#I need to get through some character development so the cracky stuff I have planned for Paris makes sense

[i-like-turkey]

Chapter 8 aka The Return of the: Lesbian Processing™; Lucy’s really, really bad cringe worthy innuendos; and food porn is about halfway done at 5.2k words. I’m going to try to cut it down some, but this might end up the longest chapter yet  😬

[anthropologicalhands]

Ellie’s Works in Progress

Last year, writing was very intensely difficult. Blame the pandemic, stress, or just a natural consequence of my skills not keeping up with my expectations--no matter how I think about it, that whole experience just felt awful.

So it’s good to see such a shift for this year already. January was a wonderfully productive writing month, in so many ways. Getting back into YYH has really been good for inspiration, and I have all kinds of stories I’m excited to explore.

In addition, I’m ready to branch out and try different writing techniques when approaching stories, to see if I can find some new tools to add to my kit.  I also want to develop a good writing habit and keep myself accountable, and that includes setting deadlines and other things to hopefully see these fics all the way through. I’ve started using a word/work tracking document to catch word counts on different projects, through it isn’t as convenient for shorter oneshots, and I’m going to give writing posts like this a go and see if they help. 

Ongoing Projects

Yusuke asking Hiei why he trusts Kurama - ready for revision (might need rewrite) In canon, between the Four Saint Beasts Arc and Rescue Yukina Arc, where Yusuke wants to know why Hiei forgave Kurama’s betrayal. I’ve already written a draft, but not sure if I feel very confident with the characters’ voices because this was the first thing I wrote for them.

Hiei meets Youko Kurama in the woods during the Dark Tournament - ready for revision Youko Kurama isn’t really a character as such in the series, but given how Hiei reacts to the idea that Kurama has transformed back to full power, I thought it might be fun to see what a discussion between them would look like, because while I think Hiei likes the idea of Youko Kurama, I don’t think he really would like the actual manifestation all that much. Keiko and the King of Makai - ready for revision A widowed Keiko has a meeting with the King of Makai (aka Yusuke), twenty-some years after the series ends. I wrote it entirely in chronological order, instead of my usual jumping around between interesting scenes and then writing connective tissues. A friend is reading it through right now, and I’m really excited to hear her comments. I don’t know, it feels like a very me fic. The many dates of Kuwabara Kazuma - ready for revision  This one is just going to be fun! Kuwabara decides that the best thing he can do to be a man is to try and get over Yukina and date like a normal person. And, poor guy, it doesn’t go so well. I got some great notes back, so I need to do some revisions to make it meatier. Internally, I’m weeping a little bit, because it’s probably going to expand at least another 1000 words, but the story will be better for it. Kurama stays as a guest at Mukuro’s fortress - currently writing It makes me so sad that there isn’t much fic where Kurama and Mukuro just talk. Even outside of the Hiei question, I think they could potentially have such interesting conversations with each other. I’m approaching the main climatic scenes - I can already see how this fic is shaping up differently from my expectations, but not too drastically. Plus, Mukuro’s voice is very fun. It is, however, going to be twice as long as my original predicted word count. Hiei questions Kurama’s choice to stay in Ningenkai - currently writing A sectioned/fragmented fic about Hiei interrogating Kurama about the mundane aspects of Kurama’s human life, and how he starts to understand what Kurama likes about this world.    Keiko turns into a demon AU - brainstorming  Inspired by two utterly gorgeous fanarts. After one harrowing post-canon adventure, Keiko becomes a demon and everyone deals with it. Boyband AU - brainstorming This is my comfort AU - it is so cracky and goofy and ridiculous and based on a kdrama so I need to figure out what changes if the setting is Japan, but I love it so much. Besides, YYH has always been such a boy band anime, so I think it’s only fair. I have no idea if this one will ever see the light of day, but I love it so.  Soulmate AU - brainstorming, starting to write. Because why not. This is under the premise that humans have soulmate marks, but demons don’t. Given how many characters end up straddling the border of demon and human in one way or another, I just want to explore how that works even further. The Mystery of Minamino Shuuichi - outlining A third-party POV fic that rapidly got out of control. This one will actually have chapters (gasp!) and therefore needs some planning to even begin to have a chance to make it. I’m actually going to try a long-form outlining technique I found via twitter. I’m really interested to see if it will work with my own habits. At the very least, I love that this outlining style might give way to try writing more beautifully/skillfully, which is something I desperately want to try. 4th Makai Tournament Fic - nascent brainstorming A post-canon romp as all the YYH characters gather together nine years post-finale at the fourth Makai Tournament, and all kinds of stuff ensures. This fic is still very, very unformed in some ways, because I originally wrote a few short ficlet pieces and then realized that they were all part of the same canon and actually, probably part of the main story. Depending on how the outlining works out for the mystery story, I think I’ll also try that technique here, because I am terrible at plotting for chapters and need any help I can get!

On Hold

Telepathy AU - ready for revision One day, I will revise this fic and get it out into the world. Maybe not this month, but next month.

Writing Goals

Some stuff has come up in my personal life that makes me hesitant to put any February due dates on any of these fics, though I really hope that will be possible for some of the drafts I’m currently revising. Instead, I’m going to just push through to move along as many of these stories as I can and reassess at the end of the month.

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Hello lovely, I am incredibly bored as of late. And would greatly appreciate the best darn johnlock fan fics you have. Thank you

Hi Nonny!

Well, I’m currently working on a “Fave Fics of All Time” fic rec list (which may have to be broken up… there’s… A Lot™), but you know what I haven’t done in awhile? One of my “Last XX Bookmarked Fics” Lists! I think I’m due! 

Here are my last “Bookmarked” fic lists:

Top 20 Fave 40K+ w. Fics (April 2017)

I-J’s Last 50 Bookmarked Fics (June 2017)

Last Bookmarked Fics July 2017 

Now, here’s all the newest stuff I’ve bookmarked in the last few months, in word count order, as always :)

I-J’s Last 30 Bookmarked Fics (November 2017)

Whispers in the Dark by coloured_ink (G, 833 w. || Bed Sharing, Anxious Sherlock, Anxiety, Caring John, Spooning, Little Spoon Sherlock) – Sherlock has anxiety attacks. Good thing John always knows what to do.

Ex by Itsallfine (T, 1,248 w. || Love Confessions, Coming Out, Exes, First Kiss) – One night, in the midst of their post-case high and on the cusp of something more, John and Sherlock run into John’s ex. His ex-boyfriend.

The Cure for Snoring by Goddess_of_the_Night (G, 1,278 w. || Bed Sharing, Cuddling, Fluff, Domestic, Platonic / Sleepy Cuddles) – Sherlock and John spend the night in Scotland after finishing a case. The sole Inn in town only has one room left…one bed. This would be fine - if not a bit awkward - if Sherlock hadn’t developed a habit of snoring loudly. John suffers through many hours of sleeplessness before he discovers that skin-to-skin contact stops the noise. Part 1 of Dreamscapes

Caught by Salambo06 (E, 1,859 w. || Frottage, First Time / Kiss, Bed Sharing, Wet Dreams, POV John, Masturbation) – A hotel room. They’re here for a case, hadn’t planned to spend the night and ended up sharing a room. No, sharing a bed. Suddenly John is very much aware of his own hand closed around his hard cock and the ragged breathing next to him. Closing his eyes for the briefest second, John dares to turn his head just enough to confirm what he already knows. Sherlock, on his side, watching him.

Your love it feels so good by Hotaru_Tomoe (E, 2,843 w. || Gay Club / Gay Bar, Lingerie, Stripping, Anal) – Sherlock is last at a quiz night and is forced by Anderson to perform in a gay stripclub. John must be with him, because he will have to record the performance. Sherlock takes the task very seriously. Part 20 of The English job

Stay by msdisdain (M, 3,561 w. || First Kiss / Time, Angst / H/C, Bed Sharing, Nightmares, Blow Jobs, Anal) – John’s nightmares are nothing new. Sherlock’s inability to ignore them, however, is.

Christmas at Holmes Cottage by johnlockedstarkid (G, 4,295 w. || Christmas, Fake Relationship, Love Confessions, Holmes Family, Pining, Kisses, Fluff, Allusions to Mystrade) – Sherlock doesn’t want to have to deal with his mother’s wishes for him to find a partner when he goes to visit them for Christmas, so asks John to pose as his boyfriend. Little does he know he’s not the only one who wishes that the relationship could be real.

Forty-four by jamlockk (E, 4,415 w. || John’s Birthday, Fluff, PWP) – John turns forty-four, gets some advice and the best birthday present he could’ve ever hoped for.

a violent flash of purple by hudders-and-hiddles (E, 4,749 w. || Sex Toys, Friends to Lovers, PWP, Love Confessions, Porn With Feelings) – When Sherlock accidentally drops his towel, he ends up revealing a whole lot more than he’d intended.

Every Little Thing by the_beekeeper_of_sussex (E, 5,066 w. || First Time / Kiss, Fluff, Frottage, Come as Lube, Embarassed Sherlock, Porn With Feelings) – When Sherlock walks in on John making tea wearing nothing but a tight pair of boxer-briefs things get a little heated…physically and emotionally. 

Adjacent by weeesi (E, 5,711 w. || Bed Sharing, Fluff and Smut, Pining Idiots, On a Trip, Frottage) – Sherlock and John spend the night at a hotel in adjoining rooms, and keep finding excuses to visit each other’s rooms, until WHOOPS they’re sharing a bed.

Just a Touch by MissDavis (E, 6,248 w. || Bed Sharing, Masturbation, First Time/Kiss, Friends to Lovers, Sharing a Room) – John has trouble falling asleep these days. There’s one thing he can do that always seems to help, but he’s stuck in this hotel room with Sherlock and doesn’t think he’ll get the chance. How will he ever find relief and a good night’s sleep?

C. sapiens by patternofdefiance (E, 8,813 w. || Tentacles Porn, Magical Realism, Bottomlock, Anal / Tentacle Sex, Pheremones) – “A few weeks ago I would have thought you were impossible,” Sherlock begins, walking into the kitchen in his blue robe, and John – not quite catching on – wants to scoff and argue, No, actually, you are impossible, but then Sherlock continues: “But now I’d say you are improbable.” John thinks this might be flattering, if he could wrap his head around it, but he can’t – Sherlock is standing near, steaming his sun-baked-clean-sand smell, like the beach after rain, an alive smell, an other smell. It’s intoxicating, and John has been studiously avoiding it, but he can’t shift away now it’s so near. Now Sherlock’s so near. And then Sherlock ruins the probable-loveliness of his words and the definite-beauty of his presence by saying: “And by ‘improbable’ I mean ‘not yet scientifically acknowledged.’” Part 1 of Gifts from the Sea

Faerie-Touched by Blind_Author (T, 9,283 w. || Faerie AU || Fantasy, Magical Realism, Pining Sherlock) – In a world of sorcerers and magic, Sherlock is a Faerie-born and John, lacking any kind of magical talent, often seems a bit out of place. But he has a gift all his own…

Better Than One by Innerspace (E, 14,760 w. || Clones, Selfcest, Frottage, PWP, Threesomes, Clone Sex, Slight Dubcon, First Time) – Sherlock has created a clone; said clone is annoyed at Sherlock’s lack of progress with John and proceeds to rectify the situation. John is just going with it.

Everlasting by cypress_tree (M, 16,884 w. || Magical Realism, First Time, Immortality, Angst & Fluff) – Most lives end. A Tuck Everlasting fusion, in which the Holmes brothers have lived for a very, very long time.

Pleasure to Burn by scullyseviltwin (E, 17,863 w. || Firefighter AU, Firefighter John / Arson Investigator Sherlock, Slow Burn, Pining, Case Fic-ish) – “If you’d kindly stop knocking about in there and destroying all of my evidence, it would be most appreciated!” John groaned and for a moment rested his head against the side of the truck. Of course he was the only captain left on the scene, which meant he would have to be the one to deal with the arson investigator.

A Life Well-Lived by Kate_Lear (E, 20,121 w. || Original Male Character, Sherlock Woos John, Jealous Sherlock, Reluctant Bi-John, Past Abuse, Insecure John, Reassuring / Caring Sherlock, Protective Sherlock, Understanding Sherlock) – Written for this prompt on the kinkmeme: ‘John got scared off men by an abusive past relationship. Sherlock has to try and woo him while not scaring him off with protective possessive rage.’

Ghost Stories by SwissMiss (M, 22,256 w. || Pining, Holmes Family, Christmas, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Bed Sharing, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, First Time) – Sherlock’s parents think he and John are a couple. They might be onto something.

The Midas Touch by flawedamythyst (E, 32,231 w. || Magical Realism, John has a Magical Cock, Dub Con, Healer John) – John Watson has a medical condition that means everyone he sleeps with is instantly healed of all illness and injury. This causes complications when Sherlock breaks his arm, and even more complications when Sherlock falls in love with him. Yes, this is a story where John has a literal magic healing cock. It’s a lot less cracky than you’re probably imagining. Warning: Contains complex issues of sexual consent, although not between Sherlock and John.

The Soul Remembers by i_ship_an_armada (E, 43,636 w. || Oblivion AU || Post-Apocalypse, Movie Fusion, Science Fiction, Action/Adventure, Angst, Dreams, Bittersweet Ending) – John Watson is the lone security repairman stationed on a desolate, nearly-ruined future Earth. His dreams are plagued by a tall, dark-haired man, and when his dreams meet reality, he will be forced to question everything he believes is the truth about his life.

The Pieces That Fall to Earth by Itsallfine (M, 49,513 w. || S4 Fix-It, Epistolary, Love Confessions, Slow Burn, Parentlock, Past Abuse, Coming Out, Questioning Sexuality, Mental Health Issues / Therapy, Angst, Happy Ending) – John and Sherlock have hit rock bottom, but with all their armor stripped away, they can finally speak honestly, seek healing, and find the truths that matter most.An epistolary post-s4 fix-it fic. Now complete.(This fic is rated T except for one very clearly marked and easily skippable chapter, which is rated M.) Part 1 of The Pieces that Fall to Earth

Spare Change by Ermerness (E, 51,966 w. || Rich Sherlock AU, Virgin Sherlock, First Time, Alternate First Meeting) – The Holmes family is one of the richest and most powerful in England. Sherlock spends his time flying around the world on the family’s private jet drinking a lot and shopping at expensive boutiques as a way of trying to alleviate his endless boredom. His mother decides it’s time he settles down with someone powerful, wealthy and well connected. John Watson happens to be none of those things.

John Watson’s Twelve Days of Christmas by earlgreytea68 (M, 53,464 w. || Christmas, Holmes Family, Fake Relationship, Alternate First Meeting, Falling in Love, Fluff and Angst, Hardcore Pining) – It’s the holiday season. John Watson needs money. Sherlock Holmes needs something else.

Albion and the Woodsman by Glenmore (E, 54,437 w. || Post S3 || Parentlock, Pining Sherlock, Angst, Family, Drug Use, Depression, Sherlock POV) – Sherlock and John are devastated after Mary Morstan makes her final moves. Sherlock relapses at the crack house, John walks around the world … and a lot happens in between. Parentlock, in the good way.

You Have Drawn Red From My Hands by J_Baillier (T, 67,085 w. || Three Garridebs, Heavy John Whump, Hurt / Comfort, Pining, Heavy Angst, Case Fic/Adventure, Slow Burn, Sick Fic, Injury, Guilt & Depression, Just Talk Already Please, Medical Realism, PTSD) –  John getting injured leads Sherlock on a path of guilt and revelations.

Darkling, I Listen by You_Light_The_Sky (T, 73,254 w. || Fairy Tale AU || Loosely Based on Beauty and the Beast, Magical Realism, Suicidal Themes, Romance, Creepiness, Adventure) – No one who enters old London ever comes out. They say that the beast devours them. When his sister disappears, John ventures into the dead zone beyond the wall, and finds a brilliant madman under a terrible curse… Part 1 of Darkling I Listen + Extras, Deleted Scenes

Secrets and Revelations by Hisstah (E, 85,535 w. || Sentinel / Guides AU, Omegaverse, Aventure, Violence, Anal / Oral, Omega!John / Alpha!Sherlock, Case Fic, Politics, Mild DubCon) – Dr John Watson has some major secrets that he’s kept from his flatmate, Alpha Sentinel Sherlock Holmes. Now the Sentinel Tower is after him. Can John stay out of their hands until he can reveal his secrets to Sherlock? Part 1 of Secrets and Revelations

A Fold in the Universe by darkest_bird (E, 152,869 w. || Omegaverse / Prime Universe Crossover || OmegaJohn / AlphaSherlock, First Kiss / Time, Friends to Lovers, Established Relationship, Angst, H/C, Dub Con, Humour) – Alpha Sherlock and Omega John are in a relationship. Prime Sherlock and Prime John are not. So what happens when a freak fold in the universe switches one John for the other?

Performance In a Leading Role by Mad_Lori (E, 156,714 w. || Hollywood / Actor AU, Secret Relationship, Falling in Love, Slow Burn, Romance, Coming Out, Fluff and Angst, Pining) – Sherlock Holmes is an Oscar winner in the midst of a career slump. John Watson is an Everyman actor trapped in the rom-com ghetto. When they are cast as a gay couple in a new independent drama, will they surprise each other? Will their on-screen romance make its way into the real world? Part 1 of Performance in a Leading Role

[purrincess-chat]

Crackmas Day 3: Ships

So, you know how I said this was going to be a shorter fic for day 3 and I was hoping to catch up? Well, what I meant was it’s longer, and I’m still behind~ You all know what I am at this point. I’m extra af, so this one is like kinda angsty then super fluffy and then super cracky, so enjoy! I completely blame @queenkubdel and the minor character discord for all of this.

FF | AO3

Day 3: Ships

Max worked diligently for the next several weeks to fix Alix’s watch under Markov’s watchful care. He still wasn’t certain she would develop emotions like Markov, and if she did, would she even like him? The thought unnerved him a little, but he still had to try. Markov was his best friend, and he’d do anything to help. Even face Alix’ wrath if he ruined her watch.

“Okay, tighten this screw, and…the interactive AI should work,” Max mumbled busily to himself.

When the last screw was in place, Max replaced the backing on the watch and took a deep breath. Now came the moment of truth. If it worked, then Markov would finally have a companion of his own, but if it didn’t…

“Is she ready?” Markov appeared over Max’s shoulder, startling him a little.

“Yes, I just finished, but before we try her out, I think we should-”

“Oh, Max! I’m so excited! How do I look?” Markov asked nervously, hearts flashing in his eyes.

“Uh, fine, but listen, Markov-”

“Go on, Max! Open her,” He urged, but Max hesitated with a sigh.

“Markov, I know you’re excited, but we have to be prepared for the probability that-”

“For the probability that what, Max?” A question mark flashed on his screen, and Max winced.

“For…when she falls in love with you.” Max smiled encouragingly, and Markov perked up. “Let’s give her a test, shall we?”

Max clicked open the watch, and the small woman lit up the dimly lit room. She blinked up at them, lowering the clock in her hands and tilting her head to one-side curiously.

“Hello,” Max waved, and she trained her eyes on him. “It’s okay; we’re friendly. My name is Max, and this is Markov.”

“Hello, Miss,” Markov greeted shyly.

“Hello,” Her voice was soft and melodic, gentle, and Markov’s eyes lit up with hearts.

“I’d like to ask you a few questions to make sure your program is working properly,” Max said, pushing his glasses up with his index finger.

“Okay.” She nodded.

“What time is it?”

“The time in Paris, France is 18:47PM,” She recited.

“Very good, and who is the mayor of Paris?”

“Andre Bourgeois, father of Chloe Bourgeois. Ex-husband of Audrey Bourgeois, son of-”

“Okay, very good. May have to tweak that a little…” Max tapped his chin. “How do you feel?”

“How do I feel?” Her eyebrows furrowed.

“Correct,” Markov said.

“I do not understand the meaning of this question. Can you explain it to me?”

“Feeling is…how you are emotionally. Are you happy, sad, afraid, that sort of stuff,” Max explained, gesticulating for emphasis.

“I am not certain I understand.”

“This is what I was afraid of,” Max sighed, rubbing his temple. “Markov, I don’t know if she can develop emotions like you did.”

“Of course she can! We just have to keep working. I didn’t develop my emotions until the more advanced stages of prototyping. She’ll get there,” Markov insisted, sounding more confident than Max felt.

“You’re right, Markov. Thank you.” Max smiled then pursed his lips slyly. “Why don’t you help me monitor her emotional progress? Talk to her every day to see if she’s showing signs of emotional development.”

“I’d be happy to, Max!” Markov said excitedly.

“Perfect, now let’s get to work!”

x x x

Despite Max’s uncertainty, Markov never seemed to worry that Lady Kubdel, as they’d come to call her, would never develop her own emotions. Truthfully, it was cute to watch him interact with her every morning.

“Good morning, m’lady,” Markov said with a cheerful lilt.

“Good morning, Markov,” She replied with the same flatness.

“How are you today?”

“I am not certain.” This was her response most mornings when asked that same question, and Max was running out of parts to tinker with.

“So, how exactly do you plan to give her emotions?” Alix asked one afternoon, spinning around in Max’s desk chair while Max moped on his bed.

“I honestly don’t know. I’ve given her a modified hard-drive from Markov’s design, but she’s not developing them on her own.” Max rested his cheek on his arm over his pillow.

“She will,” Markov said with that same surety as always.

“Markov, I know you want her to, but we have to think realistically. Perhaps it’s time we pull the plug on this and try something new. I can build you a companion from scratch,” Max offered, but Markov slumped sadly.

“But, Max! You can’t give up!”

Max winced, burying his face in his pillow. Markov was counting on him, but he wasn’t sure what else to do. He was really in a tight spot, and the last thing he wanted was to let Markov down.

“I’ll try one more time, Markov, but after this, I think we need to move on,” He said decisively, and Markov deflated, electronic tears running down his face.

“Just let me know when I can have my watch back,” Alix said, standing up and donning her hat. “See you tomorrow, Max.”

“Later, Alix,” Max mumbled into his pillow as she left, and he overheard her greeting Kim down the hall. “I’m not really in the mood today, Kim.”

“The mood for what?” Kim asked, flopping over half-way on top of him on the bed. “What’s got you all down?”

“Max hasn’t been able to program Lady Kubdel to have emotions, and now he wants to give up.” Markov pouted, clicking the watch open.

“Good evening, Markov,” She said formally.

“Hello, m’lady,” Markov replied glumly.

“Max, are you really gonna give up just like that?” Kim asked, shifting on to his side. “That’s not very like you.”

“I’ve tried everything, Kim! I don’t know what else to do,” He whined.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Why don’t I help you?” Max lifted his head to cock a skeptical brow at him. “I will pass you tools and cheer you on and not touch anything important.”

“Okay.” Max relented after a minute of thought, sitting up. “It’s gonna be a long night. Are you sure you’re up for this?”

“I can tell it’s important to you and Markov, so I’m all in.” Kim nodded with a cheery smile, and Max felt a bit of the weight lifting from his shoulders.

“Thanks, Kim.”

Max spent hours flipping through manuals, reviewing his own designs for Markov, dismantling and tweaking the watch while Kim and Markov offered their assistance in any way they could. Each trial only showed that his work wasn’t over yet, and each time he resumed his tinkering with equal vigor.

“Pass me the phillip’s head,” Max requested as Kim wiped his forehead. “No.”

Kim stopped short, hand hovering over a tiny tool, and he slowly moved to pick-up another one, but Max denied that as well. “Okay, for the record, I don’t actually know which one that is, so-”

“Pointy one.”

“Got it!” Kim said, passing it with a sheepish grin.

Kim massaged his shoulders while he worked, fetching him water when asked and offering words of encouragement each time he failed. After several hours, though, he dozed off in Max’s bed, and Markov powered down for the night, plugging himself in to charge in the corner while Max pressed on.

“Hello, Max,” Lady Kubdel said when he clicked her open again.

“How are you feeling?” He asked groggily.

“I do not comprehend this question.” Max leaned his head back with a groan, pinching the bridge of his nose. Exhaustion wore on his brain, and he was officially out of ideas.

He glanced at his friend, silently recharging in the corner and sighed. “I’m sorry, Markov.”

“Are you giving up on your goal?” She asked, tilting her head to the side.

“Yeah,” He said dejectedly. “I am. It’s time I gave you back to Alix.”

“Very well. I will miss you and Markov.”

“Yeah, we’re gonna miss you-” Max stopped short, voice trailing off as he leaned forward. “Wait, what did you just say?”

“I said I will miss you and Markov. You both have been kind to me, and I do not want to leave here,” She repeated, and a small smile curled on Max’s lips.

“I did it,” He breathed. “Lady Kubdel, what you’re doing right now, that’s called feeling.”

“It is?” She raised her brows. “I do not like feeling.”

“No, no, no! What you are feeling is sadness, but there are other emotions that are more pleasant, I assure you,” He insisted.

“Sadness?”

“Yes, this feeling that you don’t want to go away is a form of sadness, but there is something called happiness that is the opposite of sad,” Max explained.

“Happiness?”

“Yes.” Max nodded. “It’s like…when Kim and I play video games, and I let him win. It makes Kim feel happy.”

“So, in order to feel happy, I must win at a video game?” She tapped her chin in thought.

“Not necessarily,” Max chuckled. “Happiness is what you feel when you’re surrounded by your friends or people that you care about. When you’re doing something that’s fun.”

“There are a lot of ways to feel happiness?” It came off as a question, and she seemed genuinely intrigued.

“Yes, emotions can take on many forms. It’s what makes them so complex. There’s no one way to feel an emotion,” He said, and she mulled it over for a while.

“So, if happiness is the opposite of sadness, and I feel sad to go away then would happiness be when I see Markov every morning?” She rationed. “Because sadness is something I do not look forward to, but I always look forward to seeing Markov.”

At that Max smiled, leaning down to rest his chin on his arms. “Yeah. That’s what happiness feels like.”

“I think I am beginning to comprehend,” She said with a smile. “I feel happy when I am with Markov and sad when I am not with Markov.”

Max chuckled quietly as to not disturb his sleeping friends. “He’s always happy when he’s with you too, Lady Kubdel.”

She pressed a hand to her cheek, a look of alarm flashing in her eyes. “Max, I think my hard-drive is overheating.”

“Then why don’t you get some rest. Markov will be happy to hear the news in the morning,” Max yawned, stretching his arms above his head. “Good night.”

“Good night, Max. I’m happy to see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah. Me too.”

x x x

“Max!” Markov cheered, and he became vaguely aware of something tapping his cheek.

Peaking an eye open, he winced at the brightness of the sunlight streaming in through his window and rubbed his tired eyes. Kim was still passed out and snoring softly on his stomach with one arm hanging off the bed, and Max rolled over.

“Not now, Markov. It’s too early,” He grumbled with a yawn.

“But it’s-”

“Too early,” Max said with a firmer tone, and Markov resumed prodding his side.

“But, Max! You’ve done it, my friend! Lady Kubdel can feel emotions, just like me!”

“Yeah, and I was up really late making that happen, so instead of talking to me, why don’t you go talk to her. Get to know each other. Teach her some more emotions,” Max suggested, hugging his pillow and shutting his eyes.

“You’re the best, Max!” Markov nuzzled against his cheek briefly before floating back over to the desk.

“What happened?” Kim startled, lifting his head and blinking sleepily.

“I’ve managed to give two robots emotions, now go back to bed,” Max said, and Kim settled back down.

“That’s great, Max,” Kim replied, and within seconds, his snores resumed.

“Markov, I’m happy to see you,” Lady Kubdel said with a smile when he returned, and Markov’s cheeks displayed a blush.

“I’m very happy to see you too, and I’m thrilled that you’ve developed your own emotions!”

“Thrilled? Is that another emotion?” She asked. “Max said there are many emotions.”

“Oh, yes, there are. Thrilled is like an extreme form of happiness, but it’s also mixed with excitement,” Markov explained.

“I see. So there are many kinds of happiness,” She stated with a nod. “Are there also many kinds of sadness?”

“Yes, and there are other emotions such as fear, confidence, calmness, anger,” He listed, ticking off his claws. “There’s thousands of emotions and millions of ways to feel them all.”

“Emotions are very complex indeed,” She said, sounding marginally impressed. “Can you teach me about them, Markov?”

“Of course! I’d love to. Love, that’s another emotion.” He blushed.

“What is love like?” She asked, and Markov felt his hard-drive heating up.

“Well…love is when you…are happy to be with someone, and you look forward to seeing them and talking with them and spending time with them. And you think about them all the time,” He said, averting his gaze from hers shyly. “You’re willing to do anything for someone you love.”

“Is that why Kim stayed up to help Max? Because he loves him?”

“Yes, Kim and Max love each other very much, and Max worked so hard on you because he loves me,” He said.

“I see. What is the purpose of love?” She asked.

“It brings people together. Just like there are many types of happiness, there are also many types of love. There’s a love you feel for your friends, a love you feel for family, and a special love you feel for someone very important to you. That’s called being in love.”

“Are Max and Kim in love?” They turned their attention to the boys tangled in a heap of limbs on Max’s bed, snoring softly in rhythm with each other.

“Most definitely, but I don’t think they realize it yet,” Markov said.

“I bet the two of them were thrilled to fall asleep after being up all night,” She stated, and Markov laughed.

“You’re so funny, m’lady,” He said with a cheerful beam.

“I think I understand love now.” She tapped her chin thoughtfully for a moment then smiled up at Markov. “And I’m in love with you, Markov.”

Exclamation points flashed in his eyes, his body stiffening before hearts followed after. “You are?”

“I look forward to seeing you and talking to you, just like you said. You make me happy.” Her gaze was warm and gentle, and Markov felt like he was going to overheat.

“I’m in love with you too, Lady Kubdel,” He said nervously, prodding at a crumpled piece of paper left on the desk.

“I’m thrilled to hear that.”

After several hours, Max finally sat up, wiping drool from his cheek and glancing down at Kim who had somehow gotten underneath him. He blinked a few times, still groggy with sleep, and let out a wide yawn.

“Good morning, Max,” Markov greeted, and Kim let out a moan, shifting slightly. “And Kim.”

“What time is it?” Kim slurred, rolling onto his stomach and hugging a pillow to his face.

“The time is 12:32PM,” Lady Kubdel responded cheerfully, and Kim let out a grunt of acknowledgement before realization dawned on him, and he shot up.

“Max, you gave her emotions,” He gasped, cupping Max’s cheeks in his hands. “Emotions, Max!”

“Yeah, I know!” Max grinned around his smushed cheeks.

“Max, you did it!” Kim hugged his head to his chest tightly, and Max squeaked in shock but didn’t protest. “I knew you could!”

“I couldn’t have done it without you, Kim,” He croaked, coughing slightly in an attempt to suck in more air. “Kim, you’re crushing me.”

“Right, sorry. Got excited.” Kim relented, letting him go and rubbing the back of his neck with an apologetic grin. “I’m proud of you, buddy.”

“Thanks, Kim.”

“Ugh, gross, if you two are gonna make out, I’ll come back later.” Alix’s voice sounded in the doorway, and they glanced over to see her standing with her arms crossed, leaning against the frame. “Are you two still in bed? It’s after noon.”

“We had a late night working on the watch,” Max explained sheepishly.

“Did it work?” She cocked a brow.

“Affirmative, Alix,” Lady Kubdel interjected, and Alix’s eyebrows raised, a smile creeping across her lips.

“No way! Max, you’re a genius!” Alix gasped, lifting her watch from the desk to admire it.

“Yeah…” Max rubbed the back of his neck modestly.

“Lady Kubdel and I have an announcement to make as well,” Markov stated shyly.

“What’s up, Markov?” Kim asked, brows creasing together.

“Markov and I are in love, just like you and Max,” Lady Kubdel giggled, and the two boys’ cheeks heated up.

“What? We’re not, I mean, I love Kim, but I’m not-” Max stammered before clearing his throat. “We’re just good friends.”

“Yeah, sure.” Alix rolled her eyes.

“Lady Kubdel and I have decided that we’d like to get married!” Markov declared, floating over to hover by the watch in Alix’s hand.

“That’s awesome!” Kim cupped his hands over his heart.

“Ugh, this means I’m gonna have to bring my watch over for playdates all the time,” Alix said with a groan.

“Let’s have a wedding!” Kim pumped a fist in the air.

“Can you do it, Max?” Markov requested shyly, and Max’s eyebrows raised.

“I’d be happy to, but I’m not certified for that kind of thing,” He replied with a wince, and Alix tapped her chin.

“No, I’ve got a better idea. We should do this thing properly,” She said with an impish grin.

“Meaning?” Kim’s eyes narrowed.

“Get dressed, you lumps. We’re going to city hall.”

x x x

“I’m sorry, you want me to do what exactly?” Mayor Bourgeois asked, looking at them as if they’d just grown extra limbs right in front of him. “Is this some kind of practical joke?”

“Nope. It’s completely serious,” Alix said calmly, and the mayor shifted a little.

“You want me to perform a marriage for your toys?” He cocked a brow.

“We’re not toys! We’re friends,” Markov said defensively, and Mayor Bourgeois held up defensive hands, nodding quickly.

“Right, but you kids must understand that I am a very busy man, and I don’t have time devote to such silly affairs,” He said, pointing them to the door, but Alix simply stared at him contemplatively.

“Fine. Can we borrow your lamp?” She asked, and he gave her an incredulous look.

“My lamp?”

“Yeah, when Markov got akumatized, your lamp was the mayor for an afternoon, and it’s only fair that a machine perform the marriage for two other machines,” She stated simply, and Mayor Bourgeois’ eyes narrowed skeptically.

“Am I being punked? Is this one of Alec’s new reality shows?” He glanced around suspiciously as if he expected a camera crew to pop out at any moment.

“Just give us the lamp.” Alix rolled her eyes, and slowly, the mayor unplugged it and shoved it toward Kim who scooped it up with a smile.

“Thanks, we’ll bring it back!” Max called as they shut the door on their way out, and Mayor Bourgeois sat in stunned silence for five whole minutes.

“Max, you’re a dork that knows Morse Code, right?” Alix asked as they made their way to the court room where marriages were usually performed.

“Hey! I’ll have you know that Adrien Agreste knows Morse Code too, so it’s not dorky!” He said defensively, and Alix stopped and gave him a look. “But yes, I do know it.”

“Cool. You can perform the ceremony with Mayor Lamp, and Kim and I will be the witnesses,” Alix declared, and Kim smiled excitedly.

“I’ve never been to a wedding before,” He said giddily, bouncing as they walked.

Alix, shoved open the door to the courtroom, and Kim found the nearest outlet to plug in their lamp. Max took his place next to the lamp, and Alix held up the watch as Markov floated close by. Clearing his throat, Max placed a finger over the lamp’s switch and began to speak.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to unite Markov and Lady Kubdel in holy matrimony,” He started, flicking the light appropriately. “Markov, do you take Lady Kubdel to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for faster processing speeds or slower, in infections by viruses and in health as long as you both shall function?”

“I do!” Markov said, hearts flashing in his eyes.

“Lady Kubdel, do you take Markov to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for faster processing speeds or slower, in dead batteries and in health as long as you both shall function?”

“I do!” She breathed happily, covering her mouth to hide her smile.

“Then by the power that was once vested in this lamp, I pronounce you robot and watch. Markov, you may, uh, you two are married, congratulations!” Max declared, tugging at his collar.

“Mazel tov!” Kim cheered, throwing a fistful of birdseed into the air.

“Hey, what are you kids doing in here?” A woman in a navy blue pants suit growled from the doorway. “Security!”

“Great wedding, but I say it’s time we run!” Alix suggested, and Kim and Max nodded in agreement before they all shoved passed the woman out the door and up the hall.

“Hey! Get back here!”

“Can you bring that lamp back to Mayor Bourgeois?” Max called over his shoulder as they dashed up the hall. “Thanks!”

“Hey, we never got to have a bachelor party for Markov,” Kim pointed out as they ran. “I vote we go for ice cream!”

“Ice cream sounds good!” Max agreed.

And thus was the story of Max’s second greatest scientific achievement and the wedding of Markov and Lady Kubdel.

[fourteenacross]

2016 in writing

2016 in fic! This looks SO empty compared to past years, even if it's roughly the same amount of words! Hamilton: i saw the whole story unwind (132,888) Opening Break (3,531) Remote Capture (3,483) Not Your Average Bear! (1,835) Ghost Included (we hope) (2,941) but i won't go far away (12,577) the constellations aligned (10,004) the air grows cold around me and you (27,268) a way to hang the sun up in the sky (9,510) we'll have to muddle through somehow (8,513) Ficlets: Lazy Day (924) Cryptids (1,904) John's Instagram (1,443) Skeptic Refuted Fan Speculation (???)* Apocrypha (aka shit I wrote that takes place after the stuff in the main stories that may be disregarded/discarded as the next three stories develop): For Hire: Ghost Hunter (551) Three Wishes (2,446) Ouija Boards are NOT ALLOWED (1,139) Reality Show (1,538) Star Wars (2,441) X-Men Alternate Timeline Movies: Who Needs Sleep? (2,535) Fifty Dollars and First Impressions (3,574) Ficlets: Alex/Darwin Bookstore AU (343) Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries: Phryne/Jack Fake Married (588) Grand Total Fandoms: 3 Grand Total Stories: 23 Grand Total Word Count: 231,976* * I haven't written the transcription of this ficlet yet and I'm too lazy to do it right now, so it's not included in the total. Overall Thoughts: Well, this is a very different list than it's been for the past five years or so. The fandom switch aside, I didn't post any full stories until September, just a handful of tumblr ficlets. I also posted two things chapter-by-chapter, one as a WiP, which--wow, reminder that I NEVER WANT TO DO THAT AGAIN, it's far too stressful! The bulk of the words are all in the same verse, and I'm not even counting the words that I wrote and haven't posted yet, jeez. This stupid universe. I simultaneously hate and love it. Writing an epic WiP in a new fandom was really rough. I'm ultimately thrilled with the finished product--waiting until it was all finished made me redraft over and over again until things fit together the way I wanted. It left me space to go back and seed things that I wanted to develop as I went...I really think the finished product is way better than it would have been if I'd rushed and posted it before it was done. That all being said, gosh, it was lonely. It was so, so lonely, when writing epics usually involves a lot of bouncing ideas off of people and letting them read and suggest as I draft and really digging into the process, etc. There were a couple of people who popped in and out, but life and other interests got in the way (which makes sense considering this went on for NINE MONTHS), and, man, I missed being able to text and IM people will story ideas at all hours and feel confident that they'd be interested in what I had to say. (For all the texting I do, I am actually super shy about it? I'm super nervous about initiating unless I'm 100% positive I won't be bothering the other person, which limits my texting confidence to like, my back-up bunnies and Erica.) Anyway, that's all to say that this year was a very different experience, fandom writing-wise, but I think I learned a lot in the process so...hooray?

Looking back, did you write more fic than you thought you would this year, less, or about what you'd predicted? This year I think my main goal was "FINISH PART ONE OF THE GHOSTHUNTERS" without a specific word count attached, so I succeeded in that part? Knowing me, I probably wanted to crack 300k at least, and while I'm sure I WROTE over 300k this year, what I actually published is about on par with the last couple years, so. NUMBER wise, I think I imagined I'd have a greater output vis-a-vis completed stories, but a lot of the shit I wrote was on the longer side, so. What pairing/genre/fandom did you write that you would never have predicted in January? Hm. Well, there's a lot more porn in the ghosthunters than is in most of the fic I've written, traditionally, but nothing really shocking. Most of it was ghosthunters words, so...yeah. I guess the Angel/Raven was sliiiightly a surprise because I figured if I had to step in and write some SM pinch-hits it would be all Charles/Erik stuff, but I really liked that story and I have shipped that pairing for many years so....not super a surprise. What's your own favorite story of the year? Not the most popular, but the one that makes you happiest? I loved a lot of the stories I wrote this year, because I'm super obsessed with myself. [[< -- I think I've kept that sentence in for the past few years because it remains true]] I really love most of the ghosthunters shit, but if I had to pick a favorite....idk, I'm torn between i saw the whole story unwind because it's so epic and took so long and I put so much into it and the constellations aligned, because it came so easily and I'm a total sap and it's a totally sappy story. Did you take any writing risks this year? What did you learn from them? Sitting on the ghosthunters until the first part was complete was new. Like I said above, that kind of patience and planning was difficult, but I think the end product was much better for it. So what I learned is probably "sit on a story for a couple days after you finish." I've always tried to employ at least cursory beta readers and done read-throughs after finishing, but the slower approach does actually lead to a better product. IMAGINE THAT. My best story of this year: Best? Hm. It's hard to compare i saw the whole story unwind to anything else, given it's length and the breadth of subjects it covers, so I'd say probably that or but i won't go far away, which deals with a lot of intricate emotions and explanations. My most popular story of this year: Okay, see, I wrote two chaptered stories this year and chaptered stories totally throw off your stats. Hit counts, kudos count, comment count...all of that is inflated by repeatedly pushing those fics to the top of the tags and having people come back for each chapter and all of that. Still, I'm p sure that i saw the whole story unwind was the most popular story? And I think a lot of that can be attributed to the above facts and also to the fact that it's the oldest and the longest and the first in the series, but...I'm gonna go with it anyway. Story of mine most under-appreciated by the universe, in my opinion: I don't know that any of them are! Again, probably because most of them are in the same series, but...yeah, I'm pretty happy with the response to everything. I remember thinking at the time that there was something weird going on with the hit count for but i won't go far away because the hits-to-kudos ratio was WAY off. There were way too many hits accumulating in the first couple days it was up, like, way more than usual, even though kudos were accumulating at the correct rate? It was strange. And I did feel like that one got slightly less attention than some of the others, but that might be a mind trick based on that weirdly inflated hit count. Most fun story to write: Hm, I got a kick out of doing the twitter ficlet, and I wrote the constellations aligned in basically one sitting, so. Story with the single sexiest moment: This is one of the few years I have a lot to choose from. I think John's slow, intoxicated seduction in the constellations aligned probably wins that award. Definitely sexier than the sweet and kind of goofy sex scene in i saw the whole story unwind or the contemplative one in but i won't go far away. Story with the single sweetest moment: Hmmmmmmmm. "Sweet" is kind of my whole deal, and I like to think there's a lot of sweetness in my stories overall. I'm going to choose i saw the whole story unwind for this one and pin the sweetest moment in question as either Alex and John driving up to Peekskill or the two of them talking after Alex's nightmare. Most "Holy crap, that's wrong, even for you" story: Nothing really. Nothing cracky for me this year. Story that shifted my own perceptions of the characters: I mean, this whole series has been a lesson in picking apart these characters and seeing how they tick. So. Hardest story to write: i saw the whole story unwind, for sure. Jesus, it took me forever to finish and I was entirely despairing during parts of it. Biggest Disappointment: Just that I didn't finish more, I think. Biggest Surprise: People actually getting so into the ghosthunters. I honestly didn't expect anyone to read any of these stories and to have a tiny group of people who seem to eagerly await each new part...it really warms my heart and makes me so happy. I can't overstate who wonderfully surprising that has been. Most Unintentionally Telling Story: I think there are a lot of places where I project pretty hard on John, or maybe it's that I use a lot of my own experiences to color some of his? We don't actually have much in common besides being gay and being depressed, and I'm older and (I hope) wiser, but, you know, mental illness is a deep well to mine for content. I'd also say I mine a lot of my Jersey shit for Herc and that Molly is the closest thing this series has to a Mary Sue. I'm not into science or math, but I am a cheerfully sarcastic fat brunette lesbian who spends a lot of time whining "why don't girls like me?" and as Opinions about pizza. Plans for the next year: I'm gonna say 300k published words next year. I'd like to post at least the next three ghosthunters anchor stories, maybe venture outside ghosthunters for Hamilton related shit? Pick up my MG novel again. Set a writing schedule and try to stick to it. Leave more comments. Try to put some more good in the world, because it's gonna be a shitty, shitty year.