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tinythiefalex · 2 months ago

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Ouran Host Club but it's g/t

Chapter 2

Me: did everyone enjoy the cringey anime fic?

Y'all: No Alex, only you did.

Me: Oh. Well, that was basically my target audience anyway.

It's here babes! I was finally able to write the first part of the Ouran fic I've been wanting to make! Basically, it's the same as the show, except everyone but Haruhi is a giant!

HEAVILY inspired by @friendlyfoxpal ‘s Ouran artwork. It’s so cute and I love it so much!

Here's the first part, it's basically just an intro to the premise, next part will be posted on Wednesday!

_______________________________________________________

Ouran Academy. The most prestigious school in the area, full of filthy rich, young people with way too much time on their hands. Haruhi, as a lower-middle-class citizen, had enough audacity to even think she could attend this elite school. But this school wasn’t just a rich kid's playground, it had the best education programs in the country, so Haruhi was determined to go. On top of being a “commoner” though, Haruhi was also a human, and Ouran Academy was a giant’s school.

Honestly, Haruhi was surprised that the school’s headmaster even let her take the scholarship exam, but after acing that, here she was, in the headmaster's office, one week before the school year started.

“I have to say, I’m impressed, Ms. Fujioka.” The headmaster said with a smile. “Your test scores are some of the bests I’ve ever seen.”

“Thank you, sir.” Haruhi was polite, but inside she wondered what this meeting was for. She had already gotten her acceptance letter in the mail and completed all of the paperwork. Did the headmaster just want to greet her?

As if reading her mind, the headmaster spoke up again, “I bet you’re wondering why I called you here. Well, even though your test scores are remarkable, there is still the problem of a human attending this academy. Forgive me if this is rude, but you’re a little outsized here, Ms. Fujioka.”

Haruhi knew all of that. “Yes, sir. I am aware.” She knew this was a giant’s school before she even applied, but it’s the best one for her future, so what’s the problem?

“Well, Miss, tell me, just how do you expect to get around the campus? You cannot walk that far, and vehicles are strictly forbidden on school grounds.”

Haruhi…honestly hadn’t thought about that. “W-well I…” He wasn’t going to revoke her acceptance for this, was he?

Surprisingly, the headmaster smiled. “Do not worry, Ms. Fujioka, I had an idea that I wanted to discuss with you. You see, the son of one of my colleagues also attends this academy, his name is Tamaki Suoh. If it is alright with you, I can arrange for him to help you around school. To be a sort of escort for you, per se.”

Haruhi wasn’t thrilled at the idea of being carried around by a giant, but if the headmaster thought it was necessary, “Alright. Thank you, sir.”

“Of course,” The headmaster stood from his desk. “If that is all, then we’re done here. I look forward to seeing you during this year, Ms. Fujioka.”

The next morning, Haruhi stood outside of the school’s gate. Its needlessly fancy gates, she thought. Looking at the building again, with its bright pink architecture and massive rose bushes, the gates matched. This entire school is so pretentious. She had been instructed to arrive very early and wait on the giant upperclassman who had been assigned to her, so no other students had arrived yet.

Just then, she heard a voice from above. “Hey there! You must be the honor student I’ve heard so much about!” Haruhi looked up, way, way up, at the giant that approached her. She felt her face turn white. With the headmaster, the size difference wasn’t so bad, since she was standing on his desk, about chest height to the man. This was the first time she had ever seen a giant from ground level. She lived in a strictly human neighborhood and had only gone to human schools. This guy's height was almost unfathomable.

Thankfully, the giant knelt down to be closer to her level. “I’m Tamaki Suoh,” he said, holding his hand palm-up in front of her in a clear invitation, “and you are?”

Trying to not stare at the massive hand, Haruhi looked up at Tamaki, “I’m Haruhi Fujioka,” she replied, stepping onto his hand as calmly as she could. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Tamaki was fascinated by the feeling of tiny shoes walking onto his hand. He rarely spoke to humans, much less came in physical contact with one. So cute! He thought, unable to keep the awe off of his face as he stood up. Remembering his manners, he replied, “It’s very nice to meet you too, young man.”

Haruhi stumbled when the hand lifted, but it was surprisingly steady enough to not knock her over. She barely registered the ‘young man’ comment, not particularly caring. Although it was strange to think that she was so small to Tamaki, he couldn’t see what gender she was. That’s probably not the only reason, she thought. She had very short hair, glasses covering her eyes, and she wasn’t wearing a school uniform, instead opting for a comfy shirt and pants. Haruhi couldn’t blame him for not being able to tell.

As soon as he was back up on his feet, Tamaki cupped a second hand around the one holding Haruhi. He’s so tiny, Tamaki thought. And yes, with both of the giant’s hands around the human, Haruhi looked very tiny indeed. A fall would be disastrous. Pushing that worry out of his mind, Tamaki headed towards Haruhi’s classroom, giving her a little tour on the way and explaining all he could about the school. By the time they got to Haruhi’s class, other students had started to arrive, filing in and taking their seats.

Setting Haruhi down on an empty desk, Tamaki smiled down at her. “Welp, this is your class, Haruhi. I’ll be back later to take you to the next one. Have fun, little guy!” And with that, Tamaki was gone.

The rest of the day went by smoothly. Class after class of Haruhi mostly being ignored, to her surprise. She didn’t know if that was out of lack of caring, or if the other students just didn’t notice her there. Either way, she didn’t care, she was just focused on her studies. Tamaki, despite coming off as a bit obnoxious, was also surprisingly reliable. Every class he was there right on time to help Haruhi to wherever she needed to go. She didn’t speak to him much, but she wasn’t sure he even noticed her silence. He easily filled each walk with stories and tangents of his own.

At the end of the day, Haruhi expected Tamaki to drop her off at the school's gates, so she could make her way home, but it seemed Tamaki had other plans. “Oh my, I don’t know how I didn’t think of this before! Since classes are over for the day, how would you like to see my host club, Haruhi?”

“Your…host club?” In all honesty, Haruhi hadn’t really been listening to most of the things Tamaki said in between classes, so she was not sure if he ever mentioned a club, much less a host club. What kind of high school even had a host club?

“Of course! I’m sure you’ve noticed my jaw-dropping good looks, and you know, beauty must be shared with the world! So, I created a host club full of handsome young men with too much time on their hands to entertain young ladies who also have way too much time on their hands,” He struck a short pose, before smiling back down at Haruhi. “Who knows, maybe one day, you could become a host too!”

Haruhi laughed awkwardly at that. “Yeah, no, I don’t think that’d be for me, senpai.”

Tamaki shrugged. “Well, either way, you must meet the others, I’m sure they will just adore you, little one!” Haruhi grimaced a bit at those words, but as of right now, her life was in Tamaki’s hands, literally. While he was holding her, wherever he went, she had no choice but to go.

A music room? Haruhi stared up at the sign above the door Tamaki was opening. Why would a club like this be in a music room?

Inside the room were five more giants. One of the giants, with dark hair and glasses, typing on a computer, immediately looked up when Tamaki entered. “Tamaki. There you are.” he said flatly. Two redheaded twins spoke up next, “Hey boss! We were wondering where you were!”

Tamaki just smiled at them. “Sorry, I had to make a small detour” He looked down at Haruhi with a grin. She rolled her eyes at the pun.

The first one to notice her was a blonde boy, who seemed much too young to be in highschool. “Who’s that, Tama-chan?”

“I am very glad you asked, Honey-Senpai!” Tamaki exclaimed, holding his hand out in a princely pose so that everyone could see the little human. “Everyone, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Haruhi Fujioka, the honor student!”

Haruhi felt her shoulders stiffen under the scrutiny of so many giants. She tried to stand as straight as she could. “Um, hello, everyone.” she said with a small wave.

The young boy’s eyes lit up, “Oh he’s so cute! Isn’t he adorable, Takashi?” Haruhi looked up at the tall man by the young boy’s side. He was easily the tallest giant she had seen that day. The man didn’t respond past a small nod.

Tamaki walked closer to the pair and held Haruhi to the young boy’s eye level so he could see her better. “Haruhi, this is Honey-Senpai and Mori-Senpai.” Haruhi barely got out a small “Hello,” before Tamaki moved on to the twins. Haruhi noticed he sounded considerably less enthusiastic when he said, “These two trouble-makers are Hikaru and Kaoru.” The two stare down at her with mischievous grins. “Aww, look at the little guy.” “What a cute little plaything.” they each say. The way they were talking about her made Haruhi a bit nervous.

“And last but not least,” Tamaki said as he moved to the final member, setting Haruhi down on the tall table he was seated at, “this is my second-in-command, Kyoya!” The dark-haired man turned away from his computer to look Haruhi up and down with a flat look. She pushed her nerves down and waved, “Hello, it’s nice to-

“So, I assume you are the reason for Tamaki’s tardiness today?” Kyoya interrupted.

Haruhi, startled out of her greeting, stutters, “O-oh, I uh…”

Tamaki jumped in, “Kyoya, that was very rude. This man is our honored guest! I have been assigned to help him around the school grounds, it is not his fault that his class is further from the club room than mine.”

Kyoya just hummed and stared at Haruhi once more. Haruhi felt her hands fidget at her sides for a moment from the tension. Kyoya looked back up at Tamaki.

“And how much is Haruhi paying you for this?” he asked, despite knowing fully well that a little commoner like Haruhi couldn’t afford to pay Tamaki anything substantial. Haruhi was taken aback for a moment.

“P-paying? I- I can’t… the headmaster assigned him to me, I wasn’t aware that I had to-”

“I see,” Kyoya interrupts. “Well, be that as it may, Tamaki is our most popular host. His involvement in this club is crucial to its success. Taking you to your classes eats into his day and takes away time he could be focusing on the host club and our guests. Just today, bringing you here took away 15 minutes he could have been devoting to the club. Are you prepared to refund any losses his absence may cause?”

“I-uh-I-” Haruhi stuttered.

“I didn’t think so. In that case, maybe we can come to an agreement on another way for you to repay Tamaki for his time.”

“Now wait a minute!” Haruhi pointed a tiny finger at Kyoya. “I never asked for an escort! I don’t need him to-”

“You’re here on a scholarship, are you not?” Kyoya interrupted again, Haruhi really wished he’d stop doing that. “And that scholarship requires you to stay at the top of your class. Tell me, how do you plan on doing that if you are unable to get to your classes on time in the first place? This school is far too big for you to traverse on your own.” Kyoya had her there. Hell, she was barely taller than Tamaki’s finger, it would take Haruhi the entire class time just to get to the right room.

Tamaki’s eyes lit up as he connected the dots that Kyoya was laying out. “Oh, that’s right! You need a way to pay me for my services, and I would love a new little member for our guests to fawn over. So, it seems there’s only one thing to do.”

“Yes,” Kyoya joined in. “Under normal circumstances we would have you work off this debt by doing chores and running errands for us, but since your small stature prevents that, becoming a new source of entertainment for our guests should suffice.”

Haruhi did not like the sound of that. Then the twins jumped in.

“Oh, they would love that!” “And we would love to have a new little plaything too! What do you say, doll?”

Haruhi hated the sound of that even more.

“I mean,” said Kyoya, “it’s not like you really have a choice here, right?” The smile on his face was far too cheerful for what he was implying.

Haruhi was trapped.

#g/t #giant/tiny #g/t writing #g/t community #sfw g/t #ouran high school host club giant/tiny #ouran high school host club g/t #ohshc giant/tiny #ohshc g/t #tiny!Haruhi #giant!Tamaki #Ouran host club g/t #Ouran host club giant/tiny

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mareeyeahh · 8 months ago

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Maybe it wasn't meant to be, unless?

Diluc x reader, reader implied as a female.

Trigger warning: mentions of alcohol and cheating

P. S. I'm not a writer. But let me know what you found inconsistent, confusing and just straight did not make sense.

Hope you like it ♡

The sickening scent of alcohol would drown the average person but for someone as wasted as you were, it wasn't a problem. Angel's Share on its peak hours was a can of sardines drenched in the forbidden liquid and you'd usually stay away from it but tonight was an exception.

You were one with the wine and sadness. Your friend and tonight's companion, Venti decided to whisk you away for the night to wash away your broken heart with drinks. At first, it seemed to work. A couple drinks in and you were singing with the famous bard that had everyone in the tavern clapping and singing along as well. But after a few more drinks, considering the lightweight that you are, you just started sobbing and cursing the man who broke your poor little heart.

Venti, being the culprit that he is for getting you into that state, tried to comfort you. But you told him you wanted some alone time and settled on to a corner in the tavern where no one would disturb you.

A chuckle filled with irony escaped your lips. You were ecstatic earlier as soon as you heard that there was a letter from your dearly beloved. He is one of the Knights of Favonius who was handpicked by the Grandmaster Varka himself to join him on an expedition to which had no end in sight. After months of not hearing from him, days when you were awaiting for his return and nights when you were sick with worry of not knowing his well being, a letter finally came. You knew that time was going to be the test to your love for the man. But you were willing to wait as he promised to marry you the time he comes back.

But the letter that you received that day did not convey words of love nor bear any gifts, neither did he mention when he would been coming back. You were taken aback by how formal the letter felt, cold and dead.

But the most shocking part of all, is that he says he had fallen in love with a female knight that was a part of the expedition crew and they were expecting a child. He and the woman withdrew from the expedition a few months ago and are settling somewhere in Natlan due to the circumstances. In the letter, he apologized and wished you well.

You didnt know how cruel the man you thought you loved could be. The pain in your heart felt as if you were struck by lightning over and over. He threw away the promise of marriage to you like it was nothing. All the time you spent wondering about his return, worrying about his safety made you feel stupid. All this time he was with someone in Natlan and potentially raising a family together whilst you were here waiting a word from him. The apology at the end of the letter was a band-aid to a stab wound. You never felt so little before.

Neither have you felt so drunk before. It was bad enough that you were miserable but drunk miserable is not a good combination. After all that drinking, singing and sobbing, your throat was as dry as the desert of Sumeru. You lifted your head to ask Charles for a glass of water but he was not in sight.

Instead, a man clad in black that only emphasized his fiery red locks sat where Charles usually was. You were no stranger to who he was. Despite being newly acquainted to wine, you knew the very man whose name is uttered across regions of Teyvat because of the wine industry. The very same business tycoon asking if you were alright and needed anything.

You snapped back to reality when you realized you were gawking.

"Miss?" Diluc's piercing red eyes glowed with concern.

"I-I'm sorry. Very sorry. Very much, yes." You composed your drunk self but your words slurred. "May I trouble you for a glass of water?"

"Coming right up." The gentleman shuffled around to fulfill your request. He came back with a pitcher of water on one hand and a glass on the other. He poured water onto the glass and gently placed it in front of you. You thanked him and drank it.

"Do you feel alright?" He asked.

"Oh yes, yes, yes, thanks to you." You wiped the tear stains from your cheeks. He gave you a small smile before attending to a couple of drunk customers, one whose right eye is covered with an eye patch.

The water seemed to sober you up a little bit and you realized the time. It must have already been past midnight as some of the patrons in the tavern headed home. Unfortunately, you're not sober enough to make it out of the door without stumbling. You got worried how you were going to get home but remembered that Venti might walk you back.

You stood up from your chair, gripping onto the bar counter for support or else you'll fall. You searched your surroundings for the bard, wondering if he ventured onto the upper floor of the tavern. But you saw his familiar turquoise cape laid on top of him like a blanket as he slept peacefully on a long wooden chair at the back of the tavern. You should've known better. Your only way home was asleep.

Unbeknowst to you, the man from earlier watched as you sigh in defeat when you saw the bard drifting off to dreamland, ignoring the responsibility of taking you home. Kaeya, the man beside Diluc nudged his shoulder with a smirk on his face. "It appears we have a damsel in distress on our hands."

"Don't phrase it like that." The woman beside him, Rosaria, chimed in. "You make it sound like she's some sort of prey."

"I implied none of the sort. I only thought that the streets of Mondstadt may be dangerous for an intoxicated woman to wander about." The one-eyed man spoke in a matter-of-fact tone before sipping wine from his glass. "I think it would be best if Master Diluc here walked her home."

Rosaria turned her head towards Kaeya in confusion, expecting an answer but Kaeya only gave her a knowing glance before looking back at Diluc who was already out of earshot. The drunken woman had reached for the door in an attempt to leave the tavern but almost spectacularly stumbled if not for Diluc catching her mid-fall.

Kaeya stifled a laugh seeing how cheesy the scene was. His brother, the embodiment of seriousness trapped in his arms a woman whose middle name must be clumsy, with their gazes locked upon each other to register each other's presence- he swears this must be something out of a novel. Kaeya simply shook his head in amusement as the two stepped outside and shut the door behind them.

You were almost out of the tavern when you reached for the door but failed to support your weight onto the wall and missed it by an inch. You braced for impact of the fall but instead you were embraced by two strong arms that stopped your momentum. You looked up to see who it was and it was Diluc. Your face heated up and must've been the same shade of his red hair from the embarrassment.

"Are you alright?"

"Alright, yes. Very alright. Thank you, M-Master Diluc." You finished, your words slurring from your mouth. He helped you stand up and stabilized your stance by putting your arm around his shoulder.

"Were you heading out? It's dangerous to go alone, especially when you're drunk."

"Oh yes, yes, yes." You repeat your words like a broken record. "Venti was the one who dragged me here. But he's..." You pause, finding the right words, "He's, he's out like a log? Light? Yes, light."

Diluc turned his head towards the familiar sight he'd rather not see and shook his head with an exasperated look on his face.

"Seeing as the bard, whom you came with, is asleep I think it's best that I walk you home."

It seems you were really that wasted for someone as important as Diluc to be escorting you home. You grew conscious of being a nuisance at the bar earlier with all that singing and now, bothering him to escort you. That weighed on your mind, even more so that his face was a few inches from you.

"Oh, oh, no, no, no. Master Diluc, I can't possibly impose on you. The- uhh, the Knights of Favo-"

"Just Diluc is fine," he cut you off. "And it's no trouble. It would bring me peace of mind if I escort you personally."

His grip on your body tightened a bit, conveying that he won't take no for an answer. He opened the door and let you walk slowly as he supported your balance. You mentally sighed in defeat. "If you insist."

The cool night breeze blew against the both of you the minute you were out of the tavern. It was refreshing at first but you didn't realize how cold the air could be at night.

"Here, sit down for a moment." Diluc gently sat you down on a chair not too far from outside the tavern. He stripped himself of his coat and placed it upon your shoulders. At this point you couldnt refuse as he wrapped it snuggly around you. It wasn't prominent but you caught a whiff of the scent his coat. It had a fragrance reminiscent of the grape vineyard at Dawn Winery that you pass by sometimes.

"Smells like grapes," You blurt out, louder than you anticipated.

"Why, thank you." The redhead didn't know if it was a compliment. It didn't sound offensive in anyway so maybe it was.

Diluc sensed the surroundings for anything or anyone suspicious. When he concluded that the vicinity was safe, he helped you up and supported your balance with your arm around his shoulder once more. The both of you started to walk slowly but steadily.

"Do, do you like grapes, Master Diluc?"

"As a matter of fact, I do."

"So you, you like alcohol as well, Master Diluc?"

"I do not."

"But you like grapes?" Diluc furrowed his eyebrows as he did not where this conversation was going.

"Yes, I do." He decided to humor you a little.

On the way, you argued that it was impossible for him to dislike wine because it was made from grapes. He thought you made a fair point but he also said he'd rather have grape juice than wine. Diluc had learned first hand with Kaeya that one will never win an argument against a drunk person. But surprisingly, you were more reasonable to argue with.

"I now know that you, Master Diluc, know how to handle a drunk person." You say, also tripping yourself up the stairs of your porch. "But you've never been drunk yourself."

"It's part of the job description. But i've dealt with more stubborn people. Your bard friend is certainly one of them."

You suddenly remember how rowdy the both of you were earlier in the tavern. "Ah, I apologize."

"Whatever for?" Diluc let go of your weight and had you hold the railings of your porvh for support.

"For," Your grip tightened as you feel your knees buckle a little, "causing trouble in the tavern."

"A noisy tavern is not unusual for me. I prefer it that way, if i'm being frank. But seeing you sing earlier is definitely a novelty."

"Me?"

"Yes." His eyes that glowed like embers in the dark stared right back at yours. "Like a nightingale amongst a murder of crows."

As if it wasn't already, your face grew hotter and you evaded his piercing gaze, embarrassed from the sudden flattery. "Thank you, Master-"

"You may call me Diluc. I'm sure I've told you that earlier."

"Thank you, Diluc. For the kind words." You shuffled on your feet, trying to find a way out of the silence. "Ah, my door! I'm home now. Thank you for going out of your way to walk me home." You grab hold of your door knob before saying, "I bid you... good night."

Just as you were about to step in and free yourself from the torment of awkwardness, "Before I depart, may I ask you something?"

You turned around, alert all of a sudden. "You may."

"If it's all right with you, do you want to..." He seemed to pause for a dramatic effect, "have lunch together if time allows it?"

You blinked, his words seemed far away that you couldn't understand. Your heart raced and the pit in your stomach is back. It wasn't giddiness. The most eligible bachelor in Mondstadt himself asked you to have lunch with him but all you felt was anxiety. Suddenly, all those memories that you have shared with your former lover and the pain finding out that he was with another woman now suddenly hit you like a sumpter beast. You have never wanted to be more drunk in this moment.

"I-I... Thank you, Master Diluc for inviting me to a meal together but I'm sorry. I can't."

"I see." Diluc seemed to have taken the refusal well. "It's alright. I'm glad you let me know."

"I'm sorry."

He gave you a soft smile. "There's nothing to be sorry for. Well, I'll be heading off. Good night, Y/N."

You watched as he lightly waved his hand and walked off, his red hair reflected the moonlight making visible even from afar.

****

Before you come at me, yes there'll be a part two. It's literally 12AM and i just wanted to finish this i hope my brain lets me sleep. I was tryna proofread but my eyes are like nope huhu

#genshin x reader #diluc #diluc x reader #genshin impact

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callmelyc · 10 months ago

Text

✨My 2023 KL Fic faves ✨💞

(Aka my fic wrapped....some of it I read way too many I have 300+ pages of history ok)

This is my list from Twitter that contains:

- Fic Rereads

-New to me reads (recs etc.)

-New to the fandom in 23 reads

All fics hand-picked that I've read and loved (or thought about) alot this year! So let's do this 💫

•Disclaimer: this list contains a mix of ratings for fics so pls pay attention to ratings if you'd like to avoid NSFW•

✨. You don't have to say I love you by XRider

Rated G

-forbidden love, childhood trauma but a happy ending (also mute lance!)

-alt universe non canon/no voltron

https://archiveofourown.org/works/45973999/chapters/115719643

💫. Life Sound by savemeaplate

Rated E (NSFW)

- prince Klance, enemies to friends to Lovers, non human Lance

-medieval fantasy setting, no voltron

https://archiveofourown.org/works/28395438/chapters/69578217

✨. Lifeline by peachyaslans

Rated T

-soulmates, shared injuries, friends to Lovers

-pre-canon & canon divergent

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/51176287

💫. Due West by europa_report

Rated T

-secret relationship, angst, Krolia & Lance bonding

-post S6, canon divergent

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/15588417

✨. Home by erinwantstowrite

Rated T

-canon rewrite, alien lance, team as family

- a revamped canon universe that's currently ongoing

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/38455249

💫. How long can this love hold it's breath? by artimess_chimes

Not rated no NSFW

-love letters, mutual pinning, denial of feelings

-canon universe, BOM era Keith

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/50344408

(y'all knew this was coming I shouted about it as it updated on twit):

✨. My soul has your claim, my soul is in flames by TellyMauve

Rated T

-confess or be trapped, love confessions, not actually unrequited love

-canon universe, canon divergent s7

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/46906135

✨.status rouge by perfchan

Rated E (NSFW)

-lance skincare shenanigans, getting together, crack treated seriously

-post canon universe, cracked me up the situations are ridiculous in the best ways

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/48173959

💫. Insomnia by viren_writes

Rating E (NSFW)

-mating rituals, jealous Keith (I love this tag), aliens made em do it

-canon universe, post s6

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/21502387

💫. Challenger of the maze by erinwantstowrite

Rated T

-smart lance, team as family, lance arc

-canon like universe, lance centric with hints of kl

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/38368447

✨. I killed sendak for this by hiuythn

Rated T

-humor, husbands and temp amnesia

-post canon universe, very sweet

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/17659658

💫. Galaxy station 87 by iridania

Rated M

-mystery, illness, unreliable narrator (it got me good and normally I see thru them)

-canon like universe, missions

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/15930527

✨. One life for the two of us by iwriteshipsnotsailthem (a fave writer)

Rated T

-single parent Lance, tattoo artist Keith, fluff and angst

-alt universe no voltron

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/21800272

💫. The greatest unknowns by keithsgaycousin

Rated G

-single parent Keith, pediatrician Lance, falling in love

-alt universe no voltron

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/33240130

✨. One wheel short by youareinacomawakeup

Rated T

-alt universes, angst & langst, shit gets real

-somewhat canon compliance lots of alt universes

✨. Breathe into me by cyberkogane

Rated M

-jealous Keith, lance has a Galra bf, endgame Klance

-alt canon universe

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/15234423

💫. If it's not broken by emo_texas_toast

Rated E (NSFW)

-humor & smut, lance trying to seduce landlord Keith, happy ending

-alt universe no voltron

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/46620268

✨. Ten minutes on the clock, 20 years on the mind by negativefouriq

Rated T

-bamf lance, angst, hurt/comfort

-canon like universe, I think about this one alot

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/38976807

💫. You're a dream to me by icedpink

Rated T

-alt universe canon divergent, secret relationship, team as family

-v cute

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/45049723

✨. Love me twice, save me thrice by witty_name

Rated M some nsfw

-fae court, magic, intrigue

-alt universe no voltron, their love is so magnetic

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/25599466

💫. Wicked rather than virtuous by 2dick2down

Rated E (NSFW)

-dramatic lance (he's so funny), miscommunication, jealousy

-alt universe no voltron

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/19198666

✨. So, Darling (save the last dance for me) by negativefouriq

Rated T

-pov outsider, smitten Keith, soft klance

-alt universe canon divergent

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/48090406

💫. Dusk till Dawn by hannaadi88 & hunkydory

Rated E (NSFW)

-fae lance, angst, ambitious lance

-huge warning and spoiler: not klance endgame, Reccing it bc it was good but it hurt like a bitch at the end

Https://archiveofourown.org/works/26258401

#voltron #lance vld #vld #vld lance #lance mcclain #keith kogane #klance #keith x lance #keith voltron #hope this works #someone asked me to post it off twit so lets see if it formatted right #also some are gere for amusement others are here bc it made me feel things yk #and I only made it 35/305 of my history tabs before giving up digging thru em #also rereading the classic that is goodnight travel well rn and i cant put that on this list bc its not posted anymore im reading from a pdf #but just know it would be here too bc its so good

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my-deer-friend · 2 months ago

Note

The post you reposted about not hating historians was really interesting, thank you for sharing it. Do you have recommendations for historians who are researching queer history in the 18th century?

Do I!

(Note that I'm using "queer" below in the modern sense of "behaviour outside the sanctioned/accepted gender or sexual norms of the time".)

Strands of scholarship

I've come to see two broad approaches in historical queer studies, at least those focused on the 18th century; these are my own observations, and not formal groupings (as far as I'm aware).

One one side, you have those scholars who have a very open and loose conception of queerness, and are usually interested in "queering the past" – aka using a queer scholarship lens to investigate historical social-cultural behaviours. They often focus on literary analysis and tend to be more liberal about applying modern queer terminology to the past, and usually lean social constructionist or postmodernist.

On the other side, you have strict queer scholars, who have much more stringent definitions of what is "definitely queer" and what isn't, and are interested in making sure that only those historical figures who are "truly" queer are labelled as such. They tend to focus on official documents like trial records and homosexual acts as the most valid kinds of evidence of queerness. These are most often critical realists.

The first group risks taking an over-broad approach to historical queerness, while the second risks being overly narrow, so the majority of scholars tend to fall somewhere in the middle. I do however think it's important to be aware of the differing entry points that a historian might be taking, so that you can read more critically.

All that said...

Here are some recommendations

Haggerty, G. E. (1999). Men in love: Masculinity and sexuality in the eighteenth century. Columbia Univ. Press. For me, this is the gold-standard starting point. Haggerty takes a very pragmatic and compassionate approach to investigating historical queerness. He has also published a more recent book about Horace Walpole which I've skimmed and it looks excellent (Haggerty, G. E. (2011). Horace Walpole’s Letters: Masculinity and Friendship in the Eighteenth Century. Bucknell University Press.)

Godbeer, R. (2009). The overflowing of friendship: Love between men and the creation of the American republic. Johns Hopkins University Press. Another excellent foundational work, this one focused more on America.

Tobin, R. (2000). Warm Brothers: Queer Theory and the Age of Goethe. University of Pennsylvania Press. This book focuses on queerness in late-18th/early-19th century German culture, but has lots of useful cross-cutting insights.

Sedgwick, E. K. (1985). Between men: English literature and male homosocial desire. Columbia university press. Sedgwick doesn't pull many punches, and that puts her ahead of her time; you'll find many theorists leaning on her study.

Malcolm, N. (2024). Forbidden Desire in Early Modern Europe: Male-Male Sexual Relations, 1400-1750 (1st ed.). Oxford University Press. I have heard great things about this book and it's somewhere on my long, long reading list – but by all accounts it's worth a look, and is the most recent source on this list, so it should contain the most up-to-date scholarship.

Cleves, R. H. (2014). Charity and Sylvia: A same-sex marriage in early America. Oxford University Press. This one takes place in the early 19th century, so not quite what you're looking for, but is an interesting investigation into (the scarcer field of) female same-sex relations.

Norton, R. (Ed.). Homosexuality in Eighteenth-Century England: A Sourcebook. Updated 17 December 2023. http://rictornorton.co.uk/eighteen/. An invaluable resource of source documents and analyses (with the small caution that Norton very blatantly uses modern queer terminology in historical context).

These are all books, so they serve as a good starting point for a broad exploration; all of these authors have also published academic articles, which go into much more depth on narrower topics. I also have some more focused resources, if there is a specific topic within this massive field that you have a particular interest in!

#queer history #18th century history

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charmsandtealeaves · 9 months ago

Text

Well despite a very busy week, I actually also managed a lot of reading! Big win for me personally. This week is still predominantly Jily (no surprises there - especially with gift exchange fics dropped)

Read This Week:

Pinkest Bluestocking of the Ton by @wearingaberetinparis (Ch.11-)

WIP, Regency Jily, Rated M

Dearest Reader, the ton are abuzz with the latest gossip, and so it is my honour to impart to you the news that the Duke of Peverell has returned to London at last! A year after setting off on his tour of Europe, Lady Peverell's son has returned and rumour has it that his mother is preparing for the most joyous of occasions: a late summer wedding that sees her son wed the next Duchess of Peverell. It is my sincere hope that you have stored a bottle of wine for this most delightful of upcoming events for if ever there were a more determined mama, this writer is Icarus and this society paper has been scorched for flying too close to the sun. A Jily Regency Romance inspired by Shondaland's "Bridgerton".

Down Comes The Night by Wearingaberetinparis (Ch.1-)

WIP, Hogwarts Jily, Different Houses, Rated M

As the Wizarding World grows ever darker, the threat of Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters looming, James Potter – Gryffindor at heart, pure of blood, traitor by nature – and Lily Evans – Ravenclaw of mind, Muggle by birth, solitary of soul – are appointed Head Boy and Girl.

To Bring Down A Kingdom by @mppmaraudergirl (Ch.1-)

WIP, Forbidden Love Jily, Rated M

“If we do this…” “For all of time, they will say it was our love that brought down a kingdom.” A story about forbidden lovers, the battle between duty and love, and the cost of betrayal. Inspired by the film Tristan and Isolde.

Your Friend, James by @thelighthousestale

Complete (5.3k), Letters, Hogwarts Jily, Rated T

It is the summer before their 7th year, and Lily and James spend the entire holiday writing letters to each other as their relationship slowly changes from friends to something more.

Miss Evans and the Impossible Task (of finding a husband) by @annasghosts (Ch.9)

Complete (22.2K), Regency Era Jily, Rated T

Miss Lily Evans, the youngest daughter of a widow with a modest fortune, at one and twenty years of age knows what is required of her: to find a husband willing to support her and her mother. The problem? Men of the London society aren’t swayed by her lack of a dowry and brazen attitude. Luckily for her Mr James Potter has just come home from Cambridge and she can enlist his help to find out what men really want.

A Tale of Two Sisters by Annasghosts

Complete (2k) Lily and Petunia Evans, Rated G

This is the story of Lily and Petunia Evans, two sisters who couldn't be more different, but once upon a time, when they were little girls, thought their bond unbreakable.

Theogony by @clare-with-no-i

Complete (120k), Ancient Greece/Time Travel Jily, Rated M

The trip that Lily Evans expects to go on is the annual pre-dissertation jaunt to Athens with the rest of her Classical Civilizations PhD program. The trip she does not expect to go on is to 479 BCE, right on the cusp of one of the most important battles in the Greco-Persian war. Now, she has to navigate antiquity as she tries to find her way back to the 21st Century, God—or gods—help her. James wants to win this war. No, James needs to win this war. He is a man of honor and duty, and even if it means dying a gruesome, bloody death, he will go down in history as one of Athens's great warriors. He will suffer no distractions; not even beautiful ones who speak strangely and refuse to listen to his orders.

Drunk on You by @kay-elle-cee

Complete (4.3k), jily in a tub, Rated E

While on a weekend getaway with some friends, Lily steals away somewhere private to cool down from the sweltering heat and the alcohol in her system. James Potter, a (very fit) friend-of-a-friend who's tagged along, has a similar idea. Spilled wine, bare skin, and bold flirting do not help them cool down one bit.

Accidental Magic by @missgryffin

Complete (9.1k), Jily smut, Rated E

What else is there to do after confessing feelings in the middle of the night than spend a lazy Saturday in bed?

The Three-Minute Initiative by @annabtg

Complete (1.9k), Jily Speed Dating, Rated T

The first bloke Lily meets at the speed dating event is too cold and distant; the second one lacks enthusiasm; the third one doesn’t look like the type to take initiative. The fourth bloke is when she stops counting.

The Couch Chronicles by @jamesunderwater

Complete (3.1k), jily/jilypad cuteness, Rated G

Lily Evans thought Sirius Black wasn't her friend, but she also thought James Potter was just her colleague. She was wrong on both accounts. written for the lovely AnnaBtG as part of @jilymicrofic's 2024 Jily Gift Exchange, and inspired by this fanart.

Loose Ends by @abihastastybeans

Complete (1.7k), Enemies to Lovers, Thieves Jily, Rated M

Written for Jilymicrofics' Valentine's Gift Exchange 2024!! "He walked up behind Lupin and scanned the map, tracing his finger over the hand drawn lines, determinedly. “You’re part of the team now and you’re going to help me show Lily Evans who’s who.”"

Thrice Defied by abihastastybeans

Complete (2.4k), First Wizarding War Jily, Rated M

Written for Jilymicrofics' Valentine's Gift Exchange 2024! James and Lily defying Voldemort three times

there's nothin' like a mad man by @athenasparrow

Complete (1k), Jily smut, Rated E

Order Jily love confessions

Never Far Behind (Those Vivid Knuckles) by @uncertainwallflower

Complete (742), protective jily, Rated E

To wrong Lily Evans is to face James Potter's wrath.

As Good A Reason by @fiendishfyre

Complete (9k), jily enemies to lovers, rated G

James and Lily enter a competition to become apprentices to a famed Potion master.

Operation Jily by @nena-96

Complete (3k), jily, meddling friends, Rated T

Marlene is tired of putting up with James and Lily, so she seeks the help from Sirius and Remus in order to get those two idiots together. Operation Jily is set and ready for action.

Sweethearts’ Special by @tinyluminaryzombie

Complete (1.6k), Jily Coffee Shop AU, Rated T

What happens when your coffee shop nemesis, asks you to pretend to be a couple? "I’ve been staring at the stupid cupcakes for the past hour, and they look way too good. Anyways, would you be willing to join forces and pretend to be together for the free cupcake and coffee?”

Hell is Empty (and all the devils are here) by @nodirectionhome-ao3

Complete (11.4k), canon divergent Order! Jily, Rated M

When an Order mission takes an unexpected turn, James and Lily find themselves stranded together. In the aftermath of the chaos, sheltering together through the storm, a fire catches between them.

Between the Desire and the Spasm by @uncertainwallflower (ch.10)

WIP, canon divergent, modern with magic jily, Rated M

Trains are arguably the centre of everything. The sinew of civilisation for muggles and wizards alike. They are where all walks of life converge. Congregate. In synchronised traversal. Shared agony inflicted by the piercing screech of metal on metal, bonding all patrons aboard a carriage. And outside. A passing glimpse of someone you thought you’d never see again. Trains. They change everything.

Quest For Camelot by @petalsinwoodvale (Ch.10-11)

WIP, Quest for Camelot Jily AU, Rated T

All Lily has ever wanted is to be a knight, like her father, Sir Lionel. After Camelot is attacked and the magical sword Excalibur is stolen, she finds herself teaming up with James, a young blind hermit, as they embark on a quest to find the lost sword. Together, they face the threat of the evil Ruber, navigate challenges with a two-headed dragon and an ogre, and discover that they're more alike than they initially thought. Will they manage to return the sword to Arthur in time, or will they lose not only each other but also their dreams and the precious Excalibur? Based on the 1998 movie Quest for Camelot, but more plot and less singing.

The Librarian of Hogsmeade Village by @ohmygodshesinsane

Complete (8.2k), modern jily AU, Rated T

Lily's work as a librarian in the small village of Hogsmeade has kept her occupied for the past six years, forever keeping the wheels of the town on the track. As the holidays approach, she prepares to settle in with a nice mug of tea and a well-thumbed old book. When a new resident and his son arrive at her weekly story-reading, with cheeky smiles and big hearts, those plans are tossed out the window in favour of chasing love, for once - not escaping it.

Heart Transfiguration by @siriuslychessi

Complete (2.8k), Hogwarts Jily, Rated G

James and Lily have a study session on their 6th year where James starts to notice some changes in Lily's behaviour.

Get a Room by @chierafied

Complete (1.3k), Modern Jily AU, Rated T

The long-awaited trip to London goes awry when Marlene chooses to spend time with her boyfriend - forcing Lily to share their room with none other than James Potter.

The Duel by @reality-exodus

Complete (3k), First Wizarding War, Rated G

While the Marauders are studying in Hogwarts the first wizarding world blooms on their societies with the threat towards Muggleborns getting greater, unfortunately Hogwarts its not a safe place anymore, as the slytherins carry on the believes of their families in school grounds. What happens when Lilly is a targeted Muggle?

Just The Two Of Us by @arianatwycross

Complete (10.2k), Hogwarts Jily, Rated T

Head Students James and Lily face a perilous twist when a malicious potion surfaces in hate mail directed at Lily. Dumbledore orders a week-long quarantine in the Head Students' suite. With unspoken crushes lingering, the duo navigates close quarters, leading to unexpected revelations, lingering looks and forehead kisses.

The Wait Was Worth It by @rose-of-the-grave

Complete (3.3k), Hogwarts Jily, Rated G

James is trying to move on. Lily thinks it's too late. With some help from their friends them might finally be on the same page.

The Boy (In The Bedroom) Next Door by @eastwindmlk (Ch.1-5)

WIP, Canon Divergent Jily, Rated T

1986 Lily Evans has to move in with her new potion's teacher to finish her apprenticeship. There is one small issue, said teacher? Fleamont Potter, father of infinitely annoying and frustratingly fit former rival James Potter. Who she has not seen after leaving Hogwarts after her third year.

The Queen of the Quills (Jily Edition) by @elliemarchetti

WIP, Regency Jily, Rated T

James Potter, London's most evasive bachelor, an impertinent libertine, has decided to get married. He has also already chosen his wife, the debutante Lily Evans, a self-confident young woman who has not the slightest intention of being seduced by such a man.

#charms read round up #week 7 #fic recs

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fantasy-relax · 9 months ago

Text

Inefable plan

Part 2.

Warning: Misscarriage.

Bela Dimitrescu x g!p reader

This is what happen when you don't follow the plan.

"You do all this because you love, right? You are in love with me!"

You should know this would happen, poor Daniela was heartbroken, lonely and needy, she wanted a relationship like her fairytales, of course she will hang on the only good interaction outside of her family, you.

"Lady Daniela, I-I" hope was in her face, her cheeks red smiling shyly "I-I"

You could lie and pretend, Daniela was pretty and both of you have some much in common, you could play along with her fantasy for three years. But it feel so damn wrong and the last thing you wanted was to trick her like that.

"Lady Daniela I'm sorry but I don't love you like that" you could see the moment her heart broke " I think of you as my.."

Dear friend?

No. Not exactly.

"I think I love you as I will had loved my sibling if I could had one"

You birth was one difficult, after you there were other pregnancies that never passed the second month, the relationship between your parents sour more for that. Your father wanted to keep trying for the perfect child and your mother was tired and hurt.

You don't remember if they even sleep in the room after the third try, you do remember the screaming of that night when your mother's dress was stained with blood and her face with tears.

Your mom was good company but sometimes more than you will ever admit to her you wished you have a sister or a brother to play, to fight, to care for, to be little less lonely but you knew better than ask.

In your time together in the library you see her not as the delusional, childish aggressive third daughter but as Daniela a playful, creative and adorable girl. That loved her family like you loved yours.

They were killers, they were mutants but they were family.

You glance at the clock in the wall you have other duties to attend.

"Can we talk more when Friday comes? I need to go lady Daniela I have more work to"

She let you go easily, at least she wasn't sad actually she seemed more thoughtful than anything.

Working around you try to make sense of your feelings and actions to towards the dimitrescu house.

Did they ripped other families apart? Yes, but the contract was clear, there wasn't fine letter everything was in the open:

The ladies of the house will carry any punishment that they think adequate in case of any broken rule.

While the punishment is dependent of the affected rule could be any of the following:

-Withholding food or payment.

-Whipping.

-Dismemberment

-Torture

-Death

There is no misunderstanding, obey the rules, work hard and everything is fine.

Now that you are thinking the rules more broken were five particularly:

-Be respectful to the ladies.

-Don't steal.

-Not slacking.

-Not enter into the forbidden sections.

-The windows must be always closed.

Calling the ladies monsters, bitches, freaks was something common between maids. The stupid ones that do it in the open end punished. This is fair.

The castle is full of luxury, even the maid quarters are better state than any of the houses in the village. Because this some try to smuggle some paintings, jewelry or anything of value to sell outside. They are punished when they're found out. This is fair.

The castle had a lot of rooms, almost every one of them were big. This was one of the reasons for what lady dimitrescu needed a lot of (wo)manpower. But some maids will leave their responsibilities to the others that will have to work harder to complete the assigned tasks. They were deal with by the other maids or given to the ladies. This was fair.

There were rooms that only the head maid or certain maids were permitted to be. Others were completely banned from entering. Woman in search of things to sell will enter just to be killed by the ladies or whatever is in the other side. This was fair.

Most of the windows were barricaded. You had to admit that rule was weird, yes it was cold but it was only for a few months in winter and some stray days in the year. But if lady dimitrescu wanted every window closed then every window must be closed is her damn castle after all. This was fair.

Woman signs the contract, woman broke the rules accorded in the contract woman is punished according to the contract. This was fair.

People keep coming knowing that death was hiding in the corner. Out of necessity, out of greed, out of freedom. By choice.

Now the question is: Why only few were capable of surviving the three years?

The head maid was one older woman, the head cook and her helpers too, the Carpenter, the stable manager, the blacksmith. They had been here for a long time, longer than three years.

Curiosity was always your best asset.

And your doom...

Well, you will just ask them the questions that you need and that will be all.

Yes, a good plan.

#resident evil village #daniela dimitrescu #My work

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bi-widower-dads · 8 months ago

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bi-widower-dads' February Fic Recs: Canon

Thank you to everyone who submitted recs for us! We've done some sorting and collating, and we've got two posts for you: AUs and Canon-'verse - and a whole load of excellent fic for you to get stuck into while we wait for Barduil Month in April! Without further ado, here are the canon fic recs, featuring tags, links, summaries, and all the reasons why the recommenders think you should give these fics a try!

Header image by mod @piyo-13!

(a note about tags and trigger warnings: tags are selected from those on AO3 as being those that best describe the story for the purposes of this event; trigger warnings are supplied by the recommenders and may not be comprehensive - your mileage may vary. We've tried our best to include Tumblr handles wherever we can, but if we've missed yours out and you want it included, just let us know!)

One-shots

Scenes From a Not-So-Clandestine Romance by MasterofAllImagination / @cutlerbeckettt | G | 3258 words | tags: 5+1 things, so much fluff it's sickening, seriously don't even read this

Summary: As the relationship between Bard and Thranduil grows beyond merely that of two allies, they become proportionately blind to how obvious their displays of affection are to their people. Pretty soon their feelings are an open secret shared among everyone in Mirkwood and Dale-- except the kings themselves. (or, five times someone caught Bard and Thranduil secretly kissing, and the one time they did it in public) What do you love about this fic? The author's completely correct that this is just So Much Fluff. It's great, it's cozy, it's a palate cleanser that makes you go "aww" and giggle a little at how oblivious they are.

We'll lay here for years or for hours by bispecimen | M | 5000 words | tags: canon divergence, different first meeting, animal death, hunting, could be considered canon compliant since it still works w future events, dilf vs dilf parenting techniques, canon-typical violence

Summary: "The leaves were rolling, green and healthy. Swirling around the legs of the Bowman as if they were about to bring some magical creature in his presence. But Bard didn’t feel like anything good was about to be brought in front of his eyes. The stillness of the air was suffused with something nocive. This part was forbidden for a reason. The deeper he went, the longer he stayed. He knew, he knew that." What do you love about this fic? Am possibly biased because I did the art for this, but lovely and lyrical!

but the sun is eclipsed by the moon by RC_McLachlan | G | 5288 words | tags: none

Summary: The Battle of the Five Armies threatened to unmake the world, but The Negotiations of the Three Kings might actually succeed. Or, a short lesson on the lifecycle of dandelions. What do you love about this fic? Great writer I've followed for a long time!

more than words can wield the matter by BiSquared / @scary-grace | M | 5422 words | tags: cultural differences, love letters, miscommunication, accidental marriage, getting together, laws and customs of the eldar are somewhat followed, POV Bard the Bowman, post-BotFA, as canon-compliant as barduil gets

Summary: It might be uncommon, but Bard knows it’s not unheard of for humans to share a single night of passion and part ways in the morning – or if not to part ways, then at least never to meet as lovers again. Apparently it’s unheard of among elves, because the first letter that arrives from Mirkwood, two weeks after the elves’ departure for their forest, is significantly less businesslike than expected. What do you love about this fic? The premise is funny enough that it could have come across as crack, but it creates actual narrative tension and a satisfactorily cathartic ending.

The Well-Worn Path of Words by Ias | T | 10,725 words | tags: letters, slow burn, pining, miscommunication, love confessions, epistolary

Summary: It wasn't so strange that Thranduil would call him a friend. And yet the word seemed to draw them closer like a length of string, binding them together, yet still so fragile. [In which Thranduil and Bard begin writing each other letters over the long winter after the battle.] What do you love about this fic? Fantastic epistolary fic from a great Barduil author!

Multi-chapter (in progress)

Language of the Forest by BaccaratBlack | T | 1,095 words | tags: victorian flower language, sort of unrequited feelings, cultural differences, cultural misunderstandings, courtship, secret admirer

Summary: Bard is perplexed by elven courtship rituals. Thranduil is very determined and unaccustomed to not having his way. What do you love about this fic? Who doesn't like a fic with the themes of courtship, flowers and a "secret" admirer?

Multi-chapter (complete)

A Tale of Love and Longing (as told by Galion) by jotunblood | T | 39,288 words | tags: courtship, secret relationship, developing relationship, sexual tension, light angst, post-BotFA, slow burn, Galion POV, Galion is a good friend

Summary: Galion knew all the almost imperceptible ways joy, anguish, and hate could change his King’s face. He also knew-- Thranduil’s denial be damned-- exactly how he looked when he was pining. What do you love about this fic? We see Thranduil's and Bard's relationship develop through Galion's POV and he's the best BFF/Wing Man a King could ask for.

Blossoming Spring by SlytherinImpala | T | 56,210 words | tags: fluff, post-BotFA, snark, slow burn, healing, friends to lovers, scars, movie canon, first kiss, getting together

Summary: Bard and Thranduil meet again as winter gives way to spring following of the Battle of Five Armies. What do you love about this fic? I love the gentle snarkiness between the 2 characters and how they slowly learn to open up to one another. They feel very in character and when they fall in love it doesn't feel abrupt. Definitely worth a read if you love a gentle Barduil slowburn.

Series

The Kings of the North by Evandar | T | 14,240 words | tags: partial fix-it, interspecies romance, fluff, blind thranduil, self-esteem issues, communication

Summary: There is unease in the north, as old alliances must be rebuilt and leadership learned. Bard is confused, mostly by King Thranduil, and King Fili is determined to be the best king he can be. Sigrid, meanwhile, wishes things could go back to the way they were. What do you love about this fic? This was one of the first series I ever read for barduil and definitely played a huge role in getting me into the ship in the first place!

Boundaries 'Verse by Sir_Nemo | T | 30,967 words | tags: fluff, getting to know each other, getting together, family bonding

Summary: Bard has been working for the elves for years, never actually meeting one, until one day he notices an elf watching him work. The elf becomes a constant in his life, and the two of them slowly start warming up to each other. What do you love about this fic? Bard and Thranduil's personalities really shine through in their conversations, which I feel is a core component of the plot, and makes for a very stable relationship that the story can lean on.

#barduilmonth2024 #barduil month fic rec february #fic recs #the hobbit #the hobbit fanfiction #the hobbit fanfic #barduil #bard/thranduil #barduil fic recs #long post

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sitp-recs · 1 year ago

Note

Can you rec any hidden gems that are G or T rated, particularly longish Drarry?I tend to avoid things that aren't E or M, I guess assuming that they aren't as sophisticated. I'd like to open my horizons.

Hello friend! Love that for you, I usually prefer M or E-rated fics myself, but I can definitely rec some brilliant G & T works. Don’t mind my small obsession with @blamebrampton, highly recommend going through her full catalogue!

Gen

Of Hoof Picks, Centaurs and Flight by blamebrampton (21k)

Harry has promised that he will not do anything to upset the new head of Magical Creatures. Even if it is Draco Malfoy. When three centaur foals appear in Cumbria, far from the Forbidden Forest and all too close to Muggles, Harry’s promise is thoroughly tested. To say nothing of his equestrian skills.

On the Turning Away by blamebrampton (25k)

It's one thing to be good at not making a besotted fool of yourself over a man when he's busy being the most famous wizard in the world and you're tucked away quietly in Wiltshire. It's quite another when you have to see him every morning.

Childhood Chews by curiouslyfic (30k)

When Britain's top Aurors are brought down by chewing gum, it's up to Potions peon Draco to sort out the mess. If it's gone this wrong, it's just got to be a Wheeze. Featuring Tiny Potter, Wee Weasleys, Little Longbottom, and a ginger Granger

Ain't No Friend Of Mine by lettered (33k)

Draco has to face the truth of who he is. The truth has long hair and slobbers.

Inexpert and Unexpected Things by amalin (36k)

Harry grins and wraps his arms around Malfoy. 'Time to go home,' he says. ‘Home,' Malfoy echoes drowsily, something in his voice. It might be resentment, agreement, resignation. Harry can't tell.

No Shadow Taller Than Our Souls by khasael (40k)

Auror Potter and Unspeakable Malfoy team up to investigate a series of missing persons, and it soon becomes apparent that Dementors are involved. Despite their initial misgivings, Harry and Draco find that they need each other's help, in more ways than one.

God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen by oldenuf2nb (41k)

Chief Auror Harry Potter is seriously injured while on loan to the Americans, and there's only one specialist in the world who might be able to help. Unfortunately...

The Pure and Simple Truth by lettered (65k)

Harry, Draco, and Hermione go to a pub. Harry, Draco, and Pansy go to a pub. Harry, Draco, Pansy, and Hermione go to a pub. Harry, Draco, Hermione and Ron go to a pub. Harry, Draco, Hermione, Ron, and Pansy―you guessed it―go to a pub. I could go on. In fact, I did. Harry, Draco, Hermione, Pansy, Ron, Blaise, Luna, Goyle, Neville, and Theodore Nott go to a pub. In various combinations.

Teen and Up

The Snitch-Maker by Omi_Ohmy (21k)

Draco is content with his Snitches, with the tap tap tap of his hammer, and the tiny gears and sharp scent of metal in his workshop - until one day Harry Potter appears, asking for help to solve a rash of Snitch-tampering in the Quidditch world.

We Might Be Too Old for a Bildungsroman by calrissian18 (21k)

Harry finds something he’s been looking for since the war’s end. Admittedly, the packaging’s a bit odder than he expected.

Safe As Houses by xanthippe74 (24k)

After five years abroad, Harry’s thrilled to be home and working at the most prestigious ward-building firm in Britain. But everything gets turned upside down when he's assigned to work for Draco Malfoy—who somehow grew up to be just the sort of sexy bastard Harry goes for. As if that isn’t enough, Malfoy seems strangely on edge, his wards are a mess, and Harry keeps feeling like he’s being watched in the garden. It’s going to take all of Harry’s ward-crafting skills—and self-restraint—to help Malfoy feel safe in his own home again.

Doing the Lambeth Walk by blamebrampton (26k)

There are only three traditional choices for the cashed-up hero after victory. Harry Potter is too young to settle down and provide the wizarding world with a happy ending, and has too acute a sense of humour to spiral downwards into a spectacular flame-out. That leaves a life of good works. Choosing to lead it in Muggle Brixton comes with its own set of challenges, including Malfoys in the biscuit aisle.

At the Doorway, On the Stair by dwell_the_brave, p1013 (30k)

A year after Draco Malfoy goes missing, his mother has one last option—Harry Potter. Having left the Auror department and made a name for himself as a Private Investigator, Harry cannot help but get involved in the disappearance of Draco Malfoy. Will he discover the truth about what happened? And what could be causing all the strange disturbances at Malfoy Manor?

Memory Lane by Selden (31k)

When memories from the war start surfacing in unexpected places, Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy find themselves spending a surprising amount of time inside each other’s heads.

Holly and Hawthorn, Thistle and Thyme by bryoneybrynn (31k)

After the war, Harry can’t shake the feeling that something is very wrong with him and he has a terrible feeling he knows what that “something” might be. He has a terrible feeling Malfoy might know, too.

...And They Were Co-Teachers by TheGoblinMatriarch (31k)

Ten years after the war, Harry leads a contented life teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts, with a collection of fellow new teachers keen to make some changes. When Draco Malfoy temporarily joins the staff while he finishes his Potions mastery, Harry is worried his contentment will be short-lived.

Somebody to Love by khasael (31k)

Draco's life after the war is quite different than it used to be. When he finds himself cursed, with little hope for lifting the spell, he sets out to make the most of the time he has left. Getting to know his Aunt Andromeda and his young cousin Teddy feels like a good thing to do, even if it can't help him in the long run...or can it?

Little Red Courgette by blamebrampton (31k)

When this season's purple courgettes are woefully thin, Draco Malfoy thinks it amounts to small beans. Next thing he knows, the Department of Standards is over-run with leeks, Brussels sprouts all sorts of legislative difficulties, and somebody appears to have put a roquette under Harry Potter. Can Draco seize a marrow victory? Or will his plans for peas be squashed?

The Consolations of a Summer's Day by blamebrampton (33k)

Harry Potter is absolutely certain Draco Malfoy did not murder Pansy Parkinson. He’s almost absolutely certain he can prove this without sacrificing his career and having them both hauled up before the Wizengamot.

Stop And Stare by devilishcries (36k)

After surviving your everyday war-torn childhood, Harry had found a constant rhythm to his life. The thing is, he didn't quite like it. It was repetitive, dull, and he badly wanted to switch it up. So, when he stumbled upon Draco Malfoy on the verge of committing arson in a muggle library, he proposed a deal neither could refuse.

Follow the Water by xanthippe74 (38k)

Harry Potter’s life is fine. Maybe a little dull and predictable, but he shouldn’t complain about that, right? When he unexpectedly finds himself at Luna’s house one afternoon, Harry gets invited to join the secret wonderland that she’s creating with a surprising group of friends. Maybe a summer outdoors is just what a former hero needs to bring some zest back into his life.

This Summer by Saras_Girl (39k)

This is a summery romantic comedy featuring my favourite ensemble cast, in which Harry is confused, Draco is Draco, and Hermione attempts to eat all the things.

Like Lightning at Your Fingertips by potterwatch (43k)

The problem with living with another insomniac is, eventually, they find out you’re one, too. When Harry and Draco return for their eighth year, they think they’ll see very little of each other. Then McGonagall assigns them to room together. And the castle starts breaking. And there’s that thing with Potter’s magic.

Through the May Air, Over the Ocean by tsauergrass (45k)

Draco Malfoy never expected to find himself in Scotland or being stuck in a cottage with Potter—but wonders never cease. A story about warmth, a story about falling back in love. A story about a flock of sheep in the distant fells of Scotland.

Unseen by Jackvbriefs (47k)

Harry Potter finally has the chance to leave England and its expectations for The Chosen One behind for good. All he has to do is survive one Auror training conference overseas with Draco Sodding Malfoy.

Protection by agentmoppet (56k)

In the months after Voldemort's death, Draco Malfoy comes to live with Harry Potter under witness protection. But Draco seems somehow different, and Harry is determined to find out why and whether it is going to mean anything different for their relationship. Meanwhile, it seems the Golden Trio might have missed Voldemort's true goal for the Deathly Hallows.

Meet Me at Midnight by thestarryknight (57k)

Harry was beginning to wonder if he’d ever make anything again when Malfoy stormed through the door of Harry’s furniture shop. Now Harry’s got an impossible Ministry commission to finish, and even less energy than ever to deal with his elusive muse. That is, until he stumbles upon the surreal and beautiful world of a mysterious fae creature…

The Way Down by lettered (65k)

Harry is overwhelmed by his own power and fame and angst, so he's become a hermit. Draco Malfoy is tired of the melodrama.

A Young Radical's Guide to Love by blamebrampton (66k)

Memories of the war are still fresh, which is all the excuse Decent People need to do appalling things. In this quietly waged conflict, Draco Malfoy is happy to be on the right side of things for once, and even happier to find he’s not alone.

The Descent of Magic by Lomonaaeren (94k)

Harry Potter, retired Auror, is also a budding magical theorist who likes a quiet life. When he discovers what seems to be a possible reason that so many pure-blood families are losing their magic and having Squib children, he keeps it quiet, because he knows it would only cause a storm of controversy. But an equally budding acquaintance with Draco Malfoy might change his mind.

#asks #anon #Drarry reclist #G and T long fics

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sunnydaleherald · 3 months ago

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The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Monday, August 12

JOYCE: Do you wanna say something? BUFFY: Like what? Thanks for stopping by and dying? JOYCE: How about, um . . . good-bye, stray cat, who lost its way. We hope you find it.

~~Dead Man's Party~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

A Little Monster in All of Us (Gen, T) by mmooch

The Best Part of Waking Up (Buffy/Spike, G) by Ghosts_In_Love

[Chaptered Fiction]

I Can Show You Lies Chapter 4 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Tragic

The Degradation of Duality [Series Part 2] Chapter 42 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Ragini

Love Lives Here Chapter 94 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Passion4Spike

Cheese Board Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, E) by TheClowniestLivInExistence

[Fandom Discussions]

Rewatch thoughts and questions continued by multiple posters

Lines you'd love to add by TessMacc

A forbidden spell is just a friend you haven’t met… by VisibleCoat995

Season 1 Episode 2 by samof1994

I know some are against Angel in Sanctuary but I'll always be so glad he chose to help Faith by Delicious-Corn-5531

Should Buffy have been unequivocally in the wrong more often? by brwitch

Buffy's Letters by Girlthatbreathes

Rewatched Nightmares (S1E10) and I noticed a small potentially hilarious detail by TryLettingGo

Best/worst by WhatNoFnZiti

Did this scene remind anyone of this scene? by foreseethefuture

Question about the shows Buffy and Angel by calypso4000

Thoughts on I Will Remember You from a first-time Buffy/Angel watcher by spectacleskeptic

Did it make sense to you that Spike stayed in Los Angeles in "Angel" S5 by beeemkcl

I'm Not Okay by BigBoss2203

If Buffy wasn't called as a Slayer; and she just moved to Sunnydale by jdpm1991

The 4 Most Iconic Seasons ! by Cailly_Brard7

Amy how she was acting confused me by Tsole96

Favorite Drusilla Moments? by ElephantWorldly5010

Why would Faith help Buffy in S03E22? by lauanimau

Buffy vs The vampire diaries by Prudent_Ostrich6164

The men in Buffy’s life telling her what she wants/needs by purplemackem

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

#buffy #btvs #Buffy The Vampire Slayer #ats #angel #angel the series

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nobody3xe · 1 year ago

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HUMBLE SCARES!

An event hosted by the record manger of this archive, commemorating one of the most infamous holidays in twisted wonderland, HALLOWEEN. ABOUT this event;

ABOUT;

The event ‘HUMBLE SCARES’ allows one to interact with a specific character, as either an anonymous or known reader. Although there are some boundaries are RULES that need to be followed;

RULES;

Nsfw is strictly forbidden. But asks with slight suggestive topics are allowed.

yandere/horror interaction(s) are the only available asks.

Asks/ interactions work on a first come first serve basis. If the request makes the record manger of the archive uncomfortable, the ask will be discarded or simply ignored.

Asks with the proper FORMAT will be prioritized.

FORMAT;

free space

“(Interaction) dialogue in quotes.” With [CHARACTER name]

free space

CHARACTER(S);

a.1. Grim (strictly platonic)

a.2. Dire C. (platonic and/or romantic)

a.3. Divus C. (platonic and/or romantic)

a.4. Mozus T. (platonic and/or romantic)

a.5. Ashton V. (platonic and/or romantic)

a.6. Sam (platonic and/or romantic)

b.1. Riddle R. (platonic and/or romantic)

b.2. Trey C. (platonic and/or romantic)

b.3. Cater D. (platonic and/or romantic)

b.4. Ace T. (platonic and/or romantic)

b.5. Deuce S. (platonic and/or romantic)

c.1. Leona K. (platonic and/or romantic)

c.2. Ruggie B. (platonic and/or romantic)

c.3. Jack H. (platonic and/or romantic)

d.1. Azul A. (platonic and/or romantic)

d.2. Jade L. (platonic and/or romantic)

d.3. Floyd L. (platonic and/or romantic)

e.1. Kalim AA. (platonic and/or romantic)

e.2. Jamil V. (platonic and/or romantic)

f.1. Vil S. (platonic and/or romantic)

f.2. Rook H. (platonic and/or romantic)

f.3. Epel F. (platonic and/or romantic)

g.1. Idia S. (platonic and/or romantic)

g.2. Ortho S. (Strictly platonic)

h.1. Malleus D. (platonic and/or romantic)

h.2. Lilia V. (platonic and/or romantic)

h.3. Sliver (platonic and/or romantic)

h.4. Sebek (platonic and/or romantic)

i.1. Alchemia A./ Chenya (platonic and/or romantic)

i.2. Neige LB. (platonic and/or romantic)

i.3. Cheka K. (Strictly platonic)

i.4. Rollo F. (platonic and/or romantic)

•asks regarding highlighted character(s) are favorable.

•duration; 02.10.23 - 31.10.23

•if you, the reader, has any questions regarding this, feel free to ask via letters or replies under this post.

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sudoviansnelf · 3 months ago

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I. part of "The Knight-Paladin Alphabet Headcanons"

I am creating headcanons for the Knight-Paladin Gelebor right here. Warning, there will be NSFW ones too, though way later (they aren't there yet).

Here are a 2 letters from the first chapter:

G — Grief — How do they process grief?

It is said that Auri-El could do naught but teach the Elvenfolk to suffer with dignity.

This paraphrase might not completely fall in line with the Falmer doctrines of faith, but the theme of being ennobled by martyrdom is common, starting with the very initiation to enlightenment undertaken in the pilgrimages to the Chantry of Auri-El.

True to his beloved culture, perhaps even influenced by it, he tends to mourn quietly. The Knight-Paladin seldom weeps openly. He harbors no desire for pity, for he believes a guardian ought to remain silent about his own sorrows. To impose his emotions upon another strikes him not only as inappropriate but profoundly selfish.

Therefore, he does not showcase the level of hurt he's under — a subtle display of melancholy at most. To be exact, he refrains from presenting strong emotions whatsoever, whether they're positive, negative or ambivalent.

K — Knowledge — Do they like learning new things? Do they possess any piece of wisdom unknown to others, or is perhaps forbidden?

Needless to say, he possesses boundless knowledge of the old ways and Nirn from the dawn of the First Era, which would prove a miraculous source of information for today's scholars but probably not to anyone else. He is willing to share everything about the functioning of the Snow Elven Empire, Falmeri Pantheon, Falmereth’s traditions and convenances. He doesn’t necessarily have any forbidden knowledge, he has always strayed far from all wicked branches of magic (unlike him …).

He loves learning new things, always intently listening to any intel from adventurers if they would ever want to share a piece of their wisdom with him. The few books he took with him to the Darkfall Cave he reread countless times and on rare occasions a soul would graze him with new information about the outside world. Bit by bit, he learned of the change of the end of Atmorans’ active slaughtering of the Snow Elves, Chimer to Dunmer transformation, the disappearance of the Dwemer, the Oblivion crisis…

If the Dragonborn would allow him so, he would politely inquire about all interesting questions that would pop in his mind on a guard for centuries. To be frank, any new information would be fascinating to him. Socioeconomic news, geopolitical landscape, developments in technology, or something about culture and arts — all he will lap up with utmost attention.

There are, of course, certain facts he is better off without being aware of. He certainly would fare far more peacefully without being notified about the existence of such pieces of art like “The Slaying of the Falmer Princes” or “Conquest of the Falmer”... Only Auri-El knows how the stoic Knight-Paladin might react to those obscene literary works.

Lord, help him if he discovers Brynjolf’s gig as a salesman.

#gelebor #knight paladin gelebor #gelebor imagine #forgotten vale #snow elf #auriel #gelebor x reader #dawnguard #falmer

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sandcobangevent · 6 months ago

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Sherlock & Co. Flash Bang Project - "Of Tango and Spinning Thoughts"

This is a writing part of our Sherlock & Co. Flash Bang Project - mine, @voilaammayi, and @morguhimechan. Check out the end of this post or go to their profile to see the awesome art they’ve created as the complementary part of the project. Enjoy!

the prompt: He knew he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t help himself. He picked up the phone and read the text.

Of Tango and Spinning Thoughts

Sherlock was yet to fully acknowledge the fact that Watson would probably never stop to astonish him.

He was rather proud to say that he - colloquially speaking - has worked Watson out. By now he learned most of his routine and habits. For example, Sherlock knew that for breakfast he liked to eat toast with jam, occasionally with honey or cottage cheese. So a sugar bomb, if it was matched with a coffee that he usually bought out in the neighbourhood. The doctor claimed those walks were to clear his head and get a positive attitude for a day, Sherlock! To which the detective used to reply that if not for the Patreon people, all this positivity would soon become despair at the state of your wallet, Watson. But then he never complained, when he was given biscuits from the cafe.

He also got to understand Watson’s texting etiquette, although it took him some time. The Internet was a vast and useful space, but text chats? They posed a real challenge. Half of the people acted there completely differently than they were in reality. The second half insisted on using slang, abbreviations, truly weird interpunction, and God knows what else far more frequently than Sherlock found it necessary or appropriate, really. All that, with its variety and unsaid rules or meanings that he was still learning to decipher, usually got him pretty tired pretty quickly.

Thankfully, both Watson and Mariana were rather consistent and truthful in the way they were communicating on the internet, so eventually Sherlock got a hold of it.

Watson was quite similar online as he was in the flesh - many jokes and changing topics. Using the damn abbreviations, but always explained them every time Sherlock asked him what in heavens does tbh nvm man lol or other absurd things mean. Almost every sentence in a separate message, as if to visualise how the next and next thought popped out in his mind, prompted by the previous one and impatient to get out. Sometimes his texting stopped in the middle because he had to do something else and then forgot to finish. From time to time he had a phase when he was sending emojis rather excessively and - to Sherlock’s worry - using a whole variety of them. Other than those relatively understandable ones, every else with a meaning that seemingly only Watson had in mind, Mariana too baffled by them on a regular basis.

Speaking about Mariana, sometimes Sherlock had an irresistible urge to leave everything he was doing at the moment and go thank her. She was so clear and straightforward in her messages, using just punctuation marks combined instead of emojis. Dots at the end of most sentences and usually commas where they belonged. A beautiful example of effectiveness and intelligibility in the detective’s opinion.

Sherlock himself has taken over only two of the internet habits yet. First, voice messages which were a blessing in knowing that he would be heard correctly, intonation other way completely lost in this so-called modern way of talking that was texting. And second, gifs. At first, he almost caused a war on Baker Street, when he said the word aloud with a letter j instead of g. Watson went on a half-hour rant about how pronouncing it other than gif is immoral and inhuman. Sherlock argued that the inventor of the thing itself called it jif so he too would do as such. The fight was yet to be decided, for now forbidden to continue by Mariana. She wisely didn’t choose a side.

Anyway, Sherlock found gifs brilliant. Certain communicate in captions at the bottom joined by a certain visual reaction. Quick and clear. By now he had a whole folder in his app gallery of thoroughly chosen gifs for particular occasions. Sometimes, when he had no energy to bring his thoughts into words but needed to get a longer message through, he just sent gif sets containing the meaning as a whole.

Watson claimed it was hypocrisy if Sherlock were using gifs instead of words and then complain about using emojis. Sherlock said in response, that Watson is nowhere as consistent in using emojis in terms of their meaning as Sherlock is with gifs.

All this knowledge gained and yet he still became a victim of online texting. Well, after a bit of thought he had to admit, it was less a texting thing and more a matter of his naivety and curiosity, let it be damned. Although there was always a safe option of just saying that Watson and his mischievous schemes were to blame. Because when one day Sherlock saw messages popping on on his phone’s screen and about trains of all things, he just jumped right in.

John H. Watson: Hey sherlock

John H. Watson: Sherlock mate

John H. Watson: Do you know what time it is??

John H. Watson: Yep that’s right sun is shining birds are singing and all that

John H. Watson: So are you ready to hear your train fact of the day from your personal source john watson md?

John H. Watson: Bet you don’t know this one!!!!

John H. Watson: Did you know the longest UK train station name is Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwlllantysiliogogogoch

John H. Watson: Don’t ask me to say it

You: Yes, I did.

You: You missed an “I” on the “Illlanty”

You: It is quite an amusing fact though, I must say.

John H. Watson: You have no idea how long that took me to type

John H. Watson: Actually made me chuckle that one!!

John H. Watson: Anyway

John H. Watson: Now I have your attention

You: What is that supposed to mean?

John H. Watson: Sherlock Holmes, I do believe it is your time to do the washing up

You: Bugger…

That way Sherlock ended up in the kitchen, elbow-deep in the sink. It was truly awful, touching all the wetness and sliminess there, and he would ditch the task immediately if it weren’t for the fact, that Watson was already washing the dishes five times more frequently than him - precisely because Watson knew how much Sherlock hated it, so the detective had the decency to do it at least once from time to time as a show of gratitude.

He had to come to the kitchen also because when he ghosted next messages from Watson, the doctor showed up at Sherlock’s door personally to walk him to the sink and gave him both a dish soap and a sponge courteously, as it was some treasure, saying:

- Your crown jewels, my lord.

In the end, of course, Watson caved in and after letting out a dramatic sigh he pushed himself off the countertop where he was leaning and joined Sherlock at the sink. To keep the balance, as Watson phrased it, he denied actually washing the dishes and agreed to just dry them with a kitchen cloth, their fingers brushing while passing the plates.

He also couldn’t resist taking onto a cupped hand some of the foam that had gathered in one of the pots from the dish soap, and splashing Sherlock with it. The opalescent, bubbly, and - to the detective’s distress - wet thing all over his dark curls. All over the place, too, to be honest, because it escalated into a full-blown battle for a minute or two. Watson was glowing with victory afterward, no matter the sheer amounts of dish soap on his clothes.

(Sherlock just couldn’t bring himself to touch the slimy contents of the sink longer than necessary, so he took the almost full bottle of dish soap as his weapon. Well, let’s say it wasn’t so full anymore.)

Watson went to the bathroom to bring them some towels while murmuring to himself something along the lines That’s exactly how it ends, you ask him to clean and there is only more to clean afterward - but at the same time, his laugh still heard across the flat even though he was a few rooms away.

Mariana eyed them in a very suspicious manner for a long moment of silence, when they had no other option than to knock on the Baker Street 221A’s door later that day and ask if she would lend them some more dish soap, so Sherlock could actually finish washing those bloody dishes. She looked rather intimidating with hands on her hips and a raised brow.

- And what have you done with the one I bought you just yesterday…?

There was a bit of emptiness in the boys’s minds when they looked briefly at themselves, hopefully getting their stories aligned in some telepathic way, for the sake of their crumbling dignity. Then they said at the same time:

- Watson started a fight.

- Archie ate it.

Sherlock opened his mouth looking almost insulted. Watson elbowed him under the ribs. Mariana raised the second brow, too.

- No soy una idiota, boys.

All that was the reason why the next night’s events looked the way they did.

It was late and Sherlock didn’t feel particularly tired. No, quite the opposite. Energy came to him from nowhere around midnight and settled rather comfortably in his body, so he had no choice but to use it in some way. It was not unusual, actually, that’s the way it was his whole life. His mind is uneasy and with a whole plethora of thoughts to keep yourself busy with. Many threads that once started, then wait to be analysed and brought to a conclusion. But simultaneously, his interest in things coming one moment and gone the other, each next thought more fascinating than its predecessor. Always looking for more, craving for something new or unusual that could keep his mind entertained.

So it was bound to happen - both periods of unbearable boredom and excessive activity. In the first case, when everything around seemed almost painfully mundane and his brain was burning out on itself, trying to find anything worth his attention. And the second one, when there was even too much to do, too urgent and compelling, so he stayed up at weird hours at night, completely absorbed with whatever it was that interested him this time.

Tonight it was violin. In the depths of the internet the other day he found music of Antonio Agri, some Argentinian musician, that filled his head completely for now and refused to leave it. So here he was, practising Los mareados at three am. He drew the bow across the strings, sounds of tango filling his room - probably seeping through doors and windows, into the flat and outside, onto Baker Street.

But then, just when he was about to play the trickiest part, his phone buzzed. And again, and once more. And it continued to, every dozen seconds, no matter how Sherlock tried to ignore it and get back to his violin. He didn’t have to check to know who it was, texting him this late at night. Watson probably didn’t like a live performance of Argentinian music when he was sleeping.

It didn’t stop after a few minutes, the buzzing more insistent in Sherlock’s ears than his own music. If he reached out for the phone to look at its screen, he was expecting to see some caps-locked messages scolding him for making sure no one in the building would never lend them an egg when needed, as Watson liked to phrase it. Maybe, if Watson was more sleepy than pissed, something closer to Sherlock my dearest roommate and companion I know music is the greatest gift and it must be lovely to play but will you please shut up.

Sherlock actually had a whole catalogue of messages like that in his memory (and on text chat with Watson), so he allowed himself to not check out this one. He went back to playing, and after a while his phone went silent and his room once again filled with nothing else than violin.

It took him some time, but finally, he was satisfied with the effects and decided it was enough for today. He could finally go to sleep, unbothered by pent-up energy. He changed his clothes and got ready to go to bed. But while burying under the covers he forgot himself and checked the phone.

Suddenly he felt uneasy again, what he was seeing not the thing he had expected. There was twenty or so unread texts from Watson, the list so long that the whole of it wasn’t visible on a lock screen. And in those that were, Sherlock couldn’t find a word about violin.

John H. Watson: Okay mate you’re not gonna believe it

John H. Watson: The train we took last time, right?

John H. Watson: The one to Chessington

John H. Watson: For the case

John H. Watson: Did you know that the same station where we got off is where seven bodies were found in the last three years?

John H. Watson: Seven Sherlock!

This was where the notification box ended, more text available if he unlocked the phone. He hesitated for a second, suspicion rising. What if Watson was baiting him again? He would open the chat, curious about the supposed train crime, and then boom!, as Watson would exclaim if it was him saying it, Sherlock would be caught by an accusing message, scolding him for not doing his laundry or something.

His scepticism was abruptly interrupted by an incoming text from Mariana.

Mrs. Hudson: Gracias a Dios you finally stopped playing or I would come upstairs and confiscate that violin of yours.

Mrs. Hudson: Performances appreciated but in the daytime, please!

Mrs. Hudson: Go rest, Sherlock. Good night :))

You: Noted. Good night mrs. Hudson.

Her texts took up the place on screen from Watson’s, but not from Sherlock’s thoughts. His curiosity won.

John H. Watson: How come people still want to even step foot on the platform

John H. Watson: No way to know if where you’re standing just now isn’t a place of somebody’s death

John H. Watson: You could stand where somebody bled out and have no idea

John H. Watson: How do they even get those blood stains off the pavement

John H. Watson: Sake the bloody thing is harder to wash than cranberry

John H. Watson: And I know a thing or two about washing off cranberry cause it was the only ice cream flavour I liked when I was eight

John H. Watson: Half of my clothes had cranberry stains and my mother almost crossed me out of her will cause I wouldn’t stop eating them

John H. Watson: Oh wait

John H. Watson: Oh the thing I just did

John H. Watson: Wrote I mean

John H. Watson: Saying “the bloody thing” when I was talking about literal blood a second earlier

John H. Watson: Heh

John H. Watson: Sorry it wasn’t intentional

John H. Watson: But you have to admit it is a good one

John H. Watson: Eh good old wordplay

John H. Watson: So unappreciated in this cruel modern world

John H. Watson: Anyway

John H. Watson: So that train yeah?

John H. Watson: Did you know that every one of those people was found with an unused train ticket for a Plymouth-Cardiff ride

John H. Watson: That’s on the whole other end of a country!!!!

John H. Watson: Every one of them I repeat

John H. Watson: A ticket that was never used and dead the same day it was bought

Texts ended. Nothing like So what do we reckon? or Well? Are you interested mate? to follow up on the case description. Because, maybe interrupted by a few digressions and unbidden thoughts of Watson’s, it was practically a case he was offering Sherlock. But it all felt unfinished, weirdly suspended. The weirdest of it all was a bubble at the bottom of the chat, insinuating Watson was still writing something, even though almost twenty minutes passed since he sent the last message.

He gave it all a few seconds of his mind insight.

After that, despite all his intelligence he suddenly felt very stupid.

He rushed out of his room, leaving the phone and warm, welcoming bed behind. All this urgency he had to abandon the moment he stepped a foot outside the door because if he woke up Archie with his frantic moving through the flat, he wouldn’t hear the end of it (or of Archie’s alarmed barking). Watson would eagerly add the dog’s turmoil to Sherlock’s list of things why neighbours hate them.

Sherlock didn’t know it yet, but at the same time, John was lying on his bed - eyes open but lights not on. His sheets were somewhere on the floor, he wasn’t sure on which side. He was still too hot anyway but had no actual energy to get up and open a window to let some cool night air into his room. Even less energy, since the violin music stopped playing and there was nothing else anymore to keep him from his own thoughts.

The story behind it all was as old as time. Well, not really, but it sounded good that way. It wasn’t even as old as John himself, since most of his life he was blissfully free from PTSD and its nightmares. Funny thing, he considered many worries before joining the army, but not ever that this bloody illness would get him. Was it an illness or a disorder? Rather a disorder, he thought after a moment. He should finally accept that it wasn’t going anywhere and will stay with him for a long time - till the end of time, probably - and just go to therapy. Get some meds or his brain fixed, anything really. But the thought was heavy and with a responsibility. He knew it’d be good for him in the end, but he wasn’t quite ready.

He considered it safer to deal with one existential crisis at a time. First, he had to deal with coming back to the country from Ukraine. Getting sacked from the army. ‘Sake, becoming a criminal in a technical sense. And still, nothing compared to dealing with being blown up, hospital convalescence, and the knowledge that there are scars on his body that would stay there forever. Itching every time he woke up from a bloody nightmare like this.

Secondly, he dealt with the matter of where he’d even live and what he was gonna do with his life. It was all a bit of a coincidence, really. But in the end and all things considered? Sherlock and Mariana, this whole thing they three created, were the best thing that ever happened to him. That’s it, nothing else needed to be said.

So the third thing was getting used to that. That he had a stable life - as much as it could be phrased like that, considering what they did for a living - and that it was good. With a purpose, relatively safe, and filled with warmth. Baker Street felt so warm. Sometimes he was still learning to feel comfortable with that, to acknowledge it all. He smiled every time.

Then yeah, the fourth thing could be dealing with PTSD and all his past on therapy. In a while. Just not know, when everything was more or less okay. Let the monsters sleep for a bit more.

But John wasn’t sleeping. He woke up with a gasp and just sat on a bed for a moment. Details of the nightmare already fading, but a bad feeling connected to it not going to leave his mind until further notice, thank you very much. When his breath calmed down and heart stopped racing, he tried to collect his thoughts. Yes, the dreams were still disruptive to his nights, but by now he got quite used to them. Sometimes there was one that was leaving him particularly shattered, but mostly they were just… inconvenient. Causing him to be tired the next day because of not getting enough sleep. Or so he told himself, but that was not something John would officially admit.

Right now he knew two things - that he was not gonna fall asleep again and that he had to distract himself immediately to not go down some very unpleasant spiral of thoughts. He also realised that there was music in the air. Sherlock was not sleeping, too, and playing the violin. How could he not hear it the last fifteen minutes? He knew the answer - the question was rather rhetorical, don’t mind him - but John didn’t dwell on it and instead focused on listening. The melody was somehow familiar.

He reached out for his phone, not exactly sure why. He had no way of checking what the music was even if he’d like to. But thankfully his phone had endless means of distraction. Soon he found out it wasn’t working - he could scroll Instagram as much as he wanted to, but at some point, his mind repeatedly stopped paying attention to what was on the screen and went back to the nightmare - even though it was a complete blur by now - and all the other things that was making him anxious. Prompted by the dream coming to the surface.

He needed someone else to distract him. Another person determining the topic of his thoughts. Just somebody to talk to, please. For a moment he fought with himself, laying on the mattress again and staring at the ceiling.

Music was still playing in the flat. Sherlock was still not asleep. His phone was somewhere near, probably, and John’s still in his head. But it was three in the morning.

John tried keeping down all the worries for a moment and got himself together. He researched for a bit, jumping from one Wikipedia article to another and making a stop at a news site - to at least be able to message Sherlock something that was of interest if he were to bother him this late at night.

He opened the text chat and started typing.

Soon about twenty messages or so were sent. He wasn’t thinking about how much he wrote, busy with getting words out of his head and onto a screen. Truly distracting himself for a few minutes. Then he watched his phone expectantly, waiting for a replying bubble to appear. A moment passed, then a second one. Nothing happened, his texts didn’t show the read marks. The violin was still playing.

He sighed, a bit disappointed but mostly just tired. He couldn’t blame Sherlock, honestly. It was the middle of the night and the detective wanted to have some privacy and time for himself. Not that Sherlock was equally polite but that was a thing for another day. Anyway, he was probably so caught up in playing, as usual, that he had no idea what was even going on around him. Someone could break into the flat and he would just turn a page of the music sheet.

John smiled, no matter all things. Sherlock was just something else. The most brilliant and bizarre person he has and will ever met bit in the podcast intro was not far-fetched. Also the most infuriating at times but God help anybody that would try somehow taking Sherlock from his life. He was a doctor, he knew how to heal bones. But a soldier, too, so he also knew how to break them.

There was tapping on the floor panels and John realised, first a bit spooked, that Archie entered the room through a gap in the unclosed door. He slowly came to the foot of the bed and made a noise, something similar to sneezing.

- Oh, come here.

He crouched down and lifted the dog. ‘Sake, he forgot how heavy it was. He would never admit it but Sherlock might have been right in saying Archie was a little fat.

- You sensed I was upset, huh? Good boy. This time I will let you sleep on my bed. But don’t get used to it, alright?

Who was he fooling, he would let him sleep on the bed anytime the dear creature would want to.

And so they were lying together, Archie next to John’s ribs. John wondered if Archie acknowledged feeling his heartbeat, just as now he acknowledged feeling the dog’s. He smiled again and scratched him behind the ears. He decided to not think about the nightmare again - although he was sure he didn’t have much say in the matter - and instead try to decipher what Sherlock was playing. There was absolute certainty we wouldn’t get it, but it occupied his mind at least.

He hadn’t realised that, but he started drifting off to sleep. And he probably would completely, if the music didn’t stop abruptly. He needed a second to orient himself. When he realised what happened, the hint of disappointment appeared again, but it didn’t have time to settle, because the door to his room creaked the tiniest bit.

John guessed it was Sherlock and held his breath. Without any particular reason, he felt heat crawling up his neck. 'Sake, why was he embarrassed? There was no shame in his nightmares, besides Sherlock already knew about it all. Get yourself together, man. Yeah, no, the heat was still there.

After a moment passed, he heard knocking. Huh, Sherlock was not one to knock.

- Can I come in, Watson?

His voice was so hesitant that John almost forgot about his embarrassment, he was so taken aback. Sherlock and shyness, who would have thought?

- Yeah.

Apparently his voice wasn’t great either, great. He cleared his throat when Sherlock was slowly opening the door. John felt his eyes, scanning him up and down. He also suddenly realised that we went to sleep without a pyjama top, his Jaws-themed t-shirt crumpled on the floor. He frantically reached out for it and pulled it over his head, noticing Sherlock’s eyes hadn’t left him, instead watching as he was putting his arms through the sleeves. The heat reached his cheeks.

A moment of silence passed.

- I’m an awful detective, Watson.

In that simple way they both understood the shared knowledge of John’s nightmare, his text’s flood, Sherlock playing, the end of it and why was he now standing in the doorway.

John felt he was melting inside a bit. A huff escaped him, along with a small chuckle.

- Don’t be silly, mate.

At this moment Sherlock felt relief filling him whole. He couldn’t help but let his face act on its own accord, his brows lifting and eyes narrowing because of the smile that appeared on his face. He started playing with the fingers of his right hand. Watson seemed relatively okay, despite his ignorance. There was no harm done because of how long he let himself be occupied with the violin.

They stood like that, not really doing anything, just looking at each other. Watson’s eyes glowed almost unnoticeably in the faint yellow light that seeped through the window from the street. Sherlock felt quite enamoured by that. Didn’t notice Archie on the bed, who was now asking for lost attention by climbing onto Watson’s lap. So that’s why it was so easy to get through the flat in silence, the main disruptor was already here.

It was Watson who spoke up first:

- Could do with one of those pressure hugs, though.

- Oh. Oh, certainly.

So Sherlock sat on the bed next to Watson, their feet on the ground. Watson smiled at him and Sherlock put his arms around him. One reaching further, across the doctor’s back to his shoulder, and the second only as far as somewhere between his chest and abdomen. Archie started licking it. Sherlock winced a bit but didn’t do anything else. He was rewarded with Watson’s hand on his own. Warm spread from there through his skin.

There was silence again, this time more comfortable. Just their breaths and sometimes a faint noise from the street. Watson’s head landed in the space between the end of Sherlock’s jaw and his collarbone, the man’s hair tickling his cheek. He wouldn’t complain, because thanks to that Watson wasn’t feeling nor seeing Sherlock’s ears, red by now. Or at least he hoped so.

There were some unfamiliar thoughts, forming in his mind over the weeks that passed by, caused by situations like this. But pleasant. Warm ones and accompanied by remembrance of Watson’s smiles. Sherlock was slowly realising that he noticed new things about the man and that they made him feel in a new way about his companion. About John.

He didn’t dwell on those thoughts, leaving them for when he would be ready to understand them. And ready for the consequences. But it all made his head spin.

Suddenly Watson spoke again:

- What was it that you were playing? It sounds familiar.

- I highly doubt it is in your range of interest. More of the classic side of things. It’s the music of Antonio Agri, an Argentinean violinist. I found out about him this morning.

Watson just laughed quietly.

- Ah, so Los Mareados, then. Now I remember.

Sherlock opened his mouth. Then closed and opened them again.

- I did a presentation about him in high school - Watson added, smiling. - Each one of us had to choose a musician from a different country. I picked a name at random in some book from the library.

Yes, he would never stop astonishing him.

- I’m sorry, John.

Watson squeezed his hand.

- That’s fine, Sherlock.

Mareado meant faint in English, as Mariana told Sherlock. But also giddy, feeling like everything is spinning around. With his eyes closed, remembrance of the violin sounds, and mind empty for this short moment, he found all those meanings quite suitable.

#submission #sherlock and co #sherlock & co #flashbang event #sherlock homes #john watson #mariana ametxazurra

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