#ok ok enough of me sappy rambling

[the-toybox-general]

Okay, I may have already sent a bunch of asks and stuff like that but...

I wanna talk about how I discovered Boss in the first place, and why he's my favorite.

It was 2021, a few hours after I caught a Guzzlord in the Max Lair (Crown Tundra, Pokémon Sword).

Out of curiosity, I was like "hm, I kinda wanna make a Guzzlord character. Let's look for inspiration!!"

It was a trial and error type situation, with most people's Guzzlord OCs being very uhh... disturbing .

(because some people are fetish driven creeps)

Then BOOM, Boss appeared, preferably this drawing of him:

And I was like "WOW!! That's a really cool OC!!!"

I never made a Guzzlord character after that, because I didn't want to copy yours.

buuut I got just a little bit inspired and created my beloved non-Pokemon character Eli, who is one of the characters for a story I'm currently working on

This is Eli:

I think I was mainly inspired by the dragon theme and the fur-lined jacket

I've been drawing him for almost 3 years, so...

Is it okay if I say thanks??

For creating Boss and inspiring me to make a character I love???

Because I honestly wanna thank you, like a lot.

And also I enjoy learning more about Boss, since I was very interested in learning about him when I first saw the drawing, so I wanna thank you for being open to talking about him :]

IM !! UNDERSTANDING YOU SENT THIS A FEW DAYS AGO!! I've been trying to respond to this in a way that isn't JUST me rambling /complimentary BUT !! MY WORD!!!

I appreciate you sharing all of this and it really really touches my heart!!! The fact that I can create characters and art that inspire people to also create their own original works and characters is something I've always wanted to embody with my work !! Hearing about all of this is so so very sweet!!! Remember that even with the inspiration my work may have given that YOU'RE a big person to thank all the same!! without you Eli certainly would never have existed!! ( and what a slightly darker world we'd be in without the light of another amazing character out there!!!! )

Thank you so much !! and the kind words and implications that my design for Boss stood out to you so much even compared to some of the other baller Guzzlord ocs I've seen out there!! ( side-stepping any conversation on the nature of nsfw designs as I usually avoid such topics here on my blog - but here's to hoping public SFW searches can one day be a little more safe-guarded from NSFW content if that's how you came across them! it can be shocking in SFW spaces! )

As a final!!! I absolutely loved seeing Eli and sort of meeting him!!! I hope that passion definitely continues on for you! and you can NEVER go wrong with fun themes and a fur jacket (❁´◡`❁) !! ( oh so personally guilty of giving many ocs fur jackets )

Thank YOU for sharing and being amazing ( and all of the kindness!! )

[emphasis-on-the-oopsie]

Me when people like my fic: are you fr

[spectrearia-archive]

OMG ITS HAPPENING

2 DAYS UNTIL APOTHEOSIS?!?! aaaaAAAAAAAAAA

[shawoluvs]

People handle grief in their own ways and I don't like to judge people on how they process loss but something about shorts and tiktoks and videos made with some sad, generic pop song playing over video clips from a celebrity's funeral gives me the ick. There are ways to remember people and if you knew someone personally then maybe it'd be different but there's something off about it that I can't put my finger on.

[gentle-sniffles]

Can't believe it's been a year since I found snzblr. A big shout out to the amazing community that made me feel less alone 🌺

[ypipie]

not to get parasocial on here but god my mutuals are socool

[bones-of-a-rabbit]

infodumps abt a new au idea (the demon-familiars au, or the un-familiars au)

TL,DR: Reader is a witch/wizard hired by a town to handle a poltergeist/demon problem (Vanny has a cult and is trying to summon demons lol), but they aren't very good at being a witch/wizard and after a bunch of 'throwing things at the wall to see if anything sticks' and absolutely nothing working, they, in a panic, kind of accidentally summon Sun and Moon, who are equally shocked to see them and after a bunch of staring at each other like ?????????? reader ropes Sun and Moon into helping them and hides them in plain sight as their 'familiars' until they've taken care of the demonic cult problem, promising to send them home as soon as things are ok again. PLOT TWIST THEY GET ATTACHED TO EACH OTHER AND KISS PROBABLY HAHAHAAAAAA

(the long initial ramblings/brainstorming i did w the space aces in discord is copy-pasted below, if anyone wants only vaguely coherent ideas n concepts abt this au and ur willing to torture urself, go nuts w it ig lol)

taken directly from the space aces discord, i present: the reason all of my aus are barely coherent and somehow overly thought through and barebones all at once, as shown by the following example (unfamiliars au edition)

weird silly demons/familiars Sun Moon au where Reader is a (less than talented) amateur witch/wizard trying to lie themselves into a position of relative security (bc theyve had to move three different times bc towns shun n drive away witches/wizards that proves to be unhelpful) and they werent actually trying to summon sun n moon so they end up getting them involved in their scheme but oops there is some kind of other demonic threat that is actually a big problem and oops oops now we have to seriously work together to not get killed by the other eviller demon or the cult summoning it while also fooling the townsfolk into thinking that u r competent and have everything under control

Sun and Moon, a couple of demons just chilling when suddenly summoned to the material world: what in the heck Reader, having just performed a spell/ritual they've never read the instructions for backwards and facing the wrong cardinal direction: SHUT UP AND PRETEND TO BE MY FAMILIAR FOR A MINUTE OR WE ARE BOTH GONNA GET KILLED, BURNING-ON-A-CROSS STYLE

hhhgj i just had. a rlly sappy idea for the 'familiars' part

basically like. witches n wizards naturally end up casting their own 'summoning' spell for their familiar at some point, most of th time when they are really starting to understand and control their magic? so to see a witch or wizard without one it's like 'wow they're a beginner' or 'something is wrong with them, why dont they have a familiar??'

so Reader asks Sun n Moon to pretend to be their familiars partly bc 'uh oh i summoned two whole entire demons without even meaning to i have to make this look intentional' and 'if i have a familiar the people will assume im a Real Witch/Wizard and respect me more'

and at one point when they r getting to be like, actual friends instead of 'weird roommates', Sun gets curious bc ofc he does

Sun: Soooo,, we're your pretend-familiars? Reader: Yea Sun: Sooooooooo,, do u not have a familiar? I've never heard of a wizard with no familiar Reader, visibly upset/disappointed (in themselves): Yeah, well, it turns out it's only the witches and wizards with actual skills that can summon familiars. So. Couldn't tell you if I've got one or not, I've never managed a proper summoning spell. Sun, foot in his mouth: oh,, Reader: Yep.

and then later. It turns out. There are ways to make a demon into a familiar! Turns out in the distant past some wizards used to make demons they frequently summoned for spell/magic services into familiars bc it was way easier than just doing the entire summoning ritual every single time

but at this point, Reader and Sun n Moon are close enough to be good friends, and Reader doesnt want to force that kind of permanent connection on them, they probably just want to go home, theyre probably sick of being here and being around u, and,,, u get the idea

and Sun n Moon dont wanna force that kind of permanent connection on YOU bc what if ur sick of them, or ur tired of feeding and housing them or putting up with their jokes n bickering, or maybe after everything u really dont want anything to do with demons!!!

so there's a lot of sad pining that none of them know abt

bc ofc they r all idiots in this au sorry thems the rules

and then at some point there is some big threat/place they have to go to, or maybe Reader gets injured in a fight, idk take ur pick, anyway in a heat of the moment panic Moon is like 'HEY U WANT US TO BE UR FAMILIARS RIGHT??' and reader like barely conscious is like 'w??? yea??????' thinkin he means the pretend thing theyve had going on

anyway spur of the moment/'im doing this to save ur life bc i love u' familiar binding spell/ritual performed BAM now ur stuck together

and when everything is calm again n the fighting is over reader looks at Moon and is like 'so ur like,, my actual familiar now,,' and Moon, sweating bullets, unsure if this is rlly what u wanted or if u went with it out of fear of dying, is like 'yyyyyyyyyes?'

and reader starts bawling their eyes out and kisses him bc this is like. th dream scenario to u

anyway reader n sun n moon are th worlds least likely wizard/familiars combo but somehow they r absolutely unstoppable together thank u for coming to my tedtalk

[alexxncl]

‼️NIGHTBRINGER HDD CH. 4 SPOILERS‼️

masterlist | events | ch. 3

do we really not get to kiss them ??? not even during hdd???

...i'm in here complaining like i'm not a lesbian but MY POINT STILL STANDS ‼️

ofc asmo has something with "aphrodisiac" in the name. like what if it was actually an aphrodisiac ???

ik he wouldn't do anything like that against mc's will but however, in the instance that it was consensual, would your nails even dry fast enough before the shit started to kick in ?? like what if you're too horny to function before the polish dries ??? then what

imagine being such a bad cook that you fuck up sandwiches. LUNCH. MEAT. SANDWICHES. are you not embarrassed?

also how is mc getting from place to place to place so fast ??? teleportation ???? bc in the og timeline it kinda makes sense, though i feel like they'd be more tired than they are rn. in nb though? it makes no sense at all considering the fact that their powers are consistently weakening. which makes me think that this is either the og timeline or some undisclosed au

uncontrollably sobs. curls up into a ball and dies. implodes into a black hole.

i love sappy sentimental satan I LOVE CHARACTER GROWTH. the thing is, this can be said about the satan from either timeline. nb satan was more mentally and emotionally unstable, but that doesn't mean satan from the og timeline(s) didn't feel just as isolated as this satan did, if not even more so

imagine still not feeling like you belong after living with your "brothers" for millenia? having to act like you're ok and fine with constant isolation and ostracization from the people you want to love, the people which want to love you, but being unable to find common ground and pushing each other away even more than before

THEN SAY I LOVE YOU BACK 😐 i hate this man but i also love him but i also hate him but i also. more on this here bc i rambled too much

i couldn't NOT add my man like c'mon

maybe he clings to them so much because he knows they won't judge him offhandedly like his brothers do? bc they won't assume the worst of him at first glance? idk i feel like, other than the obvious reasons, there's more behind why he busts into mc's room unannounced all the time. being alone with self-deprecating thoughts is hard, and having someone else to fill the silence and the negative space with something positive does help

or maybe i'm reading too far into this and being biased bc thats my man

even if the throne wasn't based around bloodline, unless they become immortal, they wouldn't be able to be next in line anyways 😭 mc is nawt passing those trials diavolo went through either. no ma'am

the king's crucible ?? is that what it was called ???

honestly i can't lie, mc being the center of the world bc they're the center of the boys' world is cute. corny, but cute

damn they're that sexy ??? bringing everyone who meets them to their knees

minus luke obv

i wanna meet michael...i'm tryna see sum

and bring god and the demon king down while you're at it too...🫣

[twentyfivemiceinatrenchcoat]

Ari! If you could choose between satoru , suguru or shoko as your significant other, who would you choose and why?

ANONNNNNNNN YOU’RE SPOILING ME 😭😭😭😭 an excuse to talk abt sashisu…… ok but can i say all three 👉👈 jk we’re gonna discuss this thoroughly actually. for the sake of the argument let’s assume we’re in a no curses au <333

see here’s the thing right ….. when you get down to it, i see sashisu as very similar people. in the sense that when you first meet them they appear really Mysterious & Sexy & Perfect but they’re actually all losers. all three. they’re barely functional <33 I SAY THIS WITH ALL THE LOVE IN MY HEART BTW it’s their most endearing trait!!

but loserism aside i firmly believe all three of them would make such good partners :((( they’re softies once you get down to it!! but i think the first impression you get of them is farrrrr from even scratching the surface of their true selves… i’m just gonna ramble a bit about all of them aaaaaaa

satoru is the kind of guy who instantly intimidates the hell out of you because he’s just …. sooooo out of your league? like he’s tall and hot, he smirks and teases you and he has this charisma that you can’t deny. he’s a people magnet!! and as if that wasn’t enough, he also just so happens to be good at Literally Everything????? so even if he obviously likes you there’s that sense of him being totally out of reach… and he’s so friendly with everyone that i think you might assume that he’s a player which he isn’t at ALL but like 😭😭 that’s the impression you might get. he’s just so effortlessly perfect.

…….. except not really because as you grow closer to him you soon come to realize that he’s a loser. a silly little loser guy. absolutely infuriating. the type who trips you up in public and calls you cheesy petnames in front of your friends just to embarrass you. and he’s clingy. whiney. will make himself cry if that’s what he needs to convince you to stay home with him instead of going to work like he’s soooo ridiculous?? also eats out of his childhood digimon bowl even though he’s pushing 30 and forces you to watch the first three seasons with him (he literally will Not let you leave or even look away because he needs to see your reaction to every single scene)….. makes you handfeed him treats and nips at your fingertips. tickles you if you’re angry at him which makes you way angrier but he thinks it’s hot so he just continues.

yeah. silly little satoru. perfect and infuriating and childish — but, really, he’s just a softie. a lonely guy who gets attached too easily but doesn’t let anyone in. a lonely, sappy little guy who gets terrified at the thought of you leaving once you’ve peeled back those layers he tries so hard to hide. a silly, sappy, lovely little man who will stop at nothing to see you smile, to laugh, to watch you thrive. who just wants you to be happy, and just wants to be near enough to see it. that’s enough for him. he doesn’t have the courage to ask for anything more, right now, but he hopes one day he will. he wants to be yours in the softest of ways. he knows he’s not the easiest to be with, you know? he can be annoying, and emotionally unavailable, and he can seem terribly out of reach — but i firmly believe that satoru is the softest of these three. he just has so much love to give :( wants to be with you forever, as a friend, as a lover, as whatever you’ll have him as.

and then shoko …….. when you meet shoko your immediate thought is like . okay hi mommy <33 we all know it’s true so let’s not lie. to put it simply she just has bad bitch energy — all laid-back and mysterious, cuffed sleeves and loose cigarettes and murky eyes that see right through you but never stare too intently. and she’s nice, you know? just has that allure about her. she’s so easy to talk to, so easy to fall in love with. just reels you in so effortlessly — and suddenly you have the hottest girlfriend on the planet and you’re scared because what if you’re not good enough?? what if she gets bored of you????? it makes you nervous. shoko is just so cool, you know?

….. buuuut then you start dating her and find out that she’s a wreck. <3 uses the same coffee mug over and over without washing it, wears dirty boxers around the house, can’t cook to save her life, will try to make out with you while you’re studying and apparently purposefully lit her cigarette in a really sexy way when you first met just to impress you. she tells you as much when she’s a little tipsy, clinging to your back like a koala and giggling sheepishly. <3 similar to satoru in that she can and will manipulate you into sleeping in with her. don’t let her fool you — she’s just as silly and teasing as her counterparts. it just so happens that she’s a woman so i would let her get away with literally anything no matter how heinous you can’t stay mad at her because she’ll pout and frown oh so sadly and you know she’s tricking you but how are you supposed to stay mad at your little baby?? :(( yeah. she knows you’re whipped and she uses it against you all the time.

she’s just as whipped for you, though. she can be troublesome but i really do think a love with shoko would be so soft and mature; she cherishes you so earnestly, respects you so deeply. always, always takes you seriously. such a warm, warm presence in your life because she’s so stable. never leaves, never lets you forget how important you are to her. never ever takes you for granted. she’ll tease you sometimes, yes, and some of her habits might be a little irritating — but there really isn’t anything she wouldn’t do to ease your burdens. she sees the two of you as a team, and she’s determined to be just as much of a positive influence on you as you are on her. shoko really is such a sweetheart. she’ll still wake you up at an ungodly hour because she wants coffee and ”yours just tastes better 🥺🥺” but it’s okay because she’s cute <33

and suguru ….. arguably has the greatest whiplash factor of them all. you meet him and you’re instantly smitten — there’s really no other option. you can’t help but fall for him. a handsome, brooding, mysterious guy, with his leather jacket and piercings and keen eyes, and all of it just pulls you in….. but then he’s also such a nice guy? it doesn’t feel forced, either. it feels genuine — he puts you at ease, always listens to what you have to say, so patient and grounding. so intelligent, passionate, so good at making you fall even deeper in love. sugu is a different kind of people magnet than satoru; you’re stuck in his orbit before you even knew what hit you, because how could you not love someone like him? his charm in lethal.

buuuut guess what !!! he’s a loser too <333333 god where do i even begin with this guy. when he’s truly, truly comfortable around you i just feel like he’s a couch potato . a cuddle bug . literally won’t let you leave the house. and he’s such a little bitch??? steals your sweaters and gaslights you into thinking they were his the whole time (it works), puts your phone on top of the fridge if you misbehave, loves to read with your head in his lap but exclusively reads classics and will judge you so deeply if he finds out you like anything else…. he doesn’t say anything, never, just silently judges you with the meanest side eye and then acts like he doesn’t know what you’re talking about when you call him out. smh. also he gets super giggly when he’s sleepy and i just know he snores. sometimes he wakes you up and he’s soooo apologetic :(((((( such a sweetie. yeah sorry i can’t criticize him for too long i truly believe this man is an angel.

like. flaws aside…. suguru just cares so much. he cares more about you than he cares about himself. once he’s truly let you in, into his life and into his mind and into everything he hides from the rest of the world — he’s never falling out of love with you. it’s simply not an option in his mind. you’ve earned a place in his heart and it never even shrinks, just keeps extending and extending until he feels a little lightheaded with bliss. because you understand him, you accept him, and he’s just so eager to return that loves tenfold. he cooks, he cleans, he holds you and listens to your soft breathing when he can’t seem to calm down. he orbits around you like the moon to the earth. he is just so, so soft for you. would do anything to keep you safe. wants to be your safe space so badly that he’ll rearrange his ribs to make it more comfortable for you. always looking at you, making sure you’re comfortable, asking if there’s anything else he can do for you. you’re his baby, and he lives to tend to you. it makes him happy. :)

so!!!!! with all that being said …………………. 🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁

let’s be real we all saw this coming wbk i’m gonna have to go w sugu . sorry . 😔😔😔 my type is milfs and i fear he is the closest out of all three i like my men motherly ok </3 BUT I LOVE THEM ALL SM I WANNA DATE THEM ALLLLL they would all be such great partners i know and perceive the truth just trust me ….. emotionally unavailable and silly and teasing but the softest little marshmallows once you earn their trust :(((( sob. they mean the universe to me

[theuwuafterhours]

Soz vent//

God I’m all of a sudden feeling anxious bc so many of my moots are gone. So many I never got the courage to talk to and get to know or just never got a chance to reply back to bc of how goddamn shit I am at holding a conversation. I just feel like I missed out on a chance to be friends with ppl that seemed very sweet. And ik you can’t be friends with everybody but it just makes me anxious not knowing whether they’re ok or not, and if they’ve finally found peace outside of tumblr lol. Like sometimes I feel like I should move on from this site alr especially bc I’ve been on since 2012/2013? Obviously I had other blogs but anyways ik it’s not my job or make it my problem to know whether they’re ok or not but I can’t help and only want to wish them the best. And to anyone who does decide to leave tumblr I hope it’s the best decision for you. Idky im being all sappy n cringe n shi. Idk when I’ll outgrow this place, I’m kinda too scared to leave bc despite all the creeps, weirdos n harassment I’ve gotten, I’ve been lucky enough to get to know a lot of great n sweet ppl. Take care everyone and sorry bout this is just a weird ramble it’s bc of lack of sleep lol

I hope you all have a lovely day/night~

[luckyollieboy]

BAD DAY

» Pairing/Characters:

Hazbin Hotel!Lucifer x GN!Reader

» Contents/Warnings:

Hurt/Comfort. Mentions of Depression. Mentions of poor mental health. Sappy love. Bittersweet feeling.

The door creaked as I pushed the cracked door open enough to poke my head through. My voice was gentle and soothing as I broke the unbearable silence of the candlelit room, "My love...It's been awhile since you've locked yourself away like this.... Are you ok?"

My husband was sat on the bench of his desk, slumped over with the body language of a man who didn't really want to be alive anymore. His hair was devilish, matching the chaotic mess of his little duck creations that filled the room. There were portraits of Charlie, his first wife Lilith, and myself hung up around the room. I recall the time he first showed me this room and told me the portraits were like stars of hope in the dark sky. Yet, here he still was. Isolating himself and clearly unwell.

He took a deep breath and looked back at me for a second with a sad smile that didn't reach his eyes, "Oh honey— I'm fine, I'm great actually! Made a couple more ducks today."

He went to say something else but his voice was cut off and he quickly turned away, his head falling into his rambling hands. I didn't have to see his face to know he was trying not to cry. My heart pulled down into a heavy pit of sorrow knowing he wasn't okay. I quickly entered the room, my footsteps quiet and gentle, and sat next to him on the bench. Our shoulders touching but both of was facing opposite ways.

"Lucifer..." I whispered softly with a soft yet sad smile on my face, trying to get him to meet my eyes— only for him to evade my attempts. I sighed, bringing my hand to rest on his left hand that was in his lap, gently rubbing the gold band around his finger that matched mine. "I'm here."

His hand shook under mine and he took a shaky breath. He whispered, "I'm okay. Just... Having a bad day, y'know?"

Once he said that his shoulder shook a bit and he held my hand back, gripping it like I was the only thing keeping him alive. I stared at him, his gorgeous face twisted into a painful, hurt filled look. He was trying so hard to not cry in front of me, like he always did, almost as if he was ashamed to cry. I frown slightly as I gently rested my head on his shoulder, using my free hand to play with his sleeve.

We stayed like this for awhile. I mumbled softly as I pressed a kiss onto his shoulder, "I know... I'm here anyway. For better or for worse."

He let out a strangled sob before turning to grab me into his arms. He held me tight as he cried. He didn't wail or scream, no. His body shook as he tried to hold back his sobs. I gently rubbed his back and kept pressing kisses all over his head, whispering "I'm here" Over and over again.

I made a vow the day I married him that I would do anything and everything to make him happy, even if it was only temporary. I vowed to hold him even when he was like this. I vowed to love him. If him being happy meant crying in my chest, so be it. If him being happy meant the possibility of his ex wife to catch his heart again, so be it. No matter what it is, I'll make it happen for him to be happy. Anything to make him feel less like this.

Eventually he took a shaky inhale, letting it out slowly before looking up at me finally. Even now, his tear stained cheeks and puffy eyes, he was beautiful. He placed a hand on my cheek, his lips wobbling as I leaned into his touch, kissing his palm. He leaned in and rested his forehead against mine and whispered, "I... I love you."

I kissed him gently on the lips, holding his hand that was on my cheek. I leaned back to see him. All of him. In every way he was perfect. Everything, was what I loved. I smiled and tilted my head as I whispered back,

"I love you too."

[spiri-a]

Ello ello ello this is a rant about a Good Omens fic I like

(Pssst.... TL;DR: It’s One Miraculous December by @journeytogallifrey)

Just a while ago I was agonizing over what kind of post I should post (even though no one’s gonna read this and this accounts only purpose is to spitball all my thoughts at a rapid pace) and I suddenly realized: hey! I like fanfics! And good omens! And sometimes I finish fanfics and I have so much thought vomit stirring around inside me I need to write it down somewhere! Then BOOM this is that this is my ramble baby. This is just my poor excuse to talk and talk and talk for several paragraphs straight. Please do not enter if you don’t want to be bombarded by what is probably several thousand words sorted into 5 or 6 sections.

This will probably be part of a series where I talk uh *cough* extensively about different fanfics, different series for different fandoms probably because I don’t think the Good Omens fandom and Carry On fandom interact with each other very much at all (maybe I’ll do books in general later on down the line, but that’d be a separate series too)

Just to be safe I won’t talk about anything too spoilery, giving some minor spoilers that get talked about in the first chapters anyways. This is a pretty lighthearted fic anyways so nothing much to worry about this time!

Ok now actually let’s get started. Anyways this is a fic I read a while ago that I really really liked:

One Miraculous December (T)

By @journeytogallifrey

Ok so this was the first fic I read by journeytogallifrey, and I read it during a time over the summer where day in and day out I had nothing to do but walk and walk and walk and occasionally read on my phone (Doesn’t make sense to read a Christmas fic over the summer but whatever)

I thought this was just gonna be a casually good long fic to fill up the time but boy was I wrong I LOVED this

Let me tell you this fic was the love of my life for the week and a half or so I was reading it. I was SO INSANELY shocked and confused when I realized this fic was 187,00 WORDS after finishing

But anyways I’m getting off track again (this post is my ramble baby after all) so let’s start with what this fic is abt and then I’ll talk about my favorite things

Spiri Stfu Whats The Fic About Already

Summary (pulled from fic):

Candles. Mistletoe. An entire frozen lake. Festive memories from their past together keep appearing out of nowhere.

Crowley's sure he's manifesting them accidentally out of sheer romantic desperation. It's bad enough trying to hide his unrequited love as they grow closer post-Apocaloops - what if Aziraphale sees the objects for what they are, a window into his yearning soul? Unfortunately, the only way to banish the objects seems to be talking about each memory...

Meanwhile, Aziraphale is just trying to woo his demon boyfriend with big gestures, ready to prove his devotion. And if Crowley acts awkward about the miracles? Surely that's just his difficulty accepting affection. The solution: shower him with as much of it as possible...

Eventually these two will communicate, even if it takes 'til the end of the year. For now there will be cuddling, excuses for closeness, sappy words, flashbacks, nostalgia, bickering, and an obscene variety of holiday foods. Oh, and footnotes. That's right. We're doing those too.

Fills for the Ineffable Holiday 2020 prompt list by Caedmon. Updates every day through the end of December.

Basically TLDR: Sappy reminders of soft moments between Crowley and Aziraphale throughout history keep popping up. Crowley thinks he’s doing it subconsciously and is worried about his super duper secret feelings being revealed, meanwhile Aziraphale is executing the least subtle (but somehow still too subtle) seduction plan ever concocted (it will take these two sillies a WHILE to get sorted out)

Ok now let’s move on to all the lovely things I love about this lovely fic in special lovely little sections (Once again, I’m sorry for the sheer size of this behemoth)

Pt 1: Charming Little Footnotes, My True Love ❤︎❤︎❤︎

From the very first chapter, I was completely and utterly enchanted by one silly little thing: the footnotes!! Those who have read the Good Omens book will understand: footnotes are amazing!! They often offer absolutely ZERO important information, and you could go practically the entire book never reading the footnotes and get the same general ideas as someone who did. BUT, they’re just so charming, why would you NOT read them?? They’re often unnecessary, but in a perfect and wonderfully niche way. I don’t need to understand the backstory or fun fact behind this randomly selected instant, moment, or person, but it’s so stupidly heartwarming to that I love to do it anyway. It’s like I’m being let in on a secret between me and the author, like they leaned over while someone else is talking and made a somewhat silly comment into my ear that makes you try to suppress your little smile in response.

Journeytogallifrey does this AMAZINGLY. They offer heartwarming insight on the most mundane things, and I enjoy every second of it. One of my personal favorite instances is funnily enough in the very first chapter, the footnote that first captured my heart and that I remembered throughout the entire fic. In chapter one, Aziraphale miracles for the floor of the bookshop to become a frozen lake, and he convinces Crowley to ice skate with him, reminiscing on a time they skated together centuries before. And THIS was the footnote that followed midway through the chapter:

*In fairness to the skates, they’ve had an intense couple of hours.

Mere moments before they found themselves in a 2019 bookshop, they’d only just been set down by Crowley and Aziraphale in 1860 and were debating the finer points of their recent skating adventure. Two of them, having hosted a lovely angel with excellent manners, were of a firmly positive opinion. The other two, terrorized by a demon who had berated them for trembling with fear, were engaged in a thorough character assassination of not only their tormentor but also anyone who would willingly befriend him.

“But they’re desperately in love with each other,” posited the skates worn by the angel.

“That’s beside the point,” answered the others, and that was when a miracle scooped them up and catapulted them a century and a half into the future**.

**Aziraphale, somehow, picked out the same two skates to wear in 2019 as in 1860, despite shoe sizes being less a concrete number for him and more ‘something that automatically sets itself to rights upon entrance of the foot’, so further experience has offered little to settle the argument.

THIS FOOTNOTE, THIS MOMENT, was perfection in my eyes. The completely absurd idea of two pairs of ice skates having a conversation, this conversation being about their wearers, a judgement of their character, a silly argument and observation of their silly hemming and hawing romance, was all so charming. It’s so unnecessary but also just. Completely STEALS your heart. Then there’s the footnote-ception of a footnote within a footnote, a casual disregarding of order and professionalism for the sake of being novel and silly. Not to mention the double footnote commenting on Aziraphale’s incredibly charming naïveté on the more specific parts of human inventions, such as the concept of shoe sizes. As you may have noticed from my using the same exact word like 20 times, the only word that fits the entire charmingly unnecessary but delightful footnotes thing is silly. It’s perfect because it’s perfectly silly, and that just made my heart melt.

Journeytogallifrey keeps up these footnotes throughout the fic to a certain degree, and as a reader of the Good Omens book, it’s always such a joy to find fics that bother to use footnotes. And journeytogallifrey does this wonderfully, stuffing so much life and humor into them very similar to what I found great about the footnotes in the GO book. So that is reason one (in no particular order) that I love this fic

Moving on to reason 2!

Pt 2: YOU get a flashback, and YOU get a flashback

A large amount of this fic relies on the art of flashbacks, being directly tied to Aziraphale’s Plan of Seduction™︎, which just so you know goes as follows:

Every day of December, miracle up some kind of thingy (object, place, activity, etc)

Said thingy will function as the perfect reminder to reminisce about a not-a-date date you’ve had at some point throughout history

Really drive home how close you two are and absolutely drown him in affection

Keep seducing all through December

Confess at some point (exact date TBD)

Profit

As you might have noticed, the whole reminiscing thing works as an opening for truckloads of flashbacks. But let me tell you, these flashbacks are WORKS OF ART. Unfortunately, unlike the footnotes, I can’t single out a single FAVORITE flashback, because they’re practically ALL amazing.

Journeytogallifrey very obviously did a butt ton of research for this fic, something I find so incredibly amazing about the Good Omens fandom! Many GO authors will do extensive research for the sake of their Aziraphale and Crowley throughout history scenes, which is something I’ve always heavily admired within this fandom compared to others. And journeytogallifrey does this amazingly and extensively throughout this fic!

Each flashback had so much love, charm, and most interestingly historical depth in them. Each flashback acts as a charming little mini story of the various adventures the two had throughout history. The highs and lows of their relationships, the hidden affections, moments that were fun, stressful, intimate, scary, or just simply peacefully domestic, ALL of it was present in these flashbacks, and just utterly captured my heart. I managed to learn quite a decent amount through the little historical details mentioned throughout, especially if a specific detail caught my eye and I wanted to research further. (Because of this fic, my dream is to move to Iceland and celebrate Jólabókaflóðið every year)

I love the way these two act around each other throughout history, and the writing when describing everything from the setting around them to their clothes to their care for each other is phenomenal. Normally I don’t really use words like aesthetic, but the way the different places dotted around the world are described and how the two are described to fit into them, I feel like I’m transported TO that place in history. I can see the churches, deserts, orchards, streets, markets, or wherever they are right in front of me, and it’s frankly gorgeous.

I LOVE historical flashbacks like this in general in the Good Omens fandom, but this fic does this AMAZINGLY, and it does it A LOT, so that’s a serious win in my books.

Something I also found extremely lovely about the flashbacks, as well as the present day parts of the story, brings me to my next part:

Pt 3: Gender who? Gender what? Gender none, gender all!

The gender fluidity/fluidity of gender expression of both Aziraphale and Crowley makes my heart flutter like nothing else. Like seriously. This is one of the main reasons I love this fandom.

It has long been stated that angels and demons have no inherent gender, and within the show Crowley presents as male and female in varying instances. Neil Gaiman has heavily implied Crowley being gender fluid before. In response, the fandom has completely flourished into a beautiful thing of gender acceptance and flexibility.

The fanart of the Good Omens fandom makes me so happy, because people will draw Aziraphale and Crowley in any manner they choose without feeling the need to explain it or label it as an “alternate universe.” The simple casualness around the topic of gender in this fandom sets a precedent of tolerance for the rest of the world, and also just warms my heart in ways I can’t explain.

Journeytogallifrey embraces this part of the fandom with open arms, with both Aziraphale and Crowley taking on a variety of appearances and roles throughout the flashback. The detail of changing Crowley’s pronouns depending on the flashback whilst Aziraphale maintains he/him no matter his form is a wonderful touch, and made me stupidly happy. The same goes for Crowley changing appearances to fit the alias of Nanny Ashtoreth later on in the fic, as well as his discussion with Warlock that it is all still himself, no matter what form he takes.

In my opinion, the fluidity and ease in which gender, masculinity, and femininity is expressed by Aziraphale and Crowley, both through the flashbacks and in present day, is done wonderfully, and serves to demonstrate the reason why I love this fandom so incredibly much.

Pt 4: Stabbing me gently in the feels (that’s gotta be a song lyric somewhere)

Another thing is I thought the push and pull and tender misunderstandings of these two throughout the fic is AMAZING. The delicate handling of this relationship is super wonderful and feels so stupidly softly heart wrenching. Like you’re not ripping my heart to pieces, but just kind of tugging on it. Seriously, I just wanted to hold these two and hug them and explain all their misunderstandings and send them away holding hands. The angst is so soft and tender I really can’t complain too badly.

The setup conflict between the two is, like, absolutely genius. I love it. Aziraphale trying to woo Crowley with as many gifts and miracles as possible while also playing cutely dumb about it, meanwhile Crowley is freaking out because all these miracles his lovesick heart is creating subconsciously might expose his super special secret feelings to Aziraphale, and that’d be baaaad news huh?

It’s some wonderfully sweet irony that Aziraphale innocently playing dumb is convincing Crowley he’s conjuring little mini proclamations of his super confidential feelings, and that Crowley is desperately trying to hide signs of said super duper confidential feelings while Aziraphale is actively trying to woo said demon.

This creates a lovely pushing and pulling dynamic full of tenderness and love, and it KILLED ME SLOWLY. 10/10 high quality soft angst.

Side note: I really liked the way Aziraphale and Crowleys relationship with Warlock was covered in this fic, especially Crowley’s attachment to Warlock as his nanny who raised him ever since he was little. I thought the desire to reach out to Warlock post Apocalypse was really heartfelt and sweet, and it made me feel stupidly warm seeing Aziraphale help Crowley reach out and later on solidify that relationship with Warlock.

Pt 5: How are you still here?? If you are, here have this

So um…….. this ended up being really long. My bad. I mean no one’s gonna read this anyways but I still feel a little awkward standing at the end of this VERY long ramble baby.

I just wanted to end this off by saying that One Miraculous December was SUCH a great fic, full of coziness and charm and silliness and tenderness and a lovingly crafted holiday vibe unlike no other fic I’ve read. I will definitely be rereading this fic around Christmas time, the digital equivalent of snuggling up beside a warm fireplace with hot cocoa and a good book. I seriously loved this fic so much! Like, it was just good vibes the entire way through, and I have obviously been keeping up with journeytogallifrey’s works ever since I read this one. Please please please, read this fic and give it some serious love, because it deserves it so much. I don’t know how you did it mysterious person who probably doesn’t even exist, but you got to the end. Thank you for reading my dear little ramble baby about One Miraculous December by journeytogallifrey.

Now that was technically the end, but as an extra little thingy, here are some other recommendations of fics from journeytogallifrey, because they are a seriously talented author and have some amazing gems in there!

Here’s a list of my favorites:

Everything That’s Meant (T)

One of journeytogallifrey’s more recent and more popular works, this is an only slightly meta fic in which Aziraphale and Crowley are human actors playing the angel Raphael and the demon Asmodeus in the tv adaptation of Agnes Nutter’s novel Prophecies. The two actors have electrifying chemistry, but much stands in the way of the two of them, from Aziraphale’s complicated family to a haunted tv set to the things spread by the press about the two.

105,000 words (a big guy!), with 39 chapters, but such a joy to read! It’s a bit heavier in plot and emotions, and the romance is a little bit of higher stakes, but the soft moments between the two as they grow closer 100% makes up for it.

Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (T)

The shortest one of my favorites at 7,000 words in a single chapter and lightly inspired by the Billy Joel song of the same name, it tells the story of childhood friends Aziraphale and Crowley both from in their youth and reunited as adults as they dine together at (surprise surprise) their favorite Italian restaurant. There’s some hidden feelings, light angst, high school gossip, and a whole lot of stuff that happens at the tables of this Italian restaurant. In general though, it’s a wonderful, lighthearted, bite-sized time.

Infernal Escapes (T)

Roughly 37,000 words, this fic is a cute and lighthearted romance set in an escape room place. Crowley is the long suffering employee of an escape room, and is enamored by the intelligence and enthusiasm of escape room newbie, Aziraphale. The two strike up a friendship built on their love of escape rooms, and a cute and easy romance ensues. This was such a joy to read, and their easy chemistry based on their shared passion for escape rooms is infectiously sweet. There is very little to no conflict or angst in this story, so it’s a slightly lengthy but incredibly easy ride, entirely smooth sailing. If you just wanna watch two strangers meet and fall in love without all the extra things (because like, same honestly), please read this.

[gaywiththesauce]

*slips sticky note in ur textbook*

Passing this along if you want to ~

Hello there! You've been tagged! You don't have to do anything if you don't want to, but if you'd like, list 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who reblogged something from you! Learn to know your mutuals and followers! 💖💖💖

my textbook! something my professors refuse to touch! *cries in money*

Five things that make me happy! (in no particular order)

Music - I love love love listening to music. I listen to almost every kind of music (the exception of most rap and.... others?) It cheers me up or mellows me out and helps get emotions out or make them elevated. I'm listening to my Giyuu playlist while I'm writing this-

Singing - kind of on the same boat, but I landed a solo part in my choir group so I'm gonna brag a little. Singing is just another way that I like to relieve stress! and I like being loud sing!

My partner - they make me happy<3 we have a lot of the same interests and they are one of the only people that would watch Cars (2006) with me because I read one (1) fanfic out of the blue and am now creating stories in my head and scenes in heroforge😊

My mutuals - yes, let me be sappy! I like interacting with people, and I'm a very introverted person and none of my friends like Demon Slayer enough to read fanfics abt it... that's where my lovely (but slightly insane) mutuals come in and let me be creative on these Wednesdays and any other days of the week :) (thank you octo for letting me be silly with you with my chicken date, I'm still grieving😭💀)

my friends (irl) - i may only have 4 and I might only talk to them 1-2 times a week but that doesn't mean that they don't make me happy still. we always have something to laugh about and it never feels like I'm inconveniencing them or that they would rather be with anyone else. I feel wanted, it's a nice feeling. I hope everyone reading this has a person like that.

ok, enough rambling, I have some ask boxes to lurk👺❤️

[falthiere]

rambling abt neuvillette and furina under the cut bc i am so full of thoughts and i do not want to bother ppl w them

i am so unwell over them

ok so like i am admittedly someone who stans a lot of (harmless) m/f out of a potentially misplaced sense of bisexual spite. so like i love neuvifuri and the shippers have my full support (except for the really weird ones 😭) but i am kind of unsure abt how to feel abt them as a ship

i was definitely drawn to neuvifuri pre-4.2 because they had such a good and fun dynamic. neuvillette is kind of an anchor to reign in furina shenanigans, they’re essentially co-rulers, and they’re the only two in fontaine who share longevity and eternity. and the end of neuvillette’s story quest where furina leaves a note for him just made me feel so sappy. like furina can teach him things too!!!

which is what makes the reveal so heartbreaking. everything that would have ostensibly brought them together was actually things that further isolated furina. like the whole point is that furina was truly and utterly alone in her situation. and it’s so tragic to think that the person who would ordinarily have been closest to her was the one who hurt her the most

and it’s even MORE tragic that neuvillette’s one and only request for the “trap” was that it not hurt furina, and yet it still had to play out that way, traumatizing her deeply in the process!! and he couldn’t have known, so it’s wrong to villify him for doing so, but you can’t change the distance that it furthers between them

and then you have furina, living as a regular human, and the only two who know what she went through are neuvillette and the traveler. we have already seen how the traveler reacts to this (they’re a fucking asshole) but neuvillette really sympathizes with her when focalors tells him all of this. he um. he doesn’t say sorry at the end of the archon quest but i think he’s nice enough in her story quest so. you’re on thin ice buddy

the way i’ve phrased this makes it seem like i think of all of this negatively bc it doesn’t feed into my ship. pls let me clarify that’s not what is happening here. like their dynamic is so fucking good none of this is a complaint in the slightest bc this is all so much more compelling

now that furina has a human lifespan any romance between them is destined to end in tragedy, and i don’t think romance is really what furina needs right now? i mean maybe it would help idk but i think she just needs to do her own thing for a while. the only person who can understand what she’s been through is neuvillette but i don’t think she feels anything romantic for him

the more i write the more i kind of like unrequited neuvifuri on neuvillette’s side. it is so deeply funny and so deeply sad

idk where i was rlly going w all of this but i cannot stop thinking abt them romantically or platonically i need more of it. most importantly i need neuvillette to gently hold furina because SOMEONE has to and it might as well be him

[fantasies-fairytales-n-fics]

Code Blue - Ch. 14 "Skeletons in the Closet"

Summary: Lee feels his only friend now is the bottle. He gets a call and explains the damage he caused and accidentally reveals something. Josie has a tantalizing dream. Orlando shocks the hell out of her and she lets him know how much. Lee sees an angelic vision, a real one this time. Another moment is shared. Josie meets a potential new landlord as she searches for her own place, but a secret lies beneath. Josie asks Lee out. A secret is revealed to the readers.

*Warnings* language, smut, angst, alcohol use, drug injection, drug mentions, mentions of death

Stories Stories Stories Masterlist

Chapter characters: Lee, Josie, Amy, Orlando, Megan, Craig, Mystery Person

Salem, Massachusetts

February 24, 2023

Dash had went home just after midnight when his mom got off her shift at the hospital and Lee wasted no time finishing off the bottle of whiskey that you had been drinking earlier that evening. He had hoped you would at least text him to let him know you made it home alright but you didn't, so he reached out to Amy to find out since you wouldn't reply to him. Amy told him that you wouldn't respond to her either so she called Margaret who then confirmed you had came home and been in your room all night. This relieved Lee but made him hurt even more for you. When he told Amy about his father, she immediately called him.

"Hey Ames."

She heard it in his voice. The emotional pain and the slurring due to his drinking.

"Lee…honey I am so sorry about your dad! I had no idea. Are you alright? You don't sound so hot."

"Well now, that's because I'm not. I have lost everything…my son, my brother, my dad, my job, my best friend and now Jo."

"Jo? What happened Lee? That girl is crazy about you. I was there when she read your letter."

"Well if that were true, she certainly isn't anymore because I ruined it. I pushed her too hard and too fast and she couldn't get away from me fast enough. Everything was going so good this afternoon and then it just wasn't. I don't know what set her off, possibly my neighbor that I slept with one lousy drunken time years ago after Jacob died and I don't think Jo liked her very well when she came over."

"Wait what? This girl came over and Josie met her? and…you told Josie about that??"

"I needed to. I could tell she wanted to know and suspected it. Angel isn't exactly inconspicuous about how she feels....and then she asked me to watch her kid...I should have said no."

"She asked you that after you had just lost your father? Wow...bold isn't she. I know who Angel is Lee, I work here too remember? Sometimes, you're just too nice you know that?"

"Apparently, cause look where it's gotten me. Maybe I should just be an asshole and finish off alienating everyone and become a fucking hermit."

"Or maybe stop drinking Lee."

"Ok, I don't need this shit from you too Amy. I have a mother...I mean had."

"Lee...stop wallowing and feeling sorry for yourself and try to fix whatever happened. I know Josie very well, and the girl has got it bad for you. Go to her tomorrow when you're cleaned up and tell her how you feel."

"And what, push her even further away? I have caused irreparable damage already. Like that time with Jess that Jo saw...she made it known that it still hurts her...and now Jo knows that my sculpture was of her...and we were watching sappy love story movies and that upset her too, saying she don't believe in love like that and I asked her why and she said it's all fiction which is why she writes about it and then she was drinking and..."

"Lee, slow down, you're rambling. Now wait, you sculpted Josie?"

He paused for a minute and closed his eyes, picturing your face.

"Yeah....she is so beautiful Amy. I couldn't help myself. I have never sculpted anyone before....but Jo broke it that night when she, and I quote, saw me devouring Jess' mouth. I thought it was she realized it was of herself but found out tonight she didn't know, so I am sure that freaked her the hell out too. I've scared her off Amy. Plain and simple. One minute we were dancing, and I was singing to her and then she started crying and told me I needed to slow down...and I don't know how to...I have never been in love before and I..."

All Lee could hear was Amy squeal in delight, so loud he had to hold the phone away from his ear.

"EEEEEE!! Oh my god Lee, you love her?"

"Now that I'm deaf, I suggest you become deaf too and pretend you didn't hear what I stupidly just said. You CANNOT tell her I said that. She cannot know, that would put the nail in the coffin, if it already isn't. I already I told her I wished for on 11:11 which she told me once before not to reveal what I wished for or it wouldn't come true, so I fucked that up too."

"Of course I am not going to tell her. That's not my place, it's yours...but I am willing to bet money that she feels the same way about you....give her some time and space...she'll come around. I guarantee she won't be able to stay away from you."

Amy knew that you loved him too because you admitted it after you read his letter, but as she had said, it's not her place to tell.

"I'm not strong enough to stay away from her either Amy. How can I try and make this better if you say to give her space and time? What if she decides she don't want this...or me? I can't deal with this right now...Amy I need to go..."

"Lee just wait and....Lee?"

He hung up and cranked up his music, then poured another shot of whiskey. It was now 1:15 and he about choked on his drink when a song played. I Need You Now by Lady Antebellum. Lee never used to believe in signs but after everything he had seen with his own eyes in the past three weeks, he was now a believer.

He began looking through your Facebook photos while listening to the song, fighting off every urge to call you. Staring at the front door, he imagined you walking in like you did that morning...but this time it was into his arms, telling him you loved him so much and kissing him. He then came across a public post you made an hour ago.

"One moment...can change who we are, what we see, how we think and feel forever. One moment...when a definitive line can be drawn between everything in our lives which came before it and after it....He was my moment..."

Lee must have read it a dozen times until his vision was too impaired by booze and tears to see the words anymore, so instead, he stared at your profile picture.

"And you were mine.....still are." he whispered and then soon after, he laid his head down and fell asleep on the kitchen table.

You had tossed and turned all nights with dreams of Lee and had a very erotic one just before waking up. He was lying beside you in your bed, naked with the blanket covering his lower half. His fingertips were gliding up your leg just like you had imagined him doing while you were at his house as he fondled your ankle. He then moved himself between your legs and gazed into your eyes as you held his face. He glanced down between your spread legs, then brought his eyes back to yours.

"What would you like me to do?" he asked in a deep sensuous tone.

Your thumb traced over his pouty perspired lips.

"This. I want to feel your breath, your warmth inside me."

He formed an alluring smile and began to kiss your inner thigh. As his mouth almost made it to your aching entrance, you gasped and pulled his head up, making him look at you as you panted.

"Lee....I....I love you."

His pupils reacted and widened, so much so that you could see your reflection in them.

He resumed his trail down your thigh with his supple lips as you ran your fingers through his feathery hair.

"My Jo...let me show you how much I love you too my sweet girl."

His voice was so deep, so loving and filled with desperation to pleasure you.

You whimpered loudly as he kissed your protruding bud and then ran his hot tongue up through your slick folds and back down to your entrance. Without warning, he plunged his tongue inside of you and swirled it about, sending you head flinging backwards and your hips pushing into him.

Beep beep beep beep beep. 7 am. Your alarm went off, startling you awake as you were intensely orgasming. You grabbed your pillow and buried your face into it moaning and gasping, rocking your hips through the insane pulsating pleasure....and then you just laid there and cried, wishing it had been real. You could still smell him on your hands from the night before.

You immediately sat up and checked your phone to see if Lee had texted or called, but he hadn't....but there was a notification on your Facebook icon. Upon clicking on it, it went to the status you made last night, which was public so anyone could comment....and someone did...Lee. It simply said "And you were mine. Still are."

You dropped your phone and threw your hands over your face, bawling as his name whimpered out of your mouth. You got up, dried your eyes and went downstairs to eat some breakfast so you had some energy for your skating class. As you galloped down the stairs, you came to a dead halt as you saw two pairs of shoes by the front door....and couldn't believe your eyes as to whom you saw in the living room, sleeping on the couch.

Megan...laying on Orlando's lap.

"What in thee fuck!?" you blurted out, scaring them both awake.

Megan laughed. "Oh no, it's not what it looks like..."

"It never is.." you snarked with an astonished smirk upon your face as you walked towards them both.

"We just went out and had a few drinks last night and he was too drunk to drive so I let him stay here. What's the big deal?"

"The big deal is you went after yet another man who WAS important to me." you reeled as you glared at Orlando.

"Josie, please let me explain.." Orlando finally chimed in.

"There is nothing to explain. Both of you get out of my house right now! before my mother comes down and has a heart attack at this disgusting sight!"

"It's not just your house Josie. I'm moving back in. Mom said I could."

"Oh, well how fucking lovely. I will be finding my own place then, but for now, get out before I kick both of your ass's!"

Megan ran out the back way and Orlando tried to go to the front door where his shoes were.

"No! You are not going out the front door at 7 in the fucking morning for all the world to see of my sister's half naked screw of the week!"

"Josie, I just need to get my shoes and then I'll go out the back." he said as he gently pushed his way to the doorway.

"How dare you...how dare you come into MY HOUSE and fornicate with my slut of a sister on my mother's couch!"

"You have got it all wrong Josie, if you would just listen instead of acting like a crazy person for one minute!"

Slap...the hit he had worried about receiving the other night, he finally unexpectedly got as you smacked him right across the face.

"What, listen to more of your lies??! How could you do this with her of all people after what she did?!"

"Jesus Josie, will you calm the fuck down and listen to me?"

"You cannot be serious right now? Listen to you about what Orlando? It don't even matter if you screwed her or not, it's the fact that you're even associating with the little witch! I'm sure she got your number out of my phone that night...and you just happily accepted to go out with her for some kind of sick and twisted revenge on me when I did nothing to you...tell me, am I getting hot?"

"Ok...fine...yeah, that's what happened....well except for fucking her... SO? You don't get to tell me who I can and cannot see....and why do you even care?"

"Yeah you're right, I don't care...but I do when it's in my own house. You got a lot of fucking nerve Dr. Bloom. Speaking of doctors, did you even know your so called best friend's father died yesterday??"

"W..what?"

"Yeah...Lee...remember him? The guy you've been friends with since high school but now won't speak to over something YOU did? The guy who's been going through nothing but pure hell lately? You're a real piece of work. I actually had believed you were a good guy and that you cared about him. Boy did you have us both fooled. I don't want to hear any more from your repulsive mouth. Get the hell out of my house now before I call the cops."

"Jo? What's going on down there?" your mom called from upstairs.

"Get out of here now!" you whispered through clenched teeth.

"Josie...I'm sorr..."

"Get out!" you cried.

Orlando's eyes teared up as he grabbed his shoes and took off out the back.

"Nothing mom, it was absolutely nothing." you called back to her as you watched Orlando from the window get in his car and leave.

Now you were just too fumed to eat, so you went upstairs, took your shower and headed out.

All the way to the skating rink, you cried. You wanted out of that house now if Megan was going to be staying there indefinitely. You just wanted to go to Lee's instead, but you knew you couldn't right now.

You got inside and put on your skates to do your warm up on the ice before the kids got there and let some steam off. You chose a song that seemed fitting to work your frustrations out too and off you went.

Little did you know that Lee was watching you. When the song ended, you saw him. You skated over to him and did a snowplow stop at the entrance way he stood in.

"What are you doing here?" you asked in complete shock.

"I...wanted to see you skate....and to my amazement, the girl that falls over a divot in my yard, glides and twirls like an angel on the ice."

"Well...I told you I could skate better than I could walk." you lightly smiled and went to sit down.

"Do you mind if I sit with you for a minute? I promise, I won't stay long. I have to go handle dad's arrangements soon."

"Sure."

"Great song choice by the way. Adam Lambert is a very underrated singer."

"Yeah..I always choose a song I can relate to. It helps me focus."

Lee knew that was a pun towards him. "Jo...I...I just wanted to apologize for freaking you out or whatever it was that I did and.."

"No...Lee..." you sighed. "You know the saying, it's me not you? Well...it's true. You did nothing wrong and...I'm the one who's sorry. I acted like such a petulant child. I was actually going to call you this morning, but I woke up to quite the surprise."

Of course you instantly thought of your dream of him, but there was no way in hell you were going to tell him about that.

"Oh...you mean...my comment on your post that I saw this morning but don't remember doing. Jo...I'm sorry. I was drinking...and I know I shouldn't have been...I.."

"Lee...you don't owe me any explanations about your choices. Who am I to judge you? I drink sometimes too, and over indulge a lot at times just as you do....I actually was not referring to that though...I found...you're never gonna believe this...Orlando and my freaking sister asleep on the couch from going out drinking the night before."

"Ummm what??"

"Yeah, I know right?"

"Needless to say, I was ready to kill them both and Orlando took the bunt of my wrath on his face."

"Ohhh ouch. You didn't?" he chuckled.

"I did. I would have given Megan one too but she scurried off like the coward she is. I'll deal with her later. Can you believe the nerve of them both? To come to my house and do whatever is they did on my mother's couch?

"Yeah I...uh..got a text from him this morning sending his condolences about my dad."

"Yeah...well he didn't even know until I told him and I tore him a new asshole for being a shitty fake ass friend to you."

"You...did that for me?"

"Of course I did, because it's true. You know, I thought he was so great, the way he took care of you and stayed by your side...until I found out his hidden agenda...and then, to get back at me, he frolics around with the town tramp that's unfortunately related to me. They both claim they didn't sleep together but whatever. He shouldn't even have been around her after what she did to you."

"To us...and yeah, you're right. that's pretty fucked up. He failed to mention all of that when he texted."

"Of course he did. Can we not talk about him anymore? It makes my skin crawl picturing the two of them on the couch like that....How are you doing? Are you ok Lee?"

"Yeah Jo...I am now........I wanted to ask you something. Jo...when the funeral date is set...would...you be willing to go with me? I mean, I totally understand if you don't want..."

"Yes."

"Y..yes? You will? Really?"

"Of course I will Lee. I wanna be there for you. I know how much you're hurting and I would never want you to go through that alone. Thank you...for asking me...after the way I treated you last night. I'm so ashamed."

"Jo..no. Don't be. You're going through things too and I...I pushed you too hard. I swear, it won't happen again. Just please...don't disappear. I'm so afraid that you will."

"I told you once that I wouldn't leave you, and I know that I broke that promise last night...and your heart....but...god I'm so sorry Lee. I just get in my head sometimes, over such mundane things."

"Jo...if something hurts you, it hurts you. There's nothing mundane about it....and if it hurts you...it hurts me."

There it was again...another moment between you both where you just stared at each other.

Another interruption occurred as kids could be heard in the other room.

"Well, I guess that's your que."

"Yes, I think so." you laughed.

"Hey...do you mind if I stay and watch for a bit before I have to go? I promise I'll be quiet and not shout out cheers for you and stuff."

"Ha ha. Sure. Suit yourself. You won't see much but the kids practicing. I'll see you later, ok?"

"Oh and hey. You're amazing, you know." he shouted and laughed.

"Yeah well so are you I guess!" you laughed back and walked out.

Lee was so smitten with you in that moment, just as he was in any other one, but just a little bit more this time.

He stayed for about thirty minutes just watching you talk and laugh with the young girls, stealing glances from you from time to time as you both smiled at each other. He could have sat there all day and taken your beauty in, but he needed to get going. He stood up and waved to you, then blew a kiss. You acted as if you caught it and laughed, then he smiled sweetly and left.

After you left the rink, you spent the day looking for an apartment. There was no way you were going to stay in a house with Megan long term. It would be nice to have a place of your own anyways, so maybe Lee could spend time with you there instead of always at his place....that is...if things came to that....and you very much wanted it to regardless of your fears and insecurities. Now that you had met him, you couldn't imagine a world without him.

You ended up calling a number that was posted outside of a nice lake front loft in a complex that you unintentionally found close to Lee's lake house. A man answered and said he had time for you to come look at it, so you did.

Up the stairs you went to the number he told you. You knocked and the same man's voice shouted over the music to come in. This certainly could not be the place, you thought as you entered to see a loft full of art and paint all over the room...and a man with short dark hair and glasses sitting at a desk deep in thought as a paint brush stroked about in his paint stained hand that was full of silver rings. The classic rock music was so loud, you had no idea how he had heard you at the door.

"Uhh...Hi?" you said but now he strangely didn't hear you.

"Hello!" you shouted.

The scraggly haired man with striking blue eyes and a scruffy short beard looked up over the top of his glasses as if he had never seen a woman before or possibly had even recognized you, yet you had never seen him before in your life.

He then stood up and went to turn the music down, poured himself a glass of wine and came over to you.

"Umm..Josie right? We just spoke on the phone?"

Dear god, this man reminded you of Jason, tall, muscular and wearing a black tee shirt. Even his hair was similar...and his bright blue eyes were almost a match as well. The only difference was his beard, jewelry and....accent. New Zealand maybe? You had to giggle inside that he wore black leather pants that were covered in paint. Overall though, he was a gorgeous man who had good taste in music.

"Hold on a minute sweetheart, let me change my shirt."

He went into the restroom and then came out with a black long sleeved knit and combed hair. You giggled again that he was worried about his shirt when it was his pants that were corroded in chemicals.

"Hi...Sorry bout that. I wasn't expecting you to show up so quickly. I promise, I don't always look like the canvas itself." he smiled as he pointed to one of his pieces that leaned against the wall. "My name is Craig...and youuuu are miss...March?"

'Ohh. That's fine...and yes...Josie March...but just Josie is fine."

"Alright then just Josie. So you are interested in the loft I have for rent?"

"Umm, yes but...this...isn't it...is it?"

The man chuckled and took a sip of his wine. "No my dear, this is my art studio and I have my own personal loft behind it. The one you would like to see is down the hall. Follow me."

He politely opened the door for you and then led you to a door about 25 feet away.

'After you."

He opened the door and followed you inside. It was perfect. Like a studio apartment but much bigger. Everything was in one room except for the bathroom. A kitchen and dining area, living room and a bedroom.

After a few minutes of looking everything over, you made your decision.

"I'll take it....that is if you want to rent it to me. I have references and all that stuff."

"Not necessary. I get the feeling you're good for payment and you don't look like the type that's going to rob me blind and trash the place. I've had too many of those to easily recognize the good, the bad and the ugly. It's yours if you want it."

"Really? O..ok. Thank you...so much."

"Alright then, come with me."

You followed him back to his man cave and went over the payment details and then handed him a check.

"Alright just Josie. When the check clears, I'll give you a call and you can come move in any time after that. Just stop by here and I'll give you the keys."

"Sounds good. Thank you Mr.....?"

"Parker...but you can call me Craig."

"Ok. Um..Thank you...Craig. Hope to hear from you soon."

"You're very welcome just Josie."

He stood holding your check and smiled as you left.

"Jo March....what are the odds of you showing up here? Just what is it that you know....." he muttered to himself.

You were so excited and the only person you wanted to tell was Lee, so you stopped by his place on your way home to start packing, and to break the news to your mother. It's not like you would be far, and you would come visit her all the time....but you needed this. To be on your own and although it wasn't planned, you got the shove you needed to do it.

You went racing up to his door and then stopped to take a breath because every time you knew you would be near him, the butterflies made you dizzy. Slowly, you walked in. He was sitting in the dining room and the look on his face told you he was beyond elated to see you.

"Sorry for just barging in, I just really needed to see you and thought maybe we could go do that lunch, well it would be dinner now, or if it's not a good time, I can go..." you rambled in your nervous state that he always put you in.

He said nothing and came right to you and did what his face said he was dying to do...took you in his arms.

You both stood quietly for a minute as he laid his mouth on top of your head. His warm breath circulated through your hair and his heartbeat raced against your ear.

"Lee...what's wrong, are you alright?" you asked as he held you so tight.

"I...I saw him Jo...I saw my dad."

You arched your head back quickly. "You saw him? Here?"

"Oh...no...I meant at the funeral home today. I went there to make his arrangements after I had stopped at the home to wrap up the financial stuff and gather his things.....He..looked so peaceful. I talked to him for a little while and held his hand...and then I came here and have just been sitting at that train set ever since. The locomotive I gave him for his birthday, I brought back and put it back on the Jacob's set, wanting to turn it on...but I...I just couldn't....Jo...I'm so glad you're here."

You squeezed him extra tight and now both of your hearts were pounding against each others.

"Me too...I am so sorry Lee. I hate it that you're hurting so much. We don't have to go out tonight."

"No, nonsense. I would love to go out with you, and get the hell out of here for awhile. Fixing this place up is dragging on and dragging me down...besides...you said you needed to see me so there must be a reason unless you just couldn't stay away from me." he grinned as he peered down at you.

You giggled shyly. "Both....annnnd...." You smiled and began lightly jumping up and down in his arms. "I got my own place today!"

"Oh my god Jo, that's great. I'm so happy for you. Well then there's a reason to go out after all, to celebrate....you can tell me all about the place then."

"Really? Ok! First, I need to go home and shower and change...I have been running all day since the rink and..."

"Jo Jo...you really don't know just how beautiful you really are do you?"

His fingertips softly stroked your cheek as another moment was happening. You could see it in his eyes that he wanted to kiss you and god did you want him to....until your car alarm went off.

You both ran to the front porch and watched a cat haul ass off of your hood. You threw your arms in the air.

"I..I give up. I give up!" you laughed sarcastically and shut the alarm off. "Come pick me up in an hour. You can meet my mom."

His face fell flat and his eyes widened as he gulped. "W..w..what? You...want me to meet your mother? Jo...after how I showed up that day at your house...I doubt that it's a good idea..."

"Lee...relax. She didn't even witness any of it...and so what if she had? It will be fine..."

"Is that code for...here, hold my beer?" he chuckled.

"Ha ha. I'll see you soon then?" you said as you put your coat on and began to walk down the steps.

"So...is this a date?" he said with a sly grin.

You turned and stared at his precious face...then ran back up to him, and held a soft kiss on his cheek right beside his lips, then placed you hand on his cheek and smiled.

"It is..."

As Lee watched you drive off, the smell of your cherry chapstick flowed up his nose and he could feel the slight stickiness of it on his skin. He closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh as he held his nerve racked stomach, then went inside to get ready.

Craig headed down to the basement of his complex where there were two other units besides his and the one you would rent that were both upstairs. He then sat down and spoke to someone.

"How's it going my friend. I'm unusually early, but there's been an unusual occurrence. It seems we have a new...tenant. At first, I thought it could be a major problem, because...well...I find it quite odd that this person shows up here of all places looking for an apartment, which concerns me as to what they know....Now on the other hand, it could be a plus, because a close eye can be kept on the resident."

A man sat in a wheelchair, unbound and clearly drugged, wearing a sweatshirt with the hood up and a mask that covered his mouth and nose. Upon hearing this news, he became unsettled and tried to get up, but failed as he was too weak.

"Now, now, there's no reason to panic. The person is quite harmless...at this point until I can further assess the situation, that's why I allowed them to stay here.

"N...no...not..the plan..." the masked man muttered and kept trying to get up.

"Are you really going to make me keep drugging you? Because it seems to be the only option at this point to keep you safe....Damn it..."

Craig got up and brought in the nurse who resided in the other unit down the hall.

"Give him a full dose." he ordered.

She did as she was told and injected the hooded man with a very large needle full of ketamine, otherwise known as special k. His arm was already bruised from several other doses.

"You bring this on yourself. I am trying to protect you...and this seems to be the only drug that will keep your hard headed ass sedated since it's used on horses. I know this was not the plan you had, but what does it matter? You're still dead to the world and dead to those who want you dead. How long have we known each other huh? Have I ever steered you wrong? If you go out there half cocked to seek revenge on the Jerome family or any of the other ones now, instead of waiting for the right moment, you won't be only merely dead, you'll be most sincerely dead. If I hadn't intervened, that's what you'd be. You knew that hit was coming and I know you planned for this to go a lot differently....but now, we have bigger problems."

"One of those being the new out of the blue arrival and it makes me wonder how much you told this person....that being of one Jo March...."

@redeemer46

[thefieryeclipse]

Tongues of Fire - The Final Chapter

So this is it! The long-awaited ending!!

After way, way too long of a delay and 6 YEARS in progress, here is the final chapter of my beloved "Tongues of Fire" <3 <3 <3

Ok, so technically it's a final chapter plus an epilogue, but the final update is now up, and I just changed the chapter count to "complete"! This is a very emotional moment for me X')

You'll find more of me rambling about feels in the chapter notes themselves hehe, but let me say here that I can never express how grateful I am to all of you who stayed with me this whole time or joined in along the way. Your support means the world to me and you kept me going writing this 411k behemoth of a passion project!

The story would never have gotten to this point without you, and you're all heroes to me ^.^

Now enough of the sappiness and onto the chapters! I'm super excited to share the ending with you FINALLY! I just hope it lives up to your expectations, and would love to hear what you think as always!

Read the final chapter & epilogue here:

Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/7595302/chapters/103140327

FFN: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12070735/40/Tongues-of-Fire