#shadowedoracle

[mathgirl24]

For the ask thing: 3, 5, 14?

Hello there! Thanks for the ask, and it's nice to chat with you officially. 💜

3. 3 films you could watch for the rest of your life and not get bored of?

Tough one!! Shawshank Redemption, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Despicable Me

5. what made you start your blog?

Way back in 2012, it was the cool new thing that many of my Stargate Atlantis Sparky (John Sheppard/Elizabeth Weir) friends were starting to get into. So I followed them over here, and never looked back.

14. what’s something you’ve always wanted to do but maybe been to scared to do?

Maybe skydive. One of my friends did a jump once and it looked like great fun, but I need a sedative just to fly on a regular airplane ride, so.....

[shadowedoracle]

A Valentine's for Mr. Gold

Summary: In a cursed Storybrooke the town Grinch Mr. Gold visits the Storybrooke Library on Valentine's Day.

Rating: G

A/N:

Happy Fluffapalooza! Or Skin Deep Day! Which ever term you prefer.

I am one of the most cynical people about Valentine's Day you'll ever meet. But apparently that didn't stop my brain from coming up with this. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Oh also FYI, this is set one year before the events of S1. It's not really relevant. But just FYI.

[AO3]

***

If Mr. Gold had to say why he hated Valentine’s Day, he would have said there were three main reasons: 1. The rampant commercialism made even the mercenary business owner in him cringe; 2. It was the date his ex-wife had walked out on him and their five-year-old son two decades ago; and 3. It had been the date of the car crash that had taken his son from him and left him the crippled husk of a man he was today.

So he did not acknowledge that February 14th was any different from any other day. He did not sully his shop by making a holiday display or changing his hours (not that he did that for other holidays either) and he most certainly would not give discounts or loan forgiveness to those who had overspent their means to impress the object of their desires. In fact, he added a hefty fine to those who tried to use Valentine’s Day to justify any late payments on their loans. Everyone in the town knew he was -- as he’d heard Ruby Lucas once say (along with a load of expletives) -- ‘A Grinch’ but that didn’t stop a number of them every year thinking their sob story of a romance or broken heart would stop him fining them.

Normally on Valentine’s Day he’d head straight home, drink as many glasses of whiskey as he could stomach to drown thoughts of the shoebox in the attic with handmade valentines ‘To Papa’. But this year Valentine’s Day fell on a Monday which was library day. And nothing would come between him and library day. Not even Valentine’s Day.

Monday had been library day ever since Miss French had become the town librarian what felt like forever ago -- but could only have been several years at most. Mr. Gold didn’t need to go to the small town library for his reading needs. He had a very well-stocked library at home. But… Miss French was the only intelligent person in this town he could have a conversation with about books (or anything for that matter). She was shy, but very charming and he couldn’t resist going back week after week; letting her pick out new books for him to discover.

When he opened the library door he stopped dead. The library was covered in chains of red paper hearts draped from the ceilings. He strongly debated turning around and walking out but Miss French had already seen him and waved cheerfully at him so he moved reluctantly towards the large wooden Circulation Desk.

Miss French was dressed in a simple blue dress that brought out the color of her eyes and those eyes sparkled up at him as she grinned at him and she took his finished books from him. “Not a fan of the decorations, Mr. Gold?”

“No,” he said through gritted teeth -- although whether they were gritted so he wouldn’t comment on the decorations or her dress or her eyes he couldn’t say.

“It’s not really my thing either -- well, Valentine’s Day, that is -- it’s too superficial and too commercial for my liking,” she said as she scanned his books back, placing them on the trolley beside her. “But a holiday is a good excuse for a children’s craft project -- that’s where most of the decorations come from you know. Plus it means I can put up special quick-pick displays and I love putting those together.” She smiled as she paused for breath, after her somewhat gabbled speech (not that Mr. Gold minded that -- he was no conversational maestro either). She leaned forward towards him and said, conspiratorially, “Guess what I did this year?”

Despite himself he couldn’t help leaning forward in response. “What?”

“I took a copy of each Jane Austen novel and wrapped them in paper covered in hand-made Valentine’s wrapping paper. Then wrote descriptions such as ‘Mystery Enemies-to-Lovers Epic Romance’ on each of them to get people to check out something different.”

Mr. Gold laughed (Miss French was the only person capable of eliciting his real laugh). “So you’ve been tricking Storybrooke’s residents into improving their reading palates?”

“Well…” She blushed, Mr. Gold studiously ignored how it nicely it brought out the color of her lips, “When you put it like that I almost feel bad.”

Of course she did -- Isabelle French was goodness personified, whereas he was the opposite. That was the reason why, despite being tempted, he would never act on his attraction nor give any indication of it. There was no chance in the world his attentions would be welcome. If he said something, she’d reject him and then he’d have to stop going to the library and seeing and having these little chats with Isabelle French. He couldn’t -- wouldn’t -- do that. So instead he just quashed his feelings down and allowed these weekly interactions to be enough.

“You shouldn’t. Feel bad, I mean,” he said softly.

“That’s kind of you to say.”

He shrugged, schooling his face to give no indication of how her words affected him. “It’s just the truth.”

They stood there in silence for a few moments while Miss French bent to retrieve his new books ones from under her desk. “I hope you’ll like these,” she said. “They’re not quite your usual fare but I think you’ll like them based on what you’ve enjoyed previously.”

He looked at the books wrapped in newspaper -- at least she’d known better than to use Valentine’s wrapping paper. “Are you sure you’re not tricking me into reading Jane Austen?” She giggled. “No! Besides you’ve already read all her books and I’m pretty sure you own your own copies of them. I just thought surprise might be fun.” She blushed.

“I see.” He allowed his lips to curl up slightly. He couldn’t be annoyed at her. Not now, not ever. Besides, he trusted her taste. Her recommendations were always interesting, even when they took him outside his comfort zone. He stared at her wanting to stay there longer to open the package and see what she’d chosen for him but there was the sound of footsteps behind them and he became painfully aware they weren’t alone anymore. He didn’t want to be caught acting like a love-struck idiot with Miss French so he picked up the wrapped package with a nod and left the library.

He had meant to walk home directly from the library. But the temptation to find out what Miss French had chosen for him was too strong; so he let himself into the back of his stop and, after fumbling with the lights, tore open the package.

There were two books inside and something sticking out in between them. He didn’t even glance at the titles before pulling out a square envelope, ripping it open he stared down at the obviously handmade card with a wobbly drawing of a heart on the front. Opening the card up, he read:

Dear Mr. Gold,

Happy Valentines Day! I know you probably think it’s stupid and don’t celebrate but everyone ought to know there are people in this world who care about them.

Your friend,

Isabelle x

P.S. You don’t read much poetry but I like this collection poems about love-- it covers a lot of different eras with many different poets and many kinds of love. The novel is The Left-Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin. You told me you’d never read much Sci-Fi/ Fantasy and this is a modern classic for a reason. Let me know what you think of these books next week.

P.P.S. The Card is an example one I made with the schoolchildren. Please excuse how poorly drawn it is.

Mr. Gold stared down at the card, and in particular the little ‘x’ after Miss French’s name. Maybe his feelings weren’t so one-sided after all. Should he go back and tell her how he felt? No. No. That was insane. He couldn’t risk that. Besides, she was probably just being kind. She’d used the words ‘care about’ not ‘love’ and she had probably meant it in a friendly way not a romantic way. He was not someone anyone -- but especially someone as perfect as Isabelle French -- could love. But perhaps it was enough to know that someone out there saw him and didn’t turn away in disgust, but rather cared.

As he locked up his shop again and headed for home he felt a lot lighter and reflected as he walked that perhaps, Valentines Day wasn’t so bad after all.

[the-chipped-cup-awards]

Chipped Cup Awards 2025 Nominees Part 2

So many wonderful fics, Tumblr wouldn't let it fit on one post. See under the cut for more of our wonderful writers and artists.

Best "Missing Years":

Winter Sunset by @kelyon

A New Library by @peacehopeandrats

Monster Hunter by @peacehopeandrats

Pop-ins by @peacehopeandrats

Museum by @peacehopeandrats

Balloon by @peacehopeandrats

Journey by @peacehopeandrats

Ruin by @peacehopeandrats

Carousel by @peacehopeandrats

Teeth by @peacehopeandrats

Mobile by @peacehopeandrats

Finding the Fun by @tinytorso

A perfect Storm by @goldenwingediris

~~

Best Wish!Verse:

Granted by @peacehopeandrats

Be Looking For Someone by @angelicaR2

~~

SPECIAL CATEGORIES

Best Golden Lace:

Weakness by @threepwoodmarley

The Angel and the Devil by @peacehopeandrats

One Lover, Many Dreams by @peacehopeandrats

Wax by @peacehopeandrats

Never Let Me Go by @ThatRavenclawBitch

~~

Best Woven Beauty:

Gift by @peacehopeandrats

The Treasure in His Hands by @TheGeniusThatCallsYou

~~

Best Afterlife Fic:

Belle's Promise by @bellerina98

Awakening by @eirian-houpe

~~

Best Drama:

To See All that Might Be by @eirian-houpe

Premonition by @ace-cf-cups

Time's Curse by @eirian-houpe

Ad Luceum by @reolf

~~

Best Comedy:

Inheritance by @eirian-houpe

A Moment Alone by @threepwoodmarley

~~

Best AU - Original:

Gilded by @beeeinyourbonnet

Dies Irae by @eirian-houpe

Secret of the Seas by @eirian-houpe

His Ray of Light by @ace-cf-cups

~~

Best AU - Based on Once Upon a Time:

To See All that Might Be by @eirian-houpe

Stiltskin Abbey by @threepwoodmarley

~~

Best AU - Based on Other Media:

Time's Curse by @eirian-houpe

Bravery Will Follow by @eirian-houpe

Modern Wonders by @eirian-houpe

Covetous by @beeeinyourbonnet

The Beginning of a New Book by @beeeinyourbonnet

Unbowed by @beeeinyourbonnet

~~

Best Creature:

Kin by @thestraggletag

The Lighthouse by @killingkueen

Fallen by @eirian-houpe

Before the Storm by @reolf

~~

Best Unexpected Twist:

I touched Your Face (And All Life Was Erased) by @deliriumsdelight7

The Midwife's Tale by @threepwoodmarley

The Price by @eirian-houpe

~~

Best Bobby Squared:

Covetous by @beeeinyourbonnet

The Gold Motel by @mrgoldsdearie

~~

Best Trope:

What If This Storm Ends and Leaves Us Nothing? by @chickwithwifi

Wounds and Scars by @peacehopeandrats

~~

Events:

Rumbelle Secret Santa (RSS):

Kin by @thestraggletag

Gilded by @beeeinyourbonnet

Winter Sunset by @kelyon

All Hail to the Days that Merit More Praise by @threepwoodmarley

Dark Science by @peacehopeandrats

Winter Wounds by @chippedteacupchat

Confluence by @goldenwingediris

Too Late (Variations of missed chances) by @janiquebeingcreative

Theorems and Thorns by @eirian-houpe

Serendipity by @minnl70

The Shackles of Free Will by @notalwayslate

O' Solstice Tree, O' Solstice Tree by @bearrycool

Let the Reindeer Games Begin by @of-princes-and-savages

Rumbelle Secret Santa 2k24 by @99goosebumps

~~

Best Fluffapalooza Fic:

A Fear of Needles by @shadowedoracle

The Ledge by @peacehopeandrats

Stranger at the Masquerade by @winterelf86

~~

CHARACTER AWARDS:

Best Belle:

All Hail to the Days that Merit More Praise by @threepwoodmarley

The Shackles of Free Will by @notalwayslate

Delivery by @peacehopeandrats

Ingredients by @peacehopeandrats

~~

Best Lacey:

Courtship: A Golden Rings Story by @kelyon

Once Lover, Many Dreams by @peacehopeandrats

Stroll by @peacehopeandrats

Wax by @peacehopeandrats

~~

Best Spinner!Rumple:

Outside In by @lotus0kid

A Matter of Pragmatism by @ThaliaDahlia

~~

Best Dark One Rumple:

The Goblin King by @killingkueen

Inheritance by @eirian-houpe

All Hail to the Days that Merit More Praise by @threepwoodmarley

The Oldest Door by @peacehopeandrats

Choices by @peacehopeandrats

Delivery by @peacehopeandrats

Visitor by @peacehopeandrats

Ingredients by Peacehopeandrats

~~

Best Wish!Rumple:

Granted by @peacehopeandrats

Be Looking For Someone by @angelicaR2

~~

Best Mr. Gold:

Sacred Promise by @ace-cf-cups

Fire by @peacehopeandrats

~~

Best Detective Weaver:

Arson by @peacehopeandrats

Fatherhood by @peacehopeandrats

Piercing by @peacehopeandrats

Depths by @peacehopeandrats

~~

Best Baelfire/Neal:

Steps by @peacehopeandrats

Two Minds, Gold Minds by @Palizinha

~~

More in part 3

[peacehopeandrats]

Spring Camp?

So... yesterday @eirian-houpe wished me a happy Camp Nano and I wished it had been an April Fools joke.

It wasn't.

Then, thanks to @shadowedoracle, I found out that Nano is leaving the world and the site will vanish at some point. I wished that were an April Fools joke too.

It wasn't.

So naturally, I've started work on this most requested fic...

And then I moved my project counter:

Maybe this will help keep me working? Who knows? I can tell you I'm going to TRY and keep people updated even though I'm crap at social media.

Please feel free to:

ask me questions!

respond to posts!

share posts!

chat with me on the Rumbelle discord!

make requests!

read or reread my fics on AO3 and drop kudos and comments so I know which fics are popular! (I'll try and do those first!)

I am the kind of person who SERIOUSLY needs motivation to return to social media spaces. I don't want to be that guy who just totally forgets social media exists, but I actually am that guy who totally forgets social media exists. I need the notifications.

Seriously. I need 'em.

[eirian-houpe]

Twenty Questions for Fic Writers

I was tagged by @kelyon

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

89

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

1,451,688 (Whoa!)

3. What fandoms do you write for?

The Mummy Franchise UC: Undercover Sleeper Cell (TV) Stargate: Atlantis Tolkien Halt and Catch Fire Star Trek: Discovery Once Upon A Time Stargate: Universe Cobra (TV) Stranger Things Foundation (TV)

Those are the ones that are kind of... in their own right, but with a few crossovers there are other fandoms too. You can ask me about those if you like.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

The Library Beneath the Clock Tower

Laer o Faen

Beauty Compelled

Disparate Pathways

Bluebell

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

I always do, though I am currently woefully behind. (I hope to remedy that today). I believe reader/write engagement is a gift, and one to be encouraged and celebrated.

6. What is a fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

OMG... Angstiest.... um... I try not to end with angst. I fill the body of a fic with angst, or start a fic with lots and lots of angst, but ending...? I don't know. Maybe someone can tell me?

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I think that's subjective, honestly, because I think they're all pretty happy in the end, but the degree to which the fic makes a reader feel happy is dependent on how the reader feels about the characters, I guess. As a writer, and I suppose because it's the most recently finished, I'd probably say, Disparate Pathways.

Of course, both of the above questions rely on fics being finished before judgements are made, and I have so many WIPs...

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Not here, nor on AO3. Way back when... I got a little bit of hate on 'the site that shall not be named' - but it smacked of jealousy, so... I dunno. I've since deleted everything from there in any case. Moved it all elsewhere.

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

I do, yes, but I like to think it's never gratuitous. It's all couched within the the progression of the fic, and usually heavily romance driven.

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

I never used to write crossovers. For me there needs to be an internal consistency and reason for bringing characters from one work into another, and a good reason at that... and then I started Rumbelling things... and then @peacehopeandrats challenged me to write a particular fic, and this is a multi-source crossover, including: Cobra, UC: Undercover, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Miami Medical, 24 (TV), and Airforce One is Down, in the one fic.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

To my knowledge, not a whole fic, no, but someone once stole a concept and /part/ of a fic I'd written (on the aforementioned never to be named site). I was told about it by someone who was a reader of my fic. The person denied their wrongdoing, but eventually - after much calling out - removed the offending fic.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Not to my knowledge.

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

I have, yes. Forbidden Loves and Stormy Nights was written with a whole lot of people whom I consider great friends, (@peacehopeandrats, @jackabelle73, @reolf @blueboxesanddeerstalkers, and @shadowedoracle for another beautiful friend @deliriumsdelight7 on the occasion of her birthday.

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

There are two, and I can't separate them. There are several similarities in the overall nature of the ships: Rumbelle, and Michael/Teyla.

15. What's a wip you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

Laer o Faen, and I don't necessarily doubt that I ever will, it's just there's such a lot to write... you know?

16. What are your writing strengths?

I think it's in my worldbuilding and descriptive language.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

I can often be very wordy. I don't know how to write short fics.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

Language and dialect both, yes. My most ambitious is the Sindarin in Laer o Faen.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

If you don't count Blake's Seven, which I wrote for when I was 11, then it would be The Mummy franchise.

20. Favorite fic you've written?

Oh, come on. That's like asking a parent to name their favorite child. I am very fond of Disparate Pathways, though, as well as Library...

Thank you, this was though provoking (and eye opening) I tag whoever is left that hasn't already done it and wants to.

[deliriumsdelight7]

So I’d just like to plug the Macelle fic that @eirian-houpe @peacehopeandrats @jackabelle73 @reolf @blueboxesanddeerstalkers and @shadowedoracle made for me for my birthday last year, which was based on this premise. It’s an amazing oneshot that I encourage you to read!

I just read a story in my country’s top newspaper about a Catholic bishop in his early fifties who renounced his vows because he fell in love with an author of erotica novels fourteen years his junior and I had to pause to wonder which Rumbelle author was writing reality.

Editing to add the link here. It’s in Spanish, though. Will try to find a link to a similar news story in English.

[emospritelet]

Twisted Fate - chapter 22

Sorry I’m taking ages with fic at the moment. Suffering from an extreme lack of spoons :(

Last time, Belle jumped Gold’s bones and they both enjoyed it :)

[AO3]

X

Belle decided she could get used to waking up with Gold. She was warm and comfortable, his body pressed against her back and his lips gently kissing her shoulders. She found herself smiling broadly as she stretched her legs, and he kissed the back of her neck, making her shiver.

“Morning,” she murmured sleepily.

“Morning.” Soft lips traced a line along her shoulder. ���Did you sleep well?”

“Eventually,” she said, giggling a little. “That was quite a night.”

“Mmm.” Gold paused, pushing up on one elbow. “Are you alright? Was it a little too much?”

“No no,” she assured him, shifting to look over her shoulder. “It was good. It was perfect.”

He smiled broadly, and kissed her full on the lips. Belle pulled away with a sigh of frustration.

“But unfortunately I have to pee,” she grumbled, and he chuckled, patting her hip.

“I’ll make some tea.”

The sun had risen, the day bright and clear after the previous night’s storm, and Gold cooked omelettes with cheese and mushrooms, washed down with tea. Belle was hungry, and followed the omelette with a slice of toast with butter and honey. He watched in amusement as she used a finger to dab at the crumbs on her plate, catching every one.

“I could make you some more, you know,” he said.

“I think it’s enough,” she said, wrinkling her nose as if she was unsure. “Guess we worked up an appetite.”

“That must be the reason I feel as though I was beaten with something heavy last night,” he remarked, sipping his coffee, and she smirked.

“Well, your efforts were very much appreciated.”

He caught her eyes, grinning, and she found herself blushing a little. It felt good to be flirting with him again. It felt good to be a couple at last. She reached for her tea, taking a sip, and set down her cup.

“Are you going back to Storybrooke on Friday?” she asked, and he nodded.

“I have my appointment with Dr Hopper,” he said. “And there are a few enquiries from tenants I may have to deal with in person. Dove keeps me updated, and is very adept at enforcement if necessary, but it’s best to deal with these things before they become an issue.”

“At least tell me you’re not repossessing the flower shop,” she said, in a dry tone, and he pulled a face, his eyes glinting.

“Not this week.”

She gave him a very level look, and Gold sighed.

“Your father has no arrears that I’m aware of,” he said. “He’s managed to pay the rent each month since you left. Albeit at the last minute and with an extremely bad attitude.”

“Hmm.” Belle reached for her cup again. “Wonders will never cease.”

He grinned at that, and took a sip of his coffee.

“Will you be alright here by yourself?” he asked. “Ask Emma and Neal to come over. I’ll make extra food, you can invite them to dinner again.”

Belle hesitated.

“Actually, I thought I might come with you,” she said. “Is that okay?”

He looked surprised, but nodded.

“Of course,” he said. “In that case, why don’t we travel up the day before? It’ll save me an early start. We could take our time, get some dinner on the way, perhaps.”

“With me looking like I did twelve rounds of amateur boxing?” she remarked, gesturing at her bruises. “I was thinking takeout and an early night.”

“Well, I’m all in favour of that,” he said, his grin turning wicked, and she giggled.

There was silence for a moment as she turned back to her tea. Gold poured more coffee, the scent strong in the air, and glanced up at her.

“Any particular reason you wanted to go to Storybrooke?” he asked, and she put down her cup, pushing it across the table for him to refill.

“I thought I’d go and see my father,” she said.

An eyebrow flicked upwards, the only indication of his surprise.

“Alright,” he said, and took a sip of coffee. “How do you think he’ll react?”

“Don’t know,” she admitted. “But I’m going to speak to him. If he chooses to cut me off for trying to build a life with the father of my child, he can at least do it to my face.”

Gold frowned at that.

“You want me to come with you?”

She was shaking her head even before he had finished the sentence.

“I think that would only make things worse,” she said. “I’m going to tell him about us, but I think it’s best if I go alone.”

“Right.” He took another drink. “Perhaps when I have my appointment with Dr Hopper, then.”

“Yeah, okay.”

“It’ll give me something to talk about,” he added, and she smiled.

“You mean to say there’s nothing else you want to mention?”

He returned the smile.

“Maybe one or two other things.”

x

It was nice being happy, Belle reflected. She and Gold had spent a couple of days doing little but lounge around, eat and make love. They had also been talking, trying to rebuild everything that was broken between them. It was a slow process, but she felt that it was worthwhile. That they would be stronger for it. He had tentatively broached the subject of them getting therapy as a couple, and she had agreed readily, but suggested that they wait until the baby was born. Not that being pregnant was a barrier to it, far from it, but she wanted him to have a few more sessions on his own with Archie before they started delving into their issues. For one thing, she thought, he needed practice in how to open up.

Admittedly he was doing far better on that front, and had told her a little more about his son, and tiny snippets of his childhood. Her heart ached for him, and the son he loved so desperately. She had wished that there was something she could say to ease the pain, some miracle that she could work to find him. All she could do was reassure Gold that his son was safe and well, and urge him not to give up hope. He seemed to appreciate the words, whether he believed them or not.

By midweek, he had decided that there was business in Boston to attend to that couldn’t wait any longer, and had left her with Emma while he visited his lawyer.

“So.” Emma lounged back against the couch cushions, flicking her hair back over her shoulders. “You look better. Still bruised, still with a broken arm, but I’m sensing a thawing of relations with the father of your child.”

“Oh yeah?” Belle sent her a look. “You using your investigative superpowers again?”

“Maybe - dare I say - a heating up of relations?”

She was grinning, and Belle sighed, slumping in her seat.

“Fine,” she said. “We had sex.”

“I knew it!” Emma punched the air in triumph before falling back, cackling. “How was it?”

“Amazing.” Belle reached for the bag of chips between them, taking a handful. “I mean it always was amazing, but now it’s different, it’s - I don’t know. It feels different. Better. More - secure, I guess.”

“Sounds like you two made some real progress.”

“He told me he loved me,” she said, and Emma whistled.

“Mr I-Don’t-Care-About-Anyone said the ‘L’ word?”

“Said he always had, and he’d pushed me away out of fear,” said Belle, crunching chips.

“What a moron.”

“Yup.”

“So you guys are back together, then?”

“Well, we both want to make it work,” said Belle. “So assuming we can do that, yes.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah.”

Belle finished the chips in her hand, brushing off the salt and reaching for her hot chocolate.

“I’m afraid we can’t do dinner on Friday,” she added. “We’re heading to Storybrooke on Thursday.”

“You’re going back to Maine with him?”

“Only for the night,” said Belle. “He has therapy on Friday afternoon. We’ll come back Friday evening.”

“Long way to go to see a shrink,” observed Emma, reaching for the chips and popping some into her mouth.

“If he feels comfortable enough to actually sit down and talk to someone, I’m not raising any objections,” said Belle. “I think he trusts Dr Hopper. As much as he trusts anyone, I guess.”

Emma winced, sucking salt from her fingers.

“Well, that’s a statement and a half.”

Belle shrugged.

“Yeah. We have a lot to talk about on that front,” she admitted.

“I guess at least he wants to make it work,” said Emma. “He’s trying, right?”

“He really is,” said Belle. “He meant what he said, I could tell.”

“Well, I’m happy for you,” said Emma, reaching for the chips again. “So, how come you’re going with him? Thinking of moving back there?” 

Belle cradled her mug of hot chocolate in both hands, sinking back into the cushions a little.

“I don’t think so. I want to finish my Master’s first.” She took a sip. “Although I have to admit Storybrooke is a great place to raise kids. Maybe in a year or two.”

There was a silence for a moment. Belle put down her mug.

“I thought I’d go and see my dad,” she said hesitantly, and Emma raised her eyebrows.

“Yeah?” She sat forward a little. “How d’you think he’ll react?”

Belle pulled a face.

“I guess we’ll find out,” she said dryly. “I don’t want to cause a scene, but I’m tired of waiting around for him to call. I know how bloody stubborn he is. If I don’t make the first move, he never will.”

“You think he wants to make up?”

“Guess I’ll never know until I try.”

“Maybe he’ll be excited about being a grandpa,” suggested Emma.

“Yeah, maybe.” 

Belle chewed her lip, and Emma tilted her head.

“You gonna be okay?”

“He either wants a relationship with me or he doesn’t,” she said simply. “Not much I can do about it but reach out. The rest is up to him.”

“He can’t leave it too long,” said Emma. “The baby’ll be here soon. You got everything you need?”

“I think we’re as ready as we can be,” said Belle. “As far as baby accessories go, anyway. Actually being parents and - and a couple is kind of untested.”

“Just make sure you have your hospital bag packed and ready to go,” said Emma. “Nothing to say the baby’ll wait until May. Henry was two weeks early.”

Belle hesitated.

“Did you have anyone with you when you had Henry?” she asked. “I know Neal wasn’t around, but you weren’t alone, right?”

Emma smiled.

“I was living in Tallahassee,” she said. “Crappy one-bed in a crappy apartment block. There was an old lady called Mrs Bernstein who lived down the hall. She’d had something like eight kids, all grown up and moved all over. She kind of took me under her wing, tried to feed me up every time I stopped by. She gave me some of her grandkids’ things, like the crib and a high chair. Went to the hospital with me.”

“That’s so sweet.”

“Yeah.” Emma looked sad. “She passed not long after Henry was born. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so frightened as I was right then. But I got through it.”

“Trying to raise a kid alone must be so hard,” said Belle. “You think you and Neal will have any more, now you’re settled?”

Emma pulled a face.

“We’ve talked about it,” she admitted. “Can’t really afford it at the moment. Maybe when Neal qualifies, or when I get a decent job. In a couple of years, maybe.”

“There’s plenty of time,” agreed Belle, and Emma nudged her.

“What about you?” she asked. “Gold seems to like kids.”

Belle huffed out air in a sigh.

“I don’t know,” she said. “Let’s see how we do with this one first.”

“Guess it’s early days for you guys.”

“I haven’t wanted to kick him in the balls recently, though,” said Belle. “So that’s progress.”

“Maybe your dad wants to bury the hatchet,” suggested Emma. “Pretty soon you could have more family than you know what to do with.”

x

Driving into Storybrooke felt like coming home. Belle peered out of the window as they passed by Granny’s Diner, customers drinking and laughing as the waitresses handed around beers and plates of burgers and fries. She wondered how the townsfolk would react when they heard the news that she and Gold were expecting a child. Hopefully better than her father had. The car passed by the florist’s shop, but at this time of the evening it was dark and locked.

They drove straight to Gold’s house and he carried in the small overnight bag they had brought, locking the door behind them to shut out the cool night air. 

“Take a seat,” he said. “I’ll get you some tea.”

Belle walked into the lounge, looking around with interest to see what had changed since she had last been there. A few different antiques on the shelves and mantelpiece. A patterned silk shawl draped over the back of one of the couches. She smiled, inhaling deeply and pulling in the scent of beeswax polish. His house smelt a little like the shop, a comforting smell. Perhaps this will be our house, she thought. Storybrooke would be a nice place to raise our child, if I can get a librarian post. Perhaps the town library could open up again.

She shook her head, sitting down on the couch and folding her hands in her lap as she waited for Gold to return. They were a long way from settling down in Storybrooke as a happy family. But at least she knew he wanted to make it work.

x

They earned the curious stares of the townsfolk the next day in the diner. Belle had decided that it was best to start as they intended to go on, and had suggested lunch at Granny’s. Granny herself served them, doing a double-take when she saw Belle’s rounded belly but recovering quickly.

“You sit down right now, girl!��� she ordered, waving them to a table. “Take the weight off your feet. How the hell did you get those bruises? Is the arm broken?”

“Accident at college,” said Belle. “I was pretty lucky, considering. At least the baby’s fine.”

Granny made a noise of agreement.

“Got it tucked up nice and safe,” she said. “I can’t believe Moe didn’t mention you were expecting!”

“Didn’t he?” said Belle dryly. “Hmm. Well, I’ll take a burger and an iced tea, please.” 

“No problem,” said Granny, scribbling rapidly. “When’s the baby due?”

“May fifth,” said Gold evenly. “We’re very excited.”

Granny eyed him over the top of her glasses as though she had just remembered he existed, and he showed his teeth. 

“I’ll have the same,” he added. “Don’t scrimp on the pickles.”

Her gaze hardened, but she merely nodded, sniffed, and bustled off to the kitchen with their order. Gold pulled out Belle’s chair, and she sat down with a sigh.

“Well, that went better than I expected,” she said, as he took the seat opposite.

“How are you enjoying going public?”

Belle pulled a face.

“So far, so awkward,” she said, and he chuckled.

“Not much happens in this town,” he said. “I’m afraid the gossip mill is going to be working overtime.”

“Good thing we’ll be in Boston,” she said. “Let them say whatever they want.”

The burgers were every bit as good as she remembered, the iced tea sweet and refreshing, and as she ate, she caught Gold watching her with a tiny smile on his face, as though he couldn’t quite believe she was real. 

“Do you want to see anyone else while we’re here?” he asked, and she pondered for a moment, dipping her last fry in ketchup and chewing it.

“I don’t think so,” she said. “It would be nice to see Mary Margaret, but she’ll be in school at this hour, and besides, I’m not sure I have the energy for a lengthy explanation of the changes in my life.”

He nodded his understanding.

“In that case,” he said. “How about I meet you at the shop after I’ve seen Dr Hopper? It should only be an hour.”

“Sounds great.”

She reached out to take his hand, smiling and Gold smiled back, his eyes crinkling as he lifted her hand to kiss her knuckles. Belle could feel the stares of the townsfolk around them, and it almost made her want to climb over the table and kiss Gold into a frenzy, just to give them a proper show. She settled for kissing his hand in turn, earning a soft-eyed grin. Storybrooke would get used to the idea.

x

Belle could feel her heart thump with anxiety as she stared up at the sign for Game of Thorns. Gold had walked her to the shop before kissing her goodbye and whispering words of encouragement. She took a deep breath, squaring her jaw. Well. Here goes.

She pushed open the door of the flower shop, the bell above tinkling merrily. Sunshine filtering through the leaves of potted houseplants threw dappled light across the floor, and she stood for a moment, breathing in the familiar scents of cut stems and fragrant blooms. She could hear noises from the back room, scrapes and rustles, and then the sound of heavy footsteps. After a moment, her father swung into view, a plastic bucket of flowers in each hand. He stopped dead as he saw her.

“Hi,” said Belle.

He stared at her for a long moment, eyes flicking to her belly and back up.

“So,” he said. “You’re back.”

She wasn’t sure if the brief light in his eyes was anger or hope.

“Just visiting,” she said. “Alex drove us up last night. We’re leaving this afternoon.”

He snorted, and set down the buckets of flowers. Belle raised her chin defiantly.

“Gold,” he said, mouth twisting around the name. “Back in your life, is he? I might have known.”

“We’re working things out, yes,” she said. “It’s early days, but he knows how much he hurt me, and he wants to fix it.”

Moe grunted, as though he doubted it.

“He give you those bruises?” he asked. 

“Don’t be ridiculous!” she snapped.

“You look like hell.”

“I fell down a set of bloody stairs at college,” she said coldly. “Broke my arm. Thanks for the sympathy.”

“And I’m only finding out about this now, am I?” he groused.

She threw up her free arm and let it fall, aghast.

“You haven’t spoken to me in five months!” she said. “If you were so desperate for an update on my life you could have picked up the damn phone! But as usual, I have to do all the work, right?”

He curled his lip, his expression somewhere between petulance and guilt.

“How’s the baby?” he asked, not quite looking at her.

“The baby’s fine,” she said. “Disappointed?”

Moe waved a hand, looking irritated.

“Oh, come on, I wouldn’t wish harm to the kid…”

“Really?” she said sarcastically. “When in our last conversation you pretty much cut me off because I wanted to keep it?”

Moe looked uncomfortable, shoulders hunching a little.

“That - that wasn’t my finest hour, okay?” he grumbled. “I was angry.”

“I was terrified!” she said, her voice shaking. “I needed you, and you weren’t there. I was alone and - and scared - and you just cut me out of your life like it was nothing. Like I didn’t matter.”

“Thought it might make you choose your own future,” he muttered. “You could have had a life, not been trapped!”

“And you think having a child is like being a prisoner, do you?” she said tartly. “Yeah, that’d be right!”

“I didn’t mean that!” he snapped. “I just meant - I didn’t want you tied to Gold, that’s all.”

“Well, we’re together, you’ll have to get used to it.”

“But he hurt you!”

“So did you.” She met his eyes, glaring until he looked away. “Luckily I’m a very forgiving person. When the apology is sincere. Pretty sure I’ll be getting one of those any moment now, hmm?”

He looked chastened then, shuffling his feet a little.

“Sorry, love,” he muttered. “Just - sorry. Things haven’t been right since you left. Not feeling so good.”

“What’s wrong?” she asked, her tone more sharp than she intended. He shrugged awkwardly.

“Dunno. Shop seems harder work than usual. Getting tired all the time.”

“Are you taking your medication?” she asked, and he waved an impatient hand.

“Course I am.”

“So what does the doctor say?”

There was silence, and she wanted to roll her eyes.

“You have been to the doctor, right?”

“Haven’t had time.”

“Dad…”

“Don’t nag me!” He waved a hand again. “I’ve been running this place on my own since you left! Hard to find the time for myself.”

“I left to go to college,” she said, her voice sharp again. “Which was always going to happen. Why don’t you get some help? You could afford a part-timer.”

Moe made a scoffing sound,

“You must be joking! We’re only just breaking even. Not like that - that man of yours would cut me any slack with the rent.”

“There’s no reason he should,” said Belle coolly. “Besides, I remember going through the books before I left. There are plenty of profits. It’s all in how you choose to spend them.”

“If you just came up here to tell me what a bloody failure I am—”

“I didn’t,” Belle sighed. “I came here to see if we could make peace. You’re about to be a grandfather, and I’d rather put my energy into getting ready for the baby than fighting with you.”

Moe was silent, and she glanced around the shop, lifting her free hand.

“D’you think we could sit down?” she asked. “Being on my feet isn’t too comfortable right now.”

Moe grunted, pulling the baseball cap from his head and using it to wipe his brow.

“You’d better come through to the back,” he said. “I’ll make some tea.”

x

Gold’s tread felt a little lighter than usual as he made his way up the steps to Dr Hopper’s office, and he even smiled at the man in greeting.

“So,” said Dr Hopper, when they were seated. “How have you been since we last met?”

“Things have been - good,” said Gold. “It - uh - it feels like progress.”

“That’s excellent news,” said Dr Hopper, and he sounded as though he meant it. “Can you tell me a little more?”

“Belle and I have been talking,” said Gold. “I - I was honest with her about how I felt, and - and why I did what I did. Why I pushed her away.”

“And how did she react to that?”

“She was hurt,” he admitted. “Angry. I don’t blame her, of course, she had every right to be. At first I thought she wouldn’t want to see me. I even offered to move out, get her some help that - that wasn’t me.”

“What was her reaction?”

Gold scratched the back of his head.

“I think she may have called me an idiot or something.”

Dr Hopper pressed his lips together, as though he was trying not to smile.

“So, then what happened?” he asked.

“We talked,” said Gold. “I told her I loved her. That I always had. And I apologised for everything I’ve ever done to hurt her.”

“How did she respond?” asked Dr Hopper, and Gold pulled a face.

“She asked me if I wanted to fix things,” he said. “Said that it was going to take time.”

“I suspect she’s right about that.”

“Yeah.” He dropped his gaze to his interlaced fingers. “It’s - well, things had been kind of up and down since then. Awkward, like we were stepping around each other. But then we had sex.”

“Ah.” Dr Hopper sat back a little. “Well, reestablishing intimacy is important.”

“Yes.”

“We talked about trust at an earlier session,” he added. “That the two of you need to build trust between you. Intimacy is part of that, certainly, but it won’t work on its own.”

“No, I understand that.” Gold rubbed the back of his neck with an awkward hand. “I - uh - I tried to talk to her a little. About my past.”

“I see.” Dr Hopper scribbled something. “And how did you find that?”

“It was - uncomfortable,” he admitted. “But afterwards I felt something like - well, it wasn’t quite relief, but I felt a little easier.”

“When you say your past,” said Dr Hopper. “What period do you mean?”

“A little about my childhood,” said Gold, shifting in his seat. “My parents.”

“Do you feel able to talk about them now?” asked Dr Hopper, and he felt his mouth twist.

“Can we skip past the part where my father never wanted me and blamed me for my mother’s death?”

He could hear the wry tone in his voice, his body tensing as it fought to take him out of his seat and away from the conversation, and Dr Hopper looked up.

“That sounds like something that we should probably talk about,” he said calmly. “But we don’t have to go into it today.”

Gold nodded, dropping his head a little.

“Good.”

“We’re going at your pace, not mine,” added Dr Hopper. 

“Alright.” Gold felt himself ease a little, his shoulders lowering from their slightly hunched position. “Thank you.”

“Getting back to your conversation with Belle,” said Dr Hopper. “You said you apologised, and opened up to her a little.”

“Yes.”

“And how are things between you now?”

“Better,” he admitted. “Less awkward. I know that she’s right, and that we have a lot to discuss. But she told me she wants to make it work. And - and so do I. I really do want to make it work.”

“Did the two of you talk about what that might look like?”

“Not in any great detail,” said Gold, resting his elbows on his knees and lacing his fingers together again. “We’re going to live together in Boston for the moment. The baby is due in early May.”

“Then I suspect the two of you are going to be pretty busy.”

“Yes.” Gold couldn’t help smiling. “I’m looking forward to it.”

[deliriumsdelight7]

G, H and L for the fanfic asks thingy?

G: Do you write your story from start to finish, or do you write the scenes out of order?

Start to finish, definitely.  For one thing, I make up a solid 70% of the story as I go, with mixed results.  And for another, if I write out all the scenes I REALLY want to write first, I’ll never actually get the whole thing written.  There’d be a bunch of unconnected angst and smut scenes with no context in between.

H: How would you describe your style?

Um.  I am a terrible reader/writer in that I pay very little attention to style.  I just sort of write and hope for the best.  My prose tends to be more straightforward and borderline utilitarian than flowery, and for someone who speaks in metaphors CONSTANTLY, I rarely use them in writing.  My sentences tend to be long, and I love fancy punctuation.  Oh, and “long-winded” is definitely a word I would use.

L: How many times do you usually revise your fic/chapter before posting?

I don’t, usually.  I’ll reread earlier paragraphs as I’m writing a chapter, but the second the last sentence is written I’m pasting it into AO3 and posting.  I definitely should revise; sometimes I miss repeated words/phrases or sentence structure, and I definitely miss some typos.  But I’m a very impatient person, with a nasty habit of second-guessing myself.  If I get too caught up in editing, I’ll just keep editing and second-guessing and never actually submit anything.

[intothewickedwood]

Top 5 (or 10 -- it's up to you!) OUAT S1 moments?

Thank you so much for the ask :D!

Okay, so this is not set in stone but these are my current top moments:

10. Regina grabs Mary Margaret’s face and admits she knows she didn’t hurt Kathryn in ‘The Stable Boy’

9. David’s sword fight with baby Emma

8. Graham slowly waking up from the curse

7. Charming and Rumple’s sword fight

6. Jefferson and Emma scenes

5. David and the Siren. That scene is so freaking hot!

4. David and Mary Margaret’s last kiss in ‘7:15 AM’.

3. Emma: “And I realized, all my life, I have been alone. Walls up. Nobody’s ever been there for me, except for you. And I can’t lose that. I cannot lose my family.” Mary Margaret: “Family?”

2. Mary Margaret and Emma on the bed talking about Henry’s beliefs that they are mother and daughter in the book in ‘True North’.

1. Mary Margaret and David in Gold’s cabin

Those are the moments I could think of! Shout out to Swan Believer, Kathryn, Snow Falls and more 7:15 AM moments that I couldn’t choose from but love very much! 

[worryinglyinnocent]

Fic: Coffee Date

Number Twenty-Six can be read here. 

Rated: G

Coffee Date

Gold stood outside the coffee shop, nervously drumming his fingers against his other arm. Although he’d been feeling very confident when he’d asked Belle if she’d like to get coffee today – he had, after all, been riding on the coat tails of her asking him if he wanted to get a drink – he was now feeling a lot less confident.

What if she’d only made her initial overture out of politeness and gratitude at his having saved her from being stranded at the bus stop? Now that time had passed, would she still be so willing?

He shook himself crossly and tried not to be so pessimistic. She wouldn’t have given him her phone number if she didn’t want to have anything to do with him, and when he had texted her last night to check if they were still on for today, she wouldn’t have replied telling him that she was looking forward to it.

He shouldn’t have come out so early; all it had served to do was give him more worrying time, but he had been so antsy waiting around in the house that Aunt Elvira had practically shooed him out of the door with a broom so that he wouldn’t keep annoying her with his constant pacing and what-ifs.

At last, he saw Belle coming down the street towards him, right on time. She waved when she caught sight of him, and by the time she arrived by his side, he could see that she was smiling widely.

“Hello. I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”

“No, not at all.” It was probably best not to tell her the exact truth. “Shall we go in?”

Coffee and pastries procured, they found a table by the window and sat down. Gold wished he knew what to say. Small talk had never been his strong suit even when he wasn’t talking to very pretty ladies that he’d had a crush on ever since they first got on his bus.

“How’s your son?” Belle asked presently. “I hope he wasn’t scandalised by the idea of his father having a date on his day off.”

Hearing her calling it a date made Gold’s heart want to leap into the air and perform a triple somersault, but thankfully it refrained, and he was able to answer without too much of an obvious gaping pause whilst he recovered his senses. It was a date! Belle saw it as a date, and that meant that he could too. Ursula and Aunt Elvira were going to tease him mercilessly about his paranoia for weeks, but it was worth it. He was on a date, for the first time in years.

“He’s only five, so he’s not really interested in my dating life. If I’d said I was coming out for coffee with a stegosaurus then his ears might have pricked up a bit.”

“I’m not sure what it is about that age and dinosaurs. My godson’s four and he’s obsessed with them too.” Belle smiled. “Maybe they ought to get together for the epic dinosaur battle of the century. What’s his name?”

“Baden. Bae.”

“And his, erm, mother? Sorry, this is horribly inappropriate for a first date. I should be talking about the weather or something.”

“No, no, it’s ok. She left when Bae was a baby, we haven’t seen her since.” Milah leaving had hurt terribly at the time, but, deep down, Gold had always known that they were not suited to each other, and Milah knew that she was not suited to motherhood. Now he’d made his peace with it, and he and Bae were resolved to be a dynamic duo. “My aunt lives nearby; she looks after him whilst I’m at work. And now. Unlike Bae, she was ecstatic when she heard about the date. I was half-expecting her to tag along to make sure I’m not making a fool of myself and ruining my chances. She’s probably hiding out in the shop opposite with binoculars.”

Belle made a show of peering out of the window. “No, I think we’re safe. And for the record, you’re definitely not making a fool of yourself or ruining your chances.”

She leaned in a little closer, and her lips were so lovely and pink and kissable and Gold had to drag his thoughts firmly off that tangent and back to the matter at hand.

“So, what do you do all day at the business park?” he asked, trying to distract himself from what she’d just said.

“I answer phone calls from people who’ve managed to break their bespoke cybersecurity systems, and I stare at spreadsheets until my eyes bleed. Honestly, some days I go home, and I just see little squares superimposed onto everything.”

Gold had to laugh at the image. “Do you enjoy it?”

Belle wrinkled her nose. “It’s ok, I guess. I mean, it pays the rent and the bills so I can’t complain too much. I just never thought I’d end up in a nine-to-five office job. I always dreamed of adventure when I was younger, going out and seeing the world. I really liked the idea of being a National Geographic photographer.”

“What stopped you?”

“Lack of money and a severe lack of photography skills. What about you? Do you enjoy what you do?”

Gold nodded. “Yes. I may not get to see a lot of the world, but I see a lot of society. It’s a good job for people watching. All sorts of things happen on buses, you’d be surprised. And then, of course, there are the regulars.” He felt himself begin to redden in the cheeks and he had to look away from her disarming smile. “And it’s nice to know that I’m helping people, you know. Getting them from A to B.”

He’d never been the most outgoing of people, and this conversation he was having with Belle now was probably the longest he’d ever talked to someone who wasn’t an old friend or relative, but Gold still liked to be helpful if he could.

“Maybe you’ll inspire Bae to follow in your footsteps,” Belle suggested. Gold laughed.

“If you ask Bae right now what he wants to be when he grows up, it varies between T-rex, shark and tiger. Aunt Elvira’s determined that he’s going to be Prime Minister, but I think all his policies would be about the abolition of bedtimes.”

It felt good to be talking about Bae, especially with someone who seemed to be genuinely interested. Talking about his son was far easier than talking about himself, but now that thread of the conversation had come to a natural conclusion and he didn’t know where to go from there.

He pushed cake crumbs around his plate awkwardly, wishing that he knew what to say next. He enjoyed Belle’s company so much, her simple presence as well as her conversation, and he wanted this little moment to last forever.

Belle saved him, turning the talk to more neutral topics – books, films, music. Of course, the last book Gold had read was The Tiger Who Came To Tea, and he couldn’t remember the last time he’d watched a film that wasn’t animated, but they soon discovered that they had very similar tastes in entertainment more suited to their own age group.

“Do you want to see a film next week, maybe?” Belle suggested tentatively. “If your aunt’s available to babysit, of course.”

“Oh, trust me, that won’t be a problem.” Aunt Elvira would quite happily drop everything to look after Bae if it meant that Gold was going out and getting himself a social life.

Gold just couldn’t believe that he’d managed to give a good enough impression on the first date that he was being asked on a second one already.  He surreptitiously pinched himself to check he wasn’t dreaming.

Belle was already looking up cinema listings on her phone. “The new adaptation of Sense and Sensibility is supposed to be very good, and it’s been out a couple of weeks already so it should be pretty quiet.”

Gold nodded. “That sounds perfect.” He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been on a date to the cinema, and he wondered if he’d be able to get away with holding Belle’s hand in the dark without the excuse of it being a scary movie. They worked out the details and continued to talk for a little while, until Belle looked out of the window at the darkening sky.

“It looks like it’s going to pour down soon. We’d better leave, or we’ll be rained in here. Not that that would be a bad thing,” she added hastily.

“It’s ok, I know what you mean.” They left the coffee shop and Belle gave him her wonderful smile once more.

“I’ll see you on Wednesday, then.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek, her lips lingering just a little too long for it to be a simple peck of greeting. Gold could only stand there, stunned whilst she giggled at his gobsmacked expression, dancing away into the oncoming rain.

He wasn’t as bad at this whole dating malarkey as he thought he was.

[timelordthirteen]

Thank you for all your excellent public service work in reminding us all how pretty Rumple is!

[galactic-pirates]

How about OUAT for the ask meme?

Wheee thank you for this! :) 

(EDIT: the read more seems to be broken. I don’t know why :( sorry!)

my favorite female character

The layers on Regina just fascinate me. She did the unforgivable. There were reasons (her mother, Rumple, her own pain etc.) but at the end of the day she chose to walk that road. She has to live with everything that she did and that’s it’s own kind of hell. I’m always reminded of that quote from Teal’c (Stargate SG1) about forgiveness.

One day others may try to convince you they have forgiven you, that is more about them than you. For them, imparting forgiveness is a blessing. You will never forgive yourself. Accept it. You hurt others, many others, that cannot be undone. You will never find personal retribution, but your life does not have to end. That which is right, just and true can still prevail. If you do not fight for what you believe in all may be lost for everyone else. But do not fight for yourself, fight for others, others that may be saved through your effort. That is the least you can do.

Star Wars also comes to mind with Yoda’s “once you give into the dark side forever it will dominate your destiny.” because it would be so much easier for Regina to slip back down that slippery slope into evil. She managed to turn off her own conscience, give into the anger and pain, for a long time after all which would have to be easier than living with the inner conflict of the futility of redemption. Yet she fights.

my favorite male character

Am I surprising anyone with this? Rumple’s self-loathing, his fear, his self-hatred is very relatable. He is his own worst enemy. I think the writers shot themselves in the foot a little bit because pre-curse Rumple was shown to be very powerful, very smart, plans within plans etc. but that made him a bit like Professor X. If you remember the original trilogy of X-Men movies before the ‘big battle’ Prof. X was always taken out of commission. I mean at the start of X2 he mind-freezes an entire museum full of people - he’d leave the other characters nothing to do. Hence why Neverland ^^ he wandered around and did nothing for about 8 episodes instead of taking care of business.

Anyway I had a point and that’s that everything Rumple ever did was out of love for his family. He thought himself weak and a coward but he was brave enough to walk into a burning building, brave enough to face the Dark One and then STRONG enough to contain the darkness for a couple of hundred years (half of the length of time the Dark One existed). All those other Dark One’s shared the other two hundred years. Emma and Hook nearly brought the apocalypse in six weeks. So I guess I’m saying there’s a lot of layers to Rumple too. He’s more than what everyone else thinks.

my favorite book/season/etc

Season Two! Belle was in it properly. Cora was a good villain. Regina found herself. The “I want you to be here because you want to be here, not because of magic” as she didn’t want to repeat her mothers mistakes - she wanted to be better. Having to face the consequences with Greg I think it was? The surprise that they’d rescue her. The “let me die as Regina”. Went back to the Enchanted Forest which was interesting, Mulan made her first appearance. Bae/Neal happened. Lacey! Can’t forget Lacey. So we had Swanfire and Rumbelle and yeah it was good.

my favorite episode (if its a tv show)

Oh yikes. That’s insanely hard. I think I’m going to go with Desperate Souls. It had all the flashbacks of Rumple and Bae and how he became the Dark One, then there was a strong present day story of the Sheriff election which made it a good all-rounder.

my favorite cast member

n/a really. It’s just their job. I have a lot of opinions about the characters but not about the people that play them.

my favorite ship

Am I really going to say anything else? Forever the best incarnation of Beauty and the Beast. It had all the good stuff of looking beyond outward appearances AND falling in love was a complete surprise/actually not wanted. I feel like in the Disney BatB the “she could be the one” and trying to make Belle fall in love with him somehow makes it less real.

a character I’d die defending

Erm tricky as I didn’t always agree with what happened on screen. I don’t think I’m totally ride of die for anyone. Mistakes are made.

Still probably Rumple or Regina.

a character I just can’t sympathize with

Hmm. Hook. I never sympathised with him. I could understand him and not agree with him at all in season 2. I thought he was a rotten person, a bully and selfish but I also thought his character was ok. Not all characters can be good people. I disliked him but I didn’t have a problem with him. Later on when the writing for his character wrecked so much of the show... yeah then I truly hated him.

a character I grew to love

Regina! Given how much I love her you might be surprised to know that I didn’t like her at all until mid-season 1. I think it was the flashbacks in 1x11 Fruit of the Poisonous Tree that made me see her in a new light. Up until then I had been TeamEmma but after that I saw both sides (until Emma changed later in the show and wasn’t Emma anymore).

my anti otp

CaptainSwan obviously. Forcing that to be canon was a travesty - actually no that’s not fair. Making that canon without the writing earning it - that was the real travesty. Making the characters OOC in order to force it. I have no problem with writers picking different ships from me so long as they write them appropriately. Take Agents of Shield for instance. I haven’t shipped everything on there but it’s all been natural and worked so even if I haven’t liked it I have accepted it. I would have done the same for CaptainSwan if the writing hadn’t been so bloody awful it affected the entire show.

[florida3exclamationpoints]

Happy Birthday! Not sure what timezone you're in so you may not see this on the way but I hope you're having/ have had a nice day.

Thank you!! Not sure when you sent this but I think it was still the 3rd lol. And I did I had a really good day! Thanks again ily

[the-chipped-cup-awards]

HOLD THE PHONES!

For those of you that have still been asking for more time to nominate... You have asked, and we have listened. As of today, the nominations form will remain open until NOON EST on Sunday 1/28/24.

Also, below the cut you will find a list of POTENTIAL nominees in case you want some more ideas. This list has been compiled from the FYCs put forward by the authors, and also by the nominations we have received so far.

Obviously, not all of the potential nominees will be nominated for each category. As per the rules, an entry can only be nominated for TWO categories for which the fic or art qualifies. Additionally, fics that have previously won (either in the TEAs or the CCAs) is ineligible. Mods have removed those fics/artwork based on currently available archives.

If you don't see a fic on the list that you think should be nominated, you can go ahead and nominate the fic. You are allowed as many unique entries on the nomination form as you would like.

So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and show our Rumbelle writers and artists all the love they deserve. Here is a link to the form:

Potential Nominees as of 1/16/24 below the cut:

FLUFF Family

The Tent of Infinite Adventure by @peacehopeandrats Leaving Storybrooke by @peacehopeandrats The Zoo by @peacehopeandrats Balloon by @peacehopeandrats Sacred Promise by @ace_cf_cups Tea and Roses by @ThatRavenclawbitch An Unconventional Gift by @Shadowedoracle Traditions Old and New by @Bad_Faery To Nurse by @Charon53 A House Built With Love by @Of_Princes_and_Savages A Knack for Losing Everything by @AntiKryptonite

Comfort

The Bedroom Chronicles by @serenalyon Illness by @peacehopeandrats Blast by @peacehopeandrats Premonition by @ace_cf_cups Struck By a Golden Arrow by @Otava Snow and Heat by @Hypatia3 A Present of Love by @reolf

Fix-It

Ritual by @peacehopeandrats Sacred Promise by @ace_cf_cups Everyone Has A Choice by @Taisch

Reunion

Finding You by @Silwenworld A Dream is a Wish by @Rowofstars

SMUT

Kink/BDSM

Wrapping Up Her Christmas Gift by @Kelyon Like An Open Book by @Serenalyon The Angel and the Devil by @peacehopeandrats One Lover, Many Dreams by @peacehopeandrats Indulgence by @emostpritelet On the House by @Kelyon Contract by @Kelyon Beasts: A Golden Cuffs Story by @Kelyon Courtship: A Golden Rings Story by @Kelyon

Romance

Brandy, Apples and Spice by @rufeepeach The Caretaker by @TheStraggletag Snow and Heat by @Hypatia3 Memory by @Peacehopeandrats Two Could by @eirian_houpe Star Crossed by @threepwoodmarley The Sweetest Dream by @threepwoodmarley

Comedy

Bare Facts by @BarPurple Accidents by @Peacehopeandrats

Threesome

Fulfilling a Fantasy by @TheScholarlyStrumpet

Best First Time

Queen Takes Knight by @Emospritelet The Good Sort by @wonderwoundedhearers Brandy, Apples and Spice by rufeepeach Snow and Heat by @Hypatia3 The Cunning by @mareyshelley Curfew by @emotspritelet Granted by @peacehopeandrats

PWP

All the Poisonous Thoughts by @serenalyon In the Dark and Wicked Hours by @rowofstars Beasts: A Golden Cuffs Story by @Kelyon Sunshine by @Peacehopeandrats Home by @peacehopeandrats

ANGST Death

Belle's Promise by @Bellerina98 Strong For Belle by @desperatemurph Things Unknown by @BelleGold Requiem by @once-upon-a-rewrite His Ray of Light by @ace_cf_cups

Hurts So Good

To Have and to Hold by @ThatRavenclawBitch Hang On Me by @nerdrumple Ritual by @peacehopeandrats Love Me Before The Last Petal Falls by @DeliriumsDelight7 Received by @Peacehopeandrats The Oldest Door by @peacehopeandrats Overnight by @peacehopeandrats Recovery by @peacehopeandrats His Ray of Light by @ace_cf_cups Time’s Curse by @eirian_houpe On Whose Hands? by @eirian_houpe Nobody Knew by @eirian_houpe Seven Tastes by @eirian_houpe The Black Swan by @deliriumsdelight7

Misunderstanding

Requiem by @onceuponarewrite Unexpected but Not Unwelcome by @tickletorso On Whose Hands? by @eirian_houpe

ROMANCE

Best Date (Overall)

Lost and Found by @peacehopeandrats The Finfolk’s Bride by @chippedcupwrites It's a Surprise, Dearie by @gingerdreams15 Down to the River by @Barefootandbookish How to Date a Librarian by @Peacehopeandrats Cactus by eirian_houpe

Best Courtship

Calm by @peacehopeandrats Cactus by @eirian_houpe The Sweetest Dream by @threepwoodmarley Ad Astra by @chippedcupwrites Letters by @poorobscureplainandlittle Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere by @chick-with-wifi Bluebelle by @eirian_houpe

Best First Meeting

Portrait of the Heart by @chippedcupwrites Midnight Flowers by @SerenaLyon Anoxia by@ RumbelleDearie I Know it's Today by @RosexKnight Lady of the Lake by @rumplestiltskinsbulge

General Categories

Best One Shot

Pages of Reverie by @chippedcupwrites The Angel and the Devil by @peacehopeandrats Warming The Chill by @peacehopeandrats Symmetrical Simulations by @peacehopeandrats Bed by @peacehopeandrat Calm by @peacehopeandrats Tea by @peacehopeandratss Premonition by @ace_cf_cup His Ray of Light by@ ace_cf_cups Sacred Promise by @ace_cf_cups Shades of Blue by @ReyloAreHairGoals Amends - @Shadowedoracle And Then One Thursday Night by @Jackabelle73

Best Series

The Finfolk's Bride by @chippedcupwrites Hellfire!verse by @wonderwoundedhearers Lover's Leap by @eirian_houpe Growing Up by @Peacehopeandrats The Language of Flowers by @eirian_houpe

Best Novel Length

A Knack for Losing Everything by @AntiKryptonite (AO3) A Good Life by @AntiKryptonite Mountains, Streams and Magical Things by @Peacehopeandrats

Best Short Fic

Warming The Chill by @peacehopeandrats The Message by @peacehopeandrats Wounds and Scars by @peacehopeandrats Ingredients by @peacehopeandrats Recovery by @peacehopeandrats Wild by @peacehopeandrats Tea by @peacehopeandrats Premonition by @ace_cf_cups His Ray of Light by @ace_cf_cups Sacred Promise by @ace_cf_cups To Sleep, Dearie by @human_nature Distractions by @Shadowed Oracle Babysitting by @Timelord13

Best Holiday Centric

Brandy, Apples and Spice -by @rufeepeach If You Will Be My Queen by @eirian_houpe Traditions Old and New by @Bad_Faery The Sweetest Dream by @ThreepwoodMarley A House Built With Love by @Of_Princes_and_Savages Snowbunnies by @Peacehopeandrats Lost and Found by @peacehopeandrats Seven Tastes by @eirian_houpe

Best Remix

Our Masks by Lotus0Kid

Best Crossover

A Blade For Belfrey by @eirian_houpe Methedhenlu by @eirian_houpe

Best Dark Castle

Snow Bunnies by @peacehopeandrats The Oldest Door by @peacehopeandrats Ingredients by @peacehopeandrats Delivery by @peacehopeandrats Spy by @peacehopeandrats Tea by @peacehopeandrats Marble by @peacehopeandrats Pages of Reverie by @chippedcupwrites Premonition by @ace_cf_cups Shades of Blue by @ReyloAreHairGoals His Little Wife by @Lady_Janes_Fics Marble by @Peacehopeandrats The Weakness Inside Him by @Tickletorso

Best Storybrooke

A Good Life by @AntiKryptonite The Cunning by @mareyshelley Mountains, Streams, and Magical Things by @Peacehopeandrats Golden Thread by @Chick-with-wifi Snow Bunnies by @peacehopeandrats Symmetrical Simulations by @peacehopeandrats War In Pieces by @peacehopeandrats Leaving Storybrooke by @peacehopeandrats The Meeting by @peacehopeandrats

Best Missing Years

Leaving Storybrooke by @peacehopeandrats The Tent Of Infinite Adventure by @peacehopeandrats Balloon by @peacehopeandrats Requiem by @Once-upon-a-rewrite The Storybrooke Whisky Appreciation Society by @threepwoodmarley His Ray of Light by @ace_cf_cups Sacred Promise by @ace_cf_cups Love Me Before the Last Petal Falls by @deliriumsdelight7 Unconventional by @Peacehopeandrats

Best Wish!Verse

Once There Was A Wish by @peacehopeandrats Granted by @peacehopeandrats Deception by @eirian_houpe

Special Categories

Best Golden Lace

The Angel and the Devil by @peacehopeandrats One Lover, Many Dreams by @peacehopeandrats War In Pieces by @peacehopeandrats Wax by @peacehopeandrats Lacey and the Tramp by @chippedcupwrites The Storybrooke Whisky Appreciation Society by @ThreepwoodMarley The Cupcake Trilogy by @ThreepwoodMarley Weakness by @ThreepwoodMarley Star Crossed by @ThreepwoodMarley Sore Hearted Souls by @nerdrumple

Best Woven Lace

Morning by @Peacehopeandrats

Best Woven Beauty

Gift by Peacehopeandrats Undefined Desires, by @worryinglyinnocent

Best Background Swanfire

To Have and to Hold - @ThatRavenclawBitch Fragments of the Past, Glimpses of Tomorrow, by @wierdogal

Best Afterlife fic

Granted by @peacehopeandrats Belle's Promise by @bellerina98 Awakening by @eirian_houpe

Best Drama

Recovery by @peacehopeandrats Premonition by @ace_cf_cups His Ray of Light by @ace_cf_cups Time’s Curse by @eirian_houpe Love Me Before The Last Petal Falls by deliriumsdelight7 On The House by @kelyon The Spirit of the Trees by @woodelf68 Ad Luceum by @reolf

Best Supernatural/Sci-fi/horror

No Light Over London by @lotus0kid The Cunning by @mareyshelley Morteus Loqueris Ad by @Jackabelle73

Best Comedy

The Third Wheel by @tickletorso Lacey and the Tramp by @chippedcupwrites

Best AU (Original)

On the House by @kelyon The Finfolk’s Bride by @chippedcupwrites Tomorrow by @chippedcupwrites Ad Astra by @chippedcupwrites Wretched Beginnings by @poorobscureplainandlittle Wild by @Peacehopeandrats Two Could by @eirian_houpe Ad Astra by @chippedcupwrites His Ray of Light by @ace_cf_cups Secret of the Seas by @eirian_houpe Scattered by @eirian_houpe

Best AU (Based on Once Upon a Time)

Tales of Gold by @JurisLadyAnna The Black Swan by @DeliriumsDelight7 A Knack for Losing Everything by @AntiKryptonite Sacred Promise by @ace_cf_cups Nobody Knew by @eirian_houpe Love Me Before the Last Petal Falls by @deliriumsdelight7 Caught On In a Flash by @villainsarebetter

Best AU (Based on Other Media)

Rumbelle’s ‘The Princess Bride’ by @Trash_000 Hatter by @eirian_houpe Modern Wonders by @eirian_houpe The Black Swan by @DeliriumsDelight7 Time’s Curse by @eirian_houpe

Best Creature

Tomorrow by @chippedcupwrites In the Castle East by @villainsarebetter The Finfolk’s Bride by @chippedcupwrites Ad Astra by @chippedcupwrites The Cunning by @mareyshelley Fallen by @eirian_houpe The Spirit of the Trees by @woodelf68 Caught On In a Flash by @villainsarebetter

Best Unexpected Twist

Contract by @Kelyon His Little Wife by @Lady_Janes_Fics The Price by eirian_houpe

Best Bobby Squared

The Gold Motel by mrgoldsdearie A Blade For Belfrey by eirian_houpe

Best Trope

Love Me Before The Last Petal Falls by @DeliriumsDelight7 Snow and Heat by @Hypatia3 Wounds and Scars by @Peacehopeandrats Beauty Compelled by @eirian_houpe Premonition by @ace_cf_cups Sacred Promise by @ace_cf_cups

Best English Language

To Nurse by @Charon53 Premonition by @ace_cf_cups His Ray of Light by @ace_cf_cups Sacred Promise by by @ace_cf_cups

Events

Best Rumbelle Secret Santa

Wrapping Up Her Christmas Gift by @Kelyon Gluttony, a RSS Fic by @thestraggletag The Sweetest Dream by @threepwoodmarley Christmas Secrets by @peacehopeandrats If You Will Be My Queen by @eirian_houpe Make Me Feel Alive Again by @cartoonjessie Finding the Fun - RSS 2023 Fic by @tickletorso They Said it Was a Party by @of-princes-and-savages There Can Only Ever Be by @notalwayslate Mysterious by @reolf Portrait of the Heart by @chippedcupwrites Rumbelle Secret Santa by @99goosebumps Already There by @Jackabelle73

Best Fluffapalooza Fic

The Tea Shop by @peacehopeandrats Dragon Day by @importantgalaxyrimaway Content Rumbelle #1 through #8 by @Jackabelle73

Best Fluffapalooza Art

Kiss Me Again, It's Working by @milaeryn (https://www.tumblr.com/milaeryn/709081818387906560/kiss-me-again-its-working) Rumbelle (Something There) by @personintheplace (https://youtu.be/j0Tw_dmaXUg)

Best Monthly Rumbelling

Encounter - Rumplerose (AO3) The Landlord and the Princess - Rumplerose (AO3) Honorable - Rumplerose (AO3)

Character Awards

Best Belle

The Not So Dark One by @CharlotteAshmore Lady of the Lake by @rumplestiltskinsbulge The Cunning by @mareyshelley On The House by @Kelyon Beauty Enlightened by @eirian_houpe Compromises by @tickletorso Caught On In a Flash by @villainsarebetter A Knack for Losing Everything by @AntiKryptonite Portrait of the Heart by @chippedcupwrites The Oldest Door by @peacehopeandrats Ingredients by @peacehopeandrats Delivery by @peacehopeandrats Premonition by @ace_cf_cups The Sweetest Dream by @threepwoodmarley Brandy, Apples and Spice by @rufeepeach

Best Dark One!Belle

Rags to Riches by @alphashley14 Fallen by @eirian_houpe

Best Lacey

One Lover, Many Dreams by @peacehopeandrats Stroll by @peacehopeandrats Wax by @peacehopeandrats Lacey and the Tramp by @chippedcupwrites The Storybrooke Whisky Appreciation Society by @threepwoodmarley Star Crossed by @threepwoodmarley Weakness by @threepwoodMarley The Cupcake Trilogy by @threepwoodmarley Sore Hearted Souls by @nerdrumple

Best Spinner!Rumple

Witch and Spinner by @Strummer_Pinks Outside In by @Lotus0Kid

Best Dark One!Rumple

Make Me Feel Alive Again by @CartoonJessie A Golden Mask by @lotus0kid Gilded by @eirian_houpe Compromises by @tickletorso A Golden Mask by @Lotus0Kid The Oldest Door by @peacehopeandrats Ingredients by @peacehopeandrats Delivery by @peacehopeandrats Portrait of the Heart by @chippedcupwrites Premonition by @ace_cf_cups

Best Wish!Rumple

Once There Was A Wish by @peacehopeandrats Granted by @peacehopeandrats

Best Mr. Gold

The Caretaker by @TheStraggletag Fire by @peacehopeandrats His Ray of Light by @ace_cf_cups Sacred Promise by @ace_cf_cups Courtship: A Golden Rings Story by @Kelyon The Cunning by @mareyshelley The Third Wheel @tickletorso Missing Person @eirian_houpe

Best Detective Weaver

Arson by @Peacehopeandrats Forgery by @Peacehopeandrats

Best Baelfire/Neil

A House Built With Love by @Of_Princes_and_Savages Steps by @peacehopeandrats

Best Gideon

The Message by @peacehopeandrats The Tent Of Infinite Adventure by @peacehopeandrats Slumber by @peacehopeandrats The Zoo by @peacehopeandrats The Meeting by @peacehopeandrats Finding You by @ClaraHue A Christmas Present for Mama by Shadowedoracle Christmas Secrets by @Peacehopeandrats

Best OC Rumbelle Child

The Zoo by @peacehopeandrats

Best (Worst) Villain

Regina in Spy by @peacehopeandrats Gaston in Scattered by @eirian_houpe Cora in On the House by @Kelyon Cora in The Dance of Love by @Malkat86 Gaston in Requited Love by @Melkat86

Best BFF/Wingman

Wounds and Scars by @peacehopeandrats Mountains, Streams, And Magical Things by @peacehopeandrats Overnight by @peacehopeandrats Blankets by @peacehopeandrats Healing by @peacehopeandrats Nobody Knew by @eirian_houpe Beauty Enlightened by eirian_houpe

Art

Best Fan Art

https://www.tumblr.com/milaeryn/709081818387906560/kiss-me-again-its-working - by milaeryn https://www.tumblr.com/ladyjanesfics/723405666574876672/sketching-rumbelle-is-literally-everything?source=share (@ladyjanesfics) https://www.tumblr.com/milaeryn/729258616383815680/belle-go-kiss-him-now https://www.tumblr.com/milaeryn/719206422850781184/goldenlacey-kiss-kiss https://www.tumblr.com/milaeryn/717578206992039936/some-rumbelle-fluff-im-100-sure-this https://www.tumblr.com/milaeryn/705184624822894592/the-magic-of-true-love https://www.tumblr.com/ace-cf-cups/740299612882075648 - happy ending at the end of realms; in my memory it doesn’t end; this silly little woven beauty set.

Best Graphic Art

https://chippedcupwrites.tumblr.com/post/736265729785151488/and-love-is-when-someone-who-even-knows-your (chippedcupwrites) https://www.tumblr.com/notonlymice/739060862996955136/rumbelle-little-red-riding-hood-au-moodboard - by notonlymice https://www.tumblr.com/ace-cf-cups/740299612882075648 - happy ending at the end of realms; in my memory it doesn’t end; this silly little woven beauty set.

Best AU in Art

https://notonlymice.tumblr.com/post/707899093547139072/au-where-belle-isnt-fascinated-by-the-idea-of (notonlymice) https://notonlymice.tumblr.com/post/707899093547139072/au-where-belle-isnt-fascinated-by-the-idea-of - by notonlymice https://www.tumblr.com/ace-cf-cups/740299612882075648 - this silly little woven beauty set.

Best Fluff Art

https://www.tumblr.com/milaeryn/704721714492375040/merry-rumbellemas-people - by milaeryn https://www.tumblr.com/ladyjanesfics/723648747582717952/prompt-from-fanfic-archive-rumple-steals?source=share (@ladyjanesfics) https://www.tumblr.com/chippedcupwrites/720948596432896000/it-was-an-arranged-marriage-i-was-doing-you-a https://www.tumblr.com/chippedcupwrites/714078397482041344/youre-the-sweetness-in-a-warm-cup-of-tea-when https://www.tumblr.com/ace-cf-cups/740299612882075648 - happy ending at the end of realms; in my memory it doesn’t end

Best Angsty Art

In my memory it doesn't end by ace_cf_cups

Best Comic/Graphic Novel

https://angelqueen13art.tumblr.com/post/109570038649/week-6-wearing-each-others-clothes-on-my - by angelqueen13

Best Use of Color

https://www.tumblr.com/notonlymice/731808073890611200/begacey-moodboard - by notonlymice https://www.tumblr.com/milaeryn/709081818387906560/kiss-me-again-its-working https://www.tumblr.com/milaeryn/705184624822894592/the-magic-of-true-love https://www.tumblr.com/ace-cf-cups/740299612882075648

Best Video

https://notonlymice.tumblr.com/post/737335283676282880/in-any-version-of-reality-and-all-that (notonlymice) https://chippedcupwrites.tumblr.com/post/719320180808925184/your-beauty-never-ever-scared-me-mary-on-a (chippedcupwrites) https://www.tumblr.com/chippedcupwrites/720948596432896000/it-was-an-arranged-marriage-i-was-doing-you-a https://www.tumblr.com/chippedcupwrites/714078397482041344/youre-the-sweetness-in-a-warm-cup-of-tea-when

Superlatives

Best Artist

@Chippedcupwrites @Notonlymince

Best Author

@Kelyon @Peacehopeandrats @Chick-with-wifi @Chippedcupwrites @poorobscureplainandlittle

Best New Author

@Once-Upon-a-Rewrite @Ace-cf-Cups @threepwoodmarley

Best Rumbelle Fic

The Language of Flowers by @DeliriumsDelight7 3 Witch and Spinner by @Strummer_Pinks 2 The Finfolk’s Bride by @ chippedcupwrites 2 Tomorrow by @chippedcupwrites Ad Astra by @chippedcupwrites Skin Deep by @bookwormchocaholic 2

Best Anyelle Fic

(In)discreet Math by @eirian_houpe 2 Let's Spend the Night Together by @ifishouldvanish 3 Tuesday by @eirian_houpe 2 Heal by @Evilsnowswan Passions Made of Nothing by @ KillerKueen Caught On In a Flash by @villainsarebetter

Best Anyem Fic

Tyger Tyger by @ShakespeareanHoneyBadgers 2

Rumbelle Lifetime Achievement Award

Kaylahastoomanyships 2 Peacehopeandrats 3 Jackabelle73 3

Once again, here's the link for the form:

[teaespensonawards]

Hi, I've been adding the most recent nominations to the RumbelleTEAs website and I ran across a couple issues. Firstly, I noticed that Worryinglyinnocent's "The Kelpie" (nominated for Best Creature AU) is ineligible as it was published on 5th January 2020. Secondly, can I assume that Jenitosam's work "Touch Me so Help Me" is the same as "Touch Him so Help Me" which is the only thing I get when I search for it? Thanks!

You’re right on both counts! Thank you for spotting those and letting me know.

[rumplefloofywoobiestiltskin]

So, um, looking at your tags do you actually want someone to explain what was going on with Rumbelle in 6A to you? Or would you rather remain blissfully ignorant? Because I am quite willing to write out the whole damn saga (or at least the high-, I mean lowlights) if you actually want to know.

Well ik the general outline (the writing was bad. characters are v sad. fandom was v mad.) but if you’ve got the time then yeah go for it pls lol