#i want to write this whole plot again and make it angstier

[hailsatanacab]

Family Dinners - dpxdc

"Holy shit, you're Bruce Wayne!" Danny gaped, jabbing a finger at the man sitting at the head of the table.

The bustling dining room goes silent as everyone turns to look at him.

"Danny, who did you think was going to be here?" Tim asks, disbelief plain in his voice and Danny feels his face flush red.

"Sorry, I, uh, I guess I just never put it together. Tim Drake-Wayne. Wayne Manor. It, uh, makes sense now." He laughs sheepishly and scrubs at his neck before slumping back down into his chair.

"Well," Tim says with an indulgent sigh, "at least I know you're not just friends with me for my connections."

"Yeah, I'm really sorry, I just never thought about it, I guess."

Danny sinks lower as everyone around him laughs. Come to dinner, he said, the food is the best, he said, ignore the family, he said. Danny really wishes he'd listened to Tim and just ignored them—almost as much as he's regretting accepting the offer in the first place—but... he's having dinner with Batman.

Ancients, that's so weird!

The last time he saw Batman was in the future and, suffice it to say, it was not going well. There hadn't really been time for family dinners there.

Wait. Family dinners?

He peers around the table, openly gawking at everyone as it all clicks into place.

"Everything alright, Danny? Now realising who everyone else is?" Tim asks with a roll of his eyes.

"Uh... something like that..." Danny mumbles as everyone laughs again.

From further down the table, the smallest Wayne scoffs and clicks his tongue.

"I thought you said he was smart, Drake?"

"So, you all do it, too, then?" he asks, ignoring the jibe. Danny's only a little bit jealous as he thinks of how much easier they must have it, how much easier it'd be if his family had been on his side, too. "You all work together?"

"Nah," Dick says from across the table with a brilliant grin. "Tim's the only one that works with Bruce, we all have different jobs. I'm a police officer in Bludhaven."

"Disgusting." Danny blurts out without thinking—because seriously, what kind of self-respecting vigilante would also be a police officer?—before clapping a hand over his mouth. "Sorry."

The whole table laughs again, the loudest being the blonde girl a few spaces down from Dick. Look, Danny wasn't really paying attention to names when they were all paraded in front of him. Dick only gets remembered because his name is a joke.

Come on, Danny, recover!

"That's, uh, not what I meant, though."

"Oh?" Dick asks, cocking his head slightly to the side. Is it Danny's imagination or does his smile tense slightly?

"Yeah, I mean like, you know, in costume. It must make it so much easier to have everyone together like this."

"Costume? What do you mean?"

Yeah, Danny's not imagining it, everyone tenses up at that. It's really only now that he's realising that this probably isn't how he should bring up that he knows about their... night time activities. In fact, he probably shouldn't be bringing it up at all.

"Uuhhh..." Danny looks wildly around the table as he continues making his stupid noise. Think, think, think! There must be a way out of this!

"Danny?" Tim asks, looking concerned.

"Oh, Ancients, this isn't how I wanted it to go at all," he mutters, slipping even further into his chair. He's almost on the floor now and he so, so wishes it could just swallow him up.

His real first meeting with Batman was meant to be cool! He had planned to be Phantom, maybe save them from a tight spot, prove his worth as a mysterious and powerful ally as thanks for the help Batman gave him in the future.

"Danny, what are you talking about?" Tim starts tugging on his sleeve in an attempt to pull him back up from his pit of despair.

Eventually, Danny relents and sits up straighter, hiding his face in his hands and whining all the while.

"I'm sorry, I just didn't expect him to be here and it threw me off so now I look stupid and it's so embarrassing!" he wails, flailing his arms wide. "Why wouldn't you warn me that Batman was your adopted dad, Tim? Couldn't you have let me know?"

"I'm sorry, what? Danny are you alright? There's no way Bruce can be Batman, look at him!"

"Yeah," the blonde girl laughs from the bottom of the table, "look at him! That's a wet noodle of a man! Batman can actually do things, B is incapable of pretty much everything."

"Thank you, Stephanie," Bruce sighs, massaging his forehead.

It's... Those are the first words Danny's heard Batman say since everything went down and it's enough to knock him out of his embarrassment.

It's really good to hear his voice again. Especially now, when it's strong and healthy and full of personality—even if that personality is little more than a tired father right now—far better than how it had been, at the end.

Danny sits up, back straight, and grins. He's got this. He remembers it perfectly. Some people count sheep to fall asleep, Danny repeats his mantra to be certain that he'll never forget it.

"Gamma alpha upsilon tau iota mu epsilon, 42, 63, 28, 1 colon 65 dash 9."

Once again, the whole table falls into silence.

"Holy shit..." breathes the other D name (Duke? Danny's pretty sure he's Signal) from opposite Stephanie. "Isn't that...?"

"The time travelling code." The littlest Wayne says stiffly. "We have met in the future?"

"That's not just the time travelling code, Dami." Dick says, looking between Danny and Bruce. "That's the family time travelling code."

Danny's grin freezes in place.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"1 colon 65 dash 9." Dick explains, still flicking between him and Bruce. "It means you've been adopted into the family and we should all treat you as such, no questions asked."

"Tell you what, I'm about to ask a question." Danny says, dumbstruck. "You just told me it was a code to identify time travellers, not anything about being adopted! What the hell, B?"

Bruce looks about as shellshocked as Danny feels.

"We must have been close," he says finally, after opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water a few times.

"No! Not that close!" Danny reels back, taking a deep breath ready to refute it all, but... "Well, I mean, you found me when I first got stuck, and you helped me get better despite being... And then we fought together against the, uh, bad guy, before he, um, he... before you couldn't."

An uncomfortable beat passes while they all pick up on what Danny tried so hard not to say.

"So, you're not from the future, then, you travelled there and came back?" Tim asks, breaking the tension and leaning forward with a glint in his eye.

"Yeah, it was a whole end of the world thing, but don't worry about it," Danny says with a hand wave, "It's all kosher now, won't ever happen."

"What did happen?"

"Seriously, don't worry about it, we cool."

"How long in the future was it?"

"About ten years? You were pretty spry for an old man, B," Danny laughs, wishing they'd get off the topic of what happened and get back to the adoption bit.

Everyone shares degrees of a cautious smile as they relax out of the shock, and Dick—whose grin is the biggest—says, "No wonder you got the family code, you're already riffing on him like one of us. How long were you there for?"

"A week, before I managed to get back to my present and stop him then."

"A week? Jeez, B, that has to set some kind of record, seriously."

"Oh!" Danny says, sitting bolt upright and blinking in surprise before pointing at Dick and bouncing in his seat. "You're Nightwing!"

"What?"

"That's exactly what Nightwing said when Batman told me the code! Makes so much more sense now."

Dick laughs and claps his hands, delighted.

"You were not formally adopted?" The grumpy small one—Dami?—asks, his face pinched.

"I didn't even know I was informally adopted."

"And your parents? Are they alive or dead?"

"Damian, stop—"

"They were dead in the future, but they're alive now." Danny says, looking down. He fiddles with the tablecloth, twisting the fabric around his fingers as he fights down the pang of sadness that he always feels when he thinks of them now. He forces a bright smile on his face and hopes it doesn’t look too strained. "I just, uh, can't talk to them much, anymore."

"Damian," Dick warns, "1 colon 65 dash 9. Treat them as family, no questions asked."

"This is Damian treating him as family, the little turd has no manners." Tim scoffs, rolling his eyes, but he gently bumps shoulders with Danny to knock him out of his funk. Danny can't help but send him a watery smile.

"I have the most exemplary manners, Drake, unlike some people." Damian spits, crossing his arms with a pout. "I was merely ascertaining his status to see how he could possibly fit into the family."

"I know this is all a bit sudden, Danny," Bruce smiles, ignoring Damian and reaching out to lay a warm hand on his arm, "for all of us. But if I felt strongly enough to give you that code after spending a week with you in the future, then you are more than welcome in this family, if you so choose it. I think I can speak for all of us when I say we'd like to get to know you a bit more."

"I know a threat when I hear it, Bruce." Danny snorts. "But, yeah, I get it. I'm sorry this is all so weird, it really wasn't how I wanted to find you again, but... I'm glad I did."

"So are we, Danny." Dick says, with a warm smile. "And formally or not, 1 colon 65 dash 9 means you're family. Welcome to the fun house! No take backs or refunds, sorry. You're stuck with us."

[victoriartdrawings]

So here's the promised part 2 of the Zonami fics rec!!

Part 1 can be found here

(i havent got the time to read or do much on this blog and post the rec with all college stuff last week and the beginning of class, sorry !!)

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10264637/1/The-Bounty

Already recommended it in the 1st rec (author dreamsinword ) but i still put it again here because i'm in love with her writing, and frankly the experience not only made me smile like in the manga, (Zoro and Nami dynamics, (besides the obvious romantic tones) and the rest of the crew are on point! ) but it nails the characterization of everyone, and with OCs that you feel could belong in Oda's world!!!!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/37865146

(warnings: if ABO genre is not to your liking then dont read this one!)

So i only went through 1 chapter,( it has 11 chapters up) but so far (which is, not very far, but bear with me 😅) it doesnt seem to fall into the cliche of the'strong omega who doesnt like alpha but in the end falls under the alpha's charm anyway because uuh uh, sexy and smells goood!!!!- a trope that i personally hate because of consent issues... (no flames if you love it though 🙃)

it describes the strawhats crew with a dialogue that seems pretty thoughful (of what the scenario want to do and tell us) and not just in a way it only copies the anime (luffy screamed: i'm hungry!! Nami said: Baka!/ Robin was reading in a chair and Franky was building something that i found often in fic). (also i love any Abo writers who dont focus totally on smut, smells, dominance, and physical side of the genre and rather works on the system, the world and how the implications of the second sex impact the psychology and story as a whole! ) that said, the story seems promising!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/48206047

@cutieininferno on tumblr!!!!

fic where you feels the very obvious attraction between them (but without the too much cringy emotionally stuff like 'he had nice abs, sexy and she was love with him! so strong!) but it still make room for the plot and you want to know what happens next!! (also bonus point for including the witch nickname in the actual plot, love it!! ) all in all, go read it what can i say more beside im sad there isnt more kudos???!!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22678642

Good plot. Nami centric (and her origins), friends - to lovers, i enjoyed that one too!

One shots, short fics

https://www.fanfiction.net/u/776756/Rasetsu

Sweets little drabbles,

angstier than the previous one (and can be read as friendship)

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/2430733/1/Because

oh boy this one is a little messy but it hurts in the best way (also mention of implicit sex) love the 'mature' take on them!

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6358367/1/Small-Steps

more friendship, and analysis of Nami from Zoro pov

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6375303/1/Moments-Like-These

how to write perfect Zonami in 642 words. No comments.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/49450201

ANgst angst angst, implied sex, sort of...friends with benefit, (still happy ending) again, from Zoro pov!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/8336653

They made out in the storage room. this is uditory torture for the rest of the crew. I laughed during this one!!!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/8330107

again, a make out, a drunken kiss and a stupid competition. Love it.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/1128823

Drabbles so sweet i have to brush my teeth.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/8336968

One shot abt Zoro first time - do you know how much i like this headcanon???? no? now you know. Virgin Zoro with accidental rizz is awesome!! (Luffy is always this element in the fic who made me crack up!!!)

[evansbby]

I'm that anon who sent the arranged marriage au and I'm very sorry! I honestly want to write it if I had the talent but sadly lol, all I can do is come up with plot ideas and end up imagining them the whole time because it's way easier 😅

Anway, since you guys are asking what's going to happen next, uhmm, I'm sorry but I've only ever come up with angsty endings? Ending 1 after Ari overhears the reader (because lol, I've also imagined an end where he doesn't overhear what the reader said and continues to be an ass), Ari learns the truth and since it's already too late to ab*rt the baby, tries to atone from being an ass to the reader. He falls in love with her after trying to really know her deeper. Reader dies but she's happy she was able to experience Ari's love even for a short time. The baby survives and Ari tries to be a good dad.

Ending 2 (angstier version with Ari being a total ass but suffers in the end, Ari doesn't overhear the reader) Reader's complications grow worse which causes her to lose the baby. Ari blames her and just pours out everything (telling her that he hates her for the arranged marriage and etc). Reader is absolutely devastated on top of her grief for the baby. She dies immediately after. Ari finds the journals and letters that she had written. He learns the truth and realized how much of a shit he is. He thinks that if he had been a good husband and tried to get to know his wife instead of being a shit to her, he could have had saved both the reader and the baby and they could have been happy. Ari never remarries again because he can't get over the guilt he feels.

Again, I'm really sorry, it's just that if I come up with an angst idea, my brain also pushes me to make it even more tragic by giving it a really sad end. You guys are free to make a happy end if you want. 😅

{this is a continuation of this ask}

omg bestie this is amazing! i love both the endings but ending 2 is just 💔💔💔 Ari is left with nothing but regret 💀😭

[wren-kitchens]

I'd be down for listening to the actors AU thing, please tell! /gen o3o

okay a couple people asked so here you go! (it is Very Long so brace yourself lmao)

so basically in this au, empires is originally a book series, that is being made into a show (s2 isnt a part of this rn because when i came up with the idea it wasnt a thing but it might be added later idk)

hermitcraft is a long-running tv show, currently on season 8 and are sometimes filming in similar locations to the empires crew so theres a bit of crossover between them

its gonna be lizzie/joel/jimmy/scott centric because i didnt really watch anyone else lmao

the actors!

lizzie and joel: they are relatively famous actors, who have been seen in a few things, quite often but not together. they are married in real life, and when the cast for the empires show get released everyone is extremely excited because theyre both perfect for the parts and are gonna get married in the show

jimmy: not as well known beforethe casting got released - was in evo ab 5 years ago, which is getting more popular due to the empires show coming out. good friends with joel and lizzie

scott: pretty famous on account of being in too many films and tv shows to list, also good friends with joel and lizzie (and like a million other people) but has not met jimmy yet. (and is almost immediately smitten when he does cough cough)

pixl: has a youtube channel corun with zloy and lyarrah about the hermitcraft show, which all of the actors for hermitcraft know about and love - everyone is very excited when the filming locations for hc and empires cross over

plot! (in general lol)

i have no idea what any of the specifics are but i have a few bullet points for what i want to include

lizzie, jimmy, xornoth and scott all make a club for the most elaborate costumes (mainly later in the season where theyre fish gods, demons and covered in ice)

hermitcraft members also have elaborate costumes (again esp later in the season because of the whole mooner thing) and when theyre filming close together, theyll all go out for dinner in their costumes and completely baffle the regular people in the restaraunt

scott is gay panicking whenever hes around jimmy, which is chalked up to amazing acting by everyone but joel and lizzie who know exactly whats going on

by the time they act the date scene, both jimmy and scott are crushing hopelessly on each other, and it turns into one of the most emotionally charged scenes in the whole show because of this

when they travel to a beach for the 'would you still love me if i was a fish?' scene they all have a beach day

i also want to edit some of the actual plot of empires (cause thats what happens with books bein turned into tv) for instance, jimmy finds scott's body after the whole xornoth incident and its like 10x angstier and all the fans love it

anyway yeah! if i ever get round to it ill probably write a couple oneshots because thats easier than a full longfic. if anyone wants to draw/write something for it please tag me!

[onigiri-dorkk]

Goals + updates for 2023!

(plus sneak-talks into my future fics!)

ALRIGHT RIVAMIKA FRIENDS! This evening (now that I've finally come back from my short New Year's trip... as well as recovered from major car sickness on the way back home l o l), my birthday-week-and-writing-sabbatical (😂) officially begins!

If you've been following, I've been hustling since November with my IRL workload and it has taken time away from writing and fandom things, so I had planned that from January 1st for a whole entire week I will dedicate my time to rest in the form of writing. No work, no emails, no ads...

NOTHING except sitting in coffeeshops or beautiful places and writing stories from my heart again.

During the holidays I had a couple of technically free days, so I wanted to get a one-shot in to get myself ready and warm up for this week (and then produced last week's one-shot, The Perfect Brew, which might mark my all-time favorite one-shot I've written so far).

The hard part was deciding what the heck to focus on and commit to. I thought about keeping it free, but knew it would lead to more one-shots, which is fine too.

But after I came back home and rested, I sorted through my WIP's (which, at this point, I actually have 7! I just forgot about 4 of them omg) and I rediscovered a WIP in my Google Docs I loved and forgot about, and that is the orphanage fic.

I don't think I've shared much about it just yet, but it will be a multi-chapter fic set after Season 3, and both Historia's orphanage and castle will play a big role in the plot for Levi, Mikasa and the Scouts. Obviously I don't think I will complete the entire fic just in this week (sheesh... I can't even imagine?!) but I aim to make a good dent in it and hopefully publish something by my birthday weekend :) I believe this is the one I want to make the most progress in, and hopefully get something published from it, though I can't promise timely updates the way you got Microcosmos every week or two.

Also on the back burner that I might trudge through this week is the Ackerman (Kenny, Levi, Mikasa) short-fic, and a post-war reunion fic that will likely be a long-fic. Then deeeeeep in my backburner is also a post-war long-fic that will circle around Levi and Mikasa and gang as Paradis refugees; I foresee this as something that will be a lot darker and angstier.

I'm honestly just excited for starting 2023 dedicating passion-time to writing; it feels like me saying YES to dedicating this full year to growing as a writer. I only began writing in May so it's strange that I haven't even hit a full year of doing so... But knowing that 2023 is starting and ending with me in love with writing is just exciting. I'm PUMPED. I have other ideas (maybe starting a Rivamika-specific writers' accountability group, etc) but I'll save all of that for another time hehe.

All this to say, thank you to all of my fandom friends I've made here who have encouraged me and brought me soooo much joy and inspiration literally on the daily. You don't understand how much your presence here has helped me in my real daily life, and has sustained this newfound inspiration. It makes writing and creating art not feel like an echo-in-a-chamber. To have real people enjoying what we create together, encouraging each other in the process, and sharing their joys for it, it's just sooo important and meaningful. Thank you all!! I will continue to ~dedicate my heart~ to creating art in lots of forms for our lil community here. :)

Please look forward to another year of Onigiri's proud hyper-fixation on Rivamika ;)

(P.S. I can see my nighttimes being filled with reading all of y'alls fanfics that I haven't gotten to read yet!!! PLS!! I CANT WAIT!)

[clarissalance]

Who has the upper hand?

Pairing: Kaeya x G/N!Reader, mention of Varka and Diluc.

Warning: Slight swearing, Kaeya is a lil shit, reader being stubborn and scheming, immense tension

Summary: You’re so terrible at swordsmanship that you can’t withstand 2 strikes from Kaeya or, are you? 

Word count: 3k5

Disclaimer: What is written in here is based on my imagination, nothing from this fic should be taken seriously. Most of the fact I put in this fic does not follow the lore of the game so it should only be taken as a grain of salt. For example: section 8 in Knight of Favonius codebook.

A/N: I struggle so much when I wrote this piece. This was suppose to be angstier but I tone down a little bit (because Kaeya was very OOC in my draft, I think he’s still a bit OOC in this fic but I tried my best ;-;, pls don’t bite me.) 

How did author write a 50k+ oneshot? I can’t write something more than 5k properly ;-; Anyhow, please enjoy this fic. I’m going to have a good rest for 2 weeks before release a comeback. Please shower Kaeya and our new MC with a lot of loves!!!! 

As a strategist of the knight of Favonius, you don't usually have enough time to finish the towers of reports, the never-ending meetings and dealing with cheap tricks Fatui diplomats. Often, you have to skip your daily sword training session, which results in a rather miserable situation. The whole practice ground is staring holes at your defeated posture. You are sitting on the hard soil ground, and the Calvary captain is towering you, his sharp blade just a few inches away from your throat. 

It is not a strange scene for any knights to lose a spar against the Calvary captain, he should be one with the best swordsmanship after Grand Master, and maybe Acting-Grand Master, too. However, as knight, they can usually withstand him at least more than 2 blows. 

Whispers and talks start to circulate around as soon as you stepped your foot in the training ground. It’s very uncommon to see people from that department wandering around this area. The strategy department is famous inside the Knight of Favonius to be the weakling-cunning-mouthy-jerks, who always find excuses after excuses to skip the monthly knight evaluation. 

So, who gives them the right to be exempt from the test? Of course, it’s from the ultimate high chief of strategy department. Rumours say before the strategy chief works for the Favonius knight, the man was once a legendary attorney. That person can flip words from black to white, turns the defendant from guilty to innocent.  With a profound convincing skillset coming from the chief, persuading the Grand Master Varka is easy as a piece of cake. The whole department of 10 people is easily off-hook for 3 years, never participate in the monthly evaluation before the man suddenly dropped the bomb 2 days ago.  

“ I’m tired from coming with excuses to cover for your lazy asses.” The man waved his hand, his eyes staring outside the window. His nails scratching the messy shaved chin.“ Varka seems to get used to navigating my thoughts-”

“Maybe time is wearing away your skill-” At the corner, someone accidentally blurted out, and the whole table gave him a sharp look. Did he have a death wish or something? If so, everyone here can happily dig him a hole, free charge for the coffin.

The chief cleared his voice again, blue eyes melancholy drifted to the table. “So, you guys have tried your best on this monthly evaluation. I hope to see you all again next month.” 

The meeting was dismissed afterwards, and everything spiralled into chaos. The whole department hasn’t touched anything aside from the parchment papers and the quills in the last 3 years. How are they going to master the swordman-ship in 2 weeks? 

But, the worst thing is,

Your well-respected, talented, and tactful chief has run away. 

The next morning, you received the news that a foxy old man is on a business trip to Fontaine with the Grand Master. The expedition is 2 weeks long.

You should have known what he meant when the deceitful man ambiguously ended his sentence like that. Nothing goes well when the chief said:  ‘Farewell, my comrades’. 

 For the last 2 days, you have been starting to familiarize yourself again with how to hold a sword and how to swing the sword. 

As you trail along with the long-forgotten memories, trying to look through the familiar feeling when swinging the sword, you hear footsteps coming in your direction. It is familiar, with the way the person is walking, the beat, the sudden burst of noise in the air, you can only conclude it’s the Calvary Captain. The practice ground seems livelier as soon as the man steps inside, people rushing to his side to give their greetings. Maybe today is one of his practice days.

 “ Never thought I would see you here.” The young man calls out, successfully jostle you up from your thoughts. You give him a complex look and turn away, focusing on the tattered dummies. Your wrist is screaming in protest, legs wobbling. You remember those golden days when you were young when you were flexible, and your bones didn't crack as much. Oh, where the golden days have gone? 

“What do I own the honour of seeing you here, captain?” You fold your arm defensively, voice monotonously. Kaeya despites the most when you start talking in an emotionless tone. Oh, how you love riling him up in the middle of the practice ground! 

“ I come here for my weekly practice, but-” He shrugs, eyes glinting with mischief. “ look like the rumour about the abolishment of special permission for the strategy department is true.” 

So he has heard the rumours. You roll your eyes, face blanks. You know Kaeya has his own way to obtain his information, but you never thought it’d be this fast. Words don’t easily leak from the strategy department. 

“What do you need? Make it short, so I can practice for the upcoming evaluation.” Tired of his long introduction, you ask him directly. If you are going to ignore him any longer, the man will continue poking you. 

Starting an argument only wastes your time, and asserting dominance in the middle of the training ground won’t boost your ego. You’re a strategist, your weapons are detailed plans and sharp word, not sword and bow. Showing off your strength in front of those ruthless knights don't improve your relationship with them. 

“ Straight the point eh?” You give him an impatiently look, tempting to ignore him again before he flashes you a smug grin. “How bout sparing with me?”  

The whole training ground falls in silence, and you direct at the captain a confusing look. Is he serious? No one in the knight except the Grand Master can go against him, not to mention someone who hasn’t touched a sword for three years. 

“I can help you with your training, and you can help with mine” Kaeya speaks with utmost confidence that you almost nod and agree. That man is really deceitful, he knows how well your skill has gone dull, yet he still wants to practice with you? What is this man plotting?  

“ Do you realize how absurd your offer is? ” You give him a complicated gaze, voice unwavering. Everyone takes in a deep breath, tension crackling. It's not everyday scenery you often encounter. A heated argument between the mischievous cavalry captain and the tactful strategist. Nosy people gather around the pair, internally hoping for the war the breaks out. 

“ You know well that I can’t properly block your first strike.” Light-hearted, you joke, but there is no hint of amusement in your voice. Sharpe eyes glaring at the blue figure, you notice the man remains unfazed. 

" Shouldn't you choose a more competent opponent?" 

The sound whispers and talking about the reasons why Kaeya picked such an easy opponent start to circulate, and you can’t help to curl your lips up. Within a  few seconds, you have effortlessly turned the gossiping direction toward your desired path. Flashing Kaeya a victorious grin, you tap your foot impatiently, waiting for his reaction.

You should have worked at PR damage control or marketing instead! The diplomat would have been fine too! At least, you wouldn’t need to practice swordman-ship.

As you mulling on your terrible choice of career, a chill runs down your spine. Tilting up, Kaeya is beaming sweetly at you, the frost slowly creeping up and nipping your shoes. Look like you just pressed the wrong button. 

The man narrows his eyes, and you gulp nervously, avoiding his calculating gaze. Kaeya chuckles, his voice laced with worry, wavering and hurtful. 

“I just want to help you improve as fast as possible. The test is coming in two weeks isn't it?” 

The whole table has turned, and people start to say how considerate and thoughtful the cavalry captain is. The crowd starts to criticize you and tell you to be more grateful and stop suspicious of his unconditional help. Oh, you wish he wasting it on you, many knights in this training ground would love getting advice and improvements from him. 

Applause for our dear Calvary captain, smoothly seeking empathy from the crowd and turning the favour back to him. No wonder how fast he climbed up the rank. 

Bantering and arguing with a person like him is meaningless, so you accept his offer and drag your sword toward his direction. Let finish this within 2 strikes. 

Moving to the centre of the field, both of you face each other, his eyes scanning you sceptically. What is this man plotting again? Bowing, you finally give him a warning look before standing at your ready position. Kaeya holds his sword, analyzing your starting posture. 

As soon as the whistle blows, you charge at the man, opening the spar with a direct hit. Kaeya quickly raises his word up to block the first blow, the sound of steel clashing loudly. He then forcefully diverts the sword to the left, a classic way to counter the strike. 

Knowing your limited strength against him, you take a step back and swiftly angle the blade downward, aiming for a weak spot at his waist. This move would create a noticeable weakness on your right, and only the idiot doesn't use this as his advantage to disarm you. 

You’re right, he uses the loophole you planned, successfully disarm you within 2 strikes. The sword slips from your hand clanging loudly behind as your foot slips and fall on the ground. 

His sharp blade is just a few inches away from your neck. The calvary captain wears a solemn look, his cerulean eyes imbued with irritation. Seems like he figures out you purposefully planed to end the match in 2 strikes. 

Quickly raising your hand in defeat, you shoot him a taunting grin. The referee declares Kaeya is the winner, and people start to clap and cheer loudly, but overall no one is surprised. As the match end, audiences start to disperse, return back to their tasks. 

Kaeya put his sword away and offers you his hand. You stare idly at the gloved hand a moment before putting yours on. The man effortlessly pulls you up, your body flush against his. With Kaeya so close to you, your first reaction is to push the man away, but his firm grip says otherwise. He inches closer, dark blue locks brush your cheek, tall figure towering you intimidating. 

“Why end it so early?” He leans down and whispers, your body tenses up visibly. “Surely, you could handle more than 2 strikes of mine.” The young man in blue hums, his voice sultry. 

“ What are you saying? I haven’t touched the sword more than 3 years.” You remind him, hands pushing his chest away, trying to create some distance. The man doesn’t budge an inch. 

“Your strikes doesn’t say so. The first strike was not bad.” Noticing your effort to push him away, Kaeya stands straight, heels dig into the ground. His lips curl up at the helplessness flashing in your eyes. He loves seeing you struggle, seeing how anxiety and desperation rising in your sparkling orbs. “I think you could at least have a decent fight with me.”  

“ Quit spouting non-sense Kaeya, let me go. We are in public.” You let out an annoyed hiss, punching his toned chest. He still wears the uniform improperly like that, the exposed tan chest can be under many layers. Sometimes you don't even know the reason why doesn't he just button the shirt up properly. Finger grazing at the bared skin on his chest, you turn your head away, cheeks heat up. 

The man loves seeing you squirming in his trap, and you’re not going to let him see that. Anything, but satisfying his masochist hobby. 

“You don’t like skin-ship?” The man fakes a gasp, his orb sparkles with mirth. “But you were being touchy with your friend. Why can't we be a bit touchy? ”  His tone suggestively, the tall man snickers at your blushing mess. Out of everything, why would he mention that? You give him stinky eyes, brows furrow deeply.  

“I’m not touchy with you.” You deny dreadfully. Archon, how long have you wasted your time here with this slithering serpent? 

Kaeya arms wrap tightly around you, your body moulds perfectly into his embrace. You hate how perfectly you fit into his hug like this, but you can’t deny how warm he is, despite the fact he wields cryo. 

“ When will you let me go?” Your voice starts to grow weak, dragging slightly in discomfort.  Kaeya curiously looks down, noticing your pouting. Sensing his gaze, you turn your head away but his fingers have quickly grabbed your cheek, forcing you to look at his deep blue eye.  

“Give me a kiss, then I'd let you go.” His voice serious, but what he just said is not. You look at the cryo wielder horrendously, mouth gaping. His face is composed and relax, like what he just ask is like asking about the weather, asking about your health, not for a kiss. Is he being serious? What in the world did he just ask? A kiss? Excuse me, a what? 

“You...you are not being serious.” You wriggle your way out, escaping from his fingers, but his embrace tightens, caging you inside. Damn it, Kaeya. He’s messing with you. 

When you flash him a furious look, the man shrugs nonchalantly, his cerulean lock fluttering gently in the wind. Suddenly, you have an urge to wipe off that calm demeanour. He can’t be serious. Why does he have to go all the way to annoy the shit out of you? 

The smug grin hanging on his face, the mischief in his blue eyes, the arching brows, everything about him screams a flirt, yet you feel so mesmerized. Blinking a few times, you have to constantly remind yourself this man is not trustworthy. From the attitude to the way he looks at you, to the way he acts around you. Nothing from his action is truthful. Like Diluc’s warning, you can only believe half of his word and action. 

“ Of course I’m being serious.” His voice solemn, but you can see the amusement in his eyes. If he doesn’t like you, why would he spend so much effort bothering you this much? What reaction is he expecting from you?  

“ I really like you, Y/N” Kaeya confesses cheerfully, and you can faintly hear a few gasps around. Not this again...

Archon, you’re going to die early at this rate. You just want to practice for the upcoming evaluation, not becoming a hot topic for all Mondstadt citizen to gossip about. 

And this man too, how can he easily slip out those words when you just heard him flirting with another woman the other day?  You already told him numerous times that you’re not interested in dating him, or anyone right now! 

Hung your head down in exhaustion, you tap his shoulder, mumbling quietly. “ Fine, fine.” You finally open your mouth, too exhausted and bothered by his stubbornness. He only wants a kiss, and you won’t hurt giving him one. Just a kiss then you can get back to your practice.  

“Just don’t confess your love to me in a crowd like this again.” Before closing the deal, you weakly add a bargain, nudging him.  

The calvary captain looks surprised, his eye widens little, not expecting you to agree. Normally, it takes another argument or two before you comply with his request. Kaeya timidly raises his gloved hand to your face, gently caresses your cheek. This time, you lean into his touch, nuzzling your face into his palm, eyes glimmering softly. Despite a cryo wielder, his hand is surprisingly warm. 

The man in blue curiously peeks at you, he feels like a feather tickling the itchy spot. Are you plotting an escape route? Since when did you become so obedient? He has never seen the soft fur under the spiky façade you set up to face with the world, but strangely, he likes this version of you more. 

Noticing his relaxed stance, you carefully gently wrap your fingers around his wrist while keeping eye contact with him. Kaeya eye widens, startles at your sudden touching. Trying your best to not break the unspoken connection, you bring his hand away from your cheek. In those cerulean eyes, you see a hint of disappointment, but it quickly dissolves. Slowly, you draw closer toward the hand hanging in the air, lips fluttering on the smooth skin on his wrist. 

The calvary captain instinctively moves back, trying to escape from your sudden contact. Ironic, he is the one who innates the hug and demands a kiss from you. Tightening your grip, you press your wet lips on the exposed part of his wrist dedicatedly while maintaining eye contact with him, eyes drown with submission.

Kaeya stares at you in awe, maybe not expecting the passionate look in your eyes. His azure eye fills with mischief, now replaces with confusion and hesitation. You notice how his ears have dusted with pink despite the winds blowing in the practice ground. The man avoids your eyes, flustering. 

Whispers and gasps start to remind you of the crushing reality, so you let his hand down while grinning cheekily at the cryo wielder. Poking and breaking Kaeya meticulously façade is always something you want to try. The man is a living devil, so it’s extremely unusual to see him losing his composure. 

Sneakily, you untangle his other arm wrapping around your waist, plotting an escape route. 

However, Barbatos doesn’t let you slip away that easily. Quickly regaining his composure, Kaeya snakes his hand around your hip again, tightening his hold. Unlike the first time, the sneaky bastard lifts you up and has the audacity to throw your body on his shoulder, carry you like a sack. 

“ Yah! What are you doing?” You exclaim, fluster at his sudden antic. Kicking and punching on his shoulder, you try as many as you can, but somehow, Kaeya manages to dodge all of them.   

“ You said you will let me go when I give you a kiss!” The crowd uproars, stares and gossips poke pointedly at your back. You don’t want to hear those comments from those knights again. They're not going to let this live down, aren't they? Bury your face in the Kaeya's furry collar, you let out a frustrating sigh, punching his shoulder as hard as you can. 

“ You give me a kiss on my wrist. That doesn’t count.” Kaeya nonchalantly strides away from the practice ground, unfazed by your attempt to escape. This man is a beast, how can he not budge an inch with all of your kickings on his shoulder? 

“ You didn’t specify the place. A kiss is a kiss!” You emphasize, and you can feel his shoulder shaking. Is he laughing? “You didn’t keep your promise.” Fuels by the rising anger, you kick your leg aggressively, struggling to free yourself from the iron-clad grip. This time, his strong arm wraps around your calves like a chain.  

As soon as you raise your head up, the familiar pathway hits your memories. Shit, he is heading toward the headquarter, likely to his office. You can’t let anyone in there see you in this state. Punching his back profusely, you shot back. 

“Not fulfilling the contract is breaking the Knight of Favonius's code of cond-.” Before you can finish your sentence, the man smacks your calves loudly, successfully shutting your mouth. Speechless by his sudden punishment, you let out a disbelief breath.    

“ There are no such a section states about fulfilling contract inside the code of conduct, so stop making the rule up.” Kaeya smugly grins, and you can already picture his blue eyes glinting with mischief, the signature shit-eating grin on his handsome face.

" There is, it's in section eight-" Before you can finish your sentence, Kaeya cuts in, waving his hand dismissively. 

" Section eight is about interaction with your co-worker, there is none about keeping contracts." The calvary captain humming, trying to recalling the content of the book. Speechless by the detailed memories of his, you can only close your mouth, quietly waiting for him to drop you down. If you stay still on his shoulder, will he let you go? 

" You know, not everyone reads and memories the knight of Favonius handbook, you are just unlucky that I know the book by heart." Seeing you deflate weakly on his shoulder, Kaeya lets out a chuckle, patting your head comforting.       

Before heading inside the HQ, the man doesn't drop your down but leans in closely, his whisper tickling your ear. “But at least I had fun seeing you squirming in my grasp.” 

And then it hits you, the bastard purposely falls for of your antic. 

[sparxwrites]

Could you maybe talk about your thoughts on c!Techno? I always thought he had the potential to be a really great character, but something about him just kinda falls flat for me. Idk if it's how his style of humor mixes with the angstier plot around him, or the whole "never dies" power fantasy, or not understanding his ideology, or whatever. I really, really, really want to like him, but I don't know what I'm missing

c!Techno frustrates me, because he's got a lot of stuff I like in a character - really interesting flaws, an occasionally tender heart, an inability to see past his own nose (or snout), an enormous sword... And cc!Techno's style of fourth wall break and little jokey asides are, actually, also something I like - I have so much fun with little nods to the existence of the audience when done well.

The issue is, I don't. really think c!Techno is done well.

(Aaaaand the rest goes under the cut to keep the wank off of people's dash.)

I'm reluctant to speculate about the motivations of cc!Techno, because a) he's a real person, and b) he's put out a lot of conflicting stuff (both with other server members' narratives and with his own). But for me there's a few things that frustrate me about how he plays c!Techno: the inability to lean into the roleplay, the determination to always be correct (both out of character, which is just annoying; and in-character, without having any degree of authorial acknowledgement that that is a character flaw), the inconsistency of his beliefs with his actions (again, without any apparent interest in digging into this or acknowledging it as an author), the refusal to engage with anything that could possibly make his character seem weak, the refusal to acknowledge that narrative actions have narrative consequences, the refusal to be serious or in-character in moments that kind of really do demand it...

Don't get me wrong. If a character showed up and was like "I'm always right" and then applied their moral code extremely selectively and kind of retrospectively justified the shitty stuff they did to make themselves feel good... I would love that character. I would be so excited to see what was going to happen when that "I'm always right" was challenged; what happened when someone called them out on the selective morals; what the fallout would be when they could no longer feasibly justify stuff to themselves. I love those kinds of characters. They're phenomenal.

But I don't think cc!Techno is doing that. He's not really played c!Techno like that, and the comments he's made ooc about c!Techno have not indicated that's what he's going for. It's a similar issue with c!Phil - both c!Phil and c!Techno are deeply flawed characters, who have continually hurt people they profess to care about by using ham-handed "interventions" to try and "help" them whilst actively aiding Dream (who actually is trying to hurt those people!). And that is so interesting, but all I see the CCs doing is trying to justify their characters' actions as Uncontrovertibly Morally Okay which is a) not really feasible when they include, like, killing your own son and destroying people's homes, and b) just absolutely the most boring route imaginable.

I don't know why they do this. Are they self-conscious about the roleplaying? Do they just not care about the DSMP particularly? Do they genuinely think this is a good way to tell this story? Are they just fucking around and having fun? Are they playing a long game?? Idk. Some of it is also the inevitable consequence of having a lot of roleplaying beginners in a huge and very loosely managed roleplay without designated main characters - there's friction between not just characters', but authors', interpretation of events. But I do find it a little wearing also.

If I was writing Techno and Phil, I would take the approach of: these guys are very old, they've been around for a long time, and they're not exactly human. Death, suffering, morality... these all have very different valences for them, compared to regular mortal beings. They're something akin to gods, almost, in a very minor way. And this means the way they relate to humans is fucked.

You take a kind of Greek gods approach - they're so far removed from the struggles of the everyday that they just Don't Get It. They don't get what the big deal about dying is; just don't get killed/get your wife to bring you back. They don't get the big deal about destroying a city; just make another one. They don't get the big deal about being tortured or imprisoned or hurt; ehh you'll survive.

And then that gives you space for the kind of arrogance and power that both CCs seem to want to play with. It gives you space to genuinely care for people, but also to fuck up so so badly. It gives you space to be all-powerful and "always right", but without desperately needing the narrative to back you up on that rightness. It allows you to be callous and detached and make those little meta-jokes and not take much seriously - because, hey. Technoblade never dies. Philza Minecraft is the Angel Of Death. They're untouchable, ancient, immortal. What does a single server matter in the grand scheme of things, even if it does have some of Phil's kids on it?

You can then take that in two directions.

One is a flat character arc, where they hang around and cause problems, learn nothing, and then leave - either because the server is now a smoking ruin that's ended in tragedy, or because the server has gotten its shit together and gone "actually you need to Not" and they've gone "eh okay we'll go somewhere else. see you at christmas and birthdays i guess". Which I do love, I think flat character arcs are deeply underrated. (Also, they're just very funny? Like, it's the peak of comedy to have characters arrive, cause problems just by being in the narrative and thinking they know best, and then when the dust settles be like "my work here is done" and just leave having learnt nothing and made everything substantially worse without meaning to.)

The other is an arc where they do learn something - that actually if they're gonna hang around mortals then they maybe need to do their best to think and behave like a mortal when around them. That maybe they need to try for a bit of empathy, even if it's not innate. That maybe light-touch is better, and other people's lives aren't theirs to fuck with as they see fit. You get gods trying to play at being humans, with maybe limited success, maybe still causing trouble just because of who and what they are, but you get a mending of broken relationships by that attempt to relate - and the audience gets a fascinating look into the contact/conflict between a very familiar and a very alien style of morality.

(They could also learn it's fun to be a villain, I guess, but between them and Dream I think the server would be a field of corpses in .7 seconds flat.)

Either way, I think it'd be a better compromise than having the characters do objectively asshole things and then the CCs try to retcon them into being morally okay/justified. More than anything, I find it boring. I'm way more interested in morally wack characters (Dream, Quackity, Wilbur) than characters who are just Good (Tommy is a minor exception to this, but that's because he's traumatised and didn't do the Nice Neat Polite Sad Trauma route, which delights me).

[raedear]

Hozier drabble prompts? Don't mind if I do! This is probably cheating slightly bc it's a cover but "Do I Wanna Know?" please 🥰

Also, not on the self-titled album, but I read a Joe Nicky one-shot last year that the author recommended listening to "NFWMB" to, and I finished it in the time of the song EXACTLY, so. Ever since, that's the Hozier song that fucks most, in my opinion 😁

Full disclosure I read this ask as I was stepping out the door and my brain gave me the lyrics for a completely different Arctic Monkeys song before I could actually get this cover cued up on spotify for inspo. So I plotted a whole thing to R U Mine, and then spent the first ten minutes of my walk wondering when the fuck Hozier covered that before I checked this ask again and realised I’m just an idiot. I probably will write the R U Mine thing but cause I thought of a funny line. 

NFWMB fucks beyond BELIEF. Very few things on this earth fuck the way NFWMB fucks. 

DRABBLE TIME: I don’t know what to say about this, other than it took fuckin everything in me not to do my usual 10K words to reach the one scene I actually want to write nonsense. There’s a much longer and angstier fic hiding in here, but have the speedrun version.

He doesn’t know if Nicky wants him back, is the problem. Sure, he fucks him till Joe genuinely worries he might not be able to walk after, but that’s just it. They fuck, it’s outstanding, but then they go their separate ways. He doesn’t see Nicky again until his resolve breaks and he texts first. They don't go on dates. They don’t flirt (Joe flirts. Nicky looks at him with wide sea-grey eyes and smiles like each one costs him something and Joe drowns). The sum total of their conversations is Joe asking to meet up, and Nicky saying yes. 

**********

Booker tried to warn him off going back to Nicky, but he couldn’t help it. He wants him all the time, it’s like an addiction. He wants all that focus directed at him, wants Nicky’s hands on him, wants Nicky under him, in him, any way he can have him. 

They met in a nightclub for fuck’s sake, hardly the most promising place for something more. But Joe had Nicky once, and now he feels ruined for anyone else. 

Every time they do this, Joe promises himself it’ll be the last. He feels pathetic, crawling after a hook-up, looking for more. He can’t even bring himself to look at other people when he knows what he really wants is Nicky. It has to be written all over his face, surely. Nicky treats him well, always takes care of Joe first, kisses him deep and lush as he comes, just the way he likes, but Joe can’t get a read on him at all. Is he just scratching an itch? 

Each time hurts, but still, here he is again. On his back, looking at Nicky like he hung the moon. 

Even if Nicky just made the first move once, then Joe would know they were going somewhere. But it was him again, craving the taste of Nicky’s tongue. Nicky had answered his text with encouraging speed, but that doesn’t really mean anything. 

Nicky’s two fingers deep in him and sucking a line of bruises up Joe’s inner thigh at the same time, and Joe wants him so badly he can taste it. It gets worse when Nicky slides his way up Joe’s body, kissing as he goes, quiet as a mouse and utterly focused on touching every bit of skin that makes Joe shiver, twisting his fingers so beautifully that tears well in Joe’s eyes at the relentless pressure and pleasure of it all. By the time Nicky reaches his neck Joe’s crying in earnest, his hips rolling down to meet Nicky’s hand in a rhythm far out of his control.

Nicky kisses his tears away and rubs the pads of his fingers more firmly against his prostate, and Joe writhes against him, grasping at his shoulders; pulling him closer and babbling praise and please and more and words he can’t even understand, everything he wants crowding the tip of his tongue as Nicky pulls him apart from the inside out. 

Nicky’s whispering in his ear, and Joe struggles to quiet himself enough to listen, desperate to hear anything he has to say. Nicky’s voice is so low that Joe isn’t even sure Nicky wants him to hear him, which makes it suddenly all the more important that he does. 

‘—beautiful,’ Nicky whispers, licking the line of Joe’s collarbone, moving back down his body. Joe moans, deep and resonant in his chest as Nicky slides a third finger into him on the next thrust inward, stretching him tight around his knuckles. ‘Can’t believe you let me do this to you; let me see you like this, bello, bell’uomo, ti voglio tutto il tempo—’

It’s everything he wanted, but Joe loses the thread of Nicky’s voice as he starts to come, bucking on his fingers and almost screaming as Nicky wraps his lips around the head of his cock. He lets himself go, riding Nicky’s tongue and fingers and the memory of him calling him beautiful. 

When he blinks the stars from his eyes, Nicky’s licking his lips between his legs and looking at him with those endless grey eyes. Joe holds his hands out to him, drawing him to his chest. 

‘You want me all the time, amore?’ 

Nicky’s eyes get very wide, but Joe is merciless, he’s been waiting for any kind of sign from Nicky for too long. He hooks his arm around Nicky’s waist to hold him in place, and licks his hand to wet it for Nicky’s cock. The pace he sets is brutal, twisting on the head the way he’s seen Nicky do to himself, and Nicky’s body seizes against his, a breathy moan on his lips. 

‘You can have me all the time,’ whispers Joe, low and serious in Nicky’s ear. Nicky moans, louder than he’s ever heard him moan before. ‘Tell me you want me, I’ll be there.’ 

Nicky nods, shaky and desperate, his hips twitching into Joe’s hand.

‘Tell me, Nicky. Do you want me as much as I want you?’

Nicky moans, and swallows hard, before he breaks and gasps a yes, please Joe yes, always against his neck. 

Joe bites Nicky’s earlobe, twists his hand again, and Nicky comes across his stomach with a moan that comes from so deep in his chest it sounds like it almost hurts.

Somehow, Joe doesn’t think he’ll be crawling any more. 

[thebluewritingbench]

fic writer review!

thanks @inkedroplets for the tag!

1. How many works do you have on ao3?

Seven at the moment! Gearing up to start posting a longer multichap I've been working on soon, though. ;)

2. Whats your total ao3 word count?

35,678 - though I have an additional 198,658 on my old fanfic.net account lol

3. How many fandoms have you written for?

Four or five, depending on whether you count ATLA/LoK as one fandom or two. My old account had PJO and Harry Potter, and Supergirl most recently.

4. Top 5 fics by kudos?

I mean, that's most of them, since there are only seven rn but:

lucky i'm in love with my best friend - supercorp, kara goes on a date with william and then interrupts it by realizing she's actually in love with Lena.

and rain will make the flowers grow - supercorp, a 'what if lena only found out kara was supergirl as kara was dying' (it's sad)

rhymes with monopoly - supercorp, same as this tumblr prompt idk i wanted to try cross-posting one of my tumblr fics. Not sure I'll do it again, tbh.

Missed Notifications in Your Chat: ‘operation expose kyalin - lok, kyalin/korrasami - university au text fic where they're convinced their profs are dating and are overall insufferable about it

we're all in the mood for a melody - lok, korrasami - asami plays the piano a lot it's very domestic fluff

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

I do! Usually not all of them, though, depends on the mood i'm in I suppose. And what the comment says. I read them all multiple times though!

6. A fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending

I'd say the wrong side of a second, which is just essentially just: what if Lena didn't manage to turn off Lex's mount norquay kryptonite canons on time in 5x8 and they hit Kara. The fic is the conversation where Lena has to tell Alex. It's one of two fics I've written where Kara dies, though I'd say the angstier of the two because they don't get time for love confessions and last kisses in that one. You may ask, helena, why do you have two oneshots in which Kara dies? Is this the name you're trying to make for yourself? I'm not sure, honestly. I'll just say i was enabled on discord for the second one. And that angst is kind of thrilling to write. And Kara is (masochistically, perhaps) a great character to kill.

(I tend to reserve tragic endings to oneshots I can knock out in an evening, though. If I'm investing major time into something, I want that happily ever after, please and thank you.)

7. Do you write crossovers?

I haven't, no, though that's not to say I never would.

8. Ever received hate on a fic?

I mean, not seriously. I've received the occasional negative/nasty comment but nothing I couldn't delete or disregard.

9. Do you write smut?

I have it was very scary. I'll probably do it again tho.

10. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I'm aware of?? I hope not. I think someone asked me if they could post a fic of mine to Wattpad once. I said no.

11. Ever had a fic translated?

Once back on ff.net! A lovely person translated a oneshot i'd written into french. It was very cool.

12. Have you ever co-written a fic?

Not really, no. Though I had a friend that added so much in her beta-reading that it may as well have been cowriting.

13. All time fav ship?

All time fave? Oh idk. But supercorp has my whole heart at the mo

14. WIP you want to finish but don’t think you ever will?

mm well I started a (modern) Pride and Prejudice Supercorp AU but I got stuck trying to keep both Kara and Lena in character and the general plot structure of P&P. Maybe I'll go back to it if I ever figure out a way around that. Otherwise, i try to only post things I know I can finish.

15. Writing strengths?

Uhhhhhh gee idk. I like writing descriptions. Also dialogue.

16. Writing weaknesses?

Overuse of ellipses and M-dashes, perhaps? Repetition of certain adjectives and adverbs? Mostly lots of small things.

17. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in a fic?

Not sure I'd trust myself to do it accurately, tbh. Maybe with a beta who spoke the language?

18. First fandom you wrote for?

Percy Jackson!

19. What’s your fav fic you’ve written so far?

how do you possibly choose? I'm gonna say my road trip AU (still in the works, but upcoming soon) to drum up some hype for anyone who actually read this to the end. (Because i'm not sure i would, tbh. So if you did, hi here's a cookie don't tell anyone.)

i'll tag @mike-wachowski @mssirey @janusa @tsunderegirlfriend @smileymikey if y'all feel like it idk

[inncomplete]

          ( HEIDY, 23, SHE/THEY, CST. ) ☆ Open your hands and hope to catch a star, KIM JANGJUN, and it might just grant your wish. At TWENTY FIVE years old with an odd resemblance to SONG KANG, you don’t seem like the type who should be caught in a town like this, but who am I to judge? I’m sure there are others who are just as RETICENT yet MAGNANIMOUS and INSOUCIANT… although, really, I don’t think anyone else could remind me so much of RIPPED JEAN JACKETS, A SMILE NOT QUITE REACHING HIS EYES, and CAR DRIVES WITH NO DESTINATION. It seems you’ve lived here for ALL YOUR LIFE working as AN INNKEEPER AT DOTORI INN, but didn’t I overhear you wishing YOU COULD FIND YOUR LOVE FOR ART AGAIN the other night? Oh, I’m mistaken, hm? Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me; a little wish has never hurt anybody.

              hello  hello  😳  i'm  heidy ,  twenty3  from  the  cst  timezone  ,  &  i  go  by  she  /  they  pronouns  !  veryvery  excited  to  be  here  &  share  jangjun  with  u  all  ,  he’s  truly  a  gift  ,  but  also  very  excited  to  be  in  a  rp  group  again  bc  its  been  forever.  umm  anyway  .  apologies  in  advanced  for  how  long  this  intro  is  probably  gonna  get  i’m  a  virgo  …  we  just  don’t  know  when  to  shut  up  aha  🙈    

━  ˙ ˖  ☆     QUICK  STATS  !

full  name  :   kim  jangjun

age   :   twenty  five

zodiac  :   gemini

spoken   languages   :   korean  ,  english  &  just  a  LICK  of  french

sexuality  :   bisexual

alignment   :   lawful  good

━  ˙ ˖  ☆     BACKSTORY  !   

son of kim seokcheon and jo minsu , their first born , pride n joy with shining qualities and the potential to become starlight bay’s shining light by the time he could talk. grinning ear to ear no matter the face that looked down at him and never once hesitating to stick his arms out for a hug.

grandson of kim minsoo and ahri , starlight bay’s actual pride n joy. the town’s favorite elderly couple aka owners of the dotori inn. these are the ones to thank for jangjun’s gracious upbringing. not that he had a negative relationship with his own parents , he loved them just as much as the next loved child , but any chance he’d gotten he’d run right down to the inn to greet the guests ( regulars and newcomers alike ) alongside his grandparents and quickly became seen as one of them. 

for as long as he or anyone could remember , jangjun was a frequent enjoyer of the arts. painting , drawing , mixing water with mud to make his own modeling clay — you name it. the simplest and most accessible form of self expression and gateway for those growing emotions. instead of talking out his feelings in a way he didn’t know how or dealing with an emotion as heavy as they came , he’d use these various forms of art to center himself in any way they allowed. it became something he enjoyed so much that he knew from such a young age what he wanted to do. he wanted to take what he loved and use it to help people. it felt unique , like he’d discovered something no one had ever done before and was putting something into the world that could make such an impact it would change it. it wasn’t until he was older that he realized what he wanted to be was an art therapist.

for years , jangjun stood along his grandparents and helped around the inn whenever he could. his own room granted in the old house in which they stayed not far from it. he was happy to be in a place where he was always helping people as he was taught this was the most important thing you could do , not only for others , but for yourself. ‘ what you put into this world is what you will get back. treat others with tenderness and you will never have to wonder who you are. ’ words of wisdom passed down from his grandfather and practically engraved into the back of jangjun’s brain.

along working at the inn , jangjun focused intently on his studies , never once slipping away from his enjoyment of creating. a teasing rumor had it the kim’s cloned jangjun at birth to be a prodigy of some kind because you’d find him in so many places at once. dotori inn by sunrise , and as the day progressed , you’d catch him around every single corner of town , always on the go and always seen putting a smile on the face of anyone he passed by. by the time he graduated high school , jangjun was presented with the opportunity of a lifetime. he was granted a scholarship to nyu , such a prestigious school known for their sought after art program. as eager and excited as he could be ( and already two trips to new york under his belt ) jangjun felt like he was on his own path.

that is , until , his grandmother became sick. faced with the challenging predicament , jungjae already knew what lied ahead. the choices were unfair regardless , but he had two. continue on to nyu and allow his younger sister to hold back on her dreams to stick around the inn .. or give up his own and resume as the kim jangjun dotori inn knew and needed. for him , the decision was easy.

🚨 🚨  POSSIBLE CONNECTION MAYHAPS ? — saving his sister’s future was not the only thing holding jangjun back to starlight bay , but a lover. another person in his life that wasn’t so easy to leave behind but an easy consideration to stay. to make it even angstier ? they broke up not long after he gave up on nyu to stick around.

fast forward to current times and you’ll still find him present at dotori inn to this day. rumor has it he’ll be the one taking over ownership once his grandparents are no longer able to. but anyone that knows him well enough knows that’s not what he wants. anyone that knows jangjun to his true core notices how he no longer leaves home with the same paint residue on his clothes , no longer has that smile that reaches his eyes anytime they’re met and no longer carries that same passion that he once did. you’ll still find him helping around town and putting those in need above his own , of course. after all , it’s what he’s been taught his whole life to do. everyone always talks about the stars that fall over starlight bay and the wishes they grant you , but perhaps this is what was written for him in them all along.

━  ˙ ˖  ☆     PERSONALITY  +  TIDBITS  !

sooooo as u could have guessed if u read any of the above gibberish is YEA jangjun puts everyone and anyone above him and would give you the shirt off his back if that was what u needed

he very much prides hard work though ?? like he’s not so much a pushover as he is just a very forgiving person and is willing to put issues to the side if it meant the greater good .... 

if u are an asshole and ungrateful no he will not give u whatever u want or do anything u ask of him. he will simply tell u to learn how to do it on ur own BUT he will be willing to show u how <3

always outside .. always working on something or talking to someone .. always found absolutely anywhere and everywhere like seriously u just saw him at the inn an hour ago ? that’s great ur about to bump into him again at ur mom’s house because he agreed to help her fix a leak in her sink 

ALSO HE HAS A DOG ... his little baby boy named cherry whom he plasters all over his social media. love cherry n jangjun loves u its a simple world we live in

a big part of his friendliness and eagerness to help others and make sure they are ok DOES come off as flirting i will nawt lie ? and u know what maybe he is just naturally a flirty person but he means well and wants people to feel like they have him whenever they need or want him ? SUE HIM ? SDDMDNCMCN

so sorry to the ones he lingers around a little too much and brings soup to ur door from his grandfather and always asks if u need help with whatever ur working on and u think there is something going on . no im sorry baby he just lives like that in 2021 can u believe

treasures his friends so greatly and yes , again , will bring u food twice a week and make sure ur eating well and not doing ur favorite activities alone i wish i had a jangjun truly 💔 

UMMMMMM and .. umm and um ? he’s sweet and loves helping and he does it in a way that won’t let u take advantage of him and he just wishes for the growth and happiness of those around him. EXCEPT if ur mean / think u can just take and never give. if that’s the case then screw u - from jangjun 

truly i  hate  this  i  wrote  so  much  for  no  good  reason  …  but  anyway  if  ur  like  me  &  prefer  discord  for  plotting  u  can  add  me  @  heidykins#0016  and  we  can  plot  there  !  but  if  discord  is  nawt  ur  jam  we  can  plot  over  tumblr  ims  as  well  i  just  might  be  harder  to  reach  there  so  pls  be  patient  with  me  🥺  anywayayayayyaya  im  SOO  excited  to  be  here  &  write  with  u  all  im  so  sry  for  the  MESS  of  this  intro  she’s  not  so  sexy  but  thats  ok  because  i  think  jangjun  makes  up  for  it  so  um  come  plot  with  me  <3trea

[alliterative-albatross]

So, I sent you (@disgruntledspacedad) a pretty long ask a while ago (back when you had anon on) and I'm decently sure Tumblr ate it (or maybe you ignored it, in which case, feel free to ignore this one as well). But then I saw one of those "writers appreciate feedback no matter how long" posts, so I'm back here. Here is my mediocre attempt to rewrite my original review of your work. Bear in mind that English is not my first language, so if at any point my phrasing sounds weird to you, you know why. Mandatory disclaimer/apology: this might get a little too long 😅

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

I remember being SO mad at myself for not finding this sooner. I binge read it one afternoon with no thoughts for any real life responsibilities I might have had (and no regrets). Javiears is one hell of an unconventional relationship in the beginning, and I really love what you did with them. The whole premise of your story is quite refreshing, and you somehow manage to convey the trust and mutual respect there two feel for one another without explicitly showing us the beginning of their "entanglement".

Also, fuck you for what you did to poor Emilio, that man was a saint and he deserved better! I honestly can't believe that I got so attached to a character that appeared so little in the story, but it happened, and his death kind of broke my heart.

But the Javiears reunion + mild confession was lovely, and felt completely deserved. And of course the sex scene. I won't lie, I expected a bit better from Javi there, but I did like how utterly /human/ it was. Capturing that humanity, the imperfections in each character is something you're really good at (more on that later).

AFTERSHOCKS

Ah, my emotionally constipated babies who really need to work out their communication issues. I do love them, though. And this short series did a really good job of delving a bit deeper into Ears's and Javi's psyche. Kudos to you for dealing with the medical "aftershocks" of living through an explosion AND using that experience to move your emotional plot forward. These two need to grow a lot before they can get to a stable point in their relationship, and you really manage to convey their insecurity and fear of commitment/intimacy while making it clear that they're in it for the long run and that theirs is a relationship that WILL work out so help them God.

IF I FALL

Ouch. Punch me in the gut while you're at it, why don't you?

But seriously, "If I Fall" is SO FUCKING GOOD. Don't get me wrong, it's angstier than an image of Jesus on the cross (don't judge me, it's Holy Week and I just got home from accompanying my grandma to church), but it somehow works beautifully. You, my dear, play heartstrings like they're a fucking guitar and I AM HERE FOR IT.

You're doing an amazing job at making me feel everything these characters are feeling, which is both awful (bc pain) and impressive.

Also, if anything happens to Ana I will cry, because she is adorable and wonderful and has suffered way too much already and really deserves a break and some cookies.

Also also, if anything happens to Ears I will cry, because she is badass and wonderful and has suffered way too much already and really deserves a break and some cookies.

Also also also, if anything happens to Javi I will cry, because he is loving and wonderful and has suffered way too much already and really deserves a break and some cookies.

Basically, I am really invested in the well-being of these characters and can't wait until they're happy and safe again (please tell me they will be, my heart can't handle much more pain).

A quick note on the angst complaints: yes, this story is way angstier than most other fics out there and it can be a bit too much at times, especially considering how many chapters of pain it's been. BUT it's obvious that "If I Fall" NEEDS this amount of angst to get where it's going, to send the message it wants to and to properly develop its characters. The pain is as important to this story as flour is to bread. You may not like eating flour on its own (I don't think anyone does), but you love bread (because bread is amazing) and you must recognize that bread NEEDS flour to work. It wouldn't be bread otherwise. And eating the flour as part of the bread even makes you like the flour because the bread is just DELICIOUS.

I fully understand and sympathize with the people who have elected to table "If I Fall" until it's completed so they can binge read it knowing there's a happy ending in sight, but in case you're feeling a bit self conscious about all the angst, please know that your story is beautiful not in spite of the pain, but rather /because of it/.

PS: No, I'm not high/drunk, I just really like bread

AUTHOR'S NOTES

Silly thing to comment on, I know, but I do feel like it's important that you know how useful your ANs have been. There are many details in the story that I simply wouldn't fully get without reading your comments at the end of each chapter, and I appreciate your writing a hell of a lot more knowing how deeply you understand and care for each one of your characters. Plus, it is obvious how much work you've put into researching a country and a time period that are (from what I gather) unfamiliar to you, and I really do believe you've done an amazing job of it.

JAVIER PEÑA

My boy. I love your characterization of this complicated character, and I have eagerly read each and every one of your headcanons about him. I can't really say if your version is fully faithful to the source material because it's been a while since I saw Narcos, but your Javi most definitely reads like a real person. He's fairly consistent as a character, and I feel like everything he does is perfectly natural for him to do as a character. He makes for an unconventional yet deeply interesting romantic lead, and so far I have thoroughly enjoyed all his POV chapters/scenes.

OCs

I know you've gotten some flack for making her into an OC halfway into the story, and while I get why the sudden change may have felt like a disappointment for some, I don't share that sentiment. I firmly believe that this fandom is unfairly harsh towards Original Characters and their creators, and I don't really understand why. Listen, I love Reader fics, and consume many Reader fics. I have read dozens, maybe even hundreds, and I can safely say that I've only ever "inserted" myself in approximately 10% of those stories. Reader characters are not as blank as their writers may want them to be. They can't be. They're characters, and character have personalities and moral values and senses of humor and a bunch of other things. Reader characters may not have a backstory or a physical description attached (and even that's not guaranteed), but they're still characters.

And on a more personal note, pretending they're actual blank slates is naive at best and insensitive at worst. Reader characters are American coded 99% of the time, and white coded 95% of the time. Not every readers is white nor American, even if that's the predominant demographic on Tumblr. When I read a JavixReader fic about a woman who speaks exactly zero Spanish, I know she's not me. The story may be beautifully written and have an amazing plot and character development, but the Reader *isn't me*. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, and some of my favorite xReader stories feature a "reader" who couldn't be more different from me, but it's something that enemies of OC fics should take into account. Particularly if they are white and/or American. But I digress.

HANNAH AARONS

Your character is amazing. She's strong, smart, confident, independent and an all-around badass. She gets kidnapped while pregnant and still focuses on problem solving and survival. But she's also overly guarded and mistrustful, and really needs to work on her communication skills. There are times when I absolutely love her and even admire her, and other times when I want to whack her with a slipper. She's no Mary Sue, but remains interesting and likeable throughout the story. She feels wholly human and real, and that's no easy task. I like her, I am invested in her, and I can't wait to see what's next for her. She's a compelling and three dimensional protagonist in a complex story who never fails to draw me in. I love her. She's your baby, and you should be proud of her.

Also, quick question about personality types: I know you've typed Javi as ESFP and Ears as ENTP (100% agree on both, btw), but have you given any thought to their enneagram types? I personally have always seen Ears as being somewhere on the thinking triad, maybe a 7 or even a 6w7, but I'm not too sure about Javi. 9w8 maybe? He could also be a 6w5 🤔

PARTING THOUGHTS

Basically, I love your story, your characters and your writing in general. You are a fantastic storyteller and wordsmith. You get into the heads of incredibly different characters personality-wise (Ears, Javi, Berna...) and manage to capture all of their complexities and quirks every single time. And it doesn't feel like it's something innate for you either. To me, it seems that you have put a lot of work and effort into understanding each and every one of your characters, who they are, why they do what they do and what they want. And let me tell you, all that effort has been more than worth it. "Better Love" is a fanfic, but it wouldn't be out of place in a regular bookstore, if I'm honest. I don't know what you do for a living or if you've ever considered writing professionally, but you clearly have the skills and the drive to create some masterpieces.

You are amazing and your writing is a gift. Thank you for sharing it with us, and have a nice day! ~ 🍪

~

My friend, I apologize for hoarding your first ask. I’ve been sitting on it because I’m not gonna lie, I enjoy going back and rereading it. It gave me a lot of comfort when I was in a pretty dark place, both personally and in regards to my writing, and I was reluctant to send it out into the the abyss of Tumblr where I might never see it again. 

That’s not fair, though. You put just as much effort into sending me that review as I put into my writing, and I apologize for never responding to you.

Okay, anyway, so twice now, you’ve made me cry. In a good way, I promise! 

I absolutely love your bread/flour metaphor. It made perfect sense. I want the emotional release of Javi and Hannah’s reunion to be earned, and in order to do that, the angst has to come first (there are also a few plot “ingredients” that have yet to make their appearances). Thank you very much for understanding that, and for voicing it so eloquently.

I appreciate your comments on my research and characterization. You’re correct that I’ve put a lot of time and effort into crafting a universe. In a lot of ways, I’m doing my best to stay true to the source material (regarding culture and timelines in particular), and in others, I’m branching into my own territory. 

On that note, I’ve never once regretted fully embracing Hannah Aarons’ identity as an OC. She’s stayed consistent in my mind from the beginning, and it was a relief to finally share my vision of her with the audience. And for the record, I totally agree with you regarding “reader” characters. Every reader insert echoes the perspective of their author, no matter how vague the physical description. I can only imagine how grating that must be from the perspective of a non-white, non-american reader. Thank you so much for sharing your insight! I will certainly keep it in mind the next time I write a “reader insert” fic.

Okay, enneagrams! I am much less familiar with enneagram than I am MBTI, but I agree 110% that Javi is a 9 with a strong 8 wing. I waffled back and forth on Ears a little, but eventually landed on 8w7 for her. It came down to the eight’s deepest fear, which is being controlled. That’s Ears all over, and the fact that she and Javi share that eight willfulness means that they might butt heads a little, which also seems very appropriate for them. Big thanks to @remusstark for her insight into the eight frame of mind - our conversations helped solidify my decision on this. :)

Anyway, I’m just rambling now. The big take-away point that I want you to get is that I am so, so grateful to you, both for your insightful feedback and your dedication in making sure that I actually saw it. You are an absolute gem and a deep thinker, Cookie-Anon, and if you ever feel like sliding into my DM’s, I’d welcome the opportunity to get to know you better.

Mad love and soft hugs, 

~ Jay

[kaqeyamas]

♡ —  folklore plots.

okay so, i just wanted to take a moment to make sure it’s known that these plots aren’t direct interpretations of the songs on taylor’s new album. they’re just ideas that i came up with based on little pieces of each song, or while listening to it!

The 1

give me a plot where muse a & muse b are exes. their relationship was actually pretty decent, despite muse b never showing enough attention or affection, hence why even after a year or two of being separated, muse a is still hung up on the other, and kind of searching for them in every new relationship and behind every corner. they were convinced they were the one, and seeing them again certainly hasn’t made that feeling go away at all??

Cardigan 

“but i know you, dancing in your levi’s, drunk under a streetlight” and i’m just picturing this pair of friends who have always kind of gotten into trouble, who were absolutely the type in high school to sneak out to get drunk and wander around town together, whether it lead to drunkenly adventuring the sidewalks of random streets in town, drinking and dancing along the way, or finding themselves at the local lake with half a bottle as they talk about everything and anything under the moon. they were literally like... night owls and that’s when their friendship really existed?? and maybe as adults, they haven’t seen each other in ages and when they do all of these old memories come back like “wow i was never that happy with anyone else??”

The Last Great American Dynasty 

toxic toxic toxic. these two bring out the absolute worst in one another, but one thing is certain -- the only way they were ever going to escape was if one of them died. muse a comes from money, and lives as such. expensive drinks, and infidelity. muse b is made into a monster in the town’s eyes, because they know of their partner’s cheating and they’re rightfully angry and upset, but they stick it out, because the money is too good to pass up on. it’s messy, and they’re constantly fighting, but when things are good? they’re so good. almost good enough to forget the bad. 

Exile 

muse a was growing restless in a relationship that felt like it was going nowhere, and muse b was oblivious to it, until it was too late. now muse a has a new partner, and muse b can’t stand it. but neither of them can truly shake the idea that they’re meant to be together -- muse b just needs to do something about it.

My Tears Ricochet 

i’m just not writing this one out because i honestly can’t think of anything that’s not super toxic, and that’s not my cup of tea. (TLGAD already is pushing it; sorry y’all!)

Mirrorball 

muse a has never truly felt like they fit in anywhere, until muse b shows up. they aren’t exactly sure what it is about them, but just being around them makes muse a want to be somebody completely new. whoever muse b would be interested in. making jokes to get noticed. wearing flashy outfits to keep their attention. but, at the end of the day, muse b thinks they’re perfect just as they are. this has super soft vibes and i’ll accept nothing less. 

Seven 

picture this -- they’re seven years old, and next door neighbors. fighting off monsters and building forts in their living rooms. their parents think they’re going to end up getting married when they’re older, and that probably would have been true, if muse b hadn’t switched schools senior year. fast forward ten years, and they run into muse a in their home town and every good memory comes flooding back because best friend love never dies.

August 

this is nothing more than a summer fling. (or is it??) muse a and muse b get to spend three months together, wrapped in the sheets and enjoying the sunshine together. making memories and ignoring the reality that they couldn’t last once the season ended (maybe one of them had to go back home in august) but they made those three months count in every moment. smiles and love songs and fall came in and stole it all away. (make it angstier by saying this fling only happened because muse b had broken up with their significant other before the fling started but by august, they want them back, leaving muse a heartbroken)

This is Me Trying 

muse a and muse b were head over heels. madly in love, and destined for it all. the big house, the happy family, wedding bells and all. until one drunken night, muse b makes the mistake of cheating on their partner. but they know they fucked up, and they’re not about to let the worst mistake they’ve ever made ruin the best thing in their life. they won’t go down without a fight, and if it takes apologizing for the rest of their life, they’d do it, just to get muse a back. lots of angst, and super sad. honestly?? i want this to make me cry.

Illicit Affairs 

make my whole life and give me a cheating plot. but not the kind of cheating plot that’s built on toxicity and mindless decisions!!! muse a is married and unhappy with somebody that doesn’t treat them right. maybe it’s abusive, maybe it’s just empty and the passion isn’t there? cue muse b, who lives down the street and has always made a point to wave and smile when they spot muse a outside, and their friendship builds to the point of sleeping together on accident. but it’s not a one time thing, or meaningless. they fall into bed because when they’re together, it’s the first time muse a has felt alive in ages, and suddenly they’re in a whirlwind romance, sneaking around to hook up and share little moments together. muse a feels guilty and shameful, muse b hates putting them in this position but is too attached to stop, and they both know that muse a’s marriage is going to implode if they get caught. -- but that’s not enough for them to give up. (make it interesting -- let them get caught?? END THE MARRIAGE!! give me angst.)

Invisible String 

you guessed it. this is a soul mates plot, and i’m not even sorry. muse a and muse b have never truly met, but their lives have always overlapped. whether it’s crossing one another in the grocery store, or sitting in a resturant at the tables that face one another. sitting in the same movie theater on opposite ends, or accidentally getting one another’s coffee at the local starbucks. after too many run ins, it’s impossible to ignore the similarities and the coincidences, and they decide to spend an evening together, getting to know one another -- and to nobody’s surprise -- they’re a perfect fit. muse a gets all of muse b’s jokes, and muse b likes all of muse a’s “flaws” and they’re just as dopey and gross as you’re probably imagining. 

Mad Woman

i’m not writing this one either.

Epiphany 

this one could go either way, and it’s entirely up to you and what fits your characters/what you feel most comfortable writing! muse a is either a soldier, or a healthcare worker. either way, they’ve both been through a lot, and seen more loss than any person should. but in a seemingly bleak world, muse b exists. the reason muse a works so hard. whether it’s somebody to come home from, after being overseas (if muse a is in the army!) or squeezing in time between doubles after a four car pile up came into the hospital (if muse a is a healthcare worker!), muse b is there to hold them, and remind them that there are good things left in the world and they’re just so healthy. 

Betty 

i’m just here to hurt myself at this point, but !!! give me a couple that everyone thought would make it. years together, and completely wrapped up in one another. they’ve been dating since high school, and now they’re about to enter their last year of college. muse a went back home for the summer, while muse b stayed at their apartment near campus. they stayed in touch, but as the summer progressed, muse b heard from muse a less and less, only to find out that muse a had spent the summer with somebody back home. when muse a finds out, they end things, but immediately regret it -- even if they won’t admit it. they’re just praying that muse b will come to their senses and come back. meanwhile, muse b is just trying to find the courage to face them, knowing that they only made this mistake because they were young, and thought they were bored of the “same old thing” even though it turns out nothing could ever compare to muse a. suddenly they’re at muse a’s front door in the middle of the night, knowing and hoping that they’ll get the love of their life back. (will muse b actually accept, despite how much they miss them? or will they slam the door?? will it be awkward if they get back together? will the trust ever come back??)

Peace 

muse a has always struggled with money, but when they fell in love with muse b, they swore they’d do whatever they could to provide the best life for them. but words don’t pay the bills. no matter how hard they work, it feels like they’re always struggling to keep their heads above the water. while the late fees build up, however, there’s no denying that their relationship is based on the purest love. the kind of love that leaves a person speechless. muse a would do anything for muse b, and vice versa. muse a constantly feels as though the other deserves better, because they want to give them more. give them everything, and they just can’t. but they don’t realize that for muse b, their love is enough. 

Hoax 

alright, so... this one’s not healthy. but, i’m writing it anyways because i’m in love with this idea?? SO muse a and muse b have been on and off for years. they’re always finding ways to hurt each other, whether it’s flashing their newest fling in the other’s face during the breaks, or picking fights for fun when they’re still together. when it’s bad, it’s so bad. but when it’s good, it’s so good, in ways that only make sense to one another, because no matter how many people they sleep with or relationships they break, they always find their way back to one another, convinced that there’s not a single person that understands them the way they do. they’d rather be angry and fight than be without one another. no matter how many times they call it quits, their hearts belong to each other and nobody can even begin to compare. make this more interesting by developing growth!! make them realize it’s not healthy! make them realize what they want, and that they have to work to have it! sacrifices and affection! real love! not just passionate sex and pillow talk secrets. not just years of history, but the effort to make it work because wasting times on their silly game just isn’t working anymore!

[bagheerita]

K: What's the angstiest idea you've ever come up with?

cw: discusses the rape of a fictional character

I had to think about this for a minute, because thinking up super angsty story beats is something I do as a relaxation exercise, and remembering the angstiest is like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack made of needles.

Also, for me, the whole thing that makes angst as a genre angsty is the release at the end of it: that there is a "happy" ending or at the least a resolution in a positive direction. Otherwise it's just a tragedy. Most of the angsty niblets I come up with are just mental training exercises: "what would X character likely do in Y situation" where I find out the answer by pushing the characters as far as I can and then deciding if I think it's "in character" enough to get away with or if I need to rewind and run everyone through the wringer again, adjusted for different details. Most of the "story" in one of these exercises is pretty vague as far as sense-making plot or connective tissue to the eventual positive emotional resolution.

The angstiest story I think I've actually written is "Inglorious," in the Inuyasha fandom. (It covers a lot of the same tropes and plot beats as the hart series, except I wrote it fifteen years ago so it's not as good, but for some reason I find it angstier? I guess for me "Beast of Venery" is more emotional horror than angst, though to someone else maybe that's the same thing.)

BUT, in the true spirit of the question, I will relate the angstiest idea I've ever come up with, that I remember at the moment, that is sort of a mostly complete story idea. This is an idea that will NEVER actually be a story that I write, in part because it's McShep and mostly because it involves the sexual assault of a trans character. Trans-Rodney is a headcanon I like, and like to play around with, and I have a couple ideas that might someday actually become stories... But anyway you asked for angst.

Because it's not actually written down and lives in my head, the details change quite often, but the premise is that Rodney goes on a mission with some other scientists, and probably Lorne with a team as guards. Some Random Terrible People Genii Insurgents run into them, and capture the team, probably killing some people, assaulting some, and when they realize that Rodney is trans and because they are Terrible, corrective rape ensues. Meanwhile, Todd's hive is looking for lunch when they notice this planet with signs of human activity and decide to drop in. As they're gathering up Genii to put in snack storage, Todd notices that the Genii's prisoners are from Atlantis, so he gathers them up separately, planning to ransom them to Atlantis. The Wraith eventually find Rodney, and Rodney's in pretty rough shape- like his hands were bound so tightly there's some nerve damage, etc. So Todd takes Rodney back to his room for privacy, and gives him the Gift of Life to help sort him out. Todd calls Atlantis and is all, I found a bunch of your people, how are you going to make it worth my while to return them to you?? When Sheppard get to the hive and realizes how epically he has failed to protect his people, and especially Rodney, he starts having a terrible day as well. There's just angst everywhere from then on out. Sheppard spends awhile thinking Todd is the perpetrator, Rodney is not in a good place and doesn't want to talk to anyone but Carson or Todd, no one (Rodney included) really knows how much they can trust Todd, Lorne feels guilty too but Sheppard can't deal with that on top of his own guilt, Sheppard wants to process grief through murder (as he's done previously) but Todd beats him to the punch, Rodney talks a lot to Carson who may be the only emotionally capable person involved in this whole mess. And so forth. As they go along, these issues get dealt with in ways that help with building emotional connections between characters. Like, when Todd first calls, Sheppard's too angry to negotiate with him, which leads to Todd getting Woolsey to agree to give him a ZPM or something in exchange for their people, and he and Woolsey continue to converse throughout the events of the story, so that Woolsey is the first one to notice that Todd is actually really fond of Rodney and he was genuinely upset by Rodney's being attacked. Also, Todd has some info that they need for a mission, resulting in some co-missions being planned where Sheppard and Lorne get to work out some of their issues and also work alongside some Wraith.

I could go on, but this is already so long, lol. Hopefully this was the sort of answer you were looking for. XD

[carynsilver]

Favorite Fics: Drarry Edition

Like I mentioned last time, reading has been a big comfort to me with all this craziness and sheltering at home, so I want to pay it forward and send love to some of the writers whose work has been brightening my quarantine. Thanks, guys!

For this list, we’re leaving the MCU for a while and heading over to the Wizarding World. I liked Harry Potter when it came out, but I never really read much fanfic until I realized a couple of years ago how much a redeemed Draco fit into the redemption trope that I loved in Harringrove, LoVe, SnowBaz, and other fandoms and ships. Once I started perusing the fics out there, I realized that one of the strengths of this fandom is the length and quality of the stories. I love stories that are a meal, and Drarry provides so many!

As I’ve gotten into the ship (so many years late, lol), these are my top 10 favorites.

dirtynumbangelboy by @magpiefngrl

This is probably the Drarry fic that I most enjoy. I come back to it fairly often when I need just a good read in the HP world. Fake dating is one of my absolute favorite tropes, which made this one an automatic win for me, but it’s written with such heart. I really, really love Draco in this fic. His uni studies and his flat being so different from the diffident image he projects. This is also probably the best Astoria I’ve ever read. Also--Jam Today! Read it now!

Do It All Over Again by DracoWillHearAboutThis

I only discovered this series earlier this year, and I’ve already read it at least three times from beginning to end. It’s a re-telling of the original series starting from Book 1. Draco sends himself a letter from the future basically saying that his dad is wrong, and he needs to give up his pure blood ideals and befriend Harry, then--boom--the Golden Trio’s adventures all happen with Draco in tow (and eventual romance, of course). The plot is fairly similar to the actual series, but I am there for the angst and the character growth. Narcissa kicks ass in this ‘verse, and Draco/Hermionie as besties is a treat! Book 4 and Book 6 are both amazing. And her titles are hilarious. This is the only series on my list that is still a WIP, but there’s plenty to read. Books 1 - 6 are complete, and a new chapter for 7 comes out every two weeks. It’s a safe bet so far, and it’s so good--why wait?

A Secondary Education by Thunderbird587

In this fic, Draco takes a job as Potions Professor at Hogwarts after getting divorced under horrible circumstances and renews his acquaintance with Harry, who is the DADA Professor. It’s got a bisexual awakening, and manages to combine friends with benefits with some supreme pining. Like a whole pine forest. Thunderbird587′s Draco POV is so fleshed out, and yet it also lets us see how Harry is pining, even when Draco himself doesn’t. Plus, at over 200K, it is long enough to get lost in for ages, which is perfect right about now. And when you finish the main fic, there are three other ancillary fics, two in Harry’s POV that take place during the main one. The cufflinks one is my favorite, but the writing is so good that I even thoroughly enjoyed the third sub-fic that fleshed out an OC. So, so worth the read--all of it!

The Foundations!verse by Saras_Girl

All of the fics by Saras_Girl are great. You can’t go wrong with any of them. But Reparations, Foundations, and all the little one-shots after are my favorite. It honestly surprised me at first, because alcoholism is a trigger for me, but this fic actually helped me realize that it’s the addiction part, the fall to rock bottom that triggers me. Recovery stories are different. And, I guess, this one is a bit different in that, though it has plenty of characters recovering, Draco himself is actually in a healthy place and facilitating recovery without relapsing. Harry is a Healer in this one, which is not the usual, and I quite enjoy his other relationships in this ‘verse, as well. He, Ron, and Hermione’s friendship is great in this one (their pub nights crack me up), but I also really like Harry’s friends at St. Mungo’s. My second favorite Terry Boot ever, and two awesome OC chicks. And the process of Drarry going from can’t stand each other to in love is slow and prickly and yet really believable. Oh, and Harry and Narcissa’s relationship in this one is just fabulous.

Golden Age by zeitgeistic (faire_weather)

The Hufflepuff in me was bound to fall in love with this fic. I really enjoy Eighth Year fics, especially the ones that embrace inter-house unity (shouldn’t have taken them a war to see the need for that!). This one takes it to a new level when everyone in... I think it was 6th - 8th years were resorted at the welcome feast, and the whole 8th year dynamic is shaken up. Harry, Draco and Neville become Hufflepuffs; Hermione and Pansy become Ravenclaws; Ginny becomes a Slytherin; and somehow Ron and Blaise are the ones who stay in their houses because the hat thinks they are basically the uber Gryffindor and Slytherin. But with the rest of them, we get to see them embrace other facets of their personalities, which is super interesting. And then, after the resorting, we find out that Hufflepuffs have a whole different world going on that basically no one outside their house knows about, and that world is brilliant. Even Hufflepuff food in the Great Hall is different! Everyone would enjoy this story, I think, but if you are a ‘Puff, you really, truly should not miss it. And if you like this one, check out some of zeitgeistic’s other works. Her world building is fabulous.

Life skills outside the curriculum by Endrina

In this fic, Harry gets fed up with the Dursleys before his 11th birthday and runs away before he gets his Hogwarts letter. He ends up on the streets and somehow embraces this kind of instinctual magic that is really fascinating. A few years later, Draco runs away rather than get involved more closely with the Dark Lord, and of course they meet up. This whole fic is super compelling. Harry’s world view and the way people gravitate toward him even without chosen one status. Also, this fic has one of my favorite versions of Remus and Sirius ever. I really wish there was a part two that went in depth on everything that happened after the end of this one, but even on its own it is so worth the read. And everything is wrapped up. I’m just greedy and would’ve loved more. :-)

A Convenient Impracticality by @firethesound

This fic combines friends with benefits and fake dating into a really enjoyable story. Harry is so oblivious, but it all works out in the end. And Draco is a secret mastermind, but in a good way. So is Hermione. Unlike some of the other, angstier stories on my list, this one is so fun, and I love it. And if you like it, check out more of firethesound’s work, as well. It’s worth it!

you’ve got the antidote for me by kandakicksass

And then, back on the angst train, lol. Soulmates, red string of fate, rejected bond = terminal disease. Whew! There’s a lot to unpack in this one, but after I read it, I never forgot it. I read a lot of fic in a lot of fandoms, and I always know a story is going to become a favorite if it stands out so much that I remember it later and think about it. That surely happened here.

(We’ll Call This Fixer-Upper) Home by phdmama

This is one of the first fics I read on my first Drarry binge, and I’ve always remembered it. Just like I love Eighth Year and Hogwarts professor fics, I also love fics where they have really unexpected jobs--pretty much anything other than Aurors. In this one, Harry is an artist/photographer and Draco is an up-and-coming rock star. The music and art, the creativity is important in this fic, but it also really looks at Draco’s recovery after the war in ways I haven’t read since, and I’m also a sucker for our favorite characters actually addressing and recovering from their trauma. 

Boom Clap (The Sound of My Heart) by @femmequixotic and noeon (noe)

This fic takes the Eighth Year trope to the next level. Draco, Harry, Hermione, and some other faves are teaching fellows at Hogwarts. Junior professors, kind of. It read like if the HP crew went to college. And, of course, Draco and Harry fall in love along the way, but not without much angst and obliviousness. I really enjoy the Draco POV in this. His worries and anxieties feel so real for that stage in his life, but amped up because of the past. This was one I read, never forgot, and then had to go back and find so i could read it again.

So, those are my top 10, but there is lots of other good Drarry out there--both from these authors and all the others in the ship and the fandom. Thanks for all the writing you guys do.

Oh, and tagging @virtual-insomnia, but only because she said she might want to make some quarantine fic lists of her own. :-)

[dramionediscussion]

I'm not the anon who submitted the ask about epilogue babies, but I read the responses, and I agree with both them and Elle. they're right about them not being many non-child-centric epilogues, and I understand that it's incredibly frustrating when an epilogue ruins a story. elle is right when she says that we as readers don't really have a right to decide what the authors put into their story.

2) but the thing is, most authors supply readers with what they want the most. look at early 2010s fics for example: ron weasley bashing is HIGH. it's difficult to find a fic where he's not a cheater/general AH/unsupportive jerk/etc. but over the years, as the number of ron supporters grew, the ron bashing decreased. writers are influenced by readers and other fanfics, even though the plot is their own. the idea that draco is a sex god while hermione is this prudish little thing?

3) that idea fell through too after we realised that it was vaguely sexist. the fics are getting darker and angstier now, without tentativeness around topics like sexual assault, abuse, etc--something you probably won't see in earlier fics, when all these topics were still a little 'not talked about'. but my point is, as people grow and evolve, the fandom evolves too. we're at a point where MOST people usually equate marriage and babies to a healthy, stable relationship.

4) hp fandom aside, look at other books and movies. it's incredibly rare for a heterosexual couple to NOT have kids. if one of them is against it, they usually end up changing their minds. at this point in life, having kids is "the norm", whether or not we agree. again, this influences writers--the couples they write end up having kids. I agree with anon that we should have more epilogues that don't revolve around kids, but that's what's normal for us right now.

5) ron weasley bashing was normal for the fandom before, whether it was a dramione, krumione, or harmione fic. but we changed because people started to appreciate ron's character and stopped reading those kinda fics. ofc, there are people who don't like ron and enjoy reading those fics, and by no means should the writers stop writing for them.

6) basically this is what I'm trying to say: maybe in a couple years, when people finally understand and accept that heterosexuals don't NEED to have kids, then our fics will change (there'll always be people who write in babies in the epilogue, but I'm talking about the majoity) but until then, read what you like, write what you like, skip the epilogue if you don't like it! the ultimate goal is to ENJOY fics, whether you're writing them or reading them.

_______________________

Thank you for your thoughts. I absolutely agree with you that when you look broadly at Dramione fanfiction, you do see shifts and changes over time because we’re influenced by what we read and by what we see in society around us. Tropes work their way in from other fandoms as well - no one wrote ABO Dramione just a few years ago, and the whole marriage law thing made its way over from the Severus/Hermione fandom before it was revealed he was a halfblood. That’s just the nature of fanfiction. It builds on itself. 

That said, this ship is so big and so diverse that there are many exceptions to pretty much any generalization you can make. I do see writers moving more toward enthusiastic consent and away from untagged dub-con stories presented as romance, but I also still see plenty of dub-con and non-con stories - they’re just tagged better than they used to be. Right now one trend in Dramione I’m seeing is tall/smol where Draco is a big guy with an enormous dick. You can easily see how Sex God Draco at Hogwarts has morphed into Big, Tall, Sexy Draco with his Big Dick post-war.

I hate the term “Ron Weasley bashing” because Ron fans tend to apply it to any situation where he’s not a great guy, but based on his canon insecurities and tendency to storm off in a huff, I think you could absolutely write a realistic portrayal of him cheating, fighting with Hermione, etc., and I would not consider it bashing at all. Bashing to me = Ron is a violent man who beats Hermione or Ron is a fat, dumb slob who can’t understand half of what Hermione says, etc. And those stories where Ron DOES cheat on her, resent her career, feel insecure about his own success or intelligence, etc. are still being written - he’s just usually not as extreme a caricature in them.

You said that most writers supply readers with what they want, and I would argue that that’s really only true when it comes to Dramione endings. Most people want Dramione to end up together, and most of us deliver on that, even if it’s a darker or more ambiguous scenario at the end of the story. There are still tear-jerkers and unhappy ending fics, but there aren’t as many of them. For everything else...I think it’s more about what a writer wants to write. 

Are there Dramione writers who try to play to the audience and build the biggest audience they can and strongly incorporate reader feedback into their stories? Yeah, sure, especially among those who make up the plot as they go. But one of the first pieces of advice that we often see writers giving out to new fanfic writers is to write what you want to write. You’ll be more invested in it, you’ll love it more, and you’ll ultimately write a more compelling story than one you’re writing at the whims of someone else. It’s really easy as a writer to fall down a rabbit hole of trying to deliver what you think fans want, and it’s an exercise in futility because of how big and diverse the fandom is. For every reader who wants a ton of hot smut, there’s one who hates it and just wants an interesting story without graphic sex. For every reader who loves creature fic, there’s one who hates it, etc.

I’m American, and most of my readers on FFN are American, but I do think it’s important to remember that Dramione is a world-wide ship, and there are both readers and writers in countries where culturally it is expected that a woman will marry and have children. My personal belief is that no one NEEDS to have children, but I understand that a lot of people want them and that this desire plus what we see of canon all contributes to people writing stories that involve Dramione + babies. Heck even some of my friends who are child-free by choice write stories where they have children. 

Right now when I think about Dramione stories where they don’t have children, I think more in terms of stories where the ending comes before a pregnancy or a birth, and it’s left kind of open as to whether that happens in the future for them. As fanfiction continues to build on itself, I do think it’s possible that we’ll see more stories where they are shown making a conscious choice to remain childless. 

Thank your for your thoughts.

- Elle

[pocketmouse18]

Thank you so much to @herosofmarvelanddc @cloudypaws and @mtab2260 for the tag! This was so much fun to think about :)

(fair warning, I wrote too much for many of these...)

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

Just 2 :)

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

450,577 if I did my math right!

3. How many fandoms have you written for and what are they?

Officially? Just 1 - Agents of Shield (two, I guess, if you count MCU as separate, since I use characters from both...). Off the record, many more than that! I have lots of bits and bobs from other fandoms that I tinkered with when I was younger, still getting the hang of writing, not brave enough to post things, etc. etc. Some of those include X-Men, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, the Fosters, Star Wars, the Hunger Games, the 39 Clues, and a few others I can’t remember. None of those will likely see the light of day, mostly because they’re unfinished, not very good, and just not reflective of who I am as a writer anymore, but they were fun to play around with at the time :)

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

I just have the two, but The Important Thing is to Try wins, hands down, with 1227. Shoulder to Shoulder has 95, though, which I’m also very proud of! Important Thing has a definite advantage, being as long as it is, so I don’t know if that’s really a fair comparison between them.

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

Yes! Or at least, I always try to! I just can’t believe someone would be kind enough to take the time to tell me what they thought of my story, so I always want to take the time to thank them and return the favor :) Plus, as I’ve learned, it’s a fantastic way to get to know some really lovely people!

6. What's the fic you've written with the angstiest ending?

Well... I technically only have one story that has an ending, at least on Ao3, and it’s not an especially angsty one, since it ends in Phil and Melinda getting married :) I have some angsty chapter endings in Important Thing, if that counts? I’m not even sure if any of my unpublished fiddlings have angsty endings (most don’t have endings at all lol)... I don’t mind writing angst, but I don’t know if I’m capable of making something without a happy (or at least hopeful) ending.

7. Do you write crossovers? If so, what is the craziest one you've ever written?

Not really, unless you count AoS/MCU crossovers (which I guess technically count, but also I would argue it’s not a true crossover since (and I will die on this hill) AoS is a part of MCU canon). When I was younger I was a fan of playing around with crossover AUs more so than the actual characters crossing paths (so like, what if these characters from XYZ were demigods or went to Hogwarts or what have you, and not so much what would happen if the X-Men met Luke, Leia, and Han on one of their space adventures). I started writing a crossover between AoS and the Marvel Rising cartoon once (which again, not sure if that’s a true crossover, since Daisy was in Marvel Rising, but I digress), where Coulson tasks Daisy to work with Kate Bishop and Rayshaun Lucas to collect and train a team of young Inhumans, starting with Kamala Khan, but I ran out of steam pretty quickly when it got too plot heavy.

8. Have you ever received hate on a fic?

I don’t think so. I’ve had some people not understand some choices that I made, but they asked it in a way that I thought was perfectly nice, and I was happy to talk about it with them. Sometimes people get “mad” at me when I cause pain and suffering, but I know that’s all in good fun :)

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

Nope, not for me. I don’t read it or write it, personally. Writing a kiss is hard enough!

10. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not to my knowledge! Important Thing is probably too long and unwieldy to ever steal :P

11. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Someone once asked me on FFN if they could translate Important Thing to Russian, which was basically the coolest thing I’ve ever been asked!

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

A fic, no. I’d love to try sometime! I had a friend in college who I co-wrote with A LOT, though, so I know I enjoy that process, given the right partner. We wrote several short plays together (ranging from ~15-50 minutes in length, including one that we wrote in a single afternoon!), selected scenes from a larger (unfinished) play inspired by historical letters we found in an archive that were sent between a man from Massachusetts serving in the American Civil War, his wife, and his 8-year-old son, and several scripts for TV sitcoms (2 pilots for 2 different shows, plus additional eps for those pilots, and a couple of later eps for a different show that a classmate of ours wrote the pilot for - we were trying to practice what it would be like to be on a staff with a showrunner haha). The sitcom scripts in particular I’m very proud of, and could talk somebody’s ear off about if asked (one’s about ghost hunters and one’s about a DnD party!), but maybe that’s better saved for another post ;)

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

That’s a very hard question for me! Mostly because shipping stuff is usually one of the last things to register for me when I’m thinking about shows/books/movies I like haha... I’m always a sucker for Philinda, and younger me was rather taken with Percabeth, I suppose.

14. What's a WIP that you want to finish but don't think you ever will?

Hmm, several, really. The aforementioned AoS/Marvel Rising crossover I think could be really cool if I got it to work, but I don’t think that’ll ever happen. I also have a WIP that’s like an angstier version of a Hallmark Christmas movie AU where Daisy has to come home to her small town right before Christmas and figure out what she wants out of life, but I’m a little stalled out on that one, mostly because I’m waffling on who the charming love interest should be and because I don’t have enough of a plot, just lots of feelings about coming back home to a place you thought you had left behind lol.

I’d put Important Thing and it’s (as of yet) untitled sequel on here as things I want to finish, but I’m much more determined to see those through, so I don’t think they qualify for the “never will actually write” part of this question :)

15. What are your writing strengths?

I don’t know if other people agree with this, but I think I write pretty decent dialogue. My “training” (if you can call it that) is in, as you might have figured out by now, script and screenplay writing (those were the only creative writing classes I took in college). So having a sense of the rhythm a conversation needs to have and how to write dialogue that sounds mostly like how people really talk (but shined and tightened up enough so that it’s not actually like verbatim dialogue, which is far less interesting to read!) is something that I feel like comes pretty easily. I also think I do okay with similes and metaphors - my brain tends to work in that way. It’s easier for me to think of stuff (feelings, especially) in terms of comparing it to more familiar things than to just think of the thing directly, if that makes sense?

16. What are your writing weaknesses?

If I was being honest, this would be a very long section, but I know it’s not fun to read a big ol’ paragraph of someone self-criticizing, so I’ll keep it to one or two items ;) A big one for me is pacing, I think. I tend to write more than I need to and to over-explain things, so my chapters get very long and sometimes don’t really go anywhere? Until all of the sudden, they DO, because things need to HAPPEN! I’m a pretty rigorous self-editor, but I do have a really hard time cutting out sections (unless they’re really just not working), so even if it would help the pacing to leave out this conversation between character A and character B, I often can’t make myself cut it. I also think I struggle sometimes with balancing my ‘showing’ and my ‘telling,’ especially in the sense of me over-explaining certain things - like when it comes to feelings/facial expressions/etc, for example. I compensate for that in Important Thing by making it a part of a few people’s POV, but it’s not really a good habit to have in general. Also spelling! I’m really bad at spelling and run my stuff through robust spellchecks and text-to-speech before I post anything to make up for it :)

17. What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic?

I do it with some regularity, although I always get nervous about doing it wrong! It’s hard to avoid in AoS, where characters are spies and should (in theory, at least) have a working knowledge of multiple languages (”We’re spies, I thought we all learned languages?!”). Even in an AU, where characters aren’t spies, I like to try and pay homage to that, plus pay homage to certain characters’ native languages or just general multilingualism. I’ve spent a fair amount of time around people who speak more than one language, so I feel like it’s a natural part of groups of people to have more than one language spoken. I have a pretty good handle on written Spanish, a patchy idea of French, plus I know some Russian phrases from my dad and some German words from my grandfather, but I do rely on internet translation a lot. I usually run stuff through google, then run it backwards to see just how far off the initial translation was, then consult some actual, like, language learning sites to see if there’s particular idioms or common phrases that use different words than what google will give me, then run those words through backwards in the place of the original words to see if I can massage the whole thing to sound reasonably competent. Languages like Russian or Mandarin (which have their own alphabets/characters) are the hardest, since I have to also try and do a transliteration. I always try to put an apology/disclaimer in the notes any time I write in a language that isn’t English, because I’m sure I make lots of mistakes.

Also, I tend not to italicize words that are in other languages, because it looks weird on the page to me to set the other language apart like that (and because I italicize mainly for internal thoughts or emphasis, and usually what’s being said in another language isn’t internal or being emphasized). I put a rough translation at the end so we don’t have to pause the story for a parenthetical translation, but because the translation’s not right there, I try to either put in enough context clues that a person can still understand what’s going on, or I make sure that what’s written in another language isn’t critical to the overall understanding of the scene.

18. What was the first fandom you wrote for?

Officially, it’s AoS, since that’s the only fandom I’ve published for. I think the first true fandom I wrote fic for was probably either Harry Potter (entirely populated with OCs lol, I just liked using the world/setting), Percy Jackson (a mix of OCs and canon characters), or X-Men (all canon characters). I was a bit of a latecomer to fanfiction, though, like, I wrote a ton as a kid, but mostly original stuff, because I didn’t know that fanfiction in its current form was even allowed until I was in high school lol.

Oh! I almost forgot one! I’m not sure if this really counts as a fandom, but it’s definitely the earliest version of fanfic I wrote haha... I was like 12 and I wrote more than one story of an OC joining Robin Hood’s band of Merry Men, and then also one of that same OC becoming a knight of the Round Table, so like... do what you will with that information haha.

19. What's you're favorite fic you've written?

I can’t choose between my two darlings :( I mean, okay, technically it’s probably Important Thing. That story’s my baby. It’s huge and I’ve been working on it for almost 2 years, and I’ve poured a lot of my heart and soul into it. I’ve fallen in love with the universe I built in it, so much so that I wrote an entire prequel and have very concrete plans for a lengthy sequel. But I can’t not crow about Shoulder to Shoulder (the aforementioned prequel!), too... I’m just really proud of that one - it has a lot of firsts for me. First completed story. First romance-focused story. First foray into expanding the Important Thing universe. But yes, if I have to choose, then Important Thing wins. That’s a story that I started writing exclusively for myself - to give myself characters I could relate to and to explore a style of AoS fic that I loved reading - and that’s a story I will always and forever be proud of.

I think most people have probably answered this tag game at this point, so I don’t want to accidentally retag anyone! If you haven’t yet, and would like to join in, please do! This is your invitation <3