#a few more of these scenes and I'll have enough for an AO3 fic ^^

[slava-the-stalker]

"If you two are going to the NPP," Piotr dropped on his designated spot by the campfire, "I need you to collect a few slime samples, and get reading from the magento-sonic -"

"Who told you we're going to the power plant?" Beaver interrupted, his spoon of chtchi paused halfway between his bowl and his mouth.

'Us?' Slava silently asked, with a raised eyebrow, as she pointed to Beaver, then to herself.

"Well, that girl you've been following for the past two weeks is going, sp I figured you'd follow her there too." Piotr replied, confusion slowly slipping into his voice.

"I mean, if you need those readings that bad,"

"I'm not going." Slava interrupted.

"What, too scared of the radiation, Monolith, the military and the psychic mutants?" Beaver jokingly asked.

"No, I know a tunnel that'd let us sneak in from the radio city,"

"Dygha?"

Slava nodded.

"The Union might have fallen, but the infrastructure is still there. Failsafe upon failsafe, escape route upon escape route," Piotr added, not without a touch of nostalgia for a time he never knew.

The topic changed to Soviet infrastructures, as Beaver trailed on about the some bunker by his place back in Kiev in between two slurps of soup.

"What we're we talking about anyway?" He eventually noticed that his companions were visibly getting bored.

"The NPP."

"And how I'm not going."

"But why? You love that stuff. Artefacts, fuckers to kill," Beaver insisted.

"Well for starters I need to do a cig run by Cordon,"

Without a word, Piotr threw her a sealed pack of Donskoi Tobak. She nearly caught it, and it landed on her lap. She examined the brown packet with a smile before continuing:

"And second, when people go to the NPP, be they good or bad, they start talking about the wishgranter. What would you do? What would you get? Who would you kill? Who would you sell? I can't stand that."

Beaver scoffed.

"You can't stand stalkers talking about their hopes and dreams?"

"If they had hopes and dreams they wouldn't be here."

"That's harsh. What about science, wanderlust, duty towards the people outside?"

"Not everyone has these same noble thoughs about science and the betterment of humanity as you."

Slava got up, pocketed the pack of cigarettes, and wiped off dirt from her jacket. She headed towards where she'd stashed her other supplies, and began gearing up under the slightly offended gaze of Beaver.

"So no data then?" Piotr pleaded.

"No. I'll leave you boys to it." She threw her backpack over her shoulders, with as much ease as her kevlar would allow. "But you might have a point about duty. Maybe you should pay that old friend of ours a visit?"

"Fedya what's his name?"

"Fedor Okeseivych Vorobev?"

"Hell, I don't know his full name. Yeah, the short bald man. He's shit at taking lead, but-"

The two men simultaneously scoffed at Slava's last phrase. She rolled her eye and threw her hands up in the air.

"Whatever. I'm not even surprised. He'd go if you ask real nice,"

"Like 'on my knees' nice?" Beaver asked with that half flirty half joking tone he liked to use.

"Maybe if we give him real good directions, he'd be able to go all of the way," Piotr added.

"I'll be in Cordon. Screw you both," Slava stormed off, presumably west, away from the marshlands.

[pedgito]

march is over and we're heading into tlou season which i am awaiting with too much anxiety, energy has been so low over here but i've been attempting to read on nights when i have some time. as expected, lots of pedro characters but a few additional blorbos that i've been obsessed with lately.

this key will help you figure out which fics are more your vibe, or if you’re just curious of the contents before you dive in:

smut = 🌶️, fluff = ☁️ angst = ☄️

total fics listed below: 24

✎ — 𝐉𝐎𝐄𝐋 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑

↝ a love so fine by @joelsdagger — ☁️, 🌶️

An evening in with your husband helps to quiet the brain noise. 

↝ little lamb by @chaotic-mystery — ☁️, 🌶️

You and Joel decide on the future of you two when he sees how well you mother the lambs.

↝ in the soft light of morning by @eupheme — ☁️, 🌶️

In the morning hours like this, the promise of spring slipping through the cracks of the curtains, it’s enough to almost make him forget. Tucking away everything he’s done, forcing it back down his throat and locking it away. Here, he’s just a man.

↝ brighter times by @gutsby — 🌶️ (DDDNE, noncon)

You’ve always been Joel’s favorite. Always.

↝ stranded by @pedroscurls — 🌶️ (DDDNE, dubcon)

Your car breaks down on the side of the road and a stranger decides to help you out...and you have no choice but to accept his help.

↝ be quiet, or i'll make you by @tobeholyistobeempty — 🌶️

The world ended in disaster. You’ve lived with that knowledge for years now, and you think you’ve finally come to terms with the kind of things you’ll get from it. Pain. Loss. Destruction. The same chaos, day in day out, just in different forms. You know that at this point you’ll be lucky if you survive until tomorrow; so you take it in stride.

↝ orange colored sky by @/eupheme — ☁️, 🌶️

A soft summer weekend is spent at the lake with Joel and his family

↝ nice and slow by @joelsknees — 🌶️

A quiet horny morning with Joel. Send tweet.

✎ — 𝐉𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐀

↝ the raid (+ steve murphy) by @toxicanonymity — 🌶️ (DDDNE)

A DEA agent finds you on a drug raid, and he and his partner take you home with them. They keep you locked up and make some changes in your life, starting with getting you off drugs. They share you and have sexual tension (at the least) with each other. You happen to enjoy them... But it can't stay like this forever, can it?

↝ that won't ever be me, bebita by @iknowisoundcrazy — ☄️

Javi and Steve go missing. With los pepes at large, you and Connie wait up and worry for your loves.

↝ the morning commute by @/iknowisoundcrazy — ☄️

In the midst of Escobar’s desperate war for control in Colombia, your morning commute is disrupted when you find yourself tangled up in his latest bomb threat.

✎ — 𝐄𝐙𝐑𝐀 (𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓)

↝ like family by @max--phillips — 🌶️

Ezra had entertained dozens of your fantasies and helped you indulge in kinks you’d never even fathomed before meeting him. You trusted him implicitly, with your body, mind, and soul. You could tell him anything, and he’d take it in stride. He’d never judge you or shame you (unless that was the agreed upon point of the scene, of course). He was older than you, more experienced; he’d seen everything and then some. The stories he told are part of what drew you to him initially. Despite all this, it did not stop the panicked fear of rejection from flooding you with one accidental slip of the tongue.

↝ more by @moonlitbirdie — 🌶️ (read on ao3, DDDNE)

You want Ezra to take you while you’re asleep.

✎ — 𝐃𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐑𝐊

↝ keep driving by @thundermartini — 🌶️ (DDDNE, dubcon)

An unexpected stop in the middle of nowhere for an investigation on a Halloween Festival leads to the scariest encounter of your life.

↝ because of you by @almostempty — 🌶️ (DDDNE, noncon)

You reveal at a party that you've never cried during sex, but Dave is going to fix that for you.

↝ good kitty by @sizzlingcloudmentality — 🌶️

Dave wants a cat but ends up with you. his favorite thing to do? letting the kitty drink fresh cream.

keystrokes by @mothandpidgeon — 🌶️ (DDDNE, noncon/dubcon)

You hacked into Dave Yorks computer and found more secrets than you bargained for.

✎ — 𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐋

↝ forbidden fruit by @/cavillscurls — 🌶️

Upon his return to Dorne, you give your husband a warm welcome.

✎ — 𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐓 (𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐘 𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐒)

↝ inescapable by @cavillscurls — 🌶️ (DDDNE, dubcon)

Clint always gets what he wants—this time, you’re going to give it to him.

✎ — 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐎

↝ don't give up on me by @punkshort — ☄️, 🌶️

Should you give up on the man you love when he disappoints you, or do you give him another chance?

↝ 30,000 feet by @yxtkiwiyxt

You meet a handsome stranger on a flight.

✎ — 𝐄𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐄 𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐎𝐍

↝ miss possessive (+ gareth emerson) by @gracieheartspedro — 🌶️

You cannot help but be possessive over your boyfriends...wait no, boyfriend. Just your boyfriend. Not his best friend.

✎ — 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐓 𝐌𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐎𝐂𝐊

↝ when he's the neighbour by @jolapeno — ☁️, 🌶️

Matt hears you through the wall.

✎ — 𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐄𝐋 𝐑𝐎𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐂𝐇

↝ late night visits by @stellamarielu — 🌶️

Somehow your neighbor is always finding himself at your front door hoping to find relief through casual hookups, but you both can’t deny your feelings any longer.

likes, reblogs, and comments keep the motivation alive, so if you’re taking a look at these for the first time, please leave a kind word for these writers or just reblog, even. support your writers <3

[eyelessfaces]

uncalled for

summary: you get quite upset when poe "saves" your assigned mission by giving orders to your teams without consulting you; poe is determined to fix his mistake.

warnings: (public) arguing, talks of the future; family and having kids

tags: gn!reader, angst, being parents to bb8, fluff, this ends up being real sweet tbh

word count: 1.7k

masterlist | taglist | ao3

updates blog: @eyelessupdates

(uh yeah I'm back if you even noticed I was gone lol. I might just post this and disappear again for a little longer idk but anyways I'll explain the reason whenever I'm back for good; I'm okay don't worry, and I'm still gonna post fics don't worry it's nothing too serious fr)

It causes a disruption when you both barge into the hangar; despite the constant clattering and whirring of tools and material there, both your bitter shoutings have been overlapping the sounds ever since Poe started following you closely, right from the moment you hastily jumped out of your x wing to try to forget about the awful management of your mission that would probably cost you to never get to lead one again. 

“It was my call, not yours” you affirm bitterly, voice dripping with resentment, your steps heavy and hurried as you try to shake Poe off but he is anything if not persevering, so it only manages to piss you off even more and fuel your frustration. “I didn’t need you to save my mission or whatever,” you exclaim, causing heads to turn as you walk across the large room, barely minding what is going on around you. 

“I did because I knew it would work!” Poe tries to explain, still heeling you closely. “I wouldn’t have done it if I wasn’t sure it would be successful” he declares louder than he needs to, thrown off when you suddenly stop in your steps, turning to him.

“So you think you can make decisions for me? You think I can’t do it, can’t command a mission correctly?” you rhetorically ask, revolted, sighing a profanity under your breath before you storm off again, your steps resonating with frustration. Poe sighs and winces before he follows you again, taking a hold of your arm.

“Babe come on you know that’s not–”

You stop again, your patience running short. “You had no right to encroach on my orders, I knew what I had to do, and you stepping in with your own instructions could have blown the whole mission up!” you call out, pressing a finger to his chest. 

It’s when you finally take a moment to take a look at his face that you realize it, what is going on; you are being the center of attention, the little show everyone stopped their current task to sit and watch, your every word carefully awaited by your unwanted audience. 

You sigh softly, taking a moment to step back from the situation. “Now leave me alone before we embarrass ourselves further or before I tell you things I don’t really mean just because I’m angry and don’t wanna talk to you” you hiss softly before leaving Poe in the middle of the busy room where he watches you walk away, helplessly standing there. 

When he looks around him, most people turn away and avert their gazes to pretend they haven’t witnessed anything, and Poe is well too aware of the tension still lingering in the air even as you exit the room.

When Jessika climbs down from her ladder after watching the scene from her cockpit, BB-8 rolls over to her and chirps sadly, having observed yours and Poe’s argument from afar just like most of the hangar after his master went running after you. She kneels down to the droid’s level, giving him a sympathetic smile.

“That’s gonna be fine Beebs, they always end up figuring it out somehow” she affirms as the droid’s upper part sinks in distress accompanied by saddened beeps. Jessika can’t help but smile fondly at him and his obvious concern, at the fact that he quite literally acts like you are his parents.

—

A few hours have passed when Poe joins you again; you don't notice him at first, having made sure to get focused enough on your paperwork to forget about the whole situation and try to ease the frustration within you. It's only when you put your datapad down that you see him leaning against the door frame.

“You're so pretty when you're focused” he smiles gently when your eyes meet his figure, causing you to roll your eyes and reluctantly smile at his words despite your lingering frustration. 

“I’m still mad at you,” you sigh softly as you try to hide your slight smirk, gaze darting back down to enter numbers into your datapad.

He acknowledges your feelings with a nod, his lips pressed together in a tight line. “I know.” he admits, stepping into the room. “That’s why I’m here” You look back up at him, taking a deep breath as you set your datapad aside; despite the fact that everything he did since you wrapped your mission up got on your nerves, deep down you only wish for this to situation to get figured out and eventually be behind the both of you. You join him in front of your desk, leaning against it.

“I knew what I was doing. I was handling it” you affirm before he even gets the chance to do so much as open his mouth.

He holds a hand up to slow you down. “I know,” he nods understandingly. “I shouldn’t have redirected the plan, I should have trusted you. I was just afraid things would go wrong considering how it was all starting to go down so quickly” he explains. “I know I could have fucked it all up, everything you put in place so the mission could go right” you slightly tilt your head to the side in agreement. 

“And I know my move was probably a lot more dangerous than the plan you had in mind to make everything right but you know I would never put you or our teams in danger, only myself” he declares with a concerned nod, causing your expression to soften. “You, never. I would never risk it, no matter what” there’s a soft frown over his face as his eyes flicker with sincerity, his confession making your heart ache as it hangs in the air before he talks again. “And I never doubted your ability to command a mission.” 

You nod with a heavy sigh, acknowledging his apology. “I should apologize too. I shouldn't have lashed out on you like that either.” you admit and nod sheepishly, reflecting on your impulsive behavior. “I really wanted this mission to go right”

“For what it’s worth,” he starts with a small smile, trying to dissimulate a bigger one. “I talked about it with Leia and she thinks you did pretty good” his declaration doesn’t fail to draw an appreciative smile from you, one that makes him mirror your action. “And she thinks we would work great together”

“And I agree,” you reply, finally feeling a weight lift off your shoulders as the tension between you begins to dissipate. “We do make a good team.”

Poe’s smile widens, relieved to see you loosen up a bit. “Yeah, we do” he agrees with a small huff, stepping closer to you. “I just hate seeing you so worked up.”

You chuckle softly, shaking your head. “I hate getting worked up,” you scoff. 

“I’ll try to think about it twice next time,” Poe promises, reaching out to gently take your hand in his. “I don’t want to step on your toes or make you feel like I don’t trust you or your judgment.”

Your fingers intertwine with his, the warmth of his touch calming you further. “Well I’ll try not to snap at you,” you promise in return, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze as you let your head rest against his chest with a small, barely audible sigh. “Especially not in front of everyone,” you mutter, earning an amused chuckle from him. You melt into his touch as he leans to press a gentle kiss over your forehead, his hand that is not holding yours coming to wrap around you.

It is only after you pull away from his embrace and leave a chaste kiss to his lips that the corner of your eye notices a sort of spy in the corner of the door frame.

“What’s he doing here” 

Poe frowns before he turns around, huffing out a laugh when he notices BB-8 peeking out the door. “How long have you been here?” he jokingly scolds his droid that fully reveals himself now that he has been caught. “You know he doesn’t like when we fight” he softly sighs turning back to you, a mix of amusement and concern in his eyes before he looks at BB rolling over the both of you.

You shake your head, unable to suppress your smile at BB-8’s presence. “Very sweet of him to be looking out for us,” you start, reaching out to pat the droid’s dome affectionately. “But maybe he should learn not to eavesdrop.”

BB-8 chirps playfully, obviously pleased with the attention, seemingly eager to be a part of the reconciliation.

Poe chuckles, kneeling down to scratch behind BB-8’s sensor with a fond smile. “Yeah, yeah, we’ll work on that,” he says before glancing back at you with a soft smile. “He's our kid, he’s been worried sick about us, weren't you?” he turns to BB, who's beeping frantically in agreement.

You glance at him, then back at Poe, a softness settling in your chest at the sight of them together, your little family. “Our first kid, yeah” you smile softly, heart fluttering inside your chest.

“First? Meaning there's gonna be more?” Poe asks with a playful smile, getting back on his feet. He raises his eyebrows as he awaits your response, and you both laugh at the sudden change of atmosphere as Poe wraps a hand around you before pressing a kiss to your temple.

You huff out a laugh at his quick jump to conclusion, “I don't know, you're a pretty good dad to this one,” you shrug.

“A couple hours ago I was dead to you and now we're talking having kids” he laughs into your hair, a teasing tone in his voice. 

“You weren’t even close to being dead to me, you’re so dramatic Poe” you declare with a small scoff, poking his chest lightly. “That’s the reason Beebs loves you so much” you tease, making him huff out a laugh. “I’d say we should focus on surviving one parenting experience first,” you chuckle looking down at BB-8, nudging Poe playfully. “But who knows what the future holds?”

Poe grins, his eyes sparkling with excitement as his arm grasps tighter around his hold on you. “As long as I have you by my side, I'm up for anything babe.”

—

reblogs and feedback are extremely (I cannot stress this enough) appreciated!!

star wars masterlist: @lockleysgrl @my-secret-shame-but-fanfiction @alexxavicry @mystinky-butt @anightshift @whatthefishh @dameronshandholder @campingwiththecharmings @mintgreen24 @spider-starry @jakecockley @cocodiem @spxctorsslxt @friedwings @luxisluxurious @stvnnie @dowbastan @il0vebeingdelulu @hammerhead96 @unear7hly

[fattummyt]

Halsin/Astarion/Gender Neutral Reader - Kissing Lesson 🌶️

Give it up for my 100th fan fic on AO3!! (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧ Plus I'm really feeling this ugly fine wood elf. You can also read it here on my AO3. 

Summary: Due to a pointed jab by Astarion, practically dripping with sarcasm that you didn't pick up on, you're led to believe that Halsin has never kissed anyone before. Far be it from Halsin to take advantage of you but Astarion is all too giddy to do just that. The two tricky elves lead you on for a bit of a ruse. Perhaps you're just too naïve and gullible and sexy for your own good.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading! Sorry if they seem out of character, I've never played the Baldy's Gape and have only seen the infamous forest sex scene and the ahem ... Drow fivesome.

Astarion reacted before Halsin, a glimmer in his eyes as his lips curled into a hesitant smile, continuing the bit. "You'd be so kind as to impress your lips upon him and teach our dear Halsin here how to kiss?"

Your laugh interrupted their conversation, "You've truly never kissed another mortal soul? I find that incredibly hard to believe, Halsin."

"What can I say? Kissing is an intimate art." He shrugged. "Fooling around is a much more natural experience. Primal and instinctual. Whereas kissing is delicate, learned, unnecessary... Or perhaps I'm just saving myself for the right one."

"Hogwash. Come here, I'll teach you how to kiss." You gestured him toward you.

Astarion reacted before Halsin, a glimmer in his eyes as his lips curled into a hesitant smile, continuing the bit. "You'd be so kind as to impress your lips upon him and teach our dear Halsin here how to kiss?"

Halsin hadn't yet responded, though his mouth hung open slightly as he stared between you and Astarion.

"Don't treat it so highly, Astarion. Kissing is just as natural as mating is, and holds no special significance. You can kiss another and feel absolutely nothing. I'll prove it."

"Do you hear that, Halsin? Y/N is—” Glancing over at the larger man made him burst into a fit of laughter. "You practically look like a tomato patch, Halsin!" Astarion laughed. "I didn't know you could still get your blood to flow that high given your advanced age. Do you need to take a seat, my comrade?"

"Hush, Astarion." The larger man muttered, brushing his pale hands away from its resting place on his shoulder. "I appreciate your kind gesture, Y/N. But we're only speaking in jes—” “—It would seem our gentle giant of a man here is far too humble to say yes to such a genuine offer from such a saccharine sweet morsel as yourself.” Astarion stepped forward, taking your hand. “Here, allow me to partake. Perhaps I can learn a bit from indulging in your sweet lips and tongue—”

It was Halsin who grasped Astarion’s shoulder this time, with great ease, shoving the lithe lecher out the way. “I'm afraid we're all aware of just how much practice you've had. In fact we hear your sessions with our fellow party members every evening.”

All except you, that is.

Astarion almost barely managed to recover, making it to his feet and readjusting his now messied blouse. “One can never miss an opportunity to brush up on our skills, I say.” He muttered, dejectedly.

“So you'd like to learn then?”

Halsin smiled now, a greater sureness in his voice as he spoke this time. “It'd be an honor to learn at your hand.”

“Enough with the dramatics, I'm just teaching you about a simple kiss, not how to wield a blade.”

“I'd care to witness that too.” Astarion muttered to himself.

You rose to your feet in front of Halsin now, standing just a few heads shy of his great height.

“Ah, your height I hadn't taken into account. Well, no matter.” You took to standing atop the tree stump you'd previously used as a seat, Halsin joining you there. 

“Kissing is quite simple, really. Your main concern should be ensuring you don't accidentally bump noses with your partner.”

“Luckily for you, you've no horns or muzzle, but these are all small details to take into account as they affect how you might kiss.”

“A muzzle, eh? Hope you aren't planning to turn into any beasts anytime soon, Halsin?”

“Not if I can help it.” Halsin muttered.

“Hush, Astarion! I'm teaching!” You answered back. “Luckily for you, it's quite easy as you have very slight and unassuming lips. There's less worry of messy or wet kisses starting out.”

He raised an eyebrow, a suggestiveness to his voice. “Is messy and wet unpleasant?”

“Not necessarily. Though, since you're only just a beginner, it's best to start simple.”

“A wise choice.” He nodded, staring down at you. “Though I assume having fuller, rounder lips such as yours, might make kissing more pleasurable?”

“The emotional connection between two partners is what carries the most significance. Lips, mouth, or muzzle. Physical attributes are secondary to that.”

“Fascinating. Please, continue.”

“I don't think this part requires quite as much verbal instruction. You'll have to learn by doing. Kissing is unique to every person you kiss, made better by small actions like holding them, or stroking their hair or some such—”

He stroked his right hand along your cheek, resting at the crux of your shoulder and neck.

You laughed, an awkward tension rising in your gut. “Yes, like that.”

You cleared your throat, “A few pieces of advice before we dive in, however, are to keep your lips relaxed and soft while kissing. And to lick your lips, to ensure your lips aren't dry.”

His tongue darted out across his lips slowly as you spoke, slightly scrambling your focus. “Y-yes, precisely that.”

Astarion had quietly and slowly maneuvered his way into Halsin's peripheral, hand resting under his chin as he watched with quiet intensity.

“Now, do you have any questions?”

“I'm a bit nervous, I'm afraid to admit.” Halsin chuckled, glancing between your lips and eyes. “Perhaps you could close your eyes before we begin?”

You laughed now, so pleasantly surprised by how adolescent he seems. “You're adorable, Halsin. But yes, of course I can honor your request.”

Closing your eyes now, you had trouble ridding yourself of the smile and snickers that bubbled out of you. “Gods, I feel so juvenile. I’m just… amused by this situation. Please, just ignore me.”

“That's no worry.” Halsin answered, his other hand stroking down your forearm. “This is quite unfortunate, isn't it? Teaching a man more than a century your senior how to kiss?”

Your hands rested on his shoulders now, steadying yourself. “You'll be fine at it, Halsin. Kissing is as natural as mating once you have the experience—”

A shocked squeak exited your parted lips as his mouth met yours, his grip on you tighter, firm, as his thumbs rubbed idly along your skin.

Astarion watched with bated breath as your eyes shot open, alarmed, before quickly fluttering shut.

Sinking into you now, he tilted his head to the left, capturing more of your lips he'd missed during your initial interruption, sighing through his nose as you fell into rhythm with his motion now.

Your nose was soft against his as you dragged your tongue along his lower lip.

“Like that?” He smiled in between kisses.

Your hands cradled his jaw now as he pulled you to his chest at your shoulders. Not an inch of space shared between you now as you both quietly moaned and giggled.

Astarion cleared his throat, tapping his foot impatiently, as you both continued.

“You’re quite talented.” You whispered into his mouth.

“Ahem!” Astarion repeated, snapping you momentarily out of your punch-drunken stupor.

“Oh—” You pulled back, only for Halsin to lean in again, capturing another quick peck before releasing you.

“It appears Halsin is a much quicker learner than he initially appeared to be.” Astarion trilled.

“Perhaps it came naturally to me, after all.” Halsin answered, his eyes never leaving you.

“Hmm! I believe I recall a naïve little birdie once saying, You can kiss another and feel absolutely nothing. I'll prove it.”

Logic, reason, and blood flooded back into your brain from your loins now causing you to make a sudden realization.

You gasped, “You hedge-born— loggerhead!” batting Halsin on the shoulder. “You lied to me!”

They both burst into laughter now, Astarion nearly doubled over in joyous revelry. Halsin did little to evade your continued shoves and smacks, save grabbing you into a hug.

“My apologies for leading you on. But Astarion's influence was far too enticing.”

“I mean honestly, did you truly believe a being as old and as striking as Halsin had never been kissed before? Surely you must’ve known we were taking the piss.”

“I have half a mind to blemish that pearly white skin of yours with a mallet.” You spat.

“Oh come now, there’s no need for violence, love. Perhaps I can initiate an apology with my lips?”

As you advanced upon him, you were met with the warm and gentle grip of Halsin tugging you by the hand.

“All jest aside, Y/N, I thoroughly enjoyed that experience.” Halsin’s brows curving, eyes in a half lidded gaze. “You're a talented instructor. And should you care to continue practicing with me, I'm always open to the opportunity.”

“Halsin, I—” “—If you do so, please do invite me! I’d be more than happy to watch.” Astarion interjected.

“Enough. Both of you.” You started, pulling away from Halsin's lingering grasp. “I'm more than capable of initiating intimacy without the guise of education, as you'll both come to learn, should you behave properly from this point forward.”

“Oh.” Both men peeped.

“I'm done with your shenanigans for tonight. Now I have some unmet needs to satisfy. Alone. Kiss each other if you must.” You turned heading back in the direction of your campsite.

The two sat uncharacteristically quiet for a moment, Halsin looking ever so dazed and dreamy still.

Astarion sat down at your abandoned stump now, crossing his knees. “It appears my playful meddling might have had some unexpectedly positive effects.”

“As much as I wish that you’d put your manipulation talents to good use, tonight I've made an exception. You’ve made an expert wingman, Astarion.”

“Shall we retire back to my tent for the remainder of the evening, beast man?”

Halsin offered his hand, helping the smaller man up to his feet. “Take the lead.”

“I always do.”

Read the fic on AO3! | Read more of my fics on Tumblr | Patreon | Website

[delawaredetroit]

I really love your insights into the bnha manga! was wondering if you had any fanfic recs! ^^

Sure. I'll share a few gen fics from ao3 I have bookmarked.

Candor by OwlF45 is the ultimate BNHA fanfiction in my opinion. I can't recommend their whole candid series highly enough.

Reconcile by whatagoodegg - Shigaraki and Izuku are put in a get along box after The Mall Scene and are forced to work out their issues. It's one of the best fics about these two as foils.

Parallax by LunaLucrea - This one explores Izuku and One for All in an interesting way in that it creates a believable situation to demonstrate just how terrifying it would be if anyone more selfish than Izuku had One for All.

That time I got reincarnated as a doomed side character by Gentrychild - (I lied, this one is tododeku, but it's not primarily a ship fic.) Look, I love the genre of someone going into a novel world and trying to survive as a doomed character. Someone is transmigrated into the body of Midoriya Izuku, who was destined to die as part of the protagonist of the novel Symbol of Victory's tragic backstory. He survives by making an enemy of the plot itself.

Awakening by Zyla_SweetBean - This is maybe the ultimate eldritch One for All fic.

It's a Wonderful Quirk by katydid - "It's a Wonderful Life" if it were directed by the past One for All users to convince Izuku to keep One for All. Bakugou seems to meet the grim reaper in all the alternate timelines.

A perfect cabinet of oddities by pastelskrulls - The vestiges trying and failing to pretend to be Izuku for about 10,000 words, what's not to love.

"Are you All Might's secret lovechild or something" by FallingNarwhals - Shouto gets a fever and connects the dots on the OFA lineage in his usual half right half wrong way cranked up to eleven. Uraraka encourages the chaos.

Hand to Heart (Right to Left) by Half_SubmergedinPurgatory - Okay, this one is a tododeku ship fic, but the author is clearly a scientist so their interpretation of Izuku's quirk analysis hobby and the function of Shouto's quirk are really interesting.

Am I the Asshole for Vaulting My Son? by katydid - This is a DFO one shot, but it's worth it even if that theory isn't your jam for the hilarity of AFO pov and for Endeavor unknowingly vibing with AFO's parenting style.

Be Enough by PitViperofDoom - This is a one-shot of Bakugou sending Shouto to comfort Izuku after the Shie Hassaikai Arc. The author really nails Bakugou's voice while making him more tolerable than canon in a way that feels believable to that stage of his character development.

[yayakoishii]

can we get some drunk love confessions from sanji?

Sober (Pt. 1) | Sanji x Reader

Fandom: One Piece

Pairing: Vinsmoke Sanji x GN! Reader

Word Count: 2k

Genre/Tags: Light Angst, Fluff, Insecure Sanji; there's a scene that might feel like dub-con to some but it's consensual from both sides– please read at your own discretion! ♡

A/n: thank you so much for this prompt anon,, I love drunk confessions myself so I was excited to write this!! I wasn't sure if you wanted the reader to be confessing or Sanji, so I decided to make it Sanji this time since I already wrote a fic where reader drunk confessed. I hope you enjoy this ♡

Part 2

also available on ao3!

The shouting on the ship got your attention from where you were playing cards with Usopp. Across the deck, Zoro and Sanji were fighting again. Even in the dark cloak of nighttime, they sure had the energy to fight without missing a beat. You sighed to yourself then decided that it would be better if you went over and distracted Sanji so the fight would end.

Except, before you had even stood up, the screaming stopped and the two were now stomping towards Zoro's stash of sake. You raised an eyebrow as you saw them sit down across each other, still glaring. You hurried over to them after telling Usopp that you'll be back in a while.

"What's going on?" You asked quietly to Nami and Chopper who had been watching over the two.

"They're having a drinking contest," the navigator replied matter-of-factly. Your eyebrows shot up in shock. Why would Sanji challenge Zoro to a drinking challenge of all things? "Zoro challenged him. And of course your lover boy couldn't back down."

"Nami!" You hissed at her, cheeks flushing. "Don't say that so close to him!"

Nami gave you a deadpan look. She still lowered her voice for your sake, "Sanji is dense as fuck. I bet all my money he wouldn't figure out your feelings from such a simple term."

"I'd still rather not risk it," you muttered underneath your breath before turning your attention to the drinking challenge in front of you. The two of them had already managed to down more than half of the first bottle. Illuminated by the lights on the deck, you could see the slight flush starting to rise on Sanji's cheeks.

The blonde chef could hold his liquor well but going against Zoro was probably equivalent to digging his own grave.

"This is not gonna end well," you sighed. "I'll just go finish my card game with Usopp. Are you gonna watch over these two or…?"

"They're paying me to play referee," she shrugged. You rolled your eyes and bit down the smile trying to come up. Chopper announced that he was going to sleep and to call him if something happened. You both waved him goodnight. Giving Nami a thumbs up, you went back to your seat too. Usopp was staring intensely at his own cards. You stared at him for a few seconds.

"You looked at my cards, didn't you?" You said flatly. Usopp's eyes widened and he started denying but gave up when you started shuffling the deck again. "Let's play one short game before turning in for the night."

You could still hear Zoro and Sanji fighting in the background, the noise just incoherent enough that you couldn't quite make out the words. You could tell Sanji was steadily getting more and more drunk as his voice started getting a little higher and shrill as he shouted. Even in the dead of the night, the Thousand Sunny was as lively as ever. The thought made you smile to yourself as you triumphantly showed your card sets to Usopp, finishing the game.

"You're suspiciously good at this," Usopp complained as he started packing up the cards.

"Be happy I didn't bet money on this," you grinned and leaned back in your chair. "You'd be a penniless beggar otherwise."

Usopp muttered something under his breath that you didn't quite catch. The day's exhaustion was starting to catch up and you decided that it was a good time to go to sleep. You had the early morning lookout shift anyway.

"Goodnight," Usopp called out as he left. You tilted your head up and down to acknowledge his words but stayed in your seat for a few more minutes. The shouting had ceased sometime ago and the low murmurs of conversation washed over you like a lullaby.

"(Y/n)!" Nami's shout of your name startled you awake from your half-asleep state.

"What is it?" You asked with a yawn as you made your way over. "Is their match over?"

"I had to stop them cause I don't think either of them plans to stop," she frowned. "I don't know about Zoro but Sanji would definitely die of alcohol poisoning if this goes on."

You laughed for a second but froze when you realised that Sanji was staring intensely at you. It made you self conscious and you automatically carded a hand through your hair to ensure it wasn't sticking out awkwardly.

"You should take him back while I squeeze my money out of Zoro," Nami winked at you and ran after the swordsman who had already wandered off somewhere. She was gone before you had even finished nodding.

"Alright, Sanji, come on," you smiled down at him, holding your hands out so he could stand up with the support. The chef stopped staring at your face and switched to staring at your hands instead. From your angle, you couldn't quite see his full face but the red splotches on his ears and cheeks were enough indication of how drunk he was. You waited for a few seconds. After a few beats of silence, Sanji placed his own cold hands into yours. You immediately covered them, trying to warm them as you pulled him up. The blonde must have been more drunk than you had thought because he lost his footing and nearly crashed into you.

Thankfully, you realised just in time and instead of the two of you falling on the deck, Sanji had crashed into your arms. Chests pressing, now he was the one looking down at you with a half-lidded gaze. The proximity resulted in Sanji's smell enclosing you, and you flushed at how one of his hands had sneaked around your waist in the confusion somehow.

"So beautiful," he whispered. Your heart was thudding faster, almost like it was trying to escape the confines of your ribcage. You nervously laughed it off.

"Alright, you've had too much to drink," you joked and tried to separate but Sanji's grip did not loosen. He always fought with his legs so you tended to forget that his arms were just as strong. Fingers spreading apart, his hand splayed across the small of your back. The cold touch over your shirt made goosebumps rise on your skin but you were distracted by the way Sanji's tongue was lightly grazing over his lips. The soft pink seemed to be shining in the light.

"This must be a dream," he spoke quietly, seemingly more to himself than you. You stayed still, praying that Sanji couldn't hear your crazy heart rate and that he would forget this tomorrow. (Or well, maybe he shouldn't forget this. You didn't know which option was more appealing at the moment.) "You smell divine, my love."

"Y- You too?" You squeaked out in panic, wanting to hide your face but your hands were trapped between your bodies, resting on his shoulders. Sanji laughed at your words– a soft, genuine, relaxed laugh that you didn't often get to hear. It made your embarrassment quell down and your heart felt warm. Sanji wasn't wrong. Something about this whole night seemed to feel hazy and distant, like a dream. He would only say such words and smile like that around you in a dream, right?

"I wish this wasn't a dream," his words sent something cold down your insides. "If only this was real…"

You paused and looked up at him. Pushing your body on the tip of your toes, you leaned into his ear and asked quietly, "What if it wasn't a dream? What would you do?"

You didn't know what had possessed you but it felt like the right thing to do, the only natural question to ask after his previous words.

"So many things I've wanted to do for so long," his words were still quiet, almost like he was afraid to break the tranquillity of the night. You stepped back and Sanji let you this time. His expression seemed broken and his eyes looked glassy.

You had never actually seen Sanji drunk. He had a high tolerance for alcohol and he usually didn't drink much to ensure he could take care of anyone else who was. (He always said it was just for the ladies but you knew he was secretly looking out for everyone even though he wouldn't admit it.) He never really cried in front of you either. The fact that a drunk Sanji was sad and broken was news to you.

"Sanji," you didn't realise you had cupped his cheeks until you had already done it. Something about that desperate look on his face had spiked an intense urge in you to hold him close. "Is everything alright?"

"If this was reality," his voice wavered, unconfident and so unlike the usual him, "you wouldn't look at me like you're doing right now. If this was real, you wouldn't be in my arms right now. You would never love me the way I love you and you would never see me as something beyond a crewmate."

Your breath hitched at the words, fingers accidentally pressing harder into Sanji's jaws. He didn't seem to feel it because a tear slipped down his cheek and onto your hand, the liquid trailing between your touch.

"That's okay," he blinked, a few more droplets falling down or getting stuck in his eyelashes. "As long as I can hold you like this in a dream… that's enough for me. I won't ask more of you if this was real. All that you give me is already more than I deserve. After all, for someone like me… There's no way you would fall for someone like me. And that's okay. Because you deserve someone better. But I'm so selfish. I wish I could keep you all to myself. I wish I could hold you like this in reality, and tell you how much you mean to me. I wish I could make you smile all the time and be a shoulder for you to cry upon on your bad days. I wish I could k- kiss you and tell you over and over… how much I love you."

It felt like a swarm of butterflies had suddenly erupted in your chest. The fluttering feeling was ticklish and you couldn't quite form words and you could only gape at Sanji. He still seemed to believe this was a dream because his other hand cupped your cheek. His thumb brushed against it, gentle and warm, no longer cold after all the proximity in you two. Before you could say anything, he dipped down and captured your lower lip in between his own, gently caressing it with his tongue. The sudden sensation made you erupt in flames, the blush reaching the tips of your extremities.

"S- Sanji," you breathed out shakily when he let your lip go to slip his tongue into your mouth. You wanted this. You had wanted it for so, so long– but not like this. You drew your head away before he could successfully infiltrate the warm, wet cavern of your mouth and instead gave him a flushed smile. His eyes still looked glossy but there was an unmistakable softness in them.

You would normally have told yourself that he was just drunk and didn't mean it. But there was a part of you that knew it wasn't the effect of the alcohol. Sanji was unbearably honest when he was drunk. His true feelings were what's making him sad. Denying them would be both idiotic and disrespectful, but you couldn't accept them either. The words he spoke weren't ones he had decided to say himself. He thought this was a dream.

"Tell me this tomorrow morning," you whispered, pressing a gentle and slightly wet kiss on his cheek. "Tell me you love me when you're sober. Tell it to me, when this is real and no longer a dream. I'll wait for you to tell me when you feel ready for it."

Sanji stared down at you, his eyes starstruck and in an expression of awe. The sight made your heart clench but you told yourself that he will do it. He will tell you his feelings again, when he is in full consciousness. For that, you had to let him go right now.

"And then we'll do everything that we have wanted to do for so long, yeah?"

°•❀•°

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Part 2 now available!

[half-dead-ham]

Tim Drake's I.E.F Ch.1

To all those new to this fic, Hi! Welcome! I'm sure you'll have fun with this since I'll be posting/updating the old update posts all at once. It's a lot, but if I don't do this now I probably won't later, so bare with me, will you?

[Ao3 chapter] [Masterpost] [Chapter 2]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Getting shot isn't the best way to start a friendship, but at least nobody died, right?

Gotham is dark.

 And big.

 And haunted.

 It would seem like the worst place for Danny to hide, considering just how many vengeful and sad ghosts there are. And yet, here he is, on his third month here after escaping leaving Amity Park after an unexpected and, frankly, embarrassing reveal of his secret to his parents.

 Needless to say, they did not take it well.

 Silently cringing at the images of the inside of ecto-proof cages and Fenton blasters running through his head, he floats on his front invisibly about his current interest in lazy circles as they perch on the edge of a rooftop. Red Robin, the first bat he encountered during his stay, and second favourite Gotham vigilante, (his first being Red Hood) was currently working on a case that revolved around a string of break-ins to large electronic stores around Gotham's commercial district. The contents of what was stolen didn't seem to have any pattern, but none of the security systems at previous stores were able to even glimpse at the thief.

 Red Robin, hearing rumors through his contacts of the electronic store across the street from them being the next target, had decided to stake out the place in hopes of a clue. The security feed was currently being patched through onto Red Robin's wrist computer as the bird watched silently for any signs of movement. A slight distortion caught Danny's eye and he lowered himself over Red Robin's shoulder to get a better look. Red Robin shivered at the sudden chill, but didn't look around like the first dozen times Danny had hovered into his personal space.

 It was weird, the lack of reaction. At the beginning, about a month beforehand was when Danny had first taken interest in the vigilante. He was bored of staying in the decrepit old building he'd started squatting in after the first few nights of paranoia fueled isolation. Figuring the best way to settle his nerves was a midnight patrol, he took off flying in a lazy pattern, first around his new house(not his home, not without them) and then around the rest of the district.

 He was just about to head back when he came upon police lights outside a small computer repair shop and curiosity, reluctantly, got the better of him. Danny, invisibly and intangibly as to not be detected, floated cautiously through the roof of the shop to see what had happened. He was not expecting to see Red Robin surrounded by four officers all huddled together watching—glaring—at the monitor displaying the shop's security footage.

 Seeing that A. There wasn't anything really bad about the place, like a body or any particularly fresh ghosts, and B. That his second favourite Gotham hero was on the scene had instantly made Danny much less cautious and much more curious. He waited for the officers to focus their attention elsewhere in the store and floated closer to have a look at what the hero, who was currently rewinding the tape, was so baffled about. Red Robin had just hit play when Danny came close enough for his shoulder to accidentally brush the side of Red Robin's head in a momentary lapse of his intangibly, sending the vigilante bounding to his feet in a defensive position, searching for anything close.

 Danny, in the split second between his accidental tangibility and Red Robin's reaction, had instinctively moved back and reasserted his powers for good measure. The video played behind Red Robin as he tensely searched the dingy narrow shop for anything that could have caused the cold chill and light brush to the back of his head, but even with the high tech sensors in his lenses he couldn't pick up anything that close to him, just him and the now three other officers in the building. His body slowly uncoiled, the fight bleeding out of him as he watched the officers inspect a particularly interesting piece of wiring near the entrance. 'Like a snake' Danny mused, before silently berating himself for almost getting caught by a bat. 

 Man, that would've been embarrassing.

 Danny was lucky he hadn't thought to switch to thermal viewing, or he would have noticed the massive cold spot just above him to his left.

 After that night Danny kept going for patrols around his squat house, and subsequently kept running into Red Robin in his case to find the ghost(ha) thieves. After the seventh time he figured it would be more interesting to just start out searching for the vigilante instead of running into him after the police lights directed him to a crime scene.

 An alarm from the store across the street had Danny refocusing on Red Robin's wrist computer. There hadn't been movement on the cam footage, but as Red Robin rose from his crouch Danny noticed one of the camera views where an empty display that had previously held a line of 60 inch flat screens not five minutes before. Rising and hopping off the cornice Red Robin toggled the button on his comm with an exasperated groan.

 "Oracle, it's RR," he paused and a woman's voice could vaguely be heard, "So you couldn't see anything either?" He groaned again, louder as he took a few more steps away from the roof ledge. "What kind of tech could hide someone from all the cameras in there?" Another pause, this time from both ends.

 "You think it's a meta?" Red murmured, almost to himself. "That could be why we didn't even see the goods getting moved," Oracle was saying something he couldn't make out, then "I'll try, but I don't know how much I'll find even if I can see them." Danny tuned out their conversation after that as another sound caught Danny's attention at the back side of the building. Red Robin was too focused on his conversation to notice or hear, but to Danny the hushed tones were both loud and suspicious.

 As he got closer to the edge, the tones became voices, all three deep and rough. He peered over the rear cornice to the alley below, and spotted three men dressed in all black loading the freshly stolen TV screens into the back of a nondescript white van. Two of the men were making their way to the front doors of the vehicle and were wearing large gaudy white belts and were shouting at the third arranging the monitors in the back. The half-ghost only had time to think 'well they don't look suspicious at all' before the first one got to the driver's side door and yanked it open. Belatedly realizing that they were probably the thieves the pacing hero behind him was looking for, Danny made a split second decision and dove for Red Robin's utility belt.

 Among the few gadgets Danny had seen Red Robin use, the tracking bug was stored in an easily accessible front pocket at the birds front. Rather than trying to be stealthy for the sake of him not being found out, Danny quickly made a downward sweeping motion with his hand to grab the tracking device intangibly out of the pouch. Only half noticing the full body chill he gave Red Robin on the process, he dashed back to the van of whose driver had just keyed the ignition and stuck the tracker to it's undercarriage in time for it to peel out of the alley back doors only just closing on the turn with a lot 'slam!' and into the dead side street away from the electronic store.

 As he watched the van go, he hoped that tracker had an automatic 'on' function or he would be down one piece of mysteriously missing bat-tech and up one very suspicious bat.

 Flying worriedly back up to where he had left said bat, he was greeted with his slightly panicked conversation with the person(s?) on the other end of his comm. "-I am not hallucinating! I just felt something go through me and nothing's here! I'm- no I'm not coming down with something Dick! "

 Something in the way he said that made Danny pretty sure he wasn't meant to hear that. Vigilantes and their secret identities, right? (was his name really Dick? Or was that just an insult? It felt like a name when he said it…)

 "I swear something has been stalking me for the last month and none of you will believe me!"

 The half-ghost flinched, realizing that yeah, he maybe hadn't been as sneaky as he'd thought in hanging (haunting?) around the vigilante, but after the first few reactions to his ghostly presence he'd thought Red Robin had choked him up to being some regular Gotham chill or something, only shivering before going back to what he'd been doing previously. Before anyone, present or otherwise, could say anything else, Red Robin's wrist computer beeped and pulled up a map showing the location of the -thankfully operational- moving tracker.

 A small "What?" was the only thing to accompany the deep frown as Red Robin lifted his gloved arm showing the tracker, before reaching into the pouch that previously held said tracker and pulling out empty air. Somehow deepening his frown, the bird looked around the empty rooftop, scanning for seemingly anything, before moving his hand back to his comm to speak.

 "Guys, I think I got a lead," he stated wearily. He was met with a few seconds of dead air before a flurry of voices spoke one after another in a cacophony Danny could barely even start to decipher before Red Robin spoke over them.

 "Something took my tracker. I don't know what has it but it's heading to the docks, I'm going to see where it's headed and maybe find some clues about either who took it, or. that tech."

 A distinctly male voice replied this time, and Danny could vaguely make out something about the tracker leading to a trap. Danny really didn't think about what he'd do after setting the tracking device, just that his core urged him to help. Internally groaning at his lack of planning yet again, he was surprised to hear Red Robin's reply.

 "I don't think it's a trap. If what I think happened, then that thing that's stalking me might just have given me the lead I need to bust this case open. And yes I know you guys still don't believe me about the thing, but I've seen and felt too many things over the past month not to think something's keeping tabs on me." He started to make hand gestures around halfway through his rant, ending off with a grumble at the notion of invisible teens' currently unknown presence. He heard one more voice speaking up in a cautious tone before the vigilante raised his hand again to the comm. With a reassuring sounding "will do" he switched off his comms and headed to the fire escape off the side of the building and to his bike parked a few streets over.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   The docks, Danny thought, were both more haunted and quieter than Amity's, and that somehow made them even creepier.

 While keeping up with Red Robin's ninja-like movements through the maze of Gotham's harbour he had spotted no less than fifteen ghosts of various power levels and forms, ranging from the usual blobs to some very concerning looking business men in drenched suits.

 Coming up on the location of the tracker Danny placed on the thieves van, they came to a warehouse that was a lot less dead than the ones beside it. Creeping up to an adjacent roof Danny could spot three guards, likely armed if their postures were anything to go by. Red Robin surveyed the perimeter before finding an open window on the second floor. He studied the opening for a few minutes to confirm whether or not there was anyone in the room, then pulled out his grapple and shot it at the overhang of the building just above it, sailing through the small hole with practiced grace.

 'Most of the batclan could probably take flight really easily… A bat that could actually fly, now that would be terrifying.' The intrusive thought couldn't escape Danny as he floated through the wall behind the bird, watching as he took a roll and came up in -from what the half-ghost could tell- a perfect defensive crouch. Red Robin checked the room for any cameras before creeping over to the doorway, the door itself having most likely been lost to vagrants a long time ago. With no one in the corridor -though with the other doorways having actual doors it was hard to tell- the vigilante stalked towards the open end, presumably where the office portion ends and the warehouse properly 'begins'.

 Red Robin stopped just short of where the office hallway met a grated catwalk that overlooked about two thirds of the warehouse below. Though it must not have been originally, the office space was held aloft by solid yet bare I-beams that jutted from the concrete below. Remnants of walls in the form of gypsum dust and water stains were all that proved the existence of a previously blocked off section to a now open space. The open space, of course, held pallets and pallets of stolen electrical equipment; TV's, computers, stereo systems, just to name a few that Danny could see. Along the wall to his right he could see the van he'd tagged with Red Robins tracer, along with two other vehicles of similar make to the one they followed. The first van currently had its rear doors wide open as four men in all black unloaded the monitors into a waiting palette for… storage? It was hard for Danny to say, but by the way the vigilante slightly below him gasped -silently, he noted absently- they had found the mother-load.

 There were more guys than just the ones unloading the van, obviously. They seemed to keep in groups, but in total there were maybe thirty of them, the ghost boy guessed. All of them had some small firearm on them, about half some visible melee weapon, and all had the same Bad Guy™ wardrobe of black long sleeves and pants.

 A good few had those garish white belts on, Danny had noticed due to the fact they stick out like the belt on his HAZMAT, though for different reasons. The goons that wore them didn't unload the goods with the ones who didn't have them, suggesting they had a different job in this operation.

 Red Robin was taking all this in just as much as he was, watching the men at work as they catalogued the new additions to a collection that clearly went further than just the department store robberies. 'Maybe they break into houses too?' Danny had to assume that because how else would you get a literal mound of cellphones and tablets without some good ol' B&E?

 You can't, that's how.

 Both Danny and Red Robin were too captivated by the floor below they weren't paying attention to the floor they were on. Specifically, they didn't notice the goon slip out from one of the offices they had neglected to check beforehand. He didn't see them—really just Red Robin, Danny was still invisible—immediately, but as the bird didn't turn around immediately the thug took the chance to take out his weapon—a short lead pipe in this case—and slunk towards the bird and ghost duo as silently his black converse could.

 Danny heard a scuff a second before the guy behind them took a swing—straight at the back of Red Robin's head. Thank the ancients so did he, swivelling on the ball of his left foot and kicking out with his right, sweeping the thugs legs and sending him face first into the catwalk grate with his momentum. As he landed though, he let go of his pipe.

 Which fell to the floor below.

 Which in turn alerted everyone to what was happening just above their heads.

 Danny metaphorically held his breath (not literally, he didn't need to breathe as a ghost) as, as one, the entire warehouse snapped to look in the direction of the loud clang! and eventually the bird in the rafters. Many rushed to unholster their firearms before shooting at the vigilante.

 Red Robin cursed and sprinted back the way he came, into the vacant room and back out the window to the opposing roof with his grapple. Behind them shouting and more gunshots could be heard, leaving Danny's ears ringing as the mob of thugs spilled out of the warehouse in pursuit of the rooftop runner.

 Danny had to resist the urge to put up a shield to aid the bird in his escape, his core screaming at him protect protect protect! As bullets whizzed by them in the leaps Red Robin took between corrugated rooftops. He deflected as many as he could without being obvious, but due to that a few found their marks, the first one in Red Robin's upper right arm, another grazing his left cheek to the bridge of his nose, and the final one getting through his body armour and through his lower left side, exiting through his chest.

 The last bullet made Red Robin yelp in pain, losing focus of his landing position and slipping on a slick spot on the next roof. His legs went out from under him and though he tried to find something, anything to hold onto, the strain had his right arm weakening, and with a look of terror, he fell.

 Protect protect protect protect protect pr̵̟̬̬͕̼̜̪̞̊̓͗̊͌͆͠͝ͅo̷̦̟̥̠͉̘͕͛̎͛͝ͅṱ̷̼͔̘̩̆ě̴̗̱͍̤̣̻̯̹̇̍̄c̶̡̤͔̫̠̲̍͋́͐̀͂̕͝t̵͚̟͓̔͐̏͊̈́̕ ̶̘͈͙̻̦̫̱͑̂p̴̧̩͚̝̲͓̜̰͑̅́̉̈́͛͝r̵̨̛̘̕ǒ̷̧̰̟͖͓̳̘̮̓̊̈́͗̉t̵̢͙̝̰͍̗̪̀͛ͅḛ̵͖͎̭̹̾́̀͋͘ç̵̭̭̫̥̭͎͚̯͌̌̀̾ṯ̵̤̪̟̙̹̂̓́̊͛̐̓͘̕͜ ̵͙͈̟͆̀̍̆p̸̡̛̙͎̖̭̐̆̈́̇̏ṙ̸̘̗̪͖̂̽̉́̕o̶̝̬̔̅̈́͑̃t̷̨̧̛̖̘̩̩͇̺̀̔͋̈́́̄̈́͝ȅ̴̞̗͗̂͂͂̉̚c̶̛̥̹̃̃̓̐̽ṯ̶͎̈́͂̈͐̎́͒͝!̶̥̇̄̈̓̈́͗̀͝͠

 Before he knew what he was doing, Danny dove for Red Robin, catching him by the wrist not five feet from the very hard, very solid, concrete pavement below them. He lowered the vigilante down gently, his legs not supporting him due to shock of not going splat. (or possibly due to trauma and blood loss.) Danny only let go when Red Robin was firmly sitting on the ground, back to the adjacent wall and unharmed -other injuries notwithstanding- and turned to the rapidly approaching thunder of footsteps as the goons came running at them.

 Dropping his invisibility, Danny put a shield around the prone teen behind him. Better not to have him get worse due to some stray bullets while he was being protected.

 Why wasn't he taking the injured vigilante and getting the hell outta dodge to somewhere safe? Well that's because he was angry. He was angry they hurt something that was his. They would pay for hurting something he was protecting.

 And so, as the mob of goons came at the two teens, Danny, for lack of a better term, unfolded.

 A multitude of eyes and teeth and claws came gnashing and snarling outwards in a cloud of frozen shadow at the gang, causing many to panic and either shoot or flee. Some of the ones shooting shot the ones trying to get away, and the buildup of panic and screams and fear��had Danny cackling in static echos as he gouged and disarmed and covered the mob in his nebulous mass. He never injured enough to kill, but enough to make sure that if they weren't carried away that they'd need a while to recover.

 As the stars that were his teeth and nails stopped flashing in blows delivered Danny adjusted himself back to his usual state, teeth only slightly sharp and claws firmly under the white of his HAZMAT gloves. Satisfied at seeing no man left behind was a code the thugs stood by, Danny turned back to the glowing dome that housed his vigilante.

 (No, not his, he can't own someone.)

 Red Robin was still in the same spot, which is good. He was also unconscious, which is less good. Gingerly, Danny put two fingers to the bird's neck, looking for and finding a pulse that while strong, was erratic and fast. He would bleed out without immediate attention, and it would be a bad idea to try and carry him to the nearest hospital for multiple reasons. Cursing, he took off his left glove and wrapped it under Red Robin's armpit, knotting it tight for a makeshift tourniquet. Trying to assess a chest wound with only the surface knowledge he knows from patching himself up would be disastrous, so from the small interdimensional space that held his possessions while in ghost form he pulled out his to-go med kit. Thankfully he hasn't needed it all that much since he got to Gotham, leaving much of the more heavy duty supplies for cases of emergency—cases like these. He takes the antibacterial spray and applies a generous amount to both the entry and exit wound, then seals both with his ghostly ice and wraps his torso in bandages. Debating on whether or not it was better to dress the cut on the fainted teens face, the need to respect his privacy won out and applied some gauze with a hint of frost to keep it on and to prevent infection.

 While not entirely satisfied with his handywork he knows the ice mixed with the spray will kill anything off except the bird himself, he focuses on the hard part.

 Telling the bats.

 He knows he has to. But the fear of them trying to look into him has him hesitating. His core thrums loud in his chest, urging him to help, protect your human, protect and the fear recedes for a moment. Before it can come back Danny pulls Red Robin's comm out of his ear and holds it over his own. Taking a fortifying breath he technically doesn't need he pressed the button on the earpiece and breathed out a nervous "H-hello?"

 "RR, status report." The female voice he recognized as hearing before, Oracle, comes over the comm instantly.

 "Uhhh, bird down?" He hadn't seen a code used for when a bat needs immediate assistance. He could've at least tried to sound more confident.

 "... Who are you and how did you get Red Robins' communicator?" Anand that just sent her on high alert, great going Fenton.

 Ignoring the question and putting a little more bravado in his voice he states "listen, Red Robin has been shot and needs medical assistance. I've patched him up but he's unconscious and might be in shock. One of you bats needs to get down to the docks and help him."

 The line was dead for a moment before another voice—was it Dick—came on the line to answer.

 "I'm on route to the docks now, tell me where he is and we'll see what happens to you."

 Relief flooded through Danny despite the thinly veiled threat and he quickly rattled off their coordinates, noting in between which warehouses they were in before turning off the comm and placing it in its original position.

 He stayed to make sure Red Robin was safe until he heard the silent hum of Nightwing's electric motorbike. Turning invisible he watched the older vigilante rush to check over Red Robin's wounds, make a comment into his comms, then turned his head to search for the one who patched him up.

 Giving up quickly he picked up his fainted younger bridal style and carried him over to his bike, placing him on the front with him just behind him to secure him. Then they were off, speeding to Danny didn't know where, probably the bat cave? He was about to head home when the thrum from his core gave him pause. It still needed to know Red Robin was safe, still calling to protect, even if there was no danger. Trying to ignore it would just make the thrum turn to a burn, so reluctantly Danny sped off to follow Nightwing and his (no, not his) Red Robin.

 'This is going to end either very well, or very badly…' Was all he could think.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Next][Ao3]

[khimeaarts]

Dc x dc (detective conan)

Idk I'm just super into the idea of edogawa conan in Gotham and yk have interesting dynamics and situations with batfam. I know I've read one in ao3 (but that's just one really good fic, ofc we need more ;_;) I'd like to do it but I just feel like I won't do it justice ksgsjsjshs my lacking English vocabulary is the main reason but anyways here's what I thought:

--------

Damian suddenly witnessed a much younger kid accurately kick a ball to a mugger's head, leaving them unconscious---

Person being robbed: huh? W-what?

Conan: (gets closer) are you alright? (He's got a little accent, Damian noticed, Japanese?)

PBR: (shooked, an understatement) Did YOU do that kiddo?

Conan: (acts nonchalant) I practiced a lot from watching TV (rubs the back of his head) Anyways, here's your bag, erm, my dad is just waiting on the other side of the street. I'll be going now ^^ (immediately escapes with his lil legs 🐧)

PBR: But... (is still very confused)

Damian (intrigued) follows the kid. He then finds out kid's dad was a lie and obviously alone in crime alley. Damian is mostly curious about the boy's unnatural skills and knew there was something really strange about this... and so the stalking begins:

In the stalking phase, Damian finds out a few or a number of things.

The boy is lost and is smart and strategic in finding his way and information.

The boy knows how to be covert. He sticks to the shadows, mostly avoid suspicious people, unless they're about to steal or hurt someone.

Ofc, he's got a hero savior complex. No surprise there. Damian was sure the kid would definitely bite more than he could chew just a little more meddling he's going to make. Good thing Damian was there to interfere if or when that time comes.

Yup. The time did come. After the kid solved a sudden murder case that just so happens to be commissioner Gordon's jurisdiction. The boy successfully sneaked around the crime scene and gave his proper and concrete deduction to Gordon (ever the one to face young batkids- robins, he gave the kid a chance) that was the right decision until- the murderer held a knife hidden somewhere in their person and went straightahead towards the boy.

Damian jumps in and saves the boy. Conan slowly opened his eyes and was greeted by a teenager's back protecting him from harm. Damian turns, Conan looks up.

Damian: You imbecile.

Conan: uh... that's a bad word.

Damian: Obviously. Did I stutter? You could've died! Do you ever consider the consequences of your actions when you sprint towards an indisputable risk to your life?

Conan: (Bewildered) I'm sorry, Nissan?

Damian: (knows Japanese, was caught off guard, but did not let it show to his face, he still has to scold the kid for being an idiot) You will come with me. I've seen enough of this idiocy.

Conan: What? (Catches the words in between) Have you been following me this whole time? How long? Why?

Damian: (ignores conan) Commissioner Gordon, do you require any more assistance?

Gordon: (just about done with bat's kids) Just go on your way, I've got this all handled Robin. Give Batman my regards. Also (looks to Conan), you did a very good job and thank you for that (pats the kid's head) but listen to Robin, and don't go to any more of these murder cases. Take care.

Damian: Come. (Walks away)

Conan: (glares suspiciously) My parents said don't go to strangers.

Damian: (Stops and looks back) Would you rather I carry you like a toddler?

Conan: (wants to run away but knows he couldn't based on what he saw from this teen, he saved his life anyways... and so he follows)

Damian: An astute decision.

Conan: Do you always speak like you swallowed a thesaurus in your sleep?

Damian: Tt.

And so Damian brings Conan to the Batcave. His siblings would definitely go: Did Damian just pull a Bruce?

------

Ahhhh!! It's getting so late here ;_; I'll continue whenever I get inspired or get so distracted by plot bunnies in my head. Huhu, I just want to read more stories like this kdgsjsnshs

[themculibrary]

Brave New World Fics Masterlist

Another Word for Baby (ao3) - SunsetMaiden sam/bucky T, 1k

Summary: “You came back,” Sam said, scanning the bedroom until he found his partner lounging near the window that overlooked the city. Dark eyes landed on Bucky’s beloved frame, drank in the sight of him until Sam could breathe a little easier again.

“Course I did.”

“If anyone sees you…”

“Nobody saw me, Sam. You know nobody saw me.”

With a nod, he finished drying off, tossing the towel into a nearby chair. Standing in the middle of the room, barefoot, bare-chested, clad only in Bucky’s favorite pair of Sam’s sweatpants—the gray ones with the drawstring that drove Bucky a little mad. Whether Sam had donned them because subconsciously he knew Bucky would come for him tonight or because he just wanted to feel close to the other man, Sam couldn’t say for sure. But he could feel that intense slate gaze rove hungrily over his body all the same. A body a little more banged up since Bucky had seen it last.

Bedside Manner (ao3) - sparklingbinjuice sam/bucky E, 2k

Summary: Mild spoilers for Captain America: Brave New World. Bucky visits Torres while he's in hospital and lends him a helping hand.

falling (ao3) - LinaRai sam/bucky T, 1k

Summary: Riley falls, and Sam isn't fast enough to catch him.

Years later, Joaquín falls. Bucky's there to pick up the pieces.

Here For You (ao3) - mlmtony sam/bucky G, 1k

Summary: Joaquín is in critical condition after being shot down to the ocean in Celestial Island. Sam can't help but feel responsible and is having a really hard time, Bucky can't stand to watch the love of his life suffer like that.

I'll Show You Love, I'll Show You Everything (ao3) - Cobrafantasies sam/bucky M, 1k

Summary: Concerned about Joaquín, Sam has trouble sleeping. He doesn’t mind when Bucky spends the night easing his worries.

Next to You (ao3) - KatieComma joaquin/sam M, 1k

Summary: After Joaquín is injured, Sam waits for him to get better and reflects on what Joaquín means to him.

Nightmares (ao3) - Oracle (Omen1362) sam/joaquin G, 262

Summary: Sam remembers seeing Joaquin fall, and being helpless to do anything.

nothing to talk about (ao3) - Exorin bucky/joaquin E, 3k

Summary: Torres has never figured out how to stop putting his foot in his mouth.

Pep Talks (ao3) - midnightdragons sam/bucky T, 1k

Summary: Extended scene of Sam and Bucky in the hospital, with a look into Sam's thoughts and more possibilities of their future together. (Can be read as romantic or platonic.)

Running With Turtles (ao3) - catwalksalone sam/bucky E, 5k

Summary: In a hotel on a campaign stop, Bucky gets a night-time visitor.

Say What You Need to Say (ao3) - Siancore sam/bucky T, 1k

Summary: "It's a private room. Go away."

He could hear the weariness in Sam’s voice and that tugged at his heart. He sidled up next to Sam.

"Missed you, too," Bucky said then.

Sam turned to look at Bucky, whose eyes were soft. He knew they were soft. Sam had that effect on him. Sam looked away then, as a small smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. His smiles, no matter how small, always made something akin to a flutter settle inside of Bucky’s chest.

“I hate to admit it,” Sam proffered, and Bucky knew he was going for banter. “I'm glad you're here."

Shadows of a New Dawn (ao3) - NameStartsWithN G, 463

Summary: In the aftermath of “Brave New World,” Bucky Barnes reflects on his journey from a haunted past to a hopeful future.

Bucky POV post-movie drabble

Stars and Stripes (ao3) - Asexual_Enjolras sam/bucky G, 4k

Summary: Following the events of Captain America: Brave New World (spoilers), Sam Wilson finds himself knocking on the door of one James Buchanan Barnes for a debrief. He may have a few broken bones, but Sam knew there was still something else he had to do before he could rest up ... he had to tell Bucky exactly how he feels about him.

Or, after Bucky tells Sam: "I love you, buddy", Sam feels guilty that he didn't tell Bucky he loved him too and he does everything he can to fix that.

Test of Trust (ao3) - otomiyatickles G, 1k

Summary: Sam wants to prove to Bucky that Joaquin is both worthy and trustworthy to be his partner, and Bucky... just plays along.

us against the world (i need you to save me) (ao3) - plincess_cho sam/bucky G, 2k

Summary: The demons that swirl around Sam's mind tell him that Steve made a mistake, and Sam can't seem to quiet their lies on his own.

But he doesn't have to fight alone.

yours to keep (and yours to lose) (ao3) - bookwafflefangirl bucky/joaquin/sam G, 1k

Summary: "I came by as soon as I heard."

-

Set immediately after Captain America: Brave New World, but with a Sam/Bucky/Joaquín twist.

[skwangmbyul]

rusted [pжавый] - iron man (2008) - bucky barnes x tony stark's daughter

summary: the life of the billionaire, genius, playboy, and philanthropist is a circus, but he has something worth living for, other than his work.

introducing hennessy stark.

rusted masterlist

cross posted on ao3, ongoing work

warnings: if sometimes the lines are not the exact ones of the movies, it is because i write this fic in portuguese and follow the pt script, then i just translate it, so a few words may be mismatched.

We'll be following the movies, and I'll do everything in my power to keep this story as faithful as possible to the main Earth-616 canon. The goal is to integrate the character convincingly, so in some movie scenes, she’ll only be mentioned.

___________________________________________________________

Christine Everhart had every intention of staying longer at the house in Malibu, which was definitely the most luxurious of any place she had ever spent the night. And the man who made that possible also had his credits in the woman’s desire to stay there a bit longer.

She strolled through the corridors as if she belonged there, her silk robe brushing against her legs, her steps light but filled with curiosity. Her eyes widened slightly as she entered a glass room that offered a breathtaking view of the Los Angeles hillside. Sunlight spilled through the windows, casting reflections against the sleek furniture. Her gaze swept the space until it landed on a corner filled with a collection of personal mementos.

She stepped closer, her journalistic instinct flaring up. There were magazine article clippings, some polished business awards, and photos of the homeowner alongside major public figures. But it wasn’t those high-profile reminders of success that truly caught her attention. In the center of it all stood a carefully curated bulletin board. Pinned across it were photos of a girl, growing older frame by frame, caught in moments of laughter, milestones, and everyday life.

This piqued the journalist’s interest.

Hennessy Stark. The name alone was a loaded secret. Stark Industries had gone to great lengths to keep her out of the spotlight — more effort than they ever used defending Tony's own reputation. Christine had dug enough to know the girl was close to her father, one of the few things that stirred any visible loyalty in the billionaire. But these images showed more than proximity. They hinted at warmth. Pride. Love.

Fascinated, Christine reached into her robe pocket, fingers curling around her phone. She held it up, already envisioning the headline that would explode if this story came to light. But before she could press the shutter, a clipped robotic voice shattered the silence and made her heart skip a beat.

She flinched, dropping the phone with a sharp gasp.

— You are not authorized to access this area. — the voice warned, cool and neutral, but threatening enough to make her blood run cold. Her head whipped around just as a familiar figure walked in.

— This is JARVIS. He runs the house, — Pepper Potts announced, striding into the room like she owned the building, because in a way, she did. Her eyes didn’t flinch as she looked at the journalist, who was now crouching to gather the pieces of her scattered phone. — I have your clothes here — she added, handing over a neatly folded bag. Christine didn’t miss the implication behind the delivery: it was time to go. — They’ve been dry-cleaned and pressed, and there’s a car waiting for you outside that will take you anywhere you want to go.

— You must be the famous Pepper Potts, — Christine said with a sharp, knowing smirk as she stood. It wasn’t a question, so Pepper didn't dignify it with an answer. — After all these years, Tony still makes you pick up his laundry.

— I do whatever Mr. Stark asks, including, occasionally, taking out the trash, — the redhead replied, her smile thin and purposeful. — And, please, Miss Everett, — she added, cool and composed — I wouldn’t go around commenting on what you saw here. Otherwise, you’ll find out that Stark Industries' destructive potential doesn’t just apply to war enemies.

___________________________________________________________

— How did she react? — Tony Stark didn’t bother to turn around from the car engine he was elbow-deep in. His voice was casual, but his back was tense.

— With class.

— And she didn’t leave here with anything about Henny?

— Do you think I’m an amateur? — Pepper’s voice rose with offense as she slapped the clipboard onto a nearby table. Her eyes flared. — I wouldn’t let that happen.

— Great. And why are you trying to get me out of here?

— Your flight was scheduled to leave an hour and a half ago, — her voice sharpened with exasperation. She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, watching him like a mother watching her reckless child. Because that’s exactly how it felt, like she was raising two Starks instead of one.

— And you made sure she’s settled in the dorm? I don’t want her near those MIT engineering fraternities. — He finally turned, wiping oil from his hands. The look on his face was protective, fierce. — They can’t keep their hands to themselves.

— Tony, if you’d called your daughter, you’d know she arrived safely, is excited to start classes, and you could tell her yourself to stay away from the MIT engineers.

— Oh, Miss Potts, — he muttered, turning back to his tools. — And risk her throwing it in my face that I used to be one of those engineers? No, thank you.

Pepper stifled a laugh before hurrying the man again. Hennessy Stark was definitely her father’s thorn in the side. The man complained about the girl’s sarcastic personality because he didn’t want to admit she was his blatant copy. The only thing the redhead was thankful for was that Henny hadn’t inherited Tony’s party-loving and flirtatious spirit.

___________________________________________________________

Water surged up Tony’s nose as he was forced beneath again, the burning in his lungs growing unbearable. His wrists strained against the grip of the men holding him down. Everything inside him screamed for air.

Just before blackness threatened to swallow him whole, a voice pierced the fog.

“Dad.”

The word rang out in his mind like a lifeline—and then he was yanked upward, gasping, coughing, and dragged away with a black bag forced over his head.

___________________________________________________________

— Do you have family? — Tony asked, breathless, as they played a game scratched out on the dirt floor. These moments of stolen time felt like a balm, even if short-lived.

— Yes, — Yinsen said, his eyes softening. He adjusted his posture and smiled, the image of his family flickering in his mind. — And I’ll see them when I get out of here. What about you, Stark?

— A daughter. — Tony’s voice cracked with the confession. He stared ahead. — But I’m not so sure I’ll see her again.

— I think you’ll do more than just see her, Stark. I believe this is your chance to give her a different legacy.

___________________________________________________________

— Where to, sir? — Happy asked, glancing in the rearview mirror. He didn't say it aloud, but the sight of his boss alive brought more relief than he could describe.

— We’re going to the hospital, Happy, — Pepper said quickly, multitasking between apps on her phone. — I sent a plane to pick up Hennessy, and she’ll meet us there.

— No, — Tony’s hand closed around her wrist with sudden urgency, his whole body going rigid. Just hearing his daughter’s name had flipped something inside him. — Call her. Tell her to stay in Massachusetts.

— Tony, — Pepper’s voice lowered as she met his eyes, confused and concerned. — She’s worried. Your daughter wants to see you.

He didn’t let go.

— Pepper, — he called seriously, and the redhead seemed to understand something in his tone. He almost never called her by her first name. Miss Potts had become a trademark in his treatment of her. — Things are going to get very, very ugly here — Tony emphasized the word “ugly.” — Hennessy needs to stay away from this. Do you understand me?

Pepper swallowed hard and nodded, feeling his hand slowly release its grip. The heat of his fingers lingered.

— She’s going to be furious, — she whispered, more to herself than to him, already picturing the storm to come.

— I expect nothing less — he replied, the corner of his mouth twitching into a wry half-smile. — Happy, — he turned now to the driver. — A man who’s been captive for three months just wants to eat a hamburger and call a press conference.

___________________________________________________________

Final Act: Post Post-Credit Scenes

It was lunchtime, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology buzzed with movement as students streamed between buildings. One girl, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease, kept her pace quick. She clutched a notebook to her chest and glanced at the time. Late again.

Her worn sneakers were scuffed, and her denim jacket frayed at the seams. But to anyone paying attention, the girl carried herself with the kind of confidence you can’t fake. Her eyes scanned everything. Sharp. Aware.

Hennessy Stark. She moved through the academic buildings of Brain and Cognitive Sciences with purpose. The jacket she wore had once belonged to her father — not flashy, but priceless to her. It smelled like metal and oil, faint reminders of their garage talks.

She caught sight of a group of students carrying circuits across the courtyard and smiled at the memory of her father's appalled face when she told him she wanted to study the mind, not machines. “Family disgrace,” he’d joked. But he'd meant every word of support that came after.

Then, everything around her shifted.

No one else would have noticed. But she always did. It was subtle, like a static charge in the air. But Hennessy felt it. She always did. Her senses lit up, not in panic—but in warning. Someone had spotted her.

Not like fans did. Not like journalists. 

Her body tensed, ready.

She turned just as a calm, polite voice called out:

— Hennessy Stark? — The man approaching her was barely taller than she was. He wore a dark suit, completely out of sync with the campus crowd. Rain clouds loomed above, but he wore glasses like the sun was shining.

— Can I help you?

— My name is Phill Coulson, — he said, offering a business card like it was an invitation. — And I think you’ll like the offer I have for you.

NEXT CHAPTER>>

[hodari-pavels-good-boy]

Espresso Chapter 5:

Revelry: A Haunting

Ch1 Ch2 Ch3 Ch4 Ch5

Pairing: Hodari Pavel x Reader

Word Count: 3.9k

Chapter: 5/?

Rating: E

Tags: Angst, Angst with a happy ending, miscommunication, fluff, eventual smut

A/N: This is a multi chapter Hodari x y/n story! Gender is not specified so everyone can enjoy it (though I did originally start writing it with the intention of it being a male reader lol). Tags will be updated as the fic goes. Cross-posted Here on Ao3. Fic below the cut! Enjoy :)

Prepping for the dinner was the easy part, 'you can bring dessert', no problem. Easy as, well, pie. The simple berry pie you plan to make for tonight won't take more than a few hours and will leave you plenty of time for the rest of the day's responsibilities. Yeah, prepping for the dinner was the easy part. Actually going? You tilt your head back, breathing deeply. That's the hard part. You're not sure what changed in such a short amount of time to have the man do such an intense 180 but it's left you with more than a fair share of emotional whiplash. From the detached reminder of where you stood with the Pavel’s to a semi-public scene with… an offer to walk you home after, it’s left your head spinning. You feel a tinge of heat grace your cheeks at the thought. 

“How about I walk ya home? Give Najuma a bit more time to socialize.”

The question stops you in your tracks, not sure if you heard him correctly. He must see something in your expression because his cheeks color and he starts to take it back. “I’m sorry that was-”

“I would really like that.” You interrupt, jumping at the chance to spend one-on-one time with him before you can overthink it. “But are you sure? It’s a long walk from my house back to the bay.”

“I’m sure. Plenty of time to kill today.” He smiles as he holds an arm out and gestures to the path behind the two of you. “Lead the way.”

You can't help but notice his entire face smiles when he does. The blue of his eyes shine as he smiles with his teeth. He's nothing short of handsome as it is but you find he looks more youthful as his eyes crinkle in mirth. It looks as if the years physically lift from his shoulders during the moment of joy and you wonder why he doesn't smile more often, find yourself a little stricken at the idea you want to see it more. He tilts his head a bit as he waits for you to start walking and his smile becomes infectious and you can't help but return it with one of your own. 

Turning and heading down the path, he quickly falls into step beside you. It's quiet at first as you make your way out of the village. He's the first to break the silence with a quiet "How's the plot treatin' you?" Simple and straight to the point. 

"It's working well enough. A place to call home if nothing else." He nods in acknowledgement. "I added a fireplace last week, not much use for it now in all this heat but when the cold comes I know I'll be glad I already built it." you continue. 

"Nothing warmer than a home built up from nothing but your own hard work and two hands." He says it so certainly, like he's speaking from experience. You think of the Pavel's house and wonder if he built his own home up years ago the same way you're attempting to do now. Just how much love and time has been placed within those stone walls and wooden beams? Has that same care seeped into the foundation? Does it leach from beneath the floorboards and stretch out the door to welcome the family home every evening, warm and inviting? An ever embracing presence filled with meticulous devotion and love? Has the sturdy frame become a skeletal structure of protection, reminiscent of the very hands that brought it into being, sturdy and true? 

Clearing his throat and interrupting your train of thought, “If you uh.. Ever need any help or advice.. I’d be more than happy to lend ya a hand.” At the turn of your face towards him you find him avoiding your gaze, face determinately facing forward as the words trail off, a light flush dusting his face.

Mulling over the words and nodding. “Well you know what, if I ever come across any trouble, you’ll be the first one I call. If you’re not too busy yourself that is.”

This time it's his turn to think over his response. You find that like that about him as you watch him now from the corner of your eye. He takes his time before he answers, putting a silent effort behind his words the same way he does with every action. His full attention on the task at hand, all-in on whatever he's set his sights on. No matter what, if you have his attention, you’ll know. It’s as comforting as it can be off-putting. You never wonder if he means what he says because he always does. For better or worse, he doesn’t make a habit of leaving anyone with any guesswork as to what he means or says.

“I can spare the time.” He eventually says. Your feet cement to the ground at the answer. The weight of the response tethering you the path the two of you walk. He said it so casually, as though it was a simple matter of fact rather than the antithesis of every interaction you’ve had with him to date. A few steps later he stops as well, turning around to face where you’ve rooted, brows knitted together in confusion. 

“You don’t have to do this, you know.” The words spill like a fountain over your lips before you can even really think about the words themselves. His head lists to the right as he listens without interruption. “I forgave you, no strings attached. I’m not going to hold anything over your head or bring it up to chastise you. I appreciate the apology but you don’t need to go out of your way to prove it.” 

“I want t-” He tries to get a word in as you continue.

“Thank you for the walk but I can finish the rest of the way on my own from here. I’ll see you and Najuma for dinner tomorrow?” 

“Are ya done?” He asks bluntly instead of confirming. At your tentative nod, he continues. “Okay then. Now wait just a second. Before ya run off for no reason, I thought we said we were startin’ over, yeah? Ain’t that what we are doin’ here?

It’s your turn to be confused. You open your mouth to voice it but he beats you to it. 

“Let me get t’know ya.” He rushes out. “Fresh slate, yeah? Not just as the human that sometimes knocks on things in the mine for no reason or who brings my daughter extra iron. I want t’get to know.. you.” At the end of the admission, his face flushes as he realizes how loud he had gotten and he trails off quietly. “If you’ll let me, that is..” 

“Why now?” 

“I’ve spent the last week hearin’ about ya from everyone around me. From my daughter, around the town, hell even from the damn cook. Maybe I just hadn’t noticed before or maybe it was just funny timin’ but everyone’s always talkin’ about you. And the more they talked, the more I realized I didn’t know anything about ya.” He takes a confident step forward, closing the distance between the two of you. “Once I noticed, at first I was just curious I guess. What about you has everyone singin’ your praises everywhere I go? I only ever seemed to see ya late at night an’ ya didn’t seem too different from any other human that came through.” 

This time he looks off to the side as he speaks, staring intently at a small boulder off to the side of the path. It almost looks as though he’s glaring at it, willing it to break apart as he speaks his mind to you. You find yourself silently sympathizing with the rock as you know how it feels to be under that same look in all its intensity. The same intensity that came from him a week ago. You wonder, if the rock could think, would it feel the same paralyzation that can come when all of his focus is on you? When the same warm blue that was shining in your direction minutes ago turns to ice and you feel your bones freeze in response? When the friendliness that had been perceived to be there dries in an instant the second he decides it? It had scared you, that change and its earnestness, he meant the things he said. It’s not mean, you get the very distinct feeling he doesn't care enough of others to intentionally be vicious, it just is. You could respect it if you hadn't already been burned. 

But isn't that the kicker? For all that happened, here he is. He’s apologized and by the look of it certainly means it, taking unasked for accountability. He’s inviting you to his home and into his and his daughter’s life unprompted and by his own decision, another thing that doesn’t escape your notice. That same intensity and drive that hurt and leaves you thinking stupid thoughts about a rock is the same one that’s placed him here, uncomfortable and trying to make up for it.

“Now, I already knew I was gonna apologize the night I said anything after talkin’ with Najuma and realizin’ I made a mistake.” 

This makes you startle in your fixed place. You knew he had to have come to a new conclusion pretty quick but hearing it was the same day leaves a warm feeling in your chest. He really does just want to look out for his daughter and you can't begrudge him that. 

“But as the week went on an’ I couldn’t find ya but had to hear about you, I realized I wanted to get to know ya too. Clearly ‘Juma cares for ya a whole awful lot an’ she don’t open up to no one. Figured if she likes an’ trusts ya, well I oughta try too.You aint been nothin’ but a blessin’ for my family, it’s the least I could and want to do.” 

He looks lost as he finishes and your voice is caught in your throat as you whisper out a small “Okay.”

His face breaks out into that same smile from earlier, eyes shining brighter than before and your breath catches as you look at him. ‘Oh no..’

“Well okay then. How about I finish walkin’ ya home and you can tell me more about how you built that fireplace along the way and I’ll tell ya if you built a fire trap instead.” 

He starts walking again and this time doesn’t look back to see if you’re coming with, confident you’ll catch up and follow. He’s proven right as you jog forward and laugh as you start to tell him how you got the permits and blueprints and followed them exactly. Unaware that just down the hill, a few of the townspeople could hear both of your laughter echoing off the hills as the two of you make your way towards your plot.

Snapping out the memory you look out the window to see the sun has steadily continued its ever forward moving path across the cloudless sky, not gracing you with a pause for your reverie of yesterday's events even though it feels as if your own time has stopped. Your cheeks heat as embarrassment flashes through you with the realization you’ve spent far too much time thinking and worrying about the miner and his confusing but endearing gestures and not enough time getting things done. Placing your hands on your lips and letting out a sigh to steel your nerves for tonight, you need to get to work on dessert and dough can smell fear.

The sun is just starting to bend towards mid-afternoon, casting a warm hue across the windows and floorboards  when you decide to leave your plot, figuring it’d be best to take the longer path through town to drop off and return a few items before the end of the working day before you trek out to the Pavel’s house. Wrapping the freshly baked pie and grabbing the small pile of goods by the entrance you head down to the town, intent on finishing your goals before you're expected for dinner

You stop by the library first to return a few of your borrowed books before the librarian could come knocking your door down demanding their return. A bit of bribery never hurts so on your way out you slide a jar of fresh blueberry jam across her counter with a wink before heading out the door without saying a word, a quick trip with no fuss and full of silence, just how the two of you like it. 

Next stop on the path was the inn and you were a little nervous going inside after all the fuss of yesterday but the time is still early enough that none of the dinner patrons should be on their way just yet. Popping your head in the door, you let out a sigh of relief seeing the empty building sans the cook hidden behind the counter quietly humming as he busies himself. Walking in, you clear your throat, announcing your presence as not to startle the distracted man.

“Sweet tooth! I didn’t expect to see you today!”

Smiling softly, you place the wrapped bundle of dried herbs you’d promised the cook earlier in the week on the surface between the two of you. “Hi, Reth.”

“How are you doing after..” he waves his free hand around, gesturing to the air. ‘..all of yesterday?” Straight and to the point as you’ve come to expect from the man.

“A bit embarrassed if I’m being honest.” A small but good natured chuckle leaves your lips. “You know I don’t like a fuss or a scene but this is a small enough town, everyone will find something new to talk about soon enough. You of all people know how it goes, they’ll get bored soon enough.

Reth nods along as you speak, genuinely understanding the sentiment. “Are you okay though?” he asks. 

You hum in acknowledgement, ‘Yeah. We… I think we are going to figure things out. I-” pausing and leaning over the counter conspiratorially, lowering your voice. “Mr. Pavel invited me over for dinner tonight to.. clear the air I suppose. I’ll be heading out to the bay as soon as I’m done here in town.”

You can almost pinpoint the moment the gears in Reth’s brain halt all function before restarting, brows practically disappearing behind his bandana and into his hairline as his eyes widen to an almost comical proportion. “Tonight?!”

“Yes, tonight. We talked things over yesterday and decided we were going to try again. From the beginning, ya know? A do-over.” 

“A do-over? With Hodari Pavel?” he asks, disbelief coloring his tone.

You nod as you push yourself back from the counter. “Yeah. Try and start on the right foot this time.” You glance towards the door before turning back to the man looking at you as though you’d grown a second head. “I still have to stop by the blacksmith before I leave town but I’ll fill you in the next time I see you.”

He nods his head as offers his goodbyes and well wishes before you step back into the sun to finish your errands.

—-

The dinner starts as a quiet affair. The walk from the town felt both excruciatingly long and blissfully short. Once you’d passed through the gate at the pass, you’d felt the twinge of nervousness reignite in your gut once again. The brisk wind coming in off the water reaches all the way to where you walk the path, scenting the air with that distinct smell of salt and invigorating in its crispness even this far north.

When you arrive at the Pavel residence the food is still cooking, Hodari gives a brief hello before his daughter is throwing herself at you in her excitement. You try to return the greeting as you set the pie down on the table beside him but instead hear him chuckle as she grabs you by the hand and drags you past where he stands at the grill and towards the workshop you are so familiar with. You find yourself often looking out the entrance to watch the miner stare intently at his grill, all focus on the food he’s preparing. His concentration is different from Reth but the love of the activity is no less present. The heat of the grill, mixing with the warmth of the afternoon is causing a fine layer of perspiration to gather along the man’s brow. The same way it does when you stumble across him in the mines, working hard without a thought to the world around him and oblivious to your presence moving through. A new warmth from the nervousness spreads and you have to fight the wave that's moving through you. What else can make him look like that?

“/n? Y/n? Are you even listening to me?”

Snapping out of the dangerous train of thought, you turn your full attention back to Najuma, smiling sheepishly. “I’m sorry ‘Juma. My head’s in the clouds today. I-”

“Dinner’s ready!” echoes a gruff voice across the little stream and bouncing off the workshop walls. The teen just shakes her head and rolls her eyes, smiling as she takes your hand and pulls you back to her father to enjoy the dinner and eventual dessert she’s now eyeing. You help her father bring the food inside as she rushes to go set the dinner plates and cutlery. 

“I thought I already told you to set the table before y/n got here” the miner calls into the house exasperated only to be met with a muffled “I forgot!”

You couldn't stop the laugh that bubbled in you if you tried. The man is looking at you with an expression you can't quite decipher before Najuma is grabbing the pie from your hands to place on the table, stealing your attention once again as you help her finish setting for dinner.

—

The meal itself was a fairly calm proceeding, filled with the sounds of various compliments from all parties and Najuma filling the silence between bites with talks of new inventions to bounce off you. When dinner was done, plates polished clean of any crumbs and sun long since set, Najuma disappears quickly out into the dark with talks of ‘fresh inspiration’ and ‘testing’, her mind brimming to burst with the new ideas dinner had brought.

You offer to help Hodari clean, brushing aside his refusal of ‘you’re a guest’ as you grab the plates from the table and head towards the wash basin. Together the two of you scrubbed the dishes in companionable silence. You cant help but notice how the water occasionally splashes onto his shirt, causing the material to cling to his torso. His strong arms bared as his rolled up sleeves darken with dampness and you feel your face heat. As you pass a plate to him your hands accidentally brush and his are so warm from the water. “Sorry.” He murmurs his apology. Tone quiet and even. Steady. 

It's a good word for him. He’s steady in his words, in his stance, his movements, his choices. In the mines with his pickaxe, repetitive. His warnings of firm but careful feet in the mines in case of danger and a solid presence everywhere he goes. In the lives and environment around him, his handiwork on the plots, and even the anecdotes of the villagers. Hell, even the very path from his house to the mines is worn from his steady and consistent presence over the years. Distantly, you realize the heat in your face must be a full blaze now.

In the middle of this thought process, it blows your mind a bit how just a week ago you couldn't have imagined this was where you'd be. You wonder what he thinks of it now. After the talk yesterday he seems warmer than ever before but you can't quite tell if it's because he's making an effort to gain god graces or a sense of guilt or if this is how he really is and you have to come to terms with the fact you really didn't actually know him at all before. The thought sobers you and you suddenly no longer worry about the blaze that sat beneath your cheeks.

The rest of the dishes are finished without hassle and you begin to say your goodbyes. “Thank you for having me over, Hodari. It’s been a fun time, I’m glad we could do this”

“Leavin’ already?” he asks as he places the last dish in the cupboard.

“I don't want to overstay my welcome. It's been a lovely night, truly, but I am well aware you are a very busy man with an early schedule.”

He hums but turns away as he reaches into a different cupboard behind him pulling out two glasses and an unidentifiable bottle. “Wouldn’t be no trouble at all. I’ll be up for awhile yet, would you like to have a drink an’ relax for a bit longer? Be a shame, not to mention awful manners that’d cause my ma to holler, if I kicked ya out right after a meal.”

Taking a moment to think it over, you nod and he leads you towards the main room, placing both glasses on the table as he gestures for you to sit. Pouring half a glass of the mystery liquid for you both and placing yours in front of you, leaning back to relax as he grabs his own. His large hands dwarf the glass in his hold, rough fingers gripping it so delicately. Silence stretches comfortably between you as you enjoy the drink and pleasant company. 

As the night passes the alcohol makes both conversation and laughter flow easily. After another bout of laughter over something you'll surely have forgotten by the morning, he clears his throat before speaking. “Thank you for this. You didn’t have to but I just know it made ‘Juma’s day.” 

You nod and smile. “Well if I can be so brazen as to say, it’s made mine too. You have a lovely home and the two of you are even more lovely company.”

He laughs again and you join him. “‘s good to laugh like this after a long week” and you nod again. After another drink you hold your glass out towards him as you propose a toast.

When you are finished he stares at you as though he's seen a ghost as you finish, face pale and sobered before tentatively reaching over and clinking his glass to yours before drinking what's left in one go, the words you’d just spoken ringing around the room. 

"Well then, because we are always so busy and never seem to get enough time in our own homes or to ourselves,” You hold the glass for a toast, a smile breaking across your face as laughter still dances along your lips. “In the spirit of the night and making new friends, may our laughter live within the walls of our homes. And may it haunt it once we are gone only to greet us when we return."

[Dividers by the-aesthetic-shop and firefly-graphics]

[beerok23]

2024 FIC Roundup

In response to those of you who tagged me (@pookasluagh @captainblou and @missunderstoodlyrics) here is my AO3 author interview.

What fandoms do you write in? At the moment, only for Good Omens! But in the past I've written for Friends, The Pretender and Alias.

How many words have you published in 2024? So far, 186,754 words. I'll soon have a new Christmas fic to post that will definitely increase the count to more than 200k.

What is your greatest achievement this year? Starting to write for this fandom. When I started reading canon post S2 fix-it fics at the end of 2023 I didn't know that I would fall in love with AUs. Today I'm sure that this is a fandom that can express the best AU - if only for the fact that canon is 'fantasy' and AU are 'realistic'. I've changed my style from AE to BE and I'm trying to strengthen my writing. It's not always easy, but I've found beta readers who are so helpful in the process. I can't thank them enough.

What are your favorite top three fics you wrote this year? I've only posted two long fics, which are obviously the favorite I wrote: The Tadfield Holiday (A human ‘The Holiday’ AU) Runaway Groom (A human ‘Runaway Bride’ AU)

But as I mentioned, I'll soon post my Xmas fic 🎄🎁

What was your biggest pit of despair moment? I don't think I ever got desperate, but sometimes it's not easy being a non-native speaker. And the thing I've struggled with the most? Smut scenes 😁 What have you learned? Go with the flow. When the flow hits, just go with it. I'm saying this after writing almost 40k words in less than three weeks.

Did you beta any fics? Actually, I am! I'm not a useful beta when it comes to language, but I'm the best cheeleader 😁😁😁

What three fics have you read this year that you love? Only three? Impossible. I've read hundreds of them. I always read fics and most of all I re-read my faves. So here's a few.

and salt the Earth behind you by @sunrisesinthesuburbs The love and respect I have for this author is immeasurable. Just RUN read EVERYTHING she writes. Of course her Borrowed Words is a masterpiece, but I have a special place in my heart for Profiler Aziraphale and CI Crowley.

Overboard by @joanofart5 I write film-inspired AUs, and Joan did the same with this little gem. It's based on the 1980's romcom 'Overboard' and it's funny, and lovely and makes you FEEL all the right feelings.

Find the Light by @klikandtuna Oh, what an extremely talented author 💛 You've got Headmaster!Aziraphale and Rockstar!Crowley all cuddled up in an awesomely fluff story. Wonderful ❤

The New Road (is an old friend) by @missunderstoodlyrics Pastor!Aziraphale meets SingleDad!Crowley and his daughter Mira. Pining ensured and angst that made me die a little (a sweet death, mind you). Still one of my personal faves by this incredibly talented author.

I'll tell you who's in charge by @captainblou is still my fave of them. But even in other fics, Blou has this wonderful way with words and smut scenes and writing badass Crowley who's actually the sweetest creature. And the way they write about trans characters is the best in the fandom.

When Hell Freezes Over by @hermiola She has a WIP (subscribe, it's hilarious) and she's recently finished her Pretty Woman AU "Take a Little Love From Me", but I discovered her with this two-chapters one shot featuring a charming Peter-Vincent-inspired!Crowley and journalist!Aziraphale. I'm so glad we are collaborating, because your writing truly inspires me 💙💙💙

But oh there are so many others fellow authors: @bellisima-writes ("The Last Angel" is one of the more complex well-thought plots I've ever read), @feraltuxedo (If "All lines are open" was a book, I would have consummated its pages by now), @fellshish (My gosh, how many times I've read "Trial & error"?), @lyricalkris ("The Devil Built a Chapel" killed me 💚💛).

What ideas are percolating for next year? One too many. That's why I'll probably stop writing for a bit. I mean, there might be another movie-inspired AU project in the work, but...We'll see 💜

Who do you want to thank? My three besties, @pookasluagh, @somewhere-in-wales and @ineffablerainstorm. You know everything already 💚💛❤💜🧡🤍 And also, all the writers who make this fandom the precious, peaceful place it is. We've been through a lot this year. But we get them back together in less than a month.

And I can't wait.

[malinowaj]

2024 fandom review

thank you for the tag @nerdyfangirl76 and @almostlake 💜

warning: this got really long

fics written

in 2024, i posted 3 finished fics and one currently on-going WIP. in total that was 122,542 words and i keep looking at that number in complete disbelief.

i started the year by saying, multiple times, i'm not going to write anything because it's been nearly a decade since i wrote for fun. then i had an idea and was all "well, maybe if i wrote this one short thing, posted it and then dipped never to be seen again". insert my friend laughing at me at regular intervals because we all know that's not what happened.

always losing to win is very dear to me, for several reasons, and it'll never stop blowing my mind how many people have read it and been on that journey with me.

fics read

my AO3 history is about 300 fics, but i did not sort out my logins until months into the year, so the actual number is probably somewhere closer to 350.

i tried to pick a few favourite fics i read and limiting myself to just these is hard. i regret to say none of these have received the praise, comments and love from me that they deserve, because it took me months to get over my comment shyness. but i hope this makes up for it a bit. (new year's resolution: more comments for everyone.) in alphabetical order by title:

almost is never enough by @in-amor-veritas

there's a scene in this with kent's 747 that i have the strongest, plot-wise most insignificant headcanon about and i think about it every time i hear the song. which is often. and then i end up thinking about the whole story.

another dose by stargazers

it's such a beautiful version of wilmon, because it's so them. and it's hot.

chasing our sunlight by fitz_y

if there ever was a fic that lives rent free in my head, it's this. the way it deals with so many heavy topics has made me cry, but it's such an incredibly crafted story i come back to it often.

forever i'm yours by @goldenwilmon

the way the fall in love in this one? hands down one of my favourites ever. whenever i need some fluff and happiness in my life, this is the one i go for.

little light by @unfortunate17

possibly one of the first, if not the first, wilmon fic i read in 2024. it broke something in me, but also healed something in me.

reckless abandon by @zee-has-commitment-issues

i absolutely love the concept and the way all the characters are so well-rounded. one of the fics i could not stop reading and can't wait to read again.

so loaded, eye low by @enjoythesilentworld

the chemistry, the angst. the sweet, delicious angst. and hot as hell.

where be left off by @gulliblelemon

the best way for me to fight some physical pain? some emotional pain. and this one has it, in the best, most beautiful way. very few fics have i devoured like i did this one.

the wolf comes home by @phneltwrites

after months, i still keep thinking about a particular line in this one. the trauma aftermath, the way they deal with it. also my favourite established relationship wilmon.

looking forward to in 2025

i can't wait to read and see all the amazing fics and gifs and edits and everything this fandom comes up with. i already know there'll be so many wonderful things i'll enjoy.

as for my own writing, i'm trying to get a good chunk of hope and legacy written before the insanity that'll be my life from late january to the end of february. (no context chapter 4 spoiler: simon steals a flag.)

there is also in from the cold, the espionage AU i have about 10K written for - and that's barely the beginning. i don't know if it'll ever see the light of day, but i do love the concept and all the research i've done for it.

i have been thinking about space wilmon lately, and while i said i'm not going to go down that road myself, i did remember a few lines from record of a spaceborn few that may have sparked an idea. it might become something one day, or it might never be more than the few disjointed lines and ideas i have typed in my notes.

there's also a file with a list of songs that i might want to build stories around. in general i have a lot of ideas, but very few of them might become anything. i'd like to put it down as "english is not my first language so writing is slow" thing, and while it is that too, it's mostly me being a perfectionist and not able to let go. (which is why i should probably have a beta telling me 'this is fine, go post it'. if anyone feels up for doing that...)

the biggest, warmest thank you to everyone who's read anything i've written, left kudos or comments, sent messages, in any way engaged. it has made my year, and this fandom experience so special 💜

not tagging anyone, but if any of the authors i mentioned haven't done this yet and would like to, i'd love to read your reviews.

[eldritch-spouse]

It's ya boy (slice of life triplets fic), so I've gone down the rabbit home. And currently, it's long, like really long. So I've decided (if it's fine with you) to make a series out of it (also, it will be posted on ao3 once i build up the courage. And severely making sure each one is perfect). I was wondering if I could know a bit about the world itself. Like schools like are they separate from humans or are their schools that allow demons. Is demon and human relationships/friendships common. Also, heats are they like puberty. And maybe a few more you could think of. (Also wrote a scene where mervin and main as children get into a yard fight. Cause children are nasty little fighters. And I think it's funny) thank you so much

Howdy. 👋 Yeah sure, you can post stuff on ao3, there's works with the triplets there already actually. I'll try to answer as best as I can, but know that you can also fill in the holes yourself sometimes, I don't take issue with it.

Schools:

Schools are pretty divided, just as they are in real life. There are schools who accept monster and human pupils, who may or may not have separate specialized subjects. There are schools that only accept humans, and schools that only accept monsters. There are girl-only schools who have monsters and humans, the same thing with boys, then there's even more specialized schools who will have gender and species exclusivity. It kind of depends on the location and society they're in.

In Hell specifically, the demographic of schools is 90% demonoid. There are no "type" exclusive schools, but naturally, most of the pupils in Gluttony will be gluttons, most of the pupils in Envy will be envious, so on and so forth. Lust stands out because it has no schools for minors. You may find a human in a school belonging to Hell, but their experience will be truly hellish if they're not mentally resilient enough to handle it. Even monsters have it kind of hard. The schools of Pride tend to be the most taxing, mentally and physically. The schools of Sloth are not as sloppy as you might think, the title of least effective education goes to Wrath.

I believe I specified that the triplets got most of their education on the surface, in a mixed school, with humans and monsters. But if I haven't, there you go.

Demon/human friendships:

In Hell? All over the place. Older generations of demons may turn their noses up at humans, but the younger ones are more than willing to chat it up and create human acquaintances. This doesn't mean that a lot of these connections aren't somewhat opportunistic, because it's in a demon's nature to kind of seek some kind of reward or future compensation for befriending a human- Like free transport to the surface via summoning, for example.

In the surface, it's only a bit rarer to see humans and demons getting along. There's still a sort of stigma going around -Which isn't totally unfounded- And many humans will group up to expell demons from places. I'm reciting basic social tendencies at this point, but this means that some demons will group up to feel safer on the surface and both humans and demons are careful about how they interact with the other. That being said, lately, there has been a tendency for demons and humans to get along more genuinely.

Relationships suffer from more stigma, especially depending on the type of demon a human may be dating. Because not only is the monsterfucker stigma applied, if your partner happens to be a concubus, a great deal of people will see you as nothing more than a sex pest, or a pet. Again, the intensity of this depends on the location you're in.

Are heats like puberty?

No. I'm not sure what exactly you're asking.

Demons, like many other monsters, will start getting their first heats during puberty, which sort of escalate in intensity as they age. The first heat is usually just an episode of total physical misery and emotional instability, as the body prepares for future ones. During this time, parents are obviously going to make sure their child doesn't neglect hygiene and other basic necessities like eating and drinking, but they will also respect that the teen's room should never be entered unless in a medical emergency. It's assumed they've already taught the monster to clean up after themselves by then.

A standard heat for an adult monster doesn't feel like puberty, because a standard monster's puberty is not the same stress-inducing short burst of hypersexuality and possibly hyperaggression. Sure, there are signs that heat is coming which can be similar to puberty syntoms, like a sudden burst of facial acne, but it's not like reliving puberty.

I don't really have anything else in mind, but I'm curious to see the scene with Mervin and the reader brawling like kids. I'm sure you're keeping in mind that demons are somewhat stronger than humans, even as kids, so a bite or claw-swipe from Mervin would be a bit nasty. The reader can always go for the eyes, as that seems to be triplets' main weakness.

[syndrossi]

Hello! I know you’ll be updating on AO3 tomorrow, but is there any chance for a short story in an AU today? If you have one, I’d really appreciate it!.

Awww, I wish I did! But I've been chipping away at an uncooperative Daemon-Viserys scene in Resonant these past two days, on top of the final round of ch32 edits that I snuck in to last week's chapter. (I'll probably be putting the first three POVs of Restoration AU that I posted on Tumblr up on AO3 tomorrow in the side stories fic.)

I'm hoping to write one of the winter prompts tomorrow/Thursday, though, so it shouldn't be too long before we get something in one of the AUs. 😄

Here, have an unfinished Halloween prompt (kidnappers' POV during the Wildfire Plot):

x~x~x

“Only the silver-haired prince drank it,” the serving girl reported, looking between them with trepidation. “The other did not want cider. Please, do not—”

“Return to the bakery,” Arderos ordered, lacking the patience for any renewed blubbering. She could be dealt with there without drawing attention. “Your father will be safe if you do so.”

The dark-haired prince—Jon—was injured, he knew. And whatever the Westerosi mercenary’s claims, he was but a child. It should be a simple enough matter to subdue him in the impending chaos. If only one child could be dosed with milk of the poppy, better that it be the healthy one.

The potion’s effects would work swiftly, so they needed to make haste. Derathros was already in the hall, ready to proceed at his signal, which he gave when they re-entered. The young princes stood a pace in front of the crowd in the back, and though they had been the focus of attention earlier, the struggles of the prisoner being dragged before the dais proved enough of a distraction for them to settle near the princes.

Arderos kept half an eye on the boys’ father, Prince Daemon, who was regarding the prisoner with skepticism. When he grabbed the fisherman’s hands to examine them, Arderos tensed. He knows.

The prince proved it moments later, barking out a command in Valyrian that Derathros obeyed instinctively before realizing his mistake. It was no matter—he was close enough to fling the first jar of wildfire, then another, before following it with one final sacrifice.

The hall was in chaos, guardsmen rushing to protect their lord and Prince Daemon, and it was a simple matter to pluck the small, listless hatchling from the child in front of him, slipping it into the large pouch sewn into the inside of his cloak. The child was next, already swaying even before he lifted him off the ground.

Arderos backed away, his first few steps cautious, but those remaining in the back paid no heed to anything but the eerie green wildfire and escaping its growing spread. He adjusted his grip on the stolen child, hoisting him over his shoulder, and then began trotting through the halls, slipping out the servants entrance and not stopping until he was past the walls of the keep.

Secrecy was once again important, so he withdrew the sack that had been folded in one of his pockets and pulled it over the young prince before hoisting it over his shoulder once more. Sedren joined him midway through, empty-handed.

“What happened?” Arderos demanded.

Sedren grimaced. “He broke free and called for a guard. I lost sight of his hatchling.”

One child and hatchling were better than none, but two would have been a coup.

[cookiesandbiscuits]

Long ramblings ahead!!!

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Since I'm already at Episode 16, I think it's safe to say who are my favorite characters in the game and vice versa.

Starting off with my favorites!!

Jabberwock - one of my favorite dorms!! I love their silly dynamics + I'm a big animal lover sooooooo..... (⁠.⁠ ⁠❛⁠ ⁠ᴗ⁠ ⁠❛⁠.⁠)

1. Haru Sagara - this silly goose!!! He's literally one of the few ghouls who are genuinely nice to MC. I just wanna hug him tight and force him to take a break

2. Ren Shiranami - totally relateable dude. Kinda not expecting to be one of my favorites but then Ep. 17 came (yeah, I watched a playthrough bc I cannot resist the beach episode). Also that one scene in Ep. 13 where he covered MC's mouth but then quickly removed it (is he developing a crush on her atp?? *gets shot in delulu*). Oh, and he's the nicest ghoul to me since he came home to me twice, and he's voiced by none other than the VA of Kou Minamoto.

Hotarubi - Subaru and Haku may be a neutral but I absolutely love the vibes of Hotarubi (though if I were assigned there, I would probably be asleep most of the time bc of the weather 💀)

1. Zenji Kotodama - HE'S THE MOST PRECIOUS MAN TO EVER WALK THE EARTH PERIOD. I wanna tackle hug him so bad 😭😭😭. It's also funny how Haku keeps getting strays from him lmao. If only his cards would come home 😔

Obscuary - it's okay, I guess??? The gloomy aesthetic just isn't my style sorry. Also, the perpetual night will definitely ruin my time awareness, if it wasn't already ruined.

1. Rui Mizuki - *deep breath* if I were to choose one of the ghouls to date, I'd choose him. No questions asked. I don't care if I'll die if we touch. I'd die happily if it means I get to kiss him (give me more flirt back response for him!!!)

Mortkranken - absolutely the funniest dorm ever bc of their captain and vice captain. Never a full moment with them frrrrr

1. Yuri Isami - the moment I first met him, my mind immediately said "I like him. He's a favorite now.", and it solidified during that scene where MC first held his hand and he blushed. My cute little tsun-tsun 🤭. I also cannot take him seriously at times because of his facial expressions 😭. In conclusion, I love him and his dramatic ass.

Liked Characters - these ones I like a lot, but not enough to become a favorite

Frostheim - yeah no, I'll pass on this dorm. The general students and I will immediately brawl if I were assigned there.

1. Jin Kamurai - it's his character archetype I got hooked on (see Lucifer and Leona Kingscholar). I hear his Affinity 10 chat was incredibly squeal-inducing though 👀

2. Lucas Errant - sweet baby boy. You know that meme where there's two characters held at gun point and they kept protecting each other? That's us.

Vagastrom - my introverted ass will not survive this one, I'm afraid.

1. Sho Haizono - total husband material. He can cook, he's multi-talented, he's handsome, he's the right amounts of flirty, and he can protect you. What else can you ask for???

Jabberwock

1. Towa Otonashi - I'd give him a tight hug too. I don't have much to say about him tho.

Sinostra - aw yeah, the house of the problematic faves XD (I will not survive in this one either due to Taiga or Romeo or both)

1. Taiga Hoshibami - I started to like him because of @stinkyturd's fic, Fever Dreams (check them out on AO3). I swear, the way the fanfic authors write this man is so delicious.

2. Romeo Scorpius Lucci - idk why I started to like him. I just woke up one day and found him in my Liked Characters list.

Obscuary

1. Lyca Colt - another sweet baby boy. I wanna squeeze him sometimes bc of cuteness aggression

Mortkranken

1. Jiro Kirisaki - the funniest man on campus. Also has the most precious laugh. It never fails to make me smile when I hear it.

Neutral Characters - I don't dislike them, but I don't like them a lot too. Just meh to me (no offense to their fans)

Frostheim

1. Tohma Ishibashi - mmmmmm I just don't get his character's appeal 🥲

2. Kaito Fuji - he's very nice and sweet but mmmmmm, not for me, unfortunately.

Vagastrom

1. Alan Mido - I find him likeable sometimes though. He's nice.

2. Leo Kurosagi - I don't think I have to explain this that much, but I don't really dislike him that much, honestly. He's pretty annoying though. Makes me wanna sucker punch him in the face.

Sinostra

1. Ritsu Shinjo - I'm sorry Ritsu fans, but he's too emotionally constipated to me 😭. He'd drain my social battery quickly if I meet him irl.

Hotarubi

1. Subaru Kagami - he seems like a nice guy tbh. Would like to know more about him.

2. Haku Kusanagi - flirty too, but it's not the flavor of flirty I get hooked on. Reminds me of Trey Clover sometimes for some reason.

Obscuary

1. Edward Hart - he's too cryptic 😭. He's funny though lol

Staff

1. Professor Dante - more decent than the other two. That's it.

Disliked Character - just that. I don't like them but hate is such a strong word.

1. Chancellor Cornelius

2. Professor Hyde

- THEY'RE BOTH SHADY AS FUCK. I DON'T TRUST THEM.