#also disclaimer I have not read love in the time of cholera I just thought the quote fit

[okaydays]

Colin was out with friends for the evening, so Penelope reheated some leftovers for dinner, and then assembled all the things she needed for a quiet night in - lit candles, soft music echoing from their new bluetooth speakers, a cup of tea that was still hot on the coffee table, a comfortable blanket. 

She’s sitting on the couch with said blanket and her carefully chosen book (Love in the Time of Cholera), and she should be having a great time. Back when Penelope was at her mother’s house, with all the commotion and whining, this was the kind of evening she’d dreamt about. Just her, quiet and cosy. No one to bother her.

But she lives with Colin, now. And while he is, occasionally, a bother, it’s never really unwelcome. Not when he could bat those blue eyes, shoot her a winsome grin and spin her around to the music like they’re ballroom dancing.

A quiet evening to herself seems boring in comparison. 

What Penelope wants, in truth, is exactly what she has now - a little comfortable moment, but with Colin’s arms around her instead of a blanket. Leaning against him, maybe with his own book, instead of just the sofa arm.

She misses him, really. And it’s only been an hour or so. 

Oh well. Penelope nestles back further into the couch. He won’t be back for a while, so the book will have to keep her company for now.

“Tell him yes,” She reads. “Even if you are dying of fear, even if you are sorry later, because whatever you do, you will be sorry all the rest of your life if you say no.”

Around fifteen minutes later, the front door opens. Penelope almost knocks over her mug of tea with how violently she jumps. And then - oh, it’s just Colin. And then - oh, it’s Colin!

‘Colin!’ she exclaims, interrupting her internal monologue by just stating it out loud. ‘What are you doing back so early?’ 

He’s leaning against the doorframe, flashing her that grin she adores. ‘Got all cosy, did you?’ he asks, looking around at the lit candles and bluetooth speaker and the blanket they got from his mother as a housewarming present. ‘Mind if I join in?’ 

Penelope moves along the sofa and lifts up the corner of the blanket in invitation. Colin slides right in, and they adjust - he’s now sitting where she’s just vacated, arm slung around her shoulders, and she’s leaning into him with one leg over his and one on the coffee table. 

It’s even better than she imagined.

‘Missed you,’ Colin says after a minute. She’d gone back to her book and he was on his phone, reading an article, but she looks up at that. 

‘They were talking about sports or something, and I thought, ‘I’d rather be home with my girl,’ so now I’m here,’ he says, looking right back at her. 

Something warm unfurls in Penelope’s chest at that. At the pet name, at the fact that he’d preferred her boring evening to a fun night out, at the fact that he was now here and that it was exactly where he’d wanted to be. 

Colin kisses her once, gently, and when she leans in again, he moves over to kiss her forehead instead. 

‘We can do that later. You were prepared for a quiet night, right? Don’t let me get in the way of that,’ he says, equally as gently, and Penelope shakes her head.

‘You don’t get in the way. You make it better,’ she admits, and he smiles. Pulls her in closer. 

‘Glad we moved in together,’ he says, and puts his phone on his thigh so he can reach over and carefully open her book back up, from where she’d been keeping track of her page with her thumb.

So Penelope goes back to her book, and Colin goes back to the article, and the track switches to a new piano piece. And then when her tea gets cold, he goes and makes her a new one, just the way she likes it. 

Tell him yes, the book said. She’s so glad she did.

(Also on ao3)

[yanak324]

*Fanfic Friday* Rec List 📖😷

One of my favorite books is “Love in the Time of Cholera” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. As I was reading some of the brilliant stories I list below, I couldn’t help but think I should call this week’s rec list, “Reading Gendrya in the Time of Corona,” because honestly, fanfiction has been such a safe haven for me this week. I don’t know what I’d do without all this wonderful (and free!) entertainment our gendrya fam is feeding us.

This week’s list is a mix of stories that I’ve already recced that have updated and those that I dug up from the archives. (Think back to the glorious period of Spring 2019 when we were all young, ignorant, and hyped because our she wolf and blacksmith were eyef*cking the hell out of each other within the first 20 mins of Season 8...oh the good ole days.)

I’m positive the world will go back to moving at the speed of light very, very soon but for now, take a pause and enjoy the brilliance of our fellow gendrya stans and writers! And don’t forget to let them know how much you like it (kudos, comments, bookmarks, reblogs, the whole shebang 🥰).

Happy reading & stay hydrated & safe 🤓💦⛑

No Big Deal by @jepshe

Arya & Gendry are back on their bullsh*t and I am here for it. There’s nothing more delicious than these two fools dancing around each other, while having some incredibly satisfying sex. If that’s your cup of tea, check out this update! It’s certainly mine 😏🍵

My world goes soft (before the storm) by @thelandofnothing

Oh how I missed this story! Proof that Arya and Gendry will always find their way to each other in any universe. This one also features uncle!Gendry, very heated make out sessions (and epic smut) and in this update, Arya reflects on their budding relationship, how hard she’s falling (aw), and faces an obstacle. Storytelling at it’s finest...go read!!

in the heat of moments with your heart playing up cold by @ariastarke

This is a truly remarkable oneshot that gives us a glimpse into a canon-verse world where Gendry grows up in Winterfell alongside the Starks. It spans a lot of years and is told from Arya’s perspective as she grows closer and closer to Gendry, culminating in one of the best love confessions I’ve ever read for this pairing. Nothing tickles me more than good, quality canon writing that showcases the strength of Gendrya’s friendship and subsequent romantic relationship and this one has it in spades. Enjoy! I definitely did 😍

fight the break of dawn by @chasingforeverandaday

Speaking of excellent canon, one of my FAVE canon writers busted out with this gift for @welt-verbessererin that is not only very realistic (Gendry is tiiiired from all his weapons forging) but shows a sweeter side to Arya that we don’t often get to see. This one shot beautifully captures an intimate moment between our fave couple against the backdrop of impending war...and let’s just say, it left me feeling warm, cozy and happy. As @chasingforeverandaday‘s writing usually does. Check it out!

Forging the Broken Pieces of Us into Something Better by r_j_l

This is an oldie but goodie. I’m sharing the entire series here, because it’s just that good. It features a series of soft, smutty, romantic and at times angsty moments between Arya and Gendry as they try to establish a new normal amidst all the turmoil they’re experiencing. Also canon-set, also sexy, and deeply emotional. One of my faves from way back when and I know I’ll be returning to it again and again.

practice makes perfect by @kelleesioverhere

Every time this story updates, I can’t breathe. No joke. This is *the* best portrayal of Arya’s inner thoughts that I’ve seen written in a modern setting AND this is just hot as hell...the last update left me absolutely shooketh and I didn’t know whether to aww, fan myself, or just lie down and patiently wait for an update. This story should have a disclaimer on it that warns people to turn on a cold shower immediately after...or at least get an ice pack from the fridge. I had to do both 🥺🥴🥵

the overstay by @watersandwolves

The quarantine fic that was promised. Arya arrives in Storm’s End to help long-time friend, Gendry deal with his father’s estate only to find out Westeros is battling a nasty virus (familiar, eh?) and she’s stuck there for the foreseeable future. The first chapter was just a light tease of what’s to come but there were already some incredible nuggets of banter, subtle looks, domesticity, AND beautiful descriptions of Storm’s End. I can almost forgive @watersandwolves for not updating switch, if she updates this baby soon...but from what I heard, we might be getting both and we are so blessed for it. Can’t wait either way! Also, the title is stupidly clever and I’m here for it!