you-remind-me-of-the-babe

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

Niall Appreciation Post

Niall Connelly is the best. Yes, I adore Dev. I talk about Dev a lot. But there's a million reasons why Dev loves Niall. He's the best.

Y'know how you wish certain characters could be real people? I wish that about Niall Connelly. Everyone should have a Niall in their life.

In advance of posting chapter 9 of more than a footnote (this Friday!), I want to nerd out a bit about my favorite nerd. 

But first: here is Niall's study playlist. Enjoy. 🩵

Niall Appreciation continues under the cut for length. Most of this is character stuff, not spoilers. But if you haven't read the fic yet, note there are some excerpts below.

Niall is such a nerd. footnote opens with Niall working on a trigonometry problem, an elective he takes because he loves math and angles. About halfway thru the fic, I had Dev call Niall "nerd" in an affectionate nickname kind of way, and it stuck.

“Hey,” I say, “stop stressing. You’ll be fine.” “Easy for you to say, nerd.” “You should give your brain a break,” Baz interjects. He caps his pen with a smooth click and slips the essay into his bag. “Cramming will only increase anxiety at this point. Decrease memory recall.” Dev’s face goes slack. “For real?” “You’ll be fine,” I repeat. “You’ve got this.” I smile at him, wide and drowsy, and flick my pencil on the tip of his nose. 

Niall loves architecture and wants to study it at university. He's a spatial thinker and loves geometry and design thinking and patterns.

The World of Mages is built upon words. I like building things with numbers. With tactile, solid materials. Patterns, angles, geometries. Where other students see opportunity in pop lyrics or Shakespeare, I see potential in space and shapes. I like that about me, despite sometimes feeling out of place at a school where you’re supposed to be obsessed with wands and words.

Niall is aspec. This has been an incredibly important part of his character from the very beginning. He's demi/gray ace, and I think he'd call himself demiromantic, too. He doesn't subscribe to relationship hierarchies or escalators. He loves Baz just as fiercely as Dev. Both those relationships are important to Niall. 

He's so pretty. And bony. All angles. I'll let Dev tell you:

His bony, gangly body makes me lose my fucking mind. I wanna bite every nub of bone, from his collarbones to his ankles and everything in between, and then suck kisses in those same places.

The half-moons of his eyelashes look dark against his pale milky skin, and his hair fluffs out around his head like a copper cloud.

Niall is flipping his pencil through his fingers, and I’m momentarily distracted by the knob of bone in his wrist. And the delicate webbing of his veins against pale skin. 

His coppery hair falls over his eyes as he bends over his notes, the cuffs of his Watford jumper pulled over his knuckles. The low lamplight along the study tables reflects a pale gold against his skin. He looks like one of those ancient scribes toiling away on the Book of Kells or some shit. Focused, illuminated, serious. Perfect.

And yet, despite being the very best friend in the world with a big beautiful brain and the biggest brownest eyes, he's got garbage self-esteem. He doesn't see himself as anything special.

So I'm very glad he has Dev to remind him that he's extraordinary.

Niall is pragmatic and rational. He keeps Dev grounded. (And Dev takes Niall on much-needed side quests.)

He's the king of sweatshirts. Dev likes to wear them. 

I stand and remove my jacket, dress shirt and trousers, and toss them on the ground by my dresser. Joggers go on. Then my favourite sweatshirt—soft and stretched out, with TOUCH GRASS printed across the chest. It used to be Niall’s. A charity shop find in Camden last summer. I kept stealing it to sleep in, and he eventually gave it to me so long as I promised to stop complaining about his morning alarm. The only downside to this exchange is that the sweatshirt no longer smells like him. And, y’know, the alarm thing still sucks, but, yeah, worth it.

Niall also likes oversized shirts, denim, soft sweaters, cozy joggers, and his sherpa-collar corduroy jacket. Natural fibers and lots of earth tones. He looks amazing in green, devastating in indigo blue.

His magic smells of forest and rain. 

Niall loves to read horror. Mysteries, too. (He likes to see if he can solve them before they're revealed.) In footnote, Dev enjoys manga, and Baz reads poetry. I like each of them having their own favorite genre. They're cute.

(For any superfans, footnote Niall and lost boys Niall have some points of connection. Both love video games, horror, and electronica.)

Niall may be rational, but he has a mischievous streak and doesn't have a problem with breaking certain rules. He's the one that started the trio's tradition of smuggling dessert onto the roof of Mummers, for example. He's also besties with a chaos demon. You just know the two of them got into so much mischief when they were 11. And 12. And—

One of my favorite Nialls is high Niall.

Niall is still looking at me. A soft smile takes possession of his mouth. “Your eyes are pretty.” My heart slams against my chest.  I know he doesn’t mean it like that. He’s hella high and just saying whatever comes to mind. He says it like any other kind of neutral observation. It rained last week. This hospital blanket is green. He won’t remember any of this in the morning.  I don’t have a chance to respond to his comment—or even breathe—before Niall follows up with, “And your hair is, like, those volcano rocks. The shiny dark kind. Ig…Ignatius.” “Igneous.” I’m not sure how I know that. His smile stretches wider. “Yeah, that.” His gaze returns to my hair. “Like obsidian. Volcanic glass.” He says the word again, stretching it out. “Glaaasss.”

But perhaps my favorite thing about Niall is that he sees to the heart of a person. He sees the heart of Dev, beneath the chaos and anger and irreverence.

Underneath all his swagger, he’s deeply good. And sincere. Annoyingly, he’s one of the most brilliant people I know; he just never applies himself. Says he’s already a disappointment to his family, and it’s easier to keep disappointing them than, I dunno, trying, I guess, which is utter bollocks. He’s so much better than the mould they cast for him. I wish he could see that.

And he sees Baz, as a best friend and a teenager:

Baz giggles at this, and he’s suddenly eighteen. Not the 40-year-old he holds himself to be so much of the time, stuffed with familial duty and self-loathing and enough existential angst to fill a philosophy textbook. Just a teenage boy who studies hard, loves poetry, and has a secret sweet tooth. “C’mon, let’s dance.” I stand and tug at his elbow. “No,” Baz whines. The song shifts, and the bright melancholy of The Cure fills the hall. My grip on his arm tightens. “Oh, come on. You love this shit.” He heaves a large sigh but he’s smiling again. “I do,” Baz says as he stands. Then he’s twisting his hips and lifting his arms above his head, eyes closed as he dissolves into the music. I grin and follow him to the dance floor. He’s such a dork.

He even sees Simon. Not as some heroic Chosen One or tragic story, but as the guy who just maybe loves his best friend.

To be loved is to be known. And Niall knows how to love. He does it selflessly. He does it with his whole heart.

I fucking adore him.

If you're still reading, you're a legend. And you probably adore Niall, too. Thanks for loving him. He deserves it.

technically this isn't a wipsday but I'm tagging y'all anyway:

@whatevertheweather @artsyunderstudy @cutestkilla @valeffelees @bookish-bogwitch

@drowninginships @rimeswithpurple @iamamythologicalcreature @leithillustration @alexalexinii

@fatalfangirl @larkral @orange-peony @hushed-chorus @run-for-chamo-miles

@brilla-brilla-estrellita @theimpossibledemon @fiend-for-culture @emeryhall @j-trow-95

@you-remind-me-of-the-babe @ileadacharmedlife @best--dress @confused-bi-queer @messofthejess

@roomwithanopenfire @shrekgogurt @stitchyqueer @monbons @youarenevertooold

@blackberrysummerblog @thewholelemon @skeedelvee

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

WIP Wednesday

thanks for the monday tag @run-for-chamo-miles! I'm scheduling this post so if anyone else tagged me--thank you and hello.

Hey, where's all my @carry-on-big-bang participants? Fics will start posting soon, right? What are you working on? Tell us, I'm nosy!

My busy time at work is hopefully about wound down so that I could actually have a minute to think about anything else! Writing, even? or just continuing to read everyone else's stuff? I'm happy with either, to be honest.

I finally read Slow Dance and loved it. I finished a KJ Charles or two. I got to beta a few amazing fics, only two of which I can link to currently (Pull Yourself Together is finished! it's great, @blackberrysummerblog! and fittingly, since it was @rimeswithpurple's birthday fic--Arianna's Simon vs Baz photos is so funny. I love revisiting the Infinity in a Teacup universe we made). And I got the extremely loving, indulgent, Simon-love-fest Safe and Found for my birthday from @facewithoutheart! I'm so very honored that in my honor, Simon would get fed tamales. It's fitting.

How about a little bit more texting fic? (if you recall, a wip still firmly in draft mode that I'm calling hey beautiful :).) I've been debating whether to have it entirely in text, or if I should have some sections that are prose, so I experimented with writing a few both ways. I like the prose, but there's something very satisfying about having it all in text. If there's something you love about a text fic, let me know, because this is very much still a work in progress. Below the cut, tags and a little bit of that conversation--the prose version.

“Who the fuck did you give my number to?” I say, slamming down my book on Agatha’s desk.  “Oh hi Basilton,” she says with fake chipperness. “Good morning to you too. I’m fine, thank you for asking.” “Who the fuck is texting me?” She laughs, genuinely delighted. “Oh good! I was hoping he wouldn’t give up!” “This is a violation of federal privacy law,” I huff. “It’s literally illegal for you to give my number to strangers.” “Is it?” She cocks an eyebrow at me. “Well, then, it would be a violation of federal privacy law for me to tell you who I gave your number to.”

Let's ignore the problem of what country's federal privacy law is violated here. Baz isn't that clear and it's his POV, not mine. See, I think you don't gain enough with the switch to prose to make this worth it, but let me know what you think.

keep on keeping on this week, my friends, and tell me what you're up to.

@alexalexinii @alleycat0306 @aristocratic-otter @artsyunderstudy @best--dress

@bookish-bogwitch @bachusekart @bookishbroadwayandblind @brilla-brilla-estrellita 

@confused-bi-queer @cutestkilla @drowninginships @emeryhall 

@fiend-for-culture @iamamythologicalcreature @ileadacharmedlife @ivelovedhimthroughworse @j-trow-95

@jyae23 @katatsumuli @larkral @leithillustration @letraspal

@martsonmars @messofthejess @monbons @mooncello @nausikaaa 

@noblecorgi @onepintobean @orange-peony @pato-roldnart @palimpsessed 

@prettygoododds @raenestee @roomwithanopenfire

@shrekgogurt @skeedelvee @talentpiper11  @the-beard-of-edward-teach @theimpossibledemon 

@valeffelees @whatevertheweather @youarenevertooold @you-remind-me-of-the-babe 

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

WIP Wednesday!

omg.... I have wips.... on a wip wednesday..... it's been 84 years....

I’ve been extremely busy lately! But do expect more Carry On stuff later in the year… perhaps an animatic or two… WHO SAID THAT???

I’m currently preparing for my largest convention yet and I’m very excited for it! Will probably be posting some pictures on my instagram!

I'm preping a multi image thing for Simon's birthday! Have had this idea in my mind since like March so finally happy to be starting it!

Have half of the wips! With the total being six pieces :) (should've had posted this for six sketch sunday but I need to finish these by Simon's BDay)

Tags below the cut:

@aristocratic-otter @artsyunderstudy @best--dress

@bookish-bogwitch @confused-bi-queer @cutestkilla @drowninginships @emeryhall

@fiend-for-culture @iamamythologicalcreature @ileadacharmedlife @ivelovedhimthroughworse

@jyae23 @katatsumuli @larkral @leithillustration @letraspal

@martsonmars @messofthejess @monbons @mooncello @nausikaaa

@noblecorgi @onepintobean @orange-peony @palimpsessed

@raenestee @roomwithanopenfire @rimeswithpurple

@shrekgogurt @skeedelvee @the-beard-of-edward-teach @theimpossibledemon @thewholelemon

@valeffelees @whatevertheweather @youarenevertooold @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @wellbelesbian

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

Small doodle of Simon for Pride Month 💕

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

Happy Pride!

Last year, @artsyunderstudy drew the most jaw dropping version of the boys I’ve ever seen. This year, I brought her art to life. 

Ashton, you gift this fandom so much beauty and love. Here’s some back at ya! 

Happy pride, friend. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Pictures can't capture how beautiful these boys are, but I can try.

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

Simon waiting for the train to Watford 🎒

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

Stitches and Sentences

SCHOOL IS OUT FOR THE SUMMER! Now that year 18 of teaching is a wrap, I can't wait to spend some serious time sleeping, reading, stitching, and (hopefully) writing.

STITCHES In stitch news, I finished the sequin project from my last post. And it’s a smutty, sparkly Simon brooch!

What possessed me to make such a thing? A few months ago, @emeryhall and I were discussing how we wear our fandom bracelets (gifts from the lovely @rimeswithpurple) as fancy dress. So I joked about making a matching dragonboy pin for Emery to wear on all their fancy nights out on the town… and here he is, in all his naked glory!

SENTENCES The words are flowing again! I'm cautiously optimistic that this means I will be able to make some significant progress on one of my long fics this summer, but I don't want to jinx it---so no previews of those for the time being.

I also decided to jump on the 10 days to 1K bandwagon fairly late in the game, but it's been fun to challenge myself to write short, especially because all the resulting fics have been in my beloved The Boy Next Door universe.

Here's Neighbors, the 100 word ficlet that kicks off this series of shorts.

They’re in their windows again. The boys across the street. Like clockwork, the sun sets in the bronze curls of the first as he waits, mobile in hand and knee bouncing, until—finally—the other, with hair like black velvet and a face like moonlight, appears. Shy smiles and soundless laughs punctuate the feverish flight of their fingers tap, tap, tapping the night away.  I wonder: wouldn’t it be easier to open a window? to knock on a front door? Still, they repeat this strange, silent ritual. Two hearts pulsing in-sync across the distance—love blooming in modern-day Morse code.

Feel free to dive into some of the other shorts, including:

Fake (200 words): Fiona gets Baz a present for his 15th birthday.

Scars (400 words): Simon reflects on his newest scar.

Journey (500 words): Baz goes on a journey to find his favorite person.

Sweat (600 words): Baz learns how to make Simon feel good.--The only fic rated M.

Escape (700 words): Baz and Simon go on a trip.

While knowledge of the original fic isn't strictly required to enjoy the shorts in this series, almost all of the ficlets contain significant spoilers for the originating fic, so read with caution.

Hellos and high-fives from the doll factory that has expanded into felt jewelry, apparently. (If anyone else has any fun ideas for quick and creative stitch projects, I'm all ears. And you may even get a surprise in the mail!)

@alexalexinii, @argumentativeantitheticalg, @aristocratic-otter, @arthurkko, @artsyunderstudy, @bachusekart, @best--dress, @blackberrysummerblog, @brilla-brilla-estrellita, @bookish-bogwitch, @confused-bi-queer, @cutestkilla, @drowninginships, @facewithoutheart, @harrie-leithillustration, @hushed-chorus, @iamamythologicalcreature, @ic3que3n, @ileadacharmedlife, @katatsumuli, @larkral, @letraspal, @mooncello, @nausikaaa, @noblecorgi, @orange-peony, @prettygoododds, @raenestee, @rbkzz, @roomwithanopenfire, @run-for-chamo-miles, @shrekgogurt, @skeedelvee, @stitchyqueer, @supercutedinosaurs, @talentpiper11, @the-beard-of-edward-teach, @twinkle-twinkle-up-above, @theimpossibledemon, @thewholelemon, @whatevertheweather, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe, @youarenevertooold, @jyae23, @j-trow-95

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

I don't have a whole lot of preamble, but I do have a snippet from Bait and Switch which was actually exactly six sentences until I decided to include more of it. And then, under the cut, I have a scene I wrote 100 years ago which doesn't belong to any particular fic, so here you have it in its entirety, because why not. Happy pride month 🌈

“It’s nothing, I’m not, I just—do you think Baz hates me?” I don’t think I meant to say that. I know Penny didn’t expect me to say that, the way she’s looking at me. I can practically see her calculating where I’m at on my Baz Limit, but I haven’t talked to her about him in weeks. I’ve got to have credit at this point. Mathematically, I should be allowed to talk about him the rest of the day, probably. “Is he back?” she asks, and now I’m blinking again. Something weird happens in my stomach, like she said the words in a different order, and I almost want to go check our room.  “No,” I say, because probably not. “I’ve just been thinking—I mean—do you think he hates me?” “The evidence would indicate,” Penny says slowly.

Context for this, amorphous and unwritten as it is, would be something something churlish friends to lovers, Simon has recently been an idiot.

Baz has barely gotten the door open before something is coming at him, and he steps back on reflex. It's a bundle of half-wilted flowers, held out approximately where his chest had just been. He looks past them at Simon. “What are those for?” Simon tosses his head. “The fuck do you think? They’re for you.” “For…me.” “Yes, you prick,” Simon smacks Baz’s arm with the sad little bouquet, and Baz jerks back with a wince. There are two new, angry red lines on the back of his hand. He looks up. “You’ve just assaulted me with flowers,” he snaps. “Who’s fucking selling flowers with thorns on them? Where did you buy these?” “Didn’t buy them, you know I’m skint, I cut them myself,” Simon says, shamelessly showing off the scratches on his knuckles. Baz stares at them. “Would you bloody take them already? Here.” Simon catches his hand. “If you hold it right here,” he mumbles, ducking his head to look at the stems as he guides Baz’s fingers to replace his own, “there are no thorns there.” He brushes a thumb over Baz’s before he lets go. Baz watches his hand fall back to his side, pink and red with pokes and scrapes. Careless casualties of a fight with flora. Baz clears his throat. “You brought me…flowers.”  Simon snorts a frustrated laugh. “You catch on right fucking quick.” Baz looks down at the mismatched bundle in his hand. There’s a very confused ant turning circles on one of the petals. They’re pretty, in a scraggly way. He looks up at Simon again. Pretty, in a scraggly way. Like he hasn’t slept. “This is so embarrassing for you,” Baz murmurs.

And tags <3

@cutestkilla @fatalfangirl @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @bookish-bogwitch @mooncello

@aristocratic-otter @artsyunderstudy @monbons @rimeswithpurple @alexalexinii

@iamamythologicalcreature @bluedahlia912 @ivelovedhimthroughworse @emeryhall @thewholelemon

@run-for-chamo-miles @raenestee @whogaveyoupermission @facewithoutheart @martsonmars

@youarenevertooold @ileadacharmedlife @forabeatofadrum @best--dress @confused-bi-queer

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

El WooWoo! First El WooWoo of Pride month!! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

Thank you @whatevertheweather for the tag on Friday.

I have some more stuff from... "Inhale my Richard". Inhale. Not exhale. I fucked up my bad working title. Anyway. Simon realises that it's not very heterosexual of him to want to suck his nemesis's cock.

Penny frowns when she sees me approaching. "Are you alright?" she asks. I must look stressed. I suppose I am. And panicked. And very confused. "Penny, have you ever, er, realised something unexpected?" I ask when I am close enough to her. Together we walk to the library. I have to say it now, since I have no interest in talking about this in public. "Like?" she asks. "Like... realising that you wanted something. Something you never thought of before. At all. And then you realise and it completely overwhelms you!" "Like?" she asks again. Circe. Is she going to make me spell it out? "It's about Baz," I say and she sighs and walks faster. "Simon." "Hey, wait!" I rush after her. "Stevie Nicks and Slicks, don't tell me you're actually considering hurting him now," she shakes her head in disapproval. She has no clue. "What? No!" "Then what is it about Baz?" "I want-" but then I snap my mouth shut. I want to suck his dick is maybe a bit too much. I mean, I know it is. It's out of nowhere for me as well, but I want a genuine answer to my question. I should lie. I should say something less shocking, but what will still surprise her. "You want?" Penny prompts. "I want to kiss him!" I tell her, and I realise that isn't a lie at all.

Gosh, why is writing this so hard for me??? I like this story.

In other writing news, the latest Doctor Who episode pissed me off so much that I wrote a fix-it. It only fixes one of the many problems, though. But hey, writing!!!

And now, the weather: @quizasvivamos @coffeegleek @caramelcoffeeaddict @raenestee @tectonicduck  @nightimedreamersworld @urban-sith @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @bookish-bogwitch @confused-bi-queer @that-disabled-princess @special-bc-ur-part-of-it @larkral @cutestkilla​ @wellbelesbian​ @artsyunderstudy​ @facewithoutheart​ @shrekgogurt @rockitmans @bitbybitwrites @esilher @kurtsascot @blackberrysummerblog  @nightimedreamersghost @ivelovedhimthroughworse @thnxforknowingme @martsonmars

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

Hi all, Happy Wednesday! I feel bad that I haven’t been around much the past few weeks. If I’m honest, things are pretty difficult right now, but we press on, right? Thank you so much to everyone who’s been tagging me; I have so much catching up to do!

I’ve been on and off productive in my own writing, so I’ll share a little bit of everything fandom-related I’ve written lately:

Pull Yourself Together: I can juuuust about touch the end of this one! It’s been so long since the last chapter was posted, but I really do feel like I’ll finish this week. Here’s a hurt-y snippet (Baz POV, natch):

I’ve untangled myself from Snow’s sweaty embrace (again) and we’ve performed the daily ritual of sitting up and climbing off the bed together; we’re experts now. We’re expert at not talking to each other about it, too.

Crowley, what are bodies? Even though I’m not really alive, I somehow still have to deal with the utter ridiculousness and indignity of corporeality and its attendant needs. I try to imagine a world where I don’t have to want to jump Simon Snow’s bones every time he walks into the room (with his broad shoulders and his freckled face, and that blasted soft look he keeps giving me). I try to imagine a world in which his touch doesn’t instantly soothe my soul. It’s all too much. I don’t think it exists, this imaginary place where I’m not utterly obsessed with him. It’s more than physical; it’s infinite. A sob catches in my throat as I make my way into the en suite, and I quickly close the door.

Things are going a little better for the boys in The Field Trap, which believe it or not I have been working on. Another Baz POV:

Simon rolls his hips, tipping me onto my side so that we lie face to face. “I love you, Baz,” he whispers, rubbing his thumb beneath my lower lip. “I don’t know what I’m doing, but we’ll figure it out together.”

That’s all I want. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. The only light now is from the wood stove, and rain continues to beat the tin roof and ancient glass windows. Simon finds my mouth in the dark, and his hand slides down my belly to rest on my inner thigh. “Is this OK?” he mumbles, and I answer by clutching him closer. He pulls back to look me in the eyes. “Do you trust me?”

I do. I can’t find the strength to speak, so I nod frantically instead. Simon grabs the duvet and hurls it over us, then flashes me a cheeky grin before throwing his leg over me and disappearing under the covers. Crowley, I’m living a charmed life.

Last but definitely not least, some Dev POV from my COBB with @rimeswithpurple, in which I tried to be clever with Niall’s tattoo and was VERY late to the game discovering it worked on a much more obvious and funny level. Oops:

As though feeling my gaze, Niall looks up and removes a lollipop from his mouth. He leans over to pinch up a towel, remarking dryly, “Crumpled with intention.” He flaps it out toward me before dropping it.

“Piss off!” I snarl. He only gives me a wan smile before turning away, and what’s that about? As though I’m not worth his bloody time.

“Easy, gents,” Gareth soothes, scooting in to readjust the stacks of essentially folded towels. He quirks an eyebrow at me and nods toward Niall’s retreating figure; I don’t know why. I’m not going after him; he’s the one pointlessly nagging and haranguing me.

“Coming in hot today, Dev,” the American drawls as he swans past. At least Shepard has a passing acquaintance with a sense of style, quirky though it may be. Niall, on the other hand, is showing off yet more in his wardrobe range of ghastly earth tones today. Although, he does have a lovely blush-coloured button-down on beneath his snug-fitting khaki cardigan. He’s wearing his hair down this morning and must have nicked some of Baz’s product, because it’s curling around his face in smooth auburn waves rather than the halo of frizz he normally yanks back into an artless bun.

I’ve finally determined that the line of the tattoo I noticed is a river, although I have no idea how far it may wind down his pale torso, nor what other landscaping may be involved. I scowl as the term ‘landscaping’ lodges in my brain and refuses to leave. Fuck my life.

I hope everyone has a great rest of the week! I plan to spend some time catching up on everyone’s tags and posts (please god give me time). Hellos and no-pressure tags: @youarenevertooold @thewholelemon @forabeatofadrum @monbons @j-trow-95 @nausikaaa @roomwithanopenfire @valeffelees @artsyunderstudy @cutestkilla @best--dress @c0nsumemy5oul @jasonfunderberkerthefrogexists @leithillustration @aristocratic-otter @ic3-que3n @prettygoododds @fiend-for-culture @mooncello @brilla-brilla-estrellita @asocialpessimist @drowninginships @orange-peony @ileadacharmedlife @stitchy-queerista @imagineacoolusername @letraspal @carryonsimoncarryonbaz @raenestee @shrekgogurt @facewithoutheart @alexalexinii @iamamythologicalcreature @supercutedinosaurs @confused-bi-queer @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @hushed-chorus @skeedelvee @the-beard-of-edward-teach @bookishbroadwayandblind @bookish-bogwitch

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

I wrote another book about adults. It’s called Cherry Baby, and I’m going to share the cover, release date, and synopsis tomorrow.

PERHAPS THIS IS OF INTEREST.

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

Summer time bliss

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

wipsday: more than a footnote moodboard + playlist (+ extras)

One year ago, I posted the first chapter of more than a footnote. I had hoped I'd have the final chapter ready by this date, but I'm still editing. It will be live very soon.

For today, rather than an excerpt and spoilers, please enjoy this moodboard for chapter 9.

I'm also sharing a special chapter 9 playlist. These have been the songs on repeat as I write the final chapter.

Finally, I thought it might be fun to share a couple author notes and behind the scenes stuff. Read on if that's your cuppa tea.

Nearly there. 🖤

I've shared this before, but more than a footnote was only ever meant to be a distraction from a couple other wips that were giving me trouble last year. 5 chapters max, 16-20k. (lol) I love when characters surprise me.

Also unanticipated: Keris and Gareth. They were originally only gonna have a brief mention. I'm glad both decided to hang out a bit.

I'm proud of several lines throughout the fic but I think my absolute favorite is this one:

Dev, who moves like a cat, and fights like a bear, and whose smile is as sharp as a scythe but always feels like sunshine, and whenever I see it, I don’t want to look at anything else.

Okay, one more. I wrote this for chapter 9, and I'm in love with it *but* it might end up getting axed. Please enjoy it here.

I think of the Crucible pairing Niall and I together, and how immediately enchanted I was by his orange hair and his teeth too big for his head. How we had practically nothing in common, until we did, and we kept choosing each other, in assignments, in mischief, in friendship, until he became the most important person in my life.

I still love the cravens.

Fashion plays such a big role in this fic. While my personal style is more like Dev, I adore Niall's clothes. He's such a casual, preppy nerd. I think my favorite outfit of his is the "Sorbonne student" one during the spring dance. Everything oversized. His cuffed trousers. Fluttering sleeves by his bony elbows. And he looks so good in green, with his copper hair.

Niall is the oldest of the trio. His birthday is September 27 (which is a cube number and makes his brain happy). Dev's birthday is December 5. (Mutable. Fire. Sag baby.)

I've shared Dev's playlist before. I'm working on Niall's study mix. I hc that Niall enjoys a lot of different music genres, and he almost exclusively studies to synth and electronic music. Anything with a repetitive beat that can run in the background of his big beautiful brain. One of his favorite bands is Air, a French duo from the 90s, and he's been searching for their Moon Safari vinyl for years. (Dev finds it in a tiny record shop in London, and gives it to Ni the Christmas after they graduate Watford.)

I have an entire backstory of Niall's mums, Bridget and Paloma. I won't get into it here but DM me or send an ask if you ever want to know more. Same goes for my other OC Clark.

Did I have a secret motive to write a fic that would make people fall in love with Dev Pitch? MAYBE.

While writing, when a scene wasn't working, I'd go walk the dog and listen to a character playlist or song that fit the scene, on repeat, and just let my brain play, picking up pieces, seeing if they fit, working thru literal sentences in my head like those word fridge magnets. Without fail, this method worked every time. So the real MVP of this story is my dog.

Finally: It's difficult for me to finish wips. Because I self-sabotage with doubt. I'll have an idea and soft outline, but then once I get a few chapters in, I doubt the direction, the choices I've made, to the point where I freeze up and can no longer trust myself, or any creative choices. While I did have one notable plot point in this fic I doubted by the time I got to it (the bonfire scene) and I needed my betas to hold my hand, this story unfolded in the way I originally imagined. Far longer and richer and deeper than anticipated. And certain scenes evolved and shifted. But the overall arc stayed. This might be the first time I’ve finished something in which I trusted my writing instincts. Even when it was hard. Even when I thought nobody is gonna like this or that. I stayed the course, and allowed the characters to take me on side quests. The process both structured and flexible.

Alright, I've gotta go catch a train. Thanks for hanging with me. 🖤

HAPPY PRIDE 🌈✌️

thanks for the tags today @monbons @whatevertheweather and @thewholelemon

tagging manually today so apologies if I miss someone!

@whatevertheweather @artsyunderstudy @cutestkilla @valeffelees @bookish-bogwitch

@drowninginships @rimeswithpurple @iamamythologicalcreature @leithillustration @alexalexinii

@fatalfangirl @larkral @orange-peony @hushed-chorus @run-for-chamo-miles

@brilla-brilla-estrellita @theimpossibledemon @fiend-for-culture @emeryhall @j-trow-95

@you-remind-me-of-the-babe @ileadacharmedlife @best--dress @confused-bi-queer @messofthejess

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

Thank you to @monbons, @thewholelemon, @whatevertheweather, & @mooncello for the tags! I'm recovering from a girl scout overnight and I'm fairly certain I caught a cold. Sleeping in a poorly ventilated room with 21 girls didn't do me any favors.

Now that I'm finally done with Beautiful Roaring Scream, I can catch up on some other projects!

I made some progress on my COBB collaborations past and present! I was excited to draw Penny and Shep. I also had so much fun creating a background.

I also love that I get to live in the Time Will Lie Down & Be Still universe for a bit longer. It's truly such a wonderful story and I find myself thinking about it at least once a week.

While I didn't get to all of the artwork I would've liked to for my fic, I did have some of an illustration for chapter five done before I ran out of time. I really liked doing a step by step diagram of Simon's makeup and it deserves to be seen.

I hope everyone has a lovely week! Hellos and high fives below

@talentpiper11 @blackberrysummerblog @valeffelees @artsyunderstudy @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @youarenevertooold @bookish-bogwitch @facewithoutheart @larkral @run-for-chamo-miles @roomwithanopenfire @fiend-for-culture @cosmicalart @that-disabled-princess @cutestkilla @noblecorgi @iamamythologicalcreature @best--dress @emeryhall @ileadacharmedlife @drowninginships @supercutedinosaurs @rbkzz @ebbpettier @cccloudsss @theimpossibledemon @katatsumuli @onepintobean @orange-peony @ic3-que3n @bazzybelle @palimpsessed @martsonmars @aristocratic-otter @shrekgogurt @alexalexinii @prettygoododds @ivelovedhimthroughworse @raenestee @skeedelvee @lovelyladzzzz @lovelettersto-mars @jyae23 @the-beard-of-edward-teach @letraspal @bachusekart

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

Stitches and Sentences

I've had a very productive week as far as fandom is concerned. I sewed. I wrote a bit. I read some fic. Goodness it's great to be on summer break!

STITCHES I'm not sure if you've noticed, but it's pride month! In honor of this special time of year, I am working on the most rainbow-tastic version of Simon and Baz possible. I finished the dolls this past week and am starting attire soon. Hopefully I will be ready to reveal the finished set by next Sunday. In the meantime, here's a sneak peek!

Is that a teeny tiny rainbow friendship bracelet? Yes. For scale, see below.

SENTENCES I am happy to report that after a significant dry spell in the writing department, I have finally produced words. I wrapped up the Boy Next Door Verse shorts early last week and then sat down to re-outline my Cheer AU after having abandoned it for months.

Part of my struggle was that this fic is, by far, the hardest story I have ever tried to tell. Not logistically--it's a high school AU with no magic or dramatic plot reveals or anything like that. Instead, it's difficult because Simon has been through some shit that is very much like my own real life shit and facing your childhood traumas is hard.

In any case, have a snippet-- Baz POV. For context, Baz and Simon were childhood best friends who've become estranged.

I’m still lost in the memory when the wind shifts and Simon stills beside me.  “I’m not that kid anymore, Baz,” he says quietly, staring at his feet. “I’m not either.” “No, I mean–” Simon sighs. “I can’t do this.” “Do what?”  “Any of this.”  “What is this?” “I don’t know. You. Me. All of it.” Simon tugs at his curls. “I can’t, okay?” I watch Simon toe at the ground in front of him. He still won’t look at me, and I try not to let it hurt. He used to get like this sometimes when we were small. Sad and distant. Even back then there were things we didn’t talk about. Things he couldn’t talk about. He didn’t have the words. Maybe he still doesn’t.

Hellos and high-fives and happy pride 🌈.

@alexalexinii, @argumentativeantitheticalg, @aristocratic-otter, @arthurkko, @artsyunderstudy, @bachusekart, @best--dress, @blackberrysummerblog, @brilla-brilla-estrellita, @bookish-bogwitch, @confused-bi-queer, @cutestkilla, @drowninginships, @emeryhall, @facewithoutheart, @harrie-leithillustration, @hushed-chorus, @iamamythologicalcreature, @ic3que3n, @ileadacharmedlife, @katatsumuli, @larkral, @letraspal, @mooncello, @nausikaaa, @noblecorgi, @orange-peony, @prettygoododds, @raenestee, @rbkzz, @roomwithanopenfire, @run-for-chamo-miles, @rimeswithpurple, @shrekgogurt, @skeedelvee, @stitchyqueer, @supercutedinosaurs, @talentpiper11, @the-beard-of-edward-teach, @twinkle-twinkle-up-above, @theimpossibledemon, @thewholelemon, @whatevertheweather, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe, @youarenevertooold, @jyae23, @j-trow-95

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

🍋Six Sentence Sunday🍋

"Jenny Lemon, why are you looking so fancy today?" It's thanks to @rimeswithpurple, who made me the prettiest Six Sentence Sunday banner. Thank you, Arianna! I love it. And thank you to the tag today @monbons; I'm so so excited for your cheer fic.

This was a crazy busy week at work for me and I'm still recovering, but the children at work are finally someone else's responsibility for the summer and I think the endless cold I had is finally mostly gone, so hopefully it's only looking up from here on out.

Did you see @raenestee's birthday gift from me and @facewithoutheart? If you haven't, you really should--it's got art by @pato-roldnart so you know it's going to be good. It's Tool Time!

I'm still doing a lot of fumbling around and starting without finishing. Hey, would anyone be interested in doing a Finish It Fest? Where we impose a deadline that might help you actually finish a thing you want to finish? I could do scheduled check-ins to try to help you remember to Do The Thing. It could be finishing anything. I just don't know if I'm ever going to finish something again if I don't have a deadline to get it done by. Anyway, let me know if that is appealing at all, because if it's me on my own...I won't finish it. 😂 Or tell me if this already exists and I can just glom on to someone else's thing.

Do you want some more text fic? It's a continuation from last week, so it'll make more sense if you read that one first, but you'll still keep up regardless. It's below the cut plus tags.

Annoyance: hey hey :)  Annoyance: glad I have the right number now. Annoyance: the bloke who i was texting sounded like he had a whole stick up his arse Annoyance: which, not trying to yuck his yum, but i like better in person ;) ;) ;) Baz: You again? Annoyance: wtf mate! Baz: Why are you stalking me? Annoyance: i’m not stalking you! why do u keep answering cute girl’s mobile Baz: I already told you. I’m not a girl, and you’re texting my phone.

Hmm, who could the cute girl be? I guess we don't technically know who Annoyance is either but, you already guessed that one, surely.

Hope you have a relaxing week and hmu about this finish it fest idea if you have a thought or interest.

@alexalexinii @alleycat0306 @aristocratic-otter @artsyunderstudy @best--dress

@blackberrysummerblog @bookish-bogwitch @bachusekart @bookishbroadwayandblind @brilla-brilla-estrellita 

@confused-bi-queer @cutestkilla @drowninginships @emeryhall 

@fiend-for-culture @iamamythologicalcreature @ileadacharmedlife @ivelovedhimthroughworse @j-trow-95

@jyae23 @katatsumuli @larkral @leithillustration @letraspal

@martsonmars @messofthejess @mooncello @nausikaaa 

@noblecorgi @onepintobean @orange-peony @palimpsessed 

@prettygoododds @roomwithanopenfire @run-for-chamo-miles 

@shrekgogurt @skeedelvee @talentpiper11  @the-beard-of-edward-teach @theimpossibledemon 

@valeffelees @whatevertheweather @youarenevertooold @you-remind-me-of-the-babe