#please don't demand i change my story-telling and let me work it out

[yukipri]

hello! I have a question about the prime override. I really love the premise and all the world/culture-building you’re doing, but I’m also wondering about the future of the fic. it started out in one space and time, but now seems to be building up to a complete canon rewrite. is that where you see this going? or will we be going “back” to the post-war situation on Mandalore soon-ish? love it either way, but I’m just curious

First of all, thank you for being respectful and understanding in asking your question. I have gotten so many variations of "hurry up and get back to the present" regarding The Prime Override that it has admittedly severely cut into my enjoyment of writing the fic as a whole.

I am incredibly sorry that the flashback arc has felt like a "canon rewrite" though. I have been trying to build multiple sub-plots that are not remotely present (I assume) in canon, and while of course some core events happen, my intention is to only include them when they serve an explicit purpose within the unique plot of the Override. I also wanted to explore events like Muunilist, Jabiim, and Rattatak in greater depth because they are all from specific Legends contexts where there isn't much detail covered in any official media. But if it has all seemed like a simple canon rewrite, then that's probably my lack of writing skill, and I apologize for that.

The future of the fic? I'll continue writing it for as long as it brings me joy to do so. I know where I'm going and what I'm building towards. But at the same time, this fic is in many ways more about the journey than the destination. I already showed the destination in the first chapter, after all. For me, it's more importantly a deep exploration into who Jango and the clones are, their motivations and how their history and culture shaped that, and the process that Jango goes through which is almost a prose-shaped dissertation of one theory I have about how the chips and O66 worked. I, the writer, am working out these details and having discoveries along with the characters.

So to reiterate: I do know where we're going. I don't know exactly how we're getting there, and working that out through writing is what's fun for me. I therefore do not know how long it will take to get to certain places. To be fully honest, I don't even know what the next chapter will cover until I've finished the chapter before it. I didn't expect the current flashback to be so long, but there was more I needed to say and that lead to even more things, so here we are. I think it's still moving forward at a decent pace?

I will say that it won't be one solid block of time from the current flashback all the way to the present. I am currently planning (subject to change) to go back to the present once we reach the deployment of the main GAR point in the timeline—that is, after the Alphas are recalled to Kamino, and before the 212th deploys with Cody as the Marshal Commander and "Blue" within their number. I don't know how long we will be in the present after that. But after a bit, we'll go back to the past again, this time with the 212th.

I do not have chapter estimates for any of these—it'll happen when it happens.

I hope this info helps! Thank you for reading and for enjoying my work.

❀ ❀ Send YukiPri an Ask! ❀ ❀

[ozzgin]

The Mean Girl Bully Reader x Nerd Loser Yandere story sparked another red flag reader idea I had 😈

Imagine a Bratty Female Reader x Well Mannered Wealthy Male Yandere. Unlike our favorite monster whore gal, and two-faced bully, this new reader insert is super vocal about her distaste in just about everything. Hardly anything is up to her “standards.” She not only complains, but whines too! 🥳

Then her poor beau weirdly loves her despite her horrid personality. I don’t know how, I’ll leave that part of imagining up to you, but there’s my request 🥺

I just like morally grey or blatant antagonistic readers. A lot of times, it’s more fun if the reader is attractive this way to a yandere, than having stereotypical good traits, like being compassionate or respectful 😔

So please, a Bratty Female Reader x Well Mannered Wealthy Male Yandere?

-👘

I was wondering if I should just incorporate this into the Yandere CEO draft I have, but I had this sudden idea for a downright shameless relationship between a beloved, well-respected politician and a perverted, needy brat of a Darling. (I don't like politicians but alas, I needed a high-stakes public profession for this)

Yandere! Politician x Bratty! Reader

Mr. Politician is a true rarity in his field of work: well-mannered, articulate, and most importantly, genuine in his dedication. He works tirelessly for change and improvement, earning the adoration of the people. There's only one exception to his loyalty: no country ever comes before his Darling. And what a demanding Darling you are...

Content: female reader, older yandere, NSFW, some exhibitionism

Many would describe their interactions with Mr. Politician as follows: he's disciplined, confident and resourceful. A natural born leader, you can tell within seconds of meeting him that he is a man to rely on. He's spent many years in the game, and nothing can shake him out of his signature calmness. He keeps everything in pristine order, and nothing escapes his scrutiny.

There is, however, one quirk only few select people know about. A detail no one dares to discuss. It is common knowledge that Mr. Politician has a partner, yet the particularities of it are kept private. His beloved is a much younger girl, rotten to the core. It is unclear how this pairing came to be; the day Mr. Politician won his place in his prestigious office, he showed up with the mysterious feminine figure at his side.

What's certain and obvious to all witnesses is that his vocabulary quickly discards any meaning of refusal whenever he's dealing with you. It almost feels like the man worships you. He's never alluded to being religious, most likely because that role's been taken already. His eyes soften whenever directed at you, gleaming with raw adoration.

Splurging on expensive things is a given. Money has never been an issue for someone of his status. In fact, it's a handy and convenient tool he frequently uses to dampen the damage of your tantrums.

"Disgusting", you spit between your teeth, pushing the plate away and crossing your arms. The renowned chef of the Michelin star restaurant can only stare in horror before Mr. Politician intervenes with a chuckle. "Not feeling it today, huh?", he coos at you with loving strokes. "May I ask that you bring everything else from the menu?" he says in a sterner voice to the employee. "E-everything, Sir?" the waitstaff questions. "Well, naturally. I can't let my Darling starve."

"I'm bored. Let's leave now", you mention bluntly, standing in front of the heavily ornate table with a huff. "Are you sure, Darling? It's an important meeting for the country", Mr. Politician tries to plead. Around him, the other men sit baffled, observing the outrageous exchange. "Now!" you conclude louder. Before anyone can protest, your boyfriend stands up obediently and reaches out for your hand. "Then allow me to guide you, love."

A paradox. His earnest work is put to a halt if you require anything from him. Somehow, he has until now managed to juggle the two with little effort, and to his credit, there have been many instances requiring nerves of steel. Such as you paying him an unannounced visit to the office, and disliking the fact he was unavailable due to a meeting. So, you marched over to the window and promptly flashed your chest against the glass. Everyone else was focused on the opposing whiteboard; he was the only one who immediately noticed your arrival. "As you can see, the expected result is irresistible", he continued with a professional smile, tapping the graph with a marker.

Everyone knows Mr. Politician is fervently devoted to his principles. Take his last public speech, for example. Knuckles white from gripping the podium, he'd nearly choked during an eloquent -but passionate - conclusion. His face was red, his jaw tightened. He needed a moment to recollect himself, and the public waited with bated breaths, visibly emotional. Of course, they couldn't tell the outrageous truth: that you were shamelessly kneeling at his feet, pumping and teasing his erection until, at last, he let go all over your face.

"I wanted to see if you'd stumble on your words", you explain afterwards, wiping the sticky liquid off with a damp cloth. "That would've been unpleasant", he responds with a shiver. "It was live on national television."

He does not seem too bothered by the potential risk of being caught. Truly, his nonchalance knows no bounds when it comes to you. Or perhaps it is part of the charm. There's something quite depraved yet tempting about this perpetual contrast.

To return your daring favor, he gently places you onto his desk and spreads your legs, leaving trails of kisses along the inner surface of your thigh. A quick glance down confirms his suspicions: your bare bottom lays on top of confidential, rather important documents he dutifully signed hours ago. How thrilling of a feeling! He already smiles in anticipation, picturing himself as he hands over the folder to the oblivious party. He's not breaking any rules, now, is he? Nowhere in the book of etiquette does it state you mustn't fuck your beloved on top of official papers.

You gaze at the disheveled face underneath you. "One day I'll get you in trouble", you blurt out between whines. "Me? Oh, Darling. You know I always have everything under control." He lifts himself up and gives you a quick, desperate kiss. "Including you."

[bonefall]

post/734733274896809984/do-you-ever-worry-your-own-writing-might-come-off that makes sense. i was asking because i'm afraid of accidentally writing misogyny myself and i kind of admire what you do

Hmm... I wish I had better advice to give you on this front, but honestly, the only thing I can tell you is to consider the perspective of your female characters.

Women are people. They have thoughts and feelings of their own, so like... just let them have their own arcs. A lot of the worst misogyny in WC comes from the way that the writers just don't care about their girls (or, in the case of tall shadow, actually get undermined and forced to rewrite entire chapters), so they're not curious about their lives, or WHY they feel the way they do or what they want, or any direction for their character arcs.

Turtle Tail as an example. She'll often just end up feeling whatever Gray Wing's plot demands. She's gotta leave when Storm dumps him to make him feel lonely. She shows up again to love him in the next book. Lets her best friend Bumble get dragged back to Tom the Wifebeater, but is sad enough about her death to be "unreasonably angry" with Clear Sky, and then calms down and accept Gray Wing is right all along.

And then she dies, so he can have his very own fridge wife.

In this way, Turtle Tail's just being used to tell Gray Wing's story. They're not interested in why she would turn on Bumble, or god forbid any lingering negative feelings for how she didn't help her, or even resentment towards Clear Sky for killing her or Gray Wing for jumping to his defense. She isn't really going through her own character arc.

She does have personality traits of her own, don't misunderstand my criticism, but as a character she revolves around Gray Wing.

So, zoom out every now and then, and just ask yourself; "Whose story is being told by what I wrote? Do my female characters have goals, wants, and agency, or are they just supporting men? How do their choices impact the narrative?"

But that's already kinda assuming that you already have characters like Turtle Tail who DO have personalities and potential of their own. Here's some super simple and practical advice that helped me;

Tally the genders in your cast. How many are boys, how many are girls, how many are others?

And take stock of how many of those characters are just in the supporting cast, and compare that to the amount you have in the main cast.

If you have a significant imbalance, ESPECIALLY in the main cast, fire the Woman Beam.

It's a really simple trick to just write a male character, and then change its gender while keeping it the same. I promise women are really not fundamentally different from men lmao. You can consider how your in-universe gender roles affect them later, if you'd like, but when you're just starting to wean yourself off a "boy bias" this trick works like a charm.

Also you're not allowed to change the body type of any girl you Woman Beam because I said so. PLEASE allow your girls to have muscles, or be fat, or be old, or have lots of scars. Do NOT do what a cowardly Triple A studio does, where the women all have the same cute or sexy face and curvy body while they're standing next to dwarves, robots, and a gorilla.

Or this shit,

If you do this I will GET you. If you're ever possessed by the dark urge, you will see my face appear in the clouds like Mufasa himself to guide you away from the path of evil.

Anyway, you get better at just making characters girls to begin with as time goes on and you practice it. It's really not as big of a deal as your brain might think it is.

Take a legitimate interest in female characters and try not to disproportionately hit them with parental/romance plots as opposed to the male cast, and you'll be fine. Don't think of them as "SPECIAL WOMEN CHARACTERS" just make a character and then let her be a girl, occasionally checking your tally and doing some critical thinking about their use in the story.

(Also remember I'm not a professional or anything, I'm just trying to give advice)

[yankstrash]

oops i said i was gonna send in for cole today and i forgot ✋🏻 anyway here r some prompts 😋

"You're hot when you're mad." & "Stop pouting and get over here."

hehe you are my fav 🤭🤭 love u sar

"You're hot when you're mad." & "Stop pouting and get over here."

Cole didn't drink often, but when he drank, he DRANK. Tonight, he and the boys had the weekend off from games, so they decided to go to the bar and have some drinks.

You stayed back to work on some homework, telling Cole to call you if he needed a ride home before bidding him farewell for the evening.

A couple hours had passed, you finished your homework and hadn't gotten anything from Cole about needing a ride. You figured he would be okay and decided to get ready for bed. You changed into your pajamas, did your skin care, brushed your teeth and hopped into bed.

You closed your eyes and just as you felt yourself falling asleep, your phone started ringing. You groaned and looked at the screen to see that Scooter Brickey was calling you.

Oh God.

"Scooter?" You said as you answered, and were met with giggling from the other line.

"Y/nnnnnn! Pleaseeeee come and get Cole, he is WASTED!" Scooter chuckled out, almost slurring his words.

"Just Cole?" You asked, laughing.

"Nooo, nooooo, definitelyyyyy notttt! I called an Uber but Cole has been talking about you all night so pretty sure he'd rather ride home with you than with a random person."

You laughed to yourself but slightly groaned, seeing as you now had to get up and drive just as you were about to fall asleep.

"Alright, I'm on my way." You said before hanging up.

You slipped on some shoes before grabbing your keys and heading out to your car.

When you arrived at the bar, you saw the boys standing outside. You were grateful enough that they got Cole outside so you didn't have to go into the bar in your pajamas.

His back was to you as you got out of your car, but when Scooter saw you he beamed and pointed in your direction, causing Cole to turn around.

His red, droopy eyes lit up when he saw you, and a shit eating grin overtook his face as he skipped over to you.

"LOVER GIRL! Hi sweet sugar pie!" Cole slurred as he engulfed you immediately.

You laughed as you wrapped your arms around his waist. He REEKED of alcohol, and you knew you had a long night ahead of you.

Another thing about Cole when he drinks, he is CLINGY. He's not typically a clingy boyfriend. He's not huge on PDA and doesn't demand your attention 24/7. However, it's a whole different story when he's drunk.

"Hi honey, did you have a good time?" You asked.

"I didddddd, but I'm ready to go home and be with you." He said, pulling away a bit and placing a sloppy kiss on your forehead.

"Seems like it. Okay, let's head home then."

You waved bye to his teammates before wrestling Cole into the car. It was a difficult task, seeing as he did NOT want to let go of you for the life of him.

"But Y/nnnnn! I don't want you to leaveeeee!" He argued as you buckled his seatbelt in.

"I'm right here baby, but I need to get you home." You said.

"Your home! I want to go to your home!" He slurred.

"Okay, I will take you to my home but you need to let me drive you there." You said.

Cole huffed and said, "Fineeeee. Let's gooooo."

Once he agreed, you shut the passenger door before going to the drivers side and getting in.

The typical 10 minute car ride felt like an eternity with Cole babbling about holding you and making grabby hands at you the whole way, distracting your driving.

"Cole McWard I love you with all my heart but if we crash you are to blame." You said, seriousness laced in your voice.

Cole gasped and said, "I would never let anything happen to you."

"You are about to cause a wreck by grabbing me, please stop." You said, trying to sound nice but stern.

Cole pouted as he looked down. "Sorry, baby."

He controlled himself for the rest of the ride, but was right back on you as you walked into your apartment.

"FINALLYYYYY!" He yelled, and you shushed him immediately.

"SHHHHH! My roommates are asleep." You said, starting to lose your patience a bit with your drunk boyfriend.

"So? They've definitely heard a thing or two from us before." Cole said as he broke out into a giggling fit.

"Cole, go to my room, now." You scolded.

He happily obliged, throwing himself onto your bed.

You poured him a glass of water and grabbed some pain meds that he was sure to need in the morning before joining him in your room.

"Y/N! COME HERE!" He yelled, once again, as you entered your room.

You shushed him again, closing your door.

"Cole honey, please! My roommates are sleeping and I've had a long night, I need you to be quieter." You said, sounding agitated.

You were expecting him to close his mouth, but instead you were met with yet another fit of laughter.

"What is so funny?" You asked, putting your hands on your hips.

"Nothing, you're just hot when you're mad." Cole said, smirking at you.

"Glad you find my agitation funny." You said, crossing your arms over your chest.

"Oh pfft. Stop pouting and get over here so I can hold you." He said, opening up his arms.

"No. Not until you apologize for driving me insane." You said.

Cole sat up and said, "Fine. I am sorry for being loud, almost making you crash and driving you insane. But please come cuddle with me baby, I need it. I need you."

You could never resist him.

You rolled your eyes as you took your shoes off and got into bed with him.

You fell right into him, placing your head on his chest as he held you close.

"I'm sorry I annoyed you tonight. I love you." Cole said, placing a kiss on your head.

You laughed and said, "I love you too, Coley. But I am coming with you next time to keep an eye on your alcohol intake, okay?"

"Sounds good to me."

[heather1815]

Hey what's up everyone? I hope you all had a pleasant Easter! You might be surprised to see a new chapter out of the usual season I upload new chapters, but I have an important author's note I would like to publish and I figured it would be nice to deliver it with some new content. Lately I have been getting quite upsetting comments both on ao3 and on my tumblr regarding the direction I am taking with my stories. People taking my work for granted and making demands of me because they don't like what I have written, and blatantly telling me they are either dropping the story altogether or giving me backhanded compliments like "Hey you're nearly as good as this other author" or "You're good but this other guy is better". Like??? What are you trying to accomplish here? What makes you think I wanna know any of this stuff? In the kindest way possible, please feel free to stop reading my story at any given moment but I don't care about why, what, when, and if you do because I am writing fanfiction for myself and sharing it on the internet because i want to. I earn nothing from doing this, and leaving comments telling me to drop a subplot or to make X Y Z happen just because you want to won't make it suddenly happen. Please be kind and feel free to engage with my stories, but don't expect me to make any changes based on your demands because I won't. That's all i really wanted to say. Sorry for the rant but I needed to let it be known in some way and couldn't let this type of behavior persist. Anyway, with that out of the way I hope you enjoy the new chapter and have a good day!

[darkestspring]

Alright, I was reading the stories where the Targaryan men treat their wife harshly but later on fall for her, but it's too late because she doesn't love them any more.

And I thought about a possible part 3 if you're interested, their child accusing their mother of being heartless and unkind to their father who acts so affectionate.

And how would the targaryan fathers react to that knowing the real reason?

i think it would all go about he same way. the children are quick to notice as they grow up how loving their mother is towards them, kind and protective, but the opposite towards their father, cold and stoic. They don't understand why when their father always tries to be loving towards their mother but she brushes it off so coldly.

They'll lash out saying so, asking why she's so cold and heartless towards their father, if you love me why can't you love father?

They'll hate how your eyes fill with such sadness as you sit next to them, contemplating how to go about this, how could you tell your beloved child that their father had not always been like this.

"Many things happened in the past between your father and myself that were unkind, that hurt me very much. Sometimes life is filled with such things, but I was blessed with you, my greatest joy." They want to sob at the look of hurt soothing into one of pride as you brushed their hair back.

"What kind of things?" Your child all but demanded to know, stubborn and curious.

"I was once like your father, always asking to take walks, wanting to have meals. I wanted to spend time with your father, to be his wife. To try and make our marriage work." You explained softly, unknowing that your husband had stopped to listen. "But there's a point where everything became too much." You sighed and stood up. "It's time for bed, my sweet love. Mommy and Daddy love you so much."

"Good night."

"Why did you change so much?" Your husband asks, he knows the answer but he wants to hear the truth from you.

You took care to not look into his inquiring eyes. Years ago, you would have been overjoyed by the attention, by being around him but now? only pain latched on to your heart. "Did you really think I would not?"

"I wish to hear the reason from you, my wife." He replied and it seemed like everything you had been holding back had simply snapped.

He had stop himself from flinching as you look at him with tears in your eyes. "It's because of you."

You remembered every cold gaze, every dismissal, you remembered the laughter of others. "Why are you asking me this? It's because of you."

"People are not made out of stone." You looked away as to not let him see you cry. "How could I possibly handle my own husband's scorn for years and still remain the same. You and your coldness changed me, so please don't ask me such questions."

It broke his heart, maybe he had never truly understood the length of the pain he had caused you, maybe he never would but you were done trying to be the loving wife.

You walked past him without another word as he walked you leave with a heavy heart.

Maybe you would always hate him, but he would never stop trying, even if it meant getting rid of everyone else so that you may look only at him.

[highwaytothedangerzone502]

Foxtrot Alpha Alpha - Chapter 36

Pairing: Hangman x Female OC

Word Count: 2373

Warnings: Swearing

Summary: Hangman learned his lesson a long time ago to never show his true feelings when someone's words or actions hurt him. To do so showed weakness that could be exploited, and Seresin men couldn't show weakness. Of course, there was an exception to every rule, and Jake's always came in the form of women, three in particular: his mom, Juliette Kazansky, and the girl whose name he could no longer bring himself to speak. She was the girl that got away; she was his biggest 'what if' and his biggest regret; she would forever be the ghost that haunted his dreams. Jake believed that's where she'd stay, for he would surely never see her again after what he did.

Or so he thought.

Notes: This is the sequel to India Lima Yankee; I'm using the same callsign for the Female OC as in Ghost Story because I just really like it, but they are different characters; chapters in italics are flashbacks.

Chapter Songs: King Of My Heart Beautiful Drug

****

Ghost

Standing at the threshold of Hangman's apartment turned out to be even more daunting than anticipated. Staring at his door, Ghost thought grimly: I really should've figured out what to say before I got here. But there's no turning back now. Here goes nothing.

Her hand thudded heavily on the wooden door. She waited impatiently for a few seconds before knocking again. Once more, nothing. Ghost sighed, figuring he wasn't answering because it was her. She knew he was home; otherwise, his blinds wouldn't be raised. Unless he had headphones in while he worked out... that was a good possibility.

Ghost hesitated, grabbed hold of the doorknob, and twisted it. The door opened without resistance. 

"Guess some things really never do change." Ghost stepped inside and set her backpack on the floor, calling out, "Hangman? You home?"

Noise in the back of the apartment caught her attention.

Please don't let there be a girl here...

"Hangman?" Ghost called out again, slowly walking toward the noise. She warily poked her head into the bedroom. "Jake, are-"

"Fuck!" Hangman's voice boomed to her right, and she jumped to face him. Staring at each other like startled deer, Ghost's eyes trailed down his glistening body, water droplets rolling down from his shoulders to his abdomen to his-

Ghost whirled around, cheeks flush from embarrassment and silent awe at what she'd seen. Meanwhile, Hangman hurriedly wrapped a towel around his waist and demanded, "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I came to talk to you," Ghost replied, wincing at how stupid the words sounded coming out of her mouth.

"And you couldn't have called?"

"Would you have picked up?"

His irked silence gave her the answer. "That's what I thought."

"So you thought waltzing in here was a good idea?"

"I always told you to keep your doors locked before someone unsavory person walked in." I just never thought I'd fall into that category...

"Did you come here to tell me 'I told you so,' or is there another reason?" he snapped. Hangman moved to his dresser, pulling out fresh clothes.

"We need to talk. I'll be in the kitchen when you're ready."

"You're going to be waiting a while."

"Fine. I have nothing else planned today anyway."

Turning on her heel, Ghost exited the bedroom and strode to the kitchen. The bedroom door slammed shut behind her. If Hangman thought his rude demeanor and behavior would dissuade her from talking and persuade her to leave, he was vastly mistaken. Ghost opened her backpack and pulled out the box of letters, setting them on the kitchen island, pristinely clean like the rest of Hangman's apartment.

He took his sweet time getting ready, so Ghost contented herself with rereading the letters as a reminder of why she'd come here as the stress of the impending talk began to loom over her more and more. 

Relax. We'll work this out. It'll be fine. Perfectly fine. We'll- 

Her affirmations were cut off by her ringing phone. Glancing at the screen, she saw her mom's name. Ghost frowned and silenced the call. Not right now. The drama over Maverick being her dad could wait until later when she was emotionally capable of handling it. She was dealing with enough at the moment.

"One existential crisis at a time," Ghost mumbled to herself while she silenced the second call from her mom. A third call came in, but this time, from an unknown number. Either Charlie was borrowing someone's phone to try and reach her, or a new person was trying to call her. Curiosity got the better of her, and Ghost answered. "Hello?"

"Hello, Annalise."

The voice sent ice running down her veins. She shouldn't have answered. "What do you want, Kyle?"

"To talk."

"Did Hangman's threats not get through that thick skull of yours?" Ghost snarled, bracing herself on the counter to keep her hand from shaking. Something about his eerily calm tone set her on edge.

"Either you tell me where you are so I can come talk to you, or I will find you," Kyle said, "and I will not be alone."

"Come anywhere near me, and I will get that restraining order in place." Movement out of the corner of her eye caught Ghost's attention. Hangman walked in, throwing a shirt on, staring at her in concern. He must've heard the last bit of the conversation. She mouthed 'Kyle' to him, and his expression went livid. Without a word, he held out his hand, and Ghost placed her phone in it.

"If you call my girl one more time-" Hangman growled, his lip curling involuntarily- "there will be hell to pay. I have a lot of pent-up rage right now, and I'd love nothing more than to use you as my personal punching bag."

My girl. The declaration sent shivers down Ghost's spine, even though she understood he only said it as a way to deter Kyle from reaching out to her again. Ghost had learned long ago that some men respected another man's claim on a woman more than the woman's outright denial of him.

Kyle said something else, and judging by the murder in Hangman's eyes, it was nothing good. Ghost's suspicion was confirmed when he snarled, "Do not touch her, or I'll make you wish you were dead." 

Hangman hung up after that and returned the phone to Ghost, who asked, "What did he say?"

"I'm not going to repeat it, but... be careful. Kyle's obsessed with you, and he's with Nick now. He has backup if he decides to confront you. Just... be on guard."

"It's good he doesn't know where I live then."

"Don't underestimate Nick's abilities. Even if you've blocked your address from being found by normal methods, if he wants something, Nick will find it." Hangman opened his mouth as if to add more but shut it and moved away from Ghost. He opened a kitchen cupboard and pulled out a glass, filling it with water. "So, why did you barge in here?"

"To talk. About everything. Including-" Ghost slid the box to him- "these."

The color drained from Hangman's face. Deathly quiet, he queried, "How did you get those?"

"It doesn't mat-"

"Yes, it does! You weren't supposed to read these! Where the hell did you-" The epiphany suddenly dawned on him- "Coyote. God... damn it!"

He swiped at the glass of water, sending it flying across the kitchen and shattering against the wall. Shards scattered everywhere, and Ghost might've been concerned about the sudden show of rage had Hangman not suddenly sagged against the counter, shaking.

"How much did you read?" he asked, deceptively calm.

"I didn't intend to read any of them at first since you hadn't been the one to give them to me. Then I decided to read the first one," Ghost admitted guiltily, hating how much this appeared to be affecting him. "And then I couldn't stop. I read all of them."

Hangman scoffed. "They were the ramblings of a delusional aviator. I don't see what was so riveting in them," he replied, heading to a closet and grabbing a broom and dustpan. "You shouldn't have read them. They weren't meant for you."

"Then why were you addressing them to me?"

"Because maybe it started out that way, and it was the closest I could come to telling you what was on my mind without actually burdening you with it."

Ghost shook her head. "We'd been friends for years, Jake. Burdens aren't meant to be carried alone. Your burdens were mine, and vice versa."

"My burdens stopped being yours when I killed you and Ghoul!" He snapped, furiously brushing the shards of glass into the dustpan. She waited for him to finish the chore before she spoke, mainly because she wasn't sure what to say next. Hangman, however, decided he hated her silence and asked a question of his own. "What are you doing? Why are you still coming after me when I told you to leave me alone?"

"Because I told you once that you were stuck with me. Yes, we had a fight. Yes, it was a nasty one, and in our grief, we fractured our friendship. We both had parts in it. You tried to mend it early on, but I was stupid and ignored you. I'm sorry it took me this long to realize the demons you were facing in the aftermath of it. I'm sorry, Jake," Ghost said earnestly, finally taking a step toward him.

"Why do you care so much about fixing us after all this time?"

"Because I loved you back," Ghost replied, sliding his last letter over to him. "Unequivocally, unabashedly, wholeheartedly, I loved you."

I still love you.

At the echo of his written word rolling so easily off her tongue, Hangman's green eyes searched her face, scanning for any lies and deception. "Why are you telling me this now?"

"Because I need you to understand that as long as I'm around, you are not alone in this world. That you will always have someone willing to pull you out of that darkness."

"I don't want to have this conversation, Ghost."

"I don't care. It needs to happen. It's needed to happen for a long time now."

"You should go."

Ghost stood her ground. "No."

His nostrils flared, and he pointed firmly at the door. "Go."

"On one condition."

"This is not a negoti-"

"Do you love me?" Ghost interrupted, stepping toward him again.

"What?" The question took him aback, and he shook his head. "That's not-"

"Do you love me?" Ghost repeated.

"I can't do this, Annalise. We can't-"

She would not be deterred. "Tell me you don't love me, and I will walk out that door right now and never return. I will give you what you want. But first, you have to tell me that you don't love me."

It was a dangerous game she played. For all Ghost knew, Hangman would tell her those dreaded words, and then she'd have to follow through with her promise, even if it killed her to do it.

Hangman took a step back from her, shaking his head. "Annalise, please, I can't- I'm trying to protect you. Why can't you see that?"

"Protect me from what? What do I need protection from? Why won't you answer my question about if you lo-"

"Just stop. Please, stop asking-"

"Is this because you're afraid I won't love you back?" Ghost stared him down, challenging him to answer. When her question was met with silence, she decided to finally reveal the truth that she'd been lying to herself about since the accident that had torn them apart. At the risk of having her last guard wall between them torn down, if it meant she got him to answer, then she'd do it. She'd do anything for him. "Because I do. I love you, Jake."

Hangman froze, the genuineness of her statement crashing over him as his gaze searched her face once more for the lie, but he wouldn't find one. All he would see were the tears welling in Ghost's eyes as she said, "I love you, Jake. I love you so much that if leaving is what you truly want me to do, then I will. If you tell me you do not love me, I will walk out that door without another word or argument. I will do as you wish, and we- we can live our separate lives and be cordial to each other when social situations are required, but I will not talk to you during those times or contact you outside of them. I will find a way to live my life without having the hope that one day, you will once again be in it. But first-" Ghost closed the distance between herself and Hangman, heart and head aching in terror at what his words would be to her request- "you need to tell me that you do not love me."

"Annie, I..." Hangman gulped, and Ghost could've sworn his entire body shook. "I'm a danger. To you, to everyone who-"

"That wasn't my question," she said sharply. "Do you love me?"

"I'm cursed! You don't deserve a life with a man who could get you killed or a guy who was so weak that he thought jumping into the black waves would solve all his issues. You deserve-"

"Jake!" Annalise exclaimed in exasperation, grasping his forearms firmly. "I will decide what type of man I deserve! And I will be the barrier between you and the black waves when they try calling for you to jump into them again. I will stand with you through the good and the bad. Just tell me: do you love me?"

"I love you!" Jake burst, chest rising and falling rapidly at the emotion he loosed. He broke from her grasp, clasping his hands behind his head as he walked away from her. Hangman took a few deep breaths, calming himself, before facing Ghost and closing the distance between them. He cupped her face, and in the gentlest of voices, he said, "Annie, I have loved you from the moment you tried to take my head off with your guitar. I never said anything because I did not want to drag someone as bright and full of light as you down with me into my darkness. I wanted you to find someone who deserved you, and I never saw myself as that man."

I love you. I love you. I love you. The words rang loudly in her head, and Ghost couldn't quite believe she was finally hearing them fall from his lips after all this time. She covered her hands with his, unable to tear her gaze from her sparkling green eyes. 

"You-" Hangman began, kissing her brow- "have bewitched me- body and soul- since the day I met you, and I love you."

Ghost smiled at the reference to her favorite film. She tilted her head up to brace her forehead against his. "Forever?"

Without hesitation, without stumbling or missing a beat, Hangman replied, "And always."

Ghost closed the gap between their lips, and no more words needed to be said.

****

Tags: @lgg5989 @shanimallina87 @polikszena @summ3rlotus @icemansgirl1999 @supernaturaldawning @thedarkinmansfield @lyannaforpresident @lapilark @getmyprettynameoutofyourmouth @simpofthecentury @shadeops21 @pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy @double-j @bradshawsandbridgetons @catsandgeekyandnerd @peachiicherries @multifandomcnova @fandomsstolemylife00 @bookloverhorses @mak-32 @midnightmagpiemama @luckyladycreator2 @ellamae021 @kmc1989 @atarmychick007 @rotating-obsessions

Chapters: Chp 1 Chp 2 Chp 3 Chp 4 Chp 5 Chp 6 Chp 7 Chp 8 Chp 9 Chp 10 Chp 11 Chp 12 Chp 13 Chp 14 Chp 15 Chp 16 Chp 17 Chp 18 Chp 19 Chp 20 Chp 21 Chp 22 Chp 23 Chp 24 Chp 25 Chp 26 Chp 27 Chp 28 Chp 29 Chp 30 Chp 31 Chp 32 Chp 33 Chp 34 Chp 35 Chp 36

If you're not on the tag list and want to be, just let me know :)

[linmeiwei]

OMG! I recently found your stories and

I'm.

In.

Love.

You've rekindled a fire I haven't felt about P&P variations in a very long time! Yes, there are many good writers, but not very many excellent ones! Your Darcy and Elizabeth, their interactions in all stages are—at least to me—so true to their canon selves, I can easily imagine several parallel universes in which Austen herself might have come up with something like I Dreamt or Betrothed!

Another (very, very) important aspect of their dynamic I absolutely adore in your portrayal of ODC is their sensuality and ardour. It's unlike any other I've read so far, and I'm so grateful for the little scenes of intimacy you've given us— in spite of the position of much of the fandom on sex no less!

(Alas, I am greedy fanfic heaux who was raised in fandoms much hornier than this one, so i cant help but wish for Darcy-centric outtakes for Stranded. Does this exist??? Can it????)

Since I don't yet sound desperate enough, let me ask this: Please tell me you're currently writing a new story? I do realise it takes work and effort and time. Nevertheless, i'm fully committed to being the needy, greedy reader and have therefore no shame in demanding ever more!!

(in reality, of course, I'm beyond thankful for what we have, and can't wait to read all your stories from back to front again and again and again once I've rampaged all the way through, which, at my current speed, should take just another couple of hours, lol 💗💗💗)

Oh wow, thank you so much! It genuinely means so much to me that someone reads what I write, let alone likes it. It's so nice to hear, genuinely, thank you.

Partially, I'm a little flustered reading comments like this, because I write so painfully slowly, and honestly have to go through fifty complete re-writes (as in start from scratch-go again) before I think a story fit to be seen by the eyes of another human being, and even then I'm a bundle of anxiety until the first review comes in. But the fandom has been so forgiving of my many mistakes and so kind in their feedback, and so that really helps me keep going. So, again, thank you!

It does mean that I'm slow with producing more work, though! I do in fact have a completed draft of another novel, that I am now letting rest before I start re-working it again. Which is my long-winded way of saying that, yes, there's something new coming out at some point, but I really don't know when it will be ready (I'm really rather ashamed of how long it's taking me). I have a little toddler and a full time job, which doesn't help, I'm afraid!

Oh and the sex scenes! Yay, I love a good sex scene! I also love horny P&P variations! And I'm so rubbish at writing them, lol! My genuine position on this is that the sex scene comes if it feels right that it should be there (like, in Betrothed it felt right to be more descriptive when it happens, because something fundamental changes for Elizabeth at that point in the narrative, and she breaks the distance between them, purposefully, er, letting him in, so to speak). Stranded was my first novel, so I didn't really know how to do this stuff, so it's coy and full of banter, rather than anything remotely explicit. I hadn't thought about writing any extra scenes for that one, but maybe I will (and if I do, I'll pop it on AO3 for everyone to laugh at :D)!

[chososdiscordkitten]

PLEASE GIVE ME SMUT WRUTING TIPS..GOJO BREEDING KINK MADE ME WANT TO WRITE SOMETHING FOR MYSELF. (EVEVN IF U DONT LIKE GS BREEDING KINK, ITS ONE OF UR BWSTS) PLEASE GIVE ME DIALOGUE WRITING HELP. HELPPPPP DONT LEAVE ME HELPLESS

UHHHH smut writing tips... hmmm. (yapping below the cut)

this may sound very wrong and not pc BUT, ive been reading smut for years. Since I was like 10, ive read countless different writing styles, and millions of words of pure filth.

And as I read them I developed a taste of what I like and don't like- I write in a way as though I am reading to the reader- you/your/yours, because I don't like y/n or I don't like using third person pov nor first person.

What I do- is I think of the scene, picture it and if I can't get a body part- or a hand placement correct, I go look at porn videos or hentai- whatever. Not because i derive like arousal from it- but I truly use it as a form of studying. (im asexual)

I also use shows, movies and songs for inspo- certain lyrics I can picture on x character I write down.

I find it helpful to use a physical notebook for my ideas, there are times I don't have access to my computer so actual paper helps.

And as for dialogue, I try to keep a mix of x characters physical state while they speak, an example;

("blah blah blah" she said, and he said "blah blah" and then-) ive never liked this specific kind of writing so I include the way their eyebrows furrow- or the way their nose crinkles after saying something.

with smut I think its helpful for the reader to picture the way x characters face churns, a trembling bottom lip, dilated pupils, it helps make everything seem more intimate and inclusive for the reader.

And when it comes to describing the way something feels- if its something small like a trailing touch- I take a second and do what im writing about onto myself-

example; if im writing about a gripping hand on a hip- ill press the tips of my fingers onto my thigh to see the way the skin indents and how it feels? (embarrassing)

One thing ive learned- just because you write it with a specific image in mind- doesn't mean people will be able to see it the way you do unless you provide details.

usually when im doing laundry or at work a specific sentence pops into my head that id picture x character saying.

Let's use gojo for example, in my head when I think of his dialogue I think of playful, sweet, but with kinda mean undertones. Because in the anime/manga he keeps a playful tone while saying some very mean things.

once ive finished a very rough first draft- I spell check everything and read it outloud to myself- I say the dialogue in the tone I pictured while writing to be sure it sounds correct. and if it doesn't I brainstorm different phrases or words. (use of different words is soo important.)

And once ive corrected any words that don't fit together- or changing certain things that make me squint- I feed it into Siri nd have it read it to me outloud while I follow the sentences.

I do this 3-4 times till the whole thing sounds correct and how I mean for it to be read.

And I do one final skim once I paste the story onto Tumblr.

it's a tedious process, I know, there's times where im on my 4th reread and it seems boring or uninteresting- but only because ive reread it a million times and combed through it carefully.

There are times where I think my writing sucks because it seems over processed it and it's not entertaining- but!!! I proceed regardless.

And remember- you shouldn't write for the likes of other people, write for yourself and to your likings.

The masses shouldn't tell you what you should enjoy writing, pls don't take this as rules or as like a demanding thing- this is just my personal experience and the way I like to do things.

Writing should be a fun hobby and something you do to get the filth out of your mind, nd im not a very big writer on here, so don't listen to me too much

thank u for the question :>>> (I know how it feels to reach out for some help anon, im happy you enjoy my writing enough to ask me this, ily)

[ravennaortiz]

Rescues and Relieve

Chapter 18 of Countdown

As always this is an 18+ only story. This story is AU based and not your typical Sons of Anarchy story. Some readers may find some plot lines and changes to some characters to be problematic please read at your discretion. This story also time jumps heavily so keep this in mind as you read!

Warnings: General themes of the show such as violence, drugs, swearing etc, minor age gap, minor smut in later chapters.

Coco perked up at the sound of yelling and crashing from the hallway. Maybe EZ grew a back bone he thought to hismelf as the door slammed open. Noting only one figure enter he looked closer and groaned inwardly. "Seriously?" snapped Coco as he looked up in to Rockys face. "Lecture me later. Pretty sure Zobelle is aware I'm here" rushed Rocky as she worked on the ropes on keeping Coco strung in the air. "Please tell me and I say this with all my love that your dumbass didn't come alone" begged Coco as he closed his eyes already knowing the answer. Rocky remained silent as she finally cut him down. "I mean EZ knew I left....he could have stopped me" she offered as Coco rolled his eyes as he stretched his limbs.

"What about boy scout screams will stop anyone from anything?" asked Coco before turning his gaze back on her and assessing her for injuries. She had blood on her face, hands and clothes. Light bruising that was decorating her neck and left cheek as well as her left side where he could see her exposed skin through the tears in her shirt.

"I'm okay" stated Rocky quietly. "The blood is Zobelles.....he thought he would get his gift early" she added with a nonchalant shrug. Coco frowned as he slowly stood up. "You will be getting a very stern lecture once we get out of here." he stated before pulling her in for a hug. "Pretty sure Zobelle knows I'm here she says, the blood is his she says" mutters Coco as he grabs his gun off a table by the door and looks out into the hall. Rocky can't help the small smile that ghosts her lips. "Didn't want to worry my recusee. Golden rule of Coco rescues is always keep the other person calm and reassured" quoted Rocky mockingly making Coco grin.

***

"Where are you two going?" demanded Jax as he grabbed the van door as Juice went to close it. "Going to get Rocky" stated Halfsack. "Now let go of the door" growled Juice as he yanked on it. "Laddies" started Chibs before Jax spoke over him. "Half you are not healed yet. Anything happens to the two of you and I will not know peace with my little sister. So don't be any more stupid or reckless than what your doing and you are taking us with you". Once both men had nodded he hopped in the back followed by Chibs.

***

A few hours later- Safe house

"Whats the damage?" demanded Jax as he ran his hands through his hair, spreading blood as he went. "Rockys left shoulder is out of socket. She has bullet wounds in her thigh with at least one bullet still somewhere in her leg, probably a cracked rib, couple cuts, lots of bruises. " sighed Chibs as he looked through the emergency kit on the table.

"What's wrong?" asked Jax as he looked at Chibs as he sunk down on a chair. "She is in a lot of pain and we have nothing here to give her. Half thinks he can pop her shoulder back in but wanted something to relax her she's too tense" he added as Jax frowned as he dug though the medical supplies himself.

Half and Juice looked up as Coco appeared in the doorway with a bottle of whiskey. "Chibs said to have her drink this. Best we got right now" stated Coco as Juice frowned as he took the bottle. Rockys pained whimpering from the bed tugged at him as he glanced at Half who simply shrugged. "Better than nothing" stated Half who moved to kneel next to Rocky.

"How you feeling Rockstar?" asked Juice a few minutes and half a bottle later as Rockys head dropped back onto his chest as he held her to him gently. "Floaty. Kinda warm" slurred Rocky slightly as her eyelids drooped some. "Lass is a lightweight" murmured Chibs as he took the bottle from Juice. "I think its best we do her shoulder first. That is going to be the most painful part and its the one with a time frame" stated Half sack to Jax as they stood by the doorway.

Once Jax nodded, Half stepped back to the bed and sat in the chair Coco had brought from the kitchen. "This is gonna hurt" whined Rocky as Juice scooted them to the edge of the bed while Half held her injured arm. "No it won't" lied Juice as he felt her tense on his lap. "Rocky why don't you close your eyes and just take a deep breath or two" ordered Half-Sack gently as he carefully moved her arm.

"We will count to ten and then I'm going to pop your shoulder back into place okay?" explained Half-Sack as he made eye contact with Juice and mouthed three. "Okay , whatever you say handsome" murmured Rocky before giggling and hiccupping. Half-Sack chuckled as he shook his head and started counting.

The scream that ripped through Rocky when he said three startled everyone into silence. "Rocky? You good" inquired Juice as he felt wet drops fall on his arm that was bracing her. "Mean. Don't know why I like you both" panted Rocky in between shaky breaths as tears poured from her eyes. Blinking rapidly she felt like her head was spinning as her vision tunneled.

***

"Well bullets out of her leg and I have her patched back together" stated Chibs as Jax came back into the room awhile later to check on the progress. Before Jax could respond Rocky groaned and turned on her side, vomiting all over his shoes. "Don't feel good" mumbled Rocky as she dry heaved. "Couldn't tell kiddo" joked Jax as he grabbed a clean rag and wiped her mouth. Rocky grumbled slightly before drifting back off into darkness.

"How are the lads holding up?" inquired Chibs as he tossed some more towels to Jax while he cleaned up the medical supplies. "Coco is asleep on the couch. He stitched his own leg and arm up by himself. Juice and Half have been nervously pacing. They feel bad for hurting her and making her cry then pass out" replied Jax as he cleaned up the vomit on his shoes and the floor. "Well I think she will forgive them" chuckled Chibs as he glanced up at him.

"Its nice to have all this shit over" stated Jax quietly as he looked over Rocky. "Ill take her being a bit banged up any day over what Zobelle wanted to do".

Return to Chapter List

[freesia-writes]

Howzer + Aurelia Ch. 11

Beginning with his shiny days, this story follows Howzer's character arc through some heartwarming romance, action, adventure, yearning, angst, and growth.

Content/Trigger Warnings for Entire Work (individual chapters not labeled): wartime peril, injury, and death; sexual assault up to kissing; relationship passion up to making out and heavy petting; sexual relationship alluded to (smut is posted separately); pregnancy, birthing trauma, and stillbirth (chapters 30-39, can be skipped and still keep up with the story).

Master List of Chapters

Word Count: 650 (I'm SO SORRY it's so short but this is the end of PART ONE so I can't double up)

11. Divergence

Aurelia wrapped her arms around herself, huddling against the base of the tree in a feeble attempt at consolation. The tears flowed freely now as she let out all of the confusion, hurt, and sadness that had been pent up inside since last night, taking deep, shaky breaths as she silently cried. She watched a pair of the long-necked birds perusing the pond together, moving their necks in sync, and felt an aching emptiness where her heart had been full and warm the last time she'd been here.

A familiar crunch of someone moving through the branches startled her, and she saw Howzer pushing through into the clearing. She had specifically checked the Senate session schedule, and he should have been tied up there for at least a few hours more. Quickly wiping the tears from her face, she leapt to her feet, rage overtaking the sadness.

"Get out of here, Howzer," she said, her voice breaking without her permission.

"I will. I'm sorry. I mean, just listen..." he began, reaching a hand toward her.

She smacked it away as hard as she could, relishing in the flinch that crossed his face, "I don't want to hear it. You know what speaks louder than words? Actions. And you spoke very clearly last night." Without waiting for a response, she charged through the bushes back to the main path, walking as quickly as she could and refusing to look back.

The sound of his footsteps approaching fueled her indignation, and she stopped and whirled to face him as he ran to catch up. She clenched her fists tightly at her sides, feeling a strong urge to punch that fresh little face of his. He stopped a few feet away, hands in the air.

"Please. Listen to me. I'm sorry. I didn't mean--"

"Mean what? To lead me on for so long? For me to lose my job? To pretend and then throw it in my face?" she demanded, eyes welling with tears again. "I thought you were different," she finished, her voice frustratingly squeaky with emotion.

"You lost your job?" Howzer said in surprise, a look of sadness flitting across his face. "I'm so sorry. I was--"

"An ass. An oblivious little moof-milker," she volunteered, opening her mouth for more. But he stepped closer, hands still in the air, almost desperate in his insistence to get through to her.

"I'm leaving for Ryloth tonight!" he spluttered, and she snapped her mouth shut in shock. Flooded with anger and hurt, she tried to make sense of his words.

"Why?"

"Change of station. Sprint put in a good word for me and I'm going to be in his unit. Time to blast some Seppies, finally!" He was bordering on excitement when he remembered the situation between then, toning it back down quickly. "I just wanted to make things right before I left."

Aurelia lifted both hands to her face, pressing and rubbing her eyes and cheeks. She took a deep breath, dropping her hands to her sides and looking up at him sadly.

"Okay, thanks for telling me. Take care," she said, turning to continue on her way.

"Wait!" Howzer exclaimed, taking a few quick steps after her and grabbing her upper arm, "Please..."

She yanked her arm from his grasp, stopping to face him again. His eyes were pools of emotion, accentuated by the concerned tilt of his eyebrows and the tension in his lower lip. She felt a wave of electricity wash over her, hating that it did.

"It's probably best this way," she said, eyes hard. "You've got your glorious purpose ahead of you. Go end the war."

"I'm sorry I hurt you," he said softly, "I just--"

"Stop trying to explain it, Howzer. It is what it is. Be safe out there. And tell Sprint I said hello." And with that, she turned and continued toward the edge of the park, walking confidently to hide the fact that her face was melting into a pained contortion of sadness, anger, and grief.

Howzer remained still, staring after her until she disappeared from view. He dropped his gaze to the ground, angrily kicking a nearby rock, then slowly began trudging to pack his things.

.

Next Chapter

[crashdevlin]

Local Legends 4- The Truth

Author’s Note: This is part four of Local Legends miniseries, a nightclub AU with a bit of a twist.

Sorry it took so long to get this out and it's pretty short, but I was extremely sick (viral pharyngitis...so all I could do was wait it out as my tonsils swelled up so bad I could barely breathe) and working on school. I promise that it won't be so long before the next chapter of stuff.

Summary: The Winchesters are Lebanon legends, courting controversy like any wealthy family does. Y/n has always been interested in the gossip, but never had cause to be a part of it, until she runs into Dean Winchester at his nightclub and gets the fabled black business card that lets her into the VIP lounge.

Pairing: Dean x Reader, OMC (Rick) x Reader

Word count: 1544

Story Warnings:  cheating/infidelity, angst, guilt, shame, relationship angst,

~~~

Rick was waiting for you when you walked into the apartment, sitting on your thrift store couch with his phone in his hand. Your mind immediately slipped back to the day you had to talk yourself into the purchase, promising to eat only Ramen lunches for the month because you needed somewhere to sit in your living room after the supports failed on your last couch. If what Dean said was true…

"Where have you been?! I've been calling and calling and it kept going straight to voicemail and-"

"Phone was off," you responded shortly. "And why does it matter where I've been?"

Rick scoffed as you dropped your purse on the coffee table, and he stood. "You walked out of here after a big fight, Y/n. It's not like you to just...leave."

"No, it's not," you confirmed. "But I've been doing a lot of stuff that's not like me." His eyebrows came together and you had to look away from him. "Like you have...ever since you met me."

"What does that mean?"

"Why haven't I met your family, Rick?"

He sighed loudly. "I've told you-"

"Old friends from high school or college? Old girlfriends?" You kept your eyes on the stained area rug under your feet...a curbside pickup from someone else's trash.

"Y/n, look-"

"I'm giving you an opportunity to come clean so please…" Your voice dropped to a whisper. "Please."

Silence filled the room for a long few minutes. "How'd you find out?" eventually came from your boyfriend as he moved to sit back down.

"Saw your yearbook."

He scoffed and shook his head. "One of the Winchesters."

"Doesn't matter. Just explain."

“I know I shouldn’t have lied, but I-”

You interrupted again as you turned to look at him. “Rick, seriously. I’m not asking for an apology.”

“Just an explanation, then, huh?” He sighed and settled back on the couch. “I grew up with...anything I ever wanted. Everything, everyone, had a price...and my family could pay it. We were...multibillionaires. There’s a lot of money in chemicals. But...not a lot of morals.” He scratched at his beard and took a deep breath. “I was an asshole. From the minute I could talk, I was an asshole. I was an asshole to the Winchesters from the minute I met them. I thought they were less than me. I was-”

“You still think they’re criminals. You still call them criminals, Rick...or should I call you ‘Richie’?”

He let out a sad noise. “Don’t call me that, please. I’m not...I’m trying to tell you what changed. I’m trying to tell you why I’m not ‘Richie’ anymore. And you...you know those guys are definitely not squeaky clean, Y/n.”

“Neither are you.”

“Exactly!” He shook his head again. "Look at me. I haven't even had the money for years and I'm still a lying piece of shit! What do you think they’re like? I mean it. Under it all, what do you think the Winchesters are really like? You think they exposed my lies because it was the right thing to do? Of course not! They told you the truth to fuck me over, to get revenge for high school, and you know what? I deserve it. I deserve everything they could do to fuck my life, but you don't deserve to be made a tool for-"

"Why are you pretending to be poor, Rick?!" you demanded, your patience wearing thin.

"Because you wouldn't have wanted me if you knew I was a trust-fund dickhole."

"What?!" Your eyes went wide.

"People treat me different when they find out about the money. I didn’t want that from you."

"You thought so little of me that you assumed I would treat you differently if you told me the truth?"

"No, that's not what I mean! I just...when I met you, I saw you...I saw who you are. I saw the...the working-class of you. I didn’t think you'd be interested in me if I was-"

"You'd already walked away from the money and prestige by the time you came here!" You let out a shocked gasp. "He was right! You didn't see a future with me! That's why you didn't tell me about your past."

"That's not true!"

"What, was I some vacation for you? Some distraction from your difficult upper-class life? Was I something to entertain your-"

"No!" Rick dropped to his knees in front of you and looked up into your eyes, begging without a word.

"Then explain it."

He licked his lips and let his eyes flit away before focusing on your mouth. "I met a guy in college. His dad used to work for my dad. Got exposed to something at the plant, the PPE was insufficient. Dad convinced him not to file with OSHA...said he'd cover his medical, take care of his family...fired the guy as soon as the time to file passed. Guy ended up killing himself because life insurance was the only way he could take care of his family...and Dad tried to take that from them too...sent lawyers to claim the company should have been the beneficiary because the company got him the policy. Dad ruined the man's life and tried to ruin his death and I know that wasn't a one-time thing...it was just the first time I was exposed to the aftermath." A tear rolled down Rick's cheek but he paid it no mind. "I started looking at environmental law after that...as a way to, kinda, pay for my father's sins. I wanted to make sure that no one had to deal with exposures like that. I changed because of that."

"And that explains you coming here. That explains you stepping away from your wealth and station but it doesn't explain why you didn't tell me the truth. It doesn't explain why you have allowed us to struggle through the last few years. It doesn't explain why you run to them when they ask you to or why you haven't fucked me since your ex-girlfriend divorced her husband." His eyes popped to yours, then dropped to the floor. "Another thing he was right about, huh? You're going to leave me for your private school prom queen and that's why you haven't touched me in months."

"They...want me to...but...I haven't…"

"Yes, you have. Your obligations come first. They always will. And they have obligated you to marry within your social class." You stepped back away from him and gave a tight smile as tears of your own overwhelmed your eyes. "It's okay. It's only been a couple years. You'll wash the poor-person stink off real quick...a lot faster than I'll wash the living-a-lie stink off."

"Y/n, I'm-"

You shook your head and grabbed your purse. "Have a nice life, Rich."

You set your phone in your center console as you drove, speaker turned on so you could speak hands-free. Everything was falling down around you but you weren't going to let yourself fall with it.

"Hey, Danny, I just got a call from my uncle. Grandma is in hospice. They need me to fly out to the coast and help with end of life care and getting her affairs in order and stuff. I'm gonna need to be taken off the schedule for a few weeks."

"I'm so sorry, Y/n. How long do you think you'll be out?"

"Couple weeks, at least. I'll call when I find out when the funeral will be and let you know when I'll be back."

"Okay. Give your family my condolences."

"Will do, Danny. See ya."

You reached out and turned off the call as you kept driving. Out of town, down two nameless dirt roads and into a long driveway. You looked up at the farmhouse in the distance, sighing as you put your car in park.

Your stomach was in knots as you stepped onto the porch and pulled open the screen door. It’d been many years since you showed up here with your tail between your legs...but it was time.

“Hey, Mama.”

“Aren’t you a sight?”

You smiled tightly and cleared your throat. “You ever turn my room into a craft space or is there still a bed back there for me?”

She hummed and rubbed her hand on her shirt. “Of course there’s still a bed for you. Come on in, girl. I got some banana bread. You want some?”

You stepped in, walking toward the kitchen. “Thanks, Mom.”

“So...what’d he do?”

“What?” You turned to her as she shut the heavy wood door.

“You haven’t been home except holidays in two years. I imagine that boy of yours did something that your daddy is probably going to want to have a few words with him about.”

“Maybe I did something wrong.”

She looked you in the eye and shook her head. “You’d be too ashamed to come here if it were your fault. So...come have some coffee and banana bread and tell me all about it.”

You sighed and followed her as she walked into the kitchen. You would have to figure out how to pare the story down.

[albywritesfiction]

Helene Route Thoughts

Ohhh ok, sooo sorry for the ask I got a lil too excited about this scenario for the comments section 😅

So, first of all, as a serial lurker and consumer of IF... I've noticed a trend (not the first person to notice/comment on this btw) of fans getting... kinda demanding & entitled regarding the work that IF authors are producing these days. I wanna say up front that I adore what I've seen of your IF concept so far, and also- even if I didn't already love it? Please don't let us fans or anyone else pressure you in any way/shape/form into deviating from the story YOU want to tell! (Like y'all go to a book store & write a nastygram to a published author bc the synopsis doesn't press all your buttons...? Why the hell would you do that to someone who's publishing amazing IF content, often for free!? Who raised you!?)

With that outta the way- personally I'm perfectly OK with Helene being the stereotypical 'White Lotus' of manhua fame- man we love tropes for a reason, why wouldn't I want to see that story play out in IF form?!

If you really want to explore her potential as an RO tho? I can think of 2 different Helene flavors that I would personally find compelling...

First is one I have observed in manhua before, if rarely (and it's killing me that I can't recall the character/series I'm thinking of...) Helene is basically groomed/raised to fulfill her roll of bagging a prince or other high ranking individual for her religious institution's prestige/power. This is the only thing she's been raised to think she's suited or useful for, a power grab. Maybe MC can show her how amazing she is and the power she wields personally outside of the church's influence over her fate? Empower Helene to pursue her own desires! Poor girl never knew how to want for anything... until she met MC... 👀

The other thought I had is totally the opposite end of the spectrum... A Girl Boss that wants power & influence, and doesn't care much about the collateral damage in achieving that. Like, path of least resistance, I'ma play every dudes fantasy & become the perfect woman to get the power of this dim-wit prince. Once she's won, she starts looking around thinking... ok this mask is kinda stifling, how long after marriage should I wait b4 I poison this guy? Meanwhile, she meets MC and... surprise! She has a competency kink! Suddenly... a celebrated, wealthy dukedom has most of what she's after anyways, without some of the schmoozing & red tape associated with the top of the monarchy... 'Ok, changed my mind, I want THAT ONE instead! For world domination purposes ofc' (In my head this Helene is def a bit of a red flag character)

These are just a couple thoughts from someone who's already in love with the universe you're creating 😊 I'm really excited to see where your story takes us, with or without any changes to the already established ROs!

Hi msmuffino!

Oh, I greatly appreciate the concern! Thankfully, everyone's been really nice and accepting about the things that I've established for ATE, like Ædric and Cyfrin being the only ROs and them being set as male, MC having been in love with Ædan ever since they met, Ædric and Cyfrin having pre-established feelings for MC, significant details like that 😄

My curiosity is really the main reason why I had this poll 😅 like I got super interested in hearing what you guys had in mind if Helene was an RO, and I really enjoyed reading all the Helene-route-thoughts asks I received 😄 as in, if you guys decided that you wanted to make fanfics about your MC and Helene with your ideas in an ATE AU, I'd be really interested in reading them 😄

Thank you so much again for the kind and supportive words, and I'm also really excited to share ATE with you guys when I finish Chapter 1! 😄

[alchemists-eve]

You were there.

You were chained up.

Held up above your feet, strapped to the wall behind you, your heart rate spiked as you ran to you. You huffed furiously trying to set yourself free. You looked down at yourself, and saw your efforts, but the chains had made you weak.

You tried to break free a dining room chair. Craft a makeshift weapon. To break the chain. To smash the wall. To do something useful. But they refused to budge.

At the sight of yourself you came to life. “How did you get stuck here?"

“Me?” you struggle, scouring the room for a way to free yourself, “I’m not the one trapped here!”

“You look pretty trapped to me.”

“Shut up!” you scream, “Help, please!”

You shake your head and let out a sigh long since defeated, “It ain’t gonna work. This ain't my first rodeo, cowpoke. There’s no way you're getting me outta here that easy.”

You looked at yourself, terror dripped from your eyes. You didn’t know what to say, what to ask. All you could do was sink into the stone chair beside the stone table, in the stone room and look up at yourself.

You smiled.

“How did you get here?” you ask.

“Oh, that’s a long and boring story. You won’t want to hear it.” you reassure yourself.

“I absolutely do want to hear it.”

“Fine. I don’t want to tell. How’d you get here?” you demand.

“I woke up here.” you concede.

"Strange place just to be waking up." You embrace a full body yawn, "but I won't lie; I've woken up in stranger places."

"Really?" You ask,

"Nah not really. Now how about we help each other out."

You looked over at yourself perplexed, unsure really who this was. They looked like you, sounded like you, hell even kind smelt like you. But spoke words you've never said.

The fire crackled quietly as the two of you looked each other up and down. You looked completely confident in what the two of you were capable of. While you looked entirely terrified of what the two of you were capable of.

“Alright, let's get down to brass tax. I can get us outta here, but I can't do it alone. I need your help,” your clone beckoned. “Alright, so I need you to break these chains.”

"Oh, no fucking worries. Let me pull out my trusty bolt cutters."

"I could slap you."

"The feeling is mutual."

“God am I really this snarky? Look, just grab the chain. This is where things are going to get weird.”

“This is whe-have you seen-.” you throw your arms into the air, pacing around the room. Finally you give up and approach the figure on the wall. “Fine.”.

"You and I are about to change."

Don't forget that Alchemist's Eve is now on Instagram. If you've enjoyed the story, please reblog and tell your friends.

***Next Part******Previous Part***

[jacepicableme]

Entry #7: To infinity and beyond

Right now, I’m whiter than usual. Why? Oh, cause someone thought it was a good idea (damn right it is) to slather me with baby powder to combat the humid heat while I desperately try to pick my brain in a futile attempt to conjure up a masterpiece of words using my last two braincells. 

To be honest, I’ve written three drafts in my desperate attempt to, idk, impress you while being utterly expressive to compensate for whatever brilliant piece you’ve written for me... nah. Actually, I couldn’t find the reasonable balance so as not to appear overtly brooding (like my usual writing style as of late) or an insufferable know-it-all (altho this may have some truth to it, but only in reasonable doses). 

But hey, let’s take a pause with my iconic over explaining before I lose my train of thought on why I decided to write this in the first place.

I just wanna tell you that this whole “changing my mind without my consent” transformation that you orchestrated has been refreshing to say the least. You’ve splashed color into my world (I think I’ve said this before) so now I have the overhanging question of what I’m supposed to do with all my black t-shirts now that I’m not so emo anymore, thanks to you. 

I feel awkward about the whole transition since I’ve subscribed to the belief that love is a bittersweet poison we imbibe to burn our hearts out for so long and now, now I feel like love is an elixir that brings us back to life - even though popculture has always romanticized dying for each other in the name of love. Hence, I was never scared of death. I thought that final sacrifice was the only way of professing the truest form of love - like Jesus, amirite? 

But now, I think I want to stick around this shithole a bit longer just to witness things (like climate change and all that shit) around us get worse. I used to be an ardent admirer of death, constantly chasing after its elusive embrace, yearning for my turn to escape this matrix we are trapped in, and now I feel like I should probably order talismans to ward off the grim reaper - Emily Dickinson be damned. 

Once upon a time, I told you I'd be annoyed if I died too early, but now I don't even want to entertain the thought. If living in this wretched hovel is the hand I've been dealt, I demand the consolation prize of spending as much time as I damn well please with you. Trust me, I'd file a complaint with the manager if that wasn't granted.

It’s a new feeling for me to want to live and actually have a zest for life. I want to experience growing old and holding your old, saggy, wrinkly hands as we sit watching the sunset in our porch. I want to recall so many more memories with you because the ones we have, the stories we’ve told, and the experiences we’ve shared up until this point is not enough. I crave countless more chapters with you, so my soul can embark on an infinite number of reincarnations before retiring from this existence.

I don't know what kind of voodoo you worked on me or why I was your chosen victim, but please, for the love of all things sarcastic and ironic, don't play some cruel prank and leave me hanging. I couldn't bear this life without you. Seriously, it would be like trying to eat pizza without any pineapples - utterly pointless and soul-crushing.

So, stay. Stay a whole lot longer here with me, okay, @worthleslie ? 

[hazelnut-u-out]

Hello mutual! For the writing thing: 🥺, ✨, 🎶,  👀 and/or 🤲, 🧠 for Rick, and if there’s anything you particularly want to answer that you haven’t been asked then that too if you want to?

thank you for sending in an ask!! <33

i just saw your reply to mine, hehe. answers under the cut!

🥺Is there a certain type of moment or common interaction between your characters that never fails to put you in your feels?

hmmm... this one is kind of difficult to answer because, yes, but it's difficult to pick just one lol. if i had to pick one that makes me the most emotional, it'd probably be a tossup between young rick being any sort of paternal/doting to baby beth or any kind of moment where morty shows how sweet and pure his intentions are when everyone he puts himself on the line for is so undeserving.

also, rick crying or morty getting angry enough to just tear into someone. it's kind of their respective, "something is really wrong here."

✨Give you and your writing a compliment. Go on now. You know you deserve it.

thank you, hehe. i'm my own worst critic, but i feel like i can make anything angsty and painful if you want me to. i also think i'm pretty good at painting visual details with words??

🎶Do you listen to music while you write? What song have you been playing on loop lately?

i have a hard time listening to music while i read or write because i get overstimulated SUPER easily lol. i do base a lot of my fics off of songs, though!

one i keep coming back to for rick is "storms" by fleetwood mac:

"did i ever really care that much? is there anything left to say?

every hour of fear i spend, my body tries to cry

living through each empty night

a deadly calm inside

i haven't felt this way i feel since many a year ago"

one that always makes me think of morty is "ghost on" by angel olsen:

"when should i believe the things you say?

you change your mind from day to day

and i don't know if you can take such a good thing coming to you

and i don't know if you can love someone stronger than you're used to"

i also have plenty i revisit for birdrick stuff.

👀 Tell me about an up and coming wip please!

i'm working on a couple of multi-chapter concepts atm! i've been rereading the original "the adventures and memoirs of sherlock holmes" rn to work on my rick and morty x holmes and watson au!

🤲 Would you please share a snippet of a wip?

some morty dialogue from an upcoming angst fic between the boy and his mad scientist grandpa:

"What, Rick? Woul- Would that make for a better story? W-Would it make me a more developed character? Or maybe a different answer would make you feel better! I-I'm so sorry! D-Did you have a different character arc in mind? One that would make you feel better about the character you've wr-written me to be? Would it be easier for you to forgive me if there was a-a-a reason that I did what I did? Would it tie up loose ends if -(redacted for spoilers)-? Give you closure? W-Well... 'tough luck, buddy.'"

also, just for you, a birdrick snippet from a revenge-era space cowboy multi-chapter wip:

The young man was unfurled below his companion like a blanket beneath the stars, and they studied one another like a loner’s wide eyes would peruse the cosmos sprawled out above them- Rick's quivering fingers and lips taking note of constellations divinely created for nothing more than his sinful touch along the way.

🧠 Pick a character, and I'll tell you my favorite headcanon for them. (Rick)

i have so many silly headcanons about rick. my favorite is probably that he doesn't let morty get adult meals when they go through drive thru's. he has to get the kid's meal, but rick demands he give him the toy.