#edit: moodboard has been added <3

[johnslittlespoon]

You're A Dog (I'm Your Man)

Ch. 1/7 – 'Man's Best Friend'

[WC: 4K | Gale Cleven/John Egan, Pining, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Requited Unrequited Love]

John Egan loves like a dog.

[AO3 LINK]

[faithinlouisfuture]

𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖’𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕖𝕝𝕤𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕀 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕓𝕖

[hussyknee]

i'm so confused rn, can you explain the goncharov thing?? i get off tumblr for five minutes

(Edits closed as of 28 Nov.)

Lmaoooo

Nah I getchu. So this post has been circulating for like two years:

Link to post.

But yesterday, it had inspired someone to do this:

Link to post.

Next thing I knew there were fake Letterboxed reviews.

Goncharov moodboards. Really good ones.

Link to post.

Meta analysis. So many fake meta essays. Disturbingly good ones. And of course the memes. (Edit: HAVE I SAID THIS SHIT IS DISTURBING)

As you can see, the myth just started to grow, characters and ships and tropes being added one after the other, almost bizzarely without contradiction, until there was enough of shape to the whole thing for people to start posting fanfic about it on AO3. "No beta we die like ice-pick Joe" is already a tag.

Link to post.

It was hilarious in the beginning, but the way it's developed within less than a day, kind of like it's being willed into existence, is freaking me out a bit. We're toying with powers beyond our comprehension. 😂😂😂

Link to post.

Of course, there could be an ulterior motive as well.

Link to post (tags mine).

Edit: guys, please tag these posts "unreality" so people with disassociation issues can filter them out (not this one, this is an explainer). <3

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

Edit 2: Aparently the boots in the original post are actually referring to a movie called Gomorrah that came out in 2008, directed by Mateo Garrone, based on the Scampia Feud. And other people had also been making posts about the fake movie for a while before the poster took off.

found by @thepotch

Edit 3: Explainer: why did those boots have this movie on them anyway?

Edit 4: Alt text added to all images courtesy of @valentineish ❤️

Edit 5: Turns out tumblr has done this kind of thing before. Nine years in this hell place and I had to have "Squiddles" and penis smp explained in the replies.

Edit 6: This post collects the Lore so far.

Edit 7: Lynda Carter (real one)/ earns more/ Tumblr cred.

Edit 8: Holy shit y'all we have the theme music. With sheet music. And it's on Spotify!

Edit 9: THERE IS A TRAILER WITH THE THEME MUSIC

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

I made this post 18 hours after the movie poster went up. Closed edits 27 hours after first posting. So all of the above happened within 45 hours of the movie poster going up.

Edit 10: Google document live-compiling all the lore so far (Day 3)

Edit 11: Masterpost of Goncharov soundtracks (Day 3)

Edit 12: Entertainment news articles covering the Gonch-posting (real) (Contd from yday)

Edit 13: The music from the masterpost all compiled into a 31-minute original score with video edits on YouTube (edit: unfortunately taken down)

Edit 14: Staff's Goncharov art showcase for Tumblr Tuesday

As of closing on Day 3 there are 371 works in the AO3 tag.

-----

Updating with Day 3 shenanigans I missed yesterday:

Edit 15: Goncharov TV Tropes page

Edit 16: Ethics of Gonchposting

Important PSA 1 (how to reduce harm to Tumblr's neurodivergents)

Important PSA 2 (reality affirmation, anti-bullying)

Important PSA 3 (why you should stop trying to vandalise legit information sites)

Edit 17: Character lore from beezlebub whose poster they originated from

Edit 18: What we know about/ Director Matteo JWHJ0715 (#unreality)

Edit 19: Link to post with screenshotted and described NYT article (scroll down) and this golden exerpt from BuzzFeed: 💀

(alt text included)

End of Day 4 there are now 485 works in the Goncharov tag on AO3

----

Didn't get to update this on Day 5, so these are the Day 5 doings:

More trailers!

Trailer 1 (My favourite)

Trailer 2

Trailer 3

Trailer 4

I also just found out about the Goncharov Game Jam.

It appears this opened a day after after the meme took off.

Goncharov was first entered into Wikipedia between Day 4 and 5 (attempts to vandalise it with fake info don't count, incidentally – please knock that shit off) under List of Internet Phenomena. This was then expanded into its own Wikipedia page at the end of Day 5 because, according to the talk history: "the topic now meets the notability threshold for its own artice due to significant coverage in The New York Times and other sources cited." We're on Wikipedia, people!

And then we made The Guardian half a day later. So while the meme is definitely dying down to embers by now, it still stays winning.

YouTube channels with episodes on the meme:

InformOverlord (4:30)

Lessons in Meme Culture (2:43)

End of Day of 5 there were 511 works on AO3, and End of Day 6 (today) there are 556.

--

🚨BREAKING 🚨 from Martin Scorsese's daughter's TikTok (real actual)

tw: unreality:

We did it you guys!

Clarification: Francesca Scorcese asked her Dad about the meme and Martin played along. Please reblog this PSA to help Tumblr people with psychosis. Thanks.

Final edit: Day 8. Media reactions to Scorcese's TikTok (everyone from Forbes to Vulture). That one Tumblr user who said they'd do a screenplay if their post got notes has promised to shoot a single scene, but please don't be dicks just because you reblogged it; leave them alone until they get around to it themselves. As of end of Day 8 there are 609 works in the AO3 tag. I love all you lunatics. Peace! ❤️

[joelsgreys]

a safe haven l masterlist

Post Outbreak! Joel Miller x Female Reader

*MOODBOARD FOR AESTHETIC PURPOSES ONLY.

series summary: When Joel Miller and Ellie Williams return to Jackson, Wyoming to begin their new lives, the last thing Joel expects is to catch the eye of the thriving community’s equine veterinarian. Young, beautiful, and married, Joel knows that he should stay away from a woman like you, but he can’t help but to be drawn to you like a moth to a flame. As you start growing closer to both Joel and Ellie, you find out all about the secrets they both carry—and they find out you’ve been hiding a secret or two of your own.

warnings/tags: 18+ ONLY, MINORS DNI. JACKSON ERA. AGE GAP (no specific age is mentioned, but reader’s in her late 20s/early 30s and Joel is 56). reader is basically an OFC but story is written in reader format and her physical descriptions are kept as vague as possible. i have my own face claim for her, but i will only ever share it under cuts and with disclaimers. (TW) infidelity (reader is married), domestic violence and abuse, mentions of infertility, pregnancy. opposite of slow burn. please see individual chapter warnings and tags. NO USE OF Y/N.

chapter one

chapter two

chapter three

drabble - the truth

chapter four

chapter five

drabble - jealousy

chapter six

drabble - words left unspoken

chapter seven

chapter eight

drabble - lost on you

chapter nine

chapter ten

chapter eleven

chapter twelve

*more chapters to be added.

extras

series playlist

supporting character face claims

peach face claim/moodboard*

joel x peach moodboard made by the lovely @johnwatsn

moodboard made by the lovely @morning-star-joy

Peach x Joel edit by the lovely @cavillscurls

beautiful peach drawing by my love @cutesyscreenname

book cover by @morning-star-joy <3

stunning moodboard by @penvisions 🤍

drabbles l headcanons l blurbs l asks

pains (drabble request) When Ellie has awful menstrual cramps, you come to the rescue.

unconditional (drabble) After your first night together in the barn, Joel tells you he’s worried about the possibility of you getting pregnant; You tell him that he doesn’t have anything to worry about and it leads to a heartfelt conversation—and realization.

smutty headcanon

Ellie sees a hickey on Joel (blurb)

Joel talks about missing Sarah (blurb)

[johnica-weeks]

Johnica Week 2024

When is the event? 📆

This year's Johnica Week will start on Thursday 18th January and end on Sunday 21st January! For the first time the event will START on their wedding anniversary and continue throughout the weekend 🥰 But as always, don't worry if you're late! You can keep sending your contributions after the last day, these are simply indicative days to gather all together 💕

Where? 🔎

Here on Tumblr, on AO3 and also on Instagram for visual artists!

💚 Use the tag #JohnicaWeek2024 in your entries here and on Instagram!

📚 > Here is the AO3 COLLECTION where to post your fics! <

💚 Tag @eileen-crys and/or @johnica-weeks in your works so I can read, see and share them!

📚 At the end of the event I’ll make a Tumblr masterlist with all the works!

2020 Masterlist | 2021 Masterlist | 2022 Masterlist | 2023 Masterlist

The Theme 🎁

The 49th Wedding Anniversary comes soon before the huge milestone of the 50 years together, and it's usually represented by various symbols that I added to the prompts: Zircon, Orchids, the color Purple, and luxurious gifts. The main theme of this year's event is GIFTS, the act of giving the partner something material or abstract as an act of selflessness, that can have various meanings and various reactions.

Like all the prompts, it’s up to you to follow the theme or not, consider it just as a general theme that you could build your entries around. I chose some prompts that might fit this theme, that are about gifts as physical objects or as ideas for situations or alternative worldbuildings.

How? 🖼

You're encouraged to join with your preferred creative media or challenge yourself with something new! Fanfictions, drawings, comics, poetry, collages and photo edits, moodboards, anything you like! More in the RULES below.

Like all Ship Weeks, this is a fandom event to share love and creativity related to a particular couple, so be sure to engage with the entries and support all the artists and writers that chose to join! Reblog, leave likes/kudos and comment on the artworks to keep the fandom alive! 💜💖💕💜💖💕

Day 1 • 18 January (Anniversary!)

Flowers: Orchids are symbols of love, beauty, refinement, fertility, strength and resilience, and mature charm.

Surprise gift!

Handmade by the other

Young, poor and happy together

"I've got a loving wife and a couple of kids at home, that'll do me!"

Day 2 • 19 January

The color: Purple can evoke spirituality, mystery, royalty, imagination, compassion, fantasy, wisdom, creativity and sensitivity.

A kinky gift 😏

Concert tickets

Radio interview

“When you love something, you protect it with your entire life. Right now, my guts tell me to do the same.”

Day 3 • 20 January

Gemstone: Zircon zircon is a talisman of travelers. They count on it to lead to a shelter and show the right way. Plus, it is able to protect from injuries. Women used the gem to ease childbirth, drive away evil spirits, enhance health, get wisdom, and attract good luck.

Rejecting a gift

Torn between options

Dreaming and daydreaming

"You remembered something I’d mentioned a million years ago!"

Day 4 • 21 January

Celebration: Luxury the 49th wedding anniversary is the step right before the big 50, also known as the Golden wedding. All the symbols represent the wealth of experience a couple has after being married for nearly five decades. Two people who are willing to work together and compromise and do all the things that make a marriage successful deserve to celebrate with a bit of Luxury.

Matching pyjamas

Spa experience / Pampering one another

Knowing each other like an open book

"Oh my, this must have been expensive!" "Nothing is expensive enough for you, my love."

What can you do? ✒

You can join with fanfics, edits and moodboards, drawings of all kinds and if you want to sing or play an instrument please feel free to!

The requirements are:

John and Veronica Deacon as the main pairing;

Your love and creativity! 🥰

You can write/draw:

Fics with and without accurate settings and timelines;

Alternative Universes (AU) of any kind and genre, mixed or not with the prompts (ex. Fem!John AU + coffee shop, A/B/O AU + Superpowers);

“What if"s;

Genderswap/genderbending of any kind;

Other Queen members, friends, pairings, family, poly ships (that have to involve both John and Veronica!), OCs, etc…

Fluff, angst, crack, hurt/comfort, action, mystery, sexy times… anything you fancy!

🔥 NSFW is allowed with PROPER TAGS! IMPORTANT note: please interact with NSFW only if you’re +18! 🔞

… and more! If you’re unsure feel free to ask!

We’re here to celebrate John and Veronica Deacon, not to create drama or fights nor to disrespect their privacy. So please be considered about your entries and comments and always try to be respectful to John, to Veronica, to their family and friends, to the people who ship them or ship other couples and to your audience.

HOW to post? 🤔

You can post your entries here on Tumblr, on AO3 and on Instagram, using the hashtag #JohnicaWeek2024 and tagging me.

If you prefer, you can post anonymously on AO3, HERE is an easy guide on how to do it!

If you’re on Tumblr and want to post a fic anonymously please send me a DM and I’ll post it on @johnica-weeks on your behalf, crediting it as Anonymous author! I will also post fics from Anon authors posted on AO3 here on tumblr on Anon's behalf.

🔥 TAG your work APPROPRIATELY! This includes all potential triggers and smut. On Tumblr you can include the appropriate warnings at the top of the fic followed by a "keep reading” cut (you can add it in desktop version AND on mobile by writing :readmore: in a new line!) Also be sure to tag the rating of your fic, the genre and the themes of your story, enough to help the readers!

✨ If you’re still unsure, HERE’s a useful guide on how to tag your works!

As a reader... 📖

If you’re a fan of John, of Johnica or simply like to read fanfictions, positive interactions are always much welcomed! Support the authors by leaving likes, a comment (even a little one!) and sharing their work. On AO3 you don’t need an account to leave Kudos and Comments! (Unless the author has willingly prevented guests to comment). To leave a comment on AO3 you simply have to choose a temporary mail and set your email to get a notification for an eventual reply.

If a work is not tagged appropriately, you can reach out to me via DM and I’ll warn the author. If anything makes you uncomfortable, simply close the work! Do not engage by leaving nasty comments or messaging the author!

🔥 IMPORTANT!!! 🔥

During the event, if any of you/your entries gets hateful comments or messages towards you, your entries, the Johnica ship, the event or other creators, please DELETE the hateful comment/message right away with no interactions and let me know! This is no place for haters, just for creativity and love. If you see a hateful comment on other works do not engage, instead leave a positive comment to the same work and support the author! 💜

Realistic or not, remember that fanfictions are, by definition, FICTIONAL and not meant to be a documentary! There are lots of things we don’t know about John and Veronica’s private lives and don’t want to go in too deeply, gossip or speculate about them, so feel free to fly with your fantasy and let your creativity flow! 😊💖 Most of all… have fun, respect each other and support each other’s works!

Dividers and graphics by @firefly-graphics and @johnica-weeks. As always for any info and question feel free to send an ask or a DM!

[choicesficwriterscreations]

October 2023 WOTM: peonierose

Each month CFWC highlights one of our talented fanfic writers, and this month’s writer of the month is @peonierose. We hope you will enjoy learning more about them and their work below! The writer is selected at random. More info can be found on the navigation page.

Quick Links:

Tumblr Blog: peonierose Blog Masterlist

How do you want to be known on Tumblr? Peonie or PR is fine 🥰

1- When did you start playing Choices? What was the first book you played? 

Way back when Choices first launched. My first book was The Freshman Series - book 1. It was so fun to play the books and get super excited for new chapters. I was waiting until midnight for new chapters. It was the first time I’ve played an app where I could make decisions and use diamonds for VIP scenes 😍

2- When and why did you join Choices fandom?

I joined the Choices fandom back in 2021. I really missed Open Heart after book 3 ended (and left me wanting more) So I wanted to see if there were any more stories I could binge, and that’s how I stumbled upon Tumblr 🥰

3- How did you pick your blog name? 

It may sound weird but it just came to me. Peonies are my favorite flowers. As soon as I thought peonie I quickly added rose and I was like that sounds so cool and it’s unique which I love 😍 And that’s how peonierose was born. 

4- Pull up the first post in your archive, and tell us about it!  

Gosh. This feels like forever ago. When I first came on tumblr I didn’t post or reblog much 😅 (too shy to interact with anyone 🙈)

5- How long have you been writing fanfiction?

It has been 2 years in August this year since I’ve actively started writing fanfic 🥰 (I still can’t believe I actually made the leap and decided to post any of my stories). 

6- What is your favorite Choices book, and what is your favorite Choices book to write about?

You’re really going to make me choose? There are so many good ones 😱

I love to write for two of my favorite books which are Nightbound and Open Heart. Those are the ones I feel most connected to 🥰 Though I’d love to venture out and make edits or social media posts for other choices books too. 

7- Share the first fanfic you wrote with us. Do you still like it, or would you change it if you were writing it today?

I wrote Robin‘s Tell-All from TNA, and it was the first fic I’ve ever shared. I really wanted to write a story from Robin‘s POV and how all that happened in TNA affected him and all the mistakes he made. 

I wanted to showcase his inner struggle. 

I remember how nervous I was to post something that I’d written. I thought to myself, will people even like my story? And if they do like it, then what? It was a great rush to see the reblogs, and the love for my first-ever posted fic. 

If I could change one thing, it would probably be the moodboard 😅

8- What is your favorite fic that you’ve written?

That is a tough question, because to me every fic I‘ve written has a special place in my heart. So every story reflects the feelings I’ve felt while writing my story. 

Buuuuut if I had to choose: It would be a tie between By a Landslide (Bryce and Luna), the 3rd chapter of my Nightbound series - Unexpected and Go with the Flow (Luna & Bryce) 

9- Do you have a fic that you didn’t expect to be well received, but it was? What about one you expected to be but found could use a little more love?

I actually didn’t think I’m a sucker for you, A Pinch of Pink and Blue…This one‘s for you,  Cinnamon Sugar and Wildflower, to be as well received as they did. 

However, I think Bittersweet Symphony and Losing Game (1 / 4) could use some more love. 

Both stories are amazing and I think you’ll love both my pairings. Luna & Bryce and of course Maxine and Adam. 

10- If you could write only angst, fluff, or smut for the rest of your writing life, which would it be and why? 

I am by no means a smut writer 😅 Maybe I’ll get there 😅 But I’d go with a mix between angst and fluff. I think a nice balance between these two would be good. 

11- Do you ever recognize yourself in any of your MCs or in your writing?

Yeah. Tons of times. Take Luna for example. She has anxiety like me, and her appearance, such as her blue-green eyes and dark blonde hair, are like mine. But character wise we’re complete opposites. I wish I’d be more artistic like her 🩷

And Bryce is an Aries like me, and so many things he says or does make me go back, and I’m like, yeah, I would say something like that. Other than that, I’ve learned to give my characters real flaws and make them human, if that makes sense. But it does happen that they end up with character traits that are mine, and then I lean back and realize I’ve given my characters some of my weird and quirky character traits 🤣

12- What element of writing do you struggle with most?

Damn. Umm…I struggle with a lot of things. Finding the right words sometimes because English isn’t my first, not even my second language. I speak six languages, so it's sometimes hard to find the words to describe things. 

Showing, not telling that’s another thing I struggle with. 

That and if I have to keep a deadline to post something 🤣 Because it takes me forever to post anything I’m not 100% behind and happy with. 

13- Do you have any neglected work you really want to finish?

How much time you’ve got? I have over 30 wips, that want some desperate attention, and I always keep adding new wips, whenever something inspires me to write 😅 

I’ve found some new inspo for Somewhere Only We Know 🥰 Apart from that I’d love to take another look at my two AU‘s Amber & my Nightbound series. So we’ll see what wips I can manage to finish 😅 

14- If someone you know in real life (who isn’t involved in fandoms) asked to read your work, would you let them? If yes, what would you recommend they read first? 

Sure. I’d love to get an outside opinion of my work and my characters that are so beloved and close to my heart 🩷

I actually tell people that I write fanfic and original work. And I’ve sent some samples their way and they liked it. Which makes me feel more confident in my writing (not saying it’s perfect, there’s always room for improvement, but it’s getting better). 

As for which story to start? I’d say start with Only Love for Bryce and Luna. That was my first story of them and I consider it their start. 

Then continue with Always & Forever and Go with the Flow. 

Those were my first posted stories about Luna & Bryce and I think you’ll like them. It would give you a good understanding of my storytelling and my characters. 

15 - Are there any writers (published authors and/or fanfic writers) who influenced your writing? 

There are a couple of authors I admire - Chloe Neil, Elise Kova, Nalini Singh, Rachel Caine (R.I.), Rebecca Yarros, and many more. They have influenced and shaped my writing, my fantasy world-building, and, of course building my characters. These authors know how to tell great stories, which makes me admire them so much. 

As for fanfic writers who’ve inspired me? I’d love to give a special shoutout to one of my closest friends who’s been my beta reader for almost anything @annieruok She’s an amazing person and writer. Thanks so much for all the times listening to my ramblings about scenes and characters 🩷 

16- Which one of your stories would you most like to see as a movie/series? 

My Nightbound series hands down. That is a story that really deserves to be on the big screen or as a Netflix show. I’m not picky. 

I’d love to see Grey, Gretel and Hänsel kick some ass. It’s a unique enough story to garner some attention 🥰 I’ve worked really hard to write it and it took me a year to come up with chapters, character names and so forth. 

Also Somewhere Only We Know would be cool to see on the big screen. I’d probably weep from joy if any of my stories were ever developed as a movie or series 🥰🥹

17- Do you write original fiction? 

Yes, I actually do. I have several original works in my Google docs. And just recently, I had an idea for another original story (I don’t feel comfortable sharing it yet) 🥰 But let’s just say it’s fun to come up with the characters and world-building and everything in between. 

18 -  What other hobbies do you have?

Reading books, trying out new recipes in the kitchen. This also reminds me I need to exercise more 🤣 

Taking walks & going shopping. 

Hanging out with friends and binge watching shows and movies on Disney+ and Netflix. Just trying to  enjoy every single moment that every day has to offer 🩷 

19 - What’s your favorite emoji? 

It’s a toss between these three 🥰😍🩷 (What can I say I love pink 🩷 not just because of the new Barbie movie and the pinkmania 🩷) 

20: BONUS - tell us anything you’d like (if you want to).

First, I wanted to say thank you to everyone. For being picked as writer of the month is a huge honor 🥰 Thank you to everyone who has ever taken the time to read my stories, reblog them, and leave some unbelievably nice words. 

I’m very grateful that you guys took the time to shower me with love. Sometimes, I wonder what I did to deserve some of your nice words and love. I also wanted to give a special shoutout to some of the people who are very dear to me. 🩷 

Thank you guys for supporting me. Being there for me - through great and not so great times - I‘ll never be able repay your kindness 🩷 You guys make me strive to be a better version of myself and I couldn’t be more happy to call you my friends 🩷

@annieru0k @cariantha @txem @doriopenheart @mysticalgalaxy @aallotarenunelma @inlocusmads @heavenssexiestangel @socalwriterbee @secretaryunpaid @ofmischiefandmedicine @starrystarrytrouble @the-pale-goddess @takemyopenheart @quixoticdreamer16 @princess-geek @eleanorbloom

[cheesybadgers]

Narcos Fic: Old Habits Die Hard (Chap. 22)

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17, Chapter 18, Chapter 19, Chapter 20, Chapter 21, Chapter 23, Chapter 24

Read on AO3

Masterlist

Pairing: Javier Peña x Horacio Carrillo

Words: 6,985

Summary: As Horacio's and Javier's stay in Manizales comes to an end, Elena has some words of wisdom and an unexpected offer for their future.

Warnings: 18+ ONLY. Discussions of coming out, grief, parental loss, canon-typical violence, religious themes, brief non-explicit sexual references, smoking, swearing.

Notes: As promised, here's the second half of their Manizales adventures. I'm still wrestling with editing chapter 23 at the moment, plus life has been kind of busy/stressful lately, so not sure when it will be ready to post. But the finish line is definitely within touching distance now ❤️

Thank you once again to anyone still reading/commenting/making moodboards and playlists or drawing, I'm blown away when my fic inspires others to create. I'll be making a proper masterlist once the fic is finished, where I'll link to everything people have made or have suggested playlist songs etc., plus there'll be my own playlist and moodboards.

Feel free to drop me a comment, whether it's about the new chapter or an older one, I'm always happy to chat 😊

I’ve also added to my OHDH trivia post to cover this chapter if anyone is interested.

Chapter 22: Past, Present, Future

The early morning mist transformed into drizzle in the time it took Horacio to run around the farm boundaries, the spray cooling his clammy skin as he worked up a sweat. He left Javier to wake and shower at his own leisurely pace, a routine they had settled into since arriving here. Although two mornings ago, both Javier and Alejandra were suspiciously worse-for-wear, and Horacio didn’t see much of either of them until after lunch.

Today, they planned to join one of Fabián’s tours, which included a coffee-tasting session. So, even if the exercise hadn’t woken Horacio up, the caffeine certainly would.

The rain eased off once back at the finca, sunrays now straining to break through the low clouds as Horacio showered and dressed, somehow still beating Javier.

Tempting aromas from the kitchen let Horacio know his Mamá was already up and about after making the children breakfast before Alejandra dropped them off at school.

As he sat down at the kitchen table and poured himself a glass of orange juice – his usual coffee would wait for later – both cats, Caturra and Bourbon, took turns rubbing themselves against his legs.

“You and Alejandra loved that stray cat when you were young,” said Elena, who had appeared from the larder with her arms full of eggs, chorizo and arepas. “What was her name?”

“Estrella.”

“She was the next best thing to a jaguar, and you were desperate to see one back then.”

“I remember. Never did, though.”

“Not many get the privilege these days.”

“Can’t say I blame them for keeping out of sight.”

Horacio remembered his Abuela Margarita telling him stories of how the jaguar, snake and condor were the original creators of the world and how the jaguar was tricked by man into parting with its power of fire. The feline creature was forced to survive on its cunning and strength alone, prowling around the mountains and jungles of Colombia, waiting patiently to exact revenge.

For too long, Horacio had stalked, clawed and mauled his prey all over Medellín, seeking vengeance on those who betrayed his country and its people. He was an apex predator maintaining balance and order in the food chain, not out of choice but necessity. A reluctant warrior backed into a corner until a palpable sense of duty kicked in when the threat was too real to ignore.

But whatever the unseen truth was, jaguars gained a reputation as ferocious killers, feared by humans until they became the hunted rather than the hunter, gunned down and chased into hiding and a life of solitude. An act of cowardice by the jaguar on the face of it, but these days, Horacio liked to think of it as an evolutionary advantage, the opposite side of the fight-or-flight coin.

“It’s understandable, yes. But a life in the shadows has its drawbacks.”

“True. But there can be a certain kind of freedom in the dark. Especially when those with flares want you dead.”

“Not everyone offering light wants that, Mijo.”

Horacio, who had focused on the floor for most of the conversation, finally looked up, hazel eyes mirrored back at him with extra shades of wisdom. His dour expression softened, and his shoulders sagged in concession. “I know.”

“Whilst I’ve got you here…” Elena trailed off, disappearing upstairs before returning with a small wooden trinket box.

She sat down at the table and extracted a gold chain from the box. “He’d want you to have it.”

Horacio stared at the pendants that swung back and forth like a pendulum clock as Elena held them out towards him. His cheeks hollowed, and his lips formed a sharp pout from how tightly he held his jaw in place. “Mamá, I can’t. Not after everything. Not after I ran away.”

“What are you talking about?”

“After I was injured, I went into hiding...in Laredo, Texas. And I quit.” He grasped his hands together and bowed his head as though in prayer, but he wasn’t sure even God could help him now he had confessed his sins. “I’m sorry I kept it from you. And I know you’re probably wondering why I went –”

“Javier.”

Horacio froze, undecided if he was caught off guard by the mention of Javier’s name or how he could hear his Mamá’s smile as she said it, as though it was the most glaringly obvious response anyone could ever have given.

“It’s okay, Mijo. You don’t have to explain yourself. He told me about the ranch whilst you and Alejandra cleaned up on your first night here.”

“That’s how you knew?”

“Well, not only that. I might be older these days, but I’m not blind.”

Elena chuckled, but Horacio could tell it wasn’t at his expense. So, he allowed his jaw some leeway, unclenching his teeth and facial muscles, almost appreciating the ache left behind. A chain reaction surged through his body, tension unknowingly carried for decades ebbing away now the secret he once believed would follow him to his grave was not only out but wasn’t being held against him.

And so he threw caution to the wind and let the floodgates open. He told his Mamá about Madrid and working on the ranch, about their plans for the future, about life in Laredo and even the crucifix, just in case she had noticed its absence and assumed the worst.

Talk of the crucifix prompted Elena to take one of Horacio’s hands in hers, where she deposited her gift of gold before he could refuse. “Take it. Please.” Her hand formed a dome over Horacio’s, fingers gently squeezing.

Once Elena withdrew, Horacio unfurled his palm and stared down at his very own El Dorado. “After my injury, I’d dream about this sometimes. And the stories you and Abuelita Mirabel told us about Bochica. I wish it’d been as easy as striking a staff to stop Escobar.”

“Bochica might have saved his people from drowning, but he couldn’t save them from the conquistadors and their gold-digging.”

Horacio rolled his eyes and sighed. “I know you don’t approve of Madrid, Mamá. And I know I’m no Bolívar, but –”

“Mijo, what are you talking about? I know you had your reasons for Madrid – even the second time. That’s not what I meant. And no one’s asking you to be Bolívar.”

A salient monument dedicated to Simón Bolívar stood in the centre of Manizales. The statue was half-man, half-condor, each entity synonymous with the other as national symbols of freedom and sovereignty. It still stung for Horacio to be reminded he had worn the Colombian coat of arms on his uniform sleeve every day, the proud condor flying above the motto Libertad y Orden (Freedom and Order) with Dios y Patria (God and Country) sworn beneath. But unlike Bolívar and Bochica, Horacio was unable to liberate his people.

Instead, he had sought refuge in two countries that had interfered the most with Colombia's autonomy. He had made a home on the land of the former Empire and used the gringos to his advantage when it suited him, never mind allowing one of them into his heart and bed.

Elena pressed her hand tenderly to Horacio’s cheek, the conflict in his mind apparently written all over his face. It was an action he had been on the receiving end of throughout childhood, but one that still had the power to soothe him as though no time had passed since.

“You’re also forgetting Chibchacum’s role in Bochica’s story,” she continued. “He was the one punished to carry the world on his back for creating the flood in the first place. Bochica did the best he could in terrible circumstances, and that’s all anyone could ask for.”

Memories re-surfaced of Abuelita Mirabel sitting between Horacio and Alejandra on the sofa, a blanket spread across the three of them, where she told of how every time there was an earthquake in Colombia, it was the weight of the world shifting on Chibchacum’s back. Little did Horacio know that would become a feeling he was all too familiar with when he was older.

But his Mamá was right; he wasn’t Chibchacum or Bochica. And he certainly wasn't Bolívar. But neither was his Papá.

So, he took a deep breath and raised the chain to unclip the fastening. From there, he attached it behind his neck, letting the deity and the angel finally rest against his skin.

“Beautiful,” Elena said, her eyes suddenly glossy and the corner of her lips twitching.

“Thank you.” Horacio held his Mamá’s gaze until it was necessary to look away and clear his throat. “What else is in there, anyway?” He swiftly motioned towards the box.

Elena passed it over to Horacio so he could look for himself. Nestled inside were his Papá’s wedding ring and lapel pins, his Abuelo Ignacio’s St. Michael’s cross, rosary beads, an old pack of Deportivo Independiente Medellín trading cards, a postcard of an orange grove with handwriting Horacio recognised as his Mamá’s on the back, and a black and white photograph of a young boy draped in a police jacket that was far too big for him. Behind him stood his father in the rest of the uniform the jacket belonged to.

“Is that Papá and Abuelo Ignacio?”

Elena laughed. “Of course!” She got up again without explanation, re-appearing with a photo album this time.

She flicked through it until she found what she was looking for. “Where do you think we got the idea for this from?”

She was pointing at an almost identical picture. The two boys in the photos had the same thick dark hair and charcoal eyes, a resemblance that would carry through into adulthood – although Horacio built up more muscle than his father ever did.

Horacio smiled. “I remember that being taken. It was my first day at school.”

“It was his idea before you set off for school, and he set off for work. He made sure I was ready with the camera when you came downstairs in your uniform.”

“I never knew it was his idea.” The dejection was evident in Horacio’s voice, even if he tried to hide it.

“He might not have said it much, but he was so proud of you, you know. And so am I.”

Horacio swallowed hard with his eyes shut, anything to hold himself together. “I used to take this when you weren’t looking,” he managed to get out, gesturing towards the photo album. “Same with some of the other old albums we had. Well, I kept a couple of them, actually.” He chuckled at the thought of the albums currently residing on a shelf in Madrid. “I always went back to the photos and his uniform for some reason.”

“You didn’t have to hide it from me.”

“Neither did you with us.”

“I know. But you were both so young. You didn’t need that burden on top of everything else.”

“You could never be a burden, Mamá.”

“You and Alejandra were busy forging your careers. I had to stay strong at work, helping people worse off than me. So, I saved most of it for my prayers and Día de Todos los Santos.”

Horacio remembered attending Mass and his Papá’s grave every Día de Todos los Santos. But it was different to Día de Muertos. They weren’t welcoming his Papá home; they were praying for those in purgatory and heaven. And as much as he liked to think his Papá was a saint, there was always a part of him terrified that if he didn’t pray hard enough, his Papá would never be cleansed of his sins.

“I was in Laredo for Día de Muertos. Javier’s father – Chucho – had a box like this for Javier’s mother – Mariana. He used it to make an ofrenda for her.”

Another piece of the puzzle seemed to click into place for Elena in a look that combined realisation with sympathy. Another loss, another parallel, another explanation.

“A beautiful tradition,” she concluded.

“Yeah, it is. One that remembers the people we’ve lost as we knew them and welcomes them back home.”

“A bit like this, you mean?”

“Something like that.”

“Whilst we’re here…there’s something else I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”

“Go on.”

“Money from the house sale in Medellín has been sitting in a bank account since I moved here, along with some left over from your Papá. The plan was to split it between you and Alejandra when I’m gone, but…why wait?”

“What? But Mamá, that’s your money.”

“Technically, half of it is your Papá’s. But he’s not here. And who better to put that money to good use than his children?”

“Even though I wouldn’t have children of my own to return the favour one day?”

It was a question that had lingered on the tip of Horacio’s tongue since arriving here. A question he had tried to ignore for a long time before that, if he was honest. He learned of Juliana’s first pregnancy from his Mamá, who had heard the news from a friend of a friend. That was all she said on the matter, but Horacio was never sure whether he imagined the traces of disappointment in her voice that it wasn’t his child.

“Horacio, do you really think that matters to me?”

There was no disappointment in Elena’s tone now, just incredulous confusion that made Horacio regret his words.

“Even if I wasn’t surrounded by my amorcitos every single day, I would want you and Alejandra to make your own choices. Live your own lives. If that doesn’t involve children for you, then so be it.”

Horacio nodded, his lungs expelling a freeing breath he hadn't been aware was trapped in the depths of his rib cage. “Have you spoken to Alejandra about the money?”

“Not yet. But I know the farm needs repairs, and they’ve always got plans for this place. Same as the ranch.”

“I don’t own the ranch, though, Mamá.”

“No. But from everything you’ve told me about Chucho, he obviously trusts you with his business. And I don’t imagine you and Javier will want to live in a guesthouse for the rest of your lives. Visas don’t come cheap, either.”

Of course, she was right on all three counts. Horacio had a lot of on-the-job training ahead of him. He would effectively be starting from scratch again. But Chucho had welcomed him with open arms into his home and livelihood. It wasn’t implausible that if Horacio had ideas for the ranch, Chucho would take them on board.

They hadn't discussed living arrangements yet, but Horacio was confident neither he nor Javier had envisaged the guesthouse as a permanent solution. And then there was the small matter of Horacio’s visa. The paperwork upon which their future in Laredo hinged. He tried not to think about all the different ways it could go wrong or what they would do if it did. But that was a problem for another day. A problem that would no doubt be made easier with extra money in tow.

So, he ignored the whispering ghosts of his ancestors because his Mamá was right; he wasn’t doing this for his Papá. And he certainly wasn’t doing it for the people of Colombia, past or present.

“Okay,” he said in the end. “But only if Alejandra agrees to it, too.”

The sound of a throat being cleared caught them off guard and drew a temporary line under the conversation.

“Morning,” Javier greeted as he hovered by the kitchen door. “Hope I’m not interrupting.” Of course, he knew he was and an apology with his eyes was all he could offer Horacio for the time being.

“Good morning, Javier. And on the contrary! How do you feel about calentado?”

Whatever Javier had been expecting Elena’s response to be, for some reason, it wasn’t that. He looked towards Horacio for the slightest hint about what he had walked in on.

Horacio wanted to explain everything – and later he would – but for now, he ushered Javier to sit down.

“Er, sounds perfect, thanks,” Javier told Elena as his foot found Horacio’s under the table.

And as the three of them chatted and helped prepare breakfast, Horacio had to admit Javier was right.

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

The coffee tour took up the rest of the morning. It was no wonder Horacio had always been particular on the subject when he knew which were the best beans and blends to be found in Colombia. He still had occasional pangs for his former life, but the weak instant shit the gringos brought with them to Carlos Holguín wasn’t one of them.

Naturally, the heavens opened before the end of the tour – bad for the tourists but good for the soil – and by the time they had returned to the finca, another shower was required.

They showered together, the finca empty for a change. Plus, they had nothing to hide anymore – at least not with the people that mattered the most. That hadn’t quite sunk in for Horacio even after he told Javier everything. Even when his last defences buckled, and he broke down in Javier's arms, letting himself be held. Even when he was kissing Javier, slow and deep, in his family’s bathroom, their breaths heavy and desperate in such a confined space.

One thing could easily have led to another as Horacio pinned Javier against the cold tiles, bare skin seeking out bare skin, emotions running high. There was no doubt they wanted it to, and in almost any other circumstance, it would have.

“Not here,” Horacio whispered, his voice shaking and his forehead falling against Javier’s as he was hit by a sudden clarity of thought. “I’m sorry.”

Javier hushed lightly, cradling Horacio against his shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay.” He kissed across damp hair, running his fingers through thick strands that always became curlier when wet. “We don’t have to do anything.”

Light strokes soon morphed into lathered hands as Javier washed and rinsed Horacio’s hair, massaging the shampoo into his scalp and soothing away stubborn remnants of tension.

Although a niggling knot remained, an unspoken question and an uninitiated conversation. “When I was talking with my mother earlier…” Horacio began, closing his eyes and tilting his head back to let the hot jets cascade down his neck and shoulders.

Javier hummed in encouragement, his lips following the water droplets, enveloping Horacio in a blanket of warmth from all angles.

“She reassured me she wouldn’t be disappointed if I never had children.” Horacio let his words hang in the white noise of the shower, giving Javier time to adjust to the change of subject.

“Did you think she would be?”

“It crossed my mind. So much has been passed down through the Carrillo side of my family. From my Abuelo to my Papá. From my Papá to me.”

“Don’t know if you’ve noticed, but four of your nieces and nephews are around here somewhere.”

Horacio let out a light huff. “Like I could forget. But…they’re Alejandra’s, not mine.”

“I know. But I think you’re forgetting the real question here. Would you be disappointed?”

“Back when I was younger, when I was with Juliana, I might’ve said yes. More out of expectation than anything else. But with you…I think we ripped up and threw away the rule book a long time ago.”

“Thank fuck for that. We’ve never been very good at following rules anyway.”

It didn't take long for them both to laugh at such a flagrant understatement.

“So, you do feel the same then?” Horacio asked in earnest.

“I was less than an hour away from getting my very own white fucking picket fence. If I’d wanted it, I could’ve had it. But that wasn’t my idea of the American Dream.”

Horacio turned in Javier’s arms, and the last seed of doubt was finally plucked from his mind. His lips captured Javier’s again, a statement of intent for their future. A future they no longer had to hide from their families. 

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

Javier seated himself in the large wooden gazebo at the end of the garden, which doubled as a viewing platform over the steep valley below. For once, sunlight had won the battle against the mist, and the sky was a brilliant shade of blue. It made it possible to see for miles, giving the illusion of being high amongst the surrounding trees alongside the raucous birdlife living in their branches.

It was their penultimate morning in Manizales, upon which Javier had changed a habit of a lifetime by getting up with Horacio. They had penned in some sightseeing of the city later. But for now, Horacio had gone for his usual run, and Javier started the day with possibly the best coffee he had ever drunk.

“May I join you?”

Javier looked up from his cup and cleared his throat. “Oh, er, of course.”

As Elena sat down, the sun glinted off the silver jewellery bonded to Javier’s chest, making them squint at its reflection. He instinctively brought a hand to his neck in a fumbled effort to shove the crucifix beneath the open collar of his shirt.

“You don’t need to do that, you know.”

Fuck. He'd been busted.

However, Elena's voice contained no traces of judgment, and it quickly put Javier at ease. He lowered his hand to his knee, giving a brief bob of the head before taking another sip of coffee.

“I still wear these.” Elena raised her left hand, showing off a sparkling diamond ring above a plain gold band. “The amount of awkward questions about the whereabouts of my husband these have caused over the years. Yet I still can’t bring myself to take them off. Although…”

With her right hand, she took hold of the top ring and wiggled it off her finger, then did the same with the second ring, with more force required this time.

Javier wasn’t sure what was happening until the dappled morning light fell on the inside of the ring he held up to his face.

Suerte que encontré a mi media naranja

(Lucky that I found my soulmate)

“It’s beautiful.”

“Eduardo wasn’t a man of many words, but he had his moments.” Elena’s smile took on a wistful appearance as Javier passed the ring back.

“My Pops is the same with his wedding ring. He insists on wearing it every day, which isn’t really compatible with the day job.”

“I can imagine. I hear it became Horacio’s day job, too?”

“Yeah,” Javier said with an involuntary grin. “I know it might be hard to believe, and I know it’s not what he expected, but it suits him.” Literally as well figuratively, he managed to stop himself from blurting out.

“I can’t remember him ever saying he wanted to be anything other than a police officer. My parents ran a textile business, and Eduardo’s mother was a nurse. But Horacio followed his father, who followed his father like it was their birthright. I always worried about Eduardo, especially if he was running late or was called to an emergency. Then it was the same with Horacio, too. So much blood spilt on our doorsteps, on our streets, in our churches.”

Elena promptly picked up her cup, the balm of hot fruit tea required before she could continue.

“Whenever the phone rang – or I heard a knock at the door – I prepared for the worst. It happened to so many friends and neighbours. So why not my husband or son? Of course, it was Eduardo’s heart in the end. But once Search Bloc made Horacio a walking target, it was only a matter of time. I’d spent years expecting it, but what I hadn’t accounted for in all of my fretting, pacing, and prayers…was you.”

“Me?”

“He told me what you did. How much trouble you and your partner got in for it. How you got injured yourself. How…you saved my son and his men.”

“We couldn’t save them all,” was Javier’s sole response to the lashings of praise he still wasn’t convinced he truly deserved in light of how the ambush came about in the first place.

“You saved more than your superiors were willing to, by the sounds of it.”

Javier scoffed. “Well, I can’t argue with that.”

“Good. And as for the ranch…he’s always liked to keep busy. Just like his father, he could never sit still and relax for long. I can see it. I bet he looks the part.”

“He does, actually.” That was allowed, Javier told himself.

“I thought something had changed after his injury, even if he wouldn’t tell us much. I hoped he’d seen sense, but I knew he was prepared to die for that mission of his – that obsession. I’d almost accepted it, to be honest, especially without Eduardo around to stop him. So, when he told me he’d quit, you were the only reason that made sense.”

“Ever since my Mamá passed, I tried to change things – or control them, at least. Anything to not feel that…helpless again. But it didn’t work like that. Walking away was the only choice left.”

“But it was a choice you both made. That can’t have been easy. I may not have known you very long, but it’s already clear to me you’re good for each other.”

“Even though I’m a gringo?”

“We all have our flaws.” Not only did Elena catch the humour in Javier’s eyes, but she matched and surpassed it with her own. “But to answer your question properly…I would say the complicated histories of our homelands have more in common than meets the eye.”

Javier hummed as he had flashbacks to high school of learning about Laredo starting life as a Spanish colonial settlement before a bloody tug-of-war between Mexico and America – and independence from both – had broken out. There was no denying he had benefited from certain privileges of owning an American passport, and he’d always accepted the gringo label without much pushback. But deep down, he knew it was only half the story.

“You’ve shown each other new paths,” Elena continued. “Safer and happier ones. And that’s what counts.”

“Not quite sure what my new path is yet, to be honest. I’ve spent so long running away from Laredo. I’ve forgotten what it means to live there.”

“It took me a long time to accept my place was here now rather than Medellín. Whenever there was a bombing, or a shooting, or a kidnapping, I had to stop myself from getting on a plane. But Horacio worried I’d be a target because of him. He didn’t want me there. And what could I have done anyway?” Elena let out a self-deprecating huff at the mere thought.

“You wanted to protect your son.”

“Yes. But it wasn’t just that. Medellín was my home and my work. And many of Eduardo’s friends and colleagues were killed. Their wives were sisters to me after his death. But I couldn’t return the favour from down here. Not in the same way, at least. I sent cards, flowers, food parcels, even money sometimes. But it never felt enough.”

“It never does.”

“No. It doesn’t. But I did what I could. And being there for Alejandra and the kids made me feel useful. I got involved with the church again. Worked for a small charity. Even though we’ve been protected from the violence here, the repercussions of it spread far and wide. So many displaced families in need. At least I was making a difference somewhere.”

“I thought I was making a difference. And maybe sometimes I was. But I don’t think it was ever really my fight.”

“Perhaps not. But maybe it helped lead you to the right one.”

“Maybe.”

Javier’s mind drifted back to the family history his Pops told him over the phone in Madrid, not just about his Mamá but his grandparents too. Not to mention all his Pops had done for the local community over the years. He thought of the stories Señora Romero had shared and the kindness she had shown him and Horacio. They had all made a difference in their own ways. And they had done it without leaving their cities, let alone their countries.

As Elena excused herself to ensure Mateo and Sofía weren’t starting another civil war in the kitchen, Javier nursed his coffee cup and surveyed the meandering scenery below. For the first time since he told Stechner to go fuck himself, he could see the outline of a path emerging in front of him. He wasn’t exactly sure where it was leading yet, but at least it was something. Something closer to home.

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

Their last day in Manizales came faster than Horacio had expected, presumably a side effect of waiting for the other shoe to drop any minute. Miraculously, it never did.

“Knock knock.”

Horacio looked up from the bed where he was wrestling with the zip of his suitcase – and currently losing. “Morning.” Another tug, but it wouldn’t shift. “You just gonna watch me?”

“Because you’re usually so good at accepting help.” With a dry smile and shake of the head, Alejandra came to the rescue with less heavy-handedness than her brother, unjamming the zip in seconds.

“I’m better than I was.”

“Can’t argue with that.”

“And thank you, by the way.” Horacio stood up, lifting the case from the bed and bringing himself face-to-face with his sister. “For everything.”

Alejandra nodded, maintaining eye contact with Horacio long enough to be distracted by the sunlight dancing across the gold chain around his neck. “It suits you.”

“Thanks. Better than it collecting dust in a box.”

“I don’t just mean the necklace.”

The subtle glow of Horacio's pupils mirrored Alejandra's before he stepped forward, pulling her into a tight embrace. “Take care of yourself, okay?” He leaned down and kissed her on the top of her head.

“You too. And don’t leave it so long next time.”

“We won’t. I promise.”

“If it helps, I can sweeten the deal with a stay at one of the hot springs around here. They’re always giving me freebies for supplying their coffee. One of them has private thermal pools and everything.”

“You don’t have to bribe me to visit.” However, the thought of it being him, Javier, and a jacuzzi was enough for him to re-think his position on taking bribes. “Plus, I wanna see what you do with the place.”

“So you can take inspiration?”

Horacio rolled his eyes. “You wish. If you think you can handle the Texan climate, you know where we’ll be.”

“Don’t worry, I can and I will.”

“We about ready?” Javier appeared in the doorway with the rest of their luggage, pausing at the threshold. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt.” Again.

“It’s okay; your boyfriend was just inviting us all to the ranch.”

It had only been an innocuous comment, but Alejandra managed to stop both men in their tracks with one word, a bashful look passing between them at the novelty of it.

“Oh, er, that’s great. The more the merrier.” Javier recovered just in time, although the flush in his cheeks showed no sign of abating. “My Pops always makes enough food for the population of Texas, so you’d be more than welcome.”

“Likewise here, Javier. As long as you bring more aguardiente next time.” She winked and drew him in for a hug.

“I think that can be arranged.” Javier broke away first so he could look at Alejandra properly. “And thank you…for everything this week.”

Alejandra gave a bob of the head once more, her smile widening as she glanced from Javier to Horacio, the depth of their gratitude beyond words but written all over their faces. “It’s what big sisters are for.”

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

After eating enough breakfast to last them for most of their journey to Medellín – the rest supplemented by Elena’s homemade empanadas and cocadas – they were stood back on the front porch again.

There was a chorus of goodbyes this time, ones that didn’t have the foreboding air of finality about them as they had done in the past.

Horacio allowed his Mamá to clutch him with all her strength, the scent of her perfume transporting him straight back to childhood.

“You take care of each other, you hear? And keep me updated on your visa. You know where I am if you need anything.”

“Don’t worry, Mamá. I will.”

“Y no olvide su español.” (And don’t forget your Spanish)

“No lo haré, Mamá.” (I won’t, Mamá) Horacio barely managed to suppress a tone of amused exasperation, given that he had been surrounded by almost as many Spanish voices in Laredo as in Colombia.

“Javier, you heard all of that. So, don’t let him forget.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Javier received the same treatment as Horacio with a bracing hug.

“Don’t be a stranger, Mijo. And don’t fret about finding that path. Just remember to follow your heart.” 

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

The light was fading fast, leaving behind a watercolour blend of ambers, yellows and reds that blazed against a backdrop of purple haze and the ethereal silhouette of ancient mountains. The glimmer of city life below felt distant, as though they had left this world altogether and now lived above the clouds.

Which was fine by them as they caught their breath; Horacio draped over Javier’s lap in the passenger’s seat, the culmination of their release glistening across their stomachs.

“Just like old times,” Horacio panted as trails of kisses became interspersed with heady laughter.

“Well, not exactly.” Javier’s thumb and forefinger delicately held the silver and gold pendants at their chests before untangling the chains that had become knotted during their tryst.

“No.” Horacio brought his forehead to meet Javier’s, an instant tonic to the painful twinge gripping their hearts as memories of their last visit to this spot resurfaced. “I told you we’d make up for lost time this past week, though.”

“Yeah, I figured you meant in the hotel. Or even back in Madrid. Not the minute you parked up in Medellín.”

“Like you were complaining.”

“Fuck, no, I wasn’t. Less likely to be overheard up here than in the hotel anyway.”

Once Horacio had regained enough feeling in his limbs to dismount and sit back in the driver’s seat, Javier reached for the glove box. He took out their emergency stash of cigarettes and lit up.

Horacio attempted to clean himself up as best he could and did the same for Javier. “So, this is why you brought those with us.” He nodded towards the cigarettes.

“Obviously.” Javier took a long drag and exhaled with a deep sigh, his body latching on quickly to the nicotine, his mind still blitzed.

They passed their shared smoke back and forth in comfortable silence, basking in their afterglows and the aftermath of the last few days.

“You still like it up here then?” Horacio asked after stubbing out the butt in the ashtray between them.

“Yeah, I do. Don’t think I’ve ever seen it looking so beautiful.”

“Me neither. Funny how the same view can look completely different in a new light.”

Javier hummed in agreement, their gaze now fixed on each other rather than the windshield, the irony not lost that they were back in the same spot where it could easily all have ended.

"I can think of a way to make it even better, though.”

“Go on.”

In a flurry of movement, Javier zipped up his jeans, pulled on his shirt and got out of the car. He rustled around in the trunk until he retrieved a couple of spare towels they had packed for emergencies, along with their jackets. It wasn’t quite the thick blanket from the ranch, but at least it was a mild night.

They sprawled out on the grass behind the car, lying atop the towels and wrapped in their jackets. Javier propped his head on a folded sweater with Horacio resting against his chest at an angle that allowed them both to take in the cityscape below.

“How about we just stay here forever?” Javier rasped between slow, sensual kisses.

Horacio moaned against Javier’s lips as he went back for more. “Don’t tempt me. At least we didn’t book an early flight tomorrow.”

“Good point.” Another string of kisses, each more addictive than the last.

“Although,” Horacio began once they had calmed down, his fingers tracing patterns across Javier’s torso, "we’ve got a lot to sort out once we’re back in Madrid.”

“I know. But at least we ripped off the band-aid.” One of Javier’s hands found Horacio’s and slotted their fingers together.

“I spent so much energy worrying about this trip; I was almost expecting something bad to happen.”

Javier raised their linked hands to his mouth and brushed his lips over Horacio’s knuckles. “But it didn’t.”

“No. In fact…I think I know what I want to do with the money.”

“Oh yeah?”

“If you and your father agree to it, that is. And I can find a good lawyer.”

Javier lifted his head slightly and turned in Horacio's direction, urging him to continue.

“I was thinking….what if we bought the corn farm? The three of us, I mean.”

“Are you fucking serious?”

“Yeah. I think I am.” Horacio couldn’t help but laugh now he’d said it out loud. “Like I said, I’d need to check everything with a lawyer about my visa first. But there is an option for investors. And you still have some of your money from the ranch, right?”

“Yeah, I do. And obviously, you can count me in. But…shit, Horacio. Are you sure? I mean, it’s your inheritance.”

“It's nothing Alejandra isn't doing with her share. And well, if your father bought it outright, an empty cottage would go to waste on our doorstep. Last I looked, it needed a bit of maintenance, but it wasn’t in bad shape.”

Now, it was Javier’s turn to laugh. “Got it all figured out, huh?”

“Something like that.”

“It’s funny, ‘cos, er...I’ve been thinking, too. About something your Mamá said.”

“About what?”

“About looking closer to home for a new path. And I think I might have found it.”

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

They only meant to stay until they got too cold, but their shared body heat let them doze until sunrise. The watercolour skyline re-emerged from behind the mountain tops, gradually bathing Medellín in a heavenly half-light, stirring them awake as it reached their hideaway.

The plan was to freshen up and have breakfast at the hotel before dropping off the hire car and heading to the airport after lunch. But there was something Horacio needed to do whilst the city wasn’t fully awake, whilst the low sun felt like a gift from God Himself.

As they pulled up a stone’s throw away from Horacio’s old family church – a few blocks down from his childhood home and former apartment that Trujillo had cleared after his hasty exit from Carlos Holguín – Javier hesitated, unsure if this was something Horacio needed to do alone.

“Come with me,” Horacio said after stepping out of the car as though he had read Javier’s mind. “Please.”

That was all the confirmation Javier needed to follow.

They walked silently along a well-kept pathway that forked off in multiple directions. It was maze-like and disorientating, but Horacio took purposeful strides despite how long it had been since his last visit.

He halted at a large marble slate engraved with a crucifix and the CNP emblem. There were some dried old flowers in a vase at the base of it, where Horacio knelt down and swapped them for the fresh bunch of marigolds he’d carried from the car.

“A gift from Mamá,” he whispered. “She’ll be back again soon.”

Horacio remained on the grass and brought his hands up to the back of his neck, where he unhooked the gold chain. He studied it between his fingers, then clasped it in his palm and bowed his head.

The cemetery was empty at this time in the morning, the loud rustling in the trees drowning out the murmur of traffic beginning to burst into life.

Javier watched wordlessly a few feet behind Horacio, almost beginning to feel like he was intruding.

“Pray with me.”

“Are you sure? What if someone –”

“I’m sure. No one’s here but us.”

Javier checked around them once, then twice, just in case. Even if someone did happen to come by, two men praying over a grave wasn’t exactly the most compromising position they could be found in. But it was better to be safe than sorry.

Once satisfied, Javier joined Horacio on the grass. They couldn’t get away with how they had done this in private, but Horacio dropped his right hand to the floor beside him, palm outstretched.

Javier took the hint and discreetly placed his left hand over the top, encasing the gold necklace between them.

With heads lowered and eyes closed, they prayed. An unspoken acknowledgement of all they had lost and how it had led them here. They honoured memories made, those that would never be, and those they could still make together despite everything.

Horacio’s eyes fluttered open as the sunlight fell on the headstone above him, forcing him to blink away a glassy sheen. His hand stayed connected with Javier’s on the earth, his present and future by his side, giving him strength to finally make peace with his past.

He rose to his feet and made the sign of the cross on his chest before running his fingers along the embossed letters of his father’s name. “Te quiero mucho, Papá.”

Javier gave as much time as was needed until risking a gentle squeeze of Horacio’s shoulder. “You ready?”

Horacio looked from the gravestone to Javier, the charcoal of his irises burning with the fire of conviction. “I’m ready.”

[hermesmyplatonicbeloved]

PJO Hermes Content

This is part one of my masterpost (that had too many links so I had to break it up lol).

Anyways, this section is all about Hermes, my favorite PJO character! I'm constantly editing and adding new links and content so please check out the original post on my blog for the updated version.

Enjoy!

Hermes and Percy & Hermes Content:

Why Hermes is my favorite character (coming soon. hopefully)

Controversial: Hermes is actually a good parent in PJO (coming soon, I'm hunting down the link)

Hermes and Apollo's interactions at the end of TOA reveals a lot about Hermes's character (coming soon, I'm hunting down the link)

A short, sweet Percy & Hermes drabble @/puppy-coded wrote

Anon ask: Hermes as the godfather/patron of Percy's child

Lin-Manuel as Hermes & Hermes is a complicated character with depth

Headcanon/Fic Idea: Hermes pretends to be Jack Frost and Peter Pan to interfere with his children's lives pre-camp half blood

Story idea: Hermes might be good with children? Also helps out with a de-aged Percy while being petty to Annabeth

Hermes and Percy & Hermes Art:

Percy & Hermes Moodboard by universallyjustme-moodboards

Hermes Moodboard by universallyjustme-moodboards

Canon Art of Hermes from Staff of Hermes, Demigod Diaries

Hermes Art drawn by fowl-nymph

Hermes Art drawn by jennerallydrawing

Comic of Percy & Hermes's conversation after the Titan War by pianapplez

Hermes & Percy drinking coke at chb beach under the stars by sishsashart

Hermes Sketch (chest up) by kokofleour

Hermes art by hanpaopaoo

Percy & Hermes Content (Canon Moments):

Percy & Hermes Rec List

Top 5 Percy and Hermes Moments Summary (in canon)

#1 Percy & Hermes Moment: Hermes goes to Percy for help in retrieving George and Martha

#2 Percy & Hermes Moment: The convo immediately after the titan war.

#3 Percy & Hermes Moment: Hermes helps Percy see that Poseidon has been paying attention and helping.

#4 Percy & Hermes Moment: First meeting on the beach.

#5 Percy & Hermes Moment: Hermes tries to gives Percy a heads up about the Giant War.

[writer-darling]

UPDATES: AYEDOF & ZACH PIECE

Oh my god it’s a Christmas miracle… I'm actually writing again. Ok, just kidding but also not really because life has had hands for the last few months and I have had no time/energy to write. HOWEVER, I have been semi-productive this time around as I am finally taking this writing thing seriously and - for the first time ever - spent all this time editing/rewriting and reformatting Are You Ever Dreaming of Me.

There was just a lot to fix: grammar mistakes, continuity errors, and just the overall flow of the story was off to me. I also added in a bunch of new details and dialogue and things that hopefully will imrpove it in general. Does this mean I will go back and re-do it to all of my stories? No, absolutely not, this has been hell. BUT also kinda fun and rewarding, which brings me to my point for this post:

I finally created a Masterlist for this story! (I plan on doing it for Northern Lights too… whenever I get back to that one haha, whoops). But yes, I have a Masterlist for this work now and it’ll be under my main Masterlist just ya know with the title only but if you click that link, it’ll take you to all of the chapters. It’ll also of course contain a moodboard, a playlist, and the current taglist for this story. 

Additionally, for the next week-ish or so I am going to be uploading the new edited and reformatted versions of all of the past 7 chapters of this story (one per day), starting tomorrow (12/24/23). The final day will be uploading both chapter 7 reformatted and the latest chapter 8, which will be under the new format already. Just so I can give whoever has read this already and hasn’t thought about it for the last few months, a chance to catch up and hopefully catch all the new details and changes before we proceed with the newest chapter. If you want to be a part of that, either join my taglist if you haven’t already OR shoot me a message letting me know you’re a part of the taglist already and specifically want to be a part of the list for this particular story. 

Finally, I hope to have the Zach Wellison work sometime after New Years. I’m thinking this is gonna be a multi-chapter thing but not sure how long yet (like a 2-3 part thing or a series). If you want to be notified about that, again, join the taglist to get notified when I get around to that. 

Thanks a million and see you tomorrow!

Tag List!: @luz-introvertida​ @castleamc​ @moralesfish​  @december-gal1 @castleamcc @hillarymurray4 @supernaturalgirl20​ @supernaturalgirl20 @sherala007​ @littlemisspascal @practicalghost​ @donnaa​ @scorpio-marionette​ @kayleezra @amandanik23 @maxpbxtch97​ @lowlights​ @shadesofnerdlygrace @harriedandharassed @carefulnowprincess​ @amneris21​ @horton-hears-a-honk​ @xdaddysprincessxx​ @trickstersp8​ @mandy-sings @mswarriorbabe80 @permanentlydizzy @teddy2510 @theredwritingwitch @thesoftdumbass @readingiskeepingmegoing @pedropascalposting @pedrocentric @mandynik23 @klara-luise18 @supernaturalgirl89 @pbeatriz (hope it’s ok that I’m tagging you all!)

[zenaidamacrouras1]

fic writer tag game

You have no idea how much I needed to procrastinate right now @somanywords bless you

Rules: Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love 💖

Weeeeeee. I took most of the summer off writing and so have some distance from these. I feel like all of my fics are like ad nauseam blah blah blah here I am tumbling about these fics again, but you know what? They take a really long time to write. So, okay.

Backhoe (123,456 words- E) (moodboard) Artist Steve and Appalachian Prince Bucky. Come for the direct action chained to a backhoe meet-cute, stay for the sprawling southern gothic kidfic.

This is probably my favorite fic I've written, though parts of it kind of drag for me, it's definitely not perfect but I don't know how to fix any of the parts without unraveling the whole thing, so here it is. It's so many things. As I said in the author's notes, we fell and love and got married and divorced and went to ikea together, me and this fic. I don't even know.

2. Plastered - (59k words - E) (moodboard) Kidfic, catching feelings, Architect Steve and Engineer Bucky

This was my first fic and I keep meaning to edit it because it has so many typos and then get distracted. I really like all the texting in it. I'm not so sure about my Steve characterization having spend so much time writing him since, but it's a fun time anyway.

3. Monoclonius (62k words - E) (moodboard) Kidfic, Sweet, sappy, wholesome lusting, Lobbyist Steve and Paleontologist Bucky

This is, I think, my happiest fic. Though warning: it may make you crave pancakes.

4. Unpredictable Synchronicity (115k words - M) (moodboard) Slowburn romantic comedy shrunkyclunks with civil rights attorney Bucky Barnes working on gender affirming healthcare and a mostly happy and well adjusted Steve Rogers as Captain America.

I described this fic as maximalist. Like, there is so much stuff crammed in it. But, I really like the recurring themes, they greatly amused me. It is the slowest of burns, sorry not sorry. I really wanted to explore the power dynamic between these two, and they needed time to figure each other out.

5. Take Me Anywhere (3k words - E) (moodboard) Ballet Dancer Bucky and Graphic Designer Steve, Catching feelings, wholesome smut

A nice short fic to round out the list. I like the light flirty vibe. I like the Steve in this fic. I adore the Bucky. This was inspired after having very unwholesome thoughts about the dancers feet while at the ballet. I've never been a foot person, but some feet are just inspiring.

This one went around a while ago, so if you've already played, feel free to ignore or point me to your posts--@burberrycanary what are you up to? No need to do this.

[rjalker]

[ID: Ten circular pins against transparent backgrounds, with the trans pride flag on it, with stripes of blue, pink, white, pink, and blue.

Each design has two near check boxes that read "Male" and "Female", which have been crossed out, and a crooked checkbox with a line, and text in a different font so that it looks like it has been hand-written in, each reading a different answer.

The pins read, in order:

beyond comprehension, bi, butch, card, cat, construct, creature, dragon, femme, and fox.

End ID.]

These will be added to Redbubble tomorrow, I hit my limit for uploads today, lol. Links will be edited into this post when they've been posted.

Feel free to save these to your computer or phone, to use as icons, headers, moodboards, ect.

You can also feel free to print them out and make them into pins or other designs yourself, as long as you aren't selling them for a profit or claiming you created the design.

link to post 1 This is post 2 link to post 3 link to post 4 link to post 5 link to post 6 link to post 7 link to post 8 link to post 9 link to post 10

These pins will appear in this redbubble collection once they've been uploaded. (they should all appear by July 1st 2022. If you're seeing this early June 30th, they won't be loaded yet)

Please feel free to request more options!

[martyrette]

˚୨୧⋆｡˚ Alternatives 2 AI Art ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

So, the AI Art discussion has been a huge hot topic for not only the WoW RP community, but the entire internet as we know it. Because we are such a creative community, it’s no wonder people want aesthetically pleasing visuals for their characters. However, not everyone has the finances for a commission or wants to slap down $100+ dollars for a fully rendered full body.

But in turn, AI Art steals artists’ pieces - most often without their knowledge. I’m not here to shame people who’ve used AI Art, but rather come together with others in the WoW RP community in order to bring awareness viable free & paid substitutes for people.

This post will be split into 3 sections: free, paid and DIY, each with an example! Links for each resource will be below.

˚୨୧⋆｡˚ Free Visuals ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

Below is a collect of 'doll' or 'dress up' sites that offer hundreds of different genres to dress up and create your own unique design with. Artists are constantly uploading new games all the time. Though majorly fem dominated, there are some good masc and andro ones!

Picrew

{Avatar Creator}

https://picrew.me/en

Azalea’s Dolls

{Dress-Up}

https://www.azaleasdolls.com

Doll Divine

{Dress-Up}

https://www.dolldivine.com

˚୨୧⋆｡˚ Paid Visuals ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

OKAY B4 YOU GO OFF (｡Ŏ ᗜ Ŏ ̆ ｡)

You can find some affordable artists to commission on these sites and even pay WoW gold for some. I tried to accommodate for those who are probably like me and a poor ass college student. Just hear me out, homie-

Artists & Clients

{Commissions}

A freelancing site where you can hire from a number of artists. There's checks and balances in place to make sure either or doesn't get scammed. Different artists will have different rules, commissions, expectations, etc. My experience with it has been good so far though and you can find art for most budgets!

https://artistsnclients.com

Fivver

{Commissions}

Another freelance site where artists offer up their services. Fivver is a little hit-or-miss in my opinion and there are people offering AI Art commissions on here as well.

However, you can really find some hidden gems for good prices!

It’s not limited to art either! There's other services you can purchase as well.

https://www.fiverr.com

˚୨୧⋆｡˚ DIY ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

They say if you want something done, do it yourself! Below is my inner Pinterest girl having a love child with my Roleplayer. All of the tools/sites I've added below are free, so you won't have to worry about the cost of it. So get your impractical DIY on. ~(˘▾˘~)

Photo Editing

{Photography}

Not all of your references have to be drawn. You can edit photos to make your character! Hell, all you really need is MSPaint at most.

https://www.gimp.org

https://picsart.com

Moodboards

{Photography}

✨AeStHeTiC✨- Moodboards are like little collages you put together of photos that relate to your character! You can add snips of text, locations important to your OC, outfits, features, you name it! You can find tons of photos here on Tumblr for it, as well as Pinterest and Weheartit, then mush them together in an editing software!

https://www.pinterest.ca

https://weheartit.com/about/app

Face Claims

{Photography}

If you’re apart of the Tumblr crowd, you already know about these. It’s like, picking an actor for your OC in a way! There’s HUNDREDS of Tumblr accounts dedicated to cataloging public figures for face claims - by description too! I’ll put their accounts down below so you can all get some ideas!

Draw

{Art}

It sounds a little silly saying it, but genuinely try picking up art yourself! Draw your own character with your own little gremlin RP hands. Roleplay was a very big driving force for me learning art in my youth. All you need to pencil and paper! There’s also plenty of free drawing programs you can use as well when starting out!

Also check with your local community centres, as many often provide free or cheap art classes!

https://firealpaca.com

https://www.clipstudio.net/en/

https://krita.org/en/

I hope this post has been helpful and given people even more tools to enhance their roleplay experience.

Until my next masterpost (or shitpost). P.S Sorry it took so fuckin' long to make I'm a slow poke. o7

[demetriandelibinaryboyfriends]

@karatecaulfield HEY CMERE GUESS WHO I MADE A PLAYLIST

Tfw the YasMoon playlist I've been cultivating for a few months is the longest fandom playlist I've ever made, like...SIGNIFICANTLY longer than playlists for OTPs I've had for literal years O______O Lesbian hyperfixations go HARD, amirite???

Maybe it's because Spotify has a disproportionate number of songs about angsty/dysfunctional sapphic relationships akajdhousvigy

Kinda hope this keeps being the case though, because it's really funny. Inb4 I end up with like 100 songs on my YasMoon playlist and the rest of my fandom playlists top at like...60-something XD I'm unfortunately VERY deep in the "hears any love song on the radio and proclaims 'THIS IS YASMOON!'" phase, so uh...Imma probably keep adding songs at what's FAR from a reasonable rate.

ALSO I love being able to be like "check out my two Cobra Kai OTPs, the karate byfriends and the staunchly-refuse-to-do-karate girlfriends!!!" It's about that d i c h o t o m y XD The contrast!!! The parallels!!! The character foils!!! The pure, sweet irony!!!

So I went into this moodboard knowing my fave songs on here were gonna be like. WAY too obscure to have little lyric edits for them, so I just made my own again!!! Now that I'm actually confident doing that, I might be subjecting y'all to that way more often XD Here are the songs, if you're wondering: 1. Poker Face - Lady Gaga (has a ficlet here!!!) 2. American Dream - Baby Queen (no ficlets/moodboards/other content for this one yet, but mark my words, it will happen. I love this song for them too much :O) 3. Chronic - Phoebe Ryan (has a ficlet as well!!!) 4. Slow Dancing - Aly & AJ and Hazel English (ficlet here!)

Also open to any potential song suggestions, or to talk about my picks more!!! Additionally, I have been feeling, uh. VERY Unwell lately obsessing over potentially writing YasMoon songfics ^^; I've refrained so far (becaus GOD GIRL GET YOUR WIPS UNDER CONTROL), but my resolve is crumbling. I might make a silly little poll about them, because there is a horrible, horrible itch within me that I do not think I will scratch until I pluck a song out of here and turn it into a YasMoon one-shot D:

(I also haven't written proper CK fic in so longggggg because the fandom kinda yeeted D: Hopefully I can find at least a handful of readers for the onslaught of yasmoon fic y'all will eventually be subjected to lmao)

Used a pink and yellow/gold color scheme for them here because that combo never doesn't slap for them, tbh. Like GOD, am I ever a SLUT for aesthetically pleasing color motifs :O And pink and yellow always hits with the girls!!! Also love the shameless, cheery hyperfemininity of it all. No broody, emotionless grays and blacks to be found here!!! Only bright, eye-hurting your average dudebro would not be caught dead in :)

As always, pic credits available upon request!

[micdropnet]

FAQ (Mobile ver.)

What is Mic Drop Entertainment?

An entertainment company which trains all artists alike, Mic Drop Entertainment strives to become an establishment which helps you nurture your skills in the best way possible.

Do I need to be a member to use your tag?

Yes, our network is a closed network and only members our allowed to tag their content with the network tag #micdropnet.

Can i join the server if i am not a member?

Sorry, the Discord server is only open to network members. consider joining the net if you’d like to gain access to the server!

Can I join the net without having a discord account?

Sorry, we require all our network members to have a discord account for ease of dropping off content, receiving and acknowledging announcements/updates from the staff and to be able to participate in network events/games!

Are you accepting affiliate applications?

Yes, our affiliate applications are always open! check out our applications post to find out more about applying as an affiliate!

What do I need to do if I go on a hiatus or change my url/pseudo?

We require all members to let us know about a url change or a hiatus as soon as possible. ot doing so may result in a warning. please send the network an ask stating as such or share the update in the Discord server!

How will I know when the net has added my content to the queue?

Our main blog @micdropnet-main will like your post on Tumblr to signify that your post has been added to our queue! also, your message with the post link in our drop channels of our Discord server will be reacted to with our net icon!

Why hasn’t my work been reblogged yet?

Does it follow our rules? If it doesn’t, it will not be added to our queue or reblogged to our net and you will be informed if this is the case, along with the reason. if it does follow our rules and hasn’t been liked by our main blog in over two weeks, please drop the link off in our submit box or dm a staff member! We’ll add it to our queue asap!

Why wasn’t my application accepted?

You must have not followed the steps on our official post or rules and regulations regulations. You are welcome to reapply after re-reading our rules and regulations!

Why was my membership terminated / why was i blacklisted from using the network tag?

You must have broken one or more of our company’s rules and regulations. Anytime we do either of the above, our CEOs will send a dm to our members. You will be informed why.

Can I reapply if my membership was terminated / I was blacklisted?

If you’ve been terminated because of inactivity or because you’ve surpassed your 3 strikes, you may reapply after four months. If your termination message included the word ‘permanent’ , you are not welcome to reapply.

If you were blacklisted because of rule breaking or inactivity, you may start using our tag again in four months time (the message you receive from us will include a date). Ii the word ‘permanent’ was included in your blacklist message, you are not welcome to apply to our network or use our tag in the future.

What types of content does the network accept?

We accept fanfics, gifs, gfx, edits, moodboards, fanfic banners and fanarts as forms of content that our network will reblog. [Don’t see your content listed? Send us an ask and we’d consider adding it to the list!]

[btscreaturescoven]

Please seek answers to our frequently asked questions below!

⌁ What is Bts Creatures Coven?

We’re a network here to support bangtan content creators who share work containing supernatural creatures and mystic beings, and provide our members with awesome resources to thrive in our tumblr community!

⌁ Do I need to be a member of your network to use your tag?

Yes, only members of BCC can use our network tag #btscreaturescoven

⌁ Can I join the server if I am not a member?

No, our discord server is only for network members. Consider joining as a member if you want to be in the server!

⌁ Can I join this network if I am under the age of 18?

No, our network is only for those ages 18 and up.

⌁ Is this a smut-only network?

No, while smut is more than welcome, it’s not required. Our content requirements are listed in our Coven Rulebook!

⌁ Are you accepting affiliate applications?

Yes, please refer to the very bottom of our Coven Rulebook to see how to apply for affiliation!

⌁ Do I have to notify anyone if I change my url or go on hiatus?

Yes we require all members to let us know about a url change or a hiatus. Please send the network an ask stating such or share the update in the corresponding discord server!

⌁ How will I know when the net has added my content to the queue?

Our main blog @btscreaturescoven-main will like your work to notify you when it has been added!

⌁ Why hasn’t my work been reblogged yet?

Does it follow our rules? If not, it won’t be added to our queue or reblogged to our net. If it does follow our rules and hasn’t been liked by our main blog in over two weeks please drop the link off in our submit box! we’ll add it to our queue asap!

⌁ Why wasn’t I accepted?

You must have not followed our the steps on our Official Post or Coven Rulebook. you are welcome to reapply during the next application period!

⌁ Why was my membership terminated / why was I blacklisted from using the tag?

You must have broke one or more of our Coven Rules anytime we do either of the above we send a dm to our members. You will know why.

⌁ Can I reapply if my membership was terminated / if I was blacklisted from the tag?

If you’ve been terminated / blacklisted because of inactivity or because you’ve surpassed your 3 warnings of rule-breaking, you may reapply after three months. If you’re termination / blacklist message included the word permanent, you are not welcome to reapply.

⌁ What is your rating system for fanfics / what does each rating mean?

g: intended for all audiences, sfw

pg: a step above g, small uses of minor swear words, still sfw

pg13: acceptable for younger teenagers, light romance (kissing, hand holding, beginning of dating), very light violence/action (light fighting, yelling), still sfw

pg15: acceptable for older teenagers, romantic themes (heavy kissing, clothed touching), minor violence/action (heavy fighting, punching, screaming) (no weapons) still sfw but borderline suggestive

nc17: acceptable for those 17 years old and older. a step above pg15, strong romantic themes (suggestive content) mild violence/action with weapons, borderline sfw/nsfw

18+: only acceptable for those 18 years old and older. explicit sexual content/violence, graphic scenes of triggering content, nsfw

21+: only acceptable for those 21 years old and older. extreme sexual content/violence, extremely graphic scenes of triggering content, very nsfw

⌁ What types of content does the network accept?

We accept fanfics, gifs, gfx, edits, moodboards, and fanart including supernatural & mystic themes or beings as accepted forms of content that the network will reblog.

If your question was not answered above, please send us an ask or dm!

[thekpopuniverse]

faq

What is the kpop universe?

➛ the KPOP Universe is a kpop related network here to support content creators of the age of 25 and older and provide our members with awesome resources to thrive in the content creator tumblr community!

Do I need to be a member of your network to use your tag?

➛ yes, as our #thekpopuniverse tag is exclusively for our members.

Can I join the server if I am not a member?

➛ no, our discord server is only for network members.

Are you accepting affiliate applications?

➛ yes, please see the very bottom of our rules to see how to apply for affiliation!

Do I have to notify anyone if I change my url or go on hiatus?

➛ yes we require all members to let us know about a url change or a hiatus. please send the network a message or share the update in the corresponding discord server!

How will I know when the net has added my content to the queue?

➛ our main blog @thekpopuniverse-main​ will like your work to notify you when it has been added!

Why hasn’t my work been reblogged yet?

➛ did it follow our rules? if it doesn’t, it will not be added to our queue or reblogged to our net. if it does follow our rules and hasn’t been liked by our main blog in over two weeks please reach out to the network.

Why wasn’t I accepted?

➛ you either have not followed our steps on our official post or our rules. you are welcome to reapply during the next application period!

Why was my membership terminated / Why was I blacklisted from using the tag?

➛ you must have broken one or more of our rules. anytime someone is blacklisted/terminated we will send a dm explaining why.

Can I reapply if my membership was terminated / if I was blacklisted from the tag?

➛ if you’ve been terminated because of inactivity or because you’ve surpassed your 3 warnings of rule-breaking, you may reapply after three months. if you’re termination message included the word permanent, you are not welcome to reapply. 

➛ if you were blacklisted because of rule breaking or inactivity, you may start using our tag again in 3 months time (the message you receive from us will include a date). if you the word permanent was included in your blacklist message, you are not welcome to apply to our network or use our tag in the future.

What is your rating system for fanfics / what does each rating mean?

➛ g: intended for all audiences, sfw ➛ pg: a step above g, small uses of minor swear words, still sfw ➛ pg13: acceptable for younger teenagers, light romance (kissing, hand holding, beginning of dating), very light violence/action (light fighting, yelling), still sfw ➛ pg15: acceptable for older teenagers, romantic themes (heavy kissing, clothed touching), minor violence/action (heavy fighting, punching, screaming) (no weapons) still sfw but borderline suggestive ➛ nc17: acceptable for those 17 years old and older. a step above pg15, strong romantic themes (suggestive content) mild violence/action with weapons, borderline sfw/nsfw ➛ 18+: only acceptable for those 18 years old and older. explicit sexual content/violence, graphic scenes of triggering content, nsfw ➛ 21+: only acceptable for those 21 years old and older. extreme sexual content/violence, extremely graphic scenes of triggering content, very nsfw

What types of content does the network accept?

➛ we accept fanfics, gifs, gfx, edits, moodboards, and fanart as accepted forms of content that the network will reblog.