have milk? " you asked her.

Her eyes got wider at your question. " I think we do." she went to the fridge quickly and came back with milk box in her hand.

You took two glasses and placed them on the counter. She opened the milk and looked at you as she was asking what to do. You nodded and she poured down the white liquid.

You took the two halves of the cookie and dipped it in the milk and before you could put one in Hazel's mouth and she instinctively opened it wide for you. You were shocked how eager she was for cookie. You wondered If she could ever be eager for other things...

You ate the other half of the cookie. It was delicious. Also, cold milk made it eatable.

"Hmmm... I could eat this everyday. They are so delicious." she moaned while eating the cookie.

You wanted to kiss her cookie flavored mouth so bad right now. And cookie flavored other things...

Your head was filling with more dirty thoughts. As It wasn't dirty enough.

"It's not healthy to eat this every day but thank you. " you grinned quietly.

You wanted her. You wanted her lips. Her eyes on you. Her hands on you. Her breath on you. Her smell on you. Her voice in your ears. You wanted her to devour you. You wanted her to love you more than a friend. It was getting harder everyday. It hurt. It hurt wanting but not getting anything. Not knowing If she ever sees you in that way. Not knowing If she will ever love you in that way. More than a friend. You were longing for her love. She was giving it to you in most intimate ways that a friend ever can but you were greedy. You wanted more. More of her.

A wave of sadness came through and you didn't know you were crying until you saw Hazel's worried face and felt her hands on your arms.

"Y/N? What- what's wrong?"

"Hazel... " you managed to get out but you were sobbing and you hugged her without asking and of course she hugged you back tightly as you could fly away from her grasp.

"It's okay Y/N. Whatever it is, It's okay. We can figure out together, okay. Is-Is it t-the project, hm?" she tried to soothe you but you couldn't tell her. What If she didn't like you? What If she hated you after you confessed? Or what If she avoided you? What If she couldn't have feelings for you ever?

"You can talk to me Y/N. I-I don't want to pressure you but It seems like, whatever this is, makes you really upset and-and I want you to be okay."

You looked at her with teary eyes.

" What If I can't talk to you about it? "

"Well, uhm what about a professional? Maybe a psychologi-"

You couldn't stand this anymore. It felt too bad. Like life or death. It was now or never for you.

And you did it.

You kissed her cookie flavored mouth.

She stood there frozen for a minute, her hands in the air with an unreadable expression.

Your eyes began to tear up again and you looked down at your feet but you felt your chin being lifted up and a pair of hands covering your cheeks. Warm hands and cold rings, just like you imagined. Lastly, you felt her lips on your lips. Soft, sweet, plush and heavenly.

Her lips were everything at that moment.

You wanted more and craved more, immediately.

You tried to slide your tounge into her mouth and you felt her smile at what you were trying to do. She opened it for you eventually then you wasted no time to explore inside of her pretty mouth. There was no one trying to dominate the other. Just simply exploring and enjoying the feeling of tounges meeting each other.

Swirling, tasting and feeling.

Simply saying hi to each other.

[tiyoin]

pt. 4 |📍pt. 5

the fact that i have 6 parts of this ‘series’ astounds me. i thought it’d only be 1 or 2 ‘chapters’ long but here we are!! this is also a bit venty, and talks of topics like weight if anyone is sensitive to that kind of stuff.

also i decided reader needs some build up better they handle the first year group

alzo this chapter is focused more on reader - i’m having a pacing problem please be kind 🙇🏻

none proofread or edited, we die like men 🏇🏇

numb.

you felt numb.

doing everything in your power to look ahead, stand tall, and put one foot in front of the other with all the faux confidence you've got.

don't breathe too loud they'll hear you.

don't step too loud they'll think about your weight.

don't blink too much they'll think you're fluttering your lashes at them.

don't tuck your chin in they'll think you're gross.

gross for what exactly? everything.

don't mess up the stepping pattern or else you'll look like a bumbling idiot as you try to get back on the rhythm.

don't clench your fists they'll think you're mad and unapproachable.

don't smile because you're not in front of a mirror where you can control how much you want to give away.

don't think too hard or else you'll become enraptured with you daydreams and you won't be able to take part in reality.

don't do anything with your lips or else some air will come in and create a sound that sounds similar to a fart. then they'll think you're extra gross.

all these rules you had to follow to 'be normal,' weren't really a set of rules, but a lifestyle. you wouldn't get collared if you didn't do one of the rules, you wouldn't get yelled at or reprimanded.

you were okay. to your knowledge that is.

on the outside you probably looked like you had a stick up your ass, in a rush to get to where you were going. like one of those rolling backpack kids back in your own world. whenever they would pass they'd take casualties with them. rolling over toes, pencils, teachers- there was nothing in their way they couldn't bulldoze through.

you were just missing the wheels and will of iron it took to be seen with such a… what’s the right word- atrocity, in public, let alone an all boys school.

underneath the habits, and self induced numbness, past all the anxiety and fear there was a tickle. not an actual tickle, but a sudden feeling you couldn't identify. it wasn't rage, nor frustration. you weren't sad or envious... you think- it was something gentler than that.

something softer yet just as negative was infesting your heart and mind like a slow acting poison. poisoning you thought process, your habits, your attitude and your lively hood.

though the breeze and sunshine walking to class supplied you with- there was a chill over your heart. the beams of warmth too short to reach into the many cracks and holes that got created. sometimes you though there was a bug. a parasitic bug that would eat and nibble on your hopes, your memories- your happiness.

but there was nothing you could do about the buzzing bug. it wouldn't go away with Kalim's warmth and silver's calm. two sides of the same coin.

but no matter how many times you flipped: heads or tails, heads or tails, heads or tails would never work.

yes you would smile, you would laugh- trying to hang onto that laughter in fear that you will never encounter it again. but the more you laugh the ore you regret. the more you worry.

"why am I scared to laugh" you remembered asking yourself one night.

looking in the mirror there was a brewing red horn ready to grow on the side of your forehead.

you knew it was a normal ting teenagers of all ages experienced. but you felt especially helpless now, with the lack of beauty supplies and make up. but with a quick brush of your hair the brewing red horn disappeared behind the thick dap strings of hair.

"I look like a oni"

...

"though if it was on my nose I'd look like Rudolph"

even though it wasn't funny, even though it was unoriginal, even though you felt the walls give you a strange look you laughed yourself horse.

gripping onto the vanity and you watched yourself laugh. tripping and stumbling over scattered objects in your room you were still clenching your stomach nonetheless.

you felt like a tumbling tornado. clumsily tripping over everything with no set destination or concern for the things in your path. a shoe got kicked up. a pen you remembered liking got stepped and rolled on. a book you read a few nights ago kicked to the door as you set your eyes on your bed. with a few more violent acts towards inanimate objects, you carried your shaking body to bed.

flopping down unceremoniously you let it linger for a second. sighing in content as you stared up at the ceiling.

you loved laughing, it was fun! but you were afraid to laugh, to live. remembering Kalim's quote of 'everything is fun when you make it fun,' you wanted to scoff at his naivety. but Kalim was right.

if you made things miserable for yourself that's how they'll be.

directing your mind back to your head, you blinked owlishly.

oh. you were so caught up in the daydream you forgot you were in the hallways.

peeking through shoulders, you tried looking towards the wall to check the room number.

"shit"

making a giant u-turn with as many 'excuse me's' and 'pardon me's,' you rerouted yourself back to you class. never having walked this way to class you were a bit hesitant. what if you walked by it again? what if someone is watching you and making fun of you for being a daft idiot?

breathe.

but what if you're late to class? crewel will have your hide- skin? doesn't matter what it is cause it'll be his. what if they all laugh when we're late-

we're not late yet it's only-

but when we get to class we'll be late!

perking up when you noticed the assigned numbers to your class, you weaved through the chattering sardines and beelined it to class.

no bell. no expectant crewel. no eyes besides from the easy to ignore front row. perfect.

the sigh you were holding in finally set itself free as you adjusted the grip of your books, and you strolled down the isles.

don't walk to fast they'll think you're strange.

but also don't walk to slow so they don't think you're lazy.

head down absent mindedly adjusting your books, you followed your hand's cue and put your attention on a fixed thing. aka: your books.

but to you relief you soon found you seat. with a huff you unloaded the cargo and pulled out some loose leaf paper and started writing.

writing what? not even you knew. but it made you look busy and that was important.

you didn't lay around in bed all day. you didn't continuously scroll though your phone to distract yourself. you didn't cry at night looking at everyone's socials, wishing it was you having fun. envy bubbling like a nasty tar in your blood stream as you scorned everyone for having fun when you're miserbale-

"y/n!'

"oow"

sliding in next to you was silver. hair disheveled and tie ever so crooked, though he still looked really good-

pervert a voice whispered. tensing, you looked around and saw no one paying attention to your little corner.

"I tried calling you in the hallway." his boyish smile eased a beat in your rhythmic heart, only for it to take 2 more beats.

"y-you did?" you gulped.

silver nodded as he organized his books. "Yeah, but it's so so chaotic and loud I'm guessing you didn't hear me" you nodded in agreement, tongue slipping over itself as you tried conjuring up an excuse.

"I- uh I'm really sorry I didn't hear you. I didn't even know I you were there! I was kinda worried about not being elbowed to death" you didn't know why you were chuckling at the end. and you weren't sure if you believed yourself despite it being the truth. but silver only nodded in understanding.

"I'm real"

"There's no"

you both started at the same time, creating a pause as you both waited for the other to speak.

"you can go ahead" he nodded. Waving your hands you disagreed. "you were talking first, I'm sorry, go ahead"

even though you gave the green light, silver heisted to go. giving the air another few seconds before he started talking.

"there is no need to ask for forgiveness. I understand if you couldn't hear me, I'm not the most vocal after all. if only seek were here" he mulled the last part. chuckling, you nodded, brain trying to process the information slapped at you so you can create the best response.

like a computer! did they even ave computers in twisted wonderland? duh of course they do, they have phones after all.

the thought of twisted wonderland's technology started to swarm and hijack your train of thought. effectively taking out the conductor and changing its course.

did they also have an Industrial Revolution like the united states had? what was the start of it? which kingdom had it first? was there something to set off the alleged revolution? How is it the same and how is it different from your world's?

did magic have allay in it? of course it did. but how did magic make it different than-

"y/n"

snapping your head at the familiar voice. you looked to silver. only able to take in physical information as the new conductor saw a hole in the tracks, pulling the breaks almost immediately.

"you okay there?"

slowly you nodded, as a few members of the hijacking team jumped out of train- some ideas and questions with it.

"yeah.. sorry about that, kinda got lost in my train of thought there"

nodding with understanding, silver started talking about he would smites start nodding off when he was talking to someone. half paying attention, half trying to save the train- your brain was split in half as you took in all internal and extrernal information.

until you heard the magic words that'll stitch the cleave through your brain.

"what were you thinking ab-"

"the Industrial Revolution"

"... pardon?"

anddd you failed, the train fell in the deep deep gorge the tracks would normally be.. where they would continue to act like a bridge and carry you over tot he other side, more stable of the two track locations.

"dont worry about it" you brushed him off. saved by the bell as Crewel stood up, riding crop in hand yelling out orders like a drill sergeant.

silver scooted closer. you scooted back, the original distance between you two doubling. you were focused on writing your name, date etc etc on another loose leaf paper.

the dreamy-eyed second year made some noises before he knew what he was going to say. he started softly "are you okay" but then grew slightly louder as unease set in "from... last class? I mean I know yuu told me it was a touchy subject but..."

your pencil stop moving as you disregarded everything he said after that, what does he mean 'yuu said-'? "what did yuu say." you spoke, voice stable for the first time that morning.

silver's tongue tied itself as he fixed his hair a bit. "well..." he straightened up slightly, "after you stormed out yuu followed. but before that I went up to them to ask them if something was wrong... but they told me you get nervous around new people soo"

dread set over you like a fast approaching shadow.

oh no. he thinks you're a weird socially inept person doesn't he? he thinks you're some kind of loser that doesn't go out weekends, weekdays, any day for that matter. he probably makes fun of you with sebek. right?

"Ah well" you cleared you throat. a lie already on the tip of your tongue "I mean its like, yes and no kinda thing. I didn't really have a lot of guy friends when I was younger. so"

there was a small house in the meadow. a nice house. your house. the only problem with the house is the you blew it up. with nuclear missiles. the intensity from the blast was so strong that it created a small crater in the earth. in the future it'll act as a tomb for you.

"here lies Y/n: a frequent word vomiter who died alone from over sharing"

the urge to bash your head into the nearest wall was huge. there goes your social life right?? what soil life? you killed it before you could even nurture it!

your mouth and mind were doing two different things as they were both running on autopilot.

you were like a fountain, spewing dirty water everywhere. trying to get yourself out of the hole you dug yourself- crater, actually.

"but uhhh yeah, no you're good! I'm glad I got partnered with you since you're not..."

"boisterous?" silver quipped.

you nodded. silver chuckled, leaning further away from you. "yeah me too. if I got paired with one of your friends only the sevens know how much damage that'll do to my physical being and to my psyche"

you both slyly looked over tot the rest of the class. all pairs seemed to be in some kind of chaos. whether it's floyd being impulsive, grin trying to add a wrong chemical (you didn't even need to know what they were making to know that whatever he's trying to sneak in- doesn't belong there.)

least of all, at least you weren't paired with one of the deuce combo. ace would try to take control and ruin it. wile Duce and you would be two peas in a pod: not knowing what you're doing but winging it.

"I wonder what group will create the biggest explosion" you impulsively said. quick to shut your lips and wishing for a sewing kit to keep your overthrown passengers to yourself.

silver looked out at the crowd for a moment, turning to you he started slowly, "while the yuu grim and ace duo seem to be the obvious choice...." he thought carefully, "epel and deuce seem to be at a loss of what to do. but he is in Pomefiore"

"he's actually sh- really-" you started again "I heard that he's actually not that great at potions. "and that even though he's under vil's carful watch...." silver's eyes widened, saying a soft 'really?' as he looked back to the groups.

you nodded despite knowing he couldn't see it. "never judge a book by it's cover" you shrugged, immediately turning to your work. anxiously, you waited for a response. was the joke good? did it land? does he have that kind of humor? or was he regretting his choice for a part-

your thoughts shattered as you silver chuckled, enviably agreeing with you statement. you could almost sweat with relief as an invisible weight got lifted from your shoulders.

where you should've celebrated, there was a slight distaste in your mouth. you should've been able to do this naturally. there's something wrong with you, isn't there?

pain pain pain shot through your thigh as you tried to distract yourself from whatever war was going on inside.

Deciding to enjoy the moment and to continue riding the wave of adrenaline you had- adrenaline? was it that?

or did you finally have someone to talk to? regardless of how short the relationship will enviably be.

you smile at realization.

it was despair

—

taglist : @abell2029cluster @a1-ic3 @ars-tral @xingyunny @creamsweets @skei2p @dn4su @jjsmeowthie @h0rr0r-10ver-69 @nefe-kav @d3sperate-enuf @y2unagiz @im-here-for-the-fun-of-it @mel-star636 @7yu

[roxygen22]

Still Here (Chapter 7)

Summary: Three little words from Timmy send you into a panic.

A/N: A shorter chapter, but a BIG one.

Catch up on previous chapters here.

"I should have followed you when you asked me."

In slow motion, Timothée's lips met yours. They were as plush and soft as you remembered. His hands eagerly made their way to your hips to pull your body to his. One of your hands snaked up his back while the other gripped his neck to pull him deeper into the kiss.

"[Y/N], I love you," he moaned when came up for air.

Instantly, you pulled away. He kept his arms out, stunned by your sudden absence from them.

"Timmy...I can't tell you how much I want this. I have feelings for you, too. But it's too soon. I- I can't say it back yet," your voice trembled. You walked over to his truck and dropped the tailgate to sit. "This isn't just a matter of picking up where we left off 12 years ago. I've lived a whole separate life in between. I have a daughter depending on me to keep my shit together.

I got so wrapped up in being wife and mother, I- I don't even know who I am anymore. I need to figure that out first. I rushed headlong into my last relationship with blinders on. I couldn't see anything else but him. I latched onto him because I was alone and lonely. Sound familiar? I lost myself in trying to be whatever he wanted me to be. I can't- I can't do that again." You put both of your hands to your forehead. "I've barely been back more than a month, and I'm already entertaining a new relationship."

Timothée joined you on the tailgate. "But, it's not new."

"Yes, it is!" you shouted. "I'm not the same person I was 12 years ago. We need to get to know each other again to make sure we actually like each other for who we are now, not just getting wrapped up in the nostalgia of what was. I- I've been hurt, wounded, heart flayed open at the hands of someone else who also once said they loved me. Then they fell out of love with me. What does that say about me? What does that say about love?" your voice faded to a whisper.

"It says more about him," Timothée growled. "That he's a damn fool. And so was I to let you go in the first place. But unlike that idiot, I NEVER STOPPED LOVING YOU!" He jumped off the tailgate to pace the sidewalk.

You blinked owlishly at him. "What?"

"Why do you think I couldn't follow through with my engagement in Texas? She was funny, beautiful even...but she wasn't you. And that wasn't fair to her."

"And I don't think this is fair to you!" you exclaimed. "I feel so drained right now. I don't have a lot of emotional energy to offer, and what reserve I do have needs to go to Madison. She's my number one priority. I hope you understand that I'm not saying no. I'm asking for slow."

He stopped pacing and stood directly in front of you, one hand resting on your knee. The other cupped your face. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll go as slow as you need. But, I'm not going to stop telling you that I love you. You deserve to hear it. Know it. Feel it. I will still be here when you decide it's safe to love me back." He broke the seriousness with a flash of his classic lopsided grin. "And if you think being honest with me is going to change how I feel about you, then maaaaybe you're not quite as smart as I thought."

You laughed softly and leaned into his touch. "I'm glad I haven't scared you off. Most men would turn tail and run at the sight of a divorcée with a pre-teen daughter."

"Well, I'm not most men, and I've actually grown quite fond of Madison," Timothée replied.

"I can tell. And she likes you, too, it seems. I think that's what scares me most, though. Any decision I make impacts her as well. She got hurt in all of this, too. I don't want her to get attached to someone who may not stick around. Not that- I don't mean that you would do that. Just in general."

"I knew what you meant. I respect you for putting her first. I would expect nothing less from you. And I'd sooner walk through fire than hurt her." He kissed the top of your head and sat back down beside you. You rested your head on his shoulder for a few silent moments.

"We seem to have our most serious conversations in the back of this truck." You looked up at him and half-smiled.

"I can think of some other things that have happened in this truck, too." He winked.

"Timmy!" you popped him lightly on the arm in feigned embarrassment.

"So what now?" he asked in a more serious tone.

"I don't know. This is new to me, too. I guess we do what we have been doing. We hang out. We talk. We get to know each other's adult selves. But no PDA in front of Maddy. Not yet. I will talk to her when I feel the time is right and slowly introduce the concept of me dating again."

"I can live with that. But when she's not around, can I still do this?" He leaned over and teasingly grazed his lips over yours.

"I can live with that," you breathed out. This time, you closed the gap, all but slamming your mouth against his for a deeper kiss.

<><><><><>

Chapter 8

Masterlist

Tag List: @croatianprincess @bluizh

[textfromthelookout]

Did you hear of the news?

I have. :(

Everyone else has their tributes so, here, a summary of my experience with Dragon Ball.

I was in fourth grade art class. A kid had the February 2005 issue of Shonen Jump, back when Shonen Jump was still physically printed here. I recognized Atem on the front cover because the Blockbuster around the corner from our house had DVDs (I think they were DVDs and not VHSs then since I distinctly remember it having a menu and special features) of some of the later episodes of Duelist Kingdom and my brother and I watched them on repeat. So I was like oh, hey, what's this? They make books of that stuff? I don't remember the conversation but the kid ended up giving me that issue, and I took it home with me.

There were a LOT of significant, groundwork things happening in that issue, now that I think about it. We were just beginning to see Sanji truly in action against Pearl. The Dark Tournament was in it's early stages still with Roto fucking around and finding out against Kurama. Sakura shears off her hair in a move that rearranged sexualities the world over. The reason Atem was on the cover was because Yu-Gi-Oh Millennium World was just debuting its first and second chapter. Bleach wasn't even serialized yet. And Dragon Ball, of course, was also there, about a hundred and fifty chapters ahead of everybody else.

Keep in mind that this was my first experience with manga, period. So my very first experience with Dragon Ball opened on this:

and ended on this:

Yeah. Truth be told, at the time Yu Yu Hakusho piqued my interest more than Dragon Ball (a guy fighting with plants? how creative!) but I never did forget these chapters. I thought the art style was so different from the others.

At some point after this, probably between several months and a year and a half, the TV happened to be on one evening when Toonami was airing Dragon Ball Z. Oh hey, I said, I recognize that art, I know those characters. So I hung around and watched some of episode 281. Two things about watching that episode stick with absolute crystal clarity in my mind to this day. Firstly: Buu choking Vegeta out with his arm freaked me the FUCK out as a child. I could not tell you why I had a fear reaction to it but hey, there you go. The second is this:

Specifically I remember 'You died once. If anything happens to you now, you won't exist anymore. There'll be nothing I can do to bring you back.' Not precisely word for word over the years, but Schemmel's tone of voice on this particular lineread. If I had to guess I'd say it was because at that point in my life, uh, death was kinda permanent? So wait, what do you mean died ONCE. Doesn't that apply to everyone?

This still wasn't enough to get me super invested in it though, it just didn't seem like something that would appeal to me that much. So a couple years go by, I don't think about it all that much, and then of course, TFS hits the scene and drops DBZ Abridged. So you know. As a shithead middle schooler with a shithead sense of humor I thought it was the best damn thing since sliced bread. (My biggest character flaw is that I still think a lot of Season 1 is genuinely funny)

And that was really the extent of my interaction with the franchise for the next several years. Say what you will about DBZA but they did manage to put it all together such that someone who had a nonexistent concept of what the original context was could grok it with not a lot of effort. Some time in high school, I think I was around 15, I decided to bite the bullet and read all the manga, as much to increase the funny factor of DBZA as sheerly for the sake of being able to say I had. Stick it to the other weebs, y'know. Now they can't say I didn't know anything about good anime. This was unfortunately at a time when all that was available online were dirty poor-quality scans and questionable translations, but read it I did. I went 'yep, that sure is about what I expected', and proceeded to get on with my life. GT came and went, I looked up and saw Battle of Gods coming out and went 'oh hey that's still a thing huh', kinda was peripherally aware of all the divisiveness of Super as it was happening, didn't really pay it much attention, just stuck to DBZA and quite a lot of wiki-ing.

And then, this time of year about three years ago now, in the middle of conversation with @prophecydungeon, Dragon Ball somehow came up. Something to do with 'Even though I'm not hugely into DBZ's story or whatever Toriyama does have some great character designs' (yes I was referring to Vegeta and Future Trunks at the time, no i will not stop being predictable, yes i am a parody of myself). They eventually brought up the DBS Broly movie and said, and i quote: 'that was a solid 1.5h of unbelievably fun and wacky animation'. Having seen the Gogeta vs Broly part of it on twitter and been like 'damn that animation's kinda off the hook actually, good for them good for them', my response was to be like. Oh word? I've got a spare hour and a half to kill, sure, fuck it, why not, time to watch DBS Broly.

I think that movie was precision crafted to hit me in the hyperfixation, if we're being honest. Opening on a solid 20 minutes of Lore and Worldbuilding and then having most of the rest of the runtime being mindless slobberknocker fun by way of some of the hardest animation flexes ever? I was done for.

In summation. I have been aware of Dragon Ball for a lot of my life, in that its presence was pervasive and enduring as I grew up. I may have been late to the game of actually wholeheartedly enjoying it, but enjoy it I do. Dragon Ball is the roots of a vast tree of anime, and in reading it I began to understand why that is. I respect it for that, and I love it for that. My current fixation may have shifted, but as far as time devoted to one individual thing goes... it took me a year and a half to watch my way through all of the anime and read all of the manga. ALL of it. So there's something good in there, I'd say.

[separatist-apologist]

What are some of your favorite fanfics? You can only include up to 2 LB fics

I was going to wait to answer this in the morning because it's so daunting an ask. But I have to be in office tomorrow and I know I won't have the time, and then I'll forget about this. It's been a long time since anyone asked me my personal favorites.

I put some of them in yesterday's list of elucien recs, so definitely start here. I have to cross post a little, though. None of these are in order, this is actually not a ranking but the opposite of a ranking in which every one is incredible, and written by very wonderful people worth following.

playgirl, by @damedechance. I love this fic. Lucien has an only fans, Elain moderates his chat. She was the first gwynriel writer I ever read. You know I'm weird about Azriel- I don't really enjoy him, but in bookclub, her fic was being recommended CONSTANTLY and I gave it a shot thinking I'd hate it, and she made me insane. The gwynriel fic is Things You Can't Have, and I suggest reading it, too.

Latch, My Fate is Yours; Latch, My Very Soul is Yours by @labellefleur-sauvage. Elucien mummy au and so beautifully done. The author is also an VERY funny person and I recommend anything she writes (such as her 1920's Neris fic And All That Jazz) on vibes alone.

Our Bodies, Possessed By Light @iftheshoef1tz. Azris at its FINEST. If you like Azriel and Eris as a pairing, and you want something that is both achingly beautiful and well-plotted, this is it. This is the fic. Honestly, even if you don't want that, you should read it anyway. It's sexy, it's funny, it's emotional and it's poetic. I think about this fic (the cabin specifically because I'm slutty) all the time.

Crimson Clover, by @thesistersarcheron. Baby's first elriel fic, I heard the sentence "Elain covered in blood" and dropped everything I was doing to learn more. Elain is, in fact, covered in blood and Azriel is pretty insane about it. This author also has a fic bookclub is obsessed with, Viciousness & Intelligence which is Nesta x Cassian x Azriel in a poly bond and another of my personal favorites, Bejeweled in which Feyre is Night Court fae made entirely of jewels and Rhys is...well...down bad as he always is.

Embers, by @ultadverb is my favorite Morlain fic in the fandom. It's so richly written and such a good exploration of Elain and her feelings. She really does Elain such justice. I have it on VERY good authority she's also working on a little monster elucien, and right after I typed that I saw she's actually posted the first chapter, Seven Tears for the Sea, which is selkie Lucien, coastal Elain, I believe. I will be reading that for sure, just as soon as I finish this list, but everyone else should too!

I Believe the Word You're Looking for is "Friends" by @kingofsummer93. Truly Elucien 101 required reading. It's actually on the made-up syllabus I just created in my mind. If you're wanting to settle into a long fic, canon-compliant, adventure fic, THIS is it. Also, people are always asking for BOE smut, well she has so GRACIOUSLY provided it with The Intimacy of Being Understood

Remember, We're Madly In Love by @velidewrites. Have you ever seen one of those really gorgeous mood boards floating around and asked yourself, is that person also an incredibly sexy writer, too? Well I'm here to answer that question with a resounding YES. This is hunger games Feysand and if you've been thinking about reading it, stop thinking and start doing. I don't know when I became a sales person during this sharing of faves, but here we are I guess.

Vanserra Wildlife Rescue by @headcanonheadcase. In the haze that was elucien week, where everyone was creating and I was trying so hard to see all of it (and failing miserably), this fic was a gem. It's meet cute Elucien- he's a wildlife vet, she finds an injured fox. They're both on their way to a blind date (I wonder who they're meeting), and instead cancel to take care of the fox.

Can't Help It by @moodymelanist. This fic was literally why I decided to answer this anon. Nesta and Cassian are in a very toxic relationship but can't keep away from each other. I LOVE this fic, I love their dynamic and without spoiling it, there is a threesome I am still so deeply unwell about, even to this day.

Wonderland by @c-e-d-dreamer. The premise is SO GOOD. Nesta rejects the mating bond and Cassian rejects society. They reconnect later on, and the angst is SO DELICIOUS.

This list is getting really long- I could do this all day, actually. As for my top two @the-lonelybarricade favorites, which is cruel just fyi.

I'm gonna go with

You Look Like Bad News- Elain's neighbor has an annoying habit of fucking REALLY loudly next door.

And of course,

They Are The Hunters, We Are The Foxes, which is the best thing ever produced in the history of ever. Wonderland WHO? This is the shifter elucien romance we deserved, actually.

[chromatic-lamina]

Hi! You seem quite knowledgeable in this, so I though you might be the right person to ask: I'm trying to find some nice heart pirates fics with them as family doing shenanigans/general stuff. Most of the fics I've found in the Heart Pirates tag in ao3 revolve around a ship involving law and the hearts are just background characters who barely do anything, which isn't what I'm looking for. Do you have any recommendations? (I've already read some of your works, but if you want to recommend those that's good too!)

Platonic Heart Pirates Fics Rec List

Wow! huge compliment.

Yeah, I wouldn't classify myself as a Hearts Pirates writer, but I do write them. I think my best characterisations of them are in my multi-chaptered works, but they're super dark, and the Hearts aren't the focus (but boy do they shine when they get the chance!).

You've probably come across my Bepo's one shots and drabble collection. There's a few shippy pieces in there, but they're clearly marked. Most are just the crew, although focus on the main four. This was also done for the Hearts' Pirates Week, so covers all named crew members (up to that point). This one shot is surprisingly popular: Dark like the North Blue Sea (aka The Sea-Hill you Die On), and you might have come across the Straw Hat and Heart Pirates crews intermingling in this fic featuring Bepo and Chopper. I'm also guessing that you probably saw the piece I wrote for the op summer festival zine: Sun Path Ozoni. An earlier version of that is in Bepo's collection! There's also Bepo's Beptober, which features everyone, but I wouldn't really say explores them in depth!

Okay, RECS!

Any of the fics with the Hearts Pirate tag by @op-sheepy Here's a link to their AO3 dash. There are quite a few Heart Pirate drabbles on their tumblr page too.

@itsxandy 's work, stormy weather, is criminally under-read. That's 22,2221 amazing words on Law's dynamic with the crew in the polar tang in close quarters. Not necessarily happy families, but, oof, it's good. Even a very plausible theory put forward for the recruitment of Clione, I think! Or maybe Uni.

Dragon_in_a_Cypress_swamp has 6 amazing Hearts & Trafalgar Law fics too. Really good (I haven't read all, but what I have read just blows me away).

This is not a place of honor by Hyperbolic Reverie (I'm not guaranteeing that all the fics are sweet). And you've probably come across

the devil knows how to row by fab_ia, is set in Law Novel land, but with flashbacks to Law's time with the Donquixote Family. It's a work in progress. But very good. The author is keats on twitter, and I think one of the guest writers for the up coming Hearts zine. Their AO3 actually has a few Hearts' fics I want to pick through.

Dunno if this counts, but the Scrubs AU with Penguin and Shachi as Law's interns, and Bepo as a trusty nurse is both hilarious and poignant. @thegrimshapeofyoursmile

Cal14's recently been uploading some of their tumblr pieces.

@slashseeker (not getting their blog come up) has some platonic stuff on their AO3 page (their slash is pretty good too though!).

And that's about all I know for now. I'm sure you've read / been pointed towards the big collection: Tales from the Heart.

Almost forgot! If you go through @purplehairedwonder 's page, towards the start of beginning to write OP (so second page), there are about 5 fics that I'd classify as Heart centric, or the Hearts seen through Law's eyes. Not necessarily shenanigans though.

It is a ship fic, and it started before a lot of the Heart Pirates were named, but razbliuto's Methyl Nitrate Pirates really builds character and crew (and it's funny). @fablecore

Hope it helps! Sorry to anyone I've forgotten. Thanks for the ask! Let me know how they go.

Remember all, drop a kudos and comment if the fics strike your fancy❤️ Makes a Heart Pirates Heart loving Heart beat heartier.

[desceros]

I just gotta say- I usually don't like established relationship fics (Even if it's just like friends) because it always feels like you're... missing something. There's a detachment for me, usually, because I don't get to see how this relationship is formed. Not really. I miss those first glances, the awkward meetings, just all that fluff and yearning as the relationship develops that I guess my heart craves?

But you write in a way that includes that, like the scene in your latest piece where reader is laying on the couch, thinking of all the happy memories and such that have happened in that space. It's a very fine line between telling and showing that you dance immaculately, so it doesn't feel like exposition... because it really isn't? It fills that craving for seeing how the relationship is forming even without the events unfolding directly in front of my eyes. I don't know how else to explain it, just... it's good. It's really, really good. You did the same thing in Euclidean Line, if I remember correctly (God I'm really feeling the urge to reread that one), where there was... sort of a montage, for lack of a better word? When Donnie and reader (don't know what else to call them) were getting closer outside of their meet-ups. Usually I hate time-skips or the author explaining something that I'd really rather just read, but you do it in a way that makes it feel like you're not missing too much, there's still just a bit left to the imagination. I'm sure it's for time's sake/not wanting the fic to drag, something like that? But it's hard to come across an author that does it so well and I appreciate it so much. I swear, I need to start taking notes on the little subtleties of your writing because just. Ugh. I really want to be able to explain myself better it's just good!!

Can't wait to read literally whatever you put out next!! You're one of few authors where it doesn't matter what you're writing, I'll read it anyways. I really wasn't a huge fan of bayverse until I saw you writing the turtles (Among a few others) now I uh. Might have to go back and watch those movies again.

But eat food, drink water, and I hope your wrists are nice to you!! Mine have been sensitive lately so it's more on the forefront of my mind, I haven't seen you mention it so I've just been hoping things have been better on that side for you. I hope you can get some good sleep too, even when you're able to write through it I still kinda worry!! Like I know you're a fully capable adult but. So am I and insomnia is ass, so... yeah I just hope things go well for you!!

it's funny you should say that, as for the longest time, i Hated putting time skips in my writing. abhorred it. would do it as little as possible. because there's so much characterization you can squeeze out of the smallest details, right? like, when they wake up. what do they do? do they drink coffee? tea? how do they take their coffee? do they get dressed before or after breakfast?

but there's an amount of characterization that becomes... excessive. like, sure, the character feels more like an actual person because of this. but does it serve the fic? i balk at the traditional writing advice that "every sentence must progress the plot," because i love basking in seemingly unimportant moments; but i do think there's truth to a modified version of that thought. "every detail must serve the fic."

take symphony, for example. in the first chapter, i go into detail on what viola-chan includes in her apology bags for her neighbors. at first glance, it could seem like a small list of that doesn't really add anything to the character. it certainly doesn't add anything to the plot. and yet, you learn a lot of what she values, what things she sees as important. she has a hobby (two homemade cookies), she doesn't like pain (ibuprofen), she's comfortable financially (the gift card for coffee), she Will practice even though it's annoying to hear (the ear plugs), but she's also kind enough to bend those rules for extenuating circumstances (her phone number, so you can call and ask her to take a break "if you have a baby or something"). it's an efficient way to get across a lot of character development, even though it feels like an unnecessary detail.

learning to balance how much you can skip and how much you should include for your desired amount of characterization is something that comes with experience, and it's something that comes down to taste. as you noted, i like to include things from skips that make them seem Less like a skip, and more like things you didn't see but still know about. this works for established relationships, too. how did they get together? well, maybe that's not so important. but a little hint of it is enough to show that it's real, that it's an event that happened, even if you the reader don't explicitly see it. there are many people who would find my writing excessively detailed, which is fine, as i would find theirs excessively barren. as with most things in art, it's largely subjective.

anyway, too-long answer aside, so glad you're enjoying and thank you so much for your thoughtful message :D

[toony-fanfics]

I'll Be Seeing You

~🌹~

》Chapter One《

Words: 3,048

Warnings: alastor x oc (not until later chapters), violence, murder, cannibalism, swearing, knives, normal hazbin stuff

Summary: a story about how Atlas got to hell and met Alastor.

A/N: hiii! Just thought I'd man up and finally put chapter one here! I worked super hard on it! I'm not sure how many chapters there will be, but we vibe!

~🌹~

It’s funny, the way dying makes you think back on your life. On choices you made. On words that have been said. But the cards have been dealt, and now you think about it. Some go peacefully. In their sleep, perhaps dreaming of sweet things and loved ones. Others go painfully. With health problems or a stab to the back. Peacefully or painfully. Slowly or quickly. Expected or unexpected. Death has many ways of making itself known. 

As for Atlas, he had a while to think about his actions. In a few hours, he’d be dead. In a few hours, he’d be frozen. Unmoving.

Growing up in the suburbs in Tennessee, Atlas was a very polite boy, who adored his family. For as long as he could remember, his father would take him and his brother out to hunt or fish, and his mother would often let Atlas sit in the kitchen while she cooked and baked, letting him be the first to taste things or lick the whisk. At an early age, the young boy had developed a love for cooking. His whole family loved the activity, and they were best known in their neighborhood for making meals to share with everyone. In the summertime, they’d have barbeques; in the winter, they’d go around to other houses with homecooked meals that they all worked together to help make. 

Sitting at the table one night, at the age of 16, Atlas poked at the meatloaf on his plate in front of him. This had concerned his mother for many reasons. Atlas adored meatloaf, more than anyone in their family. Atlas loved food in general, and to see him not eating worried the brown-haired woman.

“Atlas, darlin’ you alright? Ain’t ever seen ya poke at meatloaf before.” She spoke up, her voice sweet and smooth with that southern twang she and the rest of Atlas’ family were known for. Atlas glanced up, before nodding, smiling at his mother. 

“Yeah! Jus’...I, uh- I’ve jus’ been thinkin’.”

“‘bout what?” His father spoke up, looking at his son.

“Well…I mean, I was jus’ thinkin’ ‘bout gettin’ a job. Make some money, save it up…open my own restaurant up?” Atlas said that last part quietly, not knowing what to expect for a reaction. After all, cooking wasn’t exactly a skill Atlas shared openly with people. He’d done it a few times before, and it ended with laughter and ridicule. And though his family had been nothing but supportive and kind towards Atlas, the young teenager still didn’t know what to expect.

Silence fell over the table before his father cleared his throat.

“Well…it’d be a lotta work-”

“-I know! Pa, I know-”

“Listen, boy, I ain’t finished!” His father spoke, voice booming. Not in an angry way, though. He wore an amused expression. His son tended to overthink and jump to conclusions, which is why he wasn’t mad. A chuckle escaped his lips before he continued. “Like I said. ‘s gonna take a lotta work. Work, time, dedication, jus’ like most everythin’ in the world. But I also know yer tough. ‘n stubborn as hell, too. Y’get the from me, after all. If anyone in this family could do it, it’d be you.”

The words from his father made Atlas smile. Why he’d expected anything but encouragement, he didn’t know. Regardless, he’d made it a point to apply for not one, but two jobs.

Atlas spent the next few years working his hardest at both jobs. He often came home late, exhausted from sweeping floors at the market or washing dishes at the cafe. Yet he managed to keep up with his school work and his family. Finally, at the ripe age of 19, Atlas had saved up enough money to buy the building he’d wanted to use for his restaurant.

Standing outside the rundown building, Atlas and his mother gazed at it. It was about the height of a three-story building, though it only had one floor. Inside was what many would describe as a shithole. Sure, it needed a new…well, everything, but Atlas could manage. With the help of his family, he turned that rundown building into the Sunnyside Diner. Despite the name, the young man would be known for his meatloaf, though his breakfast meals were always a hit.

Standing outside the new diner the day before opening, Atlas bit his thumb anxiously, a habit he’s always had.

 “...’s it- ‘s it worth it? ‘m I doin’ a good thing?” He spoke softly, staring up at the sign on the top of the building. Atlas’ mother gazed softly at her son, gently removing his thumb from his mouth.

“Oh, Tater, how often do I gotta say no bitin’? That thumb of yours is for makin’ food, not bein’ food. Now, I want ya to look at me, ‘n I want ya to listen.” His mother grabs Atlas by the shoulders and turns him to look at her. 

“You, Atlas, are the most creative, smart ‘n talented young man anyone would ever have the pleasure of knowin’. This is big, dear. This whole restaurant is here because you wanna share the very thing you love with everyone. This is here ‘cuz y’thought of somethin’ ‘n y’stuck with it. Y’worked hard for this, ‘hon. Y’deserve this.”

Feeling his mother’s hand go up to his cheek, Atlas softened. Her words swaddled him in a warm embrace, and his heart swelled at the encouragement. 

“Thank you, ma. Meals for ya are on the house.” He joked, letting out a small chuckle. His mother laughed that bubbly laugh she was known for, patting his cheek gently.

Business had been booming. Things were going amazingly. Atlas would constantly get compliments and get new patrons every day because of the word being spread around. He was at an all-time high. This was the best thing that ever happened to him, and he didn’t think he could ever come down. Money was rolling in, meals were rolling out, people were laughing and talking, and his restaurant was packed most days. It was a lovely sight for the man.

All good things come to an end, though. And this good thing came to an end three years after Sunnyside opened. Atlas had noticed a decline in business as of late. While bringing out meals to people, he heard others complaining. 

Scrutinizing his food.

“It’s gotten a bit bland.”

“His meatloaf don’t even taste like meatloaf!”

“Why’s it always the same thing on the menu?”

“It starts to taste kinda bad after a while.”

After hearing all the complaints, the man couldn’t help but feel enraged. Why on earth would they say such things? About his food, no less? And the recipes…those were family recipes. Recipes he learned his whole life. Recipes he mastered. Recipes he bonded with his family over.

New. New, new, new. Atlas felt sick as the word tumbled around his head the whole day. New.

How could they insult his family in such a manner?

That night, Atlas snapped. The man went on a killing spree. Enraged by the insults, enraged by the awful comments, he saw red. Both figuratively and literally. Each body was placed in a wheelbarrow after being murdered, and before long, the wheelbarrow had gotten full. With blood splattered all over, the man made his way back to his diner. 

At first, coming up with a way to dispose of the body had been hard. There were many ways, some more effective, and as Atlas stood in the alley by his restaurant, it hit him. It hit him like a ton of bricks.

They said they wanted new meals. New ingredients? New recipes?

Well, they’d get them.

Atlas was up all night, grinding human meat and storing it in the freezer. Once Atlas had disposed of the bodies the way he knew how the man left the building as if nothing had happened.

The next day, Atlas announced new burgers made from only the best meat. The thought of something new brought many to his establishment once more. People enjoyed the burgers. People enjoyed the meals Atlas would prepare. They loved it and had no suspicion.

Amazing, the way the brain worked. It often puzzled Atlas, but in times like this, he was thankful for the obliviousness.

Doing this for a few years, one is bound to get caught. While staying late, an employee of Atlas’ heard noises coming from the kitchen. When going back there, he was met with a gruesome sight.

His boss, all bloody and sweaty, with a wheelbarrow full of dead bodies. Was this why the man had been more reserved? More hesitant to let others into the kitchen? More temperamental? 

A soft gasp escaped the employee as he took a step back. Atlas, without looking up, chuckled to himself. Slowly, he reached for a chef’s knife and stood up.

“Well, ain’t this a pickle. ‘n here I thought no one else was here.” He tosses the knife up, watching as it flips a few times in the air before he catches it by the handle. Slowly walking to the kitchen door, the man locks it. “Guess‘s my own fault. Shoulda checked fully. Don’t matter, though. Ain’t gonna matter.” He chuckles again before running his finger up and down the blade of the knife, circling the trembling employee.

“Wh…what- what are you…?” He started, his eyes wide as he stared at his boss. The man who’d once been well-liked and so polite to others just years ago had now snapped. Atlas wasn’t Atlas anymore. This was a different man.

“I’d hush up if I were you. Don’t wanna make it any harder than need be, hm?~ Now then. We got ourselves a bit of a problem, Joan. See, yer seein’ somethin’ ya ain’t ‘sposed to. That ain’t gonna fly with me. I like keepin’ stuff private, see? Now, I could let ya go, make ya promise to keep yer fat fuckin’ lips shut.”

Atlas pauses, still circling Joan, the employee.

“...nah, that’d be too easy. ‘n who’s to say ya won’t jus’ promise to save yer own skin? For all I know, y’could be plannin’ on gettin’ the law involved right now. ‘n that ain’t good for either of us. Way I see it, the only option I have is jus’ killin’ ya right now." 

The words sounded almost nonchalant. Casual. As if it were a topic in everyday conversation. Fear overtook Joan’s entire being as he glanced towards the door of the walk-in freezer. His breathing was uneven as he slowly backed away from Atlas, towards the freezer. With each step Joan took back, Atlas took one forward.

“Y’know, kid, ‘s a real shame. Y’were one of my best employees. I liked ya a lot, Joan.” Atlas raised the knife. “If it makes ya feel better, I’ll be sure to put ya in one of my best dishes. Yer death ain’t gonna be all in vain.” A twisted smile appeared on his face as he brought the knife down.

Joan yelled out and moved a bit to the left, causing the knife to go into his shoulder. A pained scream emitted from the employee as tears sprung to his eyes. Whimpering, he watched as the blood pooled out and bled through his shirt. The knife was stuck, jammed in deep. Joan groaned out loud as he stared up at the man he’d once called his boss, before moving a hand discreetly to the handle of the door leading into the freezer.

Atlas growled and grabbed another knife, this one a cleaver. Glancing at the employee, leaning against the door, Atlas raised the new knife, preparing to bring it down again. However, what happened next shocked Atlas.

In one swift motion, the freezer door swung open, and cold air suddenly flowed out into the room. His arm was grabbed by Joan, and Atlas was shoved inside. Stumbling back, he slammed into a few boxes of various frozen ingredients, before falling on his rear. Jostled around by the sudden collision, one of the boxes at the top of the stack fell and landed on his ankle. A scream emitted from the chef, as the heavy box had broken the bone, leaving him immobilized. Stuck.

“Son of a bitch, LEMME OUT. NOW.”  Atlas screamed, throwing various things at the door. Each thing he threw landed too far away for him to pick up and throw again, and before he knew it, Atlas had nothing. He couldn’t do anything. He was defenseless, immobilized, and locked inside of this tiny box. It was cold. Cold and cramped. He hated it.

The minutes seemed like hours. All was silent. Too silent. It was almost deafening for the young man.

Atlas never knew how much time had passed. His whole body hurt. He was shivering, his lips most likely blue by now. He knew he was stuck here. There was no escaping it, so all he could do was sit there. Sit in the darkness and wait. Wait for the sweet release of death. Something inevitable by now. He knew he was going to die. 

Yet he smiled. He smiled and laughed. Atlas laughed the hardest he had laughed in a while, tangling his fingers in his hair. Though he was smiling, tears were falling. This was not happy laughter. This was not a happy smile. This was the sight of a man hitting the last straw. Of a man breaking. 

Though he wasn’t dead yet, the man was gone. Far gone.

Too far gone to think rationally. Too far gone to feel anything properly.

As his laughter dies down, the man rests his head against the wall. It was cold. The whole freezer was. He didn’t care. He couldn’t care. The cold of the freezer was the last thing on his mind while he was on the brink of death. The pain of his ankle wasn’t on his mind either. He didn’t know what he was thinking of. He was just thinking. Thoughts swarmed around in his head, though none of them could be picked out. None of them could be separated from the others. They were loud, yet silent. Clear and fuzzy all at once.

The man shifts his position and lets out a shaky sigh. Upon doing so, he saw someone. A figure. A woman. Plump and short, hair a mix of grays and brown, eyes a dull yet beautiful shade of blue. Despite the darkness of the freezer, he could make this woman out very clearly. Too clearly. Was she here? How did she get in? She didn’t have a key to the restaurant. Was she here to save him? Was this a hallucination?

“Atlas.”

Atlas stared at the woman, softening a bit. He teared up because he knew this woman. This was his mother. This was the last time he’d see his mother. This was a hallucination. He was dying.

“Mama…” He spoke softly, his voice shaking. He felt like a kid. A scared kid. A kid who wanted more than anything to simply be held by the very woman who raised, clothed, fed, encouraged, supported, and comforted him all his life. 

But he couldn’t get up. 

And she wouldn’t move. 

Atlas could make out the features on her face. She wasn’t happy to see him. She didn’t care about his situation. She wasn’t here to save him. The woman he admired all his life wore a face of pure disgust as she looked down at him as if he’d been something repulsive stuck to the bottom of her shoe. As if he’d been something one would find in the garbage. 

“Why…? Atlas… what did you do?” The woman asked, not once moving from her spot. Not once bothering to look around. Not once bothering to unlock that door. 

She looked so warm. 

And he was so cold.

“What was right,” Atlas spoke through gritted teeth. Despite everything. Despite what he had gone through, he still didn’t feel remorse. “I don’t regret none of it, either. It was for family. I did it for you, Mama. For you.” 

The woman glared at Atlas through her beautiful blue eyes. She never glared at anyone. Her heart was much too big and kind for it. Seeing his mother glare down at him like he was nothing but a burden her whole life made Atlas feel a few emotions he didn’t want to feel.

“You did not do it for me. You did it for yourself. You’re a selfish, evil man. This was not who I raised you to be.”

“Ma-”

“Don’t. You do not get to call me mama. You do not get to apologize. I can’t believe I ever called you my son. I can’t believe I ever cared for someone as sick and twisted as you. I can’t believe I let you open this restaurant. You are broken beyond fixing. You lost the privilege of calling me mama. I refuse to call you my son.” She pauses, then stares directly into Atlas’ eyes.

“You are nothing to me.”

Her voice, as cold and harsh as the temperature of the freezer itself, cut through Atlas’ heart like a knife. His breathing hitched as he rested his head on the wall of the tiny freezer. Everything was quiet. The woman that had talked down to him had disappeared, leaving Atlas alone.

It was almost time. He knew it was. And he couldn’t do anything about it. He never said goodbye, never hugged his mother one last time, never saw his brother, never visited his father. As he rested his head against the wall, memories floated through his mind like, distant yet still there, like a forgotten tune. Fuzzy memories of him and his mother baking cookies for the family every Christmas, or him and his father working on his car for the first time.

His body felt weightless as the cold suddenly stopped. He wasn’t scared anymore. He was at peace. He was gone, and he was done suffering. Everything would be okay. He was done with the pain. He closed his eyes and let himself feel the sweet release of death.

Then, a strange feeling in his stomach was noticed. A jolt. A sudden movement.

He was falling.

[siriannatan]

Empires Business Group Chapter 2

Usually I'd try to say something funny here but today I'm just a bit too tired :{

“Why didn't you have an umbrella?” Scott asked as they walked to his car.

“My sister dropped me off since I didn't feel like getting a driver, and I forgot an umbrella. I usually have one in the car,” fWhip shrugged as he opened the door for Scott. “Not like I can get sick that easily.”

Scott sighed. “Okay, but try to remember it next time, you're lucky my cycle just recently ended,” he grumbled. Scott knew there was no hiding his status from an alpha.

fWhip hummed in response. At least he did the seatbelt without being reminded to. Scott had to admit he looked through his yearbook to remind himself how fWhip looked back then. Comparing that photo to the guy in his passenger seat was nigh impossible.

Whatever puberty truck hit, fWhip likely got totalled with how hard it hit him. He wasn't a typical, tall alpha build like a brick wall. But that seemed to run in the family. Jimmy also wasn't a typical alpha after all. 

He was still very handsome and had Scott's inner omega suggesting stupid ideas. But it wasn't his fault fWhip apparently decided to just randomly be nice to him. And to figure out how Scott likes his coffee. That together with his stupidly pretty face and stupid ginger hair and those stupid blue eyes apparently sucked all of Scott's logic away. Oh, and now he was letting his hair out of that damn bun?

“You shouldn't keep your hair tied so tightly, you might be bald when you're forty,” Scott chastised him just to make himself feel a bit better.

“I'll keep it in mind,” fWhip chuckled. He was different from when they were in the office. Not as… he wasn't as much of an airhead now. And, Scott couldn't really put a finger on it but he felt that fWhip faked being nice to anyone but him. He seemed more relaxed. But that could just be his omega side's wishful thinking. 

“I just didn't want it getting in the way of my work,” fWhip added with that damn chuckle. Scott hummed in agreement and focused on driving. Pushing the omega down harder than ever. 

He took them to a small place. A spot fWhip probably would never agree to go under different circumstances. But Scott liked it and fWhip could deal, this whole thing was his idea after all.

“So, I heard you went to college overseas,” Scott asked once they had their drinks and ordered their food. Though snacks would be a better word. Water for him since he was driving and sake for fWhip.

“Grandfather insisted I go to the same school he did,” he chuckled, staring at Scott's glass. “You’re not going to drink?” He asked.

“Did you forget I drove us here?” Scott asked, eyebrows raised. Maybe fWhip was more like a typical alpha than he thought.

“I can get someone to get you and your car to your place, it's no problem,” his offer sent a shiver down Scott's back. It was a bit too considerate. “It would be a shame if only one of us relaxed. But I won't push anything.

Scott was torn. “You know what,” he glanced at the drinks menu. “I think it's actually not a bad idea,” he could be an idiot once.

fWhip sighed. What was he to do now? Scott got so drunk he passed out. He didn't want to go to his apartment with those cheap blockers. He was a respectful alpha and would not leave his scent there without permission. But all hotels in the area were already closed. And taking Scott somewhere else could mean a scandal. For both of them. 

So he called for one of his family's drivers to come and take them and Scott's car to fWhip's apartment. He simply couldn't come up with a better idea and Scott wasn't waking up.

He didn't wake up even as fWhip removed his blazer and shoes. He did feel bad that Scott would sleep in most if his suit but he didn't dare to go any further. And after opening the window slightly and leaving a glass of water and clearly labelled box of painkillers by the bed locked the door. He even went as far as to write an apology note and push it under the door. With the key.

It was going to be hard to sleep even if he was also drunk. Not as much as Scott. With a grimace he decided it wasn't worth it and grabbed a bottle of wine. Might as well get passed out drunk. The door could survive him. 

And he was smart enough to order one of the family's assistants to bring him better scent blockers first thing in the morning.

Scott woke up in a room he didn't recognise. He was a bit chilly due to an open window. Window overlooking the freaking city. He wasn't… There was… It had to be.

He had to be at fWhip's place. Looking around as fast as he did wasn't smart. His ahead spun and he felt an urge to puke. Not strong enough to actually do it. But enough to slow down. And notice a glass of water and, upon closer inspection, an unopened box of painkillers on the nightstand. With a deep breath, deciding to trust fWhip Scott took two pills and looked around further. He quickly spotted a note and the key.

‘Sorry I brought you to my place, didn't want to intrude on yours, I opened the window for my stench, and locked the door just in case, fWhip’ it said in messy, clearly drunk handwriting he still recognised as fWhip's. Even if just based on the signature.

It was actually really nice of him to do all that. Feeling a bit calmer Scott found the bathroom and washed his face. He looked like a nightmare. And could only hope he didn't say anything dumb while drunk.

Feeling a bit better he grabbed his blazer, unlocked the door and went to find fWhip. Not a hard task. He could hear someone cooking. But it could also be a private chef. fWhip was from an absurdly rich family 

In the kitchen it was fWhip. But Scott still got an urge to turn around and lock himself in the guest bedroom again. He understood it was fWhip's home and he could do and wear whatever he likes. But this… this was an overkill.

He didn't have to wear shorts and an oversized tank top with sides almost completely not there. Exposing freaking tattoos of what looked like roses at the first glance. He quickly made sure to look away. fWhip was already attractive enough when put together in a suit. He didn't need an image of a morning fWhip with messy hair and wearing that.

Wasn't he cold? The whole apartment was chilly. Did fWhip open all the windows to air it out? Just for Scott? And was it a fresh box of scent blockers on the countertop? Really expensive ones at that.

And he was scratching around the miserable looking patch on the left of his neck. Not that the right side was looking any better. His right hand was simply busy with whatever he was making.

Scott saw red and quickly approached fWhip to grab his wrist. “Stop it,” he said a lot more harshly than he intended to. The area around the patch was all red from the scratching. On the other side of his neck too. “Please tell me you don't rip them off every evening, and please be honest,” he asked as fWhip looked at him in shock.

Hi, did you sleep well?” he tried to smile and changithe topic but it immediately fell as Scott glare. “I don't do it every evening… Just as soon as I'm back from work. I never spend a lot of time around omega's so I never had to wear those, I'm just not used to them. I think the new ones will be more comfortable, it's not that bad…” so now he was trying to minimise the issue.

“You shouldn't just tear them off every day,” he sighed, looking closer. Some scent was leaking through. So fWhip was using cheap ones so far. No wonder rain made them not work.

“It's nothing to worry about,” fWhip tired, once more, to brush the issue away. “I got better ones, they might be more comfortable for me,” he repeated, once again with the minimisation.

“Fine, but I'll help you change them, and you better stop with the scratching,��� Scott insisted, fully aware of the risk of being near fWhip while he did that.

fWhip tried to argue but Scott shut him up with a glare. “I told you to wear those, and I offered to help fully aware of the consequences, so stop telling me what to do,” he said, eyes narrowed, arms folded on his chest.

That shut fWhip's arguments and made him focu on pancakes. “Feel free to make yourself coffee or whatever you'd like,” he offered, one hand rubbing at the patch on the left side of his neck.

“fWhip,” Scott hissed in warning when it started to look like he was about to scratch again. 

Breakfast was mostly silent. fWhip's coffee machine was nice so the coffee was really good but he kept staring at fWhip just in case he tried scratching again.

“You really don't have to do this,” fWhip tired once more to change Scott's mind. The breakfast was done and cleaned up. fWhip was sitting on a chair, the new box of blockers on the table and Scott was trying with the gentlest way to remove the blockers fWhip currently had on.

“I already said I'm doing it so shut up,” Scott scolded, gently hitting his head with the side of his hand. In reality, fWhip probably should just spend a few days, maybe a week with no blockers on. But realistically it was likely not possible. He was about as stubborn as Scott. “It might sting,” he warned before just ripping one as fast as he could, in one go.

fWhip hissed and tensed up but didn't lash out. His scent instantly hit Scott. Gunpowder, fresh pine needles and chocolate. The omega in him liked it. But Scott ignored it. Smacked it a couple times with a mental shovel. Opened a new patch. And gently put it back on. According to the box they were soothing so whoever got them for fWhip was smart.

“One done,” Scott announced and fWhip just hissed, stood up and sat back down, but this time facing the backrest. Chin on the wood. Scott sighed and got him a pillow. “You're an idiot,” he said.

“And you should have opened a window. Your face is all red now,” fWhip huffed. He was obviously holding something back. Likely instincts telling him to throw Scott out for what he just did.

Scott glared but had to agree there. fWhip's scent was still strong in the air. So he opened the window.

“Your blockers aren't all that good either, you know. I can always smell a bit of it when around you,” fWhip confessed as Scott got ready to repeat the process.

“No patch is perfect, fWhip,” Scott tossed back. “One, two, three,” he counted and on three, pulled the other patch off. fWhip hissed and tensed again, the chair creaked as he grabbed it. Smell was still strong but the open window helped. Scott didn't have to push his instincts away as strongly as he applied a new patch. “No more scratching and ripping them off everyday,” he told fWhip with a stern look.

“I know, I know, for now they seem comfier,” fWhip sighed and leaned back. “You really didn't have to, but thank you,” he added with a smile. 

Scott gently smacked his head. “Whatever, never let me catch you doing something dumb like this ever again,” he warned.

fWhip nodded. “I guess you'll want to go home now?” He asked with what could be described as ‘sad puppy look’.

“I think I'm sobered up enough to drive,” Scott neither confirmed nor denied. 

“Give me a moment to change and I'll show you to your car,” fWhip said as he got up.

Scott didn't fight him on that. They already spend too long around each other with just the two of them. Even if fWhip was an idiot Scott enjoyed his company more than any alpha before. It was dangerous to stay too long. 

And with how strong fWhip's scent was it was clearly dangerous to stay. His rut was probably close.

When fWhip came back he was dressed more reasonably in jeans, t-shirt and a leather jacket. It covered most of the patches. They didn't say much until they exchanged goodbyes. 

Scott had trouble sleeping all weekend.

[acidh2otoby]

Agent Kennedy, Part 7

Leon Kennedy x Male!Reader

Takes place during Chris' second chapter in re6

Warnings: Violence

Part 6 > Agent Kennedy, Part 6

I've said this already a lot but this is a slow burn part. Again, you don't have to read into these 100% but I'd appreciate if you at least looked at them for future reference

Alpha Team was clearing the area in front of the City Hall. It was quiet, which was incredibly alarming.

"Sherry Birkin - National Security!" A woman's voice called out. Sherry was walking through the street showing her badge to the soldiers.

Chris walked up to her. "Sherry Birkin? You were in Raccoon City."

You looked at Piers in question and he shrugged his shoulders. You looked back at Sherry, who also seemed confused.

"How do you know that?" Sherry asked, putting her badge away.

"Claire." Chris responded, obviously having to make things more difficult than they are.

You remembered Claire mentioning a little girl named Sherry but never got her last name. You didn't think the two were connected at first but now it makes sense.

"Wait... Are you Chris?" Sherry asked, clearly knowing about the older Redfield.

"My sister's told me all about you." Chris said, smiling a little.

"Chris, that man is a wanted insurgent." Piers said, glaring at the man behind Sherry who was leaning against a disserted vehicle.

Sherry glanced back before slightly placing her hands in front of her. "Yes, he's a mercenary. But right now he's under the protection of the U.S. government. He's no threat to the BSAA." Sherry defended, it seemed she had this little speech prepared.

"Unless someone pays me to be." The man muttered but was loud enough for people to hear.

"What did you just say?" Piers threatened, trying to get up in the man's face if you hadn't held him back.

The man didn't say anything, he just turned to look at you three. Chris was staring at him with a funny look, a look that said he knew him in some way.

"What?" The man asked, clearly noticing the look as well.

"Nothing." Chris responded, but something was clearly up.

You were about to pull Chris aside and ask but HQ interrupted your train of thought.

"HQ to Alpha Team. Reinforcements are unable to land due to anti-aircraft artillery. Take 'em out!" The man said, his timing was pretty perfect since after he finished his sentence, the sound of aircrafts and firearms were heard.

"Alpha Team, copy." Chris responded, seeing where a lot of the guns were.

"What the--?! We're picking up a large bogey on radar. It's heading right for you!" HQ reported, causing your blood to run cold.

'Not one of these guys again.' You thought as you glanced at Piers, who looked like he was thinking the same thing.

An aircraft from the J'avo came into view, carrying one of those yeti monsters with it.

"We'll talk later. Right now, you need to find cover." Chris said to Sherry, but she clearly wasn't gonna listen.

The B.O.W. landed and roared before chasing you, Chris, and Piers. Sherry and the man followed you. Echo Team's captain had contacted Chris about the anti-aircraft guns and said that they'd be able to land if we got rid of them.

"Chris! We'll give you a hand!" Sherry said, catching up to Chris a little.

"Out of the question! You need to get to safety!" Chris said, not willing to hear her out.

"Don't worry about me. I can handle myself, and you need the help!" Sherry replied, Claire definitely had some sort of impression on Sherry when she was younger.

"Christ... My chances of survival were higher when I was a soldier of fortune." The man muttered, you weren't gonna question him but could definitely understand his thought process at the moment.

Finn had found one of the guns and set charges on it while the five of you fought off any J'avos that tried to get in the way. After Finn left to go to the other gun, you five stayed behind to kill the B.O.W.

It didn't take long once Chris and Piers realized that what you did before actually takes away its life faster than just shooting it. It started to slowly become a cycle, Sherry and the man would get it to collapse a little, one of you three would jump on its hand and attack its weak spot. Eventually, it died and all of you moved on to find Finn.

Find the next gun wasn't difficult and it was just starting to look like things were going okay. The J'avos could only attack from one place, Chris and Piers took care of most of them. They kinda left you, Sherry and the man to just stand there and make sure no one came up from the stairs. The gun was destroyed and you all were about to move on, until...

"There's another giant B.O.W. closing in on your location!" Echo warned you through your ear piece.

You turned around and saw the B.O.W. climb over a building to get to you guys.

"It's the one we lost at the Two of Hearts!" Piers said, you questioned how he was able to tell the difference between B.O.W.s that looked basically the same.

"Alpha! Prepare to engage!" Chris ordered through the ear piece.

Chris glanced at all of you guys, silently telling you that you were gonna fight it. When all of you nodded, you bolted out of the building and into another, repeating the cycle you did with the other one. Once it was dead, you went back to the building prior to meet up with Finn.

"Everyone into that underground passage!" Finn called out, seeing as other soldiers were following now as well.

The passage was filled with J'avos but they were pretty easy to take out. Thankfully, no more B.O.W.s came back and Finn was able to destroy the final gun.

"Good work out there, Alpha! Echo Team will be landing shortly." Echo said, you could hear some of the aircrafts coming back.

[alaydabug2]

@sparklenarniawizard

Broken heart/Broken mind

Not a chapter

(Human AU)

Sophie and Keefe met in the children's hospital when they were little. Because of how long they were confined to the four walls of the hospital, they became very close during their stay.

As the years pass, they wind up being in the same classroom together due to their physical conditions. This makes their bond deepen.

But are they able to handle when life gets tough, throwing problems and complications their way?

Hey, I just thought I'd come on here to explain a funny coincidence. So as I've explained, I've based the conditions Sophie and Keefe have in the story are ones I actually have/used to have.

Well, when I created this story, I didn't know it yet, but my yearly cardiology appointment ended up getting pushed forward due to my cardiologist retiring. (I've had him since I was a baby. How dare he. He couldn't have waited 4 more years for me to turn 18? 😭)

But anywho. That was today. I thought I'd say what goes down during these appointments. (Although, I'll probably just make a chapter with this anyhow.)

So first I get my EKG. You get these stickers placed on your chest, arms, and legs. Then they get to see the heart rhythm visually.

Then I get my echocardiogram. You take your shirt off and they do a sonogram on the chest. (It's a bit awkward cause I'm a girl, but whatever it's fine 😅.) They can see your heart and hear the heart beating. (Bonus points if you have a murmur like me and you can hear the whooshing sound!)

Then they ask if anything is different than normal. Ex: chest pain, light headedness, shortness of breath, etc.

I guess I could also explain the conditions as well while I'm at it.

Sophie has seizures. It's pretty much self explanatory on what happens based on the story. But it is a neurological issue. Has to do with the brain. There are many reasons they could happen. For mine personally, we never had an exact reason identified, but we believe it had something to do with scar tissue on my brain from when I had my second heart surgery at 10 months. We think it was from either a heart attack, stroke, or just general lack of oxygen to the brain. (I died 6 times for reference. 😃)

I thankfully don't have them anymore. Although I did have them from ages 5 to 10. (Unfortunately, not everyone grows out of them.) I also explained Sophie's seizures the same way they felt for me. Both during and how she felt afterwards. (I do plan on giving her ones in the places I was most scared to have one. Be prepared for that. 😈)

Now I don't think I actually explained what Keefe has exactly. (Although it is in the tags.) All I ever said was it's about his heart. Well he has tetrology of fallot. This is a congenitive life long disease. (Which means you are born with it.) It is actually four defects that create this condition. Essentially you have a hole between 2 chambers of your heart. This causes the oxygenated and unoxygenated blood to mix, leading to an overall lack of oxygen getting through the body. As well as your pulmonary valve doesn't work correctly.

This gets corrected by open heart surgery. I've had three. One at 8 days, 10 months, and five years. (I can vaguely remember the 3rd one. You're not supposed to remember what happens before anesthesia. But I remember all the way to the operating room and the doctor put the mask on my face and count down from 10, while I was crying. I remember to 5. Fun stuff 🥲👍) In the story so far Keefe has had 2. One at a few months old and the one that was mentioned. So far. (I'm planning some fun stuff for him that I haven't had happen to me. Worst case scenario type stuff. Enjoy it. ☺️)

But all this means essentially you have to be extremely careful. You have certain restrictions about what you can do. You can also get out of breath easily. You can't do contact sports, like football, either. Also a random thing I've had to be careful about are those little tense machines. The ones that help sore muscles. Apparently the electrical pulses have a chance to do something to your heart if you have heart issues. Idk. 😭

But I hope that this has been interesting to you. And that the background information about both the conditions and how they relate to Sophie and Keefe help for throughout the story as it goes on. Keep in mind, that while I do know quite a bit about these conditions, I am not a doctor. Stuff will bound to be inaccurate. Also several things will be exaggerated at times for the plot.

Hope you've been enjoying! 😄

[roomofretirement]

1 year of miss heather!!

on april 1 of 2023, i posted the first chapter of 'trumpets sound as you're crowned', my very first fic for hogwarts legacy, and my very first fic for my mc heather yarrowfield!

sappy stuff below:

i'm not on tumblr very much but i wanted to acknowledge this special day for me, and it is so special because of everyone that's supported me along the way! i have been writing fic for a Long time, and can't remember receiving support on TSAYC and its sequel in the same way ever before. those who were part of that original group of commenters, please know that i sincerely think of you often, and my gratitude is very strong. i rarely write fics for other fandoms (spent over a decade writing fic for another video game) and was nervous to break into HL, and TSAYC was a litmus test of sorts of how it would go. now, i'm sitting here with a bunch of published fics and wips and am unable to imagine my primary fandom being anything else. i also don't think i've ever churned out a fic that fast LOL, i was literally updating daily and genuinely so possessed with doing nothing else but finishing it lmfao

i also found the sharpies discord at a vulnerable time for me when i was moving across the world, and that was a great source of community and friendship when i really needed it. now, our little group is so close to my heart. i told myself i probably wouldn't ever participate in a discord community again after getting really fatigued from it but i'm so glad i gave it a shot. i really appreciate all the friends i've met and made, the counsel, ideas and advice i can ask for, and the people who repeatedly comment on my stuff. yes, i'd still be here and typing away if there wasn't anyone interested, but it makes a huge difference. receiving overflowingly kind and detailed comments genuinely spurs me on like nothing else lol, so i'm sure i wouldn't have put out nearly as much stuff if not for you guys.

anyway, back to heather. i love her so much. i love developing her character and cosplaying her and writing her relationship with sharp. she is a major outlet for me to connect with my inner teen(when i first got into HP) and be nostalgic! i have a lot of fun here and again it's really funny to me imagining going back to my previous fandoms when i feel like i've firmly lodged myself here! so, just wanted to celebrate how far i've come and all the lovely people i've met <3 thank you, thank you, thank you!

[orcelito]

You talking about 98 reminded me.

I was rereading the manga the other day and Wolfwood has a flashback to Knives giving him orders to find Vash and to “accompany my little brother once again,” despite the fact that since Wolfwood was introduced in the last couple chapters of Trigun, he didn’t have time to accompany Vash, they just hung out on the bus after they accidentally encountered him by luck, and importantly Wolfwood didn’t even have his orders from Legato about Vash yet, he just knew he had to meet someone in the city as an member of eom. So there wasn’t really any accompanying done there, unless Knives is counting that bus ride which I doubt.

I can’t recall how much Nightow worked on writing/helping with 98, but considering how much earlier Wolfwood gets introduced in it, do you think he accidentally mixed in some of what happened in that version with the manga? Bc honestly that’s pretty funny. Or possibly there was supposed to be some adventures with Wolfwood as part of the crew that got cut from the og manga because of fifth moon and the whole knives encounter getting pushed up due to the publishing stuff and all that, and Nightow forgot he never actually got to put that part in the manga

🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

I'd double check the panel ur talking about, tho I don't rly have time to comb for it rn hdkdhfj But

I mean, Nightow has shown a great amount of consistency within his own writing. The number of callbacks to earlier things within the manga consistently took me by surprise (like all the references to earlier vash & wolfwood interactions, the symbolism of things, the way Meryl acts around vash & grows, etc). My dude was probably rereading his own work Constantly to be able to do that. Plus that moment towards the end where Vash remembers Every Single Person he'd met on his travels, including very minor ones - looking thru, I couldn't see a single one Nightow missed, which meant he must have combed thru his own work to find Every Single Character of his work (unless he kept character references, which is also a possibility & also smth worthy of respect)

All that being said, I doubt Nightow would be the type to make an error like that. It's always possible it's a translation error (I'd be curious of what version you saw that in, since Dark Horse translation is known to have a lot of benign mistakes like that). So if anything, I'd blame them

If it Was Nightow tho 🤔 idk the time's skimmed by in the chapter but I feel like at Least a day passed on that bus. They stop in another town along the way, & the towns in Gunsmoke are Not close together. Take for example the fact that the sand steamer ride between April City and May City was a two week journey. By sand steamer. Then the distance between Augusta and Jeneora was... 2000 kilometers? I think. I'd have to double check it, but it's something kind of insane. Point is, things aren't close together in this world. We just don't see the transportation bc it'd be kinda boring to watch lol

All in all, I'd blame it on translation error or the weird fast paced depiction of the end of the manga b4 I'd blame Nightow of mixing up details

[ophexis]

Hi! I'm alive! Let tell you about the

Elder Scrolls Cookbook!

Winner of the last poll! I know I'm under zero time constraints but sorry for taking a while lmao.

This is kind of going full circle for me, because when I joined tumblr, the very first thing I ever blogged about was my Skyrim playthroughs, not too long before I got into Saints Row and changed my life significantly. So this is kind of nostalgic for me lol. Anyway, onto the book!

The Elder Scrolls cookbook is a CLASSIC. Like I'm pretty sure it's not at all the first "nerdy" cookbook ever made, or even the first cookbook made for a specific franchise or anything, but when this came out it was kind of a big deal, probably because Skyrim was still a big deal lmao. I remember people trading the sweetrolls recipe around.

I kinda wonder if it's one of the first cookbook that tried to stay "in-universe". Because sometimes cookbooks really don't (there are a few Star Wars kids cookbooks that come to mind). But the Elder Scrolls cookbook is in-universe and has little lore snippets in each recipe, which I'm always a fan of.

The book is themed for The Elder Scrolls setting as a whole, but you can tell it came out at the height of Skyrim's popularity lol.

The book starts off with a chapter covering basics, from spice mixes to pie doughs to sauces, which I think is really cool. Not every cookbook has those, and they'll be used throughout the book so it's good to have a look through that chapter. Then the rest of the book is divided between sides, main meals, soups, breads, desserts and drinks. The recipes lean towards hearty recipes, perfect for surviving the harsh wilds of Tamriel.

The Nines know my poor fifth playthrough insomniac mage who I walked manually from Whiterun to the College of Winterhold would have needed it.

The cookbook has a photo for every recipe except one of the meads for some reasons lol. But I'll let that one slide because it's "just" a drink. It's not that hard to put a photo of food on recipes but man it is not standard and I'll complain about it forever. But the Skyrim cookbook has photos, thank the Nines.

I've cooked only one recipe from this book but what a recipe it is. Pictured above on the right, it's the orsimer venison, a sweet, slightly spicy, soy sauce meat recipe that is fuckin delicious and I've made it dozens of time (always with beef bc it's easier to find lol). On the left is the redguard rice, which is a current contender for the recipe I'll make from this for the poll (though I'm also looking at the Companion meatball recipe....which sounds funny said like that lmao). The redguard rice uses ground lamb, and I can't remember ever having lamb before! If I can find it I would definitely like to try.

We also, of course, have the Sweetroll recipe. I haven't made it yet but I recently and FINALLY found a small-sized fluted baking pan so I really want to make them soon.

Overall this is a really solid cookbook, it looks pretty, the photos are huge, there's a little bit of lore and story on every recipe. There are more fish-based recipes than I expected, which isn't as interesting for me but it adds variety. I kinda wish there were a few more main meals in there. I'm also torn on if I'd like the book to be divided by meal types as it is currently, or if it'd be neat to have the chapters be themed around cultures for extra lore flavor, like the DND cookbook. idk!

The recipes are pretty standard and don't tend to go for funky ingredients but I think that's fine. They do tend to go for venison and lamb for meat, which I think makes sense, thinking about Skyrim! (and yes the book is still very heavily focused on Skyrim, thought there are a few recipes from elsewhere) The recipes are hearty, using cheese, meats, lots of veggies and with a significant soup chapter and also lots of desserts. You'll be well fed as you travel Tamriel! Just watch your back for them Dark Brotherhood types.

Bonus themed images bc I feel like it: Some of the few surviving screenshots I had from Oblivion, when our computer couldn't run it well so my dad modded it to run at even lower specs and I'm pretty sure it turned off all the lighting. But I had such a great time.

My khajiit assassin at home uwu

And my main, in casual wear for some reason. She was a heavy armor build lol. And my outlet for making drow, without access to dnd.

ANYWAY hope this was mildly entertaining! I'll try to choose a recipe for this week, but I'm being forced to go into office more often so I can't garantee a time. Currently it's between the redguard rice and the companion meatballs.

Also check out Misohungrie's several few videos of him covering the cookbook and some extra recipes! I love his videos so you should check them out.