#and I usually read a lot more but damn these multi chapter fics

[metannoyuhhh]

Fics I Read This Week (11/26-12/2)

Secrets and Lavender

5+1 fic. Klance established relationship, 5 times Lance is jealous of people flirting with Keith and want to punch them, and one time he actually does punch someone flirting with Keith.

Short and sweet, very good.

Audience of one

Explores the concept of Keith having more galra traits and being raised as a galra soldier. He and Lance meet after Lance is kidnapped by the galra and gets him through alive.

I really enjoyed this, the character development for Keith was just sooooo good and when there were action scenes they were super good to read.

Free to breathe

Sequel to audience of one, focuses a lot on Lances recovery after being imprisoned and how the team comes to terms with Keith being around, not super action packed.

My favorite part of this was definitely the hurt/comfort elements of Keith and Lances relationship and touches on the really important stuff when it comes to being in love with your captor and the member of an institution you’ve been fighting for the greater good. The team’s development, especially Alluras, is also a great part of this story and very well written.

Smile for the stars

ANGST ANGST ANGST

Keith and Lance get stranded on a desert planet after winning the galra war, they have to come to terms with being alone together and their feelings for each other while dealing with the hardships of survival.

Without giving to much away (Major Character Death is tagged) I loved the development of Keith and lances relationship both while there is and isn’t much conflict. The concept of grief is also handled well and even though it was devastating to read I couldnt help but find it a little beautiful.

[woodchoc-magnum]

20 questions for fic writers

tagged by @cinematicnomad (❤️❤️❤️)

How many works do you have on ao3? 75

What's your total ao3 word count? 2,194,345

What fandoms do you write for? literally only 911

Top five fics by kudos 01. the dream you wish will come true 02. try to love me if you can 03. alone again tonight with you 04. when things fall into place 05. let me roll it to you

Do you respond to comments? i try to - sometimes on a multi-chapter fic I might skip some, but on the last chapter I try to thank everyone.

What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? lmao none of them, I only write happy endings (and that's the way it will stay!)

What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? almost all of them end up in a flash forward to buck and eddie being happily married so... yeah. pick one!

Do you get hate on fics? okay so we all remember how chim punched buck right? well I covered that in you were never mine and oh my fucking god did people use my comment section as an excuse to debate whether it was right or wrong.

Do you write smut? Yep 😏

Craziest crossover my only crossover is with 911 Lone Star

Have you ever had a fic stolen? i really, really hope not

Have you ever had a fic translated? no i don't think so

Have you ever cowritten a fic before? once upon a long, long time ago in a fandom far, far away

All time favourite ship? buddie, they literally infected my brain FOUR YEARS AGO THIS MONTH and i'm still not over it. i don't know if i ever will be.

What's a wip you want to finish but doubt you ever will? i started one that's an alternate take on season 2 and 3, like what if eddie joined the other station instead of the 118. I hit a wall writing it so I focused on other things, and then the show came back on and started inspiring me again, so it's on the backburner - FOR NOW.

What are your writing strengths? dialogue, plot e.g. keeping things moving along, so much drama, dinner parties with lots of drama especially, oh and any kind of awkward situation. and CLIFFHANGERS (my favourite)

What are your writing weaknesses? i'm not as descriptive as other people. when i write the first draft it's usually like bare bones and then i go back in to describe things in more detail. i always focus on the dialogue first and try to flesh it out later. i also worry that i get stuck in a rut and use the same words over and over again, so when i go back through and edit i'm always fixing that up

Thoughts on dialogue in another language? i have no strong feelings either way. i hardly ever write eddie speaking spanish but that's just a personal thing

First fandom you wrote in? yeah... so it was something and then it was criminal minds and i'm keeping the "something" part a secret. it was 20 years ago it literally does not matter anymore

Favorite fic you've written? my favourite one is light me and i'll burn for you - it was just so easy to write and every time i re-read it i'm like, damn, this is pretty good! i think it's just a fun fic. i also like my christopher POV fics because I just love writing him, but especially your heart of gold. i have a lot more favourite scenes than fics, so i'll go back and just re-read specific stuff. i write for myself first and foremost!

tagging!! @tripleaxeldiaz, @tawaifeddiediaz, @sevensoulmates, @fiona-fififi and anyone else!

[lenna-z]

Hii! This is the first chapter of my fic that I've been writing for months and still writing.

I've been stuck on chapter seven for a long time... I really wanted to finish a multi-chapter fic so I didn't want to post it until it was done...

The fic doesn't even have a title yet because I was focused on finishing it but naming the chap is much easier 😅

Please feel free to tell me what you think, reading your comments makes my day! The main reason I'm posting the first chapter is because I want to know what you think.

Have a great day/night! Warning: Blood and Injury

What Happened There?

Chap. 1: Blood

As the smell of the hospital filled his nostrils, his eyes immediately searched for doctor or nurse.

The Tracy family was one of this hospital's biggest donors, and it was only a matter of time before someone recognized him and understood what he had come for.

A little further on, he saw two nurses with their backs to him, and he was heading towards them, and with the crowd behind him, they had already caught the attention of other people.

"No, come on! The news reported that local authorities thought she was guilty. Could she-"

"Damn Des, she's part of International Rescue. They save people, not the other way around."

He might kill the nurse called Des right here, but first he needs to find out what the damn media is accusing his sister of.

And most importantly, her situation.

After a hard cough, he got straight to the point. "Excuse me-"

"Mr. Tracy! What an honor to have you here." And the nurse called Des kept talking as if she wasn't blaming his sister thirty seconds ago.

Scott turned to the other nurse as if she weren't there. "I really want to know about my colleague's condition and where she is." He would have preferred 'sister' but had to keep it professional.

"She's in surgery now, Mr. Tracy. Will you allow me to accompany you to the waiting area while I inform you of her situation?"

She was clearly afraid of the guards behind him and the rest of the family because of what had just been said.

Unlike the other nurse, because she was looking at the red-haired nurse with anger in her eyes.

"Sure."

The woman spoke as she pointed in the direction they were going with one hand. "Miss Kyrano had lost a lot of blood when she arrive... but if first aid had not been done, we'd probably be talking about other things right now."

When they reached a corridor divided into three sides in the hospital, the woman again led the way with one arm and continued to talk. "Her heartbeat... had stopped when she was first brought here, but she's back."

She spoke sympathetically, like she understood him. As they approached the elevator at the end of the hall, they both slowed down and she pressed the elevator's call button.

When he took a small glance at the people behind him, he found them listening as carefully as he did.

"There is no information from the operating room yet, but if anything happens, you will be informed immed-" Her face turned serious as the device on the nurse's wrist vibrated and her full attention was on it.

When she looked at him again, she was already ready to go backwards. "I have to leave you here, press -2, turn right when the door opens, the waiting area will be just ahead of you."

"Thank you."

Everyone was quiet when they got into the elevator. After a deep breath, Gordon's voice filled the elevator.

"She will be fine."

"You wouldn't know that, Gordon." The youngest's voice was lower than usual and unsteady.

When they went to the waiting area with the words hanging in the air, the sight they encountered made them even more worried.

They were in an area that cut from a wide corridor to a narrower corridor with a sharp corner.

There were traces of blood on the corner of the corridor, and on one side of the narrow corridor was a Virgil with his back against the wall, his head buried in his knees.

The closer they got to him, the more noticeable the bloodstains on his hands and on his uniform.

It was Virgil who gave Kayo the first aid in question.

They didn't know what situation Kayo was in at the time, but when, like Kayo, communication with Virgil was cut off, and Virgil's frantic voice was suddenly heard...

The rest was complicated. Scott had gathered the rest of the family while John and Virgil were yelling at each other on the comm.

John yelling at Virgil to get him to focus, and their quiet brothers shouting at him even more in response... It wasn't a situation he wanted to relive.

Now yelling at him wasn't even an option, so Scott slowly moved closer to him and slid to the floor with his back against the wall like him.

A small whisper came from his right as Scott tried to think of what to say. "Her heart stopped."

This time his voice was a little louder. "I should have gone there from the start... Why... I-"

Grandma leaned in front of Virgil and put a hand on his shoulder. "Virgil, honey..? Please don't-"

His shoulders tensed even more and he lifted his head. "No... you weren't there... She was bleeding and I-"

"The nurse said-" No, he wouldn't say that. "If it weren't for you, Virg, we wouldn't be standing in front of an OR right now. And just so you know, the same would have been true if I had been there instead of you."

A mocking breath. "It was just luck. It was just luck that I was anywhere near there."

"Then we're so lucky you got the lucky, bro, because you saved our sister."

Grandma muttered to Gordon in approval. Virgil looked more consistent, and the relief was clearly palpable.

"Scott, honey, we brought Virgil some clothes, didn't we?"

"Yes... yes grandma."

Thank god they have Grandma. She had thought of bringing clothes for Virgil, and also created the opportunity for him to talk to him alone now.

He was grateful to her for considering the first, because no matter how comfortable Virgil's IR uniform was, it was covered in Kayo's blood.

And the second, the quicker the better. He might have seen something about why Kayo was accused.

"Virg? Let's get you cleaned up bro."

"I'm not leaving here."

He expected him to protest. If he hadn't protested, he would have thought there was a problem.

"We're not going far, Virgil, Those staying here can let us know if there is any development."

He didn't want to leave for a long time either. And he didn't want to think about what might happen if instead of improvement in their absence.

"OK, but it won't take long."

As he stood up himself and extended a hand to help him, the wounds on the knuckles of the hand that gripped his hand did not go unnoticed.

The bloodstains on the wall were caused by his brother's fist or fists. The trembling of the hand gripping him suggested it must have been more than one fist.

A few steps later, two of the six bodyguards who had followed them like shadows since they set foot here was following them again.

He had met many of them before, knew all of them by name, although not formally, and had read all of their CVs.

Kayo was particularly mindful of the selection of IR bodyguards and, as now, had brought him CVs to approve the guards she had chosen to accompany them in times of emergency. He didn't even need to approve. If Kayo trusted, so was he.

He must have stared at the bodyguard for so long that she felt the need to explain herself.

"As per procedure, you have to be accompanied by someone, sir."

They turned in the direction the sign was pointing.

"I know. Talia, right? You can just call me Scott." He didn't like formality.

Still, Talia and the other bodyguard, Jeremy, followed them, keeping a safe distance between them.

"Are you the one who called them here?" He asked in a low voice that they couldn't hear.

Part of him who wanted to forget what had happened had thought that Kayo had called them here. It was clear that Virgil couldn't think like that.

"No. Standard procedure. I don't know exactly how it works."

"Simple. Even if she's not here, she's protecting us."

He couldn't say anything to that, because that was the truth.

At the end of the corridor, when they came to the toilets with opposite doors on both sides, both slowed down at the same time.

Maybe it was just because there was a waiting room on this floor, maybe it was just luck, but it was empty inside.

"There were bodies there."

"What?!" Of course, he wanted to come to this subject as well, but his priority was his brother. Obviously, Virgil thought the opposite, and it was clear that he was right about that. "Bodies? Are you sure?"

He went to the far end of the room and turned on the tap at the end, trying to clean the blood from his hands. The blood of the person they see as a sister...

"When I got there ... I saw her on the ground and covered in blood- ...I-" The blood looked darker in the darker color of the sink, but the blood still wasn't completely gone from his hands.

He started rubbing his hands harder, but the wounds from punching the wall seemed to be holding him back.

"When I went to her, I thought she was dead- ...I begged John to tell him she was alive, but he wouldn't answer... I thought-"

"Virgil..." He turned off the faucet, for Virgil was now scraping his skin with his nails. "Let me help."

The dark towels in her clothing bag caught his eye, and he reminded himself once again to thank Grandma.

He soaked the towels with warm water and began to clean his hands, noting the wounds on his brother's hand.

"There was a lot of blood, Scott." It wasn't hard to tell when he saw the blood on Virgil's uniform. There was so much blood as if he had injured himself.

"Thank god she had a pulse, otherwise I..." He took a deep breath and continued. "And then I saw the bodies, I'm sure because I scanned them, three people and all three dead." He seemed to be arguing in his own head. "I- I don't remember the rest very clearly, but if John hadn't come back in comm I-"

"Your hands need bandages."

"I'm fine, Scott, these are minor scrapes-"

"Virgil-"

"I don't care if we're in a hospital, I don't need bandages while Kayo is there!"

"Virgil! Did you say John was back in comm?" This question seemed to have stopped his brother.

"Yes?"

Damn.

"John never left comm, we were both there, we- we couldn't reach you..."

OOOOOO

[sarahowritesostucky]

Answer the questions and tag at least 5 fanfiction authors you know!

🍓 How did you get into writing fanfiction?

🍇How many fandoms have you written in?

🍈How many years have you been writing fanfiction?

🍎Do you read or write more fanfiction?

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

🍑Do you have any bad habits as a writer?

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

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

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

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

🍏What is the easiest type?

🍑Where do you do your writing? What platform? When?

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

🍇 what made you choose your username?

Oooh I love it!

N.P. tags (that I just grabbed from all the fics I've recced on my page in the last 6 months): @metalbvcky, @writingliv, @sweetdreamsbuck, @the-iceni-bitch, @luxeavenger, @wiypt-writes, @questionableratatouille00, @holylulusworld, @dharmasharks, @gutsby, @dizzy-after-dark, @ronearoundblindly, @dcangstfiction, @darkdemeter, @sinner-as-saint, @purple-babygirl, @f10werfae,m @hansensgirl, @goodgirlofglory, @juniperskye, @tuiccim, @cadavercowboy, @oh-my-damn, @hollyseb, @1800jjbarnes, @stargazingfangirl18, @broodybuck, @lilacevans, @pandafishao3

🍓 How did you get into writing fanfiction?

A: *sigh* I discovered Tokio Hotel in college 😣

🍇How many fandoms have you written in?

A: Seven (TH, Queer as Folk, Criminal Minds, Teen Wolf, Marvel, C.E. Characters/fims, and S.S. Characters/films)

🍈How many years have you been writing fanfiction?

A: 15 years. Jesus God.

🍎Do you read or write more fanfiction?

A: Write more. By a lot. I like to read, but I get too inspired to create whenever I read.

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

A: I used to overuse epithets (the blonde, the other man, etc.) horribly much when I first started, until someone pointed this out to me and I weaned myself off of that trash. I also used to not get lay/lie correct 90% of the time (I still check a chart, from time to time 😂)

🍑Do you have any bad habits as a writer?

A: Getting too caught up in the details and in-the-moment exposition, and thus making the story very long and taking it from a nice concise oneshot to a multi-chapter monstrosity. Also: WIPs. I have too many.

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

A: probably researching human anatomy butcher charts (like what cut of meat from where, how it would be best prepared, etc). This is for the "Fresh" fandom fics I've written, lol.

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

A: Long rambling ones that ask questions and list lots of specific details of what the reader liked!

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

A: Probably diapers. Or cannibalism.

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

A: Comedy

🍏What is the easiest type?

A: smut

🍑Where do you do your writing? What platform? When?

A: Google Docs. Word if I'm going somewhere without internet access. Usually I write the most at night, but it can be any time of day.

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

A: I can't think of any! Lol. It used to be anything like Diapers/omorashi/enemas, but I officially crossed the rainbow bridge into weirdo-land a long time ago, now.

🍇 what made you choose your username?

A: In middleschool when the internet first showed up at school, they showed us Yahoo and had us make an account. It randomly assigned me the UN: sarahyellow--that became my well name on Ao3. So when I moved over to Tumblr, I just went with something obvious that communicated what I'm about and my Ao3 friends could find: "Sarah-writes-Stucky." My first blog was maliciously deleted by a anti-ship troll, so for my new account it had to be a little different "sarahowritesostucky"

[radiowallet]

Hi! I just want to say that you are one of my favorite blogs on here! I absolutely love your writing and I can’t wait to hold a copy of PWC in my hands! You have inspired me to try my hand at writing fic for the first time in….well…longer than I would like to admit. Decades really. I’m just so scared. Scared that it will suck. Scared that my ideas won’t work out. Scared that I will fuck up my favorite characters.

How do you get your ideas down and into a coherent story? Is there a process you have that helps you write?

I hope I am not overstepping or making you uncomfortable. Thank you so much for reading this and thank you for your amazing stories!

Oh nonnie! First of all thank you so so much for this message. I woke up to it this morning and saw it and I have been smiling like a loon ever since! Thank you! I can’t wait to share this new version of Poorly Wired Circuit with you!

Also, I am honored that I inspired you to write again. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a higher compliment! And I want to tell you that I am so damn proud of you! It’s a terrifying feeling to share that piece of yourself. Writing can be so so personal and those fears are so justifiable. I promise you are not alone in them.

You could never inconvenience Nonnie! In fact this question got me so excited! I put a few tips below the cut!

Just remember, writing is an expression of you and the best part about fanfiction and creating in general is you can’t fuck it up. This medium is here for us to interpret and create as we see fit. If you see your favorite character doing something that might not fit in with the overall fandom that’s okay! You want to try your hand at a new genre with that character? Awesome! Have fun with it and that passion will translate to the words!

As far as a personal process? I sort of have two methods.

For one shots and small pieces I usually fly by the seat of my pants. Just write what I feel and then yeet the words into the universe. This method is almost more like journaling for me but some of my favorites pieces have come out of this method. I’ve found it’s a great way to get to understand a character and their motivations.

For something like PWC or multi chapter stories I do like to do a rough outline before I dive in. It’s never anything crazy detailed, just a rough list of story beats I want to hit. Usually the original outline changes as I start writing but I have found it helps me to have a roadmap right from the beginning. I’m actually not someone who writes in order, I tend to jump around from chapter to chapter a lot, and that’s another reason an outline helps me.

I also start gathering inspiration - I make a playlist, start a Pinterest page, dig through tumblr. Just in search of an overall vibe of the story. Also, if you have someone to chat with about your story, I highly recommend it. Being able to jump into my mutuals DMs and toss out ideas has been such a lifesaver and I credit this to making me a better writer. (Always feel free to reach out to me nonnie ❤️).

I’m so proud of you, nonnie and I can’t wait to read what you’re working on! Please tag me if and when you decide to share it with us!

[evilwickedme]

For the fic questions - number one? (Which work of yours would you recommend to someone who’s never read your stuff?)

Hi anon! Thank you so much for asking <3

The thing about this question is that the correct answer isn't necessarily my best work, but rather one that represents me as a writer overall. I have a few crack/comedy fics that are my most successful fics numerically, and they're pretty fun, but they're definitely in the minority when it comes to my writing. I also want to rec something relatively recent, to represent my current writing style, despite having plenty of works written before the pandemic. And I still want to make a good impression, obviously. I gravitate, in general, to multi-chapter fics or short series of oneshots, and my general disposition is towards character studies, angst, slow burn romance, and slow narratives in general. My alternate universes are usually mishmashes of different canons or very subtle changes (for want of a nail type of aus), although I have a lot of canon compliant fics. I have smutty fics for sure, but the smut is always secondary for me to the character, and although I enjoy a good PWP when reading, I prefer to write sex scenes that move the plot forward. Also, I've written almost no non polyamorous romance stories since 2019. I nearly always have happy endings, because unless it serves a specific purpose, I don't enjoy unnecessarily grimdark endings. I've let my characters suffer, they've gotten through it, and they're better for it. I prefer fandoms with a lot of source material - TV shows, book series, comics.

So I have two answers. The first is a series of three one shots, and might not count, but I feel like it includes all of the above - stay here (all I know is that I'm not running towards the safest thing). It's a leverage (tv show) au where eliot doesn't join the team until mid-season three. It's a character study for eliot, features an ot3 - eliot/parker/hardison, and is a very subtle au overall, mostly following canon except for the consequences of this one change. Has a happy ending. I will say the romance, while not instantaneous, is also not particular slow burn, but the plot is secondary, with the fics focusing on eliot's journey towards healing over the course of all three fics. I haven't written for leverage in over a year, but it's some of my best work, while still representing my writing style as a whole.

But if we're only accepting single fics rather than fic series, I have to pick I'm a mess (but I'm the mess that you wanted). It's a mix of a few different canons - it's mainly a spider-man into the spider-verse fic, but features details from spider-man, deadpool, and spider-gwen comics, and it's basically entirely canon compliant for all of them, because it happens post canon. It's an angsty spideypool fic, a pairing I've been writing for since 2015 (damn), but also features petermj pretty heavily. It also features a lot of character study elements for peter, and focuses on his mental health and grief for gwen. the romance isn't as slow burn as some of my other fics, but it's an 11k word fic, and peter and wade don't get together till the very end (spoiler, lmao). It also features a lot of my more abstract writing and has a bunch of parallels and time jumps, which I love doing and absolutely is something I do a lot and have since I started writing fic (I've been doing time jumps since my first major longfic, Of Three Times Lily Evans Changed Her Mind About James Potter, which I started in spring of 2014).

So yeah, long answer, but that's what I'd suggest as starters for my fics.

[femmefighter]

2. Do you plan each chapter ahead or write as you go?

A bit of column A, a bit of column B. I usually have an end-goal for each piece, be it a one-shot or multi-chapter, and with the latter I usually have an end-goal for each chapter too. With my Reach Out WIP, I have about 8 chapters of content planned ahead, but not written out in detail. But you can guarantee I have a million scenes of all the storylines playing over in my head at inopportune times for me to actually write them out.

47. How many times do you usually revise your fic/chapter before posting?

Not enough! I don’t have a beta, so my own sounding board is reading out loud to my dog (poor boy, he must be sick of my shit). I do that a few times to make sure it flows, and I do a number of grammar/spelling edits both once I’ve finished writing the chapter but also as I go. But even then, once I post, I’ll re-read and see more mistakes and internally die on the inside before reaching for that “Edit Chapter” button. I still find mistakes in my early chapters of RO&FM that I’ve reread so many damn times already.

70. When asked, are you embarrassed or enthusiastic to tell people that you write?

No one’s actually asked me! I’ve mentioned to a few people I dabble in fanfiction (usually other nerds/geeks, aka safe spaces). I’d have no problem telling people I write if it did come up in conversation, I just wouldn’t be telling them how to find my work if they ask to read any of it. I think I’d probably say, “A lot of my work consists of explicit Star Wars femslash. If you’ve already found it yourself and are enjoying it, then we’ll talk more. You’ll know it’s me if you’ve found it. If not, go fish. Pun intended.”

Thanks for the ask!! 🥰

[xieyouji-xiegushi]

Just What I Needed (Chapter 3)

Cross-posting my fics while AO3 is down! This is a multi-chapter fic; please check out the contents page for additional tags, overall CWs and other chapters before reading!

Title: Just What I Needed (Chapter 3)

Fandom: Supernatural

Rating: E

Ship: Destiel

Chapter 3 CWs: none

Summary: All Sam and Dean have to their names right now is $200, a '67 Chevy Impala, and a lead.

Dean dropped Sam off outside the library. Sam waved, wishing him a good date and reminding him to be careful. Dean was relaxed. He’d managed to wash his hair under a standpipe at the gas station earlier, and he had one of his last clean shirts on. He knew he didn’t exactly look his best, but at least Castiel probably wouldn’t be able to guess that he was effectively homeless.

He parked two blocks away from the Cheesecake Factory at precisely 6.45, giving him enough time to walk the rest of the way. He didn’t like to park right outside in case his jilted date tried to follow him. It wouldn’t do to have some angry guy memorising his plates. He walked briskly, not because he was cold, but actually a little excited. He tried to contain himself, but it was a long time since he’d been on anything that had even the semblance of a real date. He might have been out here scamming older guys for food, but they were out to get something for themselves too. He just didn’t usually give it to them.

Reminding himself that, no matter how pleasant the target, this was still just a scam, Dean hurried inside. Castiel was waiting just inside of the door. He smiled when he saw Dean.

“Aaron, I presume?”

“That’s me. Shall we grab a table?”

“Yes, we should.”

After they were situated, with two glasses of water and their food on the way, Castiel decided it was time to start the conversation.

“I hope this is okay. The restaurant, I mean. I never feel comfortable at expensive places.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine. I get that.” Dean did get it. He was all about quantity over quality, especially recently.

“Good,” Castiel responded, before falling silent. Dean waited for a couple of minutes, but there was no follow-up. Odd. Maybe Castiel was nervous. Okay, Dean could work with that.

“So, uh, do you come here often?”

Dean kicked himself internally. Why was that the thing that came out of his mouth? If he’d had a brain, he’d be dangerous.

“No, I do not frequent the Cheesecake Factory. I mainly eat at home,” Castiel answered the question, apparently taking it at face value. He looked down at his drink. More silence. Dean began to feel a bit awkward. The conversation just wasn’t flowing the way it had seemed to earlier. It was… weird.

“Hey, uh, are you okay?” he asked.

“Yes. Sorry. My people skills are… rusty. I mainly talk to computers. I haven’t been on a proper date since… well, I can’t remember, actually. I’ve forgotten what to do.”

Dean laughed gently. That made two of them.

“Well, you were pretty conversational earlier. Just stick with that.”

“Oh. That. Texting is easier than face to face interactions. And the questions thing – I, uh, saw that on stackexchange. I’m nowhere near that smooth in real life.”

Well, that made sense. Dean felt just the smallest twinge of disappointment, but he shelved it. If the date was bad, he wouldn’t feel guilty for cutting out early.

“I think, this is the part where I ask you to tell me about yourself, is it not?” Castiel continued. “How long have you been in town?”

“Just a few days. You’re local?”

“Yep, born and bred. You here for long?”

“Not sure yet. Probably not. We move around a lot.”

“We?”

Damn. Dean usually went out of his way to avoid giving any personal information to his dates. Castiel was more observant than he was used to. Most of the guys he went out with just wanted to talk about themselves. Oh well, he supposed he could give a few details, as long as they weren’t identifying.

“Yeah, I’m with my family. My Dad, and my kid brother.”

“Your dad? How old did you say you were again?”

“I didn’t, but I’m 24.” Dean lied. Really, he was 20, but a lot of guys were put off by that, and the ones that weren’t tended to be trouble. “Family business. I help out and take care of Sammy.”

“That sounds pleasant. I haven’t seen my brothers for a long time. They’re not… the best people.”

Oh. Okay. Awkward, and a little oversharing. Castiel wasn’t really what Dean had expected, but, somehow, he found that he didn’t mind. It was honestly just nice to meet someone who liked to listen as much as talk.

“Sorry to hear that, man. Having a brother… it’s awesome. Sammy’s the greatest kid. Does good in school, everyone likes him, you know. Never gets in trouble. Give him some apple pie and he’s happy as Larry.”

Dean lit up when he was talking about Sam, and Castiel noticed, smiling at him softly. It was a kind smile. It made Dean feel warm. Not many people looked at him like that these days.

“What’s the family business?”

“Oh, you know. Contracting. Short jobs, different cities, that sort of thing. We mostly live on the road.”

“Sounds interesting. Tiring, I imagine, but it must feel… freeing.” If Castiel had noticed how Dean had deflected the question, he didn’t comment. “I’m chained to a desk most days, I’m afraid. Not a very exciting life.”

“Well, thank god you met me,” Dean quipped, before his curiosity got the better of him. “Actually, if this is your first date in a while… why did you ask me out?”

“I don’t know. I hadn’t even opened Grindr in, oh, must’ve been months. Today I just decided to check it out, see what’s out there, and there you were, right at the top. I didn’t know you’d just come into town. But it seems, I don’t know, serendipitous.”

As he said this, Castiel met Dean’s eyes, and held his gaze for the longest they had managed so far. Dean could tell that he was completely sincere. He almost found himself agreeing. Castiel’s eyes were truly striking. Dean felt like he was at risk of answering any question Castiel asked as long as he was looking into his eyes.

Their food arrived, and Castiel got to work on his quickly, with Dean taking it considerably slower. The conversation was moving more naturally now. They talked about Castiel’s job, which sounded just as boring as he claimed it was, their hobbies (Dean left several off the list), music, and a bit more about their families. Dean was careful not to give anything else away. Castiel didn’t go into much detail about his, either. What he did say made it sound pretty complicated. Dean could relate. Neither of them pried beyond what they were willing to share.

Dean almost jumped out of his chair when he felt his phone ring. He quickly checked his watch – how was it 8.30 already? He hadn’t been looking at the time at all. He supposed he had just been enjoying Castiel’s company.

“Sorry, I gotta take this.”

“No problem.”

Dean walked away from the table and answered the phone.

“Hi, Sammy.”

“Ready to go?”

Dean hesitated, glancing back at Castiel, who was still sitting at the table. God, he was good-looking. A tiny part of him wanted to stay.

“Dean? Come on, I’m hungry.”

“Right, right. Sorry. I’ll be right there.”

He hung up and returned to the table. No need for a fake frown; he actually felt bad about leaving. Castiel clearly didn’t go out much. Dean felt like he was wasting a rare opportunity for him.

“Castiel, I’m so sorry. I have to go. My Dad has to go to work, so I gotta go home and take care of Sammy. Sorry, I was supposed to have the night free.”

Castiel was silent for a few seconds, before turning his face towards Dean with an understanding expression.

“It’s okay. Here, let’s get your food packed up.” He motioned for a waiter to come to the table. “Could we get this food to go? And add an apple pie to that, and the bill, please.”

“Apple pie?”

“Sammy’s favourite, right?”

Dean was taken aback. Now he felt really guilty.

“Hey, Aaron, I had a great time tonight. Could I get your number?”

“What? Oh, right, of course.”

Dean had been asked this after a date before of course. This time, though, he gave Castiel his real number. He felt his phone buzz in his pocket as Castiel drop-called him.

“There, now you’ve got mine. Ah, and just in time,” he said, as the waiter returned with the food. He handed the bags to Dean, who accepted them gratefully. “Text me when you get home, okay?”

“Uh, sure. Thanks, Castiel. Be seeing you.”

“I hope so.”

Dean turned and half-ran out of the restaurant. Castiel would hopefully assume it was because he was rushing home, but really Dean just didn’t know how to respond. When he got back to the car, he pulled out his phone and saved Castiel’s number, grinning stupidly. Yeah, he was totally smitten.

He got back to the library at 8.55. Sam was waiting.

“You’re late.”

“Five minutes! And I got you pie.”

“What? How did you manage that?”

“The guy. He ordered it.”

Sam gave him a sidelong look. “And? How was it?”

“It was nice. He was nice.”

“That’s good. Shame you’re not gonna see him again.”

Dean felt a slight pang of sadness. “Right. Yeah. I’m not into second dates, anyway.”

There was a faint buzzing sound, which Dean realised had come from his phone. He opened it to check the notification. Grindr. He opened it, just to see what it was.

hi

u into older

?

________________

Well, it was a bit soon after his last date, but maybe Dean could book in dinner for later in the week. It would give him one less thing to worry about.

i’m open

________________

Good start. Not shutting it down, but not looking like he was into it either. Dean had discovered that if he came on too strong, they didn’t feel as inclined to spend money on him.

u avail?

[location]

here

now

________________

Yikes.

buy a guy dinner first?

i’m free tomorrow

________________

no dinner

1 hr

p2p

200

u come or not?

________________

Dean wracked his brain. What was ‘p2p’, again? Drugs? No, drugs was ‘pnp’, or sometimes ‘pArty’. No, ‘p2p’ was… oh, right. Pay to play. 200. That must’ve meant $200. Damn.

Dean was under no illusion exactly what he would be doing for that $200. To be honest, he’d considered it before, sometime after they got down to their last $500. He just hadn’t really known how to actually, you know, find a job.

pics?

________________

[image]

[image]

[image]

________________

Well, one out of those three was not exclusively a dick pic. The guy was definitely older than Dean, but still only looked to be about early 50s. He wasn’t stunningly attractive or anything, but not bad. Dean made up his mind.

ok

just got off work

can I shower at your place?

________________

sure

________________

be right there

________________

Dean looked over at Sam, who was working on his food.

“Hey, Sammy. I’ve gotta go, uh, take care of something. I’m gonna bring the car, so you just lock yourself in, alright? It won’t take long.”

“Where are you going? Hunting? Can I come?”

“No, and no. It’s just… a thing. Don’t worry about it. I’ll be back before you know it.”

“Okay, sure. Just be careful, alright?”

“Yeah, yeah. Of course.”

Dean sped across town and parked two streets away from the location. He grabbed his phone, leaving the car keys with Sam. He reached the house and rang the doorbell, hopping nervously from one foot to the other. The man opened the door and looked him up and down.

“Hi. Come in.”

“Thanks.” Dean ducked inside, heading straight to the bathroom. In his haste, he missed the text that came through to his phone.

Hey, Aaron. Did you make it home okay?

- Castiel: 21.20

[oonajaeadira]

For the Love of Fic: September 11

Oooof. I did a lot of Pero last week and I’ll be spending the next week focusing on another Pedro. So this week it’s a miscellany...with bonus non-Pedros....what?

MULTI

Euclidian Geometry by @leslie-lyman Okay, sure, there’s some smut involved, but really, the way Pero, Jack, and Frankie need each other, find solace in each other and in the reader...I can’t tell you what a beautiful surprise it was to expect wall-to-wall sex but be given deep, deeeep feelings. Not usually a reader of poly-fic myself, but I trust Leslie and if she goes there, I will follow. So glad I did.

How Did You Love 7 by @writeforfandoms This time it’s Jack’s turn to make a play for the chance to stay by your side. As always with Jen’s Jack, I just wanna bask in his warm protectiveness all damn day. And as much as I love Ezra, I have to say he irritated me a little this time...

The Infinity Cube Part 20 by @littlemisspascal Apart from an epilogue coming, this is the final chapter...and it’s a great one. Rae has stolen my heart with this fic...and trapped it inside. If you haven’t started on this one yet and have been waiting for a conclusion, now’s your time.

You’re the Light (Dragonrancher Jack Daniels universe) by @writeforfandoms Now we’re really getting into some mystery as the Thief shows up with some important information about Eggsy and his mom...

Formula 101 - Prologue: September by @littlemisspascal  Rae’s coming strong out of the gate on this one, the first “media fic” AND the first sport / driving fic I’ve ever delved into. It’s teeming with easter eggs not only with its media format and clickable links, but in characters and places from the Pedro universe (as well as a couple of other universes) and some other recognizable faces come up.  So much fun. And if you don’t know anything about F1 racing, you will be taken care of here as Rae uses the format to explain the basics in a format that’s quick and easy. GET IT.

.

JOEL MILLER

Loss by @radiowallet I feel like when Joel hits there will be so much beautiful angst in this fandom. Cat is starting us out strong by jumping off that “you have no idea what loss is” line from the teaser. Short and poetic, she’ll break your heart with every word.

A Fascination by @iamskyereads  Even though I’m not familiar with the character, I feel like this fic takes the time it needs for Joel to open up and let someone in. And when he does, whoo boy, it is savory and sweet in all the right spicy ways.

.

DIETER BRAVO

Locked Down Part 17: The Bubble, Part 18: The Return, Part 19: The Carpet, Part 20: The Admission and Part 21: The Reveal by @something-tofightfor​ Okay, I meant to read like two chapters per FTLOF, but I had to stand in some long lines this week and needed reading material and I can’t get enough of these two. So now I’m caught up and I want more and I am just hooked on how much these two love and trust one another. How they acknowledge what’s hard and what’s unconventional and how they take care of each other through it even if they’re not together. I’m so in awe of this story and the whole relationship, it feels so alive...

.

MAX PHILLIPS

Long Term Position by @blueeyesatnight I love a Max fic where the reader hates him intensely and for good reason, but in the end he’s able to break down barriers and get through to the heart by being no less shitty than he always is. I don’t know how Blue weaves this magic, but here it is.

.

MARCUS MORENO

A Good Man: 4 Days West by @radiowallet I admit that I came upon Cat a little late to jump on the Poorly Wired Circuit wagon (but am looking forward to the novelization!!!!) so I’m excited to be able to get on board at the start of this one. I don’t read Marcus often, but Cat’s gorgeous writing always pulls me in and she has such a deep love of the character that I know I’m in good hands. And a western AU to boot? Yee haw. Sign me up.

.

THE THIEF

An Unexpected Surprise by @mandosmistress A fun and flirty cat and mouse exchange between the Thief and a security systems expert in the wine cellar of a wealthy client...with a delicious little twist at the end.

.

PERO TOVAR

The Debt by @prolix-yuy This is one of my new favorites. Pero is such a perfect blend of grumpy and touched here. He’s such an ass but at the same time, knows when to spend his moments of sincerity. I love the subtle yearning, the respect, the unspoken camaraderie. And I love a lady badass. Chef’s kisses and cakes.

.

BONUS BAILEY CORNER - NON-PEDROS (with a pinch of Din)

KHONSHU

Like a Prayer by @unhinged-summer-fun Bailey could have written a straight up, full stop, beak-fucking fic, and she kinda did, but really, that’s just a small part of it. The path there is a lovely build of modern-day magic; the way the life of an everyday woman can catch the ear of an ancient god. And his eye. And his soul. And other parts.

.

BOBA FETT

The Book of Boba Fett (Bailey’s Version) by @snarwor Look. I am just fine with TBOBF. I liked it just fine and I enjoyed watching it. But I think it could have been so much better. Bailey does too...and she nails it. From letting the Tuskens live, to getting them involved in the fight, giving Boba motivation for redemption, giving Din reason to choose his path, making Cobb and Fennec more active players, and just cutting out the gristle. I love this version. I kind of wish I hadn’t read it because I really really want this to be canon....

.

[crouching-vinus]

What’s your writing process like?

Hmmm this is a loaded question but I will try to answer it to the best of my ability:

1. Resources - Before I start any multi-chaptered fic, I make an overall story outline that goes through the most bare bones story beats I can think of. It’s basically just a bullet point list of the main moments I want to happen separated by chapter. I also have separate docs for Ideas/Drabbles and Smut/Kinks where I can write down whatever comes to mind in an organized way whenever inspiration strikes. This is also why I like to use Google Docs, as I can have access to these docs from my phone via the app, so I can still write things down when I’m away from my computer. 

2. Chapter Outline - When I want to start a chapter (or a one-shot), I always start with an outline. Here I will almost always have my Story Outline doc, Ideas/Drabbles doc, and Smut/Kinks doc open on separate tabs just to give me some guidance. Again, these are just bullet points of the main moments I want to have happen in the chapter, in a much more detailed way than what’s probably in the main story outline. I’ll also deviate quite a bit from the story outline sometimes because I don’t really think it should be taken that seriously, and it’s helpful to leave room for what comes to you in the moment. 

I’ll usually organize these chapter outlines by “Acts”, though they don’t really mean anything, they’re just organizational markers. For example, the “acts” of Blackmail Chapter 7 were separated like this; Tutoring, Shopping, Tension (Living Room), Smut, Fight.

Also, the level of detail I'll put into my chapter outlines varies wildly. It’s just whatever I feel is most efficient for me. Chapter 6’s outline was like 13 pages, while Chapter 7’s was only 6.

3. Drafting - So this part is pretty self-explanatory, you just kinda have to write the damn thing. I always have a tab open to my chapter outline so I have a reference, as well as a tab open to thesaurus to help me with wording. If I feel like I’m struggling, something I’ve found to be really helpful is to either re-read the previous chapter or a work of a writer whose style I aspire to, to help me get that sense of “flow”. 

Another resource I found that helped me A LOT when it came to starting out with writing smut can be found here.

Then when the first draft is done I’ll reread it while in gdoc’s Suggesting mode so that I can leave myself comments, then make a copy to act as my Second Draft and fix all of my self critiques. Then I reread the whole thing again a third time, fixing as I go, and then I reread it all a fourth time, and by then I’m usually pretty satisfied with it, and it’s ready to be published. 

Honestly though, every chapter is a little bit different, and every author is too, so my biggest piece of advice is to just experiment around until you find something that works for you :>

I hope this was at least a little bit helpful, and if you have any questions or there’s anything you’d like for me to go more in depth on, please feel free to let me know! x

[sneverussape]

snape fic recs - old magic/epic worldbuilding

related to this post. i decided to dig through my bookmarks and wrack my brain for some of the fics i remember reading that scratched this particular itch. this will have fics that had the characters practice old magic and are more focused on the adults/hogwarts staff rather than the kids, or if the kids would be mentioned they would not be the main povs. these will be multi-chaptered, often long (and obviously au), and some of them have pairings. please heed the tags and warnings that the individual authors would have left; what you consume is your own responsibility. the fics are also listed in no particular order:

In His Name by moira of the mountain -  After the Final Battle, a fallen Snape is hidden, bearing Tom Riddle's last Unforgivable. There are three Secret Keepers and a Muggle healer to protect him, but will it be love - or an obligation - which finally frees him?  - no pairings // kinda brotp between mcgonagall, snape, and hagrid // also unfinished so fair warning. the lore is so rich though, it feels like how magic in hp should have been.

Death’s Dominion by MMADfan - Severus Snape’s life was changed when he was hit by an errant spell, and he comes to a decision that defies Dumbledore’s wishes. Even the fate of the wizarding world is altered by this ill-cast curse and Snape’s subsequent resolve.Long after the spell has dissipated, its effects continue echoing in the lives of Severus, Albus, Minerva, and Hermione, and they bring with them a shadowy figure whom Snape does not trust and whose motivations and influence on Minerva are murky. Not all is as it seems, and conspiracies and schemes swirl around Severus as he continues on his path of deception to his final confrontation with the Dark Lord. A “Light” fic of love, loyalty, and redemption. - mm/ad, ss/hg // this fic. is LEGENDARY. this is one of those fics that require your full attention and will eventually suck you in and spit you back out with your whole life changed. it will take you on a whole rollercoaster of emotions. the mm/ad pairing is quite an obvious one but the ss/hg is a subtle one and it’s more friendship throughout the whole fic than an actual romantic relationship. the ocs (a lot of them minerva’s family) are also SO well-made you’ll forget they’re not canon. 

FALLING FURTHER IN by kaz2 - Hermione begins to learn something of the man behind the dark sarcasms of the classroom. - ss/hg, also features wolfstar, brotp between the faculty and severus // this was one of the fics i had in mind when i did that last post about missing old hp stories. this was started in the early 2000s and the author had free rein on a lot of the material. flitwick and sprout are married here and are the cutest things on earth. it’s also set during the summer leading into harry’s final year so all the teachers are staying at hogwarts and are all good friends with each other. hermione is there as well because her parents had been murdered by death eaters and so she’s spending it with them. the way the ww is written here is so...epic, jkr couldn’t even. snape lives in an invisible tower called serpens tower, the teachers often go to a brothel-which-isn’t-really-a-brothel in hogsmeade, the other teachers often baby severus subtly because he’s the youngest, wolfstar are tolerable and remus actually learns to brew his own damn wolfsbane, etc. the story is in story format until near the end iirc and then the author outlines what happens next rather than writing it out. i can’t blame them; it really is a massive undertaking.

The Crest by sheankalor -  Dumbledore only holds partial say in who the Head of House is. Severus Snape is nominated as the Head of Slytherin, but has to pass a final test. Can he? Does he work well with the other three Heads of House? And just what is The Crest? - no pairings // staff fic // one of the rare one-shots but it’s in an au which feeds into other stories // i loooove the lore in this. it provides an explanation as to how a house head is approved by the school and i’m a sucker for any fic that has the faculty getting along.

Balance by rabbit and -v-Jinx-v - Hogwarts is under siege, and it's going to take everyone to find a way out of danger. - no pairings // brotp minerva and severus, also harry and draco form a friendship // this is one of my personal faves. it’s not only old magics but the entirety of hogwarts come together to battle against dark forces (not even death eaters but...balrogs...and other things). there’s no build-up to it; you enter the story after the battle’s already begun and then you get taken along for the ride. also has a part where the heads of houses meet the founders and there’s this epic dance that’s reminiscent of the danse macabre in The Graveyard Book (if you’ve read that you’d know what i mean).

Another World by Aeryn Alexander - Detention with Snape turns into something of an adventure for Hermione and Ginny, not to mention Professor Lupin, as they all discover that Hogwarts holds a terrible secret that none of them want to learn. - ss/hg, rl/gw // this fic took me by surprise because i didn’t expect it to go the way it did based on the summary lmao. the 4 basically get trapped in a mirror version of hogwarts after a potions accident, and the mirror world has literal demons in it. they have to find a way to get back into the real world while not getting killed at the same time. i actually liked lupin in this one and he and severus form a tenuous friendship. 

In One Spirit by mavidian - Voldemort and Dumbledore prepare for war and survival. Plans go awry, intrigues abound and nothing is what it seems. Snape created the Dark Mark but that mistake may cost him everything. Can Hermione be his saving grace? - ss/hg but it’s such a slow build you barely notice it during even the first 20 or so chapters because he’s his usual asshole self and they’re too busy trying to protect hogwarts // the concept of this fic and the lore it built up...wow. the faculty are all friends and they’re trying very hard to protect hogwarts using their own magics and their own clever schemes (war brooms? battle wands? blessing tree? filch even gets powers!). voldemort is also equally devious here and snape has loving pureblood parents! (not that it matters, he’s still an ass, but then it’s nice to read about him having a nice family for once). neville also steps up as a member of one of the Traditional Families so he’s quite a BAMF here. 

yo pls feel free to add your own recs to this post, i’m pretty sure there are loads more out there!

[prettyboykatsuki]

it’s always so crazy to me when ppl complain abt how much sfw build up there is in multi chap fics. for me personally i usually can’t get into a fic unless there’s some type of buildup yk? esp when it comes to multi chap fics. like i’ve read some fics where there was a long smut scene every chapter and the chapters themselves weren’t long to begin w so it was almost entirely smut. i was like damn do we even have some sort of connection w the character outside of just fucking? 💀do we even know their favorite color😭? and no shade to the ppl that write those types of fics n the readers. everyone can have their preferences. some ppl just wanna read smut n go abt their day n don’t need all the fluffy stuff. but it’s just sad when i see ppl complain abt how there’s too much sfw parts in multi chap fics (or fics in gen) n also when ppl pressure the writer to add more smut scenes n just completely take for granted the importance that sfw buildup has in fics when establishing the overall storyline. that’s really part of the reason i stopped using wattpad so long ago too. along w the fact that most of the fics i see on there r written by minors n as i was getting older i just feel didn’t feel comfortable reading fics written by a fifteen yo, i would see ppl leaving comments complaining abt how boring the sfw parts were n them rushing the author to add more smut. it’s just really disheartening all together ://

this is like. a mixed bag. im the same way though, i normally need like. HELLLAAA plot and HELLAAA depth before i can really get horny for a character in a fic. and honestly i think some things are better w/o smut. for the most part i think smut in long fic should progress the plot but that's just me and a personal pref

AND LIKE!! everyone is diff. to each your own i suppose.

it's not an issue always. sometimes i just wanna read some freak nasty stuff and a lot of people are the same. but yeah, i think like.. the pressure to add nsfw for no real reason can definitely dampen the writing experience. i don't think it happens like. QUITE as much on here as it does with other platforms. wattpad is quite frankly a cesspool for that sorta thing but yeah i get what you mean.

it just is what it is. one of those growing pains with where fandom i think is right now. i think it'll probably get better with time but for now it sucks

[morganofthewildfire]

1. I love The Lucky One, so many feels and the pain is perfectly horrible. And The Most Important Thing, such a great story too, I find the perspective on Rowaelin so fresh and unique. Same Time Thursday too, such a brilliant story always keeping me on my toes. Probably everything you write is incredible to be honest and I just love you and your writing.

3. I would say the best character you've written for is Aelin, you always find a new way to bring her to life in your fics. But I also damn love how you bring Arobynn to your fics - I hate the man but damn you write him well!

4. Rowaelin. Duh 😍

6. In The Lucky One, how Rowan named the horses. That one still somehow glows through being one of the most comedic moments in that story which otherwise is just heart-wrenching. But also when Rowan sings to Aelin.. and having the lyrics tattooed. I cried.

7. Probably The Lucky One again. I love to be a masochist occasionally and re-read it.

8. You're so you. You're not afraid to show your own style, mixing things up and creating the most unusual storylines too. You bring tough topics to your fics and I just love that.

9. Hahaha SO many! But I would love to see you update Green Eyes and Majoring in Hate, Minoring in Love!

12. So many again! Like I mentioned, The Lucky One I read quite often. But just yesterday I re-read The Most Important Thing

13. All of them. All the time. I think I literally mentioned to my sister (who does not read fics) that you're one of my favorite writers and I find you magical.

15. How about a question about your writing? Because I always wonder how you come up with the magic you create? What is your process, how does a tiny speck of an idea morph to the incredible words you grace us with? Or do you just suddenly realise you have an entire storyline as your idea? I'm curious and you're awesome 🤩

Agh I don’t even know how to respond to this 🥺 you’re so kind

1. I love the lucky one too 🥺 It was really difficult to resist the urge to post as I wrote 😂 but it was really satisfying to post it all at once. And I adore the most important thing too, that feels like a very underrated one to me 😂 it was one of my favorites to write and I feel like it doesn’t get much attention, so I really appreciate that you like it ❤️ that means a lot

3. Thank you!! I always try to find a new angle to explore Aelin’s character from every time I write something new, as well as when I add Arobynn into the mix. In Ivy I explored a lot about how she handles grief in the situation she’s in, while in the lucky one it’s more of character growth and development and learning to understand what she really wants from life, and in same time Thursday it’s about her relationship with her daughter and her own healing from the trauma as well.

4. 🥰

6. Hahaha I still think having him name the horses after her was my writing peak 😂 I’ll never top that. I also love the tattoo part and Rowan singing to her ❤️ it just felt very warm and I wanted to convey in a clear way how much she still meant to him.

7. Agh that’s a painful one to reread 🥺 I can’t believe you do

8. Thank you 🥺 this means a lot. I’m not crazy about writing just about relationship issues, that’s not what I want out of fanfiction, so I really like to explore what other issues there are in life, and how two people who love each other can deal with them together. It feels a lot more satisfying to me

9. Omg 💀 I haven’t written for green eyes in so long 😂 that was early writing days, I feel like my style has changed so much since then, but you never know 😉

12. You reread it yesterday? 🥺

13. 😭 now you’re just trying to make me cry

15. Thank you ☺️ I really don’t know what my process is haha, occasionally a story idea works itself out of a base theme I have in mind, such as Aelin being a single mom with a traumatic past in STT, but sometimes it’s purely based on aesthetic, like my one oneshot love left behind. Usually for multi chapters, when I have the idea it’s generally right smack in the middle of the plot, so I take that and try to work backwards to figure out how each character got to where they are and then how they go forward from there 😂 I know that’s the most vague answer ever but I really don’t know

Thank you so much for this ask ❤️❤️❤️

[alyblacklist]

Hey!!

I am new to your tumblr but I read your fics all the time (and reread them more often than I should admit lol)

I think you’re really amazing!

I’m so relieved that you answer asks and discuss speculation because I really need someone to talk this through.

So, I have watched a couple of other thriller series along the same lines where the makers don’t have any issues killing off major characters off the show.

There are a couple of things that are happening in this show which I think (and I honest to god hope I’m wrong) are building up to them killing off Ressler.

They get together, they partially admit their feelings (which we’ve been waiting for too Damn long) - so they get closure. Ressler is in the hospital, they show him deteriorating, he goes into v-fib.

And all of this is not that much of a game changer but hear me out. The task force is being dismantled and they need to give the viewers sth that they won’t expect. And bring some new spice in s9. With Liz going full time into crime, it seems a lot easier for them to kill off Ressler.

My only counter debate to my point is that they would have killed him off the moment he got shot (like they did with Meera) rather than show him being treated.

I really need to know what you think. Please tell me he’s not gonna die cause honestly who on earth will watch the show then?

Hi there! I have to say a special thank you to you, @alrightygirl, and to my anon (above) who I have lumped in, for the shoutouts on my stories. I came to Tumblr in the first place during the hiatus between S2/S3 in part because I realized some of my fav fanfic authors (@aussieokie !) were here so I am especially happy to read this.

I'm not sure people realize how much we fanfic writers thrive on feedback, and especially on the multi chapter works we invested so much time into. So thank you, and I have to say I really am looking forward to the end of the season so I can step away from the BTS hunt and my inbox and get back to just creating. Hopefully the writers will leave things in a good place in 8.22 so there's plenty to work with. Ok, on to the substance of your ask and I'll put in a jump because I can already tell this is getting long.

I really do NOT think Ressler will die. I didn't think so before 8x19 and I still don't think so after the "medical drama" of 8x20. Because that's what I think they're doing - they're creating drama because it's the end of the season and they want people freaking out and guessing over who will survive. Call it the curse of cable, or thrillers or whatever, but we as audiences have been conditioned to believe that major characters have to die every year, even if it's pointless.

The thing is, The Blacklist has never been that show. They have killed three "main characters" in the life of the show. Meera in S1 (and I later read Parminder only had a one-year deal), Tom in S5 (with huge fanfare and foreshadowing and an entire "hero" arc following a failed spinoff with a new series eagerly awaiting him at NBC), and Samar in S6 after the actress specifically requested to be released from her contract after S5 and gave them time to write her character an appropriate conclusion arc which also had huge foreshadowing.

Could they go a different route this year? Sure. We're late in the life of the show and twists and cliffhangers and budgets all come into play but the thing is - I just still really don't see it when it comes to Ressler.

For me, the characters' perspective is always paramount. What purpose would Ressler's death serve? It would make Liz more upset (because, you know, Sam, Tom, Katarina, her sister, her whole team weren't enough?). And other than that......?

The audience already knows the gravity of the stakes. So does Liz. So does every other character. The only purpose Ressler's death would serve that I see (and to be clear, I am focusing only on the characters in the show not the irrational fandom hate for his character) is to "punish" Liz more, to make her feel worse about what she's done, to deal another body blow on top of all that she's suffered already.

I don't think Liz needs that. (I'm positive nearly all of Reddit disagrees).

She turned herself in to Cooper because she recognized the bloodshed needed to end after she FEARED losing him. She stayed by Ressler's side and spoke her entire speech in the hearse and by his unconscious side because she can't handle losing him too. This is exactly the scenario the writers teased when Eisendrath teased all those months ago that maybe he would use her feelings for him to get her to come back.

Source (X)

He didn't overtly "use" her feelings in the end because that is not Ressler. He is not that guy. But in the end, her feelings for him were EXACTLY why she turned herself in.

I don't think Liz doesn't need to be punished further or suffer more in anyone's eyes except those who still can't come to terms with her war against Red. I don't think the writers feel that way about her character. To the contrary, they introduced a hallucinated Kaplan to try to give her a pass and also had her give lengthy explanations to both Ressler and Aram defending her behavior. I think from all I have read and seen that the writers view Liz as a victim of circumstances caused by Red - something Cooper has also articulated to Panabaker along the way in defending why Liz has done what she's done under extraordinary circumstances. We can all agree or disagree on the why and the method and the extremes but the bottom line is that I think the writers still view Liz as more "victim" or "forced criminal" than diabolical villain so killing Ressler, on top of everyone else Liz has lost, is just another deep blow on top of all the blows that have turned her into who she is. I think we're past the point that that is necessary and we'll be even further past that point after 8.21/8.22 when Liz learns some truths.

This has gotten crazy long so I'll just add these final thoughts which I have also articulated in prior posts:

- I think if the writers were going to write out Ressler - an original character from the Pilot - they would do so with more hype and fanfare and story than what he's gotten this season. Sure he was present in 8x19 a lot but it was really Liz's story. She was the heroine saving him and moving them from place to place while he suffered. I think the writers have enough respect for Diego to give him at least as much substantial story as Tom and Samar got in their sendoffs if this was really the end. He's a good guy and a good character and he deserves more than for his final moments to be a quiet fade to black in Vfib in a hospital with only Park present (or even Liz present for a final, vague, goodbye). A show that can't do that isn't a show I'm interested in watching, you know?

- his agents congratulated him on the S9 renewal back when it was announced. Hardly an indicator that a major character is getting jettisoned.

-You'd also think, if he was leaving this season, that he'd be doing more to elevate his profile on social media like he did at the end of Homeland to gear up for a new gig. He's done NOTHING.

-Finally, there has been literally nothing in JB's recent interview with The Blacklist Exposed, any of the BTS, the press, the episode descriptions, the crew photos, or anything else to date to indicate that a major actor/character is leaving. I know people can hide the ball but usually in this show, something slips through. So far - nothing. (No, I don't take Megan's thank you's or wrap party photos that way).

Anyway, hopefully we'll all be here at this time next year (or a few weeks earlier if things are back to normal), analyzing S9 and all that has happened. Thanks for the ask!

[disasterfandoms]

After Action Argument, Part 2 || A Trent Sawyer and Full-Metal Oneshot

This is part 2 of this story. Co-written by @bravo-four-seal-team​

​A/N: Soooo, this is becoming a multi-chapter fic, friends. Felt like I needed to get this out and then i’ll work on requests.

TW: talk of deployment, talk of landmines, talk of death, talk of suicidal ideations

TAGLIST: @himbohondo @a-kate3 @rebelwrites @thegirlwhoisalwayswriting @supervalcsi @mrsmarvelous1995  @chibsytelford​ @velvetcardiganbucky​ @jayhalsteadfan-2417​​

27 hours and another successful mission later, they all were on the plane home from deployment. Tension was still high between Trent and Metal, but everyone had managed not to bring it up so they could have a peaceful flight home and be in their own beds.

Well, almost everyone.

“So Trent, Metal, what the hell has the two of you so worked up that you’re barely speaking to anyone, much less each other?” Ray inquired, tired of being out of the loop. Trent was across from Ray, while Metal was beside Jason. Sonny was on the corner of the bench, and Mandy was peacefully napping up top. Everyone around them groaned, and suddenly hating his guts, because the pair just picked up where they left off.

“What?” Ray asked the others, confused as to what was happening. He was trying to help the team’s dynamics, especially if Metal was gonna roll with them while Clay was out of commission.

“I still don‘t understand why you thought it was a good idea, Trent. I know what you claim is your reaso-”

“It is my reasoning, Metal.”

“That’s bullshit then, T. It’s flawed in principle-”

“Flawed in principle, really?”

“Enough, you two. We don’t need an encore of yesterday,” Jason attempted to order them into silence, but Full-Metal was already angry and he was taking none of that.

“No, Jason. Fuck off,” Metal shot back, before turning back to Trent and continuing the conversation.

“HEY. I meant it, knock it off,” Jason said louder, trying to get ahold of the two men’s attention so they can go back to the peace.

“Unless we are in the battlefield, on your team’s op, I don’t have to listen to jack shit Jason.” Metal spit at him, standing up and pacing.

Jason stood, and got into Metal’s face, “When you are on the same team as me you will do as I order you to do." Both Master Chiefs were in a pissing contest for dominance now, Trent just puts his head in his hands, trying to wipe away the frustration and exhaustion plaguing him.

"Ops over Hayes! Ain't doing that great if one member thinks it's better if he dies to save another,” Metal spoke with venom in his voice, pointing to where Trent’s sitting, looking Jason straight in the eyes.

“I’m sorry, what?” Ray asked, turning to Trent to see if it was true. Ray was never the greatest at reading him, but he could swear it looked like the man wanted to punch Full-Metal. Sonny, Brock, and Ray turned and looked at each other, all three surprised at what Alpha’s Master Chief just said about their medic.

“Who are you to question how I’m leading MY team? And why do you keep volunteering to help us out if you don’t think I’m doing my job?” Jason sneered, not registering exactly what Metal just told him about one of his team members.

“Did you not just hear me? A member of your team would rather be left behind to die alone than your 2IC dying. How the hell is your leadership if one of your brothers would want that?” Metal paused, letting Jason take in what he just told him. He still didn’t seem to get it though. Everyone else, except Mandy, who was still asleep upstairs, had formed a circle encompassing Trent so they could talk to him about what they’re hearing.

"Alpha is your backup on each mission! I took an oath the same one you took, to protect my team, my brothers! You should have told Sonny to nip it in the bud when he cracked damned jokes! Your medic would rather die than be saved, Hayes! Is that getting through to you yet?" Metal finished, finally looking around at everyone and glaring at Sonny. 

Ray was trying to wrap his head around what he was hearing. He looked at Trent, who just looked exhausted, and said, his voice raised, “Trent, what the hell? Rule number one of the military, of this team, is never leave your brother behind. You know that! We drill it into every member of this team the second they’re selected,”

“That’s enough!” Blackburned yelled. Everyone went silent, and looked at him waiting for order, “I understand that this is a warranted and needed conversation, but lower your voices. Not everyone on this plane needs to hear about Trent’s life or decision making,” They all nodded, and tried to calm the storm of emotions this conversation has caused. They just couldn’t understand how Trent, a valuable member of this team, could think that at any point this was okay.

"The sane answer at the time was to have the others go, work on getting to Ray, and let me work the problem. He has a family to get home to, so does the others. Them dying with me was not something I was willing to accept,” Trent just wished this conversation was over, and that he was home in his bed.

“Trent I swear to god if you use that family line one more time I’m going to smack you. You have a family at home, Amelia at home, who would be equally as devastated if you didn’t come back to them,” Metal emphasized, and while the team was still confused as to who exactly Amelia was, they decided to table that conversation for another day.

Metal looked at Jason, wondering when the hell Hayes was going to say something, to try and get into his medic’s head, but he remained silent. Metal sighed, about to start trying to talk some sense into him again, but Ray picked up the fight, “Brother, I love that you think about my family when I’m in trouble. But sacrificing yourself, our only medic, wouldn’t have done anyone any good.”

“Ray me being on the land mine was what slowed us down from finding you. We probably could have had the HVT and gotten you if I hadn’t stepped on it. Them going off to find you without me would have saved everyone time, time you could have used to not have gone through what you did,” Trent was pinching the bridge of his nose, trying to make the headache go away. He would gladly die for his brothers to live, he doesn’t see why that’s an issue all of a sudden.

“Trent, we’re all alive but that’s because we worked the problem together. Any one of us could have stepped on that mine, it’s just shit luck that it was you. You wouldn’t have left us behind if it was reversed,” Metal sighed, not wanting to get emotional or too deep into whatever the hell is brewing beneath the surface in Trent with the other guys around, but the can of worms was opened so they might as well go there.

“Gotta agree with Full Metal, Trent,” Sonny interjected, looking back and forth between the two men. He’d crack a joke if he didn’t think Full Metal would kill him.

"But I rather have all my brothers alive, rather than being saved and then attend a funeral, Trent you gotta understand that,” Ray cut in, looking into Trent’s eyes and trying to find any semblance of understanding. He was met with a blank look, though, as Trent was trying to recede into himself to stop from talking about this any further.

“If you all had left me there, I would have figured it out, we could have got Ray, and gotten the HVT. That way Shaw wouldn’t have tried to break our team apart. We almost lost our team, guys,”

“You’re not God, Trent. Leaving you there wouldn’t guarantee that Ray would have been safer, and you know damn well you would have died had we left you to your devices.” Brock interjected, and everyone took notice. Trent is usually the quiet one, but it’s even rarer to hear Brock speak unless spoken to.

“Jase says all the time that mission success comes first and that he trusts us to work the problem. That’s what I am trying to get across to you, I would have worked the problem.”

“That’s bullshit, Trent. HVT and the mission comes second to our men, especially our medic. I may say it a lot but that’s so you keep emotions out of the field and focus on what’s at hand. There was no way we were going to leave you to deactivate a bomb, even if it took time out of the mission,” Jason spoke up, and Metal looked at him and nodded as a thank you, maybe Trent would listen to him.

“You don’t get to just conveniently forget about your own family, T. The fact is all three of those headstrong women you have in your life would murder every single one of us if you didn’t come home. What am I supposed to tell them the next time you’re crazy enough to pull this, and for some god awful reason they let you?” Metal laid into him, trying to make him remember that his family loves him, because he has amnesia or some shit.

“Metal it’s not-”

“Don’t. I won’t talk about how fucked up your mind is when it comes to that with everyone here, but you matter more than you let yourself believe. You’re an uncle to Ray’s kids, to Jason’s, you think they won’t grieve you as if you’re family?”

“It’s not that, Metal. Those kids need their Dad’s to come home to them, what would I have said to Naima, Jameelah, and Ray jr. if Ray had died out there? If Jason had died with me in the field, who would take care of Mikey and Emma?”

“Trent, you need to understand, that everyone on this plane would rather use time to make sure their brother is alive and can get out safely. We'd rather lose the HVT and get chewed out for mission failure, than to leave you. I’m trained to survive, to find an area to get to exfil safely, which I was in the process of doing. That’s why they ingrain it into us at BUD/S, at selection. Don't think for a minute your brothers will abandon you, no arguments we'd do it the same way each time, no matter who was in that position,” Ray attempts to get through to him, but Trent’s just shaking his head.

“Listen, guys, that’s enough for now. You all can pick up this conversation another time if you’d like, but you all need rest before we touch down so you can see your families and be well-rested for the funeral tomorrow.” Blackburn cut in, and made sure they followed it to the letter. He then told Trent to see him in his office before he went home when they landed. Trent internally groaned, he just wanted to have some peace and quiet at home, in his own house.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The rest of the flight was pretty quiet, and when they land they all went to the tarmac to see their families. Naima was at the hospital, but Davis, Clay, Emma and Mikey, and Amelia were all there, waiting for their respective seals and teammates to come home.

The team all hugged Clay and Lisa, and then Full-Metal and Trent went to the car to hug the short, long-haired brunette that the rest of the team doesn’t recognize.

“Hey sailors, looking for a ride?” The brunette asked cheerily, glad they they’re home safe. She notices something’s off, though, as Trent’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. 

“Ames, how did you even know we were coming home today? I was gonna surprise you at work,” Trent asked, wrapping his arms around the woman, thankful to finally see her again.

“Scott called me, asking me to pick you all up! Still mad you didn’t tell me you were coming home, but I’ll let it slide because I missed you both. You want me to drop you two off at your homes or do you want to eat first?”

“I vote for eating, Mellie. It’s been a long flight, and a long ass deployment, and I want food and my warm bed with the kiddos,” Metal quipped, putting his bags in the back of his sister’s car. 

“They’re cats, Metal, not kids. I also vote for eating first, but I won’t be ready to go for another 20 minutes. Gotta go to Blackburn’s office for a bit,” Trent shot back, before putting his bags in the back of the car and kissing Amelia on the forehead. He knew that look she gave him, she has spidey-like senses for when things are wrong with him.

“Everything okay?” Amelia asked, her hand immediately going to the locket her grandmother had given her before she died. Inside was two pictures: one of her and Trent, and one of their group, which consists of her, Trent, Metal, and Ashley.

“Yeah love, everything’s fine. I’ll be back as soon as I can, okay?” He asked, lying through his teeth. She sighed and nodded, then her and Full Metal sat on her hood, watching the planes go by. 

“What’s going on with him, Scotty? He has that same distant look in his eye he had after that mission Adam died in. I know he has a hard time adjusting when he comes home, but he usually looks at least happy to see me.” Amelia says, not looking at her brother and fiddling with her locket around her neck. 

“You mean, besides Clay getting blown up in the bar explosions when they were off-duty?”

“Yeah, I mean besides that. You and I both know he doesn’t go that dark unless someone died beside him or the nightmares are coming back.”

“He did something stupid in the field, got a lot of us on his ass for it, which is why he’s meeting with his commander. I don’t know what’s going on in that head of his, though. Something snapped this deployment, Mellie. He’s different, and I don’t know how to help him.”

“Is that what he’s talking to your Commander about? In all of the deployments I’ve picked you up from, I’ve never seen your Commanding Officer ask to speak to anyone before they go home,” Amelia turned to look at him as she spoke, and met his eyes. He sighed and nodded, a mix of concern and anger spread across his face.

““If i had to guess, probably. Don’t tell him I told you any of this, though. Pretty sure he wants to keep you and his life as a seal separate.”

“You and I both know it doesn’t work that way, Scotty. It takes him a while to get his head out of work-mode during a easy deployment, but after this one?”

“If anyone were to get through to him, it would be you, Amelia. He’s crazy about you, you do realize that, right?”

“I know that I love him, and I don’t like seeing him in pain. I also know that you all have him 300 days out of the year, and he can’t forget what he’s seen as easily as the others can.”

“He’s the medic, Mellie, I would be worried if the duty he carries didn’t affect him. He’ll get through this, especially if he knows you’re n-”

“I’m not leaving, Scott,” she interrupted him sharply, taking a deep breath before sinking her face into her hands, “I just don’t want to fail him.”

“Amelia Rose Carter, look at me,” Full Metal ordered, waiting to see her sapphire blue eyes meet his before continuing, “Trent is going to be fine. He just needs time, and you being there as support while he works this out. You won’t fail him, because this is something he needs to do himself.”

He watched tears fill her eyes, before he sighed and pulled her into a side hug, letting her shed some tears on his grey t-shirt for a few minutes before she pulled away, carefully wiping her eyes as to avoid completely ruining her makeup. “So, Scotty, you find love in the Philippines?” she giggled, causing him to throw his head back and laugh. They kept on joking, making each other laugh to pass the time until Trent came back out. Thankfully, their sibling banter made them feel better, brightening the mood so they can take care of what they needed to later.

[mistresspandora-archive]

Fic Writer Interview Meme

Thank you for the tag @kholran! 💖

name: MistressPandora. You can call me Pan. Sometimes people call me Mistress and it always makes me laugh but also feel powerful, so like... use at your own risk 😂

fandoms: I have been in (and gotten myself in trouble for writing fic in) the Star Wars fandom, and the Vampire Chronicles. Yeah, I’ve been around that long. Also Supernatural, Buffy, the Dresden Files, and True Blood. Currently I’m pissing off/grossing out people in the Outlander/Lord John fandom and lovinggg iiiittttt.

two-shot: As in two chapters long? Oh boy do I do that a lot. Never on purpose, mind you. Precious to Me, Just Like Your Father, The Wild Hunt, Lord John and the Sea Monster, The Anniversary, and Idle Threats. Plus a bunch that are three chapters.

most popular multi-chapter fic: Hands down, Whatever it Costs, cowritten with @iihappydaysii​ ( Subscriptions: 48 / Hits: 10035 / Kudos: 357 / Comment Threads: 225 / Bookmarks: 114). Most, uh... commented per chapter (that I wrote without a coauthor) would be More Eloquent Than Words (Subscriptions: 41 / Hits: 4813 / Kudos: 143 / Comment Threads: 115 / Bookmarks: 36)

actual worst part of writing: Okay I have two. First, for multi-chapters: finishing the damn thing. I get to a hurdle and then fall on my face, and get distracted by fluffy little one-shot plot bunnies and I chase those around while my WIP is surprised PIkachu. Second, for one-shots: the goddamn smut, dude. For someone whose most common tag is literally Explicit Sexual Content, I sure have a hard damn time writing the boning. Sooo much easier (for me) to do the deed than write the deed.

how you choose your titles: It’s usually a quote or a theme from the story. A few have been song lyrics, but usually it’s thematic, and the title is usually the last thing I do.

do you outline: Yes, for anything more than a one-shot. I didn’t for a long time, and they aren’t always detailed, but at least a beat sheet happens for every fic that I think will be more than 8-10k.

ideas you probably won’t get around to, but wouldn’t it be nice: A Top Gun fusion. It’s on the list, and like, I pounce on plot bunnies like you would not believe. I’d love it, but I think I’ve scratched the Heroes of Naval Aviation itch with the Through the War series. I’d love to read it though.

callouts @ me: 

And bonus, because I NEVER do:

best writing traits: I get a lot of compliments on sensory details and concise sentences that pack an emotional punch. I’m pretty damn proud of those things.

Spicy tangential opinion: If you write long stories, just once, try writing the whole thing and publish it at once. This broke my obsession with my stats page, because those stories don’t get quite as much activity for as long as serial- or WIP-posting. It also made me give way fewer fucks about how long or short a chapter is (because it’s not about amount of content, it’s about the story). It can also give you that last push from “eehhhh no one wants to read this weird thing” to “Fuck it, this is for me but they can read it too.” And that’s liberating.

It’s also hella fun when someone is subscribed to you on AO3 and they come running at you like “I GOT 23 EMAILS ABOUT THIS STORY ALREADY WHAAATTTT” 😂

Also, bonus: promote your own work without guilt or shame. Don’t be an ass, but don’t be shy. Reblog your or stuff just because you feel like it.

I tag anyone who wants to play because it’s almost midnight and I am fading fast lol.