#fic: your sharp and glorious thorn

[direwombat]

holiday + ugly sweater meiker

tagged by sooooo many people to do this holiday meiker over the past uh *checks watch* month or so that i have genuinely forgot who's tagged me, but most recently by @voidika and @fourlittleseedlings to do these meikers

meiker 1 (m/f, f/f, m/m, nb) | meiker 2

some christmas-y ships (jakesyb // sybeli // price/saoirse)

and some syb learning that joseph has invited himself and the other seed sibs to her and jacob's cabin for christmas dinner // saoirse about to lob her gift to john, very happy that he was able to make it home for christmas

tagging (more to see and less to do, but if you've yet to do these and still want to, please! take this as your cue to do so!) @statichvm, @cassietrn, @trench-rot, @harmonyowl, @carlosoliveiraa, @purplehairsecretlair, @aceghosts, @adelaidedrubman, @madparadoxum, @socially-awkward-skeleton, @locustandwildhoney, @testyfestyenthusiast, @strangefable, @inafieldofdaisies, @alexxmason, @deputyash, @josephslittledeputy, and of course, anyone else wanting to do these meikers! (taglist opt in/out)

[coffee-in-rain]

Vulnerable Hannibal Fic Rec List

New addition (located @ the bottom of the page) as of 9/24/2024!

On my previous post, people were interested in finding fics where Hannibal is touch-starved and or dealing with separation anxiety post-fall. So here is a small list of some that may fit that theme! The first five fics are mine, but the rest are some of my favorite fics I’ve ever read that feature vulnerable Hannibal in various seasons, AUs, and post-canon. This list will be updated intermittently!

The Ache Against The Wind (Rewritten): He’d sustained a substantial amount of brain damage throughout the last eleven days, Will had been told. Resulting in Post-Traumatic Amnesia. (Hannibal is tortured in the BSHCI via beatings, laxatives, enemas, starvation and the “water curing” method after his toilet is removed. Will saves him).

Pareidolia: Six weeks post-fall, Hannibal suffers from a seizure during dinner.

Je Te Laisserai Des Mots: Six months have passed since Will pulled them over the cliff. Even in light of their progressing relationship, much of Hannibal still remains a mystery to Will. For reasons unknown, he’s begun to pull away. (A sequel to Shrike; my housewife Hannibal fic!)

Between The Hour Of Reprieve:

At the cliff house, Hannibal receives a much-needed-hug. (features crying, touch-starved Hannibal).

Shrike (To Your Sharp And Glorious Thorn): Hannibal feels anxious about the prospect of Will abandoning him one day because he isn’t at all capable of being like Molly. His anxiety only heightens when Will gets a job. (features crying housewife Hannibal speaking Lithuanian).

A Cabin In The Woods by KoolJack1: Hannibal is thirteen and runs away from the orphanage when he feels that a fate of the elements will be better than the fate of abuse. He finds a small cabin in the woods, thinking warmth will be all he finds. He also finds Will. But who changes who?

Recipricol Alchemy by Scifibabe: In the silent echoes of his dreams, Will Graham treads a line blurred between control and chaos, each step drawing him inexorably towards claiming Hannibal as his own. It's a perilous dance on the edge of darkness, where the thrill of possession whispers of a transformation too profound to resist.

Hold Me, Don’t Let Me Go by sourweather: It's a few months after the Fall when it finally hits him. Hannibal has barely been touched in 3 years. And Will won't let it go on for another moment.

Hosanna In The Highest by sainthannibal: During the fall, Hannibal receives the brunt of the injuries, which leaves him unable to care for himself. Will discovers how much he enjoys taking care of him.

You Made Me Soup by itsybitsylemonsqueezy: Hannibal comes down with pneumonia while incarcerated. Will decides to make him some soup. Absolutely no one thinks it's strange that Will comes to give his ex soup when he finds out he's sick. No one at all finds this suspicious. At. All.

The Boy Under The Monster’s Bed by Wr4tttttthh: There were deep wounds that needed healing, new and old, physical and otherwise. (features crying, vulnerable Hannibal).

Delicate Ghost by hannigramcracker & TimmyJayBird: She was different- not the ghost of his memories, but something about this bloodied child ripped right at Hannibal's chest, and left him drowning in a cold snow he thought he had left in his childhood, that he had locked away within his skull. Drowning, with only one hand to grasp at, one body to cling to. One man to work him through the trauma and remind him what life was.

You With Those Nails, Me With This Cross by TheBitterKitten:

Will goes too far.

The Distance Is Quite Simply Much Too Far For Me To Row by softhan: Hannibal is having a rough time recovering from his injuries post-fall, and retreats into himself to avoid confrontation with Will while he's still weak and ill. Having to play happy husbands hardly helps.

Silk and Lace by jonnimir: Bedelia leaves Hannibal and Will a gift at the house on the cliff.

[sparkagrace]

Hello! I can't quite believe we're close to the end of the year. This month has been so hectic that I didn't even realize I'd only read 15 fics. With that in mind, I thought I'd just throw them all up here!

november

208,758 words read over 15 fics (average of 13,917 per fic, not including wips) 📉 21% from October.

Current total for the year: 2,770,640 words

fic recs

Remote Access by @kalee60 stucky | E | 57.5k

No Retreat, Baby, No Surrender by itsnotbleak stucky | T | 38.7k

The Curious Incident of the Cat in the Tower by @between-a-ship-and-a-hard-place stucky | G | 4.6k

No Glory in Love by @dreamsinthewitchouse stucky | M | 1.2k

Crack My Back Like A Glowstick by @moodymelanist stucky | T | 1k

all the shadows almost killed your light by @buckyismybicycle bucky x wanda | T | 1.6k

Do What You Did by bentrumors stucky | E | 1k

you're a crisis of my faith by @bvckyysarm stucky | E | 75.4k

But Slowly, Because You Know Me by @voylitscope stucky | E | 5.1k

don't want you, just your attention by @buckyismybicycle shrinky | E | 5k

A Simple Comfort by @cable-knit-sweater shrinky | T | 6.7k

non-mcu recs

Caged Bird by pinkishtea SnowBaird (TBoSaS) | E | 3k

A Shrike to Your Sharp and Glorious Thorn by anonymous SnowBaird (TBoSaS) | E | 4.5k

Only so far to fall by @dreamsinthewitchouse RWRB RPF | M | 1.3k

Luck is a lost key by @dreamsinthewitchouse RWRB RPF | M | 1.4k

[ken-dom]

I’ve got a little idea if this interest you for Sebastian 💛 the ending of la la land is so gut wrenching to me. I’d love to read something where seb gets an ending I’d like even more where he not only makes the jazz club dream a reality but he has a wife that always comes to watch him play & they’ve got babies too. The club AND a family like he deserves and dreamed about!

I'd be lying if I said I haven't wondered what Seb has going on in his life after we see him at his jazz club. Maybe the club itself is enough for him, or maybe he finds love somewhere unexpected, maybe he starts a family along the way, too. Anon, I feel like your idea deserves a long post-canon fic, but I hope this little drabble is enough for now 💕 I also have a spicy Seb one in the works too if that interests you!

Dreams

Sebastian Wilder x gn!reader

∘₊✧ 400 words

∘₊✧ Fluff, kissing, comfort, Seb having children is vaguely alluded to but not explicitly stated

∘₊✧─────────────────────✧₊∘

Visions of a life he had long left behind faded as Sebastian's consciousness pulled him away from the world of dreams.

The thorns left behind from the story his mind had chosen to tell him made his breath catch in his throat as he awoke. It was jarring. Despite this, the warmth of morning greeted him kindly. It was pleasant, and he chose not to fight that feeling.

His limbs were heavy with sleep, eyes only half-open as he adjusted to the bright room. The sounds of laughter from outside broke through into his waking senses. It was laughter he recognised, carried in on the gentle breeze through the open window, and it settled over his heart, softening the sharp edges that had been exposed while he slept.

Shifting against his pillow, he became aware of an external weight on his body - your arm, comfortable around his waist, fingers innocently grazing up and down the soft trail of hair below his belly button.

With a contented sigh, his lips instinctively pulled up into a relieved smile, and he turned to find you already awake beside him.

You, bathed in a dreamy warm glow. Perfect, and completely absorbed in him.

His lips were drawn to yours like a magnet, natural and easy, but there was no urgency in his kiss. He had forever to spend with you, and he intended to take every moment as it came, memorising as many as he could.

Slowly, tenderly, his lips slid over yours, stubble stinging at your flesh until the tip of his handsome nose brushed yours when he pulled back.

'There's a lot to do at the club. They're waiting for me,' he muttered reluctantly, husky with sleep and ever so slightly drunk on your kiss.

Your fingertips curled into his shoulders as you attempted to pull him back to you anyway. 'Aww... just five more minutes, Seb?'

'I can't, I've got to-'

'Please,' you begged, hitting him with your best puppy dog eyes.

Seb inhaled deeply, breathing all the warmth of you and this glorious morning in. How could he pass up on that? The club would still be there in five more minutes. Hell, it would still be there in half an hour.

'Alright. You're right. C'mere.'

And as his arms dragged you flush to his chest, his lips pressed to yours once more.

[qroier]

now that we're all remembering how awesome the bloodhounds are together, might I offer you two bloodhounds fics I wrote in these trying and missing them times?

the shrike to your sharp and glorious thorn - Anonymous - QSMP | Quackity SMP [Archive of Our Own]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: QSMP | Quackity SMP Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Rayenne Guendil | Etoiles & Roier Characters: Roier (Video Blogging RPF), Rayenne Guendil | Etoiles Additional Tags: Bandaging wounds, Purgatory (QSMP)

Summary:

Roier might have gotten a bit too overenthusiastic with the whole killing and fighting thing. Etoiles is there to drag him back afterward.

On That Boat - qroier (thedarklysea) - QSMP | Quackity SMP [Archive of Our Own]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: QSMP | Quackity SMP Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Rayenne Guendil | Etoiles & Roier Characters: Rayenne Guendil | Etoiles, Roier (Video Blogging RPF) Additional Tags: Post-Purgatory (QSMP), like literally right after this is them on the boat back, reaction to the perceived death of a loved one (to the perceived death of multiple loved ones)

Summary:

Etoiles is only just fast enough to catch Roier as he crumbles.

[fkevin073]

Your fics are so great! May I ask what snowbaird fics you’ve taken a liking to?

oh thanks so much anon!! means a lot ♥️

um some of my fave fics are:

anything written by framboise

right here in the old therebefore

a shrike to your sharp and glorious thorn

@teenagecriminalmastermind and all her snowbaird fics on ao3!

I am singing now while Rome burns

there's a few others I love too, but these are the ones that pop up at the top of my mind!! thanks for reading ♥️

[abovethemists]

Twenty questions for fic writers

Tagged by @saxgoddess25

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

85

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

944,230

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Once Upon A Time, SGU (but just Rush)

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Purgatory (910)

Little White Lie (594)

The Future's So Bright (576)

No Two Hearts (556)

A Twist in Time (501)

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I try to. I used to not because I felt weird about it, like I was trying to repost my fic constantly by responding to everything (on tumblr). But then I thought about how I like to get a response from an author when I comment on something and got over myself.

6. What is a fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I don't do angsty endings really. I like angst with a happy ending. If nothing else, my fics all end hopefully. I think. I might be forgetting something.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I mean they pretty much all end with my babies happy and together so all of them.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Not really hate specific to my fics. I have on occasion had a comment from someone who just hates Rumbelle but that hasn't happened in a long time. Ship wars were weird.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Oh yes. It's expected in the Rumbelle fandom. It's not my favorite thing to write though. I have trouble just writing pure smut. I need there to be backstory and feelings involved. I do emotional smut.

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

I write Anyelle, so yes. Pairing up Rush and Lacey was pretty crazy.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

No.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

I think so.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Nope.

14. What's your all-time favorite ship?

Rumbelle!

15. What's a wip you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

I have every intention of finishing everything I've ever started. It might take a decade, but I'll do it eventually.

16. What are your writing strengths?

Dialogue.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Action. Kill me if I ever had to block out a sword fight. It's why smut is hard. I get caught up in where everyone's limbs are.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I only speak one language fluently and wouldn't dare bastardize another language.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Harry Potter. Waaaaaaay back when. Also Jane Austen. Not sure which I wrote first.

20. Favorite fic you've written?

I'm always partial to my Rush/Lacey stuff. My favorite Rumbelle fic is probably A Sharp and Glorious Thorn, if I ever get it finished. It's exactly my type of angst.

Tagging @kelyon, @emospritelet, @phoenixwrites, @gingerdreams15 and anyone else who wants to do it.

[melting-houses-of-gold]

Hello! I have been following you for a bit, mostly for ACOTAR content, but I did read your newest Rexsoka work and I really enjoyed it! I am extremely new to the Rexsoka/Clone Wars fandom but would like to dabble in it and see if anything catches my fancy. Do you have any recommendations or places to start? I know there’s a lot out there but their dynamic and tension reminds me a bit of a few ACOTAR ships so I’m curious! Thanks so much 😊

Hi anon! I'm twirling my hair that my little fic got you interested--it's a ship that's VERY near and dear to my heart! We have some great fic writers, so I would LOVE to recommend some of my favorites.

I don't know if you've watched any Clone Wars, so I'm going to list some here where you don't need to have any significant pre-knowledge of canon. If you have watched any, I can totally rec some of the more canon-compliant/divergent ones that I've enjoyed. So these are all AUs, which I adore anyways.

In no particular order, here are some faves, and honestly ANY of the works by these authors are ones I'd recommend!

I lied when I said I didn't need you by @jewelofmandalore: A GFFA college AU that has exquisite dynamics. She's also kicking off a great series that's very loosely inspired by House of the Dragon's Rhaenyra and Harwin, but no knowledge of either Star Wars or HOTD is needed to enjoy this one!

sharp & glorious thorn by @chocmarss: Medieval vibes, enemies to lovers, and some simply gorgeous writing. I re-read this one probably once a month -- it's just so delicious.

they didn't prepare him for this on kamino by @darthgoosegoose: this is a WIP but so juicy! When ACOTAR folks start dipping a toe in rexsoka this is the one I recommend because it has such impeccable sithy, enemies to lovers, quarantine couple vibes. I love it so much.

one day by @amukmuk: Modern AU, friends to lovers, and so beautifully written. this one is for sure slow-burn vibes and I cried when it was done, because the ending had such a good payoff.

shameless plug for something I wrote with friends: The Valley of the Mythosaur, which is loosely (LOOSELY) inspired by The Mummy.

Feel free to slide into my DMs if you need any more recs. There's so much incredible fic in the clone wars fandom for so many excellent ships, so if you're ever looking for anything beyond rexsoka, happy to help and share the brain rot.

[unexpectedly-haunted]

Woe! Renchanting Fic Recommendations be upon ye!

Lamplight AU by skelew: A DnD style/Fantasy AU series where Martyn, captured and separated from his traveling party, finds an almost-forgotten god trapped in the basement. He becomes this god’s paladin in a bid to escape, and Ren, stuck in the form of fire, is happy to help. Adventures and a significant amount of arson follow, and the series is currently in progress! Words: 20,949 Works: 6

Missing or Obstructed by skelew: Post-Third Life AU centered on Ren and Grian. Waking up back on Hermitcraft after dying, these two are the only ones who remember the game. Grian struggles with his victory, and Ren sets out to find Martyn. Words: 2609 Chapters: 1/?

Wooden Mausoleum by skelew: Third Life AU where Martyn follows through on his planned betrayal. Fantastic and heartfelt angst, I cannot recommend enough. Words: 3807 Chapters: 1/1

yes, the only way out is down by skelew: Hey, remember when Martyn executed Ren? And it took three strikes to finally kill him? Wasn’t that fucked up? That’s what this fic is. Words: 1248 Chapters: 1/1

Domino Effect by pixiemage: Martyn-centric Third Life time loop fic with quality renchanting characterisation! Incorporates Watcher lore and Watcher! Grian in an interesting and engaging way. Words: 39557 Chapters: 3/?

winter as a metaphor for approaching ends by donnerstag: Ren ventures into a blizzard to find Martyn when he doesn’t come home. A reflection on loyalty in a death game. Loved the dialogue, have reread several times already. Words: 3880 Chapters: 1/1

falling doesn’t feel so bad (when i know you’ve fallen this way too) by mangop1e: Ren’s tests of loyalty, now featuring a soul-binding magic ritual. Described as including “imtimacy” “but like in the emotional way” “in the homies way” “in the “youre my king and i’m your faithful right hand” way” and it delivers!  Words: 5148 Chapters: 1/1

sharp & glorious thorn by majorkirastan: Ren and Martyn have a late night talk. I think about this one at least three times a week. Words: 2098 Chapters: 1/1

you’ve always been my north star by genesis_frog: A character study of Third Life Martyn and, by extension, Ren. Formatted as a 5 + 1 and really, really good! Words: 3346 Chapters: 1/1

ain’t it warming you, the world going up in flames? by crowleysflamingbentley: The tnt trap outside Dogwarts goes off, and Martyn sees red. This does not go so well for Scar. Really fun idea and I love how it was written! Somewhat open-ended. Words: 1327 Chapters: 1/1

Cold Comfort by redwinterroses: In the aftermath of the Red King’s rise, Martyn struggles with continuing bloodlust. Ren continues to trust him anyway. Close to a happy ending. Words: 2460 Chapters: 1/1

Nothing Gold Can Stay by redwinterroses: Third Life AU where Dogwarts wins, and Ren and Martyn are the last two left standing. Intense angst with a hopeful ending. Words: 3581 Chapters: 1/1

Heavy Hands, Heavy Hearts by librius: Dogwarts wins AU, and they both want to other one to live. All angst baby! Words: 1965 Chapters: 1/1

untitled by redwinterroses: Ren the King dreams of his dead Hand, who has some words for him. Such a cool concept, and the imagery is still haunting me. Words: 1460 Chapters: 1/1

also, here’s my ao3! i have a lot of renchanting there + plan on writing more :D

[nv-tumb]

Hi! just discovered ur blog today thru a tomarry account and i have to say that ur art is ✨stunning✨ Seriously so lovely😍😍 I saw that u’ve read a lot of the same fanfics I’ve read too so i wanted to recommend one that is one of my faves that I think you’ll love! It’s ‘ The Shrike (to your sharp and glorious thorns)’ by paperworlds!

Thank you for your appreciation and recommendation!☺️ Ah I've already read that fic but YES serial killer Voldemort is always right👌 Speaking of which, I'll read it again🥰

[norrington-hell]

Just saw your Fantasy AU for Norribeth. It currently shows as 2/5 on AO3. Are you considering ever posting the last chapters? Or have they not been finished / is it discontinued.

My Norribeth Fantasy AU, Sharp and Glorious Thorns, is still very much a work in progress. I have the main beats of the remainder of the fic written, complete with epilogue, and the first draft of the third chapter is mostly done.

My motivation/inspiration has been a nebulous thing these past few years, especially with regards to my more melancholy muses, and I have had to go where it leads. Which has, of late, been to other projects. And other fandoms.

That said, I have every intention of coming back to finish posting this story someday. And the best way to encourage that is to show interest. Reviews on my older fics often draw them back into the forefront of my mind.

[direwombat]

Crime boss au for sybeli 👀

ahhhhh thank you gen this was such a fun little exploration of the quasi formed "mobster syb" au i have floating in my brain. eli strikes me as too much of a hermit to be an effective mob boss, but in an au where syb gets involved in organized crime to pay off her daddy's gambling debts...well...i think she'd be able to run hope county from the shadows :)

also lmao whoops this ended up being almost 2k (but then again, as i always say...anything under 5k is "short" for me).

[SEND ME A PAIRNG + AN AU SETTING]

The great part about living in Middle-of-Nowhere, Montana, Eli finds, is that there usually isn’t a soul around for miles. 

The bad part about living in Middle-of-Nowhere, Montana, is that when an uninvited soul does come knocking, there isn’t anyone around to help.

He’d been disarmed of his rifle so swiftly that he didn’t even notice the other man circling behind him to throw a burlap sack over his head. His hands were forced behind his back, the zip ties quickly snapped into place around them, and he’d been shoved into the backseat of a vehicle. 

Blind as he is, he has no idea where they’re going, and he knew better than to ask. The kind of people who kidnap a man from his home aren’t the kind to answer his questions. He sits silently, shifting his weight uncomfortably, desperately trying to keep his hands from going numb under his weight. His jaw is clenched and his ears strain for any familiar sounds that might give him a clue of where they’re taking him. 

The purring of the engine. Soft chatter, some of it in a language he doesn’t understand but thinks might be French. The crunching of gravel as they trundle along the dirt roads of the Whitetails. 

And then traffic. 

Traffic. Other cars around them. Civilization. Town. 

They have to be heading towards Falls End. He hasn’t been sitting long enough for it to be anywhere else. 

He guesses it’s about twenty minutes later that the vehicle pulls to a stop and the driver cuts the engine. The second he’s pulled from his seat, Eli is hit with the stench of beer, stale cigarettes, and deep fried food, and while muffled, the distinct sound of classic rock blares from a jukebox nearby. A heavy hand shoves between his shoulder blades and he stumbles forward. Every step he takes is hesitant, fearful he’ll walk himself straight into a goddamn wall.

But his handlers guide him with gruff instructions. “Keep going straight,” and, “face right,” and “stop.” A door creaks open and the overwhelming sounds and smells only get stronger as he’s ushered inside what he assumes is likely the Spread Eagle. The sack is pulled from his head, hair lifting in a staticy mess. 

It doesn’t take long for his eyes to adjust. The bar itself is dimly lit and the halls behind it, just past the restrooms and kitchen, are even moreso. A single lightbulb flickers unsteadily overhead and he’s guided once more towards another door. He’d only ever been back here a handful of times -- back when Casey had been kind enough to let him store the game he caught in the restaurant freezers, before he built his own -- and had simply assumed this particular door was to the Fairgrave's office, where they kept their books and receipts. 

But as one man pushes the door open, it isn’t any of the Fairgraves he sees occupying the space. 

Instead, there stands a woman he’s never seen before. A woman with short, dark hair, dressed in a crisp white button up and black pinstripe vest and slacks. Garters wrap around her biceps and her cuffs are rolled up to her elbows -- not that it prevented blood from flecking and spattering onto it. She leans against a heavy mahogany desk in the center of the room, smoking a cigar and filling the room with clouds of smoke. Her hands are bruised and still adorned with brass knuckles while jazz plays quietly from a record player off in the corner. 

The room itself is warm, almost cozy -- styled like an antique library. Dark wood bookshelves line the walls. Heavy curtains, deep red in color, are drawn over the window, blotting out the light, or, more accurately, preventing anyone from seeing what’s transpiring inside. The space is adorned with antique, velvet clawfoot couches and chairs, and at the center stands a heavy mahogany desk. A plush carpet covers the hardwood floors, and laying on that carpet is a man whose face has been reduced to paste. 

Eli’s blood goes cold and he swallows thickly. He feels like he just walked back in time or stepped foot on the set of a film about 1920s gangsters. 

The woman’s gaze flicks over them before settling on one of the men standing behind him. “Clean that up, would’ya?” she says, less of a request and more an order. Then, she looks to Eli and tilts her head towards one of the chairs. “You. Sit.”  He freezes for a moment, deer in headlights, and it isn’t until she shoots him a glare that clearly says Don’t make me repeat myself that he shuffles forward and takes a seat. 

The other two men grip the unconscious body by his arms and legs before dragging him off, leaving a red smear across the hardwood floor. 

The door then shuts with a damning click, and the woman’s attention is solely on him.

“Little birdie tells me you know how to build things where they ain’t supposed to go,” she says, gingerly letting her brass knuckles slide off her hands. She tucks them in her pocket. “That true?” 

He swallows thickly. The bunkers he’s built for himself and a few others are violating zoning laws and he maybe bribed a friend in Falls End to help him get permits regardless. Are the structures technically illegal? Yeah, but it isn’t like he’s hurting anyone with them. “Who’s asking?”

“Someone who’s willin’ to pay you a lot of money for comparatively little work,” she says evenly. 

Alarms, sirens, and all other manner of warnings go off inside Eli’s mind. Getting involved with a woman like this one can only spell bad news for him. It’s never just one job for people like her. “I’m good,” he grits from between clenched teeth. 

Her brows lift in surprise. “Are ya now? ‘Cause that ain’t what I’m hearin’.” She grins. Smugly. Knowingly. Cruelly. “Those alimony and child support checks are a real bitch, ain’t they?”

Eli’s jaw clenches even tighter, the vein at his temple throbbing in anger. Not only does she know about his finances, she also knows about his ex-wife and kid. “What do you want?”

“I want you to do a job, Mr. Palmer.” 

“And if I say no?”

“Don’t see why you would,” she shrugs. “Like I said before, you’ll be handsomely compensated. But, I s’pose if you really ain’t wantin’ to play ball, maybe I let my good friends over at the sheriff’s department know that one of your bunkers is storin’ a helluva lotta oxy. Hell, maybe all of ‘em are.” 

Something in her smile shifts at the threat -- her expression hardens to stone and the teasing glimmer in her eyes fades. She isn’t fucking around. He believes she can and would frame him for drug crimes. But then a question scratches at the back of his mind. Is one of the bunkers he built being used to store drugs? He’s not proud of how his voice shakes. “This is extortion,” he says, as if the moral judgment behind it means anything to her.

She barks a laugh and it's one of pure, and utter amusement. “Of course not Mr. Palmer. This is just blackmail. I’m askin’ ya nicely.” She tilts her head to the side, drinking in the sight of him tied in front of her. She then quirks a brow. “Whether or not it turns into extortion is entirely up to you.” Her gaze then slowly rakes over his body appreciatively and Eli barely suppresses a shudder. “Though I must confess, it’d be a shame to do anything to that face of yours.” She regards him, considering. “How do you feel about your kneecaps?”

“I like’em as they are,” he says hoarsely

She hums and nods. “So you understand what I’m askin’ of ya, then.” 

Fuck him. Either he says no and ends up in the hospital or worse, in prison, or he says yes and ends up in the employ of someone who definitely isn’t on the right side of the law. And while the thought of affiliating himself with someone so casual about violence makes his skin crawl, at least the latter option means that his kid is still taken care of. 

Slowly, he nods. “Think so.” 

“Glad we could come to an agreement,” she smiles, as if she hadn’t coerced and threatened him into it. Setting her cigar down and pulling a butterfly knife from her other pocket, she circles behind him and cuts the zip-tie binding his wrists together. “You’ll get half your payment up front along with detailed instructions of what it is I want you to build. You’ll receive the rest upon completion. Understood?” 

Eli rubs at the chafed skin around his wrists. “Yes ma’am.”

“Good.” She goes to sit at her desk and she takes another puff from her cigar. “Now, you strike me as a smart man, so consider this a courtesy rather than a warnin’: don’t go gettin’ any stupid ideas. You take that down payment and run, and I promise you, y’ain’t gonna make it very far. See, I got a hound who takes his job very seriously and he’s been beggin’ for me to take him huntin’. I’d hate to see you end up between his teeth. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes ma’am.” 

“Good,” she says, already moving on to the stack of files piled on her desk. “Someone will contact you within the week.” There’s a beat of silence where Eli remains where he is, unsure if he’s been dismissed and too afraid to assume. She glances up at him after a moment and says, “The hell’re you still doin’ here.” Her jaw juts out to motion to the door. “Get.” 

With a nod, Eli hastily rises and shuffles to the door. He takes one last hesitant glance over his shoulder only to find the woman engrossed in whatever she’s reading. Quietly, he opens the door and shuts it behind him. He half expects the two men from before to throw a bag over his head again and drive him back to his cabin, but the hallway is empty. 

Exhaustion hits him like a ton of bricks and the siren song of booze and greasy bar food calls his name. He shuffles out into the bar, ducking and weaving between drunk patrons and wearily slides onto a barstool. “Whiskey, on the rocks,” he says when Mary May stops by to take his order. She pours him a glass and he spends the next hour or so nursing it before knocking the rest of it back in a single go. 

When he places the cash down on the bartop to pay, Mary May shakes her head. “You’re drinking on the Boss Lady’s tab tonight.” 

He blinks in shock. “That so?” he says slowly. Well, in that case, he might as well order something nice. “What’s her favorite?”

The corners of Mary May’s lips quirk into a smile and she pulls a laminated cocktail menu from underneath the bartop. Placing it down in front of him, there’s a drink called ‘Sazerac de La Roux’. Cognac, absinthe, a sugar cube, and two dashes of Peychaud’s Bitters.  

Eli considers for a moment, and then says, “I’ll take one of those.” 

[theworldwalkerswols]

“Remember me, Love, when I’m reborn / as the Shrike to your sharp and glorious Thorn”

-Hozier, “Shrike”

The Shrike, The Thorn

The above is the companion piece to my fic of the same name.

Love, Reborn

20240726 | Digital, Procreate

With thanks to Ashraf Kotb for their remarkable capture of the rufous-tailed shrike in flight

[queerfanfiction]

for the work in progress thing, whats "a touch like a sharp and glorious thorn"? love your work btw =]

Ooooh, thank you!!

I almost called it "Corruption", and it is my first Chilling Adventures of Sabrina fic. It's not fully fleshed out yet, but basically a new teacher with a crush on Mary Wardwell suddenly notices the change in her demeanor in S1. They pine over "Mary" who is really Lilith. And Lilith has too much fun with it... Will they eventually find out Mary is now Lilith?

[valeffelees]

can i ask about lungs like eden?

yeah, g'morning! Lungs Like Eden (alt. title: A Breath of Eden) is my eighth year hanahaki AU. 🌺 i have actually shared a snippet from this fanfic before in the answer to a different ask game.

this is another one of my very early Simon Snow fanfic ideas, i have a bit of a niche for unrequited love diseases; hanahaki, star tears disease, forgotten love syndrome. the story is pretty standard as far as plot goes: Simon Snow starts spitting flower petals, but he doesn't know who they're for. however, he refuses to have them removed. Penny focuses on trying to identify the petals to get some clue about who he's in love with, Agatha stresses about thinking they're for her (and there is actually a lot of Simon & Agatha friendship in this fic), Baz is there like, "( , _ ,) lmao this fucking sucks."

almost all of my fanfics have a "vibe song" that accompanies them, and this one's is Shrike by Hozier for the line, "remember me, love, when i'm reborn as a shrike to your sharp and glorious thorn."

a shrike, also called a butcherbird, is a medium-sized carnivorous bird known for its habit of impaling its prey on thorns and branches.

[king-nyx]

Finally made a playlist for my ongoing fic :D