#I did end up posting that small fanfic I'd written

[aleki-lives-here]

the nothing in between

Summary:

"It didn’t feel like a dreamless slumber nor the darkness behind closed eyelids. There was no darkness, the same way there was no light. The time itself ceased to exists for eternities at a time. Mostly, there was nothing." - - - or the one in which Wei Wuxian spent thirteen years dead, and got to talk about it in the safety of Lan Zhan's arms.

[echoeternally]

Echo’s Newer Bowsario Fanfics!

Lol, I was gonna use "latest" for the title, but "newer" got a giggle out of me, so, there we go.

Anyway! Hello to my selective few Bowsario (aka Bowser/Mario) shipping fans. I know there aren't very many of us out there, lol, but hey, we exist! And we have what fun we can.

It's been a few years since I made this kind of post, but I collected the fanfics that I've written in the past (found on this link and then also on this one too) for the pairing.

The content is easy enough to organize elsewhere, but I thought it'd be nice to put it in a convenient spot here too. And maybe some new readers will be delighted by the finds?

So, I figured I'd add a new one, since I've added a bit of new stories since the last post. And I'll share the old stories like I did before as well, because why not?

Presenting the list of the lesser-viewed Enemies-to-Lovers greats!

~~~~~

Amid the Roses - Set in an alternate universe where Mario and Bowser are removed from the Mushroom Kingdom conflicts, this stars the pair as a flower shop owner and tattoo parlor artist respectively. They end up meeting and bonding in a new way here!

Constellation Quelling - A much more traditional fare for the couple, this story has Bowser interrupt Mario while he's alone and relaxing. They bicker at first, but soon open up to one another in a way neither really expected, and the stars above certainly set a mood...

Distant Dawn - Based on a fanfic prompt from years ago on Tumblr, this is a short story to show some early morning musings from Bowser, who considers how his new relationship with Mario can develop, while a secretly not-slumbering Mario listens.

~~~~~

Along with those latest stories listed above, there were a couple of updates to my ongoing Bowsario fanfic, which started a decade ago.

That feels weird to post! But, with some new updates from earlier in the year and more since the last posts, I'll add that below here.

Eternally Never Yours - An ongoing fanfic that details a full affair between Bowser and Mario, as they try to make their seemingly impossible relationship a reality, while struggling to deal with the Mushroom Kingdom at large.

~~~~~

As for the rest, I'll be copying and pasting those below here, so that they can be included too. Makes it a little easier to find it all in one place, I think, right?

Mario’s Defender - A fanfic for Mar10 Day, it tells the story of Mario overhearing some unkind comments about himself, and then a certain someone (Bowser) going back against them. 

Time for Tea - Peach has a small tea party gathering between herself and her friends, the Mario Bros. She wanted the brothers to invite their partners, but didn’t realize who Mario would bring until it was too late. Daisy, however, wants to hear the story of how they got together! 

Red and Blue - In a slight change to the usual storytelling, this is a story that doesn’t use any dialogue to describe tender moments between Bowser and Mario while they explore a relationship together, going over their thoughts. 

Bowser’s Beard - For Bowser Day, a story where Mario and friends go to find out where Peach has been taken, but then find Bowser’s Castle mostly empty when they get there…save for one hairy Koopa King.

Quiet Life - In a “what if…?“ styled story, Bowser is essentially exiled in exchange for the Koopas finally being at peace with the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario is the one that brings comfort to him. 

Inn’s Covers - While going to an inn before a golf tournament, Mario ends up paired in a room with Bowser. They slowly learn to get along, and then some. 

Upon A Dream - After taking a mystical pendant, Bowser ends up in a dream where he’s married to Mario, and grows to not hate it. 

Heart of the Ancient Kingdom - Mario and Bowser are sent on a quest back to the oldest parts of the Mushroom Kingdom to retrieve a rare jewel. They go back to World 1-1 of their earliest adventures, and grow closer too. 

A Spirited Story - Based on Super Smash Bros., the spirits of Wolf and Fox get into a chase sequence of sorts. Mario and Bowser are among the couples they visit. Not quite from this year, but I’ve included it too. 

Wild Cards - A tennis story that focuses on Wario and Waluigi, but has a good deal of shipping support for Mario and Bowser. Also, Bowser wears his tennis outfit and Mario approves. 

Jolly Season - A Christmas special that features not only Bowser and Mario as a couple, but some fluff for Peach and Pauline as one too!

~~~~~

Actually, you know what? Speaking of Peach/Pauline, I may as well include those fanfics here too. What the heck, you know?

This group is a series of stories that I started, um...also a decade ago! But, I've only stirred up the latest fanfic recently, so, gotta get to work on that one again.

Nevertheless, if you're a fan of Mario and Bowser being gay, then I hope you might enjoy Peach and Pauline doing so too!

Toying With Her - The first in the series, where Pauline finds a new object of her affections in the famous princess of the Mushroom Kingdom. Set prior to Pauline's return as mayor in Mario Odyssey! (This story was from years before that even existed.)

Toying With Them - Sequel to the first, Pauline finds herself invited back to Peach's Castle, and finds several more lovely ladies to inspire her toys. Though she's only musing her crushes, that might not be the case forever...if one happens to read between the lines...

Toying With Peril - Finally set after Pauline's return in Odyssey, Miss Mayor comes back to the Mushroom Kingdom...only to find Peach kidnapped and Mario totally unavailable for the rescuing! Guess who gets to step up to the plate this time? Ongoing for now, but do you think Peach will finally learn of and return Pauline's feelings...?

~~~~~

Ha, I haven't done this for a few years. It's nice to see them all together again. Last time was in 2021, and now we've got this in 2024; I didn't think I'd have enough for another round.

Anyway, I know there are fewer fans of them, but for anyone that might be curious to try fanfics featuring Mario and Bowser as a couple, here's my current listing for them.

Meanwhile, if you want stories from other lovely authors, be sure to explore the tag link which I’ll be adding in right here for Bowser/Mario on AO3! It's grown a lot more since I last posted. There are even new regular posters for the pairing besides me!

Though I'm less practiced on Peach/Pauline (they're called Peachline, if I'm not mistaken), they've grown a bit more from my one-off notion of the ladies in love. (Started that back in 2014!) Find some authors that explore the pairing in better detail here. Hope you enjoy!

Part of me likes the idea of writing some more one-shots for Bowsario fanfics at least, and of course finishing that Peachline story in the future. ENY still has some ways to go, but it's moving towards its later stages finally. I wonder what this will look like next time...

Ah, neither here nor there.

For new readers, welcome, and if you've made it this far, thank you for reading and stroking your curiosity! Hope you enjoy.

For older readers, welcome back! If you find something new or want to revisit an older story, I hope you do so and enjoy too.

To everyone, thank you for reading this, and spending a little while with me! If you read any of the stories, please enjoy! Hope you all take care and have a wonderful day.

[katnissdoesnotfollowback]

kdnfb's Ten Years of Fanfiction Mania

Featuring: Unmasked

Summary: Written under an Anonymous pseudonym ~M~ to fill the following prompt ~ Historical Katniss and Peeta hate each other. They attend a masquerade ball and for some reason end up kissing each other. Sparks fly everywhere. Katniss tries to find the man behind the mask but Peeta knows it was Katniss though he doesnt say anything. They end up bethrothed even if they 'despise' each other. How they fall in love is up to u and how katniss figured out it was peeta is up to u

Rating: E for explicit sexual content, explicit language, implied/referenced rape/nonconsensual (not everlark), implied/referenced child abuse, implied/referenced suicide, implied/referenced miscarriage, discussions of illness, war, and injury in a historical setting, ptsd, minor character death. They worst of these tags happens offscreen and is merely discussed and dealt with rather than shown here.

A/N: ~Unmasked~ is my longest fic in terms of word count (around 234k), although Outside Chance and Spellbound are not too far behind and are both incomplete. Unmasked started as something meant to be fun and cathartic, then turned into a ridiculously long and self indulgent fic that I still, to this day, have no idea if the anonymous person who submitted the prompt to @everlarkficexchange even read, let alone whether or not they liked it. But I love what I produced for this fic.

Why write it anonymously and only reveal myself later? A couple reasons. 1) Historical is not my wheel house. At least not writing it. I am a shameless consumer of historical romances. I did some research for this fic but not nearly the level I would've liked to have done. Eventually, I said screw it, it's about the vibes not the accuracy. 2) I had a pile of unfinished wips when I started this, to include Outside Chance and Spellbound (both of which are still unfinished hmmmmm) and I really didn't want a lot of questions about when I was going to get back to those while I was working on this because 3) I'd just gone through a small slice of writerly hell to the point that I seriously considered deleting my entire tumblr and all of my fanfic. Details are not important right now, the result is. That's probably the closest I've ever come to calling myself done with fandom.

Then this prompt posted to EFE and wouldn't leave me alone. Eventually, I decided that if I was going to write it, I wanted to write it with as little pressure as possible. So I chose to write and post it as ~M~ until it was finished. Plus, I thought it might make it fun for people other than me if there was a bit of mystery behind it. And I don't regret doing that.

Writing behind a mask allowed me to be as long winded and self-indulgent as I wanted to without worrying about how tight the storyline was or how accurate the historical details were, or wondering if I'd be walking into my tumblr and a barrage of the kind of messages I'd come to dread receiving. The only thing I worried about, really was if the amount and kind of smut I included gave me away prematurely lmao.

While this was my first real foray into the realm of historical fics, I am hoping it's not the last. I've got too many ideas and half started pieces to back out of it now. But those, like this one, will probably remain untethered to a specific real place, and a specific time, mainly because I just don't have that kind of time for research if I'm not getting paid to do it lol. They will be works of love if not works of accuracy.

Unmasked on AO3

[sincerely-sofie]

Hi! This may come across as a dumb question, but I wanted to write my own PMD:EoS fic, but I’m kind of lost on how I want to organize my thoughts and the plot. Additionally, I get new ideas and then I end up struggling with what I want to do. How did you organize things for your story?

This isn't a dumb question at all! It's something I've struggled with for a long time as a writer, and I'd be happy to share what I've come up with to solve my fight with story organization! I’ll try to speak coherently, but this is something I’m really passionate about, so I might ramble a bit, haha. Keep in mind that this is what works for me, and what will work for you may be very different. Take from this post what serves you well and ditch the rest :> 

Organizational Tools

You can use pretty much anything to organize your story— I’ve used everything from loose printer paper in storage clipboards to expansive Google Docs that are hundreds of pages long in the past. But what I’ve found that really works for me is an app called Notion. You may have heard of it— it’s really popular with productivity enthusiasts and small business owners, but it works like a dream for organizing creative projects! There’s a bit of a learning curve, but you can find a lot of templates out there for free that work really well if you don’t want to set things up yourself.

This is how my Notion page for TPiaG was set up:

The “Cheat Sheets” dropdown list was full of character sheets, links to Bulbapedia articles I’d refer to while outlining or writing, and also my completed outline. “Fun Stuff” was full of memes and jokes about the characters, an empty page that I’d start filling once I received kind comments on my fic, as well as ideas for additional stories relating to the AU— stuff like oneshots and possible sequels or diverging AUs. Fun fact: this is where I first wrote down my idea for The Present is a Gift: Paradox Edition AU!

“Chapters to Write” and “Chapters I’ve Written” were dropdown lists where I divided my outline into little sub-dropdown lists in “Chapters to Write”, and everytime I wrote a chapter, I would move it over to “Chapters I’ve Written”. Nothing is as reassuring when you’re stuck in the middle of writing a nearly 60k word fanfic as seeing the chapters slowly migrate to the right.

Organizing the Story

Outlining is a big part of my organization process, so I’ll be talking a fair bit about it. The first part of any story is your premise / core idea (it sounds like you’ve already got some of your own, so I won’t discuss coming up with those). The next step is brainstorming what you want to revolve around that premise. I already knew the characters fairly well, so what I did for TPiaG is write out a bunch of ideas for scenes on scraps of notebook paper and start arranging them on a table in different ways. I eventually settled on an order of events (many of which ended up cut for clarity in the actual fic), and then I started structuring them into chapters. 

How I structure chapters is inspired by the Kishotenketsu structure that is used fairly often in Asian storytelling. I divide each chapter into 5 parts: an Introduction that provides a starting point for the chapter, Development that builds on and adds context or tension to the introduction, a Twist that causes a new perspective on either the situation, characters, or something else in the story, a Resolution that helps wrap things up in a satisfying way, and then a Hook that leads the reader to want to read the next chapter. This is a structuring method that works way better for me than the Three Acts or the Hero’s Journey— I prefer the stronger focus on character vs. plot— and so I try to use it as often as possible. Here’s an example from my outline (if you’ve read TPiaG, you may notice some differences between it and the actual published chapters of the fic! It’s chapter 4 instead of chapter 3, for one thing!)

Organizing Characters

I’ll be honest— I didn’t fill out character sheets like I should have for this project. I kind of just went with the flow as I wrote them. Twig and Grovyle are the only characters who got sheets at all, and Grovyle still only got a half of one. However, I do have a blank copy of a character sheet I can share as reference!

I think most of this is pretty self-explanatory— but if anyone wants clarification on anything or what goes into the individual note sections, let me know! This is what the topmost part of Twig’s character sheet bio looks like: 

The Torment of the Human Mind, or: How to Deal with Idea Overload

This is an ongoing struggle for me. I’ve mentioned having ADHD in the past, but it really turns idea generation and shiny object syndrome into a purgatory of unspeakable proportions. Before TPiaG, I had never finished a creative project because I would constantly ping-pong back and forth between newer and funner ideas, inevitably abandoning WIPs, come back to them for a few weeks at a time, and then dart off to the next thing. This feels awful because you never finish anything when you’re stuck in this cycle, and having all those ideas as open tabs in your brain is exhausting. 

My greatest advice for figuring out what you want to do and then doing it? Figure out a fun idea— maybe not the funnest idea, but an idea you enjoy and can create with your current skills and a good helping of hard work— and then commit to it with a story priority hierarchy. Every time you want to work on another idea, you have to work on the idea you committed to first for 30 minutes (or a different block of time, whatever works for you!). After that allotted time is up, you’re free to work on whatever other projects you like— but you have to start at the top of the priority hierarchy. That way, you still get work done on your #1 project, but you’re not restricted to it. 

Alternatively: Write until that priority project is done. You can make notes on ideas, you can make Pinterest boards for them, and you can make playlists— but you can only write for your priority project. I’d recommend doing this with a deadline in mind. Something like Camp NaNoWriMo or a similar month-long challenge. Novelty is an important part of my workflow! I get it. But for some people, bouncing back and forth between ideas is detrimental to their ability to focus / write, and committing to a single project at a time is extremely beneficial. I thought that I was someone who needed total freedom to work on any of my projects, but it turns out that being handcuffed to a project and a word count goal for a month was exactly what I needed to finish my first ever complete manuscript.

Yikes, this was a lot. I hope I answered your question well enough. If not, ask again and give me another shot! I love talking about creativity, and I would be overjoyed to help you create however I can.

[soldateins]

Down with the Alien Sickness

Rick Sanchez x Female Reader Hurt/Comfort Oneshot

I deleted my account last year and I remember how much people loved this fanfic so, I'm posting it again <3

Summary:

Basically, I'm really sick. I can't talk or anything. So, I decided I'd write my first ever R&M fanfic! Where OC is sick but it gets worse in a way that you'd not expect (hopefully!) I hope I write Rick well. He can be slightly out of character but... He's nice sometimes in it which is MEGA OOC for Rick. I also hope it's pretty good anyway, I haven't written in about a year so, holy shit. Hope you enjoy!

Warnings: Sickness, OC gets ill with something, panicking, Rick bring Rick, it's also fluffy and cute at the end - Word count: 2,957

It had been a few days since I'd come home from college sick. Rick forced me to have the past 4 days off and despite my protest, the true look of concern on his face made me follow his advice. He even 'advised' (forced) me to stay at the Smith household, sharing his surprisingly comfortable but small camper-bed with him. Luckily, Beth and Jerry didn't seem to mind, due to Rick doing a 'good deed' in Beth's eyes. In my eyes, it was Rick finding any excuse to have me near him and by the looks Summer gives Rick, the smirk and raising of an eyebrow, she knew it too. I'll admit it, we have a.. 'thing', we just don't really talk about what the 'thing' is - And I find him more than good looking, but I just don't want Beth to find out, y'know, age gaps and all.

Anyway, I'd been sick for a few days, and it was only getting worse. Rick told me it was the common flu, but he had no idea how my stomach had felt, and today was the worst day, by far. I'd spent most of the day lying in his bed, groaning. Quickly, I rose from Rick's camper-bed, suddenly needing to cough something up. Wrapping the thin green duvet around my shoulders, I barged through the door with my shoulder and bolted it to the bathroom.

I slammed the door, threw the duvet to the floor and knelt over the toilet. Shuddering and retching, I heard a gentle knock on the wood of the door, "Uh, Y/N? You- You okay? You don't sound uhhh- okay." Morty's voice whined it's way through the wood. I gagged, and my eyes widened as I brought up the weirdest looking neon green goop that I'd ever seen. I immediately felt relief, gasping for breath, "Yeah.. Uh.. I'm okay now. I think. You can come in, Morty." I shivered as Morty slowly opened the door.

He emitted a slightly unsettled whine as we locked eyes, "I- Ho- Holy shit, Y/N. What the fuck ha- What happened to you? Did- Did Rick do something? Ar-Are you pregnant or?" Morty quickly grabbed the soft duvet and wrapped it around my shoulders tightly, helping me up to sit on the side of the bath. I pulled a disgusted face and scoffed, "I'm sick. I'm not pregnant, and no, Rick had nothing to do with this. Or at least, to me, it happened out of nowhere." Raising my hand with a pointing, shaky finger, I took a breath in, "Can- can you look at whatever the fuck I just hacked up into the toilet? It didn't look real."

Morty cautiously took a step toward the toilet bowl and leaned over a little to look, then immediately recoiled, eyes wide and hand over mouth, "OH! What the FUCK?! Oh, oh! What is- what is that- that green stuff?!" He leaned forward again for another look but looked away just as quickly. I began to panic, shifting as I shouted, "What?! You- What do you mean?! You should know! You sho- Should know, right?" Morty reluctantly took a photo, the first time was with flash, he cursed himself, then took another, flushed the toilet, and came back to me, a firm hand cupping my shoulder, "C'mon, Y/N, let me take you down to Rick."

We got to the garage door and that's when Morty patted my back and gave me his phone, "Here, don't let Rick look through my shit, okay? I've got homework to do." He waltzed his way back into the lounge. I sheepishly knocked on the door, hearing an annoyed grunt in response, "What now, Jerry? There's no serum that'll give you a *burp* a job." I smiled, shook my head, and took that as my cue to open the door, "It's actually me." I croaked, entering the cool garage, wrapping myself tighter in the duvet. Rick took a quick glance at me, "What's up, sweetie? You want some mo-eurgh cough sy- syrup?" His voice had immediately changed, he actually sounded nice, "I um.. Actually.. Morty said.." I trailed off, trying to keep my balance as a shocking pain wreaked havoc in my stomach, "Oh fuck, oh shit!" I pressed my hands into my stomach, falling to my knees with a painful thud, "Morty said you've gotta- gotta help me. He said- He said something's really wrong!" I strained as Rick turned so fast that he was right next to me as I hit the floor.

My breathing turned heavy as my eyesight went slightly fuzzy and green. Rick grabbed my waist, lifted me up like a baby, and held my face up to give it a good look, "Jesus Christ, what the fuck have you been doing, Y/N?! It was just a cold!" He dragged my almost completely limp body to his desk, pushed all of the stuff to the side and sat me on it, leaning me against the cold wall to which I jolted up and let out a horrific screech, "I don't like that! Too co- cold!" I fell forward, my head landing on his right shoulder, "OKAY! Okay, we won't uh- *burp* Won't do that then!" He lay me down on my side as he ran to get the duvet off of the floor and shut the door to the garage. I cried out in pain, "Rick! What's going on? I can't see! It- It- It's so painful!" I writhed on the desk, kicking my feet out violently.

"You can't see?! Oh my G-*burp*-od!" His voice was choked and high. I could hear Rick's shoes clicking around quickly as he came over, covered me in the blanket, and began searching for things around the garage. I rocked myself side to side, trying to settle myself until I felt Rick's arms wrap around my body, sitting me up and slipping me down onto his work stool. I felt the excruciating pain in my stomach as he set me down and emitted a loud scream, "Oh Jesus! Okay, Y/N! I'm gonna have to examine you, okay? You're gonna have to put up with this for a little longer!" Rick shouted over my raw yelling. I gritted my teeth as hard as I could, "Okay." I growled.

The garage door opened quickly, slamming against the wall, "What is going on in here?!" Beth shrieked. Rick didn't even turn around, "Beth. Honey. Not a good time." He spoke through a clamped jaw, I assume Beth looked at me because I heard her gasp "Oooookay.. Uh... Dinner will be on the table very uh.. Very soon." She left as quickly as she came. I began to lean into Rick's chest, losing consciousness, "No. Y/N. Stay with me. C'mon, sweetheart!" He slapped my face a few times and I felt him turn rigid as a deep aggressive growl erupted from my stomach and I began coughing that same sticky substance up onto his shirt, "Ohh shit." He shined a white light into each of my eyes, causing me to raspily howl, "Okay. Your eyes are all glazed over, red and bloodshot." I felt his fingers on my lips and he pried my mouth open, shining the light inside, "Eugh. Glowing sticky green mucus in the mouth. Mouth is also deep red in colour."

Suddenly a cold glass tube was scooped into my mouth and out again. I gave a guttural groan, "COLD!" Without thinking, my hand grabbed Rick's, tightly, he shouted out in pain, "Y/N. Let go.". I felt an inhumane scream ripple through my body as Rick grabbed me by the throat, "Let me go or I'll kill you." His breath was puffing against my face as he spoke and I felt my hand weaken, despite me not telling it to, "Thank you." He spat. His hands then returned to me, shining his light everywhere, "Your skin is grey. Each orifice is very dark and wet." His voice was calm as he poked and prodded, I, however, was becoming more frustrated, "Rick! I don't wan- wanna put up- up with this any- more!!" I sobbed, trying to tear myself away from him, unsuccessfully, "C'mon, shut up. Almost done."

I heard a lot of beeping and switches being flicked and buttons being pressed for a few minutes as Rick held one hand gently against my neck, just in case I tried to hurt him again. A few seconds later, Rick gave a quiet gasp, and made an almost guilty sounding 'damn it'. I then suddenly felt a very painful intrusion in my left thigh, "RICK!" I screamed, "It's for your own good, Y/N." He stated as I felt a thick string of aches flow through me.

Instantaneously, I started coughing and shaking, "Please let this work." I heard Rick mutter, as his arms wrapped around my body in a warm, tight embrace. My eyes moistened up and my sight slowly came back as I cried loudly, "Shh, c'mon now, it's okay, you're okay.." Rick whispered into my ear continuously until the shaking and coughing stopped and I was reduced to a heavy breathing, weak mess. Everything felt better. Well, my throat still killed and my nose was runny, but, everything else was completely gone.

I swallowed deeply, "Wh- What just happened?" I whispered. Rick didn't let go of me for a few minutes, "Rick?" I croaked, "I injected you with a serum that reduces what I think you had back down into the common cold. Luckily, it worked and I was right." His breathing was slow and heavy. With a sigh of relief and without a word, Rick took my right hand and hooked his arm around my waist. He helped me up and we left the garage.

"Hey Rick, Y/N! Wanna come an- an- an- and eat?" Morty called out from the dinner table that he and his family were sat at, "Uhh, we're good right now, Morty. Y/N needs time to recover from her si*burp*ckness." We continued walking to Rick's room. He carefully set me down on the bed, wrapping me in his duvet, "Wait here." He brought out his portal gun and left for another dimension, "Hmph. Okay then." I clicked my tongue against the roof of my mouth impatiently as I waited for him. After a few minutes, my phone dinged. It was a text from Rick: 'Hope ur OK, sweetie. Won't be long. R.'

I was leaned against the wall, peering around the most interesting room I would ever be in. After about 10 minutes, a portal opened up and Rick stepped out, with a small little blue person in a sort of delivery uniform, "This the place, Sir?" The person squeaked, "Uhp, Yeah. Ri*burp*ght over there." Rick pointed to the end of the camper-bed and a slightly odd, fleshy looking flat screen TV materialised in front of my eyes, "What the- the fuck? Rick?" I sat up, looking him right in the face, "Hey. Hey. Don't, don't say that around a Reeptipian, Y/N. They're one of the few alien races that actually understand those words." His voice was monotonous as he lifted his portal gun and it beeped twice, "Thank you, Sir." The little blue person hopped back on through the portal, but not before two giant boxes materialised on the floor, full of colourful packets of things that looked edible.

"I'm gonna say it again, what the fuck, Rick?" I tilted my head with raised brows, "Well excuuuuuse me for tryna surprise you and make you feel better!" He put his arms in the air, "What do you mean?" I asked, "Reeptipians have a thing for cinema and TV. They create the best TVs I've ever used, with interdimensional cable, and the best snack fooooods!" Rick opened the boxes and threw a load of stuff onto the bed before bouncing himself down onto it with me. I laughed at his enthusiasm and leaned my head against his chest as he pulled me close and turned on the TV.

"Oh, before I forget." Rick sat up, pulling a decently sized needle out of his coat, before taking off his mucus covered shirt and lab coat, "I- I- Please don't tell me that's for me!" I scrambled back against the wall at the top of the bed, "Nope. For me." Rick jabbed himself in the gut with it, letting out a rumbling growl, his legs kicking out slightly, "I seriously need to figure out how to vaccinate without injections." He pulled it out and threw it to the floor with a sigh. I watched him sit back, unsure of what happened, "Um, what was that?" I relaxed against the wall once again, "Didn't you hear me? It was a vaccination. Against that nasty shit that was all up in your system, sweetheart. Oh uh.. abo*burp*ut that." Rick's eyes were shifting from side to side.

My eyes narrowed, "What. What about it? That was the worst pain I've experienced so far." My voice was highly suspicious sounding as I stared at Rick, "Y'know that healthy alien cereal you had a few days back that uh.. You really liked and then had more of?" His lips pressed into a thin line and his demeanor was nervous, which is rare, "Yes. I do know it. The one you got me that tastes like strawberry. What about it? Spit it out." Rick scratched his head, "Funny thing. It's filled with alien bacteria that are beneficial for the aliens on the planet that I got it from. But.. It uh.. If a human ingests it.. It.. uh.. Tries to use your body as a host and kills and consumes you before moving on." He braced himself for me to kick off but, nothing came, and he opened his eyes, looking at me with trepidation. I blew a gust of air from my mouth that I was holding in, "Smartest man in the universe, huh? You get your girlfriend infected with some weird fucking alien bacteria?" I crossed my arms and then froze. Rick's eyes widened, "My what?" I began stuttering, "You're uh.. You- You're.." As I tried to search for a different word Rick interrupted me, "My girlfriend!" He laughed deeply, grabbing me by the waist and pulling me onto him, pressing his lips to mine.

I pulled away with a cough and Rick held my face in his big hands, tickling my jaw and making me giggle, "I'm sorry for not checking that cereal. It almost killed you." His eyebrows furrowed. I closed my eyes and inhaled his smell, I loved the muskiness mixed with a faint whiskey scent. I leaned into him, kissing his bare chest, "But it didn't. It fucking hurt, but it didn't kill me. Plus, aren't there other versions of me around? Do- do you know any?" Rick stiffened under me, "Well, yeah but.. They- they're not you. They're.. Different. In a bad way. I'd rather you not die no ma*burp*tter what, sweetie." He flipped through some crazy looking channels on the giant TV and settled on one, "I've checked over all of these candies by the way. They're safe. They won't try and eat you after you eat them." Rick gave a hoarse chuckle and wrapped his arms around my waist, his nails gently scratching the skin of my back under my shirt.

"Uh, Rick?" My voice came out very weak, "Hm?" He looked down at me, then back up to the TV, stuffing a few pink pieces of candy into his mouth. I hummed, "You uh- you wanna try some?" Rick lifted some of the candy up to my mouth, "Yeah, uh, sure." I smiled, letting him feed me some, "But uh, I have a question." I spoke with my mouth full, "Shoot." Rick shoveled more candy into his mouth, seemingly loving it, "Is this.. Is this thing we have.. More than a.. thing?" I looked toward the TV, not wanting to meet his intelligent eyes. He took a deep breath and I felt myself lift atop his chest.

Rick cleared his throat, "Uhm." I felt his fingertips tap against my skin whilst I began to internally panic, "Never mind. Shouldn't have asked." I quickly spoke but Rick shook his head, "Nononono! I- I- I didn't mean-! Fuck. I just.. You really- you really want that?" His voice wavered as he searched my face. I looked Rick straight in the eye and bit my lip, "Yes. I.. I want that. Do uhm.. Do you?" I lay my right leg over his thighs. Rick blinked a few times before answering, "I- Yeah. I want it too." I grinned, "Then I guess.. We're dating now?" Rick nodded with a smirk and gave my ass a squeeze, "I guess we are."

Rick filled his mouth with a different type of candy, it looked like glowing red rocks. I grabbed a handful and popped some into my mouth, they tasted very sweet, until they grated their way down my sore throat, I winced as the second piece of candy made my throat hot. I looked at the packet and there were flames all over it, "Ah! They're so hot!" I blew quick puffs of air out of my mouth, "It's okay, it only lasts until they're in your stomach." Rick patted my stomach with a smile. Rick's eyes shot toward the screen and he all of a sudden jolted, raising an arm, "Yes! Ball Fondlers, baby! This is the best TV show eveeer! Trust me, Y/N, you'll love this!"

And indeed I did love it. Well, until I fell into a deep sleep.

[daydreamgoddess14]

First Impressions - Chapter 4

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3

Masterlist

Chapter 4 🔥

It's been a long time coming. I'm deeply sorry for abandoning this fic, I got waylaid by life etc and was highly traumatised by the ending of Ted Lasso and it honestly messed with my shipping heart. But I'm here. This fandom was tumbleweed when I first started writing this and it had been about a million years since I'd last written fanfic so I was well out of practice!

So anyway, here I am, here is this... I think/hope River has a few more fans since this was first posted. He certainly deserves them!

I'm excited to add to this, I've missed it :)

*******************

Her hands rested lightly on his thighs, 

“Should probably warn you though,” she hesitated. Her nails scratched the fabric of his jeans in small circles nervously. “It's been… a while. She admitted.

“Better make sure I impress then,” he grinned, her blush visible in the candlelight. With his hands on her hips, he gently pushed her back a step in order to get off the stool. She blew out the last of the candles and led him down the brightly lit hallway. As they reached her room, he knocked the light off with his elbow and closed her door behind them. 

“Did you… did you tidy up in here?” He sniggered.

“I can still kick you out, pal.” 

“Ahh but then you won't find out the big secret.” He teased. She turned her back on him and moved her hair to one side. 

“Zip please?” 

“No come back on that one?” He whispered in her ear, slowly easing the zip down her back. His knuckle followed the same path, featherlight down her spine. She shivered against him, bringing his lips in contact with her temple.

“Nah, I still think I can make you tell me.” Lexie kept her composure, trying to keep the tremor from her voice. His hand slipped inside her dress to rest on the curve of her waist.

“I'd like to see you try.” He murmured, his voice low. 

“Has anyone ever told you,” Lexie began, stepping out of his reach and turning to face him, “that you are too cocky for your own good?” 

“It might have been mentioned, yeah.” He watched as Lexie slipped the short sleeves of her dress down her arms while keeping herself covered. 

“Good. So you already know that sometimes you should just,” she pushed the dress down over her hips and let it drop to the floor, “shut up?” She was certain that the silence would last forever. His expression was unreadable and she felt the light wine buzz disappearing. The urge to fold in on herself and bring her hands up to cover the pretty lingerie she'd intentionally picked out was beginning to outweigh any shred of confidence she still felt. It was but a second. He covered the distance between them in one step and took her hands in his before they could shield her body from him. Up close, the hunger in his eyes was raw and honest. 

“I-, you-... fuck, Lex-” She blushed under his gaze, the soft lamp light bathing her in a peachy glow.

“I didn't mean actually shut up,” she muttered, her feet suddenly the most interesting thing in the room. 

“Can you blame me? I think I'm speechless.” He smirked, lifting her chin so she could look up at him.

“First time for everything.” She quipped, gaining confidence from his reaction, the way his hands toyed with her own to try and show some restraint. 

“God, you're beautiful,” he leaned down to kiss her, pulling her against him. Lexie’s fingers fumbled with the buttons on his shirt, unwilling to put any space between them. River took over, chuckling at her sighs of frustration with each tiny button. Finally free of his pale blue shirt, he pulled her closer again and felt her smile against him once she was able to run her hands across the smooth skin of his back. “Are you sure about this, Lex? This is what you want?” He asked, Lexie nodded. “Talk to me, babe?”

“Yes, River, I want this.” He rested his forehead against hers, guiding her back towards the bed until her legs met the frame with a bump. With her confirmation, his hands were suddenly everywhere. He marvelled at the softness of her skin, the warmth radiating from her, and the breathy gasps she made as his hands roamed parts of her body which hadn’t been seen or touched by anyone else in so long. She held onto his belt loop to pull him down onto the bed with her, landing with a slight “oof” as his body covered hers. With his thigh between her legs, he could feel the heat from her core and just how responsive her body was to his touch. When the pad of his thumb grazed her nipple over the lace of her bra, her hips rolled up to meet his, “River, please-” she moaned softly. He moved from leaving hot kisses along her collarbone to meet her eye,

“You ok?” he asked, his voice rough, “should I stop?” Lexie looked at him, incredulous.

“No, no, don’t you dare stop.” She begged, he kissed her deeply and then pulled back with a wolfish grin,

“Good, I’m very busy.” His eyes disappeared from hers again as he reached behind her to unhook her bra and drop it over the side of the bed. He sat up on his knees, taking in the sight of her beneath him with her neck flushed from the graze of his beard, and anticipation dancing in her eyes. He sank back down against her with a barely contained moan, placing tiny bites along the sensitive skin in the valley of her breasts. He moved further down her body, trailing kisses and little bites along her inner thigh while his hand reached up to link fingers with hers. “Look at me,” he whispered, his breath hot against her hip. He felt her body turn to liquid against him from the simple request. She tugged his hand to bring him back up her body but he shook his head, his beard catching the sensitive skin of her inner thighs, “still busy,” he said, his voice muffled. He pulled her underwear down her legs and then focused on nothing but her, losing himself in each gasp, moan and clutch of the hand still holding his. Lexie trembled as he led her through one bone-shaking orgasm without stopping, leaving her a shuddering mess as he went straight for another. Looking up at her, he could see the hand that wasn’t clinging onto him had covered her eyes. This time when she squeezed his hand, he made his way back up her body and settled between her legs. “Lexie?” he asked, leaving soft kisses on her jaw before finally capturing her mouth in a kiss. Lexie didn’t speak, just shook her head. “You taste fucking incredible.” He kissed her again and she whimpered, finally moving her hand away from her eyes.

“Fucking hell, River.” She sighed. He brushed his nose against hers before kissing her again,

“I’m not done.” He grinned.

“Oh,” she whispered weakly. “Good. Please-, oh fuck River,” he caught a hardened nipple lightly between his teeth, “please don’t stop.” So he didn’t, and he never would again if it was up to him. Lexie regained some control of her limbs, her hands fighting with the buckle of his strained jeans. As soon as she was able to, she pushed them down his hips and thigh with one hand while pulling him to her with the other,

“Have you got-” he started, his mouth on her neck, she moved away to reach for her bedside cabinet leaving him groaning with the loss of contact. She leaned up on her elbows, waiting for him to return to her. He pushed into her in long, slow strokes while she met him with each roll of her hips. She held his jaw to bring his gaze to her and he nearly fell apart but he was determined to get her there again first and he knew she was already so close. 

"You feel so good-," she whispered, "So good." He took his time with each blissful thrust, caging her with his arms. "Riv, I need-"

"I know babe, I'm right with you." His name was on her lips as she came again and he thought it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever heard. As he joined her, he kissed her with such depth it took her breath away. They lay still together for a while as Lexie caught her breath. River kept his nose in the crook of her neck while his hand softly smoothed across her ribs and the side of her breasts. Her legs no longer locked around him, Lexie stretched out and enjoyed the weight of his body covering her. 

"'M crushing you," he mumbled. His voice so low in her ear made her shiver and despite not being ready for another round quite so soon, her hips buck, "Fucking hell, give me a minute," he laughed.

"You're not crushing me, and I'm not ready yet either," she grinned into his hairline and kissed his temple. 

"Hmm if you say so." He rocked against her, half hard again already, needing to hear the broken little moan that ghosted over his head.

“If whatever you have planned for tomorrow involves lots of walking then I think we might need a raincheck.” She giggled, threading her hand through his hair. He rose up onto his elbow to look down at her,

“So we’ll just stay here all day, yeah?”

“I’m sure we’ll think of something to do.” She agreed with a knowing smile. Without warning, he gripped her waist and rolled over, pulling her on top of him. Lexie pushed up with her knees either side of his hips and ground down against him.

“Believe me, this view is everything,” he sat up and took her into his lap, one hand coming down between them to graze over her clit, “but I’m still taking you out tomorrow.” He concluded, increasing the pressure of his touch and coaxing a low whine from her. Lexie wound her arms around his neck and kissed him. “Still got plenty of time though, just don’t expect much sleep.” He whispered smugly.

*******************

The sunlight filtered through thin curtains and straight into Lexie’s eyes. She could feel a dull ache in her thighs and stomach, a reminder of the night before. It felt like she’d barely slept at all. She stretched out, her hand meeting empty space beside her. She could hear the kettle rattling on its stand in the kitchen and various cupboards opening and closing again so she pulled on a thin robe and followed the sounds. River looked perfectly at home in her kitchen, in boxers and a t-shirt, making tea and pulling warm croissants from the oven. He looked over as she padded into the room, catching his wrist on the hot oven tray,

“Ow, shit! You’re supposed to still be in bed.” He chided.

“Well I’m awake, so here I am,” she smiled, placing a gentle kiss where the tray had not quite burned him.

“Happy birthday.” He said softly, pulling her into a real kiss. He pressed her against the counter, his hands reaching for the gap in her robe. “Heard Sophie and Jess go out at the crack of dawn.” He told her, kissing along her jawline. Lexie nodded against him, “Aha,” he muttered victoriously as he found her bare skin underneath the robe. Lexie put a hand on his shoulder to steady herself just in time - his fingers slipped against her and he pushed two inside her, curling them just so and finding her already wet and willing for him. She gasped and he leaned in to kiss her. His hand rocked against her clit, his fingers fucking her as she moaned quietly into his collar. 

"River, I-"

"I know Lex, I've got you.” He pressed his palm harder into her clit and kept his fingers moving inside her. Lexie wobbled against him, moaning into his ear. He held her hip a little tighter, "Come on, babe, you’ve got it." She came with a quiet wail into the crook of his neck. He took his hand away, going to lick his fingers, but she grabbed his wrist and licked them herself while holding his gaze. “You’re going to be the death of me.” He warned.

“You started it.” She countered. He replaced the robe and kissed her lightly, going back to finish making the tea. Lexie sniggered as the evidence of his own arousal was clear to see through his boxers. “So, what’s the plan?” She asked, pulling a chair up to the counter next to him. He held up the plate of pastries,

“First, breakfast. Second most important meal of the day.”

“Second?” She queried before realising, “oh. Oh.” She blushed.

“Then we’re out all day - still not telling you where. I haven’t booked anywhere for dinner in case you wanted to come back here, or to mine, or you can get rid of me whenever you like.” 

“You made birthday breakfast, I think that’s worth keeping you around. Amongst other things.” She smiled, nudging his knee with her own.

It took far longer to get out of the house than usual. River could hardly keep his hands to himself and Lexie was exactly the same. She lost count of the number of times and ways he pulled sighs and moans from her willing body, mapping every inch of her and cataloguing every desperate whisper of his name. Finally though, they’d made it to her birthday surprise. The expansive O2 Arena loomed over them.

“How are you with heights?” He asked, leading her to an area littered with people in various stages of having harnesses and ropes attached to them. Lexie’s eyes widened,

“Umm… not great to be honest. We’re climbing it? Was this some dodgy ploy to get me tied up in some harness?” She teased.

“While that’s not a bad idea, it’s a bit too public I think.” He winked, “come on, make it to the top and I’ll make it worth it?” River kept his word, on aching legs Lexie made it to the top where she was greeted with a glass of champagne and one of the best views she’d ever seen. “Ahh I’ve seen better.” River had told her with a sly smile. They followed the group back down after their allotted time at the top and wound up in a cosy pub. Lexie poured the last of the wine between their glasses,

“Your place or mine?”

“Not fed up of me yet?” He asked.

“I find it hard to believe anyone gets fed up of you.”

“You haven’t met Shirley. Or in fact, anyone I work with.”

“Well I’m pretty sold on everything I’ve seen so far. Thank you for today, for the last 24 hours actually.” 

“You’re welcome. C’mon, my place is closer,” he looked at his watch, “and I’m sorry but it’s been far too long since I last saw you naked so let’s go, chop chop.”

“Chop chop?” Lexie laughed.

“Yep, I’m deadly serious. I genuinely don’t know what I’m going to do on Monday, I think I might have a problem. I’m addicted, there’s no other explanation.” He held out a hand as she drained her glass and they made the quick journey to his flat where she’d barely got the front door closed behind them before he pushed her up against it and kissed her with a fierceness she hadn't realised she was so desperate for. Her hands worked fast, pushing his jacket down his arms and onto the floor with a thud, and pulling him back to her by his t-shirt. His body pressed against her and she felt him, hard through his jeans. She brought up the leg he’d got a hand on and he hooked it over his hip, it tilted her lower body further into his and he was so close to where she needed him it sent her dizzy. It was impossible to disguise the neediness of her moans and the hand on her leg moved to unzip her jeans and pull them down to grip the fleshy soft spot between her hip and thigh. 

"God, River-," she whined, rocking her hips towards his,

"Sure this is ok?" She nodded against his shoulder. 

"Yes, yeah I'm sure," she pulled at his t-shirt, dragging it over his head.

"Good girl," he muttered against her collarbone.

“River,” She pleaded. He traced the line of her knickers with his fingers, feeling just how ready she was for him. 

"Fucking hell, Lexie," he said, wrecked. He slipped his fingers inside her and pressed his thumb to your clit, replicating the actions from the morning. He seemed to know exactly what she needed, and just as she reached the brink, grasping for the release that was just out of reach, he kissed her. It was hot and rough and sent her right over the edge. He gave her a minute, a slightly softer kiss, but she didn't need it, she only wanted him. Her shaking hands fumbled with the button of his jeans until he took over and did it himself, he dug out a condom from his wallet. Lexie was still fully clothed aside from the jeans held up at her knees. She shimmied them further down and kicked them off, then with his help, he had her at exactly the right height to move her underwear to one side and push into her. It was everything. He thrust into her using her hips as leverage, her hands held fast to the back of his neck and his shoulder, her name was reverent on his lips as he came and on hearing his incoherent praise in her ear, she was there too. His pace slowed as his hips stuttered, and her head rested in the crook of his neck while she caught her breath. All at once, he was gentle again, carefully putting her leg back down and making sure she was steady on her feet. He looked a little sheepish as he stepped back away from her, holding her hands to help her stand up away from the back of the door. He dragged a hand across the back of his neck and cleared his throat. “So I should give you a tour?” he shrugged.

*******************

Thanks for entertaining my silliness 😘

Chapter 5

[ghostsandmirrors]

Questions for the mun - all Basics please? Don't hate me lol

Questions for the mun.

pfft, I could never. I am going to miss one question because someone else sent it, too.

(under read more because that's 12 questions)

When did you first start writing? 2008. I was on Mibba (writing site) and someone's journal post was an advert for a Proboards Potter forum.

In what language did you start writing? English. It was only like 2019 that I started trying to learn another language och jag är så dålig på talar svenska x.x (and I'm so bad at talking Swedish)

If your mother tongue is not the language you write now, what caused you to switch languages? N/A - one day I'll get good enough at Swedish to RP in it but that ain't today.

What was the first muse that you’ve written? Her name was Judy Lewis on that Proboards site in 2008. I also wrote her twin brother (Jesse Lewis). She was a Slytherin half-blood, he was a Hufflepuff half-blood.

I once answered an ask about her on the Bringer's blog so here's the link.

Do you still write your first muse? Nope. I consider remaking her sometimes--especially when memes ask about first muses--but I think she belongs in 2008 and in the fanfic I was writing at the time.

What is the muse that you write for the longest? This is answered here. The answer is Bam (first made 2009 on a Potter site I made); 2009 Gerard Way had that vibe and then they dyed their hair red and Danger Days came out and I was like 👀👀👀

Also because of Bam, and me being so specific when it came to making graphics (avatars and signatures), I can tell you which year a Gerard Way picture came from between the years of 2003 and 2013 based entirely on their hair.

I used to think I was neurotypical btw. Teenage me making a Notepad document of Gerard Way GIFs organised by hair style and year ('long black, 2005') like, 'yeah, this is a normal level of interest in a subject.' It is not, but it is a fun fact I get to whip out now.

In what style did you start to write (First person, third person, *-style or novel-style?) I have always written in third person, past tense, I guess novel-style? Used to do a lot of one-liners but--and I actually mentioned this to someone the other day--I ended up on a lot of sites with minimum word counts (usually only like 100 words, which sounds like a lot but is surprisingly small).

My longest post pre-Tumblr was like 2k words because me and a thread partner were just seeing how long we could make our posts in that specific thread. We also tried to go back to one-liners only for a thread (for fun) and we were struggling.

What caused you to start writing? What was your key point? General writing was probably this one book series about a man who lived with a family that made clay dragon statues and the dragon statues came to life. I looked it up; The Last Dragon Chronicles. I did not read all of them.

RP specifically was the site advert coming when I had like just started writing a Potter fanfic of Goblet of Fire from the point of view of Random OC (Judy Lewis, who was a Gryffindor in the fic).

Do you regret starting writing? No. It taught me how to spell, for starters. I was dogshit at spelling and grammar back in the day and I've gotten so much better just through practice and actually learning what things are used for. Also like... you get the best reactions. Even if I ever managed to quit RP--which I don't think I will--I would never be able to fully stop writing because of those reactions. One way or another, I will inflict fictional suffering on people.

As a kid, I wanted to be an author. Making characters and worlds is way too fun.

Is there anything you would have changed when you started writing now that you have more experience? RP specific; no. Writing in general; I'd have started writing proper English from the beginning and not spent years deciding that full stops are only used for the end of a paragraph, actually.

Also some of the older characters don't have their apps saved at all and I'm still mad about it. I struggled making Arnulf because his old app and all his old information is gone. I'm gonna die mad at past me about like 17 different things and it's fine because they deserve it.

How do you describe writing / rp to others? Generally I don't, but if I had to, I would describe it as 'y'know writing a story? It's like that but you only control one character.' It's not accurate--NPCs exist--but like it's the closest I can get considering I'm genuinely trash at describing anything lmao

On what platform did you start to write? Accidentally answered this in the first answer. Oops. Proboards. I actually refused to go to other forum sites for the longest time because I didn't understand the coding for posts. On Proboards it was like [b]bold[/b], on InvisionFree it was <b>bold</b>, I think Jcink was [b]bold[/b]?

I did eventually also go on InvisionFree (one site, a Buffy/The Vampire Diaries crossover site) and Jcink (multiple sites, mostly Marvel/DC crossover sites, a couple of panfandom sites, a town site?, and at least one Potter site). Jcink might be my favourite of the three.

There was also 'Boards' which was to Proboards what Jcink was to InvisionFree (Jcink sites have 'powered by InvisionFree' at the bottom, Boards sites had 'powered by Proboards').

[halucynator]

When are you going to post your next fanfic? I have been waiting ages. If you don't want to you can just say so so I can request other people. You aren't letting me request other people while taking your sweet time to write fanfics. Get your life together and start writing or be brave and say you won't write it. It won't kill you to lose a few followers. I know you aren't entitled to but if you don't want to write it just say so. I don't want to wait so long and not be able to request other people. I thought you'd be one of the people who would be consistent with your writing. Guess not. You were one of my faves but honestly now I don't like you anymore. Unfollowing you. Be consistent. Get your life together. Grow tf up. I'm requesting other people.

I never thought I'd have to be serious on this platform but I guess I do.

When I first got this "ask", I thought about ignoring it. Everyone gets hate. But I realise sometimes spreading awareness is more important.

It has come to my attention that people such as the anon above think writers are machines. They seem to think that they are entitled to the writers time and consideration. That is simply not true.

Writers have lives outside of Tumblr and I feel like these people seem to forget that. My uni starts in a couple of days which is the reason for my inconsistency. I need to get stuff prepared to leave my home. It's a very personal and important moment for me and my life. This might be the last time I see my friends and to me writing is just not a priority at the moment because writing takes time and consideration and a lot of thought is put into it so the reading experience is enjoyable for people.

Writing is a hobby for me. I do it for myself. Not other people. I do it when I want to. It's my time. My writing. My blog. It's my hobby. And I love getting requests, I really do! And I love everyone who likes my reading!

When I was young I never thought I'd actually be able to have a fanbase however small that might be. I never thought I'd actually have people that enjoy my writing. I'm grateful for Tumblr to be able to express myself. Writing and expressing yourself to the world is incredibly difficult for some people such as myself so building up the courage to go out into the world well aware of criticism and stuff is tough. And comments like these can easily break it down. Also, I don't know if the person who wrote this is aware but I have ADHD. So I end up making things take wayyyy more time than it should.

Now back to the "ask". I do understand what the anon is trying to say and I'm sure a few people might agree with it and it's fine. But I have three problems with it:

1) I did mention on my pinned posts that requests were closed until further notice and that if they do want to send requests I can't guarantee how long it will take me to write them down.

2) There are nicer ways to say it. If the anon really wanted me to write their request they could've been nicer about it. Messaged me about it or anything else. Because us writers have feelings and we get hurt as well. I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate anyone talking to you like this.

3) I have a life separate to Tumblr and you have no idea what I could be going through. I apologize for not mentioning that I will be off writing for a while. If you want, you can request other Tumblr accounts but I would appreciate it if you mention that you already send a similar request to said Tumblr. I hope you realise this is verbal abuse.

I was trying to figure out who wrote this post (naturally so I could block them and not tend to their request for being so rude as I have self respect) but I only found one Tumblr that unfollowed me on the day this post was written (quite recently actually) since the post mentions it and I only found one Tumblr that I used to be mutes with that unfollowed me (I will not reveal who it is). I refuse to believe that Tumblr wrote this post. Their Tumblr is amazing and I absolutely do not think they are capable of writing such disrespectful things to another Tumblr that always has tended to their request and tried to be as nice to them as possible (another Tumblr such as myself).

If it is that Tumblr who wrote this, I hope you know who you are. I'm terribly disappointed in you. I don't know the reason for that Tumblr unfollowing me anyway (maybe it was an accident or BC I'm inconsistent, either way idrc).

Thank you for reading this and thanks to all of my amazing mutes ❤️

Thanks to Tumblr for letting me have the opportunity to express myself, (usually) without any hate.

Please disregard any hate you get xx I love you 💖 have a good day!!

@psychedeliccc BC they wanted context 💕

[skyfallscotland]

Hiii me again! I, too, have questions for the ask game 🍓🦋🥤

🥤 ⇢ recommend an author or fanfic you love

I feel like it's redundant to keep saying the same ones, but *whispers* storm in the quiet @justallihere and Political Gain @sarahwyland

But also, in terms of underrated, I just read a little series by Ramzes called The Unseen One, furthering the Sloane/Bodhi agenda (🙏🏼 the lord’s work) and I've also enjoyed The Princess Gambit by JuliLyng so far as well, which is Xaden/OC. Not sure if they have tumblr, but if they're here, hi! 👋🏼

🍓 ⇢ how did you get into writing fanfiction? 

So I've always been a reader/writer, since as far back as I can remember (maybe three years old?), I'm pretty sure with the knowledge I have now that I'm hyperlexic.

I'm old enough to have been around for dial-up internet, but when I was a preteen, we got broadband (showing my age). This is to say, don't judge my parents too harshly because internet safety was not a thing back then, but...

I found fanfiction because back then, a lot of people either used livejournal or hosted their own sites, so a lot of fansites, had fanfiction. So while looking at Buffy fansites, I stumbled across Buffy fanfiction and realised I could actually read stories!!! so many stories!! where Buffy and Spike got together earlier or things didn't end tragically for them. So yeah, at 11 I was reading very explicit Spuffy smut on the internet 🫢 I had a system set up where I would play The Sims all day or do school project powerpoints, except I was really reading fanfic and I would flick between screens whenever my parents entered the room.

My mum now has KU and reads dark romance every day, so I guess she comes by it honestly (and yes, I did mean it that way around, I was here first!) 😂

Anyway, when I was 12 I started publishing my first few fanfics on ffnet - Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, and a Harry Potter/X-Men Crossover. Each originally written on paper, they were all ridiculously bad, but the latter had people interested enough despite the writing, which encouraged me to try again later down the line with The Vampire Diaries and Jurassic World. I hadn't written for almost ten years and had never finished anything much until last year, by chance, I decided to finally get back into reading actual books and picked up ACOTAR. I finished the series within a week and I was left like?? That's it????

The archive had such a small number of works, I couldn't believe it, so I decided to write my own. I wrote Fury and Siren over the course of three months. I wasn't game to post anything in case I didn't finish it, because I'd never finished anything before. I also put off starting this little book I'd bought 'Fourth Wing' by three months, because I knew I'd be sucked in and would lose the hyperfixation I had, so I forced myself to finish Siren first. And now you all know my life story lol omg I'm so embarrassing to myself 🫠

TLDR: internet

🦋 ⇢ share something that has been on your heart and mind lately 

Honestly, this is kind of angsty, but this last week I’ve thought a lot about male-dominated fandom spaces and how we’re not welcome in them. We, meaning everyone who isn’t a straight, cis, white male. The Formula 1 community on here seems a little better, probably because it’s female-led, but everywhere else I can’t even look at the comments.

To be honest, I’m tired of being told I don’t belong, or that my opinion means nothing because I’m female. I grew up in a motorsport family, my earliest memories are at racetracks, but men on the internet would have you believe I’m only interested because of what the drivers look like. It’s just…tiring. Those fandom spaces have become a no-go zone for me now, because it just isn’t worth it. We live in a time where no matter what you say someone will attack you which is sad in itself, but it’s so much worse when you’re a woman commenting on a “man’s sport”, not to mention endlessly frustrating because they’re too stupid to tell the difference between equity and equality.

🦋 On a larger note, Palestine. I don’t think more than that needs saying. It hurts my heart.

[practically-an-x-man]

Answer the questions and tag 5 fanfic authors you know

Thanks @goldheartedchaoticdisaster!!

How did you get into writing fanfiction?

I was writing fanfic as a kid before I even knew what it was, I was always coming up with little stories and ideas (it always ended up where I hand-wrote ~6 pages and proceeded to completely forget about it), but it was during the early COVID pandemic that I actually started getting into the fandom scene as a whole. I started reading fanfics when I needed a pick-me-up (@asteralpine's Loki's Lullabies series GOT ME THROUGH the pandemic, no joke, they're probably the reason I stayed sane), which then led to me experimenting with writing some of my own and daring to post it.

I had the benefit of finding a little writer-friendship with another writer on AO3 when I first started out (we both wrote for Hank McCoy and would comment on each other's fics), and they would comment on every chapter of my fic even though it was probably extremely obvious that I was a new writer who didn't always know what they were doing. I genuinely think that without that encouragement and feedback, I would have fizzled out and lost confidence as a writer, so I am forever grateful to brigid1318 on AO3 for helping me get started.

2. How many fandoms have you written in?

12, not counting rollovers (y'know like "X-Men: Movieverse" vs. "X-Men: Alternate Timeline Movies"). A couple of those are just gift fics or oneshots for friends, though, not regular fandoms I write for.

3. How many years have you been writing fanfiction?

Three and a half? Not counting all the things I wrote as a kid before I even realized they were fanfic

4. Do you read or write more fanfiction?

Hm... I'd say it's about a 50/50 split. At the moment I'm not really branching out and exploring new fics to read, I'm kinda sticking with trying to keep up with my friends' fics since I'm so busy right now, but I'm always writing something or another.

5. What is one way you've improved as a writer?

I think crafting my characters has really improved overall. My early OCs weren't awful, and there are elements that I still like about them, but my more recent OCs just feel so much more real and human compared to the old ones.

6. What's the weirdest topic you researched for a writing project?

Oh man... the history of the New York Aquarium - for my Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire fic, Heart in Your Hands. The weird part is that, since one of the characters is a ghost from 1915, I had to research both the modern version and the historical timeline, to make sure the character had the right perspective on it. And just the layout of NYC as a whole, since I've never been there myself.

7. What's your favourite type of comment to receive on your work?

I mean, I really love any comment I get and I will never complain (unless you're mean, but... y'know, that's a given), but I LIVE for the comments that pick out particular lines or moments that they noticed. I work hard to include symbolism, foreshadowing, or even just fun bits of figurative language in my writing, and I never know what gets noticed by the readers, so I absolutely adore comments that let me see inside a reader's head like that.

8. What's the most fringe trope/topic you write about?

Uh... Taking Flight as a whole is pretty fringe. It takes place in the Fablehaven fandom, which is tiny, and on top of that, it involves a lot of discussion into various cryptids and magical creatures, some of which are very obscure.

9. What is the hardest type of story for you to write?

Pure-blooded romance, for sure. I need there to be something else happening, even if it's small or weird or whatever. I've never been able to read or write a story that's solely about two characters getting together.

10. What is the easiest type?

I'm gonna say angst or horror. I watch a TON of horror movies (it's kinda my job lol) and read a lot of horror books, so capturing that whole atmosphere is really easy for me at this point.

11. Where do you do your writing? What platform? When?

Most of my writing is on AO3, though I've gotten into the habit of doing some writing here on tumblr too - mainly oneshots, ficlets, bonus pieces, etc., while the main fics or series are on AO3.

12. What is something you've been too nervous/intimidated to write, but would love to write one day?

I read the Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires a while back and was fascinated by the character James Harris (I want to slice him up and put him on microscope slides), and I want to write a piece exploring more of the book's themes of subtle manipulation and abuse. I haven't written it yet because 1. I don't trust people's reading comprehension and I worry it would be misconstrued as me glorifying abuse when it absolutely is not, and 2. I haven't seen anyone really talk about the book so I can't imagine many people would read it

13. What made you choose your username?

I chose my tumblr username first, then just made my AO3 username the same one. It's an anecdote about my personal life - I've got a ton of genetic mutations (my body is lowkey a total mess) so I'm 'practically an X-Man'

Tagging (no pressure!): @can-of-pringles @kyber-infinitygems @witchy-self-shipper @negative-speedforce @sashathedoge

[little-box-of-wonders]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

Thanks for the tag @grexigone! n.n

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

33 as of Nov. 15, 2023

2. What's your total A03 word count?

135,824 words

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Only Horizon (Zero Dawn/Forbidden West) for now.

4. What are your top five fics by kudos?

To Know Peace: 103 kudos (Rated T) - First longfic

Live for the Night: 88 kudos (Rated E) - First smut fic

Bonding Moments: 83 kudos (Rated G) - Companion vignettes fic for To Know Peace

Devotion: 79 kudos (Rated E) - Kinktober 2023 drabbles collection

Visual Delights: 77 kudos (Rated E) - Fun, smutty 5+1 oneshot

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I do! Comments mean that someone took the time to read my fic and something stuck with them enough to tell me about it. It makes me feel appreciated, and I want my readers to feel appreciated in turn. :3

6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Oof, probably Shadowed Heart, which is my first rare pair fic (Fashav/Ritakka). I promise to give them a happier ending in my series.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I'd say To Know Peace has the happiest ending so far.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

I got a couple of comments on Bonding Moments about some choices I'd made that rubbed me the wrong way, but I haven't gotten hate publicly or privately. I think it helps that Horizon is still relatively small in the fanfic/fanart space and I don't share my ship-specific fics on the subreddit for the games.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

I do and I have no shame, hehe. It's mostly M/F and very light on kinks. Other than my Kinktober drabbles, the raunchiest fic I've written is Early Exit.

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

No crossovers. They're kinda tricky to get right.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

To my knowledge, no, but I haven't checked FF.net or Wattpad to confirm.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Nope. Spanish is my native language, but I have no plans to translate my fics from English to Spanish.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

@jadefyre and I have a smut fic in the works that we started earlier this year. Also, not co-written but @murmart made a beautiful art of Fashav/Ritakka for my fic Heavy in Your Arms. :3

14. What's your all-time favorite ship?

Definitely Aloy/Kotallo. Not only did seeing their dynamic and conjuring up ship possibilities get me to write again after a long hiatus, but it's also allowed me to become part of a community of amazing creators both in the Kotaloy Elysium Discord server and beyond. n.n

15. What's the WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

I don't necessarily think I'll leave any of my WIPs unfinished, but some are a little more complicated than others in terms of getting them to meet my own standards (yeah, I'm my harshest critic).

With longfics, I've since learned to write until completion and then start posting, only because I don't enjoy the self-imposed pressure to update something that's already out there since life can be really uncertain at times.

16. What are your writing strengths?

Dialogue! It takes me such a long time, but I love nailing the voices of the characters correctly and having readers comment on that and their characterization. However, I do find speeches a bit cumbersome to write because every word has so much weight to them, even though I do enjoy the end result.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

I struggle with describing environments/settings, because I never know if I'm being descriptive enough to paint a full picture for the reader.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I think if it's a few sentences here and there is fine, but anything else might make it inaccessible to part of the readership unless it's stated in the author's note that the fic will feature two or more different languages.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Horizon, though I wrote a (thankfully never published) fic for Final Fantasy VII when I was around 13 years-old; trust me, it wasn't good and I still cringe thinking about the plot. HOWEVER, I miss that feeling of writing without caring about the end result, of just having a deluge of words on paper with a somewhat coherent narrative thread.

20. Favorite fic you've ever written?

It's hard to pick only one because all of my fics are special in their own way, but I'll go with Hurricane Drunk because I had so much fun describing Kotallo being drunk and struggling with confessing his feelings for Aloy in a humorous way.

Tagging @setavvo, @fogsblue, @hannahmationstudios, @destinysembrace-oblivion and @mwasaw. (No pressure! Only if you want to).

[chardbones]

Summer morning (Ana Amari x Fem! Reader)

A/N so it's been a really long time since I've written any fanfics at all and I thought I'd jump back into the ring for fun. I've had this fic idea for the better part of two years now but for some unknown reason I decided to write it just now. I might make a second part to this but I'm not sure, like breakfast and maybe a bit and what the reader would do with Ana all day. I also saw that there isn't many fanfics of my girl Ana and she deserves it so I might post a fic or two more about her.I hope you blokes enjoy what I wrote

Y/N Pov:

I woke up to the light shining in my eyes, I slowly got up and looked over to left where I could see my wife peacefully sleeping. Ana and I decided a while ago that we both deserved a holiday together after going on countless missions. A few years ago, the both of us decided to buy a small house in Iilios, somewhere close to the beach and not too far from the town square where the market could be found. The light was thankfully poring slightly and only on my side so Ana wouldn't be woken up by it.

I slowly got up and made my way to the window, looking out I saw the clear blue sky and the vast never ending sea, in the distance I could see sail boats. Even though it was just the morning, looking at the sun, it was already quite hot but thankfully there was a cool breeze. After a bit I quietly opened the door and carefully made my way down stairs. My body isn't what it was 20 years ago, I'm still pretty physically well off but I can feel my body slowly but surely having enough of all the running around, carrying heavy ammo and making sharp moves.

As I walk down the stairs I look to my left and see the photos of me and Ana, most of them were of us during the glory days of overwatch. Boy, that was a long time ago. A lot of them were of the both of us and Fareeha, especially when she was just a kid. As I got downstairs and made my way to the kitchen, I stopped to look at a group of photos hanging over a dresser. One of them was of the three of us when we went Trick or Treating, Fareeha was just 10 years old then. Another was of Fareeha on her first day of school and another of her standing all happy with a trophy she won. One of my favourites was the wedding photo, that was taken year's ago, now the both us are old women.

Fareeha always saw me as her second mum and always treated me like one. And I always treated her like my own daughter, the best years of my life have been spent with them, seeing Fareeha grow and become stronger. Experiencing new things with Ana and loving her more and more.

Finally after a few minutes of remember wonderful memories I finally got to the kitchen and put the kettle on the stove, the house still had an old fashion stove oven that used fire, you almost never come across those in households over anywhere. I opened up a cabinet and took out a jar full of the best black tea and put it in two cup. As I waited for the water to boil I put in 1 and a half teaspoons of brown sugar and got out a desk to put the tea on. I placed the tea cups filled with hot and cold water on the tray and just incase the sugar if Ana wanted more.

I made my way back up the stairs and place the tray on my nightstand, I crawled back into bed and pulled Ana a bit closer to me so I could spoon her. The second I placed my wrinkly hand into hers, I could feel Ana stir in her sleep and see her eye flutter open.

"Good morning my love" I spoke quietly as Ana rolled over to look at me

"Good morning alsaqr" Ana said with a smile.

Alsaqr is a nickname she gave you because of how similarly you acted as a falcon in combat and how you armour resembled one.

"I made us some tea, drink some" I passed her a cup as Ana pushed herself up to sit.

"You're up quite early Y/N. Any reason why?" Ana asked as she put the cup to her mouth.

"Not really, I just did... I can believe that we're old women now. Looking at the photos it seems like it was just yesterday that I carried Fareeha on my back and ran around with her pretending that she was flying and I was her suit of armour" I spoke in a slight sad but glad tone.

"It has been, the time really does fly quickly, our little Fareeha has grown up really quickly and subsequently we have gotten older."

"I'm happy that you are the one I'm growing old with Ana. You're the only one I'd ever want to grow old with and have experience all the things we have gone through. I love you Ana."

"I love you too Y/N and I'm as every bit as happy as you are alsaqr"

The both of us put our cups away and kisses one another. It was a long and sweet kiss. As we parted we just looked into eachother worn eyes (well, I was looking into just one of her eyes). Even though we both look different then we did 20 or even 30 years ago, Ana still looks at me with the same passion and love that she did all those years ago. The same goes to me. We have said it many times before and shoe shown it to eachother on multiple occasions, and it's not going to stop.

The both of us just layed back down in bed and cuddle, the white sheets being partially draped over us. I held Ana in my arms while we gave eachother kisses. We could feel the breeze coming in every now and the through the open windows cooling us down.

And we just stayed like that until the sun started to shine on our faces and we knew we'd have to get up and start the day.

[princesscolumbia]

So a small sidebar to all the everything I'm doing, I'm kinda using "Code of Ethics" to function as a bit of a warm-up for producing original fiction that will sell under the 'self-publishing' model. I'd eventually like to be able to get a full publishing deal for something, but that won't happen until I can show off my writing chops in a non-fanfic level of writing.

(Just to reassure my fans of my Ranmafics and Horsefics, no, I have not abandoned writing any of those)

With that in mind, I've had a few projects that aren't fanfic based sitting in my "to write" pile that I haven't gotten to because I was operating under the notion that nobody would read my stuff if I wasn't writing fanfics. Well, CoE is damn near the closest to fully original fanfic I've ever written. Sure, I use QuietVallerie's framework and foundation for it, but I've got completely original characters (I've MENTIONED some names in the other Troubleverse books, but if I were to swap those out this would be a fully 'ties-cut' original fic from the character standpoint), a VRMMO setting that I'm stitching together from whole cloth and a lot of inspiration from a game QuietVallerie doesn't even play, and the ending isn't dependent on anything QuietValerie's doing whatsoever. She's even acknowledged that most of her work is blatantly 'inspired' by other sci-fi works, so even if all I did was change a few names it'd be a wholly original fic that simply drew from the same inspirational sources for Troubleverse.

That said, I want to keep CoE a firmly Troubleverse fic. Not only would I like to someday (hopefully, wishful thinking, please-please-please-please-please!!!) be granted 'canon' status by QV, I dislike the notion that I should divorce MY stuff from its origin just to make a little cash. The people that are reading CoE are doing so because I set it up as a Troubleverse fic, attempting to divorce my work from that franchise after I've gained a following would be disingenuous at best.

So all that brings me to my first (public) foray into original fiction. I've decided I'll be posting to the following with a 1-week gap when I publish a chapter, and I'll be aiming for 1 chapter per week:

Patreon

Scribblehub

Archive of Our Own

And what, you may ask, will be my first project? I put the choice to my most important audience in all the multiverse; my daughter. From the available options I gave her, she picked...

Goldrush, CO

Over a century after its establishment as a 'company town' for the Pinkerton Detective Agency, the town of Goldrush, Colorado was finally sold off "at cost" to the town citizens, fully separating them from the agency that jumped the shark during the union busting of the 1900s. The town has secrets, starting with the biggest one of all; Goldrush was founded as a 'dumping grounds' for the weird and unwelcome. From dumb artifacts that can control the weather (and corrupt the user) to steampunk androids to a pod of selkies, if the Pinkertons were hired to investigate and dispose of it and it was in some way 'supernatural,' then it went to Goldrush. Now that the town's independent, they still have an entire warehouse district of artifacts and paraphernalia that doesn't officially exist that needs to be stored and managed, so the town hires a logistics specialist. Lois is a woman who's just looking to start over after a nasty divorce that was followed by the tragic death of her ex-wife. So she packed her bags and moved to Goldrush from San Diego in hopes of immersing herself in the history of the unusual town to forget her own tragic history. If only she could do her job without bumping heads with the (unreasonably attractive, built like a Valkyrie from myth and legend, frustratingly stubborn) town sheriff the new job would be perfect.

If you're picking up shades of "Warehouse 13" and (more subtly) "Mystic Bayou," I've done my job in selling this right.

June will be all about finishing CoE as quickly as possible (while still maintaining the quality I demand of myself) so I can clear the decks and focus on doing as much with Goldrush, CO during July as I can before I start releasing on Patreon in August.

I'm excited about this, I hope you are, too!

[asyouleft]

Thank you @ctrsara for the tag! I'm pretty sure I've done this one before but why not! \o/

How many works do you have on AO3?

96! But I have a lot of stuff on LJ that I never moved over to A03 and I recently discovered I put up a few fics on FF.net that I never moved over either, haha.

What’s your total AO3 word count?

1,249,703!

What fandoms do you write for?

In my fanfic career, I have written: Marvel Comics, X-Men, Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Supernatural, Torchwood, Stargate Atlantis, Marvel (Irondad), Heartstopper and a few misc ones in other fandoms.

I recently found a Boy Meets World fic I wrote like 15 years ago, so that's fun. Have no memory of writing it!

What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Five Time Faculty Members Had to Call Peter's Emergency Contact + One Time He Shows Up Anyway

Five Times Tony Stark's Fabled Intern Just Showed Up + One Time He Was Invited

The Hero of Our Own Story

There Is Always One Last Light To Turn Out

For We Are Bound by Symmetry

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

Yes, all of them! It's usually just a thank you <3 but I will talk to people if they talk back.

What’s the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Hm, I think it's If You Find That You Feel Lost, I'll Be Your Ticket Back.

What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

lol, I mean, all of them end pretty hopeful, yeah? That's the best I can do.

Do you get hate on fics?

On a few of them, yeah. People can think what they want, I know sometimes I walk a thin line when it comes to the "happy" bits or I sometimes make characters a little more unlikeable (I mean I consider it more realistic) but I sometimes get push back on it. Usually it's when I'm doing Irondad and they are like aren't father/son within seconds of seeing each other, lol. Opps, sorry I like realism in my superhero fics!

On Edge of Your Name, some people found Charlie unrealistic but I didn't think so at all.

Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Yes! Slash mostly but I've done het and femslash in the past.

Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

Not really! Maybe one day I'll consider it

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

A looooooooong time ago, someone poached a SGA fic I wrote and posted in, get this, in an LJ community I posted it in originally, lol.

Have you ever had a fic translated?

YES! Oh my god I was so excited, two fics of mine are in RUSSIAN. HOW COOL?

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Yes! Me and @royalhearthuff did a chapter in their, Through The Years Narlie fic and me and @brbrbeatrice are hovering around a Narlie colab right now too. <333333

I'm also open to collabs!

What’s your all time favorite ship?

Ugh, so hard to answer this because I have so, so many OTPs, lol. I mean McShep is always at the top of my heart, but Narlie since it's fucking canon and oh yeah Ineffable Husbands will never not make my 12 year old heart beat faster.

What’s a WIP you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

Hm, there are a few. I've got an Irondad that's a Tony presumed dead that I'd like to get finished but it's so hard to keep Tony Stark presumed dead and not escape wherever he's at.

I've got a Charlie at uni fic that I really want to eventually finish but I lose steam on it everytime I try!

What are your writing strengths?

I think I can do dialogue pretty well at this point, I think I've mastered the flow of it.

What are your writing weaknesses?

Everything else? Ha.

Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I don't, lmao. I mean, I have but it's only small things that I can google.

First fandom you wrote for?

I think it was honestly something like Rainbow Brite or X-Men comics, to be honest. I also may have written self insert Power Ranger fics and Inspector Gadget lol oh and Captain Planet.

Don't judge me lol I was writing fic before I really understood what I was writing. I just liked adding myself into adventures with my favorite characters!

Favorite fic you’ve ever written?

I dunno, it's so hard to pick sometimes. I really love my SGA Disaster It Strikes On a Daily Bases, for Irondad it's always Just An Intern and I think I'm obsessed with my Narlie, And You Know For Me It's Always You.

And I tag whomever wants to do this because tagging people gives me anxiety.

[ghostinthegallery]

tagged by @sarnakhwritesthings, fanfic writers 20 questions!

How many works do you have on AO3?

5! With more on the way.

What's your total AO3 word count?

160,802 but the vast majority of that is for one fic 🤣

What fandoms do you write for?

Warhammer 40k. It's just the perfect storm of stuff I love, stuff I hate enough to fix, and narrative threads underutilized enough that I can pick them up like a crow stealing shiny objects.

What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Lmao, I only have five but in order they are:

The Silence and the Storm- my magnum opus, my child born of spite, the title was too good to pass up, me just writing a novel with necrons because no one can stop me and also some of the robots kiss 💀

Some Inconvenient Insight- I finished the Ghazghkull book and needed to see what would happen if I threw Makari the lucky grot at Trazyn. Trazyn had less fun than I did.

The Warrior- my first 40k fic! What if necron warriors were sentient and one got stranded on a world with a bunch of ad mech plus a very determined Inquisitor. I love this little story, really helped me get a feel for writing in the setting. And there's a scarab who is very cute and helpful

They Will Never Call Me Weak- Just me dipping my toe into Horus Heresy and immediately being annoyed on behalf of my guy Vulkan. So I "fixed" a scene.

Sparring Match- my most recent fic. There is not enough Twice Dead King content!! Oltyx is my child, I just want him to be happy for five seconds.

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I do! I love my comments and chatting with folks. Letting everyone know I appreciate them ❤️

What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I don't think any of the endings have been that angsty? I guess They Will Never Call Me Weak wins, considering the fact that the rest of Vulkan Lives probably still happens and...oof

What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

The Warrior, I guess, but that's just because I love the idea of accidental necron socialism

Do you get hate on fics?

Luckily not. I'm grateful that i write in a comparatively small niche of 40k, which I think helps. People here have been great!

Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

I've written sex scenes as part of a larger narrative. I definitely intend to write some straight up explicit stuff as well in the future. The gay robot pron calls to me.

Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

Not really. I think they are fun, I just haven't had an idea for one that tickles my brain enough to write. It would take a lot tbh, one thing I try really hard to do in a fic is match the tone/voice of the original work which is doubly hard in a crossover

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not to my knowledge

Have you ever had a fic translated?

No, but I'd love that!!

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Nope. I'm a gremlin, I gotta write alone in my cave before emerging with damp, ink stained pages.

What's your all-time favorite ship?

Trazyn/Orikan (but Obyron/Zahndrekh is close). Outside 40k I have a lot of love for Catradora. And Griddlehark

What's the WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

I refuse to leave a fic unfinished. This is my sacred vow

What are your writing strengths?

I think I'm pretty solid at characterization and dialogue. Honestly fic has been great practice for those elements I feel like I've historically been weaker at. I also think I write a mean action scene

What are your writing weaknesses?

Editing. There is not a chapter where I don't find some typo I missed or word I wish I'd fixed. I lack patience when I want to post 😭

Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

Not something I'd do unless I knew the language or had someone to translate. Luckily it's 40k, everyone is speaking a made up language that I write in English for convenience

First fandom you wrote for?

If we are being technical, The Chronicles of Narnia around age 7. Gotta love those early self inserts

Favorite fic you've ever written?

Don't make me choose!! I wrote them all for different reasons and I'm really satisfied with my little collection

(it's probably The Silence and the Storm)

tagging: @sixteen-juniper

[amplifyme]

In a rare fit of self-promotion, I'm going to post a few passages from a Beauty and the Beast 4th Season novel I wrote back in 2012. No apologies here. I think it's one of the best things I've ever written and it makes me sad that more people haven't read it. I guess that's the risk you take when you write fanfic for a very small subset of a now very small fandom. I won't give away any plot details because none are really necessary to read this. It's simply one of my favorite passages. But if you're at all intrigued...

@randomfoggytiger you're not allowed to read the entire novel - if you choose to - until you've made it through S3. No cheating!

The Possibility of Being - Book 5: Never Diminish

Vincent was at the table in Father's study, a book held open in his right hand. He was looking down at the words, but they might as well have been written in Aramaic, for all the sense he could make of them just now.

He'd come here with the unquestioned need to be in his father's presence. Not to talk, as he’d summarily explained upon arriving and had then apologized for, but simply because. Father had listened with attentive concern and then waved away his appeal for forgiveness, taking him at his word and resuming whatever chore the pile of papers on his desk required of him.

It was the quietest part of the afternoon and Vincent had taken the opportunity to reacquaint himself with the study in all its complexities and treasures; its odds and ends and how, by tenuous threads, he was connected to every one of them. He was certain he'd opened every book there at least once; had blown or brushed off dust from and examined every knick-knack, statue, tapestry, candelabra, instrument, picture, toy and tool there. And it had taken him the better part of his life to do it.

He found an odd reassurance in the thought. And poking around the chamber helped keep at bay his increasing awareness of a pull; a calling that urged him to a place he didn't want to go. That was half the time. The other half he found himself more than willing - simply wanting to be done with it. But not yet: he wasn't quite ready.

Cognizant of Father's occasional assessing glances as he'd moved about the chamber, Vincent sensed in him a patient waiting, and as such felt no urgent need to speak thoughts he couldn't yet form into words. If the words needed to be spoken, they'd come in their own time. Father had always allowed him sufficient room and time to think over matters weighing on his mind. It was a gift, one borne of unconditional acceptance and love. A vast and expansive thing, yet close enough to be felt as comforting, protective arms.

He'd wandered up to the balcony and poked through the dusty and precariously stacked piles of books there, pausing as his hand passed over and then grasped the book of poetry he now held. This is the one, he'd told himself, without checking the spine to be certain, and had carried it back down the spiral staircase and to the table, where he'd settled in and begun thumbing through the pages, looking for a section of a particular poem. Having found and read it twice, he'd drifted from the clarity of the written words to indistinct thoughts.

Apparently having decided enough time had passed without conversation, Father casually mentioned, "I took a small group of youngsters to the Mirror Pool last night. We had our first lesson in astronomy. The sky was particularly clear; there seemed to be no end to the number of stars to be seen. Remarkable, really. Did you happen to notice, Vincent?"

"No, Father," he admitted quietly. "I'm afraid I didn't."

"Well, there'll be other nights and other stars to gaze upon. Ursula asked me to elaborate on the meaning of infinity, of a universe that goes on forever. It seems she, and most of the children in fact, had difficulty grasping the concept. I'm afraid I didn't do a very good job of it: they seemed more confused than ever when I'd finished. How would you go about explaining it to children that age?"

Father was wearing his teacher's face, as if this were a quiz. Vincent found himself ill-prepared. Nevertheless, he closed the book over a thumb to mark his place and tried to give the question his full attention.

"I'm not certain I can conceive of it myself, let alone explain it to anyone else. It's easier to imagine, I think, of all things having an ending. That, at least, one can envision. Everyone has experienced endings… and beginnings, as well. But forever… endless…? That is something we must take on faith… and not always," he sighed, "as easily."

He raised his head to find Father's placid eyes on him, his chin cupped in a gloved hand.

"And where do you suppose that faith comes from, Vincent, hmm?"

"I'm not sure," he conceded. "I don't think I'm the best person to be asking – not now anyway."

Father thought that over for a minute and then tipped his head at the book. "What've you there?"

"Something that came to mind last evening," he answered, closing his eyes briefly to recapture the memory of waking already joined with Diana, and of the lines that'd served as his thoughts until he'd stopped thinking and had only felt. "I needed… to see the words."

"Will you share them with me?" Father inquired lightly, feigning idle curiosity that was anything but.

Vincent's initial thought was to decline. It felt like an invasion of the privacy he and Diana deserved, this request to know what he'd been thinking as they'd made love. But that was silly. Father couldn't know under what circumstances the lines had been recalled. He opened the book, found his place, and began to recite softly.

Extinguish my eyes, I'll go on seeing you. Seal my ears, I'll go on hearing you. And without feet I can make my way to you, without a mouth I can swear your name.

Break off my arms, I'll take hold of you with my heart as with a hand. Stop my heart, and my brain will start to beat. And if you consume my brain with fire,

I'll feel you burn in every drop of my blood.

"Ah, Love Poems to God," Father said after a medium silence, one just long enough to allow the words their full impact. "Well, there you have it, then: your answer."

He glanced over, puzzled, and found a contented smile on Father's face. Vincent's brow furrowed as he looked him a question.

"There is your forever, your endless," Father explained, again nodding at the book. "Do you feel those words, Vincent? Do they… resonate?"

"Very much so," he admitted.

"Then love is the infinity of which you claim you cannot conceive. And the very same which allows one the faith to believe in it. So, is it true… or don't you believe in love as something infinite?"

"Of course I do. It's what you've taught me from as far back as I can remember. And what I've learned through experience myself, over and again. 'My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite,'" he finished, quoting Shakespeare - a favorite of theirs and a touchstone.

"Just so," Father heartily agreed, "but I also think the line that directly precedes those should be included, as well: 'And yet I wish but for the thing I have.' Ah, yes, and isn't that what we do, Vincent, as the flawed human beings we are? We always wish for more, not stopping to realize what we have may already be everything. As if the eternal things can measured, like so much flour in one of William's bowls."

Vincent found himself remembering saying something similar to Stosh when they'd met in Diana's loft several weeks past. And he wondered now at how easily the words had left his mouth, without the least thought of whether he truly believed them or not. Had such things become rote, especially since Catherine's death; a declaration simply mimicked instead of being certain knowledge?

But, no, that wasn't so. He knew it to be true. And yet something about the thought nudged him at an angle he hadn't expected and gave rise to other less contemplated and incomplete notions. Finding them vaguely unsettling, he put the book aside and caught Father's eye.

"May I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"If given the chance… if you could have Margaret back, would you? If it meant giving up everything else: your life as it is now?"

Father sat back and cast an appraising, angled look his way. His cheeks puffed out and he expelled a breath through pursed lips.

"I dare not even hazard a guess at why you'd ask such a thing, Vincent." That came with an eyebrow lifted in invitation to relieve him of the task of having to speculate – which they both knew he would most certainly dare to do, despite his words to the contrary.

He hadn't told Father that he'd be returning to the prison he'd left only days ago. He'd told him very little and meant to keep it that way. Though he found the silence hard, he knew it was for the best.

Judging by how difficult Diana had found his predicament to comprehend, he feared Father's incredulity would be twice that. Vincent was also aware Diana would tell Father - if and when it became necessary, if he himself wasn't able to, for whatever reason. He readily admitted the evasion was cowardly and the height of selfishness, but he was in no state to do anything about it.

Eventually deciding he'd get no response to his invitation, Father began thinking about the question, his eyes focused upward as though his thoughts were balloons drifting about the ceiling of the chamber, and he need only pluck the right string to bring down the answer. Vincent sat patiently as he could considering that, within, he felt as though he were spinning like the animated Tasmanian Devil he and Jacob had watched on Diana's television early one Saturday morning.

"It's a difficult question," Father ultimately decided. "I loved Margaret dearly, you know that. We had such little time together, she and I; and what I grieve most I think, as I look back on my life. But had things not happened as they did," he said, his eyes sweeping the room, "just look at all I would never have had. My home… my community. My family. And you," he said, his eyes lighting on Vincent and holding there, "you, most of all.

"Would I have Margaret back at the cost of the life I've built here? No, I honestly don't think I would. Because you see, Vincent, the love we felt for each other, Margaret and I, is a part of me and always shall be. I need only close my eyes and think of her, and she is here with me. So in essence I never lost her and can lay claim to the best of both worlds. One needn't make a choice where there is none to be made."

"But what if…" Vincent paused, finding it difficult to ask what he wanted without further muddying the waters of the conversation and piquing Father's curiosity exponentially. "What if you could no longer feel the presence of her love? What then?"

"Then I should think I'm not looking in the right place or hard enough." He crooked an eyebrow, vaguely amused. "Or perhaps, conversely, looking too hard."

"What do you mean?"

Father’s features shifted to a familiar, professorial look.

"Vincent, it is only when we try to grasp and hold the larger mysteries of life that we lose our ability to comprehend them: love; compassion; hope; death. One cannot hold in a fist that which requires freedom in order to be understood. Some things do not call for our examination but only… only our faith."

"That's an odd thing for a man of science to say," he remarked. Meanwhile, he was recalling Narcissa's words to him the day before: Do you truly believe such a boundless thing can be grasped within a fist?

Father shrugged, his arms lifting high. "'I am large, I contain multitudes.'"

"You and Mr. Whitman."

"All of us, Vincent," Father rejoined warmly. "All of us."