#asliceoftoast

[asliceoftoast]

part 3 of playing pretend alsoooo i am currently scrounging through my tumblr to see what i've posted and publishing those fics on ao3 so i don't end up double posting. so if you see me spamming ao3... i apologize in advance (´ ∀ ` *)

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Catherine looked out into the crowd, a donor rambling about something to her left. She noticed the trauma surgeon dancing with one of the many men who were eyeing her tonight, but she didn’t see her son. Scanning the room, she searched for her child on the dance floor. Then, by the food. When she didn’t see him, she turned her attention towards the darkened bar. There she saw Jackson nursing his drink, eyes trained back out to the center of the room, to April.

She tried to hide her smirk behind her glass. She had really outdone herself. 

The two landed in Boston earlier this morning, after spending the night in Ohio. They would have flown out immediately after April’s reunion if the Kepner matriarch hadn’t spotted Jackson waiting for her daughter outside as she grabbed her luggage. Karen had brought the plastic surgeon into her home, sweet as ever, and killed him with a little midwestern hospitality.

Catherine had met the two on the tarmac, waiting for them in her limo. They had stumbled off the plane weary from the hectic events of the day prior, not knowing what they were about to walk into.

April smiled warmly at Catherine despite the anxious energy radiating off of her in waves. She took in the moment and absorbed her mentor and icon’s presence as Jackson kissed his mother’s cheek and mumbled something about always being trapped in her antics. By the time Jackson asked her why she wanted the two in Boston, the driver pulled up in front of the Avery estate. Jackson stepped out of the car, expecting the two women to follow, but the car sped off leaving him alone in the dust. Her phone vibrated, surely Jackson complaining over text, but Catherine trusted that her assistant could handle him.

With her phone on silent and the man in question out of the car, Catherine dragged his best friend off on a bit of retail therapy. There was no way she would let the trauma surgeon attend an Avery Foundation Gala without the proper attire. It didn’t hurt that when she pried and asked all the intrusive questions Jackson griped about, April tried her best to answer, and even when she couldn’t, Catherine could read the young doctor like an open book. The questions were just for fun. All it took was just one look for Catherine to confirm what she knew this whole time. From the way April looked at her son, she knew he had a chance.

Now, illuminated under the floor lights, the normally shy surgeon glowed brightly. Her hair flowed down to her back in loose, fiery waves. The delicate diamonds in her jewelry caught the lights and flickered back to the audience. The black dress Catherine had chosen fit April perfectly and showed a little skin. It was sleeveless and tight, something she knew would drive her son crazy.

Slowly, she approached Jackson at the bar, effortlessly ending the conversation with the man droning on about budgets as she walked. He didn’t notice her presence, too busy mentally strangling the promising surgeon who had the pleasure of dancing with April.

“Are you going to do something about that?” she asked into the lip of her champagne flute. Jackson stopped staring daggers into the man for a second to look at his mother. Realization flitted across his face.

“Wha-”

“I always know, Jackson. I’m your mother.” Jackson huffed beside her, peeved his mother was inserting herself in his love life again.

“I can’t. She’s…” he hesitated, “April.”

Catherine rolled her eyes. When has Jackson Avery not chased after a woman he liked? The two returned to watching the dance floor and back out at the redhead dancing in another man’s arms. April smiled at the blond, leaning in to say something and blushing as his hands dropped to the small of her back. Jackson clenched his fist, resisting the urge to pry the surgeon’s hands off his best friend and off the place where he had his hand last night.

“If you don’t do anything, Jackson, you’re more of an idiot than I raised you to be.” His brows pinched, a frown etched into his face as his mother patted his cheek. Catherine sauntered off, a donor quickly joining her side as the two discussed one of the foundation’s many projects.

Jackson tightened his grip around his cup, fingertips turning white with the pressure. Taking a deep breath in, he chugged the remaining amber liquid and made his way to the dance floor. 

He avoided the other couples dancing to the song the live band was playing, sidestepping every couple of seconds. He heard her giggle, her tiny frame hidden away behind the blond’s broad shoulders. 

Jackson cleared his throat, shaking off the jealousy that started surging its way through his veins. She caught sight of him first, feet stopping as she met his gaze.

“Jackson,” April sighed breathlessly.

It was now or never. 

“Can I steal my girlfriend away for a second?” Jackson sent a poisonous smile to the other surgeon. The man April was dancing with quietly apologized to Jackson as he stepped back. Confusion flittered across the trauma surgeon’s face, hazel eyes meeting his blue ones. 

Her hands slowly dropped to her sides, stepping closer to her best friend under the bright lights that illuminated the dance floor. Her voice dropped to a whisper, words exchanged for just the two to hear. “This isn’t my reunion, Jackson. You don’t have to pretend to be my boyfriend.” 

“I know that.” He brought his hand to her wrist, thumb brushing against the thin metal bracelet encircling her wrist. Sliding his hand into hers, he raised it and placed the other on her waist. April resumed her position, placing her hand gently on his shoulder as she followed his lead.

April stood back, gasping as Jackson pulled her closer. Bodies pressed together, she tilted her gaze away from him, scared that the rosy blush of her skin would betray her.

He dropped his lips to the exposed crook of her neck, taking her breath away. Jackson took a deep breath in, the faint perfume she sprayed on earlier filling his lungs. Swallowing, he gathered the courage to ask. 

“And what if it wasn’t pretend?”

[beachy--head]

2023 year-end fic round-up

I'm a bit late, but thank you @benwvatt for tagging me for this 2023 recap, it's a fun exercise!

words written, published or not: Around 30,000 words published (I don't have the exact number because the stats on AO3 included every drabble I ever wrote, so I did a quick estimate), and maybe 10/15K more written and either deleted, waiting for a plot or some edits or waiting to be published.

smut scenes written (if applicable:) Confession time, I wrote one for We are headed home that was supposed to take place at the end of chapter 1 or beginning of chapter 2. I ended up getting rid of it because 1) I felt it messed up with the timing and rhythm of both chapters and 2) it turns out I can't write smut to save my life. It was really awkward.

new things I tried: I tried (and failed) to write and publish a multichapter regularly. Other than that, I feel like I pretty much stayed in my comfort zone writing Japril.

fic I spent the most time on: Probably We are headed home, though Memories I will never find took me way longer than I thought.

fic I spent the least time on: I couldn't say which one in particular, but the drabbles. The Get Up, Stand Up anniversary one really wrote itself very quickly, as some of the prompted ones.

favorite thing I wrote: It was more difficult than I thought, and it didn't end up like what I had originally envisioned (I think a longer format might have been more suited to the concept), but Memories I will never find was a really fun writing experience.

favorite thing I read: Okay, see this question is a trap, because obviously I'm going to forget some (I should really do a giant Japril recs post at this point), and I also reread a lot of fics this year. So in addition to fics from the usual suspects (@japril12, @japrilfools, @asliceoftoast, @jenniferiawrence, @rose-marie-rose and more), you can check my bookmarks on AO3 or ff.net, because chances are the answer will be there!

writing goals for 2024:

at this point: just writing. My life changed a lot, I got busy and I now have less time to devote to writing, so I really hope I can still write organically, and still be inspired despite the cruel lack of Japril news/updates T_T.

Work on We are headed home (most of the scenes for chapter 4 have been written, but apparently if you want to publish a chapter 4, you first have to publish a chapter 3, which, surprise, doesn't exist yet) and another short WIP.

Still having fun and not putting pressure on myself to deliver fics or drabbles.

So in that spirit, stay away from prompts lists unless I'm really, really inspired.

And that's honestly it. Until I find my groove back, I don't want to set unrealistic goals for myself!

tagging: @japril12, @lavellenchanted, @useragarfield, @japrilfools, @aprilandjackson, @jenniferiawrence if you want to do it!

[japrilfools]

Artists and designers self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five works in any medium that you've created, then pass it on to at least five other creators. Let’s spread the self-love 💛

Thank you for sending this! This is a side blog, so I’ll tag japril blogs I love since idk if I can send asks from this blog. @japril12 @jenniferiawrence @asliceoftoast @babyjapril @averysparkle

As for my favorite works, I would say

Heaven Ain’t Close In a Place Like This

New Homes and Old Friends

A Single Word

Before You

As It Happens

All of those have been really enjoyable to write!

[kepnerandavery]

I was tagged by @dr-samanthagriffith, @beachy--head and @asliceoftoast to do this tag.. Thank you for tagging me guys :)

Rules: list 10 songs you really like, each by a different artist, and then tag 10 people to do the same.

1. Alps - Novo Amor

2. You Will Find Me - Alex & Sierra

3. Still Fallin' - Hunter Hayes

4. Starlight - Taylor Swift

5. Half A Heart - One Direction

6. Compass - Zella Day

7. Little Bird - Ed Sheeran

8. Can't Shake You - Gloriana

9. It's You - Zayn

10. Breathe Again - Sara Bareilles

No pressure tags : @janetsnakehole02 @murielstacy @hallownightsblog @viscountesskatesharma @vilindeer @missielynne @buckys-disembodied-arm @sungbeen @xlostinobsessionsx @daphnejane

[asliceoftoast]

Storm Warning (14/14)

i'm literally cryingggggg

3 months later

“Yes, I know you’re busy.” Jackson pressed the phone to his cheek, staring intently at the wall. His voice dropped to a whisper, words creeping softly down the hall. April lurked around the corner wondering who he would call this early in the morning. She strained her neck, poking out her ear as she tried to pick up his conversation. He was hiding something and she couldn’t figure it out. “Mom,” Jackson groaned, sighing loudly as his mother filled the line.

April had met Catherine Avery in all her glory once before. She had flown into Sugarland on an hour’s notice for the community garden’s opening before leaving just as swiftly once the festivities ended. After all, she was a busy woman. However, before she left and despite her boyfriend’s protests, she did add Catherine on Facebook.

Her boyfriend sighed. “Okay. Thank you.” The call died, silence filling the hallway. Jackson tapped his phone against his palm, looking up and down the hall to where April hid.

read more here

[asliceoftoast]

i don't think i've processed that storm warning is over

[asliceoftoast]

ok bringing this back because i think this will be my next wip

i sorta want to write a series of short fics to each of these songs but i don't think my heart can handle it if i constantly write about japril breaking up 💔

[beachy--head]

christmas aesthetic tag game

go to pinterest, type in your name + christmas aesthetic, post the first 4 pictures that come up 🎄

Tagged by @babyjapril and @japril12, thank you 🧡

Tagging @asliceoftoast, @safooa, @benwvatt, @lavellenchanted and @jenniferiawrence if you want to do it!

[beachy--head]

Last line tag

Rules: In a new post, show the last line you wrote and tag as many people as there are words.

Tagged by the amazing @benwvatt , thank you! 🧡

"And I know you can't change the past, and it's fine, but I... I'm still sorry, ladybug."

Tagging, if you're interested: @japril12 @unlisshed @asliceoftoast @japrilfools @aprilandjackson @afalsegcd

[japrilfools]

o.o what's number 15??? that one pwp ask??

I got an ask a few months ago with five different pwp prompts, and I’ve been working on all of them in that doc!

—The first is the authority figures fic.

—second is an angsty fic about the first time they sleep together after losing Samuel

—another is a canon divergent fic of the hotel

—a fic about them still living with alex and being really loud and getting caught because of it

—a canon divergent fic after the second hotel SJDJDJD

[beachy--head]

Tagged by @dr-samanthagriffith, thanks :)

rules: list 10 songs you really like, each by a different artist, and then tag 10 people to do the same

1. UFO - The National Parks

2. Missing Piece - Vance Joy

3. San Francisco - The Mowgli's

4. Eventually - Tame Impala

5. Soft & Tender - November Ultra

6. Moonlight - Jasmine Cephas-Jones

7. Jules and Jim - Nada Surf

8. Santa Fe - Beirut

9. Silk - Wolf Alice

10. Pressure - Muse

Tagging: @rose-marie-rose @asliceoftoast @cracklingwordsk @tamiasangel @mrskatebridgertons @michellesmallons if you want :)

[japrilfools]

my wip burn book

thanks for the tag @asliceoftoast and @beachy--head !!!

Rules: post the names of all the files in your WIP folder regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them and then post a little snippet of it or tell them something about it! And then tag as many people as you have wips. I have deemed that this isn’t just for writing either. Sketch titles? Comics? DnD campaigns? If you have an unfinished project, it counts!!

I’m going to go ahead and only count my grey’s wips because I have too many wips to count lmao.

a single word

private displays of affection

dream about me

incubus au

yesterday, today

new homes and old friends

your own personal jesus

hac 4

between wake & sleep

learning new things

most scandalous, indeed

before you chapter 3

and i’ll be with you

the problem with roommates

that one pwp ask

best kept quiet

grey’s whumptober ‘22

kinktober, japril

jackson and april, as told by alex

baseball, besties, and breakups

second time around

a certain kind of comfort, a certain kind of chaos

completely clueless

accidental babysitters

some things are just meant to be

another type of buddy

dothraki princesses and mayfield in 22

the chief resident and the gunther

the whole virginity thing

questions of protocol and propriety

the boards

study buddies

living with alex karev, and other mistakes

once in a lifetime

comfort and concern

honest mistakes

april kepner is not afraid of anatomy

between us

just like the movies

mentor to be

save today, safe today

that avery sparkle

something to talk about

a (really good) friend

wins and losses

outside of your control

no doubt, no doubt

lunch buddies

group therapy and the frat house

mint to be

just to clarify

jtv au outline

distress calls from booty calls

gel ink

grey’s writing challenges

whumptober

drs. avery and kepner’s adventures in healing

japril one-shots

like you imagined

slexie one-shots

I tag anyone else who wants to try this!!!

[beachy--head]

@asliceoftoast it is way past time for Jackson to grovel, extreme grovel.

@asliceoftoast so lots of people agree with you apparently!

[beachy--head]

"if anything, i want to see jackson grovel a little. a lot of his grand gestures have been spur of the moment like his proposal on the SIDE OF THE ROAD. like we know he’s good with words but i want to see him put in a little work into his relationship with april again. like show a little planning and really wow her." - THIS!!!!! 1000000000 % :D

@asliceoftoast this is for you

[cumberhoe]

Go check out @asliceoftoast​!

Just Friends (1/2)

Summary: Jackson and April are friends. Just friends. Unless they're not.