#paraph

[neuroticboyfriend]

You are genuinely such a disgusting and repulsive person for comparing people with a mental illness they cant control with literal pedophiles. Stay away from people with ocd forever you're fucking sickening and saying evil shit like that can get someone killed someday. You are pure evil and you dont fucking care about disabled people if you compare them to self admitted pedophiles for being mentally ill

Oh my friend, I hope one day you see that MAPs are human like the rest of us and not inherently abusers. I hope one day you see that they too cannot control what they are experiencing, but they can control whether they abuse or not. Because they are people just like you and me, who are capable of deciding right from wrong, and making choices about their own actions.

Belief in anything otherwise is ableist and abuse apologia. It essentially boils down to thinking that your thoughts and feelings determine your morality, which you'd think you'd understand as wrong if you support people with intrusive experiences (like myself, pedophilic ones included). Believing MAPs are inherently abusive gives way to believing abuse is inevitable, that abusers abuse because they're "just like that" and couldnt help themselves. It removes blame and responsibility; abuse is a choice. Uncontrollable thoughts and feelings and fantasies are not - which, btw, intrusions can be more than just thoughts.

But I know you don't care about a single word I just say beyond it only enraging you more, only solidifying the fact I'm a monster for realizing that MAPs are human and that my intrusive thoughts give me more in common with them than the mentally abled - especially since I too am a paraphile. I hope one day you calm the fuck down and learn to have compassion for other wrongly demonized people.

[justdreamsandmusic]

The bottom photographs here were taken by a acquaintenced friend of mine, the top two were by me.

I had an Aldo shoe box turned into a sign I wanted to frame the console left of the screen with, I’ve decided not to ask. 

funny how the SCP Foundation uses one of the same fonts as my Local Library decided to use, years ago. Not an exact mystery. 

[rasairui]

Whenever anyone brings up an intercommunity issue and tries to say like. Hey maybe the LGBT+ community should hold eachother to higher standards when it comes to how we treat eachother. Someone inevitably tries to counter this by saying "ooh well reactionary fascist politicians hate ALL OF US EQUALLY so stop fighting!" I'm just like. Well number one that isn't true. Like you can't claim to know what intersectionality means and also believe that's true. And number two, do you seriously think that we as oppressed minorities shouldn't be aiming to have better standards than a fucking republican senator? Because everytime I see somebody say this it just feels like. Idk. Shitty people exist so why bother having standards or code of conduct or any sort of accountability among the marginalized. Personally I thought the point of a marginalized community was to support and learn about each other so we can care for eachother where our society has failed, but it really feels like these people believe that because bad people exist on top we just shouldn't bother trying at all. "I'm comfortable enough, fuck the rest of you" type shit. Not to mention these people will specifically bring up american politics nearly every time even if the person with the grievance Does Not Fucking Live Here.

[i-am-the-balancing-point]

Lorna's note

Attention all staff:

Everyone needs to take what they can and get out. Somethin' bad's on it's way. Maybe head for the Valley. Might be safer. I'm gonna stay here. I can't go down with my ship, but if they want my place they'll have to pry it out of my cold dead hands. You've all been like a family to me since my man passed on. I'm grateful for all of you. Now get.

Love, Lorna.

A letter found at Lorna's Truck Stop. ❇︎ Notes of Hope County

[philcollinsenjoyer]

this is such a song about one specific ass situation

[adventures-in-mangaland]

Even More Dead Boy Detectives Fic Recs

I've discovered some amazing new authors since my last post! And writers I've already recced have published more great stories So here's another fic rec post!

Who? You mean your teammate in the Codependency World Cup? (series) by RoseGanymede95

I couldn't chose! They're all great! Basically a series of Edwin and Charles through the years and on cases pre-show. It scratches that adjusting-to-being-dead/newly-escaped-from-Hell itch and the authors writing is magic! It also fleshes out a really interesting conflict in the payneland dynamic: Charles' drive to protect Edwin at all costs clashing with Edwin's guilt over putting Charles at risk/depriving him of some ideal afterlife. Parts one and four also introduces Constantine/Johanna and part three revolves around an absolutely gut-wrenching temporary break-up. 😢

In Hell I'll Be in Good Company by laylabinx

Charles rescuing Edwin from Hell does not go smoothly. Just. Bucketloads of Trauma for both of them. And for you, the Reader. It's so good though!

your fangs in my neck (like an anchor like a vow) by shadowquill17

Vampire Edwin AU! It's great because it combines the (homo)eroticism of vampiric feeding with Charles' whole bisexual crisis and post-confession Edwin worrying about making Charles uncomfortable. Also Charles is some kind of demigod/immortal agent of divine vengeance which is an AMAZING detail and I desperately want to see some fanart!

The same author's ongoing story to the pain is also excellent though very angsty (cw temporary character death). I'm anxiously waiting for an update!

To Memory Now I Can't Recall by engineering_madonna

This is an amnesia fic and the most recent in an established relationship series. The first two installments feature the boys getting together and navigating their new relationship, so pulling the old 'character A forgets their whole romantic relationship with character B' trope hits especially hard! The whole series is lovely, but I am WEAK for temporary-amnesia.

Lemonade & Sunrises by paraph

A Quiet Place AU! The boys are alive, but they're the only ones. Very bleak but in a way that makes me want more!

1999 au (series) by websters_lieb

The boys figure their shit out in the 90s. Also, Edwin gets to read Maurice and queer theory. The cases in both stories are compelling and the author's writing and characterisation of the boys are excellent.

I also recommend offer me that deathless death which is about the boys' first meeting, Charles' funeral and the birth of the agency.

if I could reach the stars (i'd give them all to you) by ObsessedWithFandom

Charles falls first, Edwin falls harder. This is an AU of the author's excellent Charles' bisexual awakening fic, which I also highly recommend. It has lovely OCs and Charles having a sweet little friendship/romance with the boy he saved in canon, which actually makes his death a whole lot more tragic.

Came up from that lake of fire by ghostinthelibrary

Charles and Edwin get caught escaping Hell and promise to capture a demon-eating ghost called The Deathless in exchange for their freedom. With the added twist that they get to be alive again! An exciting case, high stakes and all the alive-again culture shocks and emotional/interpersonal drama you could ask for.

gig officially gigged by laiqualaurelote

Band AU! It shouldn't work but it does. Which might also be an in-universe review for the band tbh. Idk, I loved Edwin's massive obscure musical instruments and Charles being his unpaid roadie. Peak Found Family Feels.

No Rehearsing It, No Reversing It by DontOffendTheBees

Charles overthinks being in love with Edwin, my beloved. This time with increasingly flimsy pretexts for why they NEED to kiss. Just perfect Idiots in Love, no notes.

The Case of David Bowie's Made up Sexuality by williamvapespeare

The agency attempt to help a living lesbian couple deal with a haunting. Meanwhile, Charles struggles through his bisexual (re)awakening. With bonus past (living) Charles no-homo-ing himself to the nth degree. Pure of heart, dumb of ass, indeed.

The lamps are going out by CasiHuman

Vengeful Spirit Edwin AU! Has some interesting ghost lore and Edwin being convinced his touch is painful to Charles (love that trope!). Also features some of the author's adorable/hilarious fanart at the end.

just frame the halves (and call them brothers) by Anonymous

Crystal stumbles upon the ghost of Edwin's older brother, who hires the agency to free him and his platoon from the battleground they've been haunting. Case fic with interesting details about Edwin's family life and an awkward as hell family reunion.

the case of the very long ferry ride by obsceme

Sex pollen but with skin hunger, so it's more touching turned making out and hand jobs in a bathroom. Interesting use of ghost lore and it's cute and well written.

Form 239, Schedule L by sanctuary_for_all

Charles Rowland's Love Language is Acts of Service: The Fic. So many feels! Plus Afterlife worldbuilding and some quality Night Nurse rep.

don't go sharing your devotions (lay all your love on me) by Hephanna

The boys and Crystal accidentally summon an alternate universe version of Charles. He's very... handsy. Charles being jealous of himself is objectively hilarious and it looks like it could be heading towards throuple territory. Possibly even a foursome, if alternate Edwin figures out parallel universe travel. Which he probably will.

Still a Better Lovestory by Vamillepudding

Hanahaki disease! Charles is on the case but Edwin's being weirdly uncooperative about his own curse. I loved the worldbuilding (there's a whole sisterhood of washerwomen!) and the angst, plus the writing is excellent.

The author has also written Eternal Sunshine, in which Edwin is cursed to feel no love of any kind. It makes for an interesting character study, contrasting cursed Edwin, his public reserve and his actual personality.

[pisces-swirlix]

Payneland Fic Recs

There are some fics that I feel like don’t get talked about enough (or at all), so this is my attempt to give them more recognition! Even though nobody asked lol. Also, I don’t know the tumblr handles for like any of these authors, only their AO3 usernames, so sorry :(

love, in context B24-16 by experimentaldragonfire

Rating: General

Words: 19k

Status: Complete

“Archaeology student Edwin Payne didn't expect the chatty tourist at the excavation fence to become someone he couldn't imagine life without.”

Not gonna lie, I probably overlooked this one a few times, but I’m SO glad I finally read it. It was cute and emotional and damn, this pulled at my heartstrings SO hard. Seriously, there’s a beach date and a museum date and more than one scene where being soaked by the rain is involved. I binged the whole thing in one sitting.

The Manuscript of Real People by paraph

Rating: Mature

Words: 42k

Status: In Progress

“Britain, 1976. Three years into boarding at Saint Hilarion's School, Edwin Paine is assigned Charles Rowland as a roommate.”

This one is pretty heavy. It’s not necessarily sad, but there’s a lot of violence and bullying and homophobia. However the plot really does pull you in, and it’s a really good slowburn. but like, slow slow.

The Case of the Couples Retreat by juliasfanart

Rating: Teen

Words: 17k

Status: In Progress Complete!

“It should have been just another case for the Dead Boy Detective Agency - a pair of missing ghosts to find - if not for the fact that they had to investigate a luxury resort dedicated to couples counselling... for ghosts. And what better way for Edwin and Charles to infiltrate it than to pretend to be just another couple needing to revive their relationship?”

This one is like the opposite of the last one. No dark themes that I can think of, it’s fun and cute while also shining a pretty strong light on the emotions of the characters. This fic has me blushing and swinging my feet.

the notetaker’s ode by imnotcryingipromise

Rating: General

Works: 3k

Status: Complete

“In which Charles realises that Edwin’s notebook contains more than just information about escaping Hell.”

Fluff lovers, this one is for you. Edwin has some very cute things in his journal. Simple and sweet :)

More Night Stand by in_flux

Rating: Explicit

Words: 8k

Status: Complete

“The last person Charles would have expected to meet at a club is Edwin Payne. And they're both happy enough to leave together - with a little help from Niko.”

University AU (kind of). It’s got some pretty hot smut in here, but it also is very cute to see them both have these embarrassingly obvious crushes that the other isn’t picking up on while they both try to seem cool and casual. It’s technically done, but I’m holding on hope that the author will release more someday because this AU is awesome.

[brightside-brigade]

Hey all, I just saw an absolutely disgusting take in these tags so it's time for you're reminder.

You're NOT a bad person for having a paraphic disorder, no matter what one. You are NOT a monster for having thoughts you'll never act on. It is a MENTAL DISORDER and no mental disorder is inherently evil. You are not doomed to hurt anyone, no matter what people think.

[aetherdoesthings]

Can you do a Drabble with Zoro and a reader who never sleeps? Thank you in advance!

elo! one drabble coming up!

forethoughts: okay so i'm going to be offline for the next week, so apologies in advance for my future absence. i wish the version of zoro i wrote would've been with me when i was in school 😭. welp. enjoy!

notes: gn!reader, modern setting

“You’re an idiot.” You turned your head around and glared at your swordsman boyfriend leaning against the doorframe to your room. You refocused your attention back to your textbooks and notes, scribbling some things down.

“Shut up.” You muttered. 

“It’s two in the morning. Why are you still up?” Zoro walked towards you, his hand threatening to close your textbook. You swat his hand away, your knuckles turning white.

“I have my exam in two days.”

“And?”

“I need to study.”

“You’ve been studying for the past week.” You let out a frustrated whine as Zoro tried to yank the pencil out of your hand and pack up your things.

“No! I need to study! I need to pass my exam! If I do well on this one, I’ll get all As in my gradebook, and I’ll be able to get a good GPA!” You scowl, glaring at Zoro. He held his gaze, furrowing his eyebrows. “You’re going to sleep. Staying up late is not going to help you get a good grade.” 

“No! I still need to learn-”

“You don’t need shit.” Zoro closed your textbook, turning off your desk light as he hoisted your body up from the chair with ease, handling you like you were a feral kitten. You kicked and screamed and threw your hands around, trying to hit your partner.

“Nooo! I’m not ready! I’m supposed to find everything I need for my essay, then review my thesis and body paraphs and conclusion, then-”

“Y/N. Are you even listening to yourself?” Zoro placed both his hands on your shoulders, his gaze softening when he saw the distress in your expression. “Do you even think you’re going to study well in this condition you’re in? Do you think you’re even going to remember what you read now in the morning? You know your efficiency decreases when you get sleepy. We both know that.”

You looked down, fiddling with the hem of your shirt. You really hated when Zoro was right. “I don’t have a choice.”

“Yes, you do, you idiot. You have a choice to sleep and get some fucking rest for the sake of being healthy.”

“Well, I choose to study!”

“Bullshit. You don’t need to choose to study. Hell, why are you trying so hard for something you know you’ll ace?”

You were an academic powerhouse, always getting As on tests and exams without breaking a sweat. But that came with a downhouse. With every test you were always nervous and anxious about getting a better score than your last; everyone knew you as the kid who always got straight As, you didn’t want to disappoint them. 

Zoro let out a sigh. He had been your boyfriend for as long as you began to stress about your performance and as long as you had been skipping on sleep in order to study. “Okay. What’s it this time? Essay?”

“Yes.” You responded, rubbing your temples. “About imperialism.”

“Okay. And what about this is making you stay up until two to study?”

“...I’m just scared I’m going to forget everything on the day of the test, and my planning will be for nothing.”

Zoro stayed silent, your hands in his as he rubbed small circles on your thumb. “Why don’t you tell me about your thesis?”

“How is that going to help?” You stared at your boyfriend with an incredulous look.

“Humor me.” Zoro rolled his eyes.

“Fine.” You sighed, lying down on your bed. Instantly, your eyelids grew heavy, threatening to fall and shut forever. You fought against your body’s desire and opted to open your mouth. A river of information and words flowed out of your mouth, not stopping for oxygen once. Zoro sat on the bed next to you, playing with your hair and rubbing small circles on your scalp, patiently listening to you yap and go off about imperialism.

You finally took a deep breath after minutes, looking at your boyfriend with a tired look. Zoro snickered, an incredulous look on his face. “And you’re scared that you’re going to forget all of that? That entire, what, ten minute speech?”

“I might!” You retorted.

“No, you’re not.” A small confident smile was on Zoro’s face as he leaned down to plant a soft kiss on your forehead. “You know your stuff. You sound like you know your stuff. If you can tell me all that, how can you ever forget the test? Even more, why would you need to study more when you can go off about whatever you’re talking about for ten minutes?”

Zoro smiled, his hands placed on your cheeks. “You know you know your stuff. You know you have prepared a lot. You know you have put effort into studying and have everything you need. Just believe in yourself, Y/N. You got it. You know what you need to do. And you know you’re going to do damn well on that stupid essay. If not, just tell me, and I’ll pay your teacher a visit.”

“Zoro!” Your cheeks flushed at his last sentence. “You can’t just beat up my teacher because they gave me a bad grade!” “Why not? They gave you a bad grade. That’s a perfect reason to beat them up.” Zoro shrugged, a grin on his face. “You know your stuff, you idiot. You know everything you need to know. There’s no point staying up if you’re just going to read a boring text over and over about something you already know. Now get your ass to bed before I beat you up.” 

“Okay.” You let out a chuckle, knowing Zoro wouldn’t really go through with his threat, but still obliged your boyfriend’s orders, slipping under the blankets next to him. “Zoro?”

“Hmn?” Zoro looked down, his fingers in your hair. “Do you need something?”

“...Thank you.” The corner of your lips tugged upwards as you planted a tiny kiss on his chin.

Zoro grinned at your words. “Anytime, darling. Go get that A for me, alright? You got this.”

[ernestinee]

Rentrée des classes, cahiers d'avis et journal de classe à PUTAIN de plastifier, avis à signer, oui on est dimanche soir j'avais la flemme de le faire plus tôt et notes à parapher pour les autorisations de sorties, le droit à l'image etc etc.

L'ado doit parapher et fait une sorte de caraboutcha presque identique à mon paraphe. Je le regarde en coin.

"Ouais bah c'est à force de faire le tien, j'ai le même maintenant"

(bon oui j'ai la AUSSI flemme de parapher ses résultats)

[prosedumonde]

L’Amour — est antérieur à la Vie — Postérieur — à la Mort — Le Paraphe de la Création, et L’Exposant de la Terre —

Emily Dickinson, Autoportrait au Roitelet

English : Love is anterior to life, posterior to death, initial of creation, and the exponent of breath.

[mistymeow69]

Hey guys. Thought I should make one last post before I depart!

In short, I'm not necessarily leaving tumblr, but I'm leaving the radqueer community, which this blog was originally used for.

I will have another one, but I'm not going to share it. I'd like to forget about everything that happened on here.

I recognize I made so many wrongdoings on here, and I regret them deeply. I want to grow and move on as a person from the things I interacted with and supported. I want to laugh at this in the future.

I joined some horrible communities, I stood alongside people who defended things like ped/ophi/lia and inc/est and convinced me it was all normal. I even started darkshipping again, which has been something I've been desperately trying to pull away from for so long, I know it's wrong but I keep going back to it. With the people on here telling me that not only was it fine, it was fine in real life too, they only made the situation worse.

I still identify as profiction. But through my experiences, I am aware of the damage consuming that kind of media can cause to you. I always told myself I would never support those things in real life, and yet, one thing led to another, and I was defending them too. I am profic as in I can just click off of fiction if I don't like it, since it's not real. I now have the maturity to do so, unlike before.

I am so, incredibly lucky that I did not fall victim to gro/oming or anything of the sort during my time here. My heart goes out to all of those who weren't as fortunate as me, and I'm sorry for standing alongside your abu/sers.

I guess I just really wanted a community. I still identify as transrace, and support some specific transids. But I'm going to keep that part of me hidden from now on. Because if this is what the community has exposed me to, maybe it would be better to keep those things to myself and the people closest to me.

I'm not going to pretend like I'm entirely a victim. I do believe making this account was a mistake, and the people who promoted those things should be held accountable, but I too was exposing myself to them. I did not take breaks. I kept interacting and falling deeper and deeper into the hole of the radqueer community. Eventually it just went too far.

The only reason I came here in the first place was because I just wanted a community of transrace people. It made me feel less alone, it had a nice format and there were so many people just like me. So, I felt inclined to support those I did not understand, just like how I wanted to be supported. But I should've listened to my common sense.

I mean, I even got called a terf on here for saying people shouldn't identify as transst/alked and things like that. That should've been my sign that, well, to put it bluntly, a lot of you are crazy.

I am underage and should not have been interacting with 18+ communities. And I especially should not have been supporting such harmful ones. I regret letting people tell me their disgusting fantasies and then convincing myself it was okay.

This app really messed me up for a while, honestly. I felt like preda/tors were oppressed. I felt like it was fine for people to identify as anything. I felt like discussions between zooph/iles and what animals they wanted to abu/se were normal. I even tried to force myself to be part of those communities.

I'm honestly glad this app gave me perspective. But I'm more glad that I'm leaving. I'm sorry if this makes no sense and is poorly worded.. If you are struggling with mental health and intrusive thoughts, please seek out help, whether it be through confiding in a friend, talking to a crisis hotline, getting into therapy, or even admitting yourself to a mental hospital. There's nothing shameful about it. You are not alone. But the communities you think are supporting you are only bringing you down.

Don't do something you'll regret. Don't destroy yourself. It's not too late. Your feelings are not your fault, you do not have to view paraph/ilias as a quirk in order to accept yourself. Because you did not choose to be this way. Again, there's no shame in seeking help. It's the best thing you can do, to cause the least harm to yourself and others.

I really wish this community hadn't been so horrible. I felt so great for a while. I finally felt like I wasn't alone. But it just went too far. And now I have to start all over, I don't know if I'll ever be able to accept myself as transrace again, if this is what it's associated with. But I know I will NEVER join the radqueer community again. I will not harass people in it, because I am a normal human being. But I will never support this again.

Thank you guys for being patient, and to those who were kind to me along the way. But this is not the path for me. And it shouldn't be for you either. I can't make you do anything, but please, reconsider what you're doing and what you're promoting. Think about why some of these things are taboo.

I'm not very active on tumblr, so I'm not actually sure how to do this. I don't know if I'll delete the account, or if I'll just log out forever. I might change my username too, I don't want to be associated with this anymore. I want to live like a normal person again.

Again, I can't apologize enough to those who are victims or were harmed by the things I supported. I know I only made the problem worse, but I'm going to try to undo it the best I can. The only way I know how is by leaving, bettering myself, and preventing others from making the same mistakes as me, especially other minors.

That's all. Thank you for listening. Goodbye, everyone.

[adventures-in-mangaland]

More Dead Boy Detectives Fic Recs

Since my last fic rec post got a great response and I've read some excellent fic in the meantime, here is a new list with more recs!

The Case of Richard Rowland by RB (BlueflowersandWings)

Charles' dad hires the Dead Boy Detectives to solve his murder. It's. Traumatic. The writing and characterisation are excellent and heartbreaking and the case is intriguing. I have many theories! Cw for domestic abuse, child abuse and homophobia.

we all have a hunger (series) by Anonymous

I couldn't choose! They're both so good! The first is from Crystal's PoV as she tries to figure out what happened to Niko. It also features some wonderful Crystal & Edwin bonding, an absolutely gut-wrenching speech from the latter and The Sandman cameos. The second in the series is an Edwin-centric (so angsty!) case fic featuring Accidental Child Acquisition, greek gods, the Cat King and a happy ending. Superlative writing in both.

Terrible, Horrible, No Good and Very Bad by hibye

Feelings realisation as Charles pines for Edwin and tries not to show it because he has to be sure he's in love. Terrific, very funny writing and Charles is a precious himbo. Excellent payoff too.

Oh, Lonely Bones, Have You Forgotten? by DontOffendTheBees

Charles and Edwin investigate a mystery at St Hilarion's and discover a gut-wrenching secret. Compelling and brilliantly written.

I'll let you go if you kiss me goodbye by shadowquill17

Idiots in Love meets Friends with Benefits and Misunderstandings. Edwin breaking his own heart for no reason is very accurate and Charles gets a cool queer mentor.

the spooky thing about penis ouija by skadii

College AU! Everyone's alive and Charles and Edwin have been besties since middle school. This is another Oblivious!Charles fic; he's like a well-meaning golden retriever trampling Monty in his clueless wake. Also, the gang perform a seance and Edwin is a ghost-sceptic, which is hilarious.

after the insects have laid their claim by lolotr

Charles finds out that Edwin's body was never found and will not let that stand. Has a kind of gothic romanticism I really love and a nice in-universe explanation for the "Charles and Edwin can only feel each other" trope.

The author has written lots of other great fic, including a very cute librarian!Edwin and single dad!Charles human AU with bonus Crystal/Niko.

A Form of Genius by Neous (Greyality)

Charles shows off for Edwin. Crystal Suffers. Idk, it's just cute.

the taste in your mouth by greenaerie

When Esther hurts Charles, Edwin decides to take up the Cat King on his original offer. Interesting exploration of dubious consent, shame and guilt. The author is fairly sympathetic to the Cat King, while also exploring Edwin's complicated feelings, including the impact of his upbringing, general repression and, yes, coercion on his first time. It's not exactly explicit, but take care if those are tough themes for you!

The Manuscript of Real People by paraph

Slow burn Boarding School AU where they're both alive and it's also the 70s. And they were roommates! I have been longing for a fic like this. All the jock/nerd romance tropes, complicated by discussions of bullying and Charles' (perceived) proximity to Edwin's bullies. Edwin is an orphaned scholarship student, so it's also a kind of role reversal and touches on themes of class and poverty. Minor cw for sexual harassment as the Cat King/Thomas is also there (sorry catwin fans).

When We Walk Together We Tend to Walk Alone by UneducatedAuthor

Charles meets Death and gets to say goodbye to his mum. A sweet concept and it's nice to see Death of the Endless getting some love!

Marriage is a Payne by Ace_of_Turtles

Arranged Marriage and Omegaverse AU featuring the boys agreeing to get married to spite/escape their awful parents. Not explicit and fairly light on the a/b/o details, in case that's a squick for anyone.

job officially jobbed by vernesatlas

Charles decides the answer to the handjob question requires a practical demonstration. Very funny and well written and the title is excellent. All the kudos.

Try, Try Again by Asidian

Alterative ending to episode four. After the Night Nurse, Edwin makes a second attempt to comfort Charles. Heartwarming and sad.

The Risk and Rewards of Communication by Opossum_Subatomic

Another alternative ending to episode four featuring Edwin coming clean about the Cat King. So well written. I feel like this is going to be a fandom classic.

take your chances (win or lose her) by ObsessedWithFandom

Charles decides to check in on his mum. Some very sweet established relationship fluff followed by discussions of domestic abuse and family feels. The ending opened up some amazing possibilities for future fics! Highly recommended.

The same author has also written the ghost of the past that you live in, which is an excellent in-depth exploration of Charles' bisexual awakening and trauma-related repression.

Anyway, I'm going to try to make this a regular thing, so please send me more recs!

[snarkylinda]

Thank God for Spencer's bluntness, otherwise I would be stuck with two bumblings idiots for like 4 more paraphs 🙏😔

[abdou-lorenzo]

Juste des mots, alors, un peu avant les mains.....!!

Dans le couchant, en lignes fines, tracées au ciel comme arabesques. Des mots partis, des mots restés, foulards de rires et ton soleil. Ou des silences au loin du vent....!!

Un instant en partage à dessein, en dessin, un paraphe posé juste au bord de la toile, des chapelets de temps comme traces de pas. Une ligne de vie. De repères en repaires, petites poucets de la mémoire...

Des mots avant les mains......💞🪶🥀

[de-gueules-au-lion-d-or]

“Nous n’avons pas à rougir de nos cathédrales et de nos châteaux, de nos monastères et de nos hôtels patriciens. Ce sont de beaux souvenirs pour l’enchantement de la mémoire. Que notre protocole roule les tambours en l’honneur de notre peuple d’artisans. Nos ferronniers, nos batteurs de cuivre, nos céramistes, nos tapissiers de haute lisse, nos sculpteurs, ceux qui habillèrent nos murs de pourpre, qui tissèrent le linceul de pierre des gisants, qui bâtirent les socles et les voûtes, qui torturèrent le bois avec précaution pour qu’il pousse le cri de sa tendresse, voilà les ancêtres de notre esprit, de notre labeur, les pages et les princes de notre royaume culturel. Nous les rencontrons partout, aux jubés et dans le chœur lyrique de nos cathédrales, au pied de nos escaliers monumentaux et à l’entrée des salons d’apparat, dans nos maisons profondes à l’ébénisterie embrasée par la lumière qui tombe des lustres de cristal. Miracles collectifs comme un théâtre moyenâgeux. Quelques paraphes magistraux scandent l’effort solitaire ; mais, pour l’essentiel, c’est dans des ateliers, où l’obstination des uns épaulait la patience des autres, que se célébra à l’unisson l’office de notre éloquence et de notre virtuosité. Notre culture populaire ne date pas d’aujourd’hui. C’est le chef-d’œuvre de notre artisanat. Nous ne réclamons pas des siècles ce qu’ils ne nous ont pas apporté. Nous avons fait des métiers du bois, du fer, de la pierre et de la laine, la tradition de notre effort et de notre art. La mémoire du peuple a besoin de témoins ? Voici les nôtres. Voilà nos racines.”

Pol Vandromme 1980.