#that's the working title for this hot mess i call a story

[devinox-art]

My MC!Detective I've made for the @sanguinesky-if , Darcy Rowe. Her first outfit is definitely more of a "what she really wants to wear". Her second outfit is what she usually wears (jewlery, shirt styled in some way). The third outfit is how she ends up dressing during the events of the story (no jewlery, less styled, more stressed). Her hair is usually up while she's at work, I just couldn't resist drawing it down. A couple things:

- Yes she has black wavy hair + micro bangs, and black eyes.

- Her twin's name is Lorelei and not only is her hair longer, but she has light brown eyes and curtain bangs.

- Yes she has chronic closed-eyes-always-smiling anime trope syndrome.

- Yes this means Kyle managed to bag a goth baddie (and is fumbling her so, so hard).

- She fancies herself as a composed person who can not only handle her own emotions and emergencies, but other people's emotions and emergencies as well (which is why I always have fun pairing her with the hotheads). This has yet to be challenged.

- I like to headcannon that the rest of the precinct finds her to be cold hearted since she's continuing to act as if her mentor and father figure hasn't just died.

- (As if little things are starting to slip out behind closed doors, like how she fought against the feds taking over her case).

- Klemmens is just the dad from Full Metal Alchemist.

- If she can't hold someone at gun point and look hot doing so then what is the point™️

- If looks could cut...

Personality wise:

She's blunt, reserved, and distant except with her sister and Lexie (these scenes mess up her stats so I don't regard anything in the stat page as "canon"). Her sense of her humor can be dry and usually taunting, often leaving people who don't know her well to question if she's even joking in the first place.

Her relationships currently:

Lexie: Her good friend and someone whom she absolutely adores (but is completely friend-zoned; Darcy might be bi, but I was never really fond of the friends-to-lovers trope).

Kyle: The guy she hates to love. He's more than proven himself to be capable and reliable. In certain situations she even finds his temperamental nature enduring. But the way he seems to be satisfied with leading her on is leaving quite the bitter taste in her mouth. More than once she has concidered outright rejecting him and putting an end to what she keeps thinking is mutual attraction, but something always has her hesitating to do so...

Morgan: They call her by her title. They work well together, but not knowing them outside of work has always left a divide between the two. Their relationship is mostly professional, but after learning their actually a CID agent she is left her unsure on how to handle their relationship going forward.

CID: Initial encounter aside, she's chosen to be dismissive of them. She doesn't feel the need to respond to them unless it directly involves work. (She actively ignores R and has taken more of an action speaks louder than words approach).

Side Note: Kyle is her cannon route but I've been exploring the CID's routes with her with a "Kyle won't fucking do anything but the new arrivals seem to be interested" mindset, which is really fun. They are all so interesting ✨️

S: She keeps at a distance but can't help but to want know what he knows... as long as it's during office hours.

Definitely drawing more for this IF eventually!

[erosiism]

GAP MOE | YANDERE DUKE X M!READER

prompt: in which the reader is isekai’d to a novel where he’s supposed to be cannon fodder, but his supposed murderous husband is sweet, doting, and loving. the worst case of gap moe.

character(s): duke (altair), you

warnings(s): none [except the chance that i might have used the term wrongly lol still an enjoyable read, i promise]

note(s): male reader, second person, present tense, not beta read, will probably have a part two

other(s): alternative title: help, i got transmigrated as cannon fodder and now i am the murderous duke’s husband | meaning of gap moe: affection born of inconsistency between different aspects of the character

So, you’ve been isekai’d to a novel. A novel where the Grand Duke is supposed to kill you. He hits every cliche: Altair Ornaria is red eyed, black haired, and he has the smoldering, sharp kind of beauty that you only see in Dukes. The Northern Duke, to be exact.

The situation isn’t looking good. As far as you know, you’ve been isekai’d into a novel called The Villianess’s Revenge, where you are a plot point. Canon fodder. Where you’re the background character who happens to die in an event that the main character will shine. And specifically: you’ll die by your husband’s hands.

You like to think that you could’ve avoided your fate, but it’s bad, because you woke up to wedding preparations—the first time you open your eyes in a foreign world, there’s a burst of chatter and activity in a luxurious room, and you see white everywhere. Memories of your past life whizz past you in a frantic blur and your head is still muddled: oh, right. You got hit by a truck. Memories of the novel follows, and you can only blink as you realize the stupid coincidence that you share the same name as the character you had possessed.

Your fate remains: you’re  getting married.

To the Grand Duke of…the Northern Kingdom.

Admittedly, you don’t know how to feel. There’s the obvious fear that you’ll be walking right to death’s door, but again, you don’t exactly die during the wedding. You only die months after that. So you don’t really need to worry about anything yet right? The Duke will be cold towards you, but it doesn’t matter: he’s a stranger to you, too, and you plan on kissing him for as little as you can.

 And, you think, it certainly didn’t help it that the Grand Duke is devastatingly handsome. You can see his looks working its spell on you—you can see yourself simpering, your eyes going wide eyed. You’re trying to steel yourself. You’re trying to make yourself immune to Altair’s beauty. 

Fast forward: you’re walking down the aisle, aghast at the sight of your weeping mother and your crying father who just look so proud of you. They seem like decent parents, which is…strange. So—

—Oh. The [Name] in the original story did have three lines of description. One, that he was a spoiled brat, pampered by his parents, and two, he has a fucking crush on the Grand Duke. Hence a strategic alliance placed confidently for [Name] to get his wish.

…Asshole, you think. The veil is covering your face and you’re dressed in a white suit adorned with flowers. You can feel your throat dry up, all the moistness leaving your lips and instead churning down your throat. You wrinkle your nose, before you try to swallow down profanities. The music behind you almost seems taunting.

You stop in front of the groom.

Standing there in all his resplendent glory is none other than your soon to be husband, whose face is unreadable. You can’t see him, only smudges and smears. After all, the veil is covering his face—but gloom settles in you.

He’s going to be disappointed, you think glumly. His face seems vaguely familiar, probably because you do know how he looks, tangentially, but your thoughts are a hot mess right now. You can’t find the power within you to place a finger on it: so instead of bothering over it, you stand in front of the Duke in trepidation.

The Duke slowly lifts up the veil — gently and slowly, and you can swear emotion flits across his face as he gazes at you. You blink owlishly at him, at a loss of words. This is their first time meeting, and you two are about to lock lips. Or perhaps lock lips is an exaggeration—it will be nothing but a useless peck. But thankfully, though indiscernible, his face not one of disappointment.

Almost..fond? You think, then there is belated horror: wait, what? 

You ignore that. And then when your thoughts subside, you realize how ridiculously hot he is. 

“[Name],” he whispers, Altair, the cold, heartless, murderer of a Duke whispers, and your breath catches in your throat. It’s not even the expression on his face that knocks the wind out of your chest: it’s the way he calls out your name. Carefully, like he’s savoring the taste of the name on his tongue, like deja vu. But then again, perhaps it helps that you have read this scene. And the scene, though very—different—is unfolding in front of your very eyes.

This is your murderer, you think, don’t look at his face, [Name]!

You start to lower your head meekly, but Altair tips your head back up.

“How,” there is a teasing tone to his voice—teasing, like this is so funny to him—“how, do you expect me to kiss you?”

Your jaw drops. Then it closes. You are well aware of the blush around your cheeks that has betrayed you. 

.

.

What?

.

.

Seriously, is he programmed wrong? Why is Altair OOC? You coined enough fanfiction terms to label everything wrong with this. There’s a proper term for this, but you can’t seem to remember it. You do notice the way that Altair glowers at everyone else, before his expression smoothens when he faces you.

You close your eyes to give out a sigh. You forget this is a marriage. So you forget what happens when you get married.

A kiss.

You startle when you feel lips—firm but soft at the same time, pressing against your own. It’s tender, sweet, loving, and you practically melt against it. When you break away, the taste of Altair’s—your husband’s lips still linger on your own.

This defies all the rumors about the Duke, who supposedly was a cold hearted bastard who killed his advisors for speaking out of turn. No, this man is tender and gentle, and his delicate touch is nothing short of sweet. 

Before you can retort, or before your lagging brain can even comprehend this—the guests burst into cheers. You just feel numb as Altair guides you slowly down the aisle, ready to board the carriage into the manor. Mansion. Whatever. Your new home.

Your…

Altair presses a kiss to your forehead before he whispers in your ear. “I cannot wait for our wedding night, Y/n.”

You freeze.

The term starts to arise in your head.

Gap Moe, you think, this is fucking gap moe.

likes/reblogs would be so appreciated! and so will comments :) don’t mind me haha im tryna figure tumblr’s algorithm out which might explain my varied content || this oneshot will probably have a part two or three because there’s actually a reason behind everything. I’ll see how this does first

[luvfy0dor]

Henlo! I saw that requests for Fyodor are open! And I was wondering if you could write something about Fyodor as a parent if you’re comfortable with that. For some reason I can’t find enough of those and I really wanna see how you’d do it!

(Not as the reader’s parent btw, maybe having a child/children with the reader. But I just wanna see how you think he’d behave in that situation and how you think it would all go down)

"Come on, papa!" Fyodor Dostoevsky x GN!Reader ｡˚♡₊

╰┈➤ Dad!Fyodor ༉‧₊˚✧

Description ; How Fyodor acts towards his child/children!

Warnings ; None

A/N; IVE BEEN LOWKEY WAITING FOR THIS REQUEST BRO IM SO EXCITED OVER THIS YOU DONT EVEN GET IT ALSO P/T STANDS FOR PARENTAL TITLE BC IDK WHAT YALL WANNA BE CALLED YKYK AND D/N IS DAUGHTERS NAME OBVI

Headcannons !! ༊*·˚

→ Dad!Fyodor who lets his kid/s play with his hair, too, messing it up and laughing at their fathers disheveled appearance.

→ Dad!Fyodor who quietly reads your kids bed time stories, letting them sit on his lap while he holds the book in front of them, pointing to the pictures with a smile.

→ Dad!Fyodor who picks out the most whack ass outfits for your kid, proudly displaying it out to you and frowning at your hesitant smile.

→ Dad!Fyodor who discouraged your children from cutting their hair and braids it or puts it up for them every morning before school.

→ Dad!Fyodor who (very frequently) helps your kid/s with their homework or projects for school, not quite giving them answers but shoving nudging them in the right direction.

→ Dad!Fyodor who teaches his kid(s) the basics of playing the cello, letting them get a feel for the strings. He would teach them how to hold the bow and would let them stand beside him and watch him play.

→ Dad!Fyodor who cooks recipes that he learned in Russia for you and your children, encouraging all of you to try foreign dishes. They give him a feeling of nostalgia and wanting to pass those special foods on to his kid(s).

→ Dad!Fyodor who absolutely tries passing on happy group counseling hour to his kid/s when they seem sad or upset.

Scenarios !! ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

Your keys jingled in the keyhole of your front door as you pushed it open, revealing the living room that you had longed to sit down in all day. Work sucked, you weren't going to lie, but there was something that was allegedly important going on, so you had no choice but to attend.

Your husband volunteered to watch your daughter on her day off of school, which wasn't a totally uncommon occurrence due to Fyodors line of work. He didn't mind watching d/n, he likes it a lot, actually. Fyodor values the quality time he can spend with his kid just as much as the quality time he gets to spend with you.

The pitter patter of your daughters feet got louder the closer she got to the living room, rounding the corner and smiling. "P/t!"

"Hey, what'd I tell you about running?" You say with a quiet and amused giggle as she throws herself onto you, hugging your waist. You run your fingers over the pretty braids weaved into her hair with a smile. "Papa did your hair?" The little girl nods excitedly.

"Well, you look very, very pretty." Another set of footsteps can be heard, this time softer. Fyodor rounds the corner with a smile, pulling you into a hug.

"Mm, my dear." He says, resting his head on you shoulder for a moment before pulling away, starting back towards the kitchen. He waves at d/n to follow him. "Come on, sweetheart, come help me finish dinner." She excitedly runs after her father, earning a soft and faint giggle from him.

Upon following the two of them into the kitchen, you can smell the beef stroganoff cooking, watching your daughter step up onto the little stool she dragged in next to Fyodor. They stand at the counter, Fyodor making sure she's nowhere near anything dangerous or hot. He gently pushes over a measuring cup filled with beef broth.

"Alright, Malyshka. Just pour this into the pan, and be very careful, alright?" He says softly, his voice gentle as he measures out the whipping cream. The beef broth can be heard being poured into the pan from the spot you're standing in, smiling at your husband and daughter making dinner together. Within a couple of seconds, Fyodor is handing d/n measurements of other ingredients, such as Worcestershire sauce and dijon mustard. He lets her stir it all in, guiding her whenever he sees fit.

"Alright, we're all done. Here, why don't you go sit down, I'll bring you and P/t your dinners, yeah?" He smiles at the young girl, rubbing her back before patting it. She nods and skitters off to join you at the dinner table. She blabbers on to you about everything she did that day, even running off to bring proof of her activities.

She comes back out, proudly showing off a coloring page filled with scribbles in numerous different hues. One of them was only slightly better than the other, the lesser messy one was labeled with Fyodor's name in his sloppy handwriting to match the coloring. You grinned at both of them, taking the thin sheets of paper and studying them intently.

"Wow, they're both wonderful!" Your daughter wears a proud smile at the praise from you, excitedly placing her hands on her hips. "Are ya gonna hang them up on the fridge?" You nod and ruffle her hair a bit, just in time for Fyodor to bring the food in for all three of you. He sets the plates down on the table, listening to the conversation still taking place between you and your daughter.

"Ofcourse I will, I love them both very much." Your daughter smiles, blowing on the small piece of meat impaled by her fork. "Maybe me and papa can have a coloring contest, you can be the judge!" She says to you excitedly. Fyodor smiles. "How about another night, Malyshka? It's getting close to your bedtime." He says, continuing eating his food. "Aw, but papa-" she sadly whines, Fyodor shaking his head. "No 'but''s, d/n. We can tomorrow night though, I promise." Fyodor smiles at her while she extends her outstretched pinky to her dad.

"Pinky promise?" She quietly mumbles. He grins and interlocks his pinky with hers, reaching across the table to do so. "I promise. You know i never break my promises, Malyshka." She smiles and nods in agreement. "Yeah, right. Tomorrow night then!" She says with a grin.

"Tomorrow night. Alright, d/n, time to go get ready for bed. Go put on pajamas and we'll come say goodnight in five minutes." You say to the small girl with a smile. She nods in compliance and quickly walks back to her room to change into sleep clothing. You look over at Fyodor, who is already looking back at you with a loving gaze.

"Ah, I forgot to apologize for the late dinner earlier, dear. I was quite busy being dressed up in tiaras and what not." Your heart warms at the thought of your husband bonding with your daughter. "It's alright, don't worry about it." You gently caress his shoulders before taking all the plates away from the dining table, washing them in the kitchen and sticking them in the dishwasher. Placing your hands on your hips, you nod in approval of your quick work. Fyodor waits for you in the doorway, nodding in the direction of d/n's room with a gentle smile.

You both approach the room, knocking to make sure she was finished getting ready for bed before you both entered. You said goodnight to her and kissed her cheek while Fyodor said goodnight and kissed her forehead. Before Fyodor could stand straight up again, d/n giggled and whispered to him.

"I'm gonna beat you tomorrow, so prepare yourself, papa. It's gonna be the best coloring you've ever seen!" She proudly claims, clearly confident in her coloring skills. Fyodor chuckles. "I believe it whole heartedly. Get some sleep, or you may wake up without that skill." He says, making sure she's 100% tucked in. She nods in understanding and snuggles into her blanket.

"Goodnight, Malyshka." Fyodor whispers, gently pulling her door closed a bit, leaving a crack between the door and the frame.

A/N (#2); I'm super sorry if any mistakes were made, I didn't proofread because I'm suuuuper tired lol, but I just wanna put it out there that I am absolutely willing to do more dad!Fyodor. Dad!Fyodor and soft!Fyodor literally give me life u don't even get it (recipe I referenced was from Natasha Kitchen)

[sweetcarrotsandroses97]

~ Reminder of Reality | JJK

Pairing: CEO!husband!Jungkook x writer!fem!wife!Reader

Warnings: arranged marriage, fluff, angst, talks of pregnancy, talks of sex, food, OC eats meat, Jungkook is a sweetheart, beware of the in-laws!, idiots in love, guys we have some progress! (let me know if I missed anything!)

Summary: Sentiment sneaked into the large cracks in your marriage with Jungkook. Emotions revealed another side of him as well as an intimate point of view about yourself. The waters of your relationship are getting deep with both affection and obstacles between you two. Brought back from his dreams to reality, Jungkook must make a decision to change his fate, that is if he wants to keep you by his side forever.

Word Count: 4.8k

A/N Let me know your thoughts in the comments, guys! This is a longer part than chapter 1, I really hope you will like it and remember that drabbles are open for this universe! My inbox is open so please send me some asks while I write the next part!

Please take care and thanks for giving this story a chance, happy reading everyone!💜

It's been two days since Jungkook recognised the feelings that have been residing in his heart for some time now. Since that talk he had with Jimin.

A text from his mother made his stomach churn with nerves, not because of what was written in it but because of the meaning of the words she texted him.

Jungkook stood in front of one of the large windows in his office, phone in hand while he pondered how to approach you about the matter of his mother's text. He planned conversation after conversation in his head only to discard it in the end.

His mental scripts were only making him more anxious than he already was with the fact that he had to call you during his work hours.

Anyone who could be in his shoes at that moment would have made the call an hour ago but this wasn't anyone. It was about you and Jungkook and the complicated yet still easy relationship between you two.

It wasn't of hate but it wasn't of love either. The word of marriage didn't resonate as sweetly as it should have been but he couldn't say it was a bitter experience. It was just unknown territory for the both of you.

Jungkook took a deep breath, pressing your contact in his phone as he pressed the device up to his ear. It rang and rang, with each tone as his call went unanswered, the more nervous he felt.

Not because of making the call, but because of who he was calling. It was you. The woman who carried the title of his wife, you with whom he had been living for nearly a year now, you whom he liked in a way that was supposed to be normal between husband and wife yet it didn't exist between you and Jungkook.

So he waited. Waited until you answered his call, eyes fixed on the city that looked so small from where he stood. Heart raising with anticipation of hearing your voice while his stomach churned with the nerves of messing up somehow.

You were pouring yourself some hot water on your favourite cup to make some tea to enjoy in the chilly flat. You had just finished writing yet another chapter of your book and now came the revision you gave it before sending it to your editor.

It was tiring to do so, but you also rejoice in the fact that you allowed your ideas to rest for a bit while also seeking the opportunity to improve your writing.

Just as you finished making your tea, you heard your phone vibrating in the quiet flat from the living room. With a sigh you put the cup down on the counter as your legs carried you back to the living room. Your hand reached for your phone and you felt how your heart skipped a beat when you read it was Jungkook calling you.

Without wasting another second, you picked up his call, your phone was pressed to your ear as you spoke.

"Hello?"

Your husband had to suppress the small sigh that left his lips in content upon hearing your voice.

"Hi, (y/n). I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

You smiled, eyes glancing back at the kitchen where your cup of tea rested before you answered.

"No, I was just making myself some tea. Do you need something?"

You heard him let out a deep breath from the other line as you walked toward the glass windows, the curtains were pulled at the sides and you were greeted with the beautiful view of Seoul from the tall building where your shared apartment rested in the quietness of the lonely sky.

"Yes, actually. I wish I could ask you this in a different way, though. But my mother texted me and asked if we both could join her and my dad tonight for dinner. I'm calling to see if you don't have any plans for later today."

How considerate. Was the first thought that crossed your mind after hearing his words. Jungkook had never forced you to do absolutely anything you didn't feel comfortable with nor did he ever put you in conflicting situations.

However, when you agreed to become his wife, there were other roles you also had to fulfil. One of them being a daughter-in-law.

You suppressed a sigh before responding in a neutral yet soft voice.

"I'm free tonight, actually. Should I wear something specific?"

Jungkook could sense the subtle tension behind your words, it wasn't easy for you to meet his parents and he knew it but there were things he couldn't help but get over with. The four of you haven't met formally for awhile and he knew such a meeting couldn't be postponed any longer.

"Thanks (y/n). I'll pick you up at 5:00 and wear something formal, please. You know how my parents are."

"Of course. Text me if there are any changes of plans."

He nodded, big doe eyes fixed on the city beyond him. Not knowing you were also looking at the enchanting view from your apartment.

"Sure. See you at five, then."

"Goodbye, Jungkook."

And with that, the both of you hung up at the same time. He pocketed his phone, heart racing with the echo of your voice invading his thoughts.

He knew you weren't too keen on these types of family gatherings yet you had agreed to go. Despite the raw circumstances in which your marriage with Jungkook bloomed. He knew marrying you was only a play in the big inheritance he was going to receive eventually.

Marriage was a business. That was what he was taught since early years but now, he hoped he could make the relationship between you and him something more than the cold signature and the expensive rings that bonded you as his wife.

Your phone was still in your hand, your arm resting by your side as the conversation you just had with Jungkook replayed in your mind over and over. His sweet tone, the soft words. It made your heart flutter with feelings you had been denying for a while now.

Yet there was a part of the conversation, a sentence he spoke to you that just wouldn't leave your mind. Getting engraved not only in your memories but, unknowingly, in your heart as well.

"I wish I could ask you this in a different way, though."

Ask me what? You thought to yourself, your left hand came to your neck as your fingers massaged the tender skin there as the sunlight reflected on the silver wedding band on your ring finger.

You didn't exactly know the meaning of those words. He sounded disappointed when he had expressed such a wish to you yet you couldn't determine the reason behind such a feeling.

Or maybe you knew it already, but your mind refused to accept it. A fact as tangible as the ring that screamed to the world you were taken but at the same it was a fleeting thought, a simple assumption over your own desires. Your own fantasies.

What did you mean by that, Kook?

The sun was about to set in the horizon. The sky was getting painted in different orange shades as the blue in it began to darken and melt with the rest of the colours, creating a beautiful view over the city.

Yet Jungkook was on his way to see another kind of beauty. His wife, you who were waiting for him to pick you up from the flat. He couldn't stop thinking about you since that phone call he had with you earlier today.

He imagined your smile when you would see him and how beautiful you would look dressed in one of the expensive dresses stored in your closet he bought for you.

His left hand was curled around the steering wheel of his car, wanting to stop somewhere before going back home to you, hoping that you would like his little surprise.

While exiting the building, Jimin gave him a knowing look, one that made the younger man roll his eyes at the teasing of his friend. But now, those feelings of excitement were replaced with soft longing in his heart to see you, not being able to deny the happiness that blossomed in his soul every time he got to see you or hear your voice.

You were spraying your favourite perfume over your neck and wrists when you heard your husband enter the flat, the door locking itself behind him. You couldn't help but smile at the mere thought of him, your feet carried you out of your shared bedroom, over the hallway and into the living room where you could see the entrance way.

Your eyes locked on his figure. A fluttering in his stomach tainted his cheeks a soft shade of pink when Jungkook's eyes rested over you. He took you in, your figure cladded in a beautiful and elegant black dress with a squared neckline and slightly puffed long sleeves. Your hair was styled beautifully with a simple headband also in black.

"You're home."

Your words reached him like a soft summer breeze, peaceful and delicate. He smiled, taking off his shoes with ease before walking to where you stood, his hands behind his back.

"I told you I'll pick you up at 5:00."

Jungkook stated, your eyes glanced quickly at the clock hanging on the wall only to notice it was five o'clock sharp. Just like he had said.

"You look beautiful, by the way."

A smile was painted over your lips at his compliment as your cheeks were dusted in pink. You had to glance down or you knew your face would be as red as a tomato if you were to look into his eyes at that precise moment.

"Thanks. I hope you like the dress."

Unknowingly to you, he smiled. Jungkook felt how his heart constricted with the rising tension in the living room. It wasn't a bad tension, nor in a sexual way. There was tension between two people who liked each other but were too afraid of saying anything. Chemistry, it's how he'd describe it.

"You are always beautiful, (y/n). It doesn't matter what you are wearing at all, you are and will always be the most beautiful woman in my eyes."

You couldn't help but snap your eyes up to gaze into his own. You drowned in his dark pools filled with emotions you didn't understand, unsaid words you weren't quick enough to catch.

Jungkook took a deep breath, as if he had resurfaced from being underwater. As if a bubble had popped and he was able to breathe once more. Perhaps he had been trapped in a bubble of perfection in which only you and him existed.

But he was back in the real world quicker than he would have liked.

"I... we should get going."

You cleared your throat, snapping out of your thoughts as you offered him a soft smile.

"Of course, let me just grab my purse."

And with that, you were back into your shared bedroom, leaving your husband standing alone in the middle of the living room. Your heart was hammering like crazy inside you as you gazed at your own reflection through the mirror, purse in hand while you prepared yourself to face Jungkook once more.

Your husband ran a hand over his face, trying to cool himself down and to stabilise his heartbeat. The motions reminded him of the thing he was hiding behind his back all this time. His eyes fixed on the marine blue velvety box he held in his left hand decorated with a small and elegant silver bow.

It was a small gift he wanted to give you, the reason why he left the company half an hour earlier than what he had originally planned. Only to buy you that. Why? He didn't know it yet. He only felt like giving you something.

"I'm ready, let's go."

Your voice made him turn around, hiding the present behind him once more. Jungkook could say he nearly jumped at your words, having not heard you walk down the hallway.

"Wait, (y/n)."

Blinking at him, you waited. Expecting his next words. He swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly with the motion.

"I-I have something for you."

You arched an eyebrow in curiosity and he sensed that as his cue to take a couple of steps towards you until he stood at arms length and handed you the box. Presenting it to you in an almost shy way that had you smiling softly.

"What's this?"

He watched as your fingers took the box, your fingers brushing his own with the action as your touch sent sparks of electricity throughout his body that he had to suppress a shiver.

You gasped when you opened the lid, your (e/c) eyes scanning over the beautiful necklace that lay over a thin layer of black velvet. The piece of jewellery was crafted in white gold, three chains followed the lock, each one a bit longer than the last one with a ruby tear at the end creating a beautiful design.

"Do you like it?"

Jungkook asked. Your expression told him nothing and he was growing anxious over what your reaction to his gift would be. Yet no words could escape you as you were mesmerised by the necklace itself.

"How... Why, Jungkook?"

You asked in a small voice. Soft like the wind yet carrying the strongest of emotions he wasn't able to grasp.

"I only wanted to give you something. I thought it would suit you."

Your eyes lifted from his gift and locked with his own dark yet wide orbs. You smiled, easing the worry craving in his chest.

"It's really beautiful, thank you. I wish I could give you something too."

Jungkook shook his head, a smile of his own appearing over his handsome features, that smile you loved so much.

"I'm glad you like it. You don't have to give me anything, (y/n). Your mere presence is enough."

You bit your lower lip, trying to suppress the big grin that threatened to break over your red lips.

"Will you help me put it on?"

His heart fluttered at your request. So innocent yet it broke havoc inside him. With a raging storm of butterflies fluttering in his stomach, his heart skipped a beat as his fingers grabbed the necklace from the box.

You turned around, putting your hair to the side and exposing the back of your neck to him. Jungkook helped you click the necklace as you felt the coolness of the expensive jewel against your hot skin.

The smell of his cologne invaded your senses and the moment between you two lasted too long for your fluttering heart but it ended too soon for your yearning soul.

"There."

You turned around at his announcement, a soft smile graced your lips.

"I really like it, Kook."

Your eyes went wide at the small slip-up. That nickname existed only in your mind for him. Never had you ever thought of calling him that but he didn't seem to mind it as he only flashed you a smile.

"A beautiful jewel for my beautiful wife."

The ride to the restaurant was silent. But it wasn't uncomfortable. It was nice. There wasn't tension between you two as you thought there would be due to each of you being stuck in your own heads.

Jungkook couldn't stop thinking about the way you had called him. That nickname was simply a short way of his given name but he couldn't say he despised it, not when it was you who had spoken it.

He couldn't ignore how his heart had skipped a beat at the sound of your referring towards him. He found it endearing; a memory that would stay with him despite the outcome of his own wishes of progression in the tangled mess of emotions he found himself in.

You on the other hand couldn't stop thinking of what Jungkook said to you. His words meant so much to you than he probably realised.

"A beautiful jewel for my beautiful wife."

He had said. He not only had called you beautiful, a compliment you had received throughout your adulthood more times than often, but he had called you his. His wife.

Even when you both were married under a cold arrangement, you weren't going to deny the butterflies that wildly fluttered in your stomach when he called you his. When he thought of you as his. A partner to stand by his side forever, a wife not only by certificate but bonded by different things, bonded not only with a ring but with feelings involved in between.

Could he feel something too?

But before you were allowed to ponder more into those kinds of thoughts, Jungkook parked the car and sent you a soft smile before he exited the vehicle.

You had been so engrossed in your own mind, your thoughts about your husband that the seemingly long ride to the restaurant felt like nothing. Time flew like wind, as if holding water in your hands. That was how you perceived time when Jungkook was in your life, being that physically or only existing in your thoughts.

He walked around the car and opened the door for you, offering you his larger and inked hand out for you to take. You did with a smile on your face, thanking him softly before you two ventured into the restaurant where you would meet his parents once more. The two people who arranged your marriage with Jungkook.

The greetings and fake smiles went by without you paying it much thought. You focused on your mother-in-law when she spoke during the meal while you were cutting a piece of steak for yourself.

"That is a beautiful necklace that you are wearing, (y/n)."

She commented, you felt Jungkook look at you briefly from where he sat next to you. A polite smile plastered once more over your features.

"Thanks, Jungkook gave it to me."

"Mmm, I see."

She answered, taking a sip from her wine as you ate a piece of your own dinner, feeling the soft texture melt in your mouth. The conversation carried itself mostly between Jungkook and his father, talking about the company and future plans.

From what you had learned yourself, Jeon Enterprises was a large company that made sophisticated electronics. Their most popular product was their innovative cell phones, you having one yourself.

You admired the company as it had been passed through generations of Jungkook's ancestors as they had first traded with ink back in ancient history. And you couldn't be more proud of your husband to inherit such an empire.

You sat quietly next to your husband as he explained one of his upcoming plans for the company, you were taking the last sip from your wine before Mrs. Jeon spoke once more in between a pause in the conversation.

"Tell me Jungkook, when are you two both going to have a child?"

Her question made you choke on the alcoholic beverage you were previously enjoying. You put the glass down as you coughed a couple of times.

"Are you alright?"

You nodded at your husband's worry, his big eyes resting over you.

"Yeah, sorry. I wasn't expecting to... you know, talk about this during dinner."

Mr. Jeon rested his cutlery against his plate as he spoke, his eyes dancing between you and Jungkook.

"When else are we going to talk about it, then? You need a child to inherit, Jungkook! That's why we married you off, so the company won't be lost to the actionists."

You felt yourself shrink into your seat, but you weren't going to give them the satisfaction. Did they really arrange your marriage with Jungkook only so that you would get pregnant? What if Jungkook had been so attentive and sweet lately because he wanted to have sex with you?

He needed an heir for him to inherit. He needed a child. He had to become a father but that child wasn't going to be produced by osmosis. He needed to be married, have a stable family so that he could inherit his empire of centuries.

Was that his purpose all along?

"(y/n) and I haven't talked about that, father. It is not only for me to decide."

You looked at your husband with a surprised gaze, your previous thoughts melting like butter in a pan with that statement, you could practically read the sincerity in his words.

"Well, you two better talk it out sooner than later. I want to have grandchildren, Jungkook. And you (y/n), haven't you initiated anything? You should be pregnant by now giving how much time you two have been married. This was the only purpose of your arrangement."

Now that hurts. You didn't know why but it did. Deeply. To be considered a child machine only for their legacy to continue.

"Mum!"

Exclaimed Jungkook, his hand tangling with your own beneath the table but you spoke before the situation could escalate more than it already had.

"I believe that is a private and intimate conversation I must have with my husband in due time, Mrs. Jeon. Please understand that is a matter we must solve as a couple whether we had been arranged or not."

Silence circled the table the four of you were sitting at. Your voice had been calm yet firm at the same time, stating your point without being rude. Call it a polite way of saying " don't butt in " and you hoped it had worked.

Jungkook gave your hand a squeeze under the table, you had forgotten for a bit that your hands were intertwined behind your in-laws' prying eyes.

"If that was all you two wanted to talk about, I hope you are satisfied with (y/n)'s response. We will be taking our leave now, the bill's on me."

Jungkook stood up after those words left his lips, he pulled you up with him and you barely had time to grab your purse with your free hand before he was pulling you with him toward the same way the both of you entered the fine restaurant.

"I'm sorry about what happened back there at the restaurant."

Jungkook spoke, his voice was filled with a heaviness you couldn't quite place.

"It's alright."

You said, not wanting to dwell on that conversation any longer. Your husband turned to look at you, he was sitting in the driver's seat while you were next to him, eyes locked on one of the walls of the parking lot of the apartment building. The drive back home was silent but this time it was tense. Not between you both but due to the predicament you were tangled in as a married couple.

"It is not alright, (y/n)."

You sighed, your right hand began playing with the wedding band around your finger in your other hand. This wasn't a conversation you wanted to have but you also understood. You knew it had to happen, you knew you couldn't evade it forever and you were also aware of the fact that you would end up pregnant, sooner or later.

His eyes locked with your own the moment you turned to look at him, your eyes revealed a thousand emotions hidden in your soul.

"I know, Jungkook. It wasn't alright, none of this tangled mess is. But we are here now, together. Whether we like it or not, we are in this situation together."

His heart clenched at your words. Did you see your marriage with him as a tangled mess? But you didn't allow his mind to ponder on that thought for another second before you were speaking again.

"You need a child to inherit the company, that is a fact we can't deny. It was part of the contract, Jungkook, the conditions. We can't ignore them forever."

He ran a hand through his hair, feeling his heart beating rapidly against his chest. This wasn't how he had planned this conversation to go.

"I'm aware of the conditions, I know what I signed myself in when I married you, (y/n). I just don't want you to feel as if I am imposing it over you. It is your decision too. "

You stared into each other's eyes, time flew by slowly as if the Earth had stopped rotating.

"I just... I don't think I'm ready to have a child right now."

Jungkook heard your whispered words. A sentence, a hidden truth that was spoken as if it were forbidden to even think about. He didn't know if he should be sorry for the situation you both were in, nearly forcing you to carry his child or happy upon the fact that you had revealed a bit of your soul, your thoughts, your heart and wishes to him.

Even when it was a mere sentence, when that truth was constructed of only words. A melody made for his mind to sing, he treasured the honesty, the trust.

His hand covered your own, unfisting your fingers from clenching the fabric of your dress. You didn't even know you were doing such a thing as you looked down surprised at your now joined hands.

"I am not forcing you. I will never force you to do anything, you must know that by now."

You nodded and he continued. Your eyes met his gaze once more in the silence of the car. A space so casual to exist yet now was intimate between you and your husband. A box of truths. A keeper of honesty.

"I wish this evening had gone differently. I'm sorry about that but the arrangement only said we should have a child together, it never said when. It will happen when you are ready and if you never find yourself down that path, well then that will be a problem for future us to deal with."

A soft smile appeared over your lips. There weren't enough words in any language to express how grateful you were to your husband for those words. Jungkook mirrored your gesture, giving your hand a soft squeeze before he retrieved his hand from your own, leaving your skin cold, missing his touch.

"Let's go inside, it's already late."

You nodded at him. Feeling your soul lighter for you to carry. Your burden lessened by his words.

Jungkook lied awake in his shared bed with you. You were already sound asleep but the world of dreams hadn't gotten a hold of him yet. He thought of the conversation he had with you in the car. He thought of your words, your reactions, your small gestures. They were all engraved in his mind, replaying it to him over and over and over again like a movie he loved and never got tired of watching.

What had happened at the restaurant, what was spoken in the confinement of his car, what you had said about your situation with him were nothing more than a reminder of reality for him. A reality he was forced to live and now, you were also tangled in a web of arrangements, promises and longing souls.

Reality was a changing truth. And while he lived in a created fate by his family, carrying the name of his ancestors and the prestige of his bloodline, Jungkook also believed reality could be transformed.

It could be shaped with his decisions and reactions. Just like he wished to change the reality he lived with you, to progress in the relationship he was already in, to win your heart and claim you as his own, he also knew his reality as the chairman's son couldn't be moulded.

Today, he was brought back to the real world, away from his beautiful dreams, away from sweet fantasies. He was reminded of his stance, of his reality, of his position, of his duty.

But was Jungkook strong enough to break the chains of a created fate? Was he strong enough to keep you away from the harm those chains would make once broken? Did he even want to break them and be free or would he allow to be the prisoner of his bloodline, of his family forever?

You and Jungkook were bonded by a ring, the two of you lived a harsh reality. Was that reality open to change its course and allow you both to archive the sweet marriage you both desired?

No-one knew the answers to those questions, only you and Jungkook did. But would you be able to face the truths hidden behind a created fate and smokey lies? Would you stay together in the end?

~Masterpost

Sept/08/2023

Drabbles are open for this au! My inbox is open, darlings!

☕Caffeinate me so I can keep on writing! ☕

[pirozhkiparty]

🖤♥️Huskerdust fic recs💖🖤

There's a severe lack of hazbin fic recs on here and I'm here to remedy that with my fav couple (since so far all the stuff I've read centers them)

Always make sure to read the tags~

Overlord Husk AUs

(I'm a firm believer in the "hell yeah, two cakes!" rule. Cannot get enough of overlord Husk fics)

Call Your Bluff by RazzAppleMagic - the very first overlord Husk fic I read and boy is it wonderful. deals with drug recovery and Angel learning to love himself. the slowburn is well worth the wait. There is also a podfic version of it by Rambling_Company

Disco Inferno by DeusExMachina - Set before Angel signed a contract with Val. Husk takes him in and helps Angel go overlord

Someone You Can Bet On by Shigariope - Major fluff alert! Angel goes to Husk's casino to ask Husk to help him get out of his contract with Val. Husk does, in the form of a (fake) marriage.

call me when you want, call me when you need by Spades - Husk wins a night with Angel, rather than his soul. Super sweet fic and the pining on Husk's part is strong.

Lucky Bastard by PoppyFieldWrites - Angel meets a hottie bartender while at the casino with Val. Turns out that bartender is none other than the gambling overlord himself

The House Edge by vixensheart - while out working the streets, Angel gets picked up by a wealthy looking individual. Only thing is though, this guy doesnt wanna bang, just wants Angel to rest and get an injury looked at.

Human AUs

At the End of Extinction by The_Bad_Samaritan - zombie apocalypse au, yep you heard that right. Husk finds a five-year-old Charlie in a zombie infested wasteland and with the help of solo traveler Angel, they go on a cross-country road trip to reunite her with her parents. This fic will keep you on your toes, trust me.

So Much (For) Stardust by Kima - War vet Husk is big pissed that he has to bartend at a club that Alastor owns, especially when one of the drag performers there pisses him off to no end, it also doesnt help that he has an obnoxious next door neighbor that always has loud sex. Surely those two things aren't related in any way.

glitter & bows by angelsfizz - Angel works at Claires at the mall and a lost kid wanders through, then when her dad comes to retrieve her, Angel has a massive gay panic because hubba hubba this guy's hot.

Could be Canon

When We Meet Again by rainbowpandas and RockyRants - we all knew this was coming. how could I leave out this fandom classic? if you haven't already read this masterpiece, Angel and Husk slowly regain their memories of when they were alive. Turns out they knew each other and were lovers. Mixes in flashbacks of their pasts with the story and will for sure leave an impact on you.

soft & tender by Spades - sweet and sensual oneshot of the two of them after they get together. Domestic, tooth-rotting, show-stopping.

Changing Channels by Onlymostlydead - a video of Angel's comes on during channel surfing in the lobby, the thing is though, he has no memory of filming it. Hurt/comfort with protective Chaggie and Husk. Read the tags for this one very carefully.

Shameless self recs

(Don't mind me self-promoting)

Bottom shelf erotica - this au was made by @/cyberrat and they let me write a fic for it. Husk is a fluffer at Val's studio and Angel is absolutely smitten for him.

little pink lies - Husk hits his head and gets temporary amnesia. Angel thinks it would be hilarious to prank him by saying that they are married.

Ulterior Motives (tell me the truth) - you can probably guess what the inspo was from the title alone. Husk hears a snippet of a song that he can't quite find the origin of. Just his luck that its from a porno starring nonother than the hotel's most obnoxious resident.

Let me know if I messed up any of the links~

[aftercamlann]

ACBB 10TH ANNIVERSARY RECS: Nobody moves, nobody gets hurt

This ACBB has been recced by thesongistheriver and shana-rosee:

Title: Nobody moves, nobody gets hurt Writer: Leandra Artist: Venti Mocha Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur Rating: Explicit Word Count: 117,665

Summary: Arthur's life is turned upside down when Uther announces his marriage to a woman his children barely know. Enter Hunith and her son, Merlin, who is everything Arthur is not: unapologetically loud-mouthed, rebellious, cocksure and unabashedly queer. He’s also every bloke Arthur ever had a crush on rolled into one, despite wearing a hideous combination of Oxfam bargain bin and Pride parade and playing obnoxious new rave music in a band called “i am magic”.

His unfortunate attraction to Merlin isn’t the only thing Arthur has to deal with: His last year of sixth form lies ahead and satisfying his father’s expectations of becoming a lawyer like him suddenly seems impossible to reconcile with Arthur’s passion for drawing and sketching.

Meanwhile Arthur and Merlin’s relationship runs through a quick succession from reluctant strangers to trading hostile insults to burgeoning friendship to somewhat fuck-buddies in the span of a couple of weeks.

Life is all kinds of complicated and Arthur finally has no choice but to stand up for what he wants…

Link: FIC & ART: https://archiveofourown.org/works/26030971/chapters/63299395

Why thesongistheriver recommends this ACBB: This is a fully-formed AU, with timestamps and time skips and modern teenagers who really feel very much appropriate to S1 Merlin and Arthur. It broke my heart the first time I read it (happy ending though! I can't do otherwise) but it also really portrays so well the struggles of coming out and being who you are, and how sometimes those first connections really are meant to last a lifetime. Why shana-rosee recommends this ACBB: This story is incredible!!! The tension, the longing, the angst! I love how they go from hating each other to being unable to keep their hands off each other. But most of all, I love the quiet moments where it's so painfully obvious how they feel about each other. This story is the definition of a Hot Mess in the best possible way! Want to rec an ACBB fic yourself that you feel deserves some more love? Feel free to send us your rec through our 10th Anniversary Rec form!

[sturthepotofmadness]

I got a random idea for a Xenoblade Chronicles 2 au I want to throw out into the world, since I'm not too sure if I'm going to write it or not. There's technically two, but one is more of a Xenoblade 3 au and even then it's even more canon diverge-y than this one, so only the xc2 au for now.

The divergence point is a bit weird, since it would take place before Rex gets pulled into the mission to find Pyra and I'm assuming story salvager ranks works differently compared to gameplay salvager ranks (mainly that story salvager ranks go from E-D-C-B-A-S-SS in order from lowest to highest and the weird extra titles don't exist, just rank letters). Other than that, the only spoilers are the events of chapter 1, the very beginning of chapter 2, and a boss and group from chapter 3. You've been warned if you care about early game spoilers.

Anyways, time to actually talk about the au idea. Also cut after the second paragraph cuz this is long.

So let's say Rex is 14, maybe a few months out from 15 here, he's known within the Argentum salvager community, and being salvager rank C is impressive for someone so young. He's having trouble reaching a higher rank, if only because his only way to protect himself is an old sword he scraped together and getting higher ranks means salvaging at risker points, which means dealing with stronger monsters and needing a better weapon, but he doesn't want to spend what money he has on getting a better weapon.

For some reason, Vandham's Merc Group has an influx of kids that don't want to become mercenaries, so they send a group out to gather people to explain jobs to this group of kids they're taking care of. One of the groups was led by Yew since the Argentum Trade Guild can be a hot mess if you talk to the wrong person by accident and Yew is good at sorting through people. Yew sees the salvager community here and is impressed by how supportive they are of each other.

When Yew talks to one of the salvagers there and he brings up the idea of teaching some kids about salvaging. The salvager asks, "We talking Rex's age, or we talking younger?" Yew asks who Rex is and that just so happens to be the time when Rex pulls into the docks and the salvager points him out. Yew (and the mercs with him) have to process that as the salvager comments that Rex is really damn good to salvaging and probably would have a higher rank if would use his gold on getting a better weapon instead of sending it back to his home town or repairing damage to his hut on Azurda.

Yew's crew decides to speak to Rex once he's free and before he leaves, so continue talking around Argentum. They're... really unimpressed with 97% of the Nopon, with the only ones they aren't unimpressed by being Zuzu (makes those noodles all by himself) and Falala (is a chef wanting to be something greater). However, they can't really ask either of them if they want to speak to said kids because Zuzu can't leave his job due to the popularity and Falala has a full time job.

They see Rex finishing up with the stuff he wanted to do at Argentum and Yew goes over to him. Rex sees him and asks what he's up to and Yew explains he's looking for people to explain to some kids about some jobs they could do and how unimpressed he's been with everyone from Argentum except the salvager and exactly two Nopon too attached to their job. Rex comments "yea that's Nopon for you" and asks if they found what they're looking for. Yew says that one of the other salvagers suggested Rex because Rex is closer to the kid's age and might have their attention more than some random adult. Rex thinks about it, then says that he's willing to do it, but only if it's fine if he brings Gramps along. Yew doesn't know who Gramps is, assumes it's someone important to Rex, and asks if he can speak to this Gramps. Rex drags him off to Azurda, who is Gramps, which Yew has to accept that of course the kid calls this titan something else.

Gramps and Yew talk for a bit before Gramps gives his go ahead and they head off to Uraya.

One travel later and all the merc groups have the people they managed to convince to speak to the kids and meet at Uraya's capital before they all start heading down to Garfont Village. There's 6 people (including Rex) they convinced, but it's better than nothing.

Once they get close to Garfont village, Rex notices a massive spider thing with a golden glow further up the cliff, with the road splitting off there to up there and to Garfont Village. Rex asks about the giant spider thing, some of the mercs look over and promptly go "why the hell is there a giant Elder Arachno with a blade". They get to Garfont Village, throw the volunteers at the kids, then tell Vandham about the spider Rex spotted (and also admitting that they wouldn't have gave a second glance at it if Rex didn't mention it).

Vandham takes some mercs to go demolish the Elder Arachno while the six visitors talk to the kids, though they're clearly only interested in the talks given by Rex and some Driver from either Mor Ardian or Gormott.

Vandham and who he took with him return with the meat, shell, and drops of the Elder Arachno as the last lecture ends. It took so long to kill the spider since it called friends and they wanted all of that meat for rations. The visitors are free to stay for the night before heading back home or just head back now without any help from the mercs. They all decide to stick around and Vandham asks one of the mercs to pull aside who pointed out the spider.

Yew grabs Rex, mentioning the boss wants to speak to him since Rex was the one to point out the spider. Rex is confused but follows as they go over to Vandham. Vandham makes sure Rex is the one who pointed out the spider and Rex is like "yea, i saw something glowing in the distance and i saw it was coming from some sort of spider". Vandham pats his shoulder, thanks Rex for pointing it out before it could become a problem, and drops the Beastly Core Crystal in Rex's hand. Rex is confused but Vandham explained the glow was from a Blade and that's the crystal the Blade went back into and Rex is free to keep it. Rex does decide to hold onto it and Vandham shooes him off after telling him to "awaken it when it glows or do smth with it".

One night and travel time later, Rex is back in Argentum and one of the salvagers ask how the trip was. Rex says all he had to do was explain the basics of salvaging to a group of 6-10 year old kids and he got a core crystal because he pointed out some spider that ended up being dangerous kinda close to the village. The salvager is surprised Rex got gifted a core crystal and asks what he'll do it with. After a moment, Rex says he's going to hold onto it until "it glows", since the village leader mentioned awakening it once it starts glowing. The salvager says that if it does start glowing to do it in Argentum so the other salvagers can see. Rex agrees and they head their ways.

About a week or two later, the core crystal starts glowing again after Rex had to smack some crabs back into the Cloud Sea. He goes back to Argentum to turn in his haul for payment (and paying the dock person) before going over to where the salvagers are meeting up. The salvagers greet Rex and ask if anything interesting happened. He takes out the now glowing core crystal and someone asks if he's gonna try and awaken a blade. Rex thinks for a moment, then says yea. Some Nopon nearby hear that and ask to see Rexrex attempt to awaken blade. Azurda moves to get a better look at the happenings as a group starts forming to watch.

Rex holds the Beastly Core Crystal out and begins to focus on it and attempting to resonate with it. They watch as the crystal begins to glow and, after a burst of light, Rex is holding a special Megalance and Wulfric has appeared in front of him. The crowd is silent as Rex says hi to his blade and Wulfric introduces himself, causing a few members of the crowd to recoil.

Congrats, Rex, you're now a salvager driver before the main plot begins. Rex starts bonding with Wulfric so they can be stronger together and learning how to use the Megalance. He finds it come weirdly naturally to him, but whoever he's sparring with just says that weapons created by a Blade you trust feels more natural than some random wepaon. Wulfric also learns to be "softer" for the lack of a better term so he can calm people if they find him scary. Rex also starts salvaging in more dangerous locations once he feels ready with Wulfric's weapon and he begins getting higher ranks, managing to get to rank A before the main plot finally shows itself.

The only real ideas of how the main story would go once it gets kicked started are:

-the Torna crew being surprised by Wulfric not returning to his core crystal and promptly rampaging on them because Pyra yoinked Rex before he could die,

-Malos and Jin failing miserably to stop Wulfric from wrecking the shipwreck while Nia, Dromarch and Sever try and make sure none of the other people on the shipwreck aren't harmed and get off the wreck,

-Rex and Pyra have a bit of an easier time against Malos thanks to Wulfric wrecking shit but still needing to be saved by Nia and Azurda,

-and Pyra not being able to wake Rex up herself after they crash on Gormott because Wulfric is very protective of his driver that nearly died but is somehow alive thanks to this new blade that randomly decided Rex is now her driver.

Not too sure how much else the story would change, other than they would probably have to come up with something to hide both pieces of green core crystal on Rex and Pyra when they have to disguise Pyra since their original excuse in canon wouldn't work because of Wulfric (... and also Rex being more well known because of the whole salvager driver thing with a high rank).

[arcielee]

ARCIE 💜 i think i over did it ._. for the writing ask 😘

1, 2, 4, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 32, 35, 37, 38, 43, 44, 53, 66, 69, 72, 73, 75, 78, 81, 86, 88, 94, 99 👀

All right, Mrs Hardy. Let's do this. 😈

1. do you know how you want the story to end when you start, or are you just stumbling through the figurative wilderness hoping to find a road?

When I first started writing, it was because I had one scene on reply in my brain and I had to get it out of my head (an example of that would be The Sapphire Prince). \

I much prefer my method now, which is word vomit every thought in my head into a doc, which can be events, notes, random conversations the characters we have to whole ass paragraphs.

2. talk about a notable time a narrative or character has looked you dead in the eyes and said “fuck your plan, here’s what we’re actually doing.”

Again, The Sapphire Prince. That story was such a cluster fuck and nobody did anything I wanted them too. 😭 I couldn't even have a sweet moment for my boy Ser Erryk in that damn story!

4. what is the plot bunny you’ve been carrying for the longest? optional bonus question: do you ever wonder why you haven’t written it yet and experience deep existential dread?

First, shout out to my beloved @some-distant-star for telling me yesterday wtf this is. 💜

Probably my Dane!Osferth story that thrums around in my mind. I think it continues to rattle around because I need to figure out how to keep what makes Osferth Osferth, but also have Dane tendencies? I actually started my word vomit doc for it, so we'll see what happens.

9. in an ideal world where you’re already super successful and published, would you want to see a tv or movie adaptation of your work? why or why not?

This is tricky. I have seen situations where the movie did better than the book, but then I am also watching House of the Dragon and have become one of those mouth breathers who say, "But in Fire & Blood...!"

It can be an anime. 🥰

10. at what point in the process do you come up with titles, and how easy or hard is that for you?

Titles are the hardest thing about writing for me. Like, let me shell out 30k+ words for a story and then panic over wtf to even call it. (Dancing in the Dark remained title-less until I finally started going through random Spotify playlists, like a raccoon rummaging through garbage, if you will.)

12. do you ever have trouble focusing on writing? how do you get around that?

If a story keeps escaping me, I will take my dog on long walks and see if it can come to me. By this, I mean I am the crazy lady in a sun hat who is talking to herself while her dog looks confused.

[Image: my dog, who sometimes edits for treats]

If that does not stir my muses, I do not force it and just go wherever they lead me. I have written an entire ass story in the middle of another story so I could clear my head of it and finish on the original.

13. talk about a writing experience that has pleasantly surprised you.

Probably my Call It Dreaming series? It was my first ever Reader Insert that my beloved @f4ll-for-you helped me with, and it profoundly changed my writing style.

14. what’s your worst writing habit?

Probably my overuse of semi-colons.

16. where is your favorite place to write?

Anywhere, everywhere. I have my MacBook that I bring with me, I have a notebook brimming with my ideas, and my phone notepad looking a hot mess.

17. what is your favorite line you’ve ever written?

I really love describing Aemond, but this also comes to mind:

They were all moths drawn to his flame, fluttering with their desperation to touch. You pushed through them, determined to be burned. 

All the wild hearted ambition

18. what is your most and least favorite part of writing?

My favorite? The beginning. I love day dreaming, brainstorming, fleshing out a new idea. I love how it repeats in my brain and lulls me to sleep at night.

My least favorite? Saying goodbye. Once it is written, it is gone from my mind.

19. what are some books or authors that influenced your style the most?

Patricia Highsmith's prose style had a huge impact for me. Also Margaret Mitchell crafted my writing in the sense that I could see everything in her story unfold in front of my eyes and I wanted to pay that forward.

20. what is your favorite trope to write?

Probably mutual pining with a sprinkle of slow burn. 🥰

21. pick a writer to co-write a book with and tell us what you’d write about.

A.C. Crispin and it would be a scifi adventure with a ragtag group surviving life after Earth.

32. do characters influence your writing style?

Yes. For myself, I do not enjoy writing for a character that I don't fully understand. My goal, always, is to make it sound like it was pulled from the original content.

35. tell us about a character who’s very different than you who you love a whole lot

This man.

I haven't forgotten. I need you to watch this.

37. when creating characters, what comes first: appearance, backstory, motivation, personality, something else?

It is reactions to the plot shenanigans. This helps me visualize and create a backstory for them.

38. how many stories do you work on at one time?

I have 10 WIPs currently, and 2 which I am actively working on.

43. how did writing change you?

For myself, writing allows that processing time that I need to understand something that happened. It is healing for me. (ex. To Build a Home)

44. any writing advice you want to share?

It is very easy to get swept away with notes and kudos, but if you are not enjoying the process, then what is the point?

Also, the best advice I ever received came from my beloved @sylasthegrim who told me to focus on what they were feeling as opposed to the action that was being done. (Ilysm 💜)

53. when writing, do you have an outline? and do you stick to it?

I do now! And it actually helps me stay on track with the fucking plot, which I definitely need.

66. when have you felt the most confident in your writing?

That is something I still struggle with. Like, I am please with how I have evolved as a write, but then I read someone else's masterpiece and figure it would be best if I unplug my PC and walk myself into the nearest body of water. 😆

69. how do you write emotional scenes? do you ever feel what the characters feel?

Their emotions are my emotions, and it can make or break my day.

72. what do you do if a scene gets too serious?

I follow the muses. If it is needed, it is written.

73. how do you visualize scenes? do you see it like a movie in your head, or do the words just flow?

I can see it playing in my head and I narrate it, out loud, to myself. Then I frantically type or write it down before it leaves me.

75. do you know how your story ends before you start writing?

Most of the time, yes. But if I am trying to write out what I outlined and it is not coming together, I will drop the WIP for a while and let it simmer a bit longer.

78. how do you choose where to end a chapter?

This depends: so, sometimes I write out an entire story, look over the work count, and take that into consideration when I am chopping it up. Other times I outline certain events that need to take place before the chapter can end.

81. if you could go back in time and give your younger self a piece of writing advice specific to you, what would it be?

"Girl, please, for the love of fuck, end that goddamn sentence."

86. which season best matches the mood of your wip(s)?

The kind of winter you see at the wall.

88. if you could have another author write your wip for you (bc we all dream of this occasionally), who would it be?

Oh my goodness, gather round my talented Tumblr kindred spirits, I would pass these out like Halloween candy. 😆

94. do you prefer dialogue or description?

99. was being a writer a dream of yours when you were little? or did it spring up when your older? or is it just a hobby?

I have been writing since I hit double digits. I still have these ridiculous notebooks with glitter covers that are filled, front to back, with my original attempts at writing.

My husband understands to burn them when I am dead. 🥰

ask game for fanfic writers

[camp-mithril-lake]

MegOP in Seeds of the Past

I already talked to about it a bit on Discord, but I will be doing some prequel stories for worldbuilding help for Seeds of the Past. And the recent decision to have Cybertron be missing does change that. I am absolutely very excited about the hot mess of Megatron and Optimus in this. Though the details are still a bit in flux. Tagging the people I've been talking about this with. @transingthoseformers @autiedonnie @sinspark4 @mychlapci

Optimus and Megatron are figures who have united their people in this timeline and are deeply loved as a result by their respective factions. They've also been through some really traumatic stuff that resulted in them being what they were. The Decepticons and Autobots split apart generations ago in the First Cybertronian Civil War following the loss of Cybertron and the death of the "last of the Thirteen".

By the time they were born, the Decepticon Empire was seemingly going strong and staying firmly in their own holdings and the Autobots were split and fractious. Megatron was raised in a rather high ranking military family by Terminus, who was retired due to injuries, but had major influence and had big plans. The Decepticons were very might makes right and had strict class system.

Megatron was very young and Terminus's had a lot of political enemies. Terminus was murdered in front of him and Megatron was stripped of his titles and thrown onto the battlefield with no support in dangerous areas in the hopes he would die. He befriended Soundwave, Shockwave, and Starscream and beat his way to the top with the promise of reform and tossing aside the "gluttons" who'd "grown fat" on the backs of other Decepticons. He enforced a strict meritocracy and rules system that was painfully equal and filled with expectations. Decepticons would not fight each other but outsiders were up for grabs and they would become great.

He fulfilled his promises to people like Soundwave and Shockwave and enforced strict laws to protect Decepticon youth from being taken advantage of or be forced into being soldiers young. He restarted the war with Sentinel Prime as his opponent. Any Autobots who surrender or defect or considered full members of the Empire which is also strictly enforced.

The Autobots were weak and split and not working together with a lot of conflicting interests and different ships and colonies having real varying economic levels. Orion was born on a very poor colony that was "unimportant" from one of the Titan Hot Spots. It was an agricultural and mining area that was part of the Energon production area. It was also one of the areas that was attacked by the Decepticons.

Orion watched everything happen and evacuated as a refugee jumping from colony to ship heading to the center of Autobot space. He helped where he could as the fragile peace shattered. He met quite a few of what would become his central command at this point and eventually got a pass to travel to New Iacon, which was the current capital of the Autobots and contained their most prominent and active Hot Spot. Allegedly.

Orion became very key in helping the community of refugees organize together and take care of each other and eventually one of their voices as a representative as tensions were rapidly rising with the war and the increase of population and prejudices popping up. It's a bit more blurry here, but a draft is called and Orion and his people are the first ones thrown on the battlefield as those that could pay, paid to have themselves and their families overlooked.

More stuff happens and Orion is one of the survivors of a suicide mission he and the other "disposables" like him were sent on when Sentinel Prime tries to take Luna-1, the Wandering Moon, from Decepticon possession, revealing in doing so that he started the war not the Decepticons. Sentinel goes full if he can't have it no one can and Orion betrays him, because he doesn't want a bunch of newborns to be murdered, and a young Megatron who shoots Sentinel through the chest. They've somewhat bonded over the whole incident and extended time together.

Megatron is prepared to let Orion live. He offers him a place in the Decepticons or at least the chance to "flee" but then Orion touches the Matrix and it lights up in a way that startles them both and Orion starts to change. Megatron recognizes what is happening and stabs Orion in an attempt to stop the Matrix bonding to him. The rest of Orion/Optimus's people arrive and get him out.

This leaves Optimus the new leader of the Autobots and Megatron is not prepared to back down or let "Autobot Aggression" go especially given how many of "Sentinel's snakes" still control Autobot territory. Optimus becomes a hero and unites the Autobots, with a lot of political drama and opposition from the different factions within them, in a way they haven't in generations as does Megatron both focused on improving their people's lives but having different views on the suffering of others.

They are both more than a little obsessed with each other on some level due to having developed a certain understanding of each other during this time and throughout the years. Megatron would accept Optimus's surrender in a moment if they could come to an agreement on terms, but Optimus can't trust Megatron to not cause harm.

[mimikyu-oli]

Three Threads for the Fourth

Chapter 1: Burning End

Orange.

Orange everywhere.

The walls.

The floor.

The ceiling.

Everything was orange.

A hot and suffocating orange.

Heat.

Heat and orange.

It was all dancing around.

The more the orange spread.

The more heat he felt.

Why though?

Why was it like that?

And why was he in the middle of all of it?

Think. He has to think.

His brain may be rotten, but it still could do work well. He survived many threats for so many years.

He could do this.

He just need to do it step by step.

First:

What is orange and hot and could dance fluidly in the air?

An autumn leaf? No. It may have the right color and behavior. But it wasn't hot.

A butterfly? No. Still not it.

A firefly then? No. But close.

F. F f f f f. Fi-Fire.

FIRE!

THAT'S IT!

This was fire.

He was in a fire. He still got it.

…

OH FUCK! HE WAS IN A FIRE!!!

Wait. There wasn't just fire. There was sounds too.

Not the fire itself. Although, it was quite loud. But there was something more.

A voice. He was hearing a voice. Voices to be precise. But there's one in particular that was more… stronger than the others. They all were agonising screams of desperate souls. But this one. This single one was more… resolute. Relieved.

How so?

In a fire, a voice shouldn't feels relieved. It should feel hurt. It should feel painful. Terrified.

But it wasn't.

What man could feel such feelings in a- Wait. Man?

/You have all been called here. Into a labyrinth of sounds and smells, misdirection and misfortune. A labyrinth with no exit, a maze with no prize. You don't even realize that you are trapped./

…

/But you will never find them, none of you will. This is where your story ends./

That's it.

He's close. He can see it. He just need to reach a little more.

There was a purpose in all of this. This was an end. For them. For these screams. These souls.

Why was he still here then? He's pretty sure there's a reasons for that.

/And to you, my brave volunteer, who somehow found this job listing not intended for you./

Close. Yes. He can do it. Reach!

/Although there was a way out planned for you, I have a feeling that's not what you want./

/I have a feeling that you are right where you want to be./

Ah… Right.

He wanted this.

He has been chasing them. For YEARS. Years of pains and sufferings.

Just to put an end in this mess up tragedy.

/This place will not be remembered, and the memory of everything that started this can finally begin to fade away. As the agony of every tragedy should./

/And to you monsters trapped in the corridors: Be still and give up your spirits, they don't belong to you./

All this because of him.

/Although, for one of you, the darkest pit of Hell has opened to swallow you whole, so don't keep the devil waiting, old friend./

Yes. He remembers now. This was all HIS doing.

This sick parasite. This life-sucking leech, who he was now ashamed to have ever called "father". But that wasn't true.

The man was never a father. Never done anything to deserve the title.

He was never there. NEVER!

Always letting him be the parental figure for his siblings after their mother's departure. When he should have just been a brother to them.

He was a kid too.

He needed care too. Guidances.

He needed a parent. A father.

But no. It was too hard for this man. His creations was more important.

In fact, that's what he was. That's what they all were to this man.

Creations.

Something he worked oh so hard to put into life. Something he could just throw aside when it wasn't of any uses anymore.

He could feel his tears running down his cheeks. Even though his glands must have been torn off since then. Gone like everything that made him human.

Was he even still human at that time? After all, he had lost his soul too. That same day where his brother lost his. By his own hands.

He knows it wasn't really his fault. Not completely at least.

In fact, now that he realised, everyone present that day was. Everyone who preferred to watched them tourmanting the little boy instead of stepping in.

They weren't their kids. Not their problems. Why should they do anything? The kid was constently crying anyway. Nothing really new. He'll toughen up one day.

And where was their father? This is his son's birthday. Shouldn't he be there too? Shouldn't he celebrate with him? He may be the owner, but precisely, he WAS the owner. He could have easily pulled some strings. Asked some employees who could have come supervise the whole event.

But NO! This prick was who knows where. Doing whatever he does with HIS animatronics.

Speaking of animatronics. WHY was it able to crunch a skull like that? HOW was it possible for them to put a whole kid's head in its mouth? HOW was it possible for THEM to get so close in the first place? Wouldn't it be bad for business if the main attractions were damaged by patrons climbing on them? Or even worse, if said attractions was the one damaging the patrons?

The amount of lawsuits he got just because one animatronic lost its head and traumatised a kid for life. (Thank you Helpy for dealing with them, by the way. You're the true MVP here. A true hero.)

And then. What did he do after the incindent?

NOTHING!

No confort. No appologies. NOTHING!

One of your children saw their own brother die in front of them and you do NOTHING!?

What about him? What about his mental health?

The amount of guilts and self-hatred he must felt.

The TRAUMAS he must endure, every. Single. Days?

Not an ounce of care?

No, it's better to just continue ignoring him and letting him rot in his own misery. Giving him the same cold stare as usual. Like nothing had changed. As if the loss they had just experienced wasn't something to worry about.

Well, guess what, Father!?

Now you're the one sufering!

Now YOU'RE the one who has to rot in your room while he sat unbothered by it in his office!

Office that is now flooded by flames as of now.

Ah!

This is it.

It has finally come.

The end is near. His end.

It has been long overdue for years.

He was ready now.

He has nothing left anymore.

His family? Dead.

His friends? He had let them drifted away from his life for so long he couldn't be a part of theirs anymore. Not with the way he looks now.

A work? A purpose? He had already finished it.

Dreams? It has faded away with everything else.

Hopes? His hope was to just die and, maybe, be reunited with the ones he cares. They're probably waiting for him right now. He hopes they are not getting too impatient.

A second chance? Is it even possible? Everything was already dead. You can't return from that. You can't "fix" that. You would have to go through time and/or realities for this to be possible.

And that doesn't exist.

Time travel is just fiction.

It's just… wishful thinking.

But you would try it? If it was possible? Uh. It would sure be good.

Michael closes his hollow eyes one last time and let himself be drowned by the inferno surrounding him. Letting everything disintegrates from existence.

What is life? If not fiction?

[ewelinakl]

ewelinakl's fic masterlist

Our Flag Means Death

1. A Pirate Triptych (steddyhands, E, 82k) — When Ed turns into a monster and does some unspeakably cruel things, Izzy and Stede team up to turn him back into his old, gentler self and make him atone for what he's done. — finished ● losing my religion (i'm not my own) [Ed/Izzy, Spanish Jackie/Izzy, E, 9.5k] — The story of Izzy's relationship with Blackbeard, from their first meeting all the way until the birth of the Kraken. Izzy's POV ● it's beginning to get to me (no one knows what this fight's about) [Ed/Stede, pre Stede/Izzy, E, 24.6k] — Stede finds an unlikely ally in his quest to get Ed back. (It's Izzy.) Stede's POV. ● i don't know who i am (but now I know who i'm not) [Ed/Stede, Ed/Izzy, Ed/Stede/Izzy, E, 47.8k] — It's time for Ed to face the Kraken and take accountability for his actions. Ed's POV.

2. Three Men in a Boat (steddyhands, E) — a series for tying up loose ends from the Pirate Triptych and other steddyhands shenanigans. — open ● love is a distant aroma at best (Stede/Izzy, rated E for the conversation subject, 3.4k) — a missing scene to chapter one of i don't know who i am (but now I know who i'm not) ● align my heart, my body, my mind (Ed/Stede/Izzy, E, 46.3k) — a follow-up to the Pirate Triptych, set a few years later. Mary and Doug go on a honeymoon, leaving the kids with Stede and his two not-quite-husbands. ● tell me we'll never get used to it (Ed/Izzy, E, 2.3k) — pre-Pirate Triptych. Ed enjoys pushing Izzy's boundaries. ● we make our choices and take what comes (Ed/Izzy, Ed/Stede, Stede/Izzy, Ed/Stede/Izzy, Sam/Izzy, E) — ongoing — historical fantasy AU. Izzy is a famous assassin hired by the Badmintons to kill Queen Mary. Stede is the Queen's Protector (not because he's good at combat, it's just a shiny title he got because he saved her once) and friend. Edward is an eldritch deity who likes to mess with people and shares his magic with Izzy, helping him kill the Queen. But when Stede gets wrongly accused of regicide, Ed offers his powers to Stede as well, twisting the future until it brings Stede and Izzy together.

3. BBC (bellhands brainrot conglomerate) [Sam Bellamy/Izzy Hands, M to E] — a collection of fics centred around the good ship bellhands. — open ● there's no me without you (Sam Bellamy/Izzy Hands, M, 8k) — Sam makes one more desperate attempt trying to convince Izzy to leave Blackbeard. Will it work this time? Sam's POV. ● a fable from broken things (Sam/Izzy, Ed/Stede, E, 24.8k) — In which the Revenge gets her mast broken in a storm, her captains have no choice but to stop at Hispaniola, run into Sam Bellamy, get invited for tea with him and Izzy, and realise that their relationship is really messy and strained in comparison to their hosts'. And when Izzy Hand's relationship seems healthier than yours, you know you've got some work to do. ● no one is born a hero (Sam/Izzy, E) — ongoing — modern au. Izzy gets dumped after seven years together with Ed and is not handling it well. so what are the chances of him not blowing it when Jackie introduces him to a man who seems to be tailor-made for him? Izzy's POV. ● someone has to leave first (Sam/Izzy, Ed/Izzy, background Ed/Stede, E, 11.1k) — Incubus Sam gets imprisoned by the British. Izzy teams up with Paul to save him. Edward, who's never shaken off the Kraken thing, is not happy about this double loyalty. ● call it courage (Sam/Izzy, E, 1.9k) — Sam asks to be choked during sex. Izzy is both turned on and terrified by the concept. ● leaning towards the sun (Sam/Izzy, E, 1.5k) — A very hard bike seat and a bumpy road leave Izzy embarrassingly hot and bothered. Thankfully, Sam is more than willing to help out with that. ● voici mon cœur (qui ne bat que pour toi) (Sam/Izzy, T, 1.5k) — Sam and Izzy get married. — written for Tying the Knot zine; art by @reinarandraw ● j’ai presque peur, en vérité (Sam/Izzy, E, 2.5k) — Sam and Izzy's wedding night. Follow up to the previous fic. — written for the NSFW tie-in to Tying the Knot zine. ● you had me at 'you fucking twat!' (Sam/Izzy, E) — ongoing — modern AU. You'd think months of arguing with his ex-boyfriend/business partner would teach Izzy not to get romantically involved with people he works with. No such luck, though. He's still dumb as rocks. In his defence — have you seen Sam Bellamy??? — art by @reinarandraw

4. vampire verse (Stede/Izzy, E) — a collection of loosely-connected one-shots. vampire!Izzy/human!Stede, post-season 1. — open ● drink me like a bottle of wine (Stede/Izzy, E, 2.8k) — Stede discovers that Izzy is a vampire and gets turned on by the ideas this gives him. Horny times ensue. ● a little broken, a little new (Stede/Izzy, E, 4.8k) — follow up to drink me like a bottle of wine; idiots in love (struggling to articulate their feelings). ● green yellow, green blue (Stede/Izzy, Sam/Izzy, pre-Sam/Stede/Izzy, E, 9.9k) — Stede and Izzy cross paths with Izzy's first love.

5. forest verse (Stede/Izzy, Ed/Izzy, Ed/Stede, steddyhands, E) — a collection of loosely-connected one-shots. leshy Izzy, leshy Ed, human Stede. inspired by Polish folklore. — open ● the forest is my cradle and it's where i'll die (Stede/Izzy, E, 2.9k) — Stede cuts some trees without making suitable offerings to the forest spirit, and now he has to pay for his crime. (Leshy!Izzy/human!Stede, inspired by Polish folklore.) ● spill your seeds, wait for spring (steddyhands, E, 8.1k) — After Blackbeard's forest is destroyed, he decides to pay a visit to his old friend. their dynamic is not what it used to be. (Leshy!Ed, leshy!Izzy, human!Stede.)

6. birds of a feather (Calico Jack/Charles Vane, steddyhands, E) — everyone lives au, post-season 1, Calico Jack-centric. — finished ● blood in your mouth (i wish it was mine) [Calico Jack/Charles Vane, E, 6.6k] — Jack survives the encounter with Ed and the Navy and starts a new life aboard the Ranger. His new captain turns out to be his kind of a freak. ● all birds must land eventually [Calico Jack/Charles Vane, steddyhands, E, 21.7k] — Stede, Ed, and Izzy accept an invitation to dine with Captain Vane and his quartermaster. What could possibly go wrong?

7. end of an era (Sam/Izzy, Calico Jack/Charles Vane, M-E) — everyone lives, nobody dies; post-season 1. Hornigold and Rogers plan to end piracy in the Caribbean. The pirates are not thrilled. — ongoing ● brave (is just another word for being afraid) [Calico Jack/Charles Vane, E, 29.1k] — Jack has always been a coward. But he'll have to muster all the courage he has left and face his greatest nightmare if he wants to save himself and his friends. ● pitch black, pale blue (Sam Bellamy/Izzy, Ed & Izzy, M, 6.6k) — after the Kraken nearly kills him, Izzy realises it's time to move on. post-s2ep06.

● landscape after cruelty (Hornigold/Izzy, one-sided Calico/Izzy, E, 1.6k) — Hornigold calls Jack to do the hard work for him while he sits back and enjoys the show.

● knives, singing for blood (Hornigold/Izzy, E, 1.8k) — When their navigator fucks up, Hornigold decides to take out his frustration on his favourite toy. Dead dove.

● you can call it anything (but that was love) (past Ed/Izzy, Ed/Stede, Sam/Izzy, M, 3.4k) — Izzy moved on. Ed thought he did.

● relax (we're in this together) [Jim/Izzy, E, 3.7k] — Jim helps Izzy work on his confidence after losing his leg.

● welcome to the new age (Ed/Stede/Izzy, E, 3.5k) — When they started this whole thing a year ago, Israel could only think of one rule for him and Stede — no romance.

● dangerous liaisons (Calico Jack/Charles Vane/Roach, E, 12.4k) — Roach gets a chance to do something about his crush on Jack.

● darkness, rewritten (Ed/Izzy, Ed/Stede/Izzy, T, 3.6k) — Ed & Izzy have a tender little moment together. post-season 2, everybody lives au.

● what holy men really mean when they speak of sin (Calico Jack/Charles Vane, E, 8.6k) — A priest and a sailor meet in a seedy bar in Saint-Malo. companion piece to we make our choices and take what comes

● Longing for Home (It's You) (Stede/Izzy, E, 11.2k) — cowritten with piratejamming — Stede gets invited to Mary and Doug's wedding. He decides to take Izzy as his plus one, even though they aren't together.

● something more (Calico Jack/Charles Vane, M, 3.5k) — a Witcher AU. There's a striga on the loose. Jack plans to write a ballad about the witcher who defeats it.

● two fools on a ship (and a really good coat) [Calico Jack/Charles Vane, T, 2k] — a companion piece to @sweveris' two ships in a gale (and a bit of a flirt); written for the CWW server zine — A storm brings Ed and Jack together. They make up. Sort of.

● abundance of violence (Hornigold/Calico Jack, Calico Jack/Ed, E, 4.8k) — backstory to brave — Jack is Hornigold's favourite toy for torture play. Dead dove, mind the tags.

● a hundred lifetimes, a hundred worlds (Roach/Izzy, T, 3.5k) — Solulmates AU. Roach and Izzy meeting in different lifetimes and worlds.

● home is not where you live, but who cares when you're gone (steddyhands, M, 1.5k) — A raid goes wrong and for a while, everyone thinks Izzy is dead. — written for the Even Keel zine.

The Witcher

1. between the lines (Geralt/Jaskier, Geralt/Yennefer, M to E) — a series of short fics following the timeline of the novels — unfinished (on hiatus) ● on my knees and out of luck, I look up (Geralt/Jaskier, M, 3.6k) — Geralt rides into a small town in the middle of nowhere and finds Jaskier there. set post Shard of Ice. ● the wolf and the nightingale (Geralt/Jaskier, E, 2.5k) — Geralt discovers that he's not immune to Jaskier's charms and games. set during A Little Sacrifice. ● thief of fire (Geralt/Jaskier, G, 1.8k) — Jaskier writes a ballad and it comes true against all odds. set during Something More. ● verse. chorus. verse. (Geralt/Jaskier, E, 3.3k) — Geralt starts overthinking things because he feels guilty about the incident between Jaskier and Rience. set between The Blood of Elves and The Time of Contempt. ● when the world seems a dungeon (Geralt/Jaskier, Geralt/Yennefer, E, 3.9k) — Geralt feels guilty about leaving Jaskier for Yen, Jaskier is tired of this nonsense. set during The Time of Contempt.

2. a modern bestiary (Geralt/Jaskier, Geralt/Yennefer, M, T, E) — a modern au (characterisation based on the novels, not the games or the show) — unfinished (on hiatus) ● of witchers and men (Geralt/Jaskier, M, 5k) — Geralt sees a singer in trouble and simply has to help. Geralt's POV. ● basilisk's gaze (Geralt/Jaskier, T, 6k) — Geralt might not be a streetwise Hercules, but he makes Jaskier feel safe and calm, even when everything goes wrong. Jaskier's POV. ● and the djinni said (Geralt/Yennefer, E, 3k) — He came to her with Jaskier's blessing. Yen's POV.

Dishonored

Children of the Many-Eyed God (Geoff Curnow/Slackjaw, Kirin Jindosh/Alexandria Hypathia, Daud/Thomas, M) — Slackjaw as the long-lost Prince of Tyvia, Geoff as the Prince Consort, Kirin as the Royal Inventor, Alexandria as the Royal Physician, Daud & Thomas as Spymasters, with a hearty side of worldbuilding and a brand new Tyvian god. — unfinished ● The Prince, the Guard, and the Many-Eyed God (Geoff Curnow/Slackjaw, M, 54.7k) — The Old Gods of Tyvia choose strange paths for their children. Slackjaw's path leads from the criminal underworld of Dunwall, into the arms of a Watchman, and to the throne that is rightfully his. ● The Heart of a Dead Thing (Kirin Jindosh/Alexandria Hypatia, M, 59.3k) — He's a refugee, an addict, an Academy dropout, a wayward child of his god. He's a loyal servant to his Prince, Tyvia's future Royal Inventor, the brightest mind of the Empire. He's young, and he's learning and refuses to let other people define him when he cannot yet define himself. (a.k.a. the redemption arc Kirin deserved) ● Sea of Regret, Knife of Redemption (Daud/Thomas, M) — ongoing — Daud and Thomas, the Royal Spymasters of Tyvia and Wei-Ghon, team up with Billie to save Sokolov and solve the mystery of Delilah's escape from the Void. The Many-Eyed Bird might be willing to help, too. (think Dishonored 2, but Daud is the protagonist and Jindosh & Hypatia work against Delilah and her her circle.)

American Gods

● A Little Prayer (The Jinn | Ifrit/Salim, T, >1k) — a fluffy little reunion fic set post-season 1

[opsidecrewsclash]

One Piece Side Crews Clash - FINALS

Members and Propaganda under the cut

Heart Pirates

Members:

Trafalgar Law

Bepo

Shachi

Penguin

Jean Bart

Ikkaku

Uni

Clione

Hakugan

Polar Tang

Propaganda:

Law is such a cool character and the rest of his crew is cool as well :)

Listen, they are a bunch of losers and I love them. Their captain calls himself a doctor, but his crew doesn't even know how to give first aid?! Like... they fished an uncouncious Luffy out of the water and were like 'what do we dooooo???!!!' and then proceded to just yell his name until he came to. Also, they have a submarine, which is really cool.

Some of them have been around since their captain was a kid (and so were they!), loved him and stood by his side the whole time. They have silly names and silly hats and one of the coolest ships in the series (Polar Tang beloved). They’re silly and goofy and they love their captain so much, and they’re so cool for being specialists in underwater fights.      

1. Law is hot 2. Law is a disaster 3. Bepo is soft and fluffy and looks nice to hug 4. Shachi has a killer whale hat 5. Penguin is named penguin 6. The heart pirates story is amazing and to long to put here but they are basically the perfect found family with law, penguin, shachi and bepo finding each other in their early teens. Law beat up a young shachi and penguin after they attacked bepo and suddenly law had two teenagers and a polar bear mink attached to him. It's also amazing how this crew is just completely devoted to a hot mess like Law. 7. Yellow submarine

Found family!! The crew works together as a wonderful team and constantly supports each other and their captain. At ever possible opportunity they have shown how although they may not be the strongest crew they are definitely one of the most caring. The fact that Shachi, Penguin, and Bepo all share the technical title and roll of first mate is so cute to me! They all live their captain so much even though he is kinda crabby and Law has shown to go to great lengths to keep his crew from harms way. When they actually do get to fight they are well coordinated and look out for each other. Shachi and Penguin can just fight underwater. Also they have a fucking submarine! I love the polar tang.    

ASL Crew:

Members:

Portgas D. Ace

Sabo

Monkey D. Luffy

Propaganda:

They’ll always be together and a crew in my heart 🥺

[spamtoon]

DCRC Week 7. I'm so close

I'm so close to catching up. time for an earthquake! I know that from puffy's various jokes about it something happens with the west coast in this one hoo boy calisota is gonna be in danger tonight! I'm so close to catching up. So inanely close. oh wiat hold on lemme get in club pen.guin again

ALRIGHT okay interesting first panel. i like the colors here and the sound effects. sorry these panels are so bright paperinik's style...

my favorite standard font title replacement so far i think

i like how the money symbol is there so we can tell its mcduck enterprises

im so mad i love how he's ploping the bear into the coffee. hot chocolate. something like that

the little crackers surrounding the coffee mug as theres a rainy scene in the background. the color contrast... hi one you look so silly today

i love how uno's just floating today usually they try to show his little chord or him attached to something but he's so silly

im so mad. get uno's ass donald

hes so silly though... the way donald rattles off all the things and uno's just like shut up please. he thinks he's onto something btu he's literally onto nothing

im so mad. do you know how to ride a bicycle this is not that

divorce (they argued for two seconds)

hello girl. i dont know who you are but your design is everything to me

im so mad shoutout to when comics do this. more heroes should be federal criminals and evade taxes. i love the way he's like Oh Fuck! I'm a Criminal Now! glad the government gets on pk's bad side too RIGHT after the time police nonetheless

she... i might have her job someday. imean not LITERALLY like i dont wanna go into security but i do want to work in an environmental department. i love how uno is just really into snooping on the fbi and honestly who wouldn't be Donald. be peer pressured into getting yourself into more trouble with the govenrment come onnn

physical antiviruses... ugh code wall so cool im. the way they're battling on the us fbi logo

IM SO MAD i actaully laughed at them getting angus fangus. if he blamed this on the duck avenger randomly he would be right and he could convince them so this could have been the worst play ever but its also the most cathartic

hello mary ann flagstarr...

cog donald's little red eyes... the digital and the real are blurring for a moment but i guess the fbi's security system is so complicated it has. air vents. or he's in the real fbi nevermind

holy shit guys its MEEEEEEEE yeah i never told you guys i was in pk the whole time. its insane

I LOVE HOW HES JUST LIKE. BEATING UP FEDERAL AGENTS NOW AND IT SLIKE OKAY things are only going to get worse im . this is a you call yourself a superhero moment but also the government is the government so!

odnald duck really did think nobody would show up at 3am

hes so fucking smug

ah the pangea project! surely that doesn't mean good things for calisota! ah okay they're not painting the whole government as evil just this guy specifically that makes a little more sense for a disney comic

she's so sad... ooh this is gonna be a ba.xter stockman situation isnt it (SORRY i have seen 1 episode of 2003 and it was. the banned one in call with everyone). she's just like oh my god you're fucking dying and he's like my plan... you must do it... it was my wife's definitely

WHAAAAAAAAT NOOOOOO... HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN IN MY DONALD DUCK STORY? (sarcastic)

sorry this was like the one thing i knew about this comic beforehand. other than like. uno existed. sarcasm aside i do love this panel

i like they Try to give a reason as to why the govenrment is doing this "out of good will" despite the evil laughs and such as like. a climate change backup--land we haven't messed up yet. but like this should be a last resort and not an immediately executed plan and i get you cant evacuate the whole west coast but california has so much of what the us is known for the us would be stupid to let those countless tourism dollars go to waste--especially when new land may not immediately go to claim of the us and Wars might happen over it. sorry im not nitpicking or anything i'm just saying my thoughts. like st canard is a massive city and so is duckburg and--sorry

and uno is sad because he doesnt know whether the sacrifice is worth it which. alright! yeah! but everything's not gonna be peachy keen just because we have some new land to work with. its got to grow naturally and as its arisen from the sea unless its all completely man-bulldozed its going to be rock, dead coral, and lichen for a while before anything grows naturally. the thought process of a scientist who can see everyone as getting in the way, climate change disaster as inevitable unless there are serious changes in human behavior or just straight up more resources and time (and who HATES calisota because he lives there), sure. believable enough for a silly comic like this

IM SO MAD AND THEN IT JUST CUTS TO

HIS STUPID PLANE its beautiful.

PLEASE dont kill of mary ann i love her already

im so glad she doesnt shoot either of them right away like its a massive ??? situation. you cant shoot donald duck

uno feels so bad for dipping for a second for being unsure :(((( poor guy...

this ending panel with the seagull is so good but oh. hohoh. are we gonna get more uno lore next issue ANYWAY yeah! good comic i see why this one is a lot of people's favorites. im glad im having fun reading paperinik again... that sure was a terremoto and boy oh boy... the west coast DIDNT sink? thanks to donald duck? wow. incredible.

[eusuntgratie]

Writer asks 4, 6, 7, 13, 14, 29, 34 🤩

4 & 6 answered here

7. What's the story or fic that you're most excited to work on or share next year?

hands down a million percent its my messy rwrb rpf fic. i'm gonna give this one a working title since i've started posting about it - we'll call it disaster for now. this tasty little idea grew legs and carried me away, and now i've got 20 fucking chapters plotted. WHO AM I. i've only got about 3k written, but i've done a lot of prep work, so i'm hoping to start posting this one in january or february but it really depends how much time i have to write. i won't finish it before i start posting but i want to have a LOT of it done, and i'm a long ways off from that. if anybody is into this pairing or actor rpf in general feel free to come scream at me about it this fic consumes at least 50% of my waking thoughts.

13. What story haunts you when you try to sleep at night?

i'm not sure how to interpret this question. the fic i can't stop thinking about, brainstorming, visualizing scenes is disaster. every commute, when i'm trying to go to sleep, etc etc... i'm thinking about this fic and coming up with a new little thing i want to throw in there.

the fic that haunts me because i never wrote it is the buddie fic i was planning to write for the buddie big bang in 2022, shadow, but we ended up moving halfway across the country instead, and i never came back to it. it's plotted, i love the central idea, but i'm not sure i have the motivation to write something that long for buddie, at least not right now. but never say never. there's some snippets and teasers and even some incredible art in my #shadow tag.

14. How many wips are you taking into next year?

2 that i am currently actively working on (disaster and firstprince exes). i've got 2 tknp fics that i've worked on recently that i think/hope i'll finish. we'll leave it at that for now 😬

29. What was the funniest comment or piece of feedback that you received?

hmm i did love this one: OH YOU'RE SICK from @bigassbowlingballhead and you yelling at me for NOT running into a hot hockey player in an airport and hooking up in an airport bathroom despite the promises made by be cool. all the feral screeching about didn't think i liked cowboys was pretty fun too 🤣

i DO have an all time favorite comment although i think its from last year but i can't find it right now. it's someone trying to scream JESUS CHRIST at me but just its a mess of keysmashes and half words it's so great 🥰

34. What's the weirdest thing you researched for a fic?

probably all the obscure saints i researched for forgive me, father. all the oc's have saint's names bc i went HARD on the catholic trauma in this one :)

Fanfic Writer End of the Year Ask Game

[gffa]

Buncha scattered thoughts about trying out some different TV shows and whether or not I’d recommend them so far: - The Last of Us, with only a basic understanding of the plot of the games, I’m otherwise going in basically blind on this one and I’ve been enjoying the HBO adaptation a ton so far!  Very much at the top of the “if you’re looking for a show to binge and don’t mind horror and sad stories, TO WATCH” list!  The chemistry of the characters and the stunning scenery and well-paced scenes makes it thoroughly watchable. - Shrinking, I’ll give pretty much anything Bill Lawrence produces a shot (Scrubs, Cougar Town, Ted Lasso) and I’m charmed from the first episode.  You’ll always get fun banter and funny dialogue, but I’m already engaged with the characters because he has a way of writing snarky characters who still have a ton of heart.  The therapist’s hot mess of a life is offset by how genuinely he cares about his patients, openly and honestly.  I am a sucker for people who banter but aren’t afraid to put their heart on their sleeve. - The Light in the Hall, which I can’t talk about without spoiling the ending, but I wound up disappointed by this one.  The story is fairly predictable and the acting is top-notch, but I was frustrated by [redacted] being the only [redacted] and of course they end up being the murderer, all in service of making a woobie out of the [redacted].  It left a bad taste in what was otherwise a strong show. - Poker Face, I am not Rian Johnson’s biggest fan, but I like his work a lot more when he seems to be writing a love letter to a genre that he wants to pay homage to, to build a tribute to it, rather than subvert it.  I like that it’s quirky but keeps a lid on the amount of it, it feels like it’s having fun with the concept of this version of Columbo, and it knows that you’re here to watch Natasha Lyonne do her thing and it loves watching Natasha Lyonne do her thing, too. - His Dark Materials, which I love the adaptation, having never read the books it still feels like you can tell they were adapted with love and it works as a coherent storyline.  The actors are incredible, each of them are great on their own, but then having fantastic chemistry with each other, and I’m very taken with the themes of the story, around religion and knowledge and free will and independent thought.  Sprinkle in that the main character gets to be an angry, often messy, often very loud about her feelings character, and I’m in. - The Price of Glee, I went into this one hoping that it would at least be something of a tell-all about what went on behind the scenes, because I bet that would be fucking wild, given what we already know.  But after the first episode and skimming the later ones, it seems to be focused more on (as the title suggests) how much it cost these people to be part of it.  Which, you know, fair.  But not quite what I was looking for, so I’ve set it aside for now. - The Owl House, 10/10 no notes.  It’s been so satisfying to see a lot of character arcs come to fruition, even if the season has been massively truncated.  Luz’s struggle between which world she wants to stay in, the maturation of her relationship with Amity, the reconnection with her mother, all of that is fantastic.  The acknowledgement of Willow’s feelings and the support she gets from her friends, Hunter’s willingness to open up about his own feelings, also so much good.  Worldbuilding bits and pieces with the Collector and that I’m already engaged with wanting that poor kid to have better influences, yeah, that’s the stuff. - Three Pines, which I mostly picked up because I like Alfred Molina and he is indeed very charismatic and warm in this series, which has some pretty scenery and a very cozy feeling.  I’ve never read the books this is based on, but it feels like the show very much knew that it wanted to be a charming little murder mystery series with a connective throughline and it was exactly that.  I wouldn’t call it light-hearted, it has some lovely emotional weight, it has characters who very openly care about others, but I would still say it was a very warm show. - Avenue 5, which got off to a bit of a rocky start in its second season for me, but by the end of it, I was enjoying the absolute flaming trainwreck the whole thing is and how, when you lean into the chaos along with the show, it’s pretty hilarious.  I love the characters and I want to know where it’s going from here, I’m going to be so pissed if HBO doesn’t renew it for a third season. - The Sex Lives of College Girls, I enjoyed the first season of the show enough to binge the whole thing and I liked the girls’ friendships with each other and it felt like there was a lot of heart here.  I don’t know what happened with the second season, if it’s me or the show but nothing felt like it was clicking anymore and I finally had to drop it.  First season is adorable, totally worth watching as a stand-alone show!  Second season, idk maybe others liked it more than I did! - Criminal Mind Evolution, I was willing to pick this show back up again because I still have fondness for the actors and the characters, but after two episodes I had to rage quit.  The writing just isn’t working for me, its leaning into everything I grew to be frustrated with or outright hate about the original and even a character like Garcia’s warmth feels forced and unearned.  Dropped and will not be going back.

[elliepassmore]

Dragonfruit review

4/5 stars Recommended if you like: fantasy, dragons, Polynesian characters, quests

This book has an interesting premise: dragons in fantasy Polynesia. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the magic system of the book and found myself interested in the plot. However, this does feel like a younger YA or MG book rather than a typical YA. Even when bad stuff happened to the characters, I didn't really feel the teeth of the novel and knew everything would be okay. The stakes just weren't there.

That being said, I did enjoy learning about the dragons. I found them to be interesting and Hanalei knows a bit about them as a result of her job. They're mostly aquatic creatures, but at times will venture onto land and change their morphology slightly to accommodate land living. The parts of a dragon are also a hot commodity, particularly the eggs, which can grant wishes. Through her studies, Hanalei has a deeper understanding of the creatures than most people do, though even among everyday people there seems to be a wide range in how people perceive the dragons. The dragoneers hunt them for their parts, but the people of Tamarind don't want to hurt them unless they themselves are being threatened.

Hanalei was exiled prior to the start of the story as a result of her father stealing a dragon egg meant for the crown princess in order to save her instead. But through a string of bad luck, she ends up back on Tamarind. It's clear from the get-go that Hanalei feels a lot of guilt over what her father did, and when given the chance she's willing to do almost anything to make it up to the royal family, people she once called friends. As the journey progresses, Hanalei begins to learn even more about the dragons than she already knew, and we see her developing a better grasp of how their magic works as well as a deep empathy for the creatures. She's very practical about things, even when emotions are running high, and I liked seeing how she worked to solve conflicting problems.

Sam understands his responsibilities, but he chafes at the choice before him. When Hanalei and a nesting dragon come to Tamarind, he's excited both to be reunited with his long-lost best friend but also to have another chance to save his mother. Despite being a warrior and prince, Sam is a warm and compassionate person, and he knows his people well. It's clear he's a great leader, even if he'll never have the title 'king.'

The side characters in this book were definitely side characters, though I liked most of them. Rosalie (I think her name is Rosalie, I can't quite remember) was catty to begin with, but she grew on me. I thought she and Hanalei were going to have a jealousy problem, but it ended up being a different conflict and it chilled out pretty quickly. Rosalie ended up being one of Hanalei's close confidantes and co-trouble-maker! I also liked William and thought his eagerness to learn was charming. I was hoping to see more from him and Sam's cousin, but oh well.

There is a minor (major?) character death that I was kind of surprised stuck. It didn't really make sense in my opinion, I feel like there's a level of magic that should've been at work there. But my biggest problem with this death is that I.....didn't really feel anything. Like, obviously it's supposed to be sad, and the characters are sad, but the death didn't pack a punch the way I think it was supposed to. It didn't really raise the stakes.

One thing I particularly liked about this book is the sense of family and community, as well as an underlying thread of forgiveness. Hanalei is welcomed back by (almost) all with open arms. The royal family understands that it was her father who stole the egg meant for the princess and that while it went to Hanalei, that she had nothing to do with it. Likewise, over the course of the story it becomes clear how much community means to the characters, particularly those who grew up on Tamarind like Hanalei and Sam. Even characters who mess up in the story (and some of them in a very big way) are eventually met with forgiveness and a second chance.

Overall I enjoyed this book and found it to be interesting. I really liked getting to see Polynesian culture(s) in a fantasy setting. Dragonfruit is a pretty unique story. That being said, the characters felt younger than they actually were and I felt like the book lacked tension, even in moments where it's clear there should've been high stakes.