#if you’re wondering why i’m posting this super unfinished it’s because.

[time-slink]

hit by the sudden urge to draw a bad boy

[dollsome-does-tumblr]

digging through my many unfinished snippets of ofmd fics that i wrote between s1 and s2, and i thought this one was pretty diverting, so i'm posting it here! why not!

this was going to be the beginning of one where stede and ed are cursed by super awkwardness after reconciling ... until they get THE MOST DANGEROUS GAMED together by antoinette (who survived the boat fire but tragically lost her brother-husband) and her boy toy lackeys bret and jemaine, and rediscover their groove in the process!!!! i honestly might still write some version of this because i need mel antoinette and bret and jemaine to most dangerous game ed and stede and the crew. i simply need it like oxygen.

(i do really love that stede genuinely forgave ed for destroying all his stuff and didn't care about it in season two, for the record. but this was pre-season two me wondering, what if he couldn't help but be a little grumpy about it?)

***

(this was going to be a sequel to this fic for convenience's sake, ergo the references to the party etc.!)

***

“So this is it,” Stede murmurs to himself, gazing out to sea. “Happily ever after.”

Ed’s back, and Ed again. They defeated Izzy in a spectacular show of swordplay and now that miserable prat’s rowed off alone in a dinghy, hopefully in a way that will stick this time. The Revenge is Stede’s again, and the full crew has returned home to it.

It doesn’t get much more happily ever after than this.

Which has Stede wondering why life currently feels so awfully awkward.

+++

“Take it,” says Stede, when his and Ed’s fingers brush both reaching for the last piece of toast at breakfast.

“Ah, no, I couldn’t,” says Ed, pulling back like Stede’s fingers are on fire.

“Please!” says Stede. “I’m your host.”

“Yeah, but I stole your ship and took it on a joyride of destruction for a few weeks there and threw all your stuff in the sea,” says Ed, “so in a way, I’m your host.”

“Truly,” says Stede, sipping his tea from a rusting tin cup, “I had completely forgotten about that.”

“Had you?”

“Haven’t given it a moment’s thought in days. Let bygones be bygones, that’s what I say! Please. Help yourself.”

“You always like three pieces, though,” says Ed. “I don’t want to mess up your whole breakfast vibe–”

“JUST TAKE IT,” Stede snaps.

“Right. Sweet as.” Ed somehow, quite incredibly, shoves the entire piece of toast in his mouth at once. “Mmmphfff,” he says through chewing. “Scrumptious.”

“Is it?” says Stede, in careful gentlemanly tones. “I’m so glad.”

They smile placidly at each other.

+++

For the record, they haven’t kissed a second time yet. Or touched much at all, save for patching up each other’s wounds scored in the fight with Izzy. The fingers brushing over the toast is about as hot as the action has gotten. They have all the time in the world, Stede reminds himself, rather a lot, as his psyche unravels faster than a shoddily made scarf.

+++

The crew has one request of Stede, and it’s that Ed stay locked up in the captain’s cabin for a while.

“But he’s perfectly normal again!” Stede protests. “That whole descent-into-darkness snafu, we’ve worked through that.”

“He seems perfectly normal again,” Lucius allows. “But maybe you shouldn’t be the authority on this, as you’re the only one he didn’t try to kill.”

“And me,” Frenchie pipes up.

“And me,” Jim admits.

“Yeah, yeah, you’re the hot ones psycho Blackbeard wanted for his cool new crew,” Pete says bitterly. “You can stop reminding us about it already.”

“What?” Stede exclaims, indignant. “He tried to kill me loads of times!”

“He swordfought you once, locked you in a closet, and then took you on a date to a party,” Lucius says.

“And he could’ve tried to kill me at any time during that party,” says Stede, “let me tell you.”

“Did he?” Lucius asks, hands on hips.

“No,” Stede admits reluctantly. “He played pirates with my son, and then instead of making me go back to the ship with him, he released me as his prisoner.”

Everyone groans.

“That’s the point, Captain,” says Lucius. “You’re his weak spot. That doesn’t mean he’s not going to start feeling stabby around the rest of us.”

“He’s not! He’s really mellowed.”

“Then let’s prove it, yeah?” says Oluwande, taking over so Lucius can really commit himself to judgmental faces. “Just keep him isolated for a bit, so we can make sure he’s not a threat to us.”

“I don’t care if he is,” says Buttons. “Let me at ‘im. I’ll chomp one of those pretty cheeks at the slightest prevarication.”

“No!” Stede says.

“Is that code fer yes?”

“No, that’s no! Buttons, I mean it. He’s got a very good face, and we’re going to keep it just the way it is.”

“Ah, fine,” says Buttons, deflating. Wee John pats him on the shoulder.

Stede takes this as the end of the conversation, and walks away. He pauses once he’s out of sight and listens.

“Do you really think Blackbeard’s going to snap again?” Olu asks.

“Probably not,” says Lucius, “but those two have got to fuck soon or the energy on this ship will never recover.”

Everyone murmurs in agreement.

Stede frowns.

+++

“Oh, sure,” says Ed. “Absolutely. I’d love to be your prisoner.”

“I know it might sound insulting–”

“Nah, just sensible. I really went off the deep end for a while there. I mean, I left most of those guys to die on a tiny island.”

“Well, when you put it like that.”

“I’d hate to be in your way, though.”

Stede gives him a stiff grin. He’s starting to worry his face might get stuck this way. “Oh, no. You couldn’t be.”

Ed grimaces politely back.

+++

Becoming a better person always sounds so clear in theory: as if it’s some new stage of existence you step into, like death, and never come back from.

Logically, Stede doesn’t mind that all his beloved things are gone, that his library has been wasted (unless there are some really bookish mermaids out there). What are things, really, compared to people? Not so much.

But not nothing, either, the small niggling voice in his head starts to say as the days go on.

+++

[After somehow finding themselves overboard and having to swim to the nearest island! Unsurprisingly, I skipped writing the complicated action sequence!]

“Oh my God, we’ve done it,” Stede pants when they finally reach the shore. “We’re alive!”

“Was there ever any doubt?” Ed asks.

“Quite a bit, yeah,” Stede can’t help admitting.

Ed groans. “Yeah, definitely. I’m really out of shape, man.”

“Maybe we should work some daily calisthenics into the schedule. If we make it out of here, that is.”

“I’m down for that.”

“Where are we?”

They take a moment to survey the beach. The narrow shoreline is quickly gobbled up into dense jungle.

But then, in the distance:

“Lights!” Stede yells, pointing.

+

“Well, this is a charming set-up, isn’t it??” Stede exclaims as they take in the sight of the sparkling chateau. 

Ed whistles. “Wouldn’t mind retiring here, putting my feet up.”

“It’s probably dangerous,” Stede adds, a tad reluctantly.

“Oh yeah. Nobody lives on their own island because they’re so great with people.”

“But all the same, there’s probably food in there. And beds.”

“We’re pirates,” Ed reminds him. “We can hold our own, can’t we?”

“Yeah! This weird freak with an island should be afraid of us!”

“That’s the spirit,” says Ed, knocking his knuckles against Stede’s.

In spite of all the recent nearly dying, Stede feels a surge of sudden bliss. They smile at each other–

And then the gigantic door swings open.

“Why, hello there!” says Stede brightly, going into good manners mode. “We’re two weary, lost travelers who happened across your lovely island–”

He realizes there’s no one there.

“Okay, I don’t like that a bit,” he declares, wrinkling his nose.

“It’s not promising,” Ed agrees grimly.

They step inside and are immediately met by a blazing chandelier in the foyer and the sound of a harpsichord being played in a distant room. The house is full of beautiful things; artwork on the walls, vases on tables. Stede feels suddenly, pleasantly dizzy.

“Oh, my,” he breathes.

“Pretty legit,” Ed declares.

“Why, if it eesn’t Sir Godfrey Thornrose and Jeff,” comes a woman’s voice, with a woman’s familiar obnoxiously fancy accent.

“Oh, God,” Stede mutters, dread filling him.

“Passive aggression,” Ed whispers.

And sure enough – even though the last time they saw her, it was on a ship that was swiftly burning to ash – standing there, looking as sparkly and unpleasant as before, is Antoinette.

+++

(dun dun DUNNNN!)

[absolutelyferal]

Sweet Treat

Steven Grant x PlusSize!F!Reader

18+ MDNI, Please!

Warnings: Smutty, smut, smut, you know why you’re here. Insomnia; SMUT. I shouldn’t have to warn ya’ll about that, but I shall. If you also just want that perfect, perfect man on his knees and between your legs and then railing you afterwards, here you go! Feeling insecure also and Steven makes sure you feel comfortable and beautiful. Unprotected sex, and a slight hint of foot worship? I’m not good at warnings, so, read at your own risk!

Summary-ish: The end of a long shift leaves you wide awake and stressed for what tomorrow will bring. When you decide to visit your insomniac neighbor in hopes to put your mind at ease with his kind words, it ends up being a little more than just sharing some chocolates…

Y’all, this is my very first smut post to Tumblr. I’m hella nervous. But I ADORE writing smut for our silly little y/n, so here you go! Please, give feedback! If I upset anyone at all, let me know! As a person with mental health issues, including insomnia, I think I did pretty well? Idk. I’m also ✨plus size✨ so yes, majority of my posts will be with a PlusSize!Reader because frankly I don’t see enough of them around here. I also didn’t edit this very well, so I hope you enjoy it anyway!

P.S. sorry for the wait! I’ve been super sick, but I wanted to make sure I did the best I could and here it is! Finally! :)

As the old elevator comes to a stop on your floor, you startle. It was a long shift at your place of work and all you really need right now is a break. This week has been absolute hell on earth. Your boss overworking you, coworkers ganging up against you to bury you in a deeper hole of unfinished files and stress.

You step into the hall, heels clicking as you make your way slowly to your apartment. Basically dragging your bag behind you, you unlock your door and step inside and head right to shower and bed.

Almost completely sure you’ll pass out as soon as you lay down, but come to find an hour later you’re still wide awake and staring helplessly at the ceiling. No amount of work will cure your insomnia apparently.

With a yawn, you decide it’s only right to stand, pull on a hoodie over your tank top and shorts, and head to leave, barefoot because you’re just going across the hall. A last second decision leads you to grabbing a box of chocolates on your way out you have yet to devour.

“Steven?” You call out quietly, knocking on your neighbor’s door. It’s quiet for a moment and you almost think he’s asleep for once, but small shuffling tells you he is, in fact, awake.

“Hiya, Love.” Steven greets you with his perfect, messy brown curls. You smile back, holding up the chocolates.

“I can’t sleep.” You tell him.

“Come in, then.” He says, stepping to the side. You lower your head shyly, stepping past him and immediately heading to greet your favorite fish, Gus.

“Hello, handsome.” You whisper. The round eyes look back into yours for a moment before swimming away. Oh, to be a pet of Steven Grants. “You spoil him, Steven.” You say airly, wondering why you wish you were that fish at the moment. To be loved and cherished by the man now at your side.

“It’s the least I can do for keeping him trapped in here.” Steven tells you, looking to Gus.

“Gus is a good fish.” You say with a nod. “Good boy.” You add, leaning forward slightly towards the tank.

You catch Steven’s reflection in the tank, watching you look at the one-finned-wonder. His white t-shirt hugs his defined chest, showing his toned arms. You can’t help your gaze dropping down to the grey sweat pants he’s sporting. Biting your lip, you hurriedly busy yourself by walking to the kitchen and putting on the kettle for hot chocolate to accompany the chocolates.

“So, you just had some chocolates lying around your flat?” Steven asks, picking up the red box and turning it over in his hands. You shift a bit at the stove, watching his digits slide across the box as he reads the treats available inside.

“It was from a date last week, but he was a dirtbag so… Better to share this with someone I actually like then sit alone in my flat…”

“There’s nothing wrong with eating a box chocolates alone.” Steven assures you with those puppy dog eyes. You smile and look to the kettle, seeing it’s slowly coming to a boil.

“Not like I need any more chocolate anyway.” You mumble, running a hand over your hair.

“The flapjack that got you these and hurt your feelings doesn’t deserve you.” Steven states with so much confidence you almost don’t believe those words come from him. Looking over, you see Steven is distracted by looking at the box. You wonder what’s so interesting, but brush it off and go back to staring down the kettle.

“I think he was just stressed. Seems to be my theme lately. Can’t really blame him for getting snappy.” You say with a shrug. “I know I’ve been so stressed lately I feel like getting snappy at people too, but I wouldn’t towards someone who doesn’t deserve it… on purpose anyway. It’s like I’m so stressed I feel like my mind can’t keep up with my actions.”

“I understand that.” Steven says, walking into the kitchen having left the chocolates on his book covered table. “Pardon me, Love.” He says gently, putting a hand on your waist to coax you out of his way to reach the cupboard you wandered in front of.

Your breath hitches at the contact, and you step back out his touch. Your eyes drop down to the top of his sweats as he reaches up, shirt lifting just enough to expose the a groomed happy trail that disappears under the band. A blush tints your cheeks and you walk away entirely, pulling the hot chocolate mix down from on top of the fridge.

You two seem to do this a few times a week. Have a treat, drink hot chocolate, and vent to each other. Steven has always been there for you. When you and your colleague were fighting, he gave you wonderful advice and comforted you. When you had a nightmare and couldn’t sleep, he helped you forget about it and sent you back to bed. You didn’t have another nightmare the rest of the week.

It’s not all just him helping you though. Steven loves your company. He has always told you his door is always open and to please visit him whenever you feel it. You’ve helped him combat his sleep walking, as he calls it, and gave him the advice of the tape over the door to bring him some comfort knowing he didn’t leave his apartment. The ankle chain, that’s all him though. You said it was unnecessary, but he says it helps him sleep. The sand? Every time you visit you sweep his apartment clean of it, but it just appears the next day like he’s purposely leaving piles of it everywhere to keep you in his presence longer.

He never asks anything of you, but it’s in your nature. Even now as he starts complaining while you take mugs he grabbed from his hands.

“I can help, you know.” Steven tells you, helplessly watching you scoop the mix into the mugs.

“It’s fine.” You wave a hand, grabbing the milk and pouring some in. “Are we out of marshmallows?” You ask, seeing there’s none on top of the fridge.

When Steven doesn’t reply, you face him and see his eyes wide and almost glowing. He looks shocked, but a happy shocked as he stares at you. The kettle whistling brings you out of the trance he caught you in, and you go back to finishing the hot chocolate.

“I’ll get some tomorrow.” Steven says. You glance at him with a small smile.

“I like the chocolate filled ones. Remember those?” You ask, bringing the hot mugs to the table you sit with him at. Books stacked to the side to make room for your drinks and box of chocolate now open and set between you both.

“I do, yeah. They were quite good. Do you remember the sour ones?” He asks. You laugh and he smiles wider watching you do so.

“I don’t know how anyone thought it was a good idea to make sour marshmallows!“ You reply, picking up a caramel filled chocolate. “One day we will find the perfect marshmallow.”

“Indeed. Cheers, Love.” Steven holds up his mug and you clink them together, careful not to spill any. A sip tells you it’s still hot, but absolutely delish as usual. Sweet and chocolatey, it leaves a warm trail down the back of your throat as you hum and set it down.

“Thank you for putting up with me so much. I know I’ve been coming here a lot lately. I don’t want to be a bother.” You say before biting into the chocolate you forgot was in your hand. Steven watches you for a moment, then blinks and shakes his head.

“You don’t bother me. I love- I love your company.” He tells you with a genuine, bright smile.

You can’t help but smile back, mouth full of chocolate as your hand slowly gets covered in the half melted treat. You hurriedly shove it in your mouth upon realizing it, and Steven laughs at how worried you got over losing the treat to the warmth of your palm.

“Do you have any other dates lined up?“ Steven asks nonchalantly. You shake your head immediately, recalling you deleted your dating apps and have lost hope looking for love. Who needs it when you have Steven and chocolate, right? Even if he’s just a friend, you wish he was more most times. It feels like Steven is the only man you need your life lately.

“I’m done dating. No one wants anything but a fling. Even this girl at work tried to get me to go home with her. I’m tired of being used and then thrown to the street right after.” You rant, sipping your drink before humming, Steven listening with intent eyes, chewing on his own chocolate piece. “Every time I show up to a date, they act surprised and make the same, retched comment about my weight. Like they didn’t use their eyes and looked at my profile to begin with to see what I look like. I’m too stressed already with work, I don’t need to deal with every man I meet degrading me.”

“I would never degrade you, Love. You’re gorgeous.” Steven says and that makes your cheeks red as you hide behind your mug with a smile. Your stomach flips, hands squeezing the mug as you cross one leg over the other. After a moment of silence, you set the down your drink, squeezing your thighs together and looking at Steven from across the table.

This perfect man has the audacity to suck the chocolate off his fingers right in front of you. Even after saying he would never degrade you, you wonder what that side of Steven is like. So sweet, so kind, but what about when he’s in bed with a woman? Is he kind? Is he gentle? Curiosity gets the best of you as you clear your throat, causing him to look at you with those brown eyes, finger falling from his mouth with a pop.

“Even if I asked you too?” You don’t know where the confidence came from. Maybe it’s the lack of sleep this week, or maybe the sugar high, or maybe just being so stressed you want to find the perfect way to relax. That way, at the moment, is to be with this perfect man and learn about his body. Or maybe, let him learn every curve and freckle on yours.

“Hm?” Steven tilts his head, eyes a bit wide as if he heard your question, but can’t believe you asked it.

“If I asked you to… would you degrade me?” You ask bravely, voice steady and strong as you lean on the table. You bring your fingers to your lips, sucking off the chocolate with direct eye contact. Steven probably was being innocent, just wanting to savor every last drop of the treat, but you? You are teasing him with your every last breath as you bring your bare foot up under the table and rest it gently on his knee.

You watch Steven as he sucks in a breath, looking down like he can’t believe you’re touching him or even looking at him. But he takes a moment and composes himself, looking back to you as you drop your now clean hands to the table and hold your warm mug.

“Do you want to have sex with me?” Steven asks. You almost choke on your own spit when he asks you, your turn to be shocked. He’s so soft looking, eyes pouty as ever and head tilted. His curls hang over his forehead and his fingers resting in his lap, locked together.

“Yes.” You breathe out without a second thought.

This is the moment you’ve waited months for, and it’s finally here. To be with him, not just for a conversation, but for more. More than sharing chocolates and pastries. More than venting about the smallest things to stay longer than necessary. This is your moment, and you’re gonna fucking take it.

Steven surprises you then, slowly siding down under the table. He takes your foot in his hand, gently placing a kiss to the top of it before working his way your leg as it rests over his shoulder. You push the chair back, wanting to see what he could be up to. Your knee bends, foot hanging against his back as Steven sits pretty on his knees between your legs. All for you.

“This is a sight.” You breathe out, watching Steven’s hands run up your thighs and grab your shorts. You lift up a bit, allowing him to pull your shorts and panties down easier. The chair is cold against you bottom as you relax into it, eyes on Steven as he looks up at you.

Pupils blown, brown eyes wide. Your heart is racing, stomach knotting. You feel your pulse through your entire body as his hands run along your thighs before spreading them apart, resting each leg over his shoulder as he does.

Your toes curls when his lips meet your inner thighs. His breath is hot against your skin, tongue even hotter as he licks dangerously close to your entrance, but not quite.

“You’re teasing.” You whisper out, breaths becoming uneven as anticipation gets the best of you. His eyes look up at yours as he sucks a love bite into your inner thigh. You can’t take your eyes off of Steven if you tried with how intently he’s looking up at you, how intimate this moment is.

It’s just the two of you. Rain hitting the windows, lights warm around the apartment. Your quick, faint breaths mixing with the sweet sounds of Steven sucking on your other inner thigh, leaving marks only you two will see.

“Steven, please.” You finally whimper, tired of the teasing. You’re getting antsy and want to feel his tongue where you need it most.

“Hold still.” Steven chuckles as you squirm, making you heat up even more. In the most intimate time you’ve ever spent with Steven, he still manages to give you that dorky smile and lord, it’s a sight to hold.

His smile falters as his eyes drop down, looking directly at your wet, pulsing pussy. He licks his lips, and you nearly faint watching him.

Thats when his eyes look up to yours, and he leans forward agonizingly slowly, before licking a long, rough stipe the length of your already dripping cunt. He stops at your clit, putting it gently between his teeth and sucking. You moan, not being able to keep quiet any longer as your hands drop to his hair, tangling themselves in his curls.

“Oh, Steven.” You whimper, wanting more than just his tongue. More than just his face between your legs. You need more.

As if he can read your mind, his fingers glide under your thigh and slide between your lips. You let out a gasp, feeling them push inside of you and curl while he continues to suck on your clit. It’s almost like he’s a pro at this with all the little moans and gasps he’s pulling from you. Like he’s living a double life studying the female anatomy of pleasure. You don’t question it though, not yet. You’re too busy tangling your hands in his hair with your head dipped forward to see the beautiful sight.

“Steven.” You whisper out because it’s all you can manage. His eyes snap up to yours and you tug on his curls. This isn’t what you want. No matter how amazing this feels, you want him to feel this good as well. He deserves it.

Reading your eyes, he slowly sits back taking his fingers out. You let out a short whimper at the loss of contact, and it’s like he almost wants to go back for more, but you drop your feet to the ground and lean down. Taking his hand in yours, you pull him up and lead him to the bed.

Both of you stand at the end, looking at each other. Eyes blown from lust and a small smile pulling at each others lips. Then you’re kissing again, and your tearing the clothes off his back and dropping to your knees.

Steven, Steven… sweet, innocent Steven, he pulls you back up and you give him a questioning look.

“It’s about you tonight, Love.” He tells you. That makes your knees shake at the thought. Never has a man thought about you during sex, only about himself. Then, along comes Steven as he pulls the hoodie and top over your head, leaving you naked in the chill of the apartment.

Your eyes start dancing across his bare chest, and you easily get distracted by the thought of him above you, the chain dangling over your face. You think about how you want to take it into your mouth and suck on it to see his reaction as he fucks you, but before your mind can make these thoughts tumble out of control Steven places a finger under your chin and lifts your gaze to his. It’s the smallest gesture, one not many would think to do. You are naked after all, so, why would he want to see your face? He see’s if every day.

The smallest nod of his head towards the bed leads you to crawling onto it, Steven following, but not before he strips completely and you’re left gawking at him. The only thought running through your head is wanting to taste him, to suck on that big, beautiful cock, but all thoughts leave your mind when he climbs on top of you. Once again getting lost in a kiss, your hands traveling his flexing back and arms as his trail across your breasts.

“Please, Steven.” You whimper into the kiss, wrapping your legs around him as your hand reaches down and grabs just what you desire.

“Oh, fuck…” Steven groans and it’s music to your ears. Never have you heard Steven curse, and now it was you that pulled it out of him? It makes you start to moan at the thought.

Running your thumb over the tip of his cock, you gather up his pre-cum and bring it up to your lips. The fascinating look on Steven’s eyes says it all as you slowly lick your lips and put your thumb in your mouth, tasting him.

“Now this is a sight.” He breathes out, copying your words from earlier. You smile around your thumb before pulling it out, wanting nothing more than to take him in your mouth and feel the strands of cum shoot down your throat, but you refrain. No way you’re going to disrupt what Steven wants, and what he wants by the look in his eyes, is you.

“Fuck me already.” You say, caressing his cheek with your hand. A turn of his head, and you watch him kiss your palm softly. You don’t know what you’re feeling, well, you know. It’s lust. But something more twirls inside. Maybe it’s love? “Please.” You add and that makes Steven smirk. He likes to hear you beg, you note. You’ll remember that.

He leans down then, placing a kiss to your forehead and down to where your pulse beats fast in your neck. He sucks and bites and you definitely can’t take it anymore.

“Steven, please. Please.” You beg, rolling up your hips nearly putting him inside you yourself. Instead, Steven reaches down and pushes himself up the length of your folds. He soaks himself in you, and it makes your eyes flutter when the tip of his cock brushes over your sensitive clit.

With another plea leaving your swollen lips, Steven locks his eyes with yours and pushes himself past your folds and into your pussy. You gasp for air, spreading your legs wider for him to fill you up as much as possible.

Steven groans, loudly, and it’s the hottest thing you’ve ever heard. Starting in the back of his throat, he bites gently onto your shoulder and lets out an almost growl.

“All right?” He asks breathlessly. You bite your lip, too lost in your mind and the feeling to hear his words. When you don’t respond, Steven lifts up to look at your face. He almost looks worried as he watches a tear escape your eye. “Love?” Steven says in question, wanting to know you’re okay.

“Mm.” You smile and wrap your hand around the back of his neck, pulling him down for a passionate kiss. Rolling your hips, he takes it as a signal and start pulling out, only to push right back in.

Steven is slow at first as he moves his lips from yours to your neck, shoulder and back up. A breath leaves your lips when you see the chain, swaying from the movement. Letting your thoughts win, you lift your head and pull the chain in your mouth with your tongue. Steven looks down at you, stuttering just the slightest at the sight. His eyes widen, yours turn to slits full of mischief. Slowly, you tilt your head forward, taking more of the chain into your mouth until your lips meet his neck.

You feel him swallow under your lips, and you hum before sucking to mark him. Wanting him to remember this night, and you do just that as you pull away. Your eyes find Steven’s again as you open your mouth, letting your tongue push out the chain and then your head rests back down into the pillow.

That’s when something like a switch flips as Steven picks up his pace, leaning down and biting across your chest, leaving perfect marks across it. He gets rougher, slamming into you. He pulls moan after moan from your lips and you let him do whatever he wants.

Steven leans back, grabbing your ankle and pushing it up over his shoulder. The new angle lets him push deeper, hitting the perfect spot to leave you a teary eyed, whimpering mess.

“Oh, Steven.” You whimper out, hands now clinging onto the blankets under you like it’s your last resort. Your eyes squeeze shut, no longer able to easily hold them open. You feel his lips meet your ankle for a split second before his fingers go back to rub your clit. “Yes.” You cry out, rolling your hips to start to meet his thrusts.

“So good.” Steven groans out, leaving you moaning from his praise. “I want you to cum for me, Love.” He urges, fucking you harder and faster than before.

Your eyes keep fluttering back into your head, nearing your orgasm quickly. Not a single thought is in your mind besides Steven. Steven.

“Steven.” You moan. “I’m…” You can’t even finish that sentence if you tried because you’re left a shuddering, moaning mess. Your eyes roll back, lids fluttering. Your body clenches, holding Steven inside you where he fills you up as he cums as well with a groan and burying himself inside as deep as possible.

After the longest, best orgasm of your life, your left with a cramp in your thigh and panting as Steven lays beside you. You rub your thigh, but Steven takes over and rubs it for you, kneading out the knot formed as you roll your head to look at him. Steven is staring at the ceiling, a beautiful, tired grin on his face as he works your thigh.

“Can I stay here tonight? With you?” You ask softly, your hand reaching up to rub his chest. Steven looks at you, grin faltering when he sees how tired you look.

“Of course, Love.” He says, reaching out and pulling you into his chest. You happily curl up in his arms, sleep tugging at you even though you know you should get up and clean up, but after that? No way are you standing right now and Steven knows it as he kisses the top of your head and lets you fall right asleep in his arms.

[valenhell]

From the studio that brought you “I can’t find good Byler fics in the ao3 tag”, comes:

"The Definitive Byler fic rec list"

Literally no one asked for this but because I spent the majority of last year (...and 2019, and 2018...) reading byler fics and coping with life, I thought I’d make a list of some of my absolute favorites. 

The other day I was basically starving for some byler fics and the angel @magicalfairy provided me with some of her faves so I thought I’d do the same, because I love reading, and I love all of these fics and I appreciate their writers💗 And fic writers in general, come on!

- This is a mix of long works and one-shots/short stories. - Everything is mostly fluff with a tad of angst and a lot of internalized homophobia conflict.  - Every fic is completed, except for the ones I mention that they are not. - I try my best to lay out the stories in a way that I won’t spoil you the plot but also warning you of some stuff you might don’t like. Either way, all of these fics are correctly tagged by their respective authors/owners, so read at your own risk. For better understanding, in between brackets I denote Rating, Words and quantity of Chapters. - I feel like I should clarify, none of these are narrated in the singular first person. None of that “And I told him...”, no. 

Long fics

a dream always the same (T, 99k, 35 chapters) What happened in those few weeks between the Battle of Starcourt and the Byers leaving Hawkins. Literally a satisfying and very needed fill in of season three, with a good dose of Mike’s thoughts and conflict. Mike’s characterization is specially amazing in this one. The writing style is amazing and I know the author put everything into making it historically accurate, and it was really sweet. You probably read it, it’s by the amazing sevensided here on Tumblr🧡

Spring Break (T, 120k, 14/15 chapters) The slowburn of my dreams. Lots of internalized conflict and conflict with each other. Conflict within the Party (uhh kind of), conflict with Mike and Will. Byers family has moved and the kids are visiting! Chaos. Characterization is on point. Yeah, I know it’s unfinished, but the fourteenth chapter actually serves as a pretty nice ending. 

This is where it starts (M, 148.8k, 24 chapters) Aged up characters. The Party is in college and Will disappears again, but now it’s different. Mike knows he didn’t vanish from thin air, and the discovery he and the Party end up making is pretty insane. Mystery solving/fantasy/third dimension, throw in a bit of D&D and Mike realizing some shit, and you get this marvelous fic. It’s a breath of fresh air. The world building is definitely one of the elements that stands out the most, because it’s very nicely described, it sounds like a dream and it’s completely immersive. Absolute gem of a fic. 

there’s a Starman waiting in the sky (M, 30.6k, 8 chapters) Do I need to say anything? Will is out there living his best life and Mike realizes that wow, umm, maybe his best friend looks a bit too nice with that costume... and wait, is he getting horny? It’s actually really fun and sexy.

The Evening Speaks (T, 23k, 7 chapters) In where Mike is a late-night college radio host and Will is the art student that stays up till late to catch up with Wheeler on the Mic. They flirt through songs y’all, this one is really sweet. 

heads or tails? (E, 24k, 3 chapters) Aged up characters. I know most people don’t enjoy sex in fics and with specific characters but this one is insanely well written. It’s a slowburn that commits to the tension and with every word you are grasping and anticipating their next move. I think you can find the author here on Tumblr as yousaidyes🧡

The Man of Average (M, 56.7k, 5/? chapters) Aged up characters. No but you don’t understand, the writing here is absolute gourmet. The story is exciting as well, it’s super interesting. Weirdly enough, for being very aged up characters, they are well characterized but they don’t feel like teenagers. They are naturally Mike and Will. The author really captured Mike and Will’s essence. I know, it’s unfinished and it’s updated very rarely, but this is the typical fic you can’t believe someone just posted on the internet for free. I will say though, I think it’s definitely not for everyone. Read at your own risk.

Heartstrings (E, 82.8k, 24/? chapters) Aged up characters. By the same author of The Man of Average. A collection of memories, the road to Mike and Will’s happy ever after. And fucking hell!!!!! You’ll cry and get angry, you’ll cheer for them, then you’ll want to crash their faces together because god dammit you love each other!!! But yeah, same thing here. The writing and the way the story is laid out as a nonlinear narrative is brilliant. And I also think this is one of the best Will versions I’ve read. The author might as well be the og creator of this two characters tbh. You can find the author here as mylesimeblr🧡

Sinners behind the walls (T, 1.5k, 1/1) And because I can’t stop recommending this author, a little thing of Mike tormenting himself but also being too deeply committed to Will. 

The Red Envelope series (T/E, 167K, two completed works) Something happens that Will thought was impossible and from there, pure drama and romance. Anything by this author has the potential to become your absolute favorite fic, but this series in particular is amazing. I doubt that any of you haven’t read this, but it doesn’t hurt to put it in this list. I’m pretty sure the author is serendipitous-magic on Tumblr🧡

A New Fight series (T, 91k, two completed works, one WIP) And finally the Star Wars AU that we all needed. But this isn’t your typical “Mike is Han”, “Will is Leia” and “El is Luke”, it’s way more interesting than that, and the author has appropriated the Star Wars world like no other. I’ll admit I’m not a 100% fluent in SW lore but this is amazing to me either way. This author is also on Tumblr, tea-for-one-please🧡

- Yes, most of these are (if not all), in a way, canon compliant/canonverse/canon continuation into fanon. (In a way)

One-shots and short stories

Sundae for Two, Please (G, 4.8k) Steve being the supportive friend and older brother these kids collectively need. (not Jonathan erasure, we love him). Steve is very sweet himself, and this little cute thing through his POV is gorgeous. Yes, it’s byler.

Backstage (T, 10k, 2/2) Jonathan, you forgot to mention to Will how hot your new band’s guitarist is, dude. Now he’s hyperventilating and weirdly flirting with him in the corner. Background Stonathan because why not.

102 Peach Street (G, 3.8k) Established relationship, but not only that, they are married :’’))) PURE fluff. Extreme fluffiness. Diabetes. 

sweatshirts and bottled up feelings (T, 3.2k) Or, Mike thinks that the sweatshirt Will wears looks insanely good on him. And kitchens are for lovers. 

kiss it better (T, 16.3k) Basically one of the best character studies of a few precise moments of Mike and Will’s relationship and feelings. 

will wonders ever cease (T, 11.3k) #i ship will and happiness. Omfg what a beautiful piece of fanfic. Will centric, this kid really deserves all the good in the world.

The Calm After the Storm (T, 1.6k) Tooth rotting fluff, boyfriends in love. Boyfriends being lazy, cuddling, love words, kisses. Boys loving each other’s company... Basically, Mike and Will in their element. What more can you ask for?

neither of us ready to let go (T, 4.8k) That scene from season three, but a bit of a fix it. 

Still in love (G, 1k) Domestic, married life au fluff. Y’all, I’m a sucker for established Byler, even if I can’t find many fics with it. But this is very sweet. It takes place in 2020, but I don’t think there are any mentions of the COVID-19 crisis that I remember.

I Nver Find Out ‘Til I’m Head Over Heels (G, 12.5K) Classic 5+1 fic. If you haven’t read it, where have you been? This is your moment. In where Mike keeps inviting Will to the school dances and Will thinks it’s just a joke until he realizes it’s not. 

Before You’re Gone (T, 5.9k) Will is leaving Hawkins and Mike thinks this is a great moment for a confession. This one I discovered last friday, thank you friend @magicalfairy 💗

You’re weird Wheeler (M, 4.5k) Mike unintentionally starts a tradition of going to each other to talk about their sexual encounters just after they finish. Will keeps getting more explicit with the details he shares, and he makes his best friend interested. This one is really fun y’all.

Out-Of-Town Friends (N/R, 4.6K) It’s not rated. I haven’t re- read it but I’d say it would probably fall in a T rating. So cute!! Will has new friends and sneaks off every friday and the Party doesn’t know where he is going, so Mike decides to follow him and is surprised. 

Snowed Under (G, 1.3k) By the same author of The New Fight series. Mike is spending christmas by himself in college because a snowstorm hits Chicago and Nancy can’t drive to see him, but then he has a surprise visitor. Ahhh just a lil sweet holiday fic. Super cute. 

you love me anyway series (T, 7.1k, three completed works) Literally just the cutest thing ever. Established Byler. Will loves to take pictures and he loves taking pictures of Mike. It’s adorable. 

you wanna be friends forever (i can think of something better) (T, 9k) This one is so amazing. So. Amazing. From Will’s POV, my kid deserves the world and he gets it. 

okay not to be okay (T, 4.9k) Mike is a bit sad but then everything is okay. 

can’t hold out forever (G, 18.4k) Y’all!!!!! 5+1 sweetness. Mike has been falling in love since kindergarten. And it’s long af, you’ll enjoy it. 

even if it takes forever (G, 1.3k) College short AU, they miss each other, they love each other, they promise all to each other. It is sappy y’all.

clear as day (N/R, 18.4K, 4 chapters) It’s not rated, but I’d say it falls in the T category. Strangers to friends to lovers. And also, everyone is pretty gay; we have our dynamic trio Mike, Max and El as disaster lesbians (and gay). Will works at the library and he is also gay. Lucas and Dustin and Will are the best friends we needed. It’s very sweet and the Party is kind of formed here!

I went overboard with the one-shots, so you must have realized how much I love long one-shots and I favor them over long works lmao but they are all amazing!!! If it’s on this list, I probably read it at 2 am, sobbing in my bed. So. Hope you enjoy it☺️🧡

[primaverabutitalreadyexists]

“I really don’t care being « called out » on something that isn’t true, but I have the right to defend myself. I will keep drawing him as I see fit and using his cane/crutch, and brace when the setting call for it. Have a nice day!”

It was when you said this that did it for me. Only willing you include a disabled characters disability aids when it fits your aesthetic? I know you have quite a few followers and for some reason that makes you think you’re above taking criticism but my god that was a shitty way to respond. I know someone else said that we are more than our disabilities which is true, but it’s also something we can’t just turn off whenever we feel like it. That’s why when an artist decides that it just doesn’t ‘fit the piece’ they’re drawing it kind of sucks.

Having « few followers » does not make me above anything or anyone else, I would say it’s quite the opposite actually. And I gladly take any criticism, as long as it is constructive, and done with the desire to help people improve in a field they lack experience/knowledge. That person was straight up agressive in the first place, already assuming things and straight up went for a confrontation that could have been easily avoided. And let me tell you, I’m at fault as well, I shouldn’t have matched the same tone, and that’s why it escalated this way, I’ve been super dumb in my phrasing. Maybe it was a clumsily written criticism, maybe they didn’t meant to make it looks like an assumption, idk and most likely will never know.

Including a character disability has nothing to do with aesthetics, a disability ISN’T an aesthetic to begin with. You can’t just say « oh no it’ll ruin my piece, go away crutch » and if you ever find a tweet or anything from me saying this, please send it to me, because it just never ever scratched my brain, not even once. Like a lot of artists out there, sometimes I draw things in a way that makes me feel good, that I think look okay. And if they offend some people, it isn’t in my intentions, I would never willingly do something as mean and stupid as that. I use Viktor for a lot of male body studies, like that shirtless one, that was just a primary version of an other with one with the merged brace and robot parts that isn’t even finished. That person picked 3 fanarts I’ve made of Viktor without his crutch or his brace. Does that make me a fucking ableist?? I would love to post all my fanarts, sketches of him featuring them, because I have a lot of these, and future projects, unfinished pieces that now I’m just too fucking self conscious to even finish. I love drawing him and now I feel like I do not deserve it. It was a bad way to answer them, and I totally agree with that, but I won’t stay here, being called a disgusting term and say nothing.

When I said when the setting calls for it, I was talking about wether it’s a portrait, a certain pose, if he’s seen entirely, or not, or if it’s Act 1, 2/3, machine herald or even the post shimmer augments design non canon thing a lot of artists are imagining. We still don’t know how he will turn out in s2, and a lot of people are making fan design (amazing I must say, I’m so happy to see a fandom coming with such wonderful and original ideas). I’m not saying I draw things like « oh what if I included his crutch this time? Would be so cute and cool 🥰 » It’s all about the way I’m making the piece and the setting he’s on. Currently I’m working on a piece where he’s using his crutch to get up from his bed, for exemple. Idk if it makes sense, it’s frustrating.

Anyway, I’m glad you’ve reached to me to talk about it, and to speak your mind on the matter.

[stardustincarnate]

EARLY TRYST // Light Yagami x Reader

word count : 4534 genre : fluff <333 ! crack-ish, pre-kira!light, all that  mushy mushy stuff, best friends to lovers because who doesn’t love that trope?

a/n : i’m not sure if i’ve posted this here before but i’m fairly certain that i haven’t oh godric you’ll have to forgive me if i had  --

Who wakes up 5:00 early on a Saturday morning just to bug their neighbor to have a match with them?

Technically, you did. You were bored, and the first thing that came to your mind was playing your favorite sport with one of your bestfriends, who's also your neighbor, Light. Surely he wouldn't mind, would he? But it mattered not since he also did the same to you back then, insisting you two bike together just because he wanted a companion and knew you wouldn't refuse. You were hella pissed even so, and now it's your turn to get revenge.

You brought a ladder, placing it just enough to reach the window to his bedroom on the second floor. You eventually climbed up, practically pressing your face against  the window to get a clearer sight of him sleeping peacefully on his bed, his angelic face barely visible as it was partially covered with his blanket.

'Say goodbye to your sweet dreams, lover boy.'

You thought and knocked on the window loud enough for him to hear. Your first tries were futile so you knocked a little louder and more violent. To his dismay, Light woke up with a teeny-bit of panic in his chest. Creasing his eyebrow and squinting his eyes, he looked at the window, seeing a familiar figure. You snickered as he awakened, languidly making his way to the window, an irritated look on his face when he met your eyes.

He opened the window. "[Y/N], what the hell are you doing here? What time is it?"

"About time for you to play with me."

"Huh? Play with you? You're acting strangely childish. I was still sleeping." He clicked his tongue. You chuckled and shook your head. "Aw, sleeping beauty is upset because his dream was left unfinished. Don't worry, his dashing savior is here to make him feel better."

"You mean worse."

"Bad!" You playfully punched his shoulder. "Says the one who still has sleep in his eyes."

"Of course I have. You just woke me up." He scowled, turning his back at you and rubbing the sleep from his eyes, his face a little flushed.

"Heh, don't be shy!" You teased, wobbling a little in your position.

"I'm not shy! Tch, seriously though, you're in a ladder? You only made it harder for yourself when you could've just knocked on the main door. Mom and dad are already awake. They'd let you in."

"Eh? But I was shy- you know- err, how am I supposed to say 'Can I go to Light's room or something?'" You blushed a little. He hummed in response and gave an understanding look. "Come on in."

"I can't fit in here- just meet me outside. I'll wait for ya."

"You got yourself in this so don't turn back now. You can fit but in another position." Before you could reply, he suddenly grabbed your arms and indicated you to push your head inside. You did, whimpering as he pulled you in by grabbing you by the armpits, your faces almost bumping in the process. You gave a squeal as you felt your feet of the ladder, causing you to grip him tighter, almost hugging him-or maybe even inhaling him.

For a better description you basically looked like a flying fish from outside who's getting devoured by a portal.

With all his might, Light pulled you in until your whole body finally got inside. Of course, as he was secretly anticipating to, you both fell on the ground, with you on top of him, your head against his chest.

You immediately stood up and accidentally stepped on his ankle, resulting a loud whimper from him.

"Oof."

"That hurt, you know."

"Sorry. But-" You both heard a loud crash from outside. You were certain that the ladder you used had fallen, and it was so loud you swore some of your neighbors woke up. "...As I was saying... That was a dangerous way to get me inside. I could've fallen."

"Too bad you didn't."

"How rude!" You scoffed. You jauntily walked towards his bed, flopping down as if it's your own. It felt so soft, and it kinda smelled like him too.

You closed your eyes and spread your arms. His expression softened that he couldn't hide a smile which you thankfully didn't see. He cleared his throat and picked up a pillow, throwing it at your face.

"Hey, I'll go get some coffee. Want some?"

"I've already drank one, but sure!"

"No wonder you're already so hyper. Now get out of my bed."

"Fine." You scoffed and got up, walking behind him on the way downstairs, making yourself smaller so they wouldn't notice.

"Light! You're up early." Sachiko greeted.

"Yeah, and it's her fault." He slid right to reveal your cowering figure. You shyly greeted his mother, flushing pink. "Oh hello [Y/N]! I didn't see you come in. Were you in Light's room the whole night? You two had a sleep-over..?"

"No mom. Why would we do that? She just has her own ways of disturbing my sleep. Is dad still here?"

"He's on the living room and just about to leave. I'll make you two breakfast."

"That's not necessary. We just need some coffee, after that we'll.. What are we gonna do again?"

"Play badminton outside."

"It's still a bit dark, don't you think?"

"It's alright. The sun is about to rise. It'll rise quickly." Light replied to his mom, taking two cups and then pouring hot water on them. "Mild coffee [Y/N]?"

"Nope. Black coffee will do."

"Didn't you already-"

"It was creamy white. It was bland for my liking. I need something stronger." You cheekily replied. He sighed and started mixing your coffee and then his own. "If I recall, yesterday I saw you walking home while drinking that black iced coffee from the convenience store. Too much caffeine is unhealthy."

"Yes, Sir Light, noted." You grinned, blowing your drink before taking a sip. "Hey, not funny. I'm genuinely concerned."

"Concern appreciated."

You both entered the living room, greeting his father who eventually got up, off to work. You sat beside Light as you both watched Sachiko kiss Soichiro goodbye. You smiled and mumbled an 'aw,' nudging Light and causing him to slightly spill the coffee he was about to drink.

"What?" He looked at you then to his parents.

"Nothing."

"Ah, I get it. You wanna do that with someone someday, don't you?"

"That's not-"

"It's okay. We all daydream like that, even me. So don't be shy."

"I'm not shy!"

"There goes my line."

"Hmp. So who's the lucky girl, or boy, you daydream about?"

"Why are you suddenly interested? Well what about you?"

"You didn't answer my question."

"Because that doesn't matter-"

"Unfair. You're so secretive."

"Fair enough since you're just as secretive as I am. You don't even tell me the guys you like, and I'm your bestfriend."

"Because that doesn't matter-"

"Why do you keep on stealing my lines?"

"Oi that's not the point! I mean come on, an honor student like you rarely talks about romance so when you do, of course I must know. I am your best friend after all."

Light cringed, chuckling. "There's nothing special about that."

"Pfft. Honor students like you are so busy with studying that you rarely have time for romance."

"What? No. Look at you, you're an honor student yourself."

"Yeah but I mean the pros, like you. The valedictorians, first honors."

"Just because I don't that about romance doesn't mean I don't think about it. But like you said, I rarely think about it."

"Ooh! So who is the lucky one?"

"Why do you want to know?"

You puffed your cheeks. Honestly you had no idea too. Let's just say you were... curious.

"I need to gather information. I need some information to sip. Either way I'll figure it out when I start my investigation."

"No."

"Augh- I'll disown you, Light Yagami."

He put his cup down, looking at you.

"It's not really possible to disown the person you like, you know."

The coffee that you were drinking almost came out of your nostrils.

"Don't have so much hubris on yourself. I can do a ten-paged essay about why you are so dislikeable."

"But you can do an essay about why you like me ten times longer than that."

"I am so going to hit your ugly being!"

His smile only grew wider, fascination twinkling in his eyes.

"Hit me with your sweet love, maybe I won't mind."

Not blushing wasn't really an option. He burst out of laughter as you'd been left speechless. You continuously punched his arm, but he never stopped laughing. And his laughter was indeed infectious.

As you two were having fun, you suddenly felt eyes on your back. You stopped and turned around, seeing Light's mother slyly smiling at the both of you as she slithered away towards the kitchen. You and Light avoided each other's gaze for a moment and blushed, finishing your coffees wordlessly instead.

"Well, I'll go change now. You wait here."

"Let me come with you-"

Light raised an eyebrow. "What a pervert you are, [Y/N]."

"NO! That is not what I meant!"

"Well what did you mean?"

"I mean, let me wait outside your room instead," You leaned in, whispering. "What if your mom comes here and talks to me? I mean.. I'm super shy around her."

He nodded in agreement but then he added, "There's no need to be shy around your future mother though."

'This smooth-talking bastard!' You sighed and rubbed your nape, 50% about to roll your eyes and 50% about to blush again. You knew what he meant by that. He had always been a tease to you. But you decided to play against his will.

"Wow. I didn't know that the Yagami family will adopt me someday."

"Tch, dummy."

"Did you just call me dummy?"

"What? Of course not! You really need to clean your ears. I said dumplings. Your cheeks remind me of them. And now I'm hungry."

"You are awful!" For the nth time in history, you hit his arm. "I'm really gonna disown you in one of these days. Now get your ass moving already so we can conquer the street first."

"Well you were the one constantly blabbering and delaying things here-"

"Beca-"

"Shut up."

"Pft. Fine." He pulled you up, holding your wrist even on the way back to his bedroom.

After about five minutes of changing to a plain white t-shirt and jogging pants, matching yours by the way, you two headed out the neighborhood. You picked up the rackets and shuttlecock you had left on the ground, handing him one.

"We don't really have a net-"

"Oh come on! This is just a friendly match, so there's no need for that."

"What about the scores? We can play somehow else if you'd like."

"That's not necessary. I'm making the rules, and the only rule here is that the opponent gets the score if you fail to prevent the birdie from hitting the ground."

"That's not how you play badminton.."

"I am well aware of that. I used to be a part of the school's badminton team, hello? But I make my own rules here." You grinned slyly. He shook his head. "There's no fun in this. You just woke me up to make me do some pointless things with you."

You were actually a little offended by that. You puffed your cheeks and crossed your arms.

"Is it bad that I just wanna have some quality-time with my friend? And to get my revenge, too."

What you said made his heart leap a little, and he was having a hard time resisting the urge to smile. But in the end, he only snarled against his own will. "Let's get this done quick. I'll make sure to destroy you."

"Oh, you wish."

And the game started. The eerie silence vanished, replaced by your grunts, pants, and intense movements. The sky was eventually transitioning from a dim purple to a pale yellow one as you two played, eyes focused on nothing but the shuttle, sweat dripping down your bodies. Light was just as determined as you were to beat his ass. The scores were being mentally recorded by you two-no cheating of course. It was a pretty fair game. One moment you'd be on the lead, but he'd take it, and you'd take it back, and the cycle continued. He was the worthiest opponent for you in this, and he thought the same about you.

The deal was a maximum of 50 scores. Currently, Light was leading and almost close to winning. Certainly you didn't want to get beaten so you struck the shuttle at a perfect angle with just enough force. It flew fast; you were sure he'd miss it. But his reflex was quick, and he struck it with a force much stronger than yours-but his flawed angle sent the shuttle flying higher than he intended it to, and it unfortunately landed on one of your neighbor's roof.

That neighbor just so happened to be the one you two-no, the whole neighborhood-absolutely detested.

Light rubbed his nape and laughed nervously, seeing your grimace. "I'll give the score to you then. So, you have an extra shuttle?"

"Unfortunately that's my last one." You facepalmed. You used to have lots of shuttlecocks but you just kept on losing them since everytime you play with someone, they'd either get destroyed in the process or fly too high and land on unaccessible places, just like what happened.

He frowned. "Seriously? What about inside your house? I'm sure there are a bunch of them tangled in your mess."

"I told you that was my last one. I haven't been able to buy more of them so yeah. But thanks to this nerdy friend of mine, I'm now left with none."

You were only being sarcastic, but it sounded way too derisive for him that he felt somehow guilty.

"Now what do we do.." You pouted to yourself. He averted his gaze which then met the ladder from earlier, a brilliant idea crossing his mind. But the last thing he wanted to do was to get involved, in any way, with that awful neighbor. A grim expression crossed his face and you saw it as you walked closer to him.

"Hey, I'm not actually mad at you, dummy."

"No- I mean, that's a relief. But I think I can retrieve it with the ladder. They might notice me though."

You snorted, but at least there was still a way to save that shuttle. You then looked at the sky. The sun was now rawly smiling at you. Surely those rogues weren't awake yet.

"You know what? I'll do it myself."

"Don't. You might fall. I'll go do it. It's a gentleman's job after all." He grinned. "Do you think they're awake?"

"I don't think so. The curtains are closed anyway."

"Alright. In case I fall, you stay below."

"Okay, Princess Light. I'll catch you using these strong manly arms of mine. Muah!"

"Ew."

Thankfully they didn't have a second floor so the ladder's height was alright- although still short. Once Light had climbed up, you stayed below, holding the ladder just to stay sure.

"Damn. How did it get that far?" He struggled to reach it with his racket, even with his arms and body stretched already. After a few valiant attempts, he sighed and steadied himself a little. He had an idea of climbing the roof but the risk of falling down in the process was high. And he certainly didn't want to squash you either.

"Well this is hopeless."

"Don't give up now, my princess!" You continuously poked his butt with the handle of your racket, causing him to give you a death glare, wobbling a little in his position.

"Are you asking to get squashed? Stop that or I'll fall on you."

"That was just to power you up, silly! Don't you dare fall on me."

"How about falling for you?"

"Bitch."

"Now now, don't say bad words!"

He chuckled and was about to continue his mission when suddenly, the curtains flew open, revealing a grotesque face of a woman staring at Light's crotch-because that's where the window was apparently placed.

Let's just say that you two never want to recall that twenty-minute rebuking that you swore went on even as you two had already left the neighborhood, heading elsewhere.

"That went well." Light heaved a sigh, poking your racket with his as you two walked side by side. You nodded.

"Mission failed. Geez, that woman just wouldn't stop talking and bombarding us with malarkey. I'm starting to hate her."

"To be honest who doesn't? The whole neighborhood hates her as far as I know."

"Pfft, right. So what do we do now?"

He poked your cheeks, and poked, and poked, before pinching them so hard.

"Stop your fetish for my cheeks! This is abuse!"

He laughed, a genuine kind. He didn't reply but put an arm over your shoulder. You puffed your cheeks and played along.

"Where are we going?"

"I'm a bit hungry. So let's head to the convenience store."

"Unsurprising but I didn't bring any money with me."

"Not a single cent?"

"Noooope."

"I guess it's fine since I'll be the one treating you. You should be thankful." You only smiled.

On the way to the store you noticed a group of older and drunk men resting on the side of the street. Their eyes pierced uncomfortably through you. You lowered your head, still feeling their laviscious stares nonetheless. Light also noticed this, and so he pressed himself to you. You hadn't even passed them and when you did, the inevitable came. They cackled, whistling and calling you by names as they rapped the table for attention.

You ignored them and thankfully, they didn't bother you more. "Those bastards." You heard your companion clicking his tongue in annoyance, looking back at the drunk men. He saw where their gazes were and it strongly disgusted him. There was an unnerving silence as you two arrived at the store.

You both had hotdogs with buns and ice cream which was your specific request and which Light reluctantly complied to. The two of you were sitting side by side, looking through the glass wall and discussing mostly about school projects and then some gossips which all came from you. After running out of food to munch on, Light went back to buy a huge bag of chips you two would be sharing.

The sky was now a saturated mixture of orange and yellows. People strolling outside were quickly multiplying until eventually the sidewalk got packed. Few vehicles came passing by. The day was starting for a lot.

"Those guys often do that to you?"

Snapping back to reality, you cooed, "Pardon me?"

"The drunk men we just came across with, was it the first time they've called you out like that?"

"Nope. They're always out drinking.." You saw him creasing his brows. "I know what you're thinking. Well they can't be help so don't think too much about it."

"Can't be help or not, that's still wrong. Did you see the way they looked at your curves? Those men reek danger for a young woman like you. Who knows what their next moves are?" Clenching his fist, he growled. He was truly worried for you. He knew how the world is full of suspicious people like them, and who knows that they're capable of doing?

"Now now worry-wart, don't be so angry."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? You should really start walking home with me early. Does it kill you to immediately go home after school even when you have no business there anymore?"

He got you there. "But I don't want to instantly go home."

"Keep thinking like that and you might never be able to go home again."

You pursed your lips at how scary he made that sound. "Listen, [Y/N]. In this world, there are only a few people you can actually trust. And those guys? They're not looking worthy of someone's trust, even one bit. They're also not the only possible threats to you. Anyone you don't know, or even who you're acquainted with, could be. Even if they look so charming. I'm saying this as a warning, and as your friend. The way they looked at you really triggered me. I can't let you continue your routine anymore. Sure, I know you're going to argue that there's lots of bystanders in case something happens, but that's not always the case. And we're not even sure if they'll help you or proceed to give a blind eye to it."

There came a long pause as you absorbed his words. Hearing them made you feel grateful for having a friend like him-someone who speaks up because he cares about you and your safety. You merely nodded with your mouth agape.

"..I-I'll do as you say then. Thank you Light, really. I appreciate your concern. You give the best advices.. I-you're one of the best people out there."

"Sorry to suddenly explode like that." He smiled, and your heart softened. You asked, "And so, by saying that.. You trust me?"

"Needless to ask dummy. I wouldn't have said that if I didn't."

"Thank you. You know I trust you too. You're one of the people who's worth my trust." You flushed pink as you scratched your nape. This kind of conversation will always make you shy.

"You don't have to say thank you to me for trusting you. And what you said.. You're worth trusting, too."

You didn't argue. The following minutes were silent as you two stared at the void while eating potato chips. You didn't have any new topics in mind, and he seemed to be lost in his thoughts-or his daydreams. You didn't want to interrupt whatever was going on in that complex mind of his.

You absently stood up, craving for another black coffee, but you halted and went back when you remembered you didn't have your own money.

"Oh? You want something?"

"I want coffee. Well- if you don't mind. Ehehehe."

"That I am not going to buy for you. That's going to be your third coffee and the day's only starting."

"Hmph. Forgot I have a mom for a friend. But anyway, you good? You seemed to be thinking about something rather serious earlier."

"Yeah, I'm fine." He smiled. Although he was really deep in thought of something-but what was it?

As he'd already said, he trusted you. He had been friends with you since middle school. He developed the ability to read through your mind. With you both growing closer day by day, he had already memorized your hobbies, your predictably unpredictable schedules, your common moods, your personality, and your flaws as a human being. Heck, he could even write an entire biography book about you with all the facts 99% accurate if he wanted to.

To him, you were fascinating, despite the fact that you weren't his ‘ideal’ girl. But as they say, some ideals are bound to get broken when something unexpected and much more interesting comes along the way. Sure, you couldn't read his mind as good as he read yours. You couldn't decipher and foresee what his next moves would be very well, wasn't in the exact same level as he was, but he grew attached to you. He trusted you, which was a rare thing for him to do-and consider the fact that trust is a hard thing to earn. You were an honest person, mildly annoying at some point to him. You're one that's willing to help others too. Rarely gets the initiative, but when you do, you execute amazing plans and actions.

The world is ugly, indeed, but he considered you to be one of those who made it less that way. You were one of the beautiful people in this ugly, mundane world. And that, he admired you for.

He couldn't see you as just a friend anymore. He could basically see through you, like you were his other half-like you were meant to be. You were someone he could connect with, someone he trusts, someone he could love. The label 'bestfriends' bothered him because he felt like it didn't suit you both, because something else did.

A couple.

And going back, what he was thinking about was the act of courting you and becoming your boyfriend. But doubts flooded his mind, such as you two being too young for romance, the possibility of your parents being against it since he knew you once swore that you wouldn't get a boyfriend until the age of 25 (which was actually a half-joke), and him not knowing what to properly do afterwards. Was he ready for this? Having you as his girlfriend wouldn't really change or affect anything such as his studies. It would still be the same.. just with an upgraded relationship and label with you. Besides, he had been wanting to court you for some time already. And if he doesn't do it then he'd only grow more and more restless.

He wanted to be yours. He was sure you also reciprocated his feelings. Getting into a teenage relationship is easy and quick and maybe reckless, they say, but not for someone with a complex and rational thinking like him. There were some things to consider- but you know what Light said?

'God damn it.'

"Love."

"Huh?" You weren't expecting that response at all.

"I mean I was thinking about romance."

"Ooh! Finally, you decided to add some teenage thrill in your life. So, what about romance?" You gave a sly look. "Need help? I can be cupid, except I will be hitting you with my fist."

His smile was little but genuine, looking out. "There's someone I like for some time now. I've been wanting to court her."

"Awe! My boy has finally grown! My son is finally having a love interest! Eh, but why do you look so uncertain? Is there a catch?"

"Not really." He looked at you, his cheek resting on his palm. You raised an eyebrow.

"If that's the case then go for it! Who would dare to refuse the Light Yagami anyway? If you're feeling doubtful, which is highly unlikely for you, don't be. Any girl would swoon over you, even myself." You chuckled. He gave a fake impression of still being doubtful, looking down with his hands now on his thighs. It was a rare sight to see. You placed a hand on his shoulder, tapping it. Just then, he looked at you straight in the eye.

"It's not like you to lose some confidence. Come on, don't be sad. You can do it. Go ahead and court the lucky one. Cupid approves." You gave him a thumbs up.

"..If you say so," he seized your wrist and stood up.

"Can I court you then?"

[lady-tortilla-chip]

Author Self-Interview

I was tagged by the wonderful @praetorqueenreyna! Thank you sweetie this was fun.

Name: Kodi

Fandom: Oh so many. The ones I’m currently the loudest in are Bungou Stray Dogs and ATLA! Though I do still write for the mcu and have written in a range of other fandoms from Black Butler/Kuroshitsuji to Terminator Dark Fate. And I feel bad about absolutely none of them. 😌

Where do you post: Ao3 all the way! Occasionally tumblr too, not all of which ends up on Ao3 for a number of reasons. Usually, cuz the fic is unfinished but I desire validation for what’s there anyway. X.X

Most popular multi-chapter fic: Probably His Hands Were Warm, which was my first fic on Ao3 and at 59k is…unfinished. 🙈 For multiple reasons but the biggest was that I couldn’t figure out how to write the climax and then as more time passed I realized there was so much I wanted to change about it. I have been asked multiple times whether I’ll ever go back to it and though the answer is yes I can’t actually say when it’ll happen or if people will just one day get a notif for His Hands Were Warm 2.0.

Most popular one-shot: I’m not proud to say it but A Little Hostility is absolutely my most popular one-shot and well, most popular fic period with a whopping 8k+ hits and just fifteen short of 700 kudos. The reason I’m not entirely proud of that is because my heart wasn’t totally in it when I wrote it. Twas a simple salt fic I wrote in the middle of the night after watching Infinity Wars again and getting annoyed at certain….elements of the movie. 😂 I mean. It’s a fine fic I just wish I could get that kind of appreciation for some of my other works.

Favorite story you’ve written so far: Hm. Hmmmmmm. Fuck I hate these questions because I don’t like choosing and I love certain parts of all my fics…… atm my go to answer is The Way He Flies which is, as I’m sure all of my followers are aware because I bring it up so often, my jetaang fic. It is, incidentally, probably my least popular fic in ao3 which makes me love it all the more. The biggest reason I love though is because I really enjoyed getting into Jet’s head!

Fic you were nervous to post: All of them Seriously though? Every fic I’ve ever posted for other people. Every single one I have felt excessively nervous about posting because I never want someone to read what they requested I write and be disappointed by the end product. (Which is why a b-day fic I wrote for someone took an additional six months to get to them…)

Do you outline: Not usually. I have outlines for a couple fics, one I was rewriting and another I have yet to actually start though the outline is and has been complete for a long time. Why haven’t I written it? Because the fic will be a MONSTER. 😅

Complete: None of my multi-chapters….🙈 All of my posted one-shots are though! (However a lot of them are awaiting follow ups…)

Do you accept prompts: I absolutely do! I have some unanswered ones in my inbox right now actually that I’ve started working on just haven’t finished lol. I will though! Because I hate hate hate to leave people hanging. (I’m sure some of my followers can vouch for that. Yes I make them wait but no I never fail to answer. Eventually.)

Upcoming story you’re most excited to write: Hmmmmmmm I really want to start my Zukaang Soulmate AU!!! I have been stumped for a long time though because I don’t want assholes coming after me for the way I want to write it. I want to keep their ages in the canon timeline the same but building a romance between Zuko and Aang with same age dif as Kataang concerns me. I mean. It did. Maybe it wouldn’t now that I’ve actually written zukaang with their existing age gap (that is bigger). 🤔 Something else which has contributed a bit to my stalling is how much I know it’ll take out of me because I’ll be adding to the lore of the world by implementing the soulmate stuff.

Stories you’re most excited to read: All my friends have stuff in the works I’m super excited about but I’m most excited for a continuation of the series Pocketful of Stones (by @thetpot), The harder the pain, honey, the sweeter the sun (by @foxy-knowledgeseeker), @praetorqueenreyna’s upcoming dark!zukaang fic, aaand the tysuki fic @shifuaang is writing!!!

Tagging: Ok so Helaina tagged all our mutual writer friends so I’ll tag @stargirl720, @athina39, @voodoosgirl1, aaaand anyone else who would like to!

[heniareth]

I was tagged by @scribbledquillz for this ao3/fanfic author meme. Thanks so much for tagging me! Now, there’s only one thing (I’ll explain as soon as I answer the first question). But first, tags. I’m gonna tag @yukichouji and @the-iron-lion because I know you write and post, but I also know you’re busy, so please, only do it if you want to and have time ^^ Apart from that, if anybody who sees this wants to give it a go, consider yourself tagged! I’d love to read your answers, so feel free to tag me back

How many works do you have on AO3?

So, here’s the thing: I’ve never posted anything I have written XD One day, I will, but until then, I’ll answer the questions I can answer to the best of my ability ^^ I’ll modify some questions and keep the original ones for anybody who wants to answer those.

What’s your total AO3 fanfic words count?

123.211 words total (not counting one absolutely massive collaborative fanfic that I’m not gonna count rn)

More under the cut!

What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Funny thing: thanks to this question I’ve rediscovered like ten folders with the beginnings of different fanfics I’d not opened in years. Thank you, @scribbledquillz for making me find my old writings! My main work rn is a Dragon Age Origins retelling (featuring Astala Tabris of course, though I have decided that the other origins--Surana, Amell, Brosca, Mahariel, the whole gang--also survive because yes.) I also have two separate unfinished pieces on Caduceus and Caleb of the Mighty Nein (Critical Role) respectively. Equally unfinished are one fanfic with Loki and his Jotunn heritage, and another about the extermination of mutants in the X-Men universe prior to X-Men: Days of Future Past. Both projects were ambitious, but exist mainly as ideas now. The longest (and oldest) fanfic I’ve ever written is a collaborative super self-indulgent self-insert fix-it fic for The Hobbit. I am quite proud of my younger self for pulling through with this one and sticking to it over such a long time. It is, sadly, also unfinished.

Do you Would you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I would definitely respond to comments. It’s polite. I’d also want to mirror back the joy a comment has inspired in me.

What’s the fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending?

The X-Men fanfic ends with the events of X-Men: Days of Future Past, which (spoiler?) means all the characters were going to die. But it’s okay because the movie fixes that ^^ But generally speaking, I’m not big on angsty endings. Angst is fine anywhere else.

What’s the fic you’ve written with the happiest ending?

I think it has to be either the The Hobbit fanfic or the Dragon Age Origins retelling. Characters I strongly identify with tend to get the happiest endings. Oh do I ever wonder why that is so

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

I’ve never written a crossover, but I’ve read some really cool ones. There was one featuring the Mighty Nein in the Undeadwood setting (both by Critical Role) that I wished had gone on longer bc it was so cool.

Have you ever recieved hate on a fic?

One of the good things about not posting anything: you don’t subject it to judgement ;D

Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

I have... never finished writing a smutty scene.

One day. One day. Zevran might be the push I need, who knows

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Another one of the good things about not posting anything.

Have you ever had a fic translated?

I started translating several of them myself! :D

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Oh yes! It’s an amazing experience. The creativity is squared. It is important though that all collaborators are on the same page about where the story goes, how the characters will be portrayed, etc. Especially if you give somebody your own OC or self-insert to write about.

What’s your all-time favourite ship?

There are a few that have a special place in my heart. Shadogast comes to mind, or Percy/Vex (from Critical Role). I love the Zevwarden ship because it’s a story about allowing feelings and romance and being stronger because of them (at least in my mind). I’m scared of what Fenris/Hawke might do to me when I get around to play DA2 XD

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

Definitely the The Hobbit fanfic. It is a glorious mess, and from time to time I go through the documents again... but it’s just a really big project and my collaborators are busy

What are your writing strengths?

Dialogue! Banter! I love it. I absolutely adore it. I make it way too long but it’s so much fun. I’m very much character driven I think, which is also why fanfic is so appealing to me. Actions speak louder than words, but characters shout through a megaphone. I also like pairing dialogue with very day-to-day, down-to-earth actions (like folding laundry). I feel like it allows me to convey so much more about the caracters than only through the words they say and the dialogue tags of “he said, she whispered”. Another thing I consider myself strong at is worldbuilding and generally keeping the practical things in mind. If it’s autumn, it’s probably gonna rain, the ground will be wet, they’ll sleep poorly and that’ll be reflected in heightened tempers and therefore more drama in the next scene. The fact that in canon a town has a harbor will have impacted this character who was born there. I like the details and puzzling the pieces together to make a world really come to life XD And, last, I have also recently learned that I write best non-chronologically, and to just write it all out and edit later. It does wonders to advance a project

What are your writing weaknesses?

Descriptions. I hardly write any at first. I normally see scenes very clearly in my head, but I... don’t communicate it XD I’m so character-driven that I kinda forget about the rest. I also tend to get too bogged down by the mundane? The fact that I like to play around with details of the worldbuilding and have it all make sense means I’ll write that scene where they break up camp even though it... doesn’t really add anything to the story apart from the fact that it happens and they indeed do break up camp. Things that I should tell, I show. It reflects in my wordcount.

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

I like it! I find it really interesting. I might even listen to the spoken dialogue via Google trnaslate XD The only reason it might bother me is that there’s just no elegant way to integrate the translation into the text on AO3. In a normal book, I’d go for a footnote, but in AO3 and with my chapter length, I won’t make anybody scroll down, read the translation, and scroll up again.

What was the first fandom you wrote for?

My first ever fanfic before I knew what fanfic was were things I wrote age 11 with a friend about the cowboy stories this German late 19th century writer Karl May wrote. We were obsessed with those novels

What’s your favourite fic you’ve written?

I gotta say the Hobbit fanfic. It was melodramatic, it was self-indulgent, it had everything. I remember staying up with my friends way into the wee hours of the morning discussing how we’d save Thorin and his nephews from certain death and why Kili was so obsessed with Tauriel after talking to her once XD

And here we go! Thank you so much again for tagging me, this was a lot of fun (and it makes me want to post something. Maybe the Dragon Age Origins retelling will make the cut? I do hope I finish it in the next months)

[lovethestars1966]

STEREK FBI/falsely accused fic

I haven't posted when I do chapter updates in a while (I know, I’m sure you were all just hanging on by the edge of your seat for them!!) but if anyone is still interested, I have just posted chapter seven of my Fic ‘Unforgettable’.

I know it seems like a daunting read because it’s a bit long and unfinished but I regularly post new chapters and I’m getting super good reviews from people who have read it. Like I’m not super confident about my writing so I hesitate to say it isn't just some sort of shared, intercontinental, delirium, but they like it and I think they're fucking awesome for it so you should give it a go too.

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/31853854/chapters/78866347

Excerpt:

Stiles watched Derek leave with a sentimental smile pulling at his mouth. It was so damn awesome to feel his touch again. He had missed it. Not more than he’d care to admit, since he had never been shy about expressing his love for Derek in the past, but certainly more than he thought he would. He supposed having the case, and Dereks life in the balance, was a fairly decent distraction though.

“Stiles I know you think this is a win.” Stiles threw a hand up, stopping his father from saying anything more while the last deputy wondered out the door behind his husband. Finally, they were alone.

He took a moment then. To refocus his mind. To pull it out of that blissful complete feeling he had now that Derek was once again free to come and go as he pleased, and directed it towards the absolute epic betrayal his father had orchestrated.

“You’re so lucky.” He hissed and this seemed to shock his father.

“I beg your pardon?” He replied indignant. Stiles shook his head, constantly surprised at the intensity of his fathers arrogance.  

“I said you’re lucky,” He repeated straightening up to face the man fully, disapproving glare pasted across his features. “Lucky that I never gave up, lucky that I have an incredible team, just so damn lucky that we were able to stop this clusterfuck from continuing any further than it already had.”

The Sheriffs glare hardened into a defensive type of anger and he crossed his arms at the accusations. “This doesn’t mean he’s innocent you know.” He growled and Stiles almost shouted in frustration.

He didn’t though, instead he laughed. Although it was with malice. “Do you even realise what just happened?” He asked but gave his father no time to answer. “You almost put an innocent man on death row. He would have died if it wasn’t for us, and do you know why?”

“I-”

“Because you were too busy finding a way to make this fit Derek that you almost missed eight other murders!” he spat, careful to keep his voice below a shout. The last thing he wanted for for the whole department to hear him.

His father had the good sense to look mildly ashamed then, “I made a mistake,”

Stiles scoffed, “That wasn’t a mistake, that was negligence.” He hissed stepping forward into his fathers space. “Any other case, any other team, and they would sue you for persecution so hard the city would have your job faster than you could blink.”

“I know,” he muttered. It was clear he hated not having the upper hand. “Stiles please you just have to trust me about him.”

“No!” Stiles faulted and raised his voice momentarily. He let a second pass so he could regain his composure and then tried again, “No,” he spoke with a deep warning in his tone, “This is how this will work. We are going to go home for the night, and tomorrow morning we will return back here, bright eyed and bushy tailed, and when we do, we are going to find the most open and cooperative sheriffs department, it’s going to look like it’s run by Mary-fucking-Poppins, and you will never make a single move to try and implicate Derek in anything, ever, again. No matter what evidence you have. And if you do, I will rain every version of false arrest, persecution, and harassment law suits known to man against you so unrelentingly you’ll think you’re a tax evading celebrity and I’m the king of the mother-fucking IRS coming to collect my gold.” He threatened menacingly and for a moment, his father actually looked scared. “Got it?”

Scared he may be, but the Sheriff was never one to admit to it. He swallowed loudly before narrowing his glare and nodding, but not without heat.

“Seems I don’t have a choice,” he commented and Stiles smiled sarcastically.

“Good, you’re catching on.” he said and then spun on his heel to leave the cells.

He hated being in there. He always had. Even when he was a kid and would come and visit his father after school he always avoided the cells. Which was odd considering he found a way to crawl in just about everywhere else. Still there was something about them. They just felt so… hopeless.

Stiles wasn’t surprised to find his feelings hadn’t changed in the years since. He’d visited many a prison, and they had all been as dark and soul sucking as the last one. He hated the thought that he had left Derek to rot in here for four days before he could get him out.

Speaking of Derek, Stiles had spent entirely too long away from him again.

[gas-station-trackphone]

Fic Recs/Mandatory Reading for Reddie fans

Here is an incomplete list of some of my favorite Reddie fics on ao3, because i cannot get over the sheer talent of this fandom’s wonderful writers! A lot of these are the Greatest Hits that you’ll find on almost every fic list, but that’s why I consider them mandatory reading. like if you haven’t read some of these, what are you doing?

the years go by like days by georgiestauffenberg, rated M

the 27 years in between, but better because richie and eddie stay together. every time i think of this fic, i think of that lady gaga meme where she’s like “brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, etc” and maybe it’s bc this is one of the first reddie fics i ever read, but this one is always gonna be my favorite

broken record by spunknbite, rated E

the mother of all time loop fics. every reddie veteran gets chills at the phrase “the house on Neibolt was still standing”

literally everything by stitchy

like seriously just clear a few days bc you’re not gonna want to stop reading this author once you start. no other author has made me literally fucking cackle in one paragraph and sob in the next like this one, pls do yourself a favor and devour all their works like i did 

the night we met (take me back) by camerasparring, rated E

ch2 fix-it where eddie shows up at richie’s door alive and with no memory. great slow burn with a wonderfully conflicted richie, 10/10

let’s hear it for my baby! series by cloudings, rated E

OOOOOOOHHH boy! a modern teen!reddie grindr AU that’s both steamy AND sweet?? more like a fucking blessing amen hallelujah

a heart that laughter has made sweet by marjaani, rated E

another lovely teen!reddie fic that’s got it all! sweet, stupid boys, humor, a teeny bit of angst, and some 5-alarm fire smut with some top eddie, as a treat

keep talking. i’ll keep walking toward the sound of your voice. by theappleppielifestyle, rated T

angst with a happy ending is my favorite, and this one is just fantastic. so sweet, so sad! and stan is featured as eddie’s afterlife buddy and idk about y’all but i cannot get enough of stanley uris in my reddie fics. read this, then read all this author’s reddie fics, they’re all amazing

collateral by loosecannon, sheepknitssweater, rated E

a post-ch2 fic that i guess could be classified as fix-it, BUT with some very interesting twists. they beat the clown, everyone lives, but no one really gets the tropey happy ending. the WIP sequel is also incredible and i live for the updates.

the greater fool  series by mischiefmanager, mostly rated T with some E

this is a series i’ll reread a lot bc it’s so fucking good. follows young reddie into early adulthood, mostly a bunch of cute shit where they figure out themselves and their relationship. also contains the single best teen reddie fic in existence, he came in through the window, but reading the whole series is a must

brokeback derry and everything else by Amuly, rated E

27 years in between, richie and eddie reconnect in their 20s and meet back up in derry twice a year to remember and love each other before going back to their lives and forgetting. so much pain. there’s a lot of sweet stuff in there, but you can see shit’s gonna get complicated from miles away and the anticipation almost gave me stomach ulcers (in a good way). ultimate angst with a happy ending.

let me name the stars for you by playedwright, rated M

speaking of angst with a happy ending...Martian AU!!!!! this one fucked me up in the best way, i literally called my roommate at 2am to vent to her about my emotions after reading it. i go back and reread chapter 8 just to be overwhelmed by it, and it makes me cry every time. plus, there are awesome sequels/companion pieces in the series! read this, i beg you!

walk through fire for you by hyruling, rated T

unwind after all that angst with some cute, drunk, confused eddie being very upset when he finds out richie is engaged. richie only teases him a little before pointing out the matching ring on eddie’s finger. 

in the heat of the summer (you're so different from the rest) by kaboomslang, rated E

post-ch2 slow burn with tags that really say it all, including but not limited to: eddie moves to california and richie is a mess, Eddie Kaspbrak’s Hot Girl Summer, and cute middle aged man dates

pivotal moments by danfanciesphil, polypocket, rated E

high school reddie has a sort of fwb thing goin on, but emotions get in the way. featuring wonderful bevchie friendship, hella miscommunication, cute double dates, high eddie, and a happy ending

like a bullet in the back by jerry_duty, rated M

adult idiots in love! a personal favorite trope of mine! slow burn with a fair helping of angst but a really great ending. richie stays with eddie in new york while he’s there on business, and it takes these losers SO LONG to figure it out but the way they dance around it is very cute

no sense of living without aim [WIP] by liesmyth, rated E

richie and eddie meet on grindr in the 27 years between and hey, whadda ya know, they fall in love! i really love this fic but i’m pretty sure it’s been abandoned. i’ve had it open on my phone browser for like 3 months with no update but i still check it regularly bc i’m pathetic and this fic is just so good i’m DYING to know what happens next so read at ur own risk

a strange sense of familiarity [WIP] by Katranga, rated E

another “they meet and fall in love without remembering” fic, and even though it’s not complete yet, it gets regular updates. oh, also, i’m obsessed with it. they’re long distance fuck buddies who can’t admit they’re in love, and then they get hit with the childhood memories! and everyone lives! what’s not to love!  also PLEASE read kisses take like mint and every other reddie work by this author, they are all fantastic

adult friends by sudowoodo, rated T

AU where adult reddie meet at a first aid seminar for work (immediately fall in love), become friends, become best friends, and finally get to be happy. has some super repressed eddie and intensely pining richie, which is always fun, and genuinely made me laugh out loud. also please check out this author’s other reddie fics, there’s some super sweet kid reddie in there that really warms the heart

the mind's a funny fruit by joldiego, rated T

eddie wakes up barely alive in derry, has 0 memory, calls himself richie, and moves in with some lesbians. an absolute must read that ought to be on every reddie fic rec compilation. i read this a long time ago and just thinking about it makes me want to read it again.

now what i'm gonna say may sound indelicate [WIP] by IfItHollers, rated E

it took me entirely too long to find this fic since i joined the fandom, and it’s truly a fucking masterpiece. it’s almost at 200k now and still unfinished, and the slow burn is excruciating, but this is a legendary fic for a reason. eddie spends the first chunk of this fic in the hospital recovering from the massive chest wound, and then he and richie move the recovery to ben’s cabin in the woods. the author’s notes for each chapter are a story in themselves

signs of a new lifetime by swordfishtrombones, rated T

one of the sweetest, most romantic reddie fics i’ve ever read. a fresh take on a classic concept: post-ch2, they’re in love, they haven’t said/done anything about it yet, BUT!!! it’s not angsty! they are all cute and giggly like “you say it first!” “no, you say it first!” and it makes me fucking MELT

broadcasting tower by swordfishtrombones, rated E

back-to-back recs from the same author! bc i love these fics so much! sort of similar to the last one in that they both know what’s up and just haven’t said it, but this one’s got the angst! i didn’t know when i read it that it was the same author as the other fic, and i thought how funny, i found another reddie author that perfectly captures this pair in such a wonderfully romantic way! i also just noticed there’s a follow up to this so now i have to go read that immediately

eurydice; the original comeback kid by Vulcanodon, rated M

for the love of god please read this and the other work in this series. it’s a ch-2 fix-it with some intense action sequences and major pining, and it has haunted me since i first read it

love on the telephone by tempestbreak, rated E

okay this one is really just 30k of pure smut but it’s also so sweet and features a mini sexual awakening for eddie and some insecure richie with an emphasis on how much they love and trust each other. also it doesn’t hurt that the smut is fire, like does anyone else want that twink obliterated, or is it just me?

the boy who loves you by candlejill, rated E

eddie lives, richie confesses, things are chill and then they’re not. richie’s career flourishes, which is always nice to read and is what ultimately catalyzes eddie’s gay awakening and realization of his love for richie. it’s got some sad angsty parts and a very sweet ending, and it up there as one of my favorite reddie fics of all time

richie and eddie break up [WIP] by skeilig, rated M

a refreshing and realistic take on life ch-2 for the losers, because being in love at thirteen doesn’t mean you can fall into a perfect relationship at 40. i’ll admit, i’m hoping this will ultimately be a “richie and eddie get back together” fic, but it’s still a very good read (and often very funny in the second chapter) at the moment in the midst of their break up

september 1989 and everything else by pineapplecrushface, rated T

cute kid reddie figuring it out and making me smile. the follow up to this and the after derry series by this author are also personal favorites

go west by ssstrychnine, rated T

road trip fic! an absolute work of art slow burn with teen reddie in the 90s. it’s so beautifully written i just wish i could go back and read it for the first time again

the edification of eddie kaspbrak by tozier, rated M

character study with some incredible fucking prose, my lord it gorgeous. explores how eddie learns about love as he grows up, and it’s super fucking sad sometimes bc the poor boy doesn’t know how to have the things he wants and i just want to give him a hug, but it’s really a spectacular fic

circular motion by sinchronicity, rated M

soulmate!AU that follows book canon and even though it’s been a long time since i’ve read it and the details are fuzzy, i remember absolutely loving it and thinking it was incredible

tell me you know by RichiesToesHurt, rated E

college losers with some severely pining and jealous richie with a lovely ending 

predicament bondage [WIP] by dgalerab, rated E

i resisted reading this fic for so long, recently broke and binged all of it, and now i’m like frothing at the mouth for updates. richie’s a closeted actor/comedian who meets eddie, a professional Dom, when he needs help researching a role. they become friends, they develop crushes, richie realizes he’s a sub, and it’s just so much fun to read

there’s a lot more fics to rec so i might add on to this in the future, but in the meantime my biggest tip for for reading fanfiction that took me embarrassingly long to figure out: focus on the authors! if you read something you like, check out the rest of the work by that author bc odds are you’ll like that too. i mentioned it in a few specific works above, but check out the authors catalogues for these fics. if i included every work by these authors that i loved, this list would be miles long

feel free to add on any great stuff i missed, there’s sure to be tons of it!

[syubub]

NAMJOON SOULMATE READING

Disclaimer~ tarot is interpretation and it is in no way fact. Take it with a grain of salt and lets continue

Oki. Let me just say some words. I forgot to take a picture of the cards BUT I made a video? You might be wondering, "why a vid?" And I'd say, "idk, nan mola." I might post it (I'd definitely have to make a YouTube channel for that and I'm not really intrested in doing videos that often but I honestly thought, "hey I should record so its faster to write it down and make sense of my thoughts" and then I was like, "well, if I do a video then I won't have to type" and that was intriguing but the video was over an hour long and I go on so many tangents its nuts (also editing who? Don't know her) I think its also nice to have written out version that just gets to the point (I personally prefer written ones because I have the attention span of a fucking goldfish) So long story short. Maybe I'll upload it for those who want to watch but if I do, don't wate your time if you dont want to. All the key info is written here. blah blah blah let's get to Joonie.

Right off the bat I just want to say that both him and his soulmate have the same energy color. It's like a silver-white color? (This is just how I personally perceive energy) Through the process of connecting with Nams and his Soulmate, I envisioned him putting his hand up to mine as a way to I guess channel his energy to me? It was like a stringy thing on my palm and then I mirrored him putting his hand over his heart and then to his forehead and then he was gone? It was like he gave me a tether to his energy which hasn't really happened before. It still felt kinda distant but still like I was trustworthy enough to have a line to him? Idk if that makes any sense or not but there. Now onto the soulmate.

I got some messages from his soulmate. I feel like we had a weak connection that was only there because Namjoons energy let me into it. So the first message was, "You need to leave her" wut. I asked my guides like, "hey, do I need to write that down?" And they were like yeah fam you gotta. Okay. I have no clue. Part of me thinks it was more of a warning to joon. Maybe his soulmate is cautious of people poking around his energy idk. It could be anything. So there's that.

For the other messages I got, "open your mind more", "You're strong, don't be taken for granted" and "ones own soul" that last one makes no sense to me but maybe you need to have iq 148 or be the soulmate of Namoo to get it. I think the others make sense. They are pretty self explanatory.

Now, onto the cards. So knight of cups fell out and I was like ?? And I asked like, "what do I do with this?" And it was v clear that this is his soulmates personality. Like this card represents the soulmate. Now. This is VERY romantic. Romantic af is all over my notes. Also, Joon knows his soulmate. I'm pretty sure. That might come in handy later. This person is in touch with their intuition and emotions. They are compassionate and understanding as fuck. Also I touch with their more feminine energy. I also made a note for a possible career in the art field. V v v loving. Also a possible Taurus, Virgo or Air sign. (I lean towards virgo) personality cards are damsel, warrior, judge, gossip and destroyer. This person is very strong and helps to bring perspective. They have a way of making you think in a way you never had before. I wrote down, "its like panning for gold, you bring up a bunch of shit. Stir up the riverbed, to find pieces of gold". Its constructive and organized chaos. (Art???) They make you consider things with a more critical and objective eye.

Okay, so the next cards are kind what his Soulmate brings out in him/what they help joon with. Justice rev. King of swords rev. And queen of wands. So Justice rev. Represents a lack of accountability, unfairness, dishonesty and favoritism. So I think his soulmate essentially checks him when he gets to close to any of these things. Like his soulmate is all, "hey, you made a mistake. I trust you'll do the right thing and right your wrongs"like this person essentially helps to point out what he might be too close to see. King of swords rev. Represents quiet power, inner truth, misuse of power, manipulation. So with this, his soulmate helps him to discover his inner truth and quiet power but also when he gets too... into it... it can turn toxic and become manipulative and he can maybe use his power in a not so healthy way. I don't think its conscious but its there. And for queen of wands, it represents courage, confidence, independence, determination. This is so cute. His soulmate amplifies all of these amazing qualities that he already has in himself. His soulmate encourages and fosters these amazing qualities. Its so cute. Its hard to really convey the feeling but damn. Its cute as fuck.

As far as the relationship goes we had the world, 10 of coins, 9 of coins and 8 of wands rev. So. They rich. They are so abundant and this is in a sense of self sustainability and stability as well as in a family sense. Now now now. Everyone is curious about joon and if hes married with kids and what not. Idk. Thats my answer. Idk. But he and his soulmate will def have luck in the family department (child or no). Now. With the world and 8 of wands rev. There is a sense that they might be on pause or that they are waiting for something to end before the relationship reaches its full potential. Now. With the 8 of wands rev. It can mean rushing into something (like kids and marriage) and I think that joon and his soulmate are smart enough to know that it might not be responsible right now. OR they have already rushed into it and are now keeping everything private until BTS enlist and go on hiatus. The world symbolizes a completing of a cycle (successfully) so that drives home that they are haulted where they are until they can start a new chapter. There is also a chance that they are acquaintances or something but won't pursue a relationship until later on.

Now we have Play, Boundries and Protection. This is also about the relationship. They have a very strong respect for eachother so they have very strong boundaries and they protect themselves and eachother. It's very healthy.

Now we have progress not perfection, ready to love and prosperity. They are so so so supportive of eachother and encourage eachother to grow and be better people. They both also have gone through a period of learning that they are worthy of love. They also have a prosperity mindset. Its about abundance and being like, "wow, I have everything I ever could have asked for" and they are truly greatful for all that they have. Theres also a feeling of money guilt from Namoo but I'll not go on a tangent for that.

Now we have stop obsessing, stop whining, and stand by your commitment. essentially the world is scary and these cards are to Nams from his soulmate. They essentially mean, stop obsessing about what you can't change and don't wallow in it. It doesn't serve you. All you can do is move forward. Also, making good on your promises. Seeing shit to the end and not leaving unfinished business.

Now now now we have the physical qualities: serious, long hair, gifts, physical touch, feminine, music, music (again), introvert, romantic, sweet, playful (I think its intresting bc I have a lot of physical descriptions in my little cards but pulled more personality...)

And for little cards that soulmate wants Joo to know: faith, Fate, seek, healthy, selfless

Now now now now. We have the finishing oracle cards. Dream a beautiful dream and going beyond normal. These essentially talk about seeing beauty in chaos, letting things not go according to plan and being okay with it, seeing beauty as it is instead of trying to fit it into a box. One of my favorite sentiments is along the lines of not trying to fit the ocean in a teacup but rather learning to swim and not confining something so vast into a small vessel. Don't confine yourself to please others. Live on the fringe of normality and push boundries.

TLDR: Namoo has a sweet soulmate who wants him to grow and become a better person. Its super great and supportive and he and his soulmate probably read books together and have museum dates. Soft af. A subtle domestic love.

[andyyoureastarr]

hi! I love your fic! :’0 it’s so good! I mean this in the nicest way and don’t mean to pressure you to finish it as I can wait and understand things take time but are you planning to finish it or is it on indefinite hiatus?

hi, thank you so much! i’m so glad you enjoy the fic and don’t worry, i understand if you’re wondering why the update has taken so long (can’t believe i used to update vort dogs WEEKLY what a time).

i’m definitely planning on finishing, and it’s taking a while but i’ll be posting another batch update relatively soon that will consist of the last 4 chapters of the fic, and then i’ll start working on the sequel. i really appreciate that people are still interested tbh.

i haven’t posted anything recently, in part because i’ve felt a little disconnected from the fandom (my fault lol), i’ve had some mental health issues this past year (haven’t we all?), and i’ve just really been super fucking busy with real life stuff. i know you didn’t ask, but that’s what’s caused this hiatus. i am really not the type to leave stuff unfinished, so i do plan on finishing this fic as well as the rest of the series. it’s just been tough for a few reasons, but, rest assured, i’m still hanging around and i’m still writing :)

[b-rainlet]

📓📓📓📓

- the-scarecrxw

(Since you sent 4 of those emojis I'm gonna go off but I'll stick to one in this answer and make seperate posts for the others aksnsns)

I can't give you anything Jonathan centric (that isn't Tommy/Jonathan, one of my fave rarepairs) but Jerome features in lots of my AUs.

This one is one of my faves that's entirely self-indulgent and if it ever gets written it's probably gonna be the longest fic I ever published (Again: If it ever gets written):

I gotta apologize in advance, it's just a fun little AU I haven't put too much thoughts into in terms of plotting so this is gonna be A. Long, B. Messy and C. A little chaotic

- First off, you gotta understand that @nsfwitchy2 Me had some fun with a pretty nonsensical and definitely not canon-compliant AU where Jerome and Jeremiah have three Mums (Tabby, Lee and Barbara, who all date) and live with them and Barbara Lee as their little sister.

- Ecco also lives with them, she sees herself as both the twins' gf more than a genuine part of the family tho (for now)

- (Meanwhile at Wayne Manor Alfred and Jim date and are very tired parents of Bruce and his clone 514A, in this AU - and pretty much every AU - nicknamed Brook)

- (Selina kinda goes back and forth between living at Wayne Manor or at Lee's place)

- Also, everyone dates. The twins. The clones. Eccomiah, Jecco, Batcat, Valeyne, Wayleska, they're all fucking

- Which isn't THAT important for this particular AU but I figured I'd give a warning xD

- This is mostly my attempt to give Tabitha some more backstory? Just...how I personally see her character and how I could see her end up if things would've went differently after S2

- The google docs file is called 'How Tabitha started being a Mum while disregarding canon completely' lmao

- Like her current life involves having 4 kids (if you count Selina) and two wives and that's a hell of an AU and I just like to overthink things and play with the way things would have needed to have gone in canon to have her 'end up' like this

- Also I can see her struggling with having a family all if a sudden (that isn't a manipulative brother or a weird cult)

-Especially if that involves Motherhood

- So on one hand it's a 'S2 until now' fic, explaining what happened to her in my canon

- But also - mostly because I find that easier to organize in my brain - it's interwoven with a 5+1-esque fic of all her children calling her 'Mum' (and her getting emotional over that)

- So it switches back and forth between the past and the present but for rambling's sake, I'll start with the past

- She still leaves Theo behind and flees with Silver but she keeps Silver close instead of immediately sending her away

- And her and Silver get taken in by Fish after they leave Theo because they have nowhere to go and Fish loves taking care of strays

- (Fish, who probably didn't end up in Indian Hill but rather lives in hiding until she is ready to strike against Penguin)

- She refers to herself as Liza's Mother in canon, you can't tell me she wouldn't instantly adopt Tabby and call her 'Honey' and give her motherly advice while Tabby tries to be all bite but actually enjoys somebody taking care of her for once

- Selina🤝Tabby

'Trying so very hard all the time to not show how soft and insecure they are'

- Actually, I'd start diverting from Canon even sooner aksnsjd

- Well not full on changing canon, but I'd...pepper in some stuff

- Like some scenes of her back with Theo and the Maniax

- Mostly her talking to Theo about Jerome's planned murder, which, yeah, she knows it's been set in stone from the beginning but that doesn't mean that she isn't talking about alternatives where he doesn't get killed off

- And Theo's like "Don't tell me you're going soft. No one will miss him. He was just a boy. Not worthy enough to be remembered."

- And later on she betrays him and goes 'I remember him'

- Anyway, they stay with Fish for a while but Tabby doesn't wanna keep Silver in Gotham

- So she sends her back to the school she went to before coming to Gotham with Theo (but makes sure their weird cult can't get their hands on her there)

- And Silver wants her to come with but Tabby says she has some unfinished business

- Aka she just doesn't wanna leave Barbara (who is in a coma atm, if Memory serves right)

- And Tabby's reasoning is that it's not safe in Gotham but really, she thinks she can't be responsible for another person

- "She needs a mother. A Family. I can't give her that." - "You are her family."

- So Silver's out of the picture and Tabby hangs with Fish until Barbara wakes up and they get together again (and never ever seperate)

- Also there's no Butch/Tabby because that was unnecessary as fuck

- And I gotta be honest, I haven't thought more about canon because Butch/Tabby alone makes my head hurt already but somehow they start dating Lee

- Who brings Jerome into the relationship because I sure am fond of Lee being Jerome's Mother (like as in, I have several wips with that concept alone not counting this one)

- Jerome probably came back to life after S3 and Lee fought to have him not be treated like a violent criminal but rather a child who was taken advantage of and after his release from Arkham (where she visited him and made sure he got some proper treatment) it seemed natural to have him live with her

- (But also he's still a criminal aksnsjs, you can see how much I thought about this)

- (Sue me for sticking to the heartfelt scenes and avoiding the mess that is plotting)

- Tabby and Barbara already had Selina and through Jerome, Jeremiah and Ecco were added et voila! Their Family is complete

- (Why exactly Barbara Lee exists if Tabby and Barbara have been non-stop dating since S2 I can't tell you, I simply think she is neat and I like the idea of big brother Jerome)

- (This AU? Self-indulgent? Why would you ever think that?)

- In the present however she is dealing with what is mostly referred to as 'feelings'

- Mostly panic at realizing that the bunch of weird children she's been living with are seeing her as some kind of parental figure

- Because suddenly they all call her 'Mum'

- Unsurprisingly the first one to call her Mum is Jerome at breakfast

- She's reading the newspaper and there's an article about a hostage situation the twins planned and he goes 'Mum, are you done with that? Can we see?'

- And they snatch it from her and argue about how they didn't even make the front page while Tabby nearly chokes on her coffee

- And of course she breaks down talks to her wives about it later while they get ready for bed because no one ever called her 'Mum' before

- Barbara's braiding her hair, while Lee's off to the side, getting ready for bed and it's very domestic and I am very gay

- But neither see it as a big deal because both of them have been called Mum before (by Jerome at least. Like. Immediately upon meeting them)

- So she's trying to be nonchalant about it because it's only a big deal if she makes it one

- While also not being able to deny the warm feeling that spreads throughout her body when Jerome keeps calling her 'Mum'

- Miah and Selina on the other hand are both hesitant to call anyone Mum

- Miah cause of Pride, Selina cause of her Mummy Issues

- But they both do at some point

- I think I have more notes on this SOMEWHERE but I kinda wanna have Miah call her Mum while he's ill (because we all know he'd be super fussy and want attention 24/7)

- So she humours him and while he's close to falling asleep - and she's totally not carding her fingers through his hair because she isn't soft or anything - he mumbles: "Thank you Mum" and she melts

- Selina would be more angsty

- Like, maybe it's her birthday and she disappears for a while (as she tends to do) but Tabby (who's closest to her) knows how hard this day is for her (since again her Mum isn't there with here and looks for her and brings her back home but doesn't make a big fuss out of her birthday

- Just...lets her be, gives her space but also lets her curl up close to her and maybe Selina doesn't call her Mum on that exact day

- But it's the day she realizes she wouldn't mind calling Tabitha her Mother, so she hesitantly tries it out a while later (maybe days, maybe weeks, however long it takes for her to feel comfortable with it) and they share a smile

- Then there's Barbara Lee, but she barely counts because she's a toddler and calls everyone 'Mummy'

- Even her father ajsnsnsn

- The last one would be Ecco because I have a very soft spot for Tabby and Ecco being close

- Ecco's rather formal with them for the longest time (she calls Barbara, Lee and Tabby 'Ma'am' for the most part because she may like them, but she doesn't think they see her as family. She's just the token girlfriend).

- So there's a scene where they connect, possibly over Tabby's hand and Ecco's head since I hc that Ecco gets headaches and migraines a lot (considering that she still gets shot in the head by Miah, like I said, this AU isn't necessarily the most bullet proof in terms of linear timelines)

- But so is Gotham so-

- So there's possibly a scene where Ecco's headache is getting super bad and no one's around (especially not Miah to dote on her) and Tabby awkwardly tries to bond by telling her about her hand and how she can't feel much (is a little clumsy with it) and Ecco immediately imprints on her like a duckling

- Maybe it's even the first time anyone reached out to Ecco in a way that feels genuine, especially without the twins or any of her (various) other partners being present so now she's willing to die for Tabby

- Which ends in her also calling her 'Mum' (while she keeps calling Lee and Barbara 'Ma'am' and Lee's so mad ajsnsjdj she was trying so hard to bond with this kid but couldn't quite get it right and you're telling her her socially pretty clumsy - but still wonderful of course - wife managed with just one conversation?? Slander

- And of course because I can't stop myself, there would be even more tidbits here and there of Tabby overcoming her previous way of living (as in, thinking caring or showing emotions is weakness) by having her reminisce a LOT about Theo

- For example by having Jerome climb into bed with her while Barbara's sleeping and Tabby is waiting for Lee to come home

- Lee works as a doc in the narrows which may be a little illegal, but the people didn't just stop needing help after her Queen of the Narrows arc was over, so I vote she keeps at it (and is held in very high regard for it by pretty much everyone)

- Tabby always stays up until everyone is home because she likes knowing where everyone is and that they're safe while Jerome has frequent nightmares and wanders around the house, so this isn't a rare occurrence

- And sometimes, they talk Theo

- "You miss him?" - "Don't know."

- "I wish he was still alive so I could kill him." - "....Me too." - "Which one?" - "...Both."

- (ajajsbssj this is all just copy pasted and cleaned up a lil', leave me and my pretentious way of writing dialogue alone)

- Tabby also has a lot of interludes where she thinks about what growing up with Theo was like/her childhood in general

- How she always protected him from other children bullying him and how they swore to have each other's back but how in hindsight, she was the one doing all the dirty work for him, helping him fulfill his dream and enact his revenge

- Realizing that he probably never cared for her, not like she cared for him

- There's also allusions to them having sex because you cannot tell me they did NOT have sex

- And it ends with Tabby realizing that she is quite happy with how she ended up, even if it's neither how she thought she would ever live nor what her old self would've even wanted, possibly seeing too many attachments as 'weak' judging by the way she canonly used Butch for convenience sake at first

- And yeah, maybe now she can provide the family - the Mother - somebody else desperately needs

- So she brings Silver home

[skywalkersthelimit]

Okay so I'm super nervous to post this but I wrote this one-shot for the #trikey fandom. Ive had this idea for awhile but I finally got around to writing it. It's based off the song Lips of an angel by Hinder. I think its perfect for Michael and Trevor lol so please let me know what you think and I hope you enjoy!

Honey, why are you calling me so late?

It’s kinda hard to talk right now 

Honey, why are you crying, is everything okay? 

I gotta whisper 'cause I can't be too loud 

Michael woke up to his phone ringing on his bedside table. He knew who it was before he even looked. He didn’t know how or why because it could have been a number of people. He reached over and grabbed the phone. His eyes squinted from the bright light. Trevor. He was both glad and disappointed he was right but he supposed he might have willed it to be. His thoughts had been filled with his crew mate, best friend and sometimes more, but that was before Amanda and the kids. Well that wasn’t entirely true. Every time they went on a job together, they fell into each other as soon as they were alone in their hotel room. Michael just couldn’t help himself. 

It had been a few months since he had seen Trevor though. He tried to put distance between them. He knew that Trevor had a hard time just sleeping together on occasions and understanding Michael had a family to go home to. Michael wanted nothing more than for his friend to be happy but he just couldn’t be the one to give it to him.

He stared as the phone rang and debated answering but he pictured Trevor’s face the last time he had seen him with tears rolling down his face, begging Michael to stay. His heart clenched and he answered.

“Hello?” he whispered. He looked over at Amanda still sleeping. He had to be quiet. He didn't want to wake her and have her find out who he was talking to. He didn’t feel like fighting tonight. 

“Hey." Trevor’s voice rang out on the other side of the phone. 

“Jesus, Trev. Do you know what time it is?” He flinched as the words left his mouth. He didn’t mean to sound upset but he did. 

Trevor laughed dryly. 

“Oh I’m sorry, Princess. Am I interrupting your beauty sleep? I thought I might call my best friend who hasn’t talked to me in months” he said coldly. 

“Trevor, if you want to talk you can call and you can call during the day.” Amanda moved next to him. He had to be quiet. 

“Works both ways. If you wanted to talk you would have called. But you didn’t.” His voice cracked and ended in a broken sob. Michael hated himself a little more. 

“T, why are you crying? Is everything okay?” he whispered. He wished he was there with Trevor right now. He would pull him into his arms and hold him until the tears stopped like he always did. 

“Speak up M. I cant hear you" 

“I have to be quiet or I’ll wake up-" he let his sentence go unfinished, trying to be careful not to set T off. 

“Ah, of course. Wouldn’t want to wake the Mrs. I’ll let you go." He could hear the anger, the jealousy, the sadness, and the pain in Trevor’s voice. 

“No!” he said rather loudly. He snapped over to look at Amanda, who just turned over on her side away from him. He sighed. “Don’t go. Just- Hang on.” He got out of bed quietly and snuck out the room. He grabbed his cigarettes off the counter and sat down on the couch, lighting one up and taking a deep inhale and exhale. He wasn't supposed to smoke in the house, but fuck it. 

Well, my girl's in the next room

Sometimes I wish she was you

I guess we never really moved on

It's really good to hear your voice saying my name

It sounds so sweet

Coming from the lips of an angel

Hearing those words - it makes me weak

And I never wanna say goodbye

But, girl, you make it hard to be faithful

With the lips of an angel

“Now tell me what’s going on, Trev. I can't be too loud. Mandy and the kids are in the other room asleep" he explained. 

“I-I don’t know. I just needed to hear your voice.” Trevor replied quietly, his voice soft and tight like he was trying to stop himself from crying. Michael wondered what had him so upset. He had heard he had a boyfriend of sorts from Lester and apparently they’ve been doing jobs together for L since Michael saw T last. When L told him, he saw red. He got wasted and wound up outside screaming and crying at the night sky. Trevor was his, but he wasn't and he never would be. He didn’t want to but he hoped Trevor was calling to tell him he left that guy and to ask when Michael was coming back to work, to him. There was also a chance Trevor was calling because he was drunk and cranked out. Either due to said guy or something else or even for the hell of it. He might be in trouble or lying somewhere drugged out.

“Is it that guy you’re with?” Michael realized how incredibly jealous he sounded but maybe he was. Maybe he missed being on the road, never staying in one place too long. Maybe he missed the thrill of the job, and maybe he missed looking over in the middle of a heist and grinning at Trevor who was grinning just as hard back. Maybe he missed pulling Trevor into a hard kiss as soon as their hotel door shut and having the most passionate nights of his life, and then falling asleep in his lover’s arms. Maybe he even missed the times they just sat on the bed and talked for hours about any and everything. Maybe sometimes he wished it was Trevor who was in the other room, waiting for him to come back to bed. 

“How-how do you even know about that?” Trevor asked, sounding surprised. 

“Lester.” 

“Of fucking course. Well not that it’s any of your business but he's asleep. It ain’t like he’s my boyfriend or anything. You know I ain’t they settling type. There’s only one exception. Fuck. I miss you, Mikey.” He sobbed. 

“Trev-" 

“It's okay. I understand. It’s just so good to hear your voice, Mikey.” There goes that nickname again. A nickname only Trevor called him. A nickname that sounded so sweet coming from Trevor’s lips. Like an angel. A fallen angel maybe. 

“It's really good to hear your voice too T. Mikey. That’s a name I haven't heard in awhile” he said fondly. 

“What, too good to be called Mikey anymore?” T said annoyed. 

“No, not at all. Although you are the only one who calls me that, but I like it.” He felt his cheeks flush and his heart flutter as he spoke. 

“Yeah?” 

“Yeah. Now tell me what’s going on please."

“When are you gonna do a job? It’s been months. We miss you out there. I miss you. I-I need you, Mikey. Please come back to me. I can't stop thinking about you. You haunt me every waking moment, and even in my dreams. Do you dream of me?” Hearing those words made Michael feel weak. He almost told Trevor he was on his way, grabbed his car keys and left without a second thought, but he couldn’t. He wouldn’t leave his children. He might do a few jobs now and then but he wouldn’t choose that life over them. No matter how bad he craved it, craved him.

It's funny that you're calling me tonight

And, yes, I've dreamt of you too

And does he know you're talking to me?

Will it start a fight?

No, I don't think she has a clue

“Trevor, I-I want to be there. You know I do, but I got Tracey and Jimmy to think about, but I think about you too. All the time. Especially lately. It’s funny you called. And yeah, I’ve dreamt of you too T.” He didn’t know why he was being so open about this, about whatever it was between them, but hearing how broken Trevor sounded and how it matched how he felt inside, he knew they both needed to hear it. To hear that Michael cared about him, that he missed Trevor just as much as he missed him. 

“Oh yeah? What’d you dream about, cowboy?” he asked and Michael could picture his thick eyebrows wagging. He laughed, genuinely laughed. Something he hadn’t done since the last time he saw Trevor. 

“It wasn’t like that. Well not all like that.” Now it was Trevor’s turn to laugh. 

“Tell me.” He told Michael. 

“We were in a nice house, our house. We were happy.” He whispered, afraid of the way his dream made him feel. He didn’t want to dream of Trevor, of their future that would never be. He wished he could let Trevor go, but he didn’t think he ever fully would. 

“It doesn’t have to be a dream, Mikey. The kids can be in your life, our life.” Trevor pleaded. Michael had to change the subject before he agreed. 

“What about that guy you've been seeing? Does he know you’re talking to me? Won't he get mad?” 

"I told you he's not my boyfriend. I don't care if he gets mad, but no, he doesn't know I'm talking to you. He doesn't know anything about you except you're the great Michael Townley, expert thief. He actually wants to meet you." Trevor laughed dryly at that. "What about Amanda? Does she know you're talking to me? Does she know anything?" 

Does she know anything, meaning does she know when Michael goes away to work he all but forgets about her? Does she know that his nights with Trevor are filled with more passion than their whole marriage has ever seen? Does she know that Michael's heart will never fully belong to her?

"No, no I don't think she has a clue, Trev." He sighed. The guilt constantly ate at him and he tried so hard to be the husband she deserved, the father his children deserved, but he never would me. He belonged to the game, to Trevor, but it didn't matter. How he felt didn't matter, couldn't matter. He would push his feelings down to the bottom of his heart with a smile. 

"Mikey. I miss you so much. So much it hurts. I can't get you out of head, out of my heart. I've tried drugs and alcohol. I've tried fucking anyone in sight and even getting a wannabe you, but nothing works. I've tried telling myself you're better off with her, but you're not. You're miserable and so am I. Please just do the best thing for you, for us." He begged through sobs. Michael could hardly make out what he was saying.

He felt tears rolling down his face. He felt Trevor's words stab his soul. He tried to drown Trev out too. He drank so much even he was worried. He smoked several packs of cigarettes a day. He went to strip clubs almost every night and almost every time he brought one of the girls to his car or a hotel for a quick fuck. He just wanted to feel numb, to never know the pain of loving someone you could never be with. What was that saying? It's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. He wasn't sure if he agreed, but inevitably he did. He would feel this pain a thousand times just to know what it was like to love and be loved by this man. What it felt like to lay in his arms as he rubbed his back and kissed his head. He couldn't give that up. He wasn't ready for that. 

"I'm gonna call Lester tomorrow and get a job set up. I'll let you know where to go. Everything will be okay. I'll see you in a few days. I promise. Okay?" 

"Yeah okay, but what about-" Michael cut him off. 

"We'll talk about everything then." He knew he was lying and Trevor probably did too. They both knew he would never be able to leave his family and that pretty little white lies would have to suffice them. 

"Okay Mikey, I'll see you in a few days. And you better show up" he threatened, half jokingly. 

"I'll be there, Trev. And Trev?" 

"Yeah?" 

"Next time call me during the day" he said chuckling. 

"Yes princess. See ya soon Mikey." He said before hanging up. 

Trevor just makes it too hard to be faithful and Michael was weak. 

[ghostcat3000]

Fic Writer Interview

I was tagged by @irazor​ and I’m late on my reply. sorry. my apologies.

Name: ghostcat3000 here and Ghostcat on AO3

Fandoms: SKAM, Call Me By Your Name, The Defenders/Jessica Jones, Daredevil, Veronica Mars, Gilda, The Clouds of Sils Maria, You’re the Worst, The Zero Effect, New Girl, The Handmaid’s Tale

Where you post: AO3 (link above)

Most Popular One-shot: II. Andante, which, while technically part of a larger series, can stand-alone. For CMBYN, romantic dithering in late ‘80s NYC. 

Most Popular Multichap: Also, technically part of that same series, but III. Rondo: Allegretto Moderato. A first-person exercise in fevery Id. CMBYN and could be read as a stand-alone but works best when read after the story above.

Favorite story you’ve written so far: My favorites are almost always stories I am currently writing. In this case, it will be:

1. My SKAM Nordic noir AU Rest Easy which is my first time writing a proper, plotty genre story. I really love these versions of the characters and the whole vibe of the piece. A labor of love with ten readers and I know them all by their actual names. Everyone else will be like, que?

2. [spoiler redacted]* (*not the actual title) which I am currently co-writing with @irazor​ since--checks chat--October of last year. It was supposed to have been a porny one-shot but it has become a long, tonally complicated love story. It is so profoundly lovely in parts (Raz) and incredibly fucking goofy in others (me). We’ve written it with a lot of laughter and love so we hope our readers love it as much as we do.

3. For posted stories, I’m going to say Five Stages of Grief (The Never Mind The Albatross Remix). It’s a remix of an excellent story by igrockspock but it’s about something else entirely and it’s less than 1k words. It’s very simple but I think it packs a punch.

Fic you were nervous to post: Probably IV. Finale: Rubato e affettuoso, also from the CMBYN Piano Sonata in G Major, "Pense-bête" series. It’s so tricky, structurally, it has to mirror the final movement of a sonata, which are the previous chapters...and it’s smut-heavy, but like, feelings porn heavy on the characterization piece. I worked super, duper hard on it and kind of lost it a little. I really liked parts of it a lot but I had a feeling it wouldn’t be well-received. There’s still one chapter left and a part of me thinks that maybe an unfinished sonata is the way to go. I know how it ends, which is well, so I know I’ll finish it eventually. I have a few dedicated readers that I definitely think deserve a good landing on that one.

How do you choose your titles: Song lyrics usually. Or poetry. Something relating to the story itself.

Do you outline: In my head. 

Complete: I have four unfinished stories. This is why lately I have been trying to post only when a story is complete. So I can stop being that person.

In progress: See above. Plus bits and bobs of some very strange AU ideas, one of which will definitely be part of... 

Coming soon/not yet started: ...SKAM Big Bang 2021, which I am helping to moderate. The stories I am juggling have the TBD titles of: Slug Juice, Rødekornet, and Drinking the Kool-Aid. Plus a Killing Eve AU that would disappoint everyone.

Prompts?: I don’t do prompts because I will fuck up your prompt so hard that you’ll be left wondering what you did to deserve such horrors.

Upcoming work you’re most excited about: Good ole [spoiler redacted]* and Rest Easy, fo sho.

Tagging: no pressure of course @ferrame @blithers @angel-in-new-york-city @isaksbestpillow @etal-late @teejaysnow

[letteredlettered]

Hi. I'm sorry to bother you with this but I respect you so much as an author that I thought I could maybe ask you for advice. Recently one of my wips became very popular and I'm feeling a lot of pressure from my readers. I feel like everyone is talking about my story and I fear that I will disappoint people... How on earth do you deal with that? Your fics are very, very popular. I was wondering if this "pressure" is something you have ever dealt with? Thank you and I'm sorry for bothering you.

The biggest way I deal with it won’t really be helpful to you at this moment in time: I usually don’t post WIPs. I couldn’t really handle people asking about my fic, and I couldn’t handle the thought that I could let people down. After one I was posting that became really stressful, I promised myself that I wouldn’t do it again. I’ve failed in that promise twice since then, but I will finish By The Grace because it’s written for someone else, so that means only one failure so far. Yay.

But yes, I have experienced this. I got stressed. I got worried. I have pretty bad anxiety, and having too many people interested in my work made me anxious. That made it hard to write, and then I felt ungrateful.  I thought I should just be grateful that people like what I write. I thought I should be able to forget about readers entirely when I wrote; I thought that whatever I was writing before people started caring was good enough to make them care, so I should have the same confidence to keep writing. I thought the idea that feedback that was positive could bring me down was ludicrous. I thought it was a made up problem, something I created because I always find things to be anxious about, as if something in me didn’t ever want to be happy and calm.

Whenever I get really wrapped up in myself like that (some people call it spiraling), I realize I need to talk to someone, but the hardest thing about it is it can be difficult to talk about. People think you’re complaining about being popular. You’re not, but you understand why they think that.

Your friends who know and understand you comprehend that you are not complaining about being popular, but they might still feel bad. They might find it difficult to comfort you, because hearing you talk about how you feel reminds them of how they feel, and how they feel is that they would like to have the problems you’re having, because at least it would mean people were reading and enjoying their works and letting them know about it. Even if they don’t find it difficult to comfort you, you may worry that you’re causing them pain. And honestly, I know I’ve caused pain before.

You didn’t ask for my advice, but I’ll tell you what helped me: talking to friends who don’t write. Talking to friends who aren’t in fandom at all. Or, talking to other people whose writing is really popular. BNF cliques are a thing, and they’re not cool, but sometimes there’s a reason people whose writing is really popular gravitate toward each other, and sometimes it’s because there are feelings associated with it that are hard to discuss. I don’t really know any BNFs, but I do know some people who have experienced feelings of pressure from fans, and frankly it’s such a relief to have someone who understands and wants to talk about it. Knowing there’s someone out there who understands really does help me feel less stressed.

Two other things that helped me: once, I broke down and told people how stressed I was about finishing the story and making them happy. I wrote an A/N about it. Most people stopped asking, and most people were deeply sympathetic and kind.

The other thing that’s helped me is seeing that while people seem invested, you’re not truly going to hurt them if you don’t finish or if they don’t like the ending. Some people might get mad at you, but in the end, they only lost a little time reading your story, and plenty of other people don’t even think of it as time lost. Plenty of people are okay reading unfinished WIPs, despite what you may think. Two of my favorite fics were WIPs that were never finished. One, I was pretty sad to see abandoned, but I still love it. The other, I was perfectly satisfied with what I’d read, and didn’t really feel a need for more (though I think I recced that a while ago and someone told me it had actually been finished? As someone who actually doesn’t always finish things I love the most, perhaps this is a me thing, but again. I’m not alone!) I know for a fact that there’s at least one person who’s super bitter I didn’t finish a fic from 9 years ago, but they’re an outlier. Most people don’t hold grudges. They move on. They get over it. It was a story. It could have changed their life! Or it didn’t. They’ll read something else. You want to write something life-changing. But you have other stories to write too.

I’m really sorry you’re going through this, and I feel so much sympathy for how you feel. I wish there was more that I could say that’s comforting or reassuring, but maybe one of the nicest things to me is knowing I’m not alone.  I hope you know you’re not alone as well.