#space age hobbit house

[histonics]

#teal #orange #teal aesthetic #teal and orange #space age #space age hobbit house #retro futuristic #retro future #retro aesthetic #retro #retrowave

[tanoraqui]

[spins the Silm Headcanons Nobody Else Shares (Yet) wheel]

Though Elrond was, inevitably, involved in the politics of building Lindon, he was not only NOT Gil-Galad’s official herald yet at the start of the Second Age, but he was only tangentially involved with the new government. Instead, Elrond spent the first few centuries of the Second Age as an adventuring anthropologist/archeologist.

He traveled around Lindon, and inland and up and down the shore, talking to all variety of refugees and recording the histories and cultures of their people, from ancient myths to recent war stories to how this group of Men (or Elves or Dwarves) cooks their porridge vs how that one does. He dug and sometimes dove into ruins of forts rent by Light and Shadow, often with foul lingering malaise, to retrieve papers and goods warped by flame, sea, and worse.

Because Elrond’s childhood was filled with many refrains of loss, and one was,

“This is how we baked nutcakes in Menegroth!” his mother explained, hands sticky with chestnuts and honey. Under her breath, not meaning her even stickier sons to hear, she added, “I think.”

“Oh yes, there were…” Eärendil’s fingers twitched as he counted in his head. “…eleven different major fountains in Gondolin! One for each Great House, though all were managed by Lord Ecthelion—oh, no, but then that must be ten…?”

“Now, in a proper course of musical education, I would be starting you on basic dancing songs today. But Filúriel is the only one of us left who knows how to dance a good gavotte—”

“Filúriel died three years ago. Orcs on the way back from Sirion.” Maedhros didn’t look up from the daggers he was sharpening. Only his words gave any indication that he was even aware of the lesson taking place across the room.

“—But there is no one left who knows how to dance a good Tirion Gavotte.” Maglor never missed a beat. “So instead I will start you on basic Songs for striking fear into the hearts of your enemies. Have you both done your warm-up exercises today?”

[smash cut to 200 years later]

Elrond: Are you telling me. That there is a chance. That a portion of the Great Library of Thargelion, greatest collection in Beleriand of books and art brought physically from Aman, is still intact?

Random improbably still alive Nargothrond-Fëanorian #6: If the cases were water-proof as well as orc-proof and fire-proof…if they were orc-proof and fire-proof at all…especially dragonfire-proof…or dragon-ice-proof… If they stayed hidden, if we even shut them all properly in the first place, as we evacuated just ahead of the— my lord, where are you going?!

Elrond, sprinting past them down the corridor: Deep-sea diving!

(In the late Third Age, the Library of Rivendell is widely regarded as Arda’s single greatest repository of historical records of life in Middle Earth. This is incorrect—the single greatest such repository is an ever-growing library on Tol Eressëa, to which Elrond spent 3000 years sending copies of everything from Hobbit almanacs to Dwarvish epic poems to account books from three Elvish kingdoms to an Age’s worth of Dúnedain Ranger journals. Anyone Sailing with extra cargo space has been cajoled into taking at least a few tomes. People and places may be lost to time, but part of why he chose an Elvish life is so that they will not be forgotten.)

#Elrond #peredhil #lotr #lord of the rings #the silmarillion #second age shenaniganry #eldar

[nerdy-girlramblings]

Intro Post

Hello, I'm Lola and here's a little bit about me!

I'm a Christian and I post about my faith sometimes. I mainly post about the various fandoms I'm in.

Some of my favorite movies are: The Mummy (1999), Dune and Dune Part 2, Little Women (1994), The Swan Princess (1994), Princess Diaries, Pirates of the Caribbean, Unbroken, Priceless: She's Worth Fighting For, Gone With the Wind, It's A Wonderful Life, and Anne of Green Gables (1985).

I grew up watching old sitcoms from the 1970's and 1980's that include All in the Family, The Golden Girls, and The Jeffersons.

I'm not going to share my actual age but I am not a minor and I'm in college (do not be creepy, you will be reported and blocked).

Fun fact about me is that I have two types of synesthesia so for one of them, I see letters, numbers, and words in different colors and the other makes me see music in colors and textures (if you're curious about this, feel free to reach out, I love talking about it).

This blog will be a safe space for all, unless you are any of these things, don't interact with this blog. I also would prefer if NSFW blogs didn't follow me.

I also don't keep my posts or reblogs spoiler-free unless it is related to a new release.

My best friend irl is @bellarose80 and I have her to thank for having a Tumblr blog. She also introduced me to The Lunar Chronicles, Once Upon a Time, and Stranger Things, so thank you bestie! Love you lots 💜

I sometimes let Tumblr decide what I should read or watch next and I do monthly wrap ups of the books I read. These both have tag lists and if you want to be added or removed from them, please let me know.

Also, feel free to tag me in things or ask questions about my thoughts on fandoms! I love talking about fandom things, that's why I joined Tumblr, so ask away! You can also ask random questions or if you're curious about something 💜

Main fandoms I'm in: Grishaverse, Riordanverse, Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Shades of Magic, The Umbrella Academy, Stranger Things, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lunar Chronicles, Lockwood and Co., Keeper of the Lost Cities, Once Upon a Time, Renegades, Villains Duology, Harry Potter, Ninth House (Alex Stern), Dune, and The Gilded Wolves.

#nerdygirlramblings #intro post

[queers-gambit]

Don't You (Forget About Me)

prompt: after the gruesome events in the Upside Down, our heroes try to settle into "normal life" again; and Eddie confronts his mother to bargain for custody of his little brother.

pairing: Eddie Munson x female reader

fandom masterlist: Stranger Things

note: big brother!Eddie has me in a small chokehold right now. and repost because i'm back in the tags, bay-bay!

word count: 8.9k

warnings: AU where Eddie lives (as he should've but whatever), cursing, toxic family dynamics, abusive and destructive behavior, confrontation of a shitty fucking parent, mild violence, mild drug use, angst with comfort, not edited, reposted because Tumblr's lessening our beef [sorry to those who are seeing this again]. ✅ no spoilers

The mornings were the most peaceful. The sun was just breaching the horizon, birds chirping incessantly, and the sun's heat hasn't had a chance to really fry the Earth's surface yet. Summer provided many comforts; for one, the fact that there were hardly any responsibilities after graduation.

After you all had gone to war with Vecna and the Upside Down, Eddie was severely wounded, and it was a chore just to get him to a hospital; giving him a fighting chance. Naturally, the staff had heard rumors of the Munson Murderer, but their duty was to provide medical assistance to anyone in need - even a "serial killer".

The severity of his injuries left Eddie in a medically induced coma, and in that time, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or the FBI, released a press conference that cited "confounding evidence" that Edward Munson was not the Hawkins serial killer. They offered no other explanation other than to clear Eddie's name, and when he woke up, he was a free man.

There were months of rehab, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, but you were right there through it all. Your hand in his, tissues at the ready to wipe his tears, encouraging him to keep going, and of course, lying in bed with him, hand in his hair, reading The Hobbit out loud for the nights he needed soft comforting.

When he was released from the hospital, the government had offered a substantial amount of "hush money" that left both you and Eddie more than well-off, per the contingency of never speaking the truth of the Upside Down. It left financial room for you both to buy a small house with three bedrooms, a full basement, walkable attic, and a kitchen that made your heart stop.

It left money for you and Eddie to buy a rundown garage, and update it to the point of function for Eddie to work out of; and for you to think about your next move into college to prepare yourself to become a grade schoolteacher.

The master bedroom was yours and Eddie's room. It was possibly bigger than the entire floorspace of his trailer and Eddie was briefly confounded over what to even do with the space.

After Gate One left his trailer in shambles, there were only a few things he and his uncle were to salvage; more personal affects and memorabilia decorating your room. You wanted him to feel as if this was his home, too; so, you often took Eddie to the thrift store or Goodwill to do some extra shopping. Soon, your house felt more like a home.

The second bedroom was for Wayne. Located on the main landing, it was spacious for the aging man to settle in, and the money you and Eddie had meant he didn't need to work any longer. He still wanted to but didn't need to worry about the financial standpoint. Instead, Eddie pushed him into doing something Wayne's apparently always been interested by gardening. Yeah, so, Wayne Munson picked up a job at the local botanical nursery and honestly? He just looked brighter and healthier (and younger) doing a job he genuinely loved.

Occasionally, he'd help out in Munson's Garage, but he was much more content with his hands in dirt than in grease and oil.

The third room was up for discussion. Originally, it was to be a guest room for any party members that came to visit. But Eddie thought the basement was a better fit, so, you spent time renovating it to make it as cozy as possible. This meant the third bedroom was up for grabs, and Eddie had an idea for it.

As previously stated, mornings were peaceful, and that morning in particular started out earlier than normal. You felt Eddie tossing and turning all night; trying to settle him by cuddling close and letting him be the little spoon but the boy couldn't lay still. You eventually shuffled to your side of the bed in the hopes of even an hour's rest, leaving Eddie to stressful worry.

Cracking your eyes open, you noted the bedside alarm clock glaring red numbers at you: 4:54 am.

"Eddie," you groaned, turning over and sinking your head to his chest, where you could feel his heartbeat thumping erratically. "Please, baby, just try to relax. Still got another few hours."

"I can't, peaches, I'm trying..." he whispers, one arm moving around your waist tightly. "I'm sorry for waking you," he pecked your forehead gently.

You sighed, "You didn't. I could practically hear you overthinking." It was quiet for a beat, your voice clearing of sleep just a decimal, "You wanna talk about it, angel?"

The silent morning stretched around you, sun not yet peaking, and the wildlife just starting to wake up. Eddie sighed deeply and let his fingers dance across your bare ribs, "Just nervous."

"Understandably," You nodded against his skin, turning your head to peck his neck and then snuggle back into his vice embrace. "But we're not leaving for another few hours, baby, just try and get some rest. Hmm?"

"I can't stop thinking, peaches."

You nodded, "Wanna tell me what you're thinking about?"

The silence prolonged as you waited; gingerly letting your fingernail trace patterns over his tattooed chest. "What if... What if she says no?"

You knew this could be a very real possibility, but you both still had to try. Well, all three of you - since Wayne insisted on being in attendance. "Then we'll just keep showing her the facts, my love," you tried to assure, but truthfully, you were just as nervous as your hand slid up to caress his cheek and rest against his jaw. Eddie hadn't seen his mother in fucking years, nor his brother in the past 2, and he was going to ask her to relinquish custody of Teddy to him.

Now that Eddie was over 18, he prayed it shouldn't be much of an issue. And with your combined financials, you both decided you could afford to care for Teddy and get him out of Thelma's guardianship. If the stories were true, and based on both Eddie's and Wayne's recollections, they were, then the woman should see no issue in giving her youngest a chance at a better life.

However, you knew what drugs did to a person's mind. It warped your father's mind when you were growing up, and after meeting Eddie when you were 14, you realized that kind of behavior wasn't normal. So, when Eddie confessed in the hospital that he wanted to get Teddy out of Thelma's grasp, you easily agreed. You prayed there was time to show Teddy that life wasn't all about a drug-addicted parent you had to take care of - and who better to show the rambunctious youngin' the ropes of life than his equally rambunctious older brother?

Teddy was around the same age Eddie had been when Thelma first ran off, disappearing for years, before resurfacing with a new baby on her hip. She was in and out from that moment on, but Eddie made it a priority to see his little brother as often as he could.

When Thelma's addiction reached a new height, it was harder to see the child.

Now that everything with Vecna and the Upside Down had finally ended and Eddie was stronger, working out of the garage four days a week, he figured there was no better time than the present.

Eddie was unusually quiet, choosing to let his fingers drift over your bare skin as his thoughts became consuming. "All right," you sighed finally, sitting up in the new mattress you'd bought. "C'mon, baby, let's go."

"Go where?" he sighed, watching you stretch your arms above your head and trying not to flinch when your shoulders popped. You smiled when you turned to look back at him: shirtless, laid on bright, soft sheets, hair spread around him like a frizzy halo.

"To make breakfast," you encouraged, turning at the waist to lean down and peck his lips. "C'mon, cooking usually distracts you - let's go make Wayne a big ol' meal."

"Or we could lay here?"

"You've been laying here all night, angel, and it's not doing you any good. C'mon," you encouraged again, pressing a longer kiss to his lips, "it'll help pass the time. Maybe I'll let you smoke a joint in the kitchen, hmm?"

He smirked lightly, "Oh, pullin' all the stops out, are you? Never let me smoke in the house."

"Mhm, I know, I'm spoiling you," you teased with a small giggle. Your feet found purchase on the mattress as you stood above him, leaning down to seize his wrists and yank backward, groaning, "C'mooonnnn! Fuck, why're you so heavy!?"

It made Eddie chuckle before steeling his arms and yanking you down on top of him with a yelp. Your knees planted on either side of his hips, resting on his lap as his hands laid on your bare thighs. His smile was lazy and light, your hands smoothing up his chest before resting around his neck, so your chest was pressed to his.

"You know you're the best thing that's happened to me, right?" he asked quietly, letting his hands drag up to rest on your back.

The sentiment made your heart lighten, smiling at him, "Mhm, I do know. So long as you know you're my favorite thing in this life."

"Yeah, so you've mentioned," he teased lightly.

"It's gonna work out, angel," you spoke seriously. "Hear me? We're gonna work this all out."

He nodded slowly, "You're so sure."

"I have enough faith for us both," you spoke softly, stretching slightly to peck his lips again. You sighed and deflated against him; face pressed into his neck to inhale his scent. "My precious boy."

He chuckled, "Know I don't like that nickname."

"Yeah, but it makes you blush," you grinned devilishly, hand blindly raising to poke his cheek. "Are you gonna get up and have a nice morning with me, or do you wanna lay in bed, anxious, and overthinking everything?"

He groaned, "Why you gotta word it like that?"

"Because you're stubborn," you winked, lifting off him again. Eddie grunted from behind you as you turned for the closet, opening the doors to tug a soft robe on over your shoulders. As the belt was tied, Eddie's hands slid around your waist to press against your back; resting there for a moment as you lifted a hand back to pet over his cheek. "It's gonna be okay, baby, I promise," you whispered, other hand pressing against his arm around your waist to squeeze.

"Yeah," Eddie breathed, "so long as I've got you, I can't lose."

"Hm," you breathed, "you'll never be without me, baby."

"Yeah," he sighed, leaning in to kiss your neck. "All right," he whispered with a sigh, leaning back to let you tug your hair from under the tied-off robe that protected your negligee-clad body from the coolness of the morning. "You feelin' waffles or pancakes this morning?"

"Wayne likes French toast," you smiled, half-watching him tug a pair of black-and-red plaid pajama bottoms up and remaining shirtless.

"Always spoiling him," Eddie teased, grabbing an old Altoid tin that housed his joints and a metal Zippos lighter from the desk.

"Well, he raised my most favorite human," you hummed with a smile, both exiting the bedroom to head for the kitchen. "Least I can do is give the man whatever meals he wants."

Eddie chuckled and planted himself against the kitchen counter as you busied yourself getting everything together. Here's a well-kept Hawkins secret: Edward Munson was sinful in the kitchen. The years of neglect made him resourceful, and the boy knew his way around ingredients. He stopped cooking as much because Wayne worked nights, meaning there was no real reason to whip up any meals.

So, he resorted to take-out and drive thru's until he met you - and then his passion was reignited. So, he watched you pull ingredients out while getting the joint lit at the end; turning to unlock and open the kitchen window as you turned the fan on to help vent the smoke out. "All right, peaches," Eddie spoke softly, handing you the joint. "Step back a sec," he smiled, letting his hands press to your hips and tug you out of the way.

He helped push you up onto the counter before taking over the entire kitchen; radio switched on to play a few tunes in the background. You watched him move, scars from the fight in the Upside Down flexing from the strain of reaching for certain utensils. The heat in the kitchen crept higher but the cooling breeze from the open window and circulating fan blades helped keep things temperate, but the moment Eddie turned to you with a few bites of his scrambled eggs on fork prongs, you realized it wasn't the stove making you sweat.

Your legs opened a little more to let Eddie slot between them, leading the fork to your mouth as you took the bite and crossed your ankles behind his thighs. You hummed in appreciation, nodding as your eyes fluttered dramatically, "It's so good, baby, wow."

"Yeah?" he chuckled, watching you chew as he set the fork to the side. "Does it need more salt?"

"Hm, no," you assured, swallowing. "It's perfect."

"Liar." You perked a brow, him grinning, "I know you like more cheese on your eggs."

"Maybe we spend too much time together, you know me a little too well."

"'Cause I know how you like your eggs?"

"Mhm," you winked, letting your arms straighten to rest along his shoulders; hands tangling into the hair at the base of his neck. "You look like you're feeling better."

"Cooking helps," he whispered, sighing slightly as he leaned into you enough to make your arms bend. "What time do we have to leave?"

You glanced at the clock, bringing Eddie in closer to rest your cheek on his forehead. You sighed lightly, "In about an hour and a half."

Eddie whined lowly in his throat, allowing you to pull him all the closer to he was resting on your shoulder. Your hand rose to gently pet over the back of his head, soothing in your motions as he shifted on his feet to pull you over the counter; forcing you as close as possible. When you heard a muffled sniffle, your heart shattered.

"We've gotta get him back," Eddie whispered.

"We're not leaving unless Teddy's with us," you promised, pulling Eddie back to stare into his eyes. "Hear me? We're not giving up on him, and we're gonna get Teddy - he's gonna be safe with us, okay?"

You didn't know Wayne hesitated before the kitchen doorway, listening as Eddie sniffled again and agreed, "Yeah. Yeah, uh... Totally."

"Angel, this is all gonna work out, okay?"

"Okay."

"You don't sound convinced but that's okay," you assured softly with a knowing smile. "'Cause I got enough faith for us both, you hear me? So, you just... You just focus on what you're gonna say, and the rest is gonna be handled. You're not going at this alone, Eddie, you're with Wayne and I - and you know we're not gonna let anything happen to you, okay?" He nodded, more tears swelling. You whispered with your forehead resting on his, "She can't hurt you anymore, Eddie, and we're going to make sure she can't hurt Teddy either, okay?"

"Yeah," he wept, pulling away to wipe his tears with a feverous nod. "Okay, y-yeah."

"Okay, good," you chirped. "Now, I'm gonna set the table if you wanna wake Wayne up?"

"C-Can we just," Eddie paused, whispering, "can we just pause? For a second, just... Just you and me for one more minute?"

"Whatever you need, baby, I'll give to you," you whispered, pulling him in for a tight hug as your own emotion was clawing at your chest and throat. "We're gonna be okay. I promise..."

You knew Eddie hated that phrase because next to never did anyone ever keep their promises to him. But then you happened, and Eddie knew you'd rather break your back than ever not fulfill your promises; knowing that if you promised it'd be okay, then it would be okay.

Wayne cleared his throat after taking a few steps back; allowing the two young adults to get their emotions in check by the time he was entering the large kitchen. "Morning, all," he greeted, smiling lightly at you as Eddie had turned to start dishing everything from the stove. "How'd, uh... How'd you sleep, honey?"

You smiled, "Pretty okay. How was your night, Wayne?"

He nodded, glancing at Eddie's back before answering, "Uh, you know, long. Just couldn't sleep that well, real nervous."

You nodded in understanding, "Ed's pretty nervous, too."

"Yeah?" Wayne nodded, clapping his nephew on his shoulder. "It's gonna work out, son, I know it will."

"Yeah," Eddie whispered.

Breakfast was dished up and you three sat together, Wayne and you doing most of the talking to save Eddie from stuttering over his own words. His nerves were growing the longer time went, bouncing his knee and picking at his fingernails while you cleaned up the kitchen. When the time ticked closer, you encouraged everyone to get ready and with your hand wrapped around Eddie's, you fell into a rhythm in your room.

Eddie had all too easily tugged his pants off before jumping into a pair of black, ripped jeans; a simple black tee shirt tossed on over his torso. He laced up his trusted, white Reeboks before opening one of the windows and lighting another joint.

You watched him from your ensuite bathroom stressfully smoke. His knee bounced rapidly, and his eyes stared unblinkingly to the wall as his fingers trembled.

Once ready, you laced on your Converse before approaching his side; sliding your hand across his shoulder blades and all but basically pressing a button that opened him up. Eddie didn't even glance up at you, he just leaned back and opened his arms to let you sit across his lap and take the joint from his fingers.

"You know, this kills," you mentioned, pulling smoke into your lungs before exhaling through the opened window.

"We wouldn't be so lucky," he teased, sighing as his arm anchored around your waist. "It's time?"

"Yeah, but if you need another minute or two, that's okay, angel."

Eddie nodded and tugged you closer, pressing a kiss to your neck as you slumped against his chest. After taking another hit, you handed the roach back to him and just waited. With the added weight of your body, he couldn't shake his leg like he was; opting to cracking a few fingers before sighing, stubbing out the roach, and wrapping both arms around you.

"It's gonna work out, right?" he muttered.

"Course it is," you assured, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

You all three piled into your car; knowing the two men with you were far too distracted to genuinely focus on driving and while you loved them, and you trusted them with your life, but maybe not in this case. So, you drove, and Wayne rode shotgun after Eddie assured he should before taking the back seat.

He nervously fiddled with an old stuffie, a faded-green dragon that Eddie won for Teddy at a carnival. He had tears in his eyes as he gently pet the toy, trying to distract himself by staring at the passing landscape.

Thelma Munson had moved to a suburb outside of Indianapolis, marking this a bit of a car ride but for Wayne and Eddie, it was borderline torture. You tried to keep the music low, but it was obvious neither of the men could hear the words; both lost in their own minds and leaving you to go over what you knew in your mind.

Thelma was an aggressive drug addict and all three of you knew it wasn't going to be easy to get her to listen. You knew she didn't have a single bone in her body that loved her children more than she loved drugs and alcohol. You knew she was the cause of some burn marks on Eddie's skin. You knew she was part of the reason that Eddie's father, Gregory Munson, was incarcerated - yet never understood how she didn't go down with him.

You knew she abandoned Eddie at home for a full week when he was 10 until he found a way to climb up onto an old desk and find the phone number for his Uncle Wayne.

You knew Thelma never called or checked on him after that.

You knew that Eddie actually had a bit of a better relationship with his father, Greg, then he did with his mother. And the man was in prison, for God's sake! You knew he was arrested years ago, and months after that, Thelma was showing up again with Teddy in her arms. Nobody ever knew if Greg was the father, and you knew she'd never tell the full truth.

You knew it confused and hurt Eddie, and you knew you'd do anything to prevent him from suffering further.

By the time you pulled up to a more... Run-down trailer park, you could feel the tension in the car brew to a new height. There was debris in the yard; an old, broken-down Chevy left in the grass, yard looking like it hadn't been mowed in months. Beer cans littered the front porch, and much to your heartbreak, there was a blow-up kiddie pool to the side, sputtering hose leaking browned-water into the plastic, and a wild-haired 9-year-old child sitting in the middle of it, playing with a plastic dinosaur toy.

"Teddy," Eddie breathed in shock, the end of the summer heat forcing the child to seek refuge in the sludge water.

"Hang on," you halted him from running for his brother. "Hang on, baby, we've gotta do this cautiously. Look, why don't you two go talk to Thelma and I'll get Teddy cleaned up?"

Wayne nodded, slapping a hand to Eddie's shoulder, "C'mon, son. She's got this."

You nodded in encouragement to your boyfriend when his sad eyes met yours. "Thank you," he whispered, leaning forward to kiss your forehead. "We won't be long."

You nodded, "I'll get him dried off and then inside to change, okay?"

He nodded, breathing out, "Yeah... Yeah, um... W-Wayne and I can handle Thelma."

"Baby, do you want me to go instead?" You offered in worry. "I-I'm sure Wayne can grab Teddy, right?"

Wayne nodded, "Anything that works, we can do that."

"No, uh... No, it's okay, it might be better with Wayne and I at first," Eddie cleared his throat. "You'll tell him why we're here, right?"

You shared a look with Wayne, "I-Is that such a good idea?"

"Kid deserves to know," Wayne assured, nodding. "I didn't have to twist Thelma's arm for Eddie, but I'm not gonna leave Teddy here alone. He's coming with us," Wayne nodded at Eddie, who smiled with relief.

"Then I'll get him ready," you nodded, leaning in close to Eddie. "Hey," you hand tightened in his, "it's gonna be okay. Just remember we're doing this for Teddy, okay?"

"I know," he sighed.

"But if you feel the need to rip her a new one for what she did to you, we'd all understand," you tried to smile but the harsh gulp assured you he was thinking about it. "Do what you need to, baby."

He nodded, whispering, "Thanks, peaches."

Wayne nodded at you and steered Eddie towards the trailer's door. You took a deep breath and watched them knock, waiting a moment as the door wrenched open and revealed a thin woman with a cigarette hanging out of her mouth. Her eyes, the very same as Eddie's, widened in shock.

"Edward?" she asked.

"Hi, Thelma," Eddie nodded back, hands shoving into his front pockets. "Got a sec?"

"For you, my boy? Of course, yeah, yeah - " She choked herself when her eyes cut over to Wayne. "Hmm... Wayne."

"Thelma," he gruffly greeted, opening the screen door and letting Eddie pass into the 'home' first.

Shaking off your nerves, you ventured around the trailer towards the kiddie pool. "Hi, Teddy," you greeted gently, smiling at the little boy.

He gasped your name and shot out from the water, rocketing straight into your arms after catching himself from slipping in the muddy lawn. "You're here!" Teddy beamed up at you. "Mommy said she had a surprise for me for my birthday, but I thought..."

"Whatcha think, honey boy?" you smiled, lowering yourself into a squat; reaching over to a lone, overturned chair and pulling the towel off it.

"Well, I-I thought... I just thought she forgot, like usual," Teddy frowned, letting you dry his skin of murky water. "But now you're here and I know she didn't."

Your heart shattered, and you explained, "Well, um, actually, honey boy, I'm here with your Uncle Wayne and big brother."

"Eddie's here?" The kid's face glowed in excitement.

"Mhm, he's inside talking to your Mom."

"Why?"

"What do you mean?"

"He doesn't talk to her," Teddy frowned. "He doesn't like talking to her."

"No, but that's okay," you nodded, ruffling his stringy hair. "Because he's in there talking to your Mom, and wanna know what they're talking about?"

"What?"

"You coming to live with us," you nodded, blinking slowly. "Does that sound like something you'd like?"

"I-I'd get to come live with you and Eddie?"

"And Uncle Wayne, mhm," you nodded, booping the end of his nose.

"Wow," he grinned. "Sounds like a sleepover! Is it for my birthday?"

"Well, it'd be for longer than your birthday," you nodded. "It'd be permanent, buddy. You'd come live with me, Eddie, and Wayne; you wouldn't live here with your Mom anymore."

"But who would take care of Mommy?"

"Well, your Mommy's been really good at taking care of herself," you nodded.

"But she forgets to make dinner a lot," he argued.

Your heart split down the middle, "Do you cook?"

"Mhm."

"Well, if you come live with us, you wouldn't have to worry about that. Your big brother and I would take care of you."

"But Mommy would be alone."

"Is she alone now?"

"No," Teddy frowned, toeing the mud beneath us. "S-She has friends that come over a lot..."

"Are they nice friends?"

"No," he admitted, "they like to yell at me... Sometimes they lock me out."

"They lock you out?"

"Uh-huh," he nodded again.

"And you sleep out here?"

"Uh-huh, Mommy says it's okay. She says it's like camping."

"So, you cook for Mommy, and she lets your friends lock you out?"

"Yeah, but not always," he nodded. "Sometimes they let me sleep in Mommy's room, but I can't get out."

"Oh, sweetheart," you sighed, finishing drying him off and wrapping the towel around him tightly. "Well, I'll tell you that if you don't wanna go, we can't force you, but we're here to take you home, buddy. I understand not wanting to leave your Mommy, but if you want to, you can come with us."

"But where would Mommy go?"

"I don't know, baby, but she's more than welcome to come visit," you assured. "Your big brother just wants to make sure you're safe and taken care of. You're way too young to take care of yourself and your Mommy."

"So... I could really come live with you?"

"And see your brother every single day," you smiled. "Wanna go see him now?"

"Yeah," Teddy grinned, keeping the towel bundled around him to take your hand. You lead him inside the trailer slowly, looking around cautiously as you noted the defensive positions taken.

Wayne was in the kitchen, glaring at the woman who was standing in front of her eldest son, who's head was bowed from his seat on the couch.

"EDDIE!" Teddy beamed, rushing forward as his towel dropped and sending himself into Eddie's chest.

"Woah!" Eddie grunted when the boy launched into his arms. He chuckled, a genuine smile on his lips, "Hey, buddy! Man! You've gotten so big! Look at you!"

"I grew!"

"I can see!" Eddie chuckled, pulling back and looking at Teddy. His eyes scanned over the skinny arms and legs, heart plummeting to his feet. "Not growin' anywhere else, are you?" He frowned.

"He's fine," Thelma snapped in anger.

"He's malnourished!" Eddie snapped back, glaring up at her. "I thought with me, it was a fluke, and you just weren't ready. But with him? It's a fucking pattern, Thelma!"

"Hey, hey," you tried to step in, Teddy turning to grip your legs in fear of the elevated voices. "Let's not do this in front of him - "

"Oh, and this is your little bitch you want to mother my son instead!?" Thelma roared, gesturing at you as you pulled the boy closer.

Eddie shot up from his seat, "Don't you dare say a word about her!"

"She's a child - like you are, Edward! Neither of you can take care of another child!"

"Yeah? Think we'd do a helluva lot better job than you!" Eddie argued.

"C'mon, kid," Wayne muttered, trying to direct you from the trailer.

"No, hang on, take Teddy," you turned to push the kid into Wayne's embrace. "We'll pack for him, just stay out there."

"You're not taking my kid!" Thelma raged when Wayne stepped out of the trailer.

"You're not keeping him!" Eddie snapped. "You've run out of time, Thelma, it's done! You never wanted to be a mother but couldn't keep out of trouble, and you know who suffered? I did! I suffered for your mistakes, and your incompetence!"

"I'm doing better with Teddy!"

You scoffed, earning the attention, repeating, "Better? I can literally see a heroin needle from here."

"What?" Eddie paled, looking at you in shock - and suddenly, you wish you never said something. "Where? Peaches, where?" You gulped and pointed to the end table across the room, Eddie charging up to it and spilling contents to the ground as his shaking hands tried to grab the needle. Thelma rushed after him, pounding on his back as Eddie revealed a syringe in his hand. You shifted nervously as Eddie turned his murderous gaze to the woman behind him, who was stumbling back a few steps.

A moment later, he was pulling a little baggie of dark brown powder from a metal tin and letting his tears fall.

"Eddie, i-it's not what - I swear it's not what it looks like!"

"No, hey," you snapped, stepping forward and preventing the woman from approaching Eddie again, "you're close enough, back the hell off."

"You little bitch - "

"You're using again?" Eddie asked rhetorically, turning with the evidence in his hands. His eyes were red and full of tears, but they weren't falling - not over her, anymore. "You're putting him through what you put me through?"

"It's not as bad - "

"Is that why you lock him out of his own home, so you can get high with your other junkie friends?" You sneered, cocking your head.

"This is family business - you're not - "

"She's more family than you ever were," Eddie snapped. "You don't get to talk to her that way - she's gonna be my wife, and you don't have the right!" He glared for a second longer before sighing and looking at you, "Now, peaches, what're you talking about?"

"Teddy told me," you spoke to the woman, aware of the man behind you, "that you have friends come over, and he's locked outside all night."

"I didn't know - "

"Really? Lie again, and we're not hesitating to call the police," you sneered. "Your son told me you're fine with it since it's like camping - or at least, that's what you tell him. But what do you tell him when he's locked in your bedroom? When he can't get out? Do you tell him why you forget his birthdays?"

"Wait - wait - wait. You lock him up? In a room?" Eddie seethed, dropping the needle and baggie to the table.

"He cooks for her, too," you added on, ignoring the pathetic crocodile tears that fell from her red-rimmed, sunken eyes. "I can't imagine what else we'll find out when we have longer than 5 minutes to talk."

Eddie took a sobering breath before speaking scarily calmly, "I'm gonna take my girl, and we're gonna pack up Teddy's room. You can go say goodbye, but only with Wayne there. We can work out a visitation schedule, but you're done here. You hear me? You're done. I'm leaving with my little brother, and if you try to stop us, we will be calling the police - and should you need the extra threat, we're friends with the Chief of Police of Hawkins and he'll make sure you're put away. Do I make myself clear?"

Thelma let the tears dry and just glared, nodding slowly, "Think you're a man now, huh? Just like your Daddy - thinkin' too big for your britches."

"As far as I'm concerned, it was you who taught me my most valuable life lesson," Eddie nodded, letting his hand rest around your waist. "That you never abandon family - you come back for them."

"So, this is how you wanna end things?" Thelma sneered. "This is how you wanna do it? Gonna take my boy and run? Like your Daddy always did? Always running?"

"Yeah," Eddie refused to entertain her anymore. "This is how I want it to end. You're welcome to visit Teddy, but you better call first; because other than him, there's no reason for any of us to interact." A quiet moment, then Eddie spoke softer, "Peaches, you mind telling Wayne the update?"

"Yeah," you nodded at him, glancing nervously between him and his mother. "S-Should I grab Teddy something to change into?"

"No, it's okay," he assured, rubbing your waist subtly, "we'll take him to a real pool, with clean water." You nodded in agreement, pulling away slowly because you weren't sure about leaving him alone. He picked up on your hesitance, assuring, "'S all right, peaches, just come back when you're done."

You didn't want to, but you turned for the front door and pushed out of it. Wayne and Teddy were waiting by the car, the boy sat on the hood as his uncle showed him a card trick.

"Hey," you smiled at the pair as you approached. "Um, Eddie's just wrapping things up, but then your Mommy's gonna come out and say goodbye, okay?" You nodded at Teddy. "Eddie and I are gonna pack some of your things up."

"Mommy's letting me leave?"

You gulped, "Yeah, buddy, she just wants you to have a better chance. But how about, when we get back, we go for a real swim - hm?"

"Okay," Teddy beamed.

"Hang tight, buddy, for just one second," you held a finger up to the boy and patted Wayne's shoulder; stepping away a few feet.

"What's really going on?" Wayne muttered.

"Eddie and I found some drugs, so, she's using again. Eddie didn't give her a choice, told her we're taking Teddy and if she wants to visit, she can - but she has to call first."

Wayne nodded sadly, "He's had to grow up too much."

"He's handling it as well as he can," you sighed. "But he doesn't want her and Teddy alone, so, when she comes out to say goodbye, don't leave them alone, okay?"

"I'm on it, honey," he assured, nodding at you.

After thanking Wayne and ruffling Teddy's hair, you made for the trailer again. But you wished you hadn't left them at all, as Eddie was pressed painfully against the kitchen counter, both hands restraining his mother's wrists.

Your eyes caught the flash of a blade and you lunged, wrapping your arms around the woman and yanking her to the floor. You yelped when the blade caught the skin of your forearm, dropping the woman's weight and stumbling back a step.

"Shit," you hissed, pressing your hand to the wound, and hating the feeling of blood bubbling under your fingers.

"Holy fuck," Eddie seethed, grabbing a tea towel, and wrapping it around the wound. "Oh, my God, are you okay? Shit, baby, no, I'm so sorry - th-this wasn't supposed to happen."

"Hey, hey, it's okay," you assured, shooting a glare at the woman still on the floor; knife pushed away from her. "Better me than you, right? Was she - Jesus Christ, was she trying to stab you?"

"Think so," he breathed, pulling you to his chest. "She's angry."

"No excuse," you snapped, glaring at the woman. "Gonna fuck off and let us work now?"

"I'm not letting you take my son," she sneered, pathetically sprawled on the dirty linoleum floor. "You took Eddie - fine! You can keep him! But you're not taking Theodore!"

"Teddy's obviously not safe here!"

"Hang on," Eddie muttered, reaching for the wall phone. He silently punched in a number you knew well, hearing his mother's breathing pick up.

"W-Who is he calling!?"

But nobody answered as Eddie was listening to the dial tone, and then, "Hi, Mary. Is Chief Hopper in? It's, uh, it's Eddie Munson... Yes, ma'am, yeah, stayin' outta trouble, but this was kinda unavoidable. Is he in? Yeah... Mhm... Okay, thanks, yeah, I'll wait." Thelma's eyes widened as she realized who Eddie was speaking to, and a moment later, he was continuing, "Hey, Jim, sorry for calling out of the blue. But uh... We've got a bit of a situation here."

You listened to him explain the rescue mission gone wrong; how drugs were found, and how his mother attacked you with a knife after trying to stab him. Hopper assured he'd be there soon, and Eddie hung up.

"Hopper's gonna be here soon, so, why don't we all just wait for him, hmm?" He offered Thelma, pulling you back into his embrace.

It took several long minutes to push Thelma out of the door, but even then, she just glared at you three surrounding Teddy at the car. When Hopper pulled up, she refused to utter a single word. Hopper checked out your arm and made sure Eddie was okay, before turning to the strung-out woman.

It was incredible the way the cop car sent all trailer park residents scattering into their homes; curtains pulled back to peer out of dingy windows as Jim Hopper menacingly stared Thelma Munson down.

She eventually caved and let you and Eddie into her home to pack up Teddy's room. And Eddie cried while you both worked because the boy barely had anything; just two duffels worth of clothes and shoes and a backpack full of school supplies, and memorabilia.

Outside, Thelma outright refused to look at anyone. Her arms were crossed as Hopper wrapped your forearm and made sure everyone was okay before getting in his car. He waited for you guys as Teddy was sobbing for him Mommy - begging her to look at him - to hug him - to say goodbye.

But she refused to move. Refused to look at him.

"C'mon, buddy, it's okay," Eddie sighed, stooping low to pull his brother into his arms and stand. "It's okay, it's okay... She didn't say goodbye to me either. It's okay, I got you. Hey, I'm here now, I got you. Never leaving, buddy, I'm here for you."

Hopper led you all back home to Hawkins; Wayne driving your car as you took the passenger seat, listening to Eddie comfort his brother in the backseat. The child was a wreck, confused and hurt by his own mother, gasping for breath before thanking Eddie for "coming back and rescuing" him.

Wayne wiped a few subtle tears and when you got home, you left the Munson's to get Teddy settled as you made a phone call. When Teddy was unpacked (which took all of 30 minutes), the three slowly trickled out to finish giving Teddy a tour of the house.

The poor boy was in one of Eddie's tee shirts to combat the cold, but you grinned at them when they filtered into the kitchen.

"Uh oh," Eddie teased, nudging his brother, "she's got that look, bud. Think we're in for it now."

You playfully rolled your eyes, "Well, I was just thinking, we promised Teddy a dip in a real pool."

His eyes lit up, "You have a pool!?"

"Not here, honey, but I know someone," you grinned. "Wanna go?"

"Can we?" Teddy looked up at Eddie for permission, who nodded in return.

"Sure, buddy, I'll grab you a towel. Go ahead," he nodded, nudging his brother towards you. "Wayne?"

"Oh, I'd love to, kids, but uh, I'm a little tired. Think I'll just sit this one out, if that's okay."

"Course it's okay," you nodded. "We won't be long; we'll be home for dinner."

Wayne nodded and pet over Teddy's hair - telling him to be kind and respectful for you and Eddie before turning for his room. Eddie jogged out of the basement, three towels in his arms, smiling at you both. "We ready?"

"Are you gonna swim, too?" Teddy worried slightly, looking at you with wide eyes.

"Yeah, we are, bud," you beamed, patting the tote bag on your shoulder. "Got our suits in here."

"Wait, we're all going swimming?" Eddie asked cautiously.

"Mhm," you smiled.

Eddie offered a confused look as you ushered the boys back to your car. On the drive, you peaked back to spy Teddy fiddling with the same faded-green dragon stuffie Eddie had given him earlier; petting over the head carefully as he looked concentrated on keeping his emotion in check.

When you pulled up to your destination, you turned in your seat, "You okay, honey?"

Eddie turned too, spying his brother's frown and feeling panic swell in his chest. "Hey, what's going on? Thought you loved swimming?"

"I do," he nodded, blinking rapidly before timidly meeting your eyes. "I-Is Mommy gonna be okay without me? Is she...? Is she mad at me?"

Eddie sighed deeply, "No, buddy, she's not mad at you. She just thought you'd be happier, and healthier, staying with us. She's gonna take care of herself, I promise."

"But she..." The little boy started to weep, "She didn't say bye!"

"Shit," Eddie muttered, quickly yanking the safety belt from around him before climbing over your center console to get in the backseat. You frowned when he plopped down, and Teddy was instantly crawling into his lap and holding onto his shirt with desperate fists.

You quietly removed yourself from the car to leave them some privacy, grabbing your bag and leaning on the hood of the car. No more than 10 minutes later, the door was opening again, and Eddie was helping Teddy out.

You smiled at the pair and watched Eddie keep his hand around Teddy's shoulders as you approached the front door of the home you were parked out front of.

"Hey!" Steve Harrington beamed when he opened the door. "You made it - everyone's out back. C'mon," he smiled, catching sight of Teddy, and pausing. "Oh, hello," he slowly lowered himself into a squat, "what's your name?"

Teddy shyly turned his face into Eddie's thigh, looking up at him with wide eyes. Eddie nodded, "It's okay, buddy, he's a friend of ours."

He nodded slowly, glancing at Steve, "I-I'm Teddy."

"Teddy?" Steve repeated with a softer smile, the child nodding. "It's very nice to meet you, my name's Steve. I hear you really like swimming. And dinosaurs."

"I do," he nodded. "My big brother calls me a fish."

"He's always in water," Eddie smiled, rubbing Teddy's back comfortingly.

"Well, Teddy, would you like to come take a swim in the pool?"

"You have a pool?" Teddy gasped, looking at you and Eddie with shock and awe.

"Yeah!" Steve grinned. "Wanna check it out with me?"

"Yeah! Uh-huh!" Teddy nodded, pulling away from Eddie's leg a bit before pausing. "Um, Eddie?" He looked up, "C-Can I go?"

"Yeah, bud, we're right behind you. We're just gonna change really quick."

"Stick by Steve until we're back, okay?" You nodded, watching the little boy nod rapidly before reaching for Steve's hand.

"All right, let's go, buddy," Steve smiled, letting the little boy take his hand before dropping a wink at you and Eddie. "You know where the bathrooms are, right?"

"Yeah, we'll be right out," you assured, leading Eddie into Steve's house. Teddy was gawking at everything, completely shocked that people could live here; listening as Steve pointed out different things while making their way to the backyard.

You felt Eddie slide his hand into yours, tugging you so your back met his chest. "Thank you," Eddie whispered, letting you lead you both up to Steve's room.

When the door shut, you answered, "Don't have to thank me, baby, I just thought he'd be overwhelmed, and a neutral space was best for right now. Then he can settle in at home."

Eddie nodded, peeking out from behind Steve's curtains to the pool yard below. "He's already talking with Dustin," he chuckled lightly.

"He's gonna be okay, Eddie," you assured, stepping towards him to peer around him. You could see Nancy and Robin giggling on the side of the pool, and how Steve and Dustin were talking with animation to Teddy. "He's safe."

"Thanks to you," Eddie whispered, the tick to his tone assuring you he was suppressing emotion.

"Hey," you whispered, turning Eddie to face you, "I didn't do anything, that was all you, angel. You saved Teddy; I just drove the car."

"You did so much more than that," he promised, caressing your left cheek. "I just can't thank you enough."

You grinned, "I'm happy to help, angel. But you've gotta answer a question for me."

"Anything, peaches."

"Were you being serious? Back there, um... W-With your mom? When you said you wanted me to be your wife?"

Eddie smiled down at you, bringing both hands to your cheeks; leaning down to press his lips to yours. It was simple enough to lose yourself in the motion, always finding Eddie's lips mesmerizing to the point where your mind went blank.

When he pulled back, you both needed to take a long breath in; resulting in light panting as Eddie smirked, "I was being very serious, peaches. I'm sorry if it was abrupt, I-I know we've only talked about it once before, but after today, there's no doubt in my mind that you're gonna be my wife. Soon."

"Soon?"

"Real soon," he teased, leaning down to kiss you again. "As soon as we can," he chuckled.

"Hm, you're gonna need to propose first," you teased. "Gotta get a ring, too."

"I have one," he assured.

"You do?"

"Course I do. I uh... I bought it about a year ago."

"But..." you blinked a few times, "W-We broke up a year ago?"

"I know," he sighed. "After our fight, I just couldn't think straight. The next morning, I went and bought a ring because I knew I couldn't be without you. Our breakup taught me that life without you isn't really living, it's just existing. So, I went and made sure that when I got you back, I'd never risk losing you again."

"And when we got back together?"

"I didn't want to startle you," he nodded. "We were broken up three months, and it fucking sucked, princess, that I didn't want you to get scared and run away from us. But when we got back together, God, I was just grateful to have you back - so, I didn't want to risk losing you again, and if that meant waiting, I'd wait forever."

You nodded, feeling tears surface, "It was hard for me, too."

"But we got through it."

"We did," you nodded, sniffling. "And we're gonna get through this, too. Together."

"Always together," he breathed, pressing his lips to your forehead. The sounds of laughter and screaming and splashing interrupted you, both peaking back out to see Teddy on Steve's shoulders as Mike was on Lucas' and there was a game of chicken going on.

You and Eddie both laughed when Mike comically flailed from Lucas' shoulders; Teddy grinning and cheering with Steve in victory. Nancy and Robin posed as cheerleaders from the sidelines, howling in pride when the little boy looked around, soaking in the praise he's never had in his life.

"C'mon," you smiled up at Eddie, "we're missing all the fun out there."

Getting changed was simple enough and you both made it down to the back patio, greeting the other party members and their significant others. "Eddie! Eddie! Watch me!" Teddy called, waving wildly from Steve's shoulders still.

"I'm watching, buddy!" Eddie grinned back, pulling you to sit on the side of the pool with him.

"C'mon! Get in!" Teddy giggled, letting Steve wrangle him from his shoulders. "C'mon, Eddie!"

"Yeah, Eddie, c'mon," you mocked with a grin, winking at him before shoving him into the water. Teddy laughed wildly with the others as Eddie resurfaced, hair drenched down his face as he sputtered to get it out of his mouth.

"Oh, you think that's funny, do you?" He asked you, hand sloppily pushing hair away from his sight.

"Very," you giggled before cutting off abruptly, screaming when Eddie latched onto your ankles and pulled you into the water, too.

The party members laughed merrily as you gasped for breath, laughing a little yourself as you flipped your hair from your face. "It's a look, baby, really metal," Eddie giggled.

"That was betrayal if I ever knew it," you teased. "Get him, Teddy!"

"AH!" the boy shouted from the side of the pool, leaping to the water, and landing on Eddie's back - forcing the older boy to dunk under the surface.

"Woah, hey! Hey!" Eddie laughed when he popped back up, swiftly grabbing Teddy around the waist so he didn't have to doggie paddle in his floaties too hard. "That wasn't nice, bud! Thought brothers stuck together!"

"You dunked sissy; I dunk you!" Teddy grunted, trying to wrangle from his brother's grip.

Eddie gasped comically, looking at you with wide eyes, "Et tu, sweetheart?"

You only shrugged, "Should know better than to dunk a lady in the pool, Eddie. Now, you've gotta reap the consequences."

"Nobody touches sissy!" Teddy assured, flexing his little arms and Eddie let him dunk him under water again.

The rest of the afternoon was spent together, laughing and joking with everyone, the younger members of the party entertaining Teddy sweetly. Steve was a very gracious host and made sure everyone had what they wanted or needed; and Teddy was having the time of his freaking life letting Robin braid his hair. Steve handed you a towel for Teddy when it was time to head home for dinner, moving off to speak with Eddie before everyone was ready and packed up.

Teddy snuggled back into Eddie's shirt and took your hand softly, making Eddie carry your bag and towels as the little boy told you about all the fun he had. He never knew a pool could be so big.

In the car, Eddie made sure Teddy was strapped in and that his dragon stuffie was close to him; the boy strangling it in his grip against his chest as he happily hummed to the song on the radio. When the boy's eyes started to droop a little, you smiled in the rearview mirror before looking at Eddie and reaching for his hand.

"What did Steve say to you?"

Eddie smirked, "That we're welcome to use the pool whenever we want. Said he was happy to see someone enjoy it, so, whenever Teddy wants, he'd be happy to host."

"That's really nice of him."

"And he offered to babysit whenever we need," Eddie smirked.

"Always the Goddamn babysitter!" You laughed lightly with Eddie, his hand tightening in yours.

"Hey," he spoke seriously, earning a glance from you before your attention was back on the road, "I uh... I just wanted to thank you. This hasn't been easy, but uh... You make it worth it. And I'm glad to do this with you."

"Do what, baby?"

"Life."

You pulled up to the red light before your house, leaning over to pull Eddie in for a harsh kiss. He chuckled against your lips, humming lightly when your tongue swept into his mouth dominantly. His hand rose to your jaw, sweeping his thumb across it when you pulled back, whispering, "I'm really glad to do life with you, too, angel."

"You and me, right?"

You smiled, nodding, "You, me, and Teddy."

"The way it should be, should've always been," Eddie sighed, deflating back into his seat with a knowing smile. His hand remained tight in yours the rest of the drive, and when you got home, Wayne was already grilling outside and waving at you while Eddie grabbed a sleepy Teddy from the backseat.

While you both made your way inside with Teddy slowly waking up on Eddie's shoulder, Wayne chuckled to himself and took another swig of beer, "I give 'em a year before they have a kid of their own, those crazy kids. God love 'em."

#eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson imagine #eddie munson stranger things #eddie munson angst #eddie munson x you #eddie munson x fem!reader #eddie munson fluff #stranger things #stranger things 4 #stranger things imagine #stranger things x reader

[mareenavee]

Is there anything specific about your writing which you can pinpoint that you have improved upon since starting writing? Where have you seen the most "gains"? Is there anything in particular that you'd like to tweak? (I have been thinking about this a lot for myself personally, and I thought it would be an interesting question for you.)

Hello WINTER 🫂!! Ah this is such a fantastic question! Thank you for asking it. Let's talk about level ups below the cut!!! It'll be a long post with rambling, advice and snippets.

Without further ado...

What really is a Level Up and how do I notice one?

I have been seeing a lot of you guys really level up lately with your writing. The joy and effort is super, super apparent in our circle and I am seriously proud of you guys. I'm floored reading the work all ya'll are sharing for WIP (whenever.) It's interesting to me that I can so easily see the skill gains for others but it's much tougher for me to look at mine and SEE it. There's a bit of a perception about our own craft that it's not as "good as it should be" but it's really part of a cycle. (This post here can explain it with graphics.)

At a certain point we hit an overlap where we see/evaluate craft in ways we're still working on putting into practice which can skew our perspective of our own work until we catch up with ourselves. It's important to understand this, at least for me, because it's like...partially turning a page in a book. We're still processing what's been said, but we don't know the rest of the story yet :> And the only way to get the rest of it is to keep going, and finish turning the page.

As with art -- I love looking back on old work and noticing just how much things have changed and for the better, too. Part of learning how to level up is also learning to be gentle with ourselves, which is my next point.

Something that has helped me immensely and has been so invaluable in my journey is mindfulness and mindset shifts. Instead of using negative self-talk on myself, on my writing, on my craft -- I try to reframe it into statements like "I can change how I convey x, y or z if I try this." It is not an easy thing, and is a constant journey. But it does help the level ups. I speak from painstaking experience.

For specifics about my writing -- I'll begin from when I started writing World because I have been writing for ages at this point (I started when I was 7 years old after I first read The Hobbit lol).

Gains

I have seen immense improvement with my scenery descriptions and describing how characters feel about a space and events going on in them since the beginning of World. I have aphantasia so it's really almost impossible for me to visualize anything in my head regarding scenery especially. I tend to rely on sound for this, but imagery is important. Also when I began World, I was in full challenge mode and didn't have the time or confidence to look up the references I needed. I can compare draft versions here for example.

Old Chapter 9 - First version

She took his hand and led him down past the now-recovered Gildergreen, whose ethereal flowers still bloomed in the cold of Sun’s Dusk. They walked almost to the entrance of the city, right before Adrianne’s forge. Nyenna guided him up the stairs of a little house which had stood empty for as long as anyone could remember. Recently, the old, faded boards that had scarred its surface had been replaced. She pulled a fine chain from around her neck and revealed a brass key hanging on it. She unclasped her necklace and unlocked the door of the house.  Athis looked around in awe at the tiny, perfect cottage. There was not a speck of dust, and the fire had already been lit. New dishes lined shelves that had been made by hand. Candles scattered around the room glowed like miniature stars. The light shone off of their matching rings as they walked toward the back of their kitchen. “Welcome to Breezehome,” Nyenna said. “I’ve been working on this for weeks.” “You did all this yourself? For me?” Athis asked, still stunned. He ran his hands over the rough hewn table in the back of the room almost as if he couldn’t believe it was real. “For us,” Nyenna corrected. He turned and lifted her up in one motion, spinning her around in pure joy before setting her back down. They sat down together at the table, and he kissed her gently. “Our home,” Athis said, voice thick with emotion. “Our home,” Nyenna agreed. He pulled her into a tight embrace. They sat like that for some time, warm in each other’s arms.

New Version (Now Chapter 7)

She took his hand and led him down past the now-recovered Gildergreen, whose ethereal flowers still bloomed, even in the cold of Sun’s Dusk. They walked almost to the entrance of the city, right before Adrianne’s forge. Nyenna guided him up the stairs of a little house which had stood empty for as long as anyone could remember. Recently, the old, faded boards that had scarred its surface had been replaced. She pulled a fine chain from around her neck and revealed an old brass key hanging on it. She unclasped her necklace and unlocked the door of the house. She led Athis into the tiny, perfect cottage. There was not a speck of dust, and the fire had already been lit. New dishes lined shelves that had been made by hand. The kitchen area next to the hearth in the center of the main room was outfitted with second hand, well-loved pans Hulda had given her. Tundra cotton and lavender hung from the ceiling, drying alongside other bundles of herbs and braids of garlic. Candles scattered around the room glowed like miniature stars. The light reflected off of their matching rings as they walked toward the back of their kitchen. She fell even more in love, if it was possible, as she watched him look around in awe at all her hard work. All she had achieved for them. “Welcome to Breezehome,” Nyenna said quietly. “I’ve been working on this for weeks, between everything else.” “You did all this yourself? For me?” Athis asked, still stunned. He ran his hands over the rough hewn table in the back of the room almost as if he couldn’t believe it was real. Farkas had actually found that for her. She had repaired it herself. “For us ,” Nyenna corrected. He turned and lifted her up in one motion, spinning her around in pure joy before setting her back down. They sat down together at the table, and he kissed her gently. She giggled. “Our friends helped, too.” “This is really our home?” Athis asked, voice thick. He smiled, garnet eyes shining with held-back tears. “Our home,” Nyenna agreed. He pulled her into a tight embrace. They sat like that for some time, warm in each other’s arms. She pulled another fine chain out from beneath her dress. A brand new brass key she had Adrianne make for her hung from it. She handed it to Athis. He held onto it like it was the greatest treasure he’d ever seen before he slipped the chain over his head, links catching in his hair and tugging more strands loose from the braids. She knew he’d never thought he’d be able to have a place to call his own. It was why she had been working so much, and sleeping so little. To give him this, that they could share together. It was the least she could do. She wanted a home, too. It had been so long since she had felt this kind of safety, this kind of comfort. Normalcy, of any kind. He had given her that. Freely and with his whole heart. They had already started to build a beautiful life. It was more than what she had asked for. It was everything she could have imagined and more.

Changes

I think if I were to pick one thing I'd still like to push more it'd be the visual descriptions of things for sure as mentioned above. I do rely a lot on sound to convey a lot of what I'm experiencing in my mind while I'm writing. Sound has never been an issue for me to remember or to imagine. But balancing that with actual descriptions of what the character can see is still super important and I do try very hard to do this :D

Final Thoughts

Leveling up and improving at writing takes a lot of practice generally speaking, and the drive to want to do the thing. Life can get in the way of creativity sometimes, I speak from experience. So the biggest advice I can give is to normalize being proud of your journey. Each step, past, present and where you're trying to go in the future. Your words matter more than you realize, more than the numbers will have you believe, more than your own self-talk will try and convince you otherwise.

Level ups occur because you are doing something you love, acquiring good input (ie reading widely, and writing often and noticing what works about these stories and what doesn't and asking WHY) , and making a concerted effort to try your best. And your best can look like different things at different points. The next step after that is like I said above, be gentle with yourself, especially each of your past selves. Their work got you where you are today. And where you are today will become a past self that provided a foundation on which you level up your craft.

So be kind to yourself. Keep practicing. Be mindful. When you are inspired, don't forget to write it down. Save pieces of your work for later. Review your own writing with pride.

I know it's not the easiest to see in ourselves and our work, but all that we do, all that creativity -- it's absolutely worth it. The level ups will happen. It takes time. But you'll get there.

(And Winter specifically? GIRL. You are leveling up. You got this. I see you. (: )

#AskMareena #MareenaWrites #on writing #writing advicec #writing advice #writing tips #fanficblr #writblr #writeblr

[lalaloobzy]

Random aspec fictional character HCs

Matthew Cuthbert (Anne With an E)

Asexual + aromantic

Lived his whole life unmarried like his sister but, unlike Marilla, never had any relationships in the past. Doesn't reciprocate Jeannie's feelings and tells her his love for his adopted daughter (Anne) is the only love he has room for. Was TERRIFIED when Anne tried to set him up with Jeannie.

*(this is specific to AWAE but I think it can apply to book Matthew as well)

Selah Summers (Selah and the Spades)

Asexual + aromantic

Tbh this one might be canon (or at least heavily implied). Never has been in a relationship. Admits to Paloma that she's just never been interested in anyone in a romantic or sexual way.

Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)

Asexual + aromantic

Just doesn't seem remotely interested in romance or sex. Gets grossed out/ annoyed when people kiss in front of him.

*(this is specific to the anime, idk about the manga or live action adaptation)

**(I am not caught up on the anime, this may turn out to be incorrect)

Willie Jack Sampson (Reservation Dogs)

Asexual + aromantic

Never had a love interest or showed attraction in the show (to the best of my knowledge. If she did, I missed it). Also, THIS OUTFIT SPECIFICALLY. Her hoodie is aroace colors and her socks look like a mix of the asexual flag and the aromantic flag.

Lucy Wells (Harlots)

Grey asexual/ greysexual (+possibly aromantic? Maybe demiromantic? I haven't decided yet)

Born into prostitution but HATES sex. Avoids it as much as she can and by the last season finds a way to do her job without having to have sex. The reason I said grey ace is because she DOES seem sexually attracted to Fallon after some time of being with him (I think? I was a little confused about how she felt tbh).

Birdy (Birdy)

Asexual + demiromantic

Everyone in his life thinks it's weird that he's so interested in birds and not girls. Admits to Al he doesn't see the appeal of sex at all. Very reluctant to go to prom with Doris and had no idea what to do when she parked the car and offered him sex. I can see him developing romantic feelings after close friendship (like with Al) which is why I think he's demiromantic.

Bilbo AND Frodo Baggins (The Hobbit/ The Lord of the Rings)

Both asexual (+ maybe demiromantic, though I can also see Bilbo as aro)

Both remained bachelors all their lives. Bilbo lived alone and later with Frodo who was like an adopted son. Frodo lives for a long time with Sam and Sam's wife Rosie. I personally think that Sam and Frodo are in a romantic relationship, while Sam and Rosie are in a sexual relationship. Frodo seems content with this arrangement which is why I believe he's ace.

Ted Buckland (Scrubs)

Asexual

Simply because of the part where Carla says "I don't want any MAN filming me giving birth unless he's completely asexual" and then Ted walks in with a camera and Carla smiles and says "oh hi Ted!". (I think this was a poorly-aged joke about him being "ugly" more than anything but I'm still claiming it). Also when he sings the duet with Gooch and Gooch says "I want to screw you" while Ted says "I want to kiss you.

Fabian Rutter (House of Anubis)

Asexual

He's nerdy and into space (I know this is a stereotype but representation is scarce I take anything I can get... you get it right). Also his relationship with Nina is very innocent and I can't see him developing sexual attraction even when he becomes an adult.

Dirk Gently and Bart Curlish (Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency)

Dirk- Asexual

Bart- Aromantic

Neither of them have love interests in the show (although Bart/Ken may have been implied) so this is just how I felt about the characters personally. I think Dirk definitely had a crush on Todd and is gay but I don't think he gets sexual attraction. Bart is the opposite. I can see her developing sexual attractions and feelings but being repulsed by kissing/ dating etc.

*(this is specific to DGHDA, idk about any other versions of these characters)

Anybody feel free to add thoughts and your personal aspec character hcs <3

#anne with an e #matthew cuthbert #selah and the spades #selah summers #one piece #monkey d. luffy #willie jack sampson #reservation dogs #harlots #lucy wells #birdy #birdy 1984 #bilbo baggins #frodo baggins #the hobbit #lord of the rings #scrubs #ted buckland #house of anubis #fabian rutter #dirk gently #bart curlish #dirk gently's holistic detective agency #asexual #aromantic #demiromantic #grey asexual #asexual spectrum #aspec #lgbtqia

[cornerful]

March 9th

A sweet fountain played there in the morning sun, and a sward of bright green lay about it; but in the midst, drooping over the pool, stood a dead tree, and the falling drops dripped sadly from its barren and broken branches back into the clear water.

For the imagery tag... amazing that we can go from the banner a thousand feet above the plain and towers of pearl and silver to this. The view from outside vs the view from inside or something. And I'm reminded of the Púkel men. Stone lasts a long time, even in the likeness of its shapers, but that doesn't mean there is life left within.

Of course there is life and some hope in Minas Tirith but still, as has been said, it dwindles. :(

How many times have we seen stone be the only relic of ages past. In some ways I feel places like the barrow downs haunting Minas Tirith right now, for all her banners still fly

'But I will say this: the rule of no realm is mine, neither of Gondor nor any other, great or small. But all worthy things that are in peril as the world now stands, those are my care. And for my part, I shall not wholly fail of my task, though Gondor should perish, if anything passes through this night that can still grow fair or bear fruit and flower again in days to come. For I also am a steward. Did you not know?'

Me every time I read this:

Yet in the wizard's face he saw at first only lines of care and sorrow; though as he looked more intently he perceived that under all there was a great joy: a fountain of mirth enough to set a kingdom laughing, were it to gush forth.

🥺💚

Presently he noticed a man, clad in black and white, coming along the narrow street from the centre of the citadel towards him.

Beregond time!!!

'But do not despair!' He laughed again, seeing the dismay in Pippin's face. 'Those who have had heavy duty take somewhat to refresh their strength in the mid-morning.

...

They put all into a wicker basket and climbed back into the sun

Beregond teasing Pippin about food and then taking him on a picnic is so cute I love Beregond so much good for him

'The Black Riders?' said Pippin, opening his eyes, and they were wide and dark with an old fear re-awakened.

'I know of them,' said Pippin softly, 'but I will not speak of them now, so near, so near.'

Not all terrors fade easily from even hobbits' minds :(

'Our reach is shortened, and we cannot strike till some foe comes within it. Then our hand must be heavy!' He smote the hilt of his sword.

Pippin looked at him: tall and proud and noble, as all the men that he had yet seen in that land; and with a glitter in his eye as he thought of the battle. 'Alas! my own hand feels as light as a feather,' he thought, but he said nothing.

I'm strongly reminded of his attitude towards his own ability to be valiant (basically: only when I have to be) when Gandalf describes him as such, and of him telling Bergil he is not a fighter, and of Bergil saying he almost wishes there were no war. Took or not Pip is a hobbit for sure <3

Pippin looked up, and it seemed to him that the sky had grown ashen-grey, as if a vast dust and smoke hung above them, and light came dully through it. But in the West the dying sun had set all the fume on fire, and now Mindolluin stood black against a burning smoulder flecked with embers. 'So ends a fair day in wrath!' he said, forgetful of the lad at his side.

More imagery...woof

Lights sprang in many windows, and from the houses and wards of the men at arms along the walls there came the sound of song.

The deep breath before the plunge. This little bit about the people singing inside as the last dusk falls might be my favourite. If ever there were a liminal space it would be this: hope, or something less like hope and more like endurance, suspended in time like dust in a sunbeam.

#lotrn309 #lotr newsletter #imagery

[writerman]

Are you still taking fic prompts? Because if you are then omg, Barduil first meeting for that 'stuck overnight in an IKEA' post... 'I was just there for a table, he was only there for the meatballs and... well... by the time we were all allowed to go the next morning I had my table, he'd had his meatballs and we both had a boyfriend... It was love at first Ypperlig...'

Hi, anon, did you know you sent me this request in 2021??

If you still follow me or ever followed me to begin with, I am so sorry.

Here is your IKEA Barduil prompt.

Happy NaNo!

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Fandom: The Hobbit

Ship: Bard x Thranduil (Barduil)

Word Count: 5,541

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Anyone travelling out there stay safe, the storm is supposed to be coming in thick and fast by this afternoon. Local authorities and the MET office have asked that if you can stay home please do! 

On that note here is a little song for anyone taking on the blizzard today. Snow Bird by Ann- 

Bard smacked the radio as fast as he could, numb fingers fumbling with the off switch while he kept his eyes on the road. The snow hadn’t hit blizzard levels yet but the sky above him hinted that it wouldn’t be long.

The snowfall the night before had blanketed the world in white that was already about a foot deep, but it hadn’t deterred many from leaving their homes. There were a few brave souls battling through the snow-covered sidewalks- no one had come to clear a path but no one appeared to care that much. 

It was fine, it would be fine, he only had to run into IKEA for a replacement coffee table as Bain had body-slammed the other one and left it in two halves in the living room. Of course, it had been an accident and that was what Bard got for letting him watch the pro wrestling stuff on TV unattended. 

Of course. An accident. 

So, a replacement was needed and somehow the exact replica of it existed (imagine that!) within the blue and yellow labyrinth of IKEA, patiently waiting for the myriad of other shoppers to swoop in and collect it only to have their Christmas visitors exclaim that they too had the same table at home! 

Thankfully, parking was easy. The place was practically deserted because everyone else had more sense than to drive out into an impending snowstorm to buy furniture! 

Then again, everyone probably didn’t have a child like Bain to contend with. He was a good kid, just energetic and very impressionable at his age. It wasn’t as though something like this hadn’t happened before. 

Why am I even out buying a table? The kids are with their mum this year. All I need is to rest a cup on it… Shaking the snow off himself at the entrance, Bard tried not to let his entire being sag at the thought of Christmas on his own and then he recalled why he had gotten out of the house in the first place.

It had been too quiet. 

Amid his thoughts, someone brushed past him hurriedly sending him crashing into a metal basket of stuffed sharks. Before he can topple over into the pile of plush toys a strong hand wraps around his wrist and pulls him back to his feet. 

“Sorry, so sorry, I didn’t mean to knock you over like that!” Apologies flew fast from the stranger’s mouth and Bard cleared his throat before smiling awkwardly trying to brush it off. 

“It’s all right, I was in the way.” He mumbled this as he checked himself over, and as he glanced up to his would-be attacker and rescuer he felt his heart do an odd sort of little skip before resuming the staccato rhythm it had taken up in the moment of surprise. 

“No, not at all.” The stranger’s voice seemed to have dropped an octave now his apologies had been done and dusted and he promptly released Bard’s wrist from his grip upon realising that he still held on to him. “I was not paying attention; you know this time of year leaves everyone… harried.” He trailed off as he said the last word and it looked as though he was unsure if he meant what he was saying. 

“Honestly, I'm alright. Don’t worry about it.” Bard urged again, really he wanted some space between himself and the stranger because he was experiencing what could only be described as a sexual awakening but incredibly bisexually. 

“If you’re sure you’re fine.” The stranger continued but when Bard nodded again they merely nodded back and turned neatly on their heel and hurried away with the same speed they had entered the store. 

After that encounter Bard didn’t see them again, in fact, he saw very few people that didn’t work there. Most of them stood huddled around a work computer whispering urgently about the oncoming storm. 

Likely wishing idiots like him would piss off home so they could head home too.

Yes, he felt awful that they had to be there, and he did honestly feel bad for going in but he really wanted to replace his table- he had time and nowhere else to be. Though, the employees didn’t seem to harbour any ill will towards him when he asked for help finding the section he needed. 

Bard had spent a grand total of 20 minutes in the store by the time he reached the checkouts and as he approached one he realised there were no members of staff to be seen. Scratching his head in confusion, he looked about for any sign of the employees who assisted him earlier. 

No one.

Someone at his side groaned. 

“Just wonderful,” They griped shifting from one foot to another jostling whatever it was in their hands. “The snow has blocked the door; the employees are trying to figure out what they should do.” 

Turning to look at the stranger, Bard comes face to face with the very man that had bowled him over in the entrance. 

“Hello, again.” He shared the grim expression held by the stranger as he greeted him. His attention is then focused on the now shut off automatic doors. A few members of the staff were stood looking at the heavily falling snow, one of them jumping backwards as a sudden gust of wind rattled the doors and the lights flickered around them.

“You don’t suppose the restaurant is open, do you?” The stranger spoke again, and Bard glanced down at his flat pack table at his feet for a second before picking it up and turning to look up at the signposts that hung above them both.

“Let’s find out.” He tried for cheerful, it came out quiet and he cursed inwardly at how nervous he was around the man. The same man that had been so very sorry for knocking into a bunch of stuffed sharks not 20 minutes earlier.

“Yes, let’s. I’m Thranduil, by the way. And again, I am so very sorry for knocking you off your feet. Not how I like to introduce myself to people, hopefully you sustained no injury.” There was a hint of amusement in his voice and Bard felt the slightest blush warm his cheeks.

“No injury, fighting off sharks stuffed or otherwise is just days’ work for a dad with 3 rambunctious kids.” They head toward the restaurant and Thranduil offers a knowing nod, they had found some common ground.

“Oh, uh, I’m Bard. Nice to meet you… Thranduil, was it?” It was an unusual name, but honestly, so was Bard. Though, people didn’t tend to comment on it as much as he assumed people might about Thranduil’s.

“So, do you play music?” The question came right out of the left field and left Bard silent for a moment until he caught on and let out a loud laugh.

“Funny, not musically inclined at all, played the odd bit of guitar in university, you know how it goes.” He tried not to think about the cringe-worthy image of him sitting beneath a tree strumming the whole three cords he knew just humming songs uncaring that they didn’t match the chords.

“Yes, yes, we’ve all been there. The mortifying act of trying to reinvent yourself only to discover you don’t know how to begin remodelling your life aside from drastically changing your wardrobe only to never wear any of the ridiculous items ever again.” Thranduil gave a flourish of the hand before grimacing at the memory of it.

“Ah, the hubris of youth.” Bard sighed.

In a surprising turn of events, the restaurant was open and the few customers who still lingered, rather against their will, had made their own way over to buy coffee and pastries to wait out the storm until eventually, like animals, they could be released back into the wild again.

“Coffee?” Thranduil set his unpurchased item on the chair next to him before shrugging off his long coat from his incredibly tall form. He dressed any dad might, jeans, boots and a jumper and yet the clothes seemed to fit him better than they had any person Bard had ever encountered before.

Not that he was staring.

IKEA was certainly not the place to consider his wavering sexuality, no that was better suited to a queer coffee shop or whatever, he wasn’t sure. He had really had to think about this kind of thing before.

Not that he was expecting a full-blown love affair to come from their meeting. After they were set free they likely wouldn’t see one another ever again.

“I’m sorry that I asked such a complex question when I offered to buy you coffee, shall I rephrase it?” Once again, there was a touch of amusement in his voice as he spoke.

It took an embarrassing amount of time for Bard to realise he had just been standing silently looking at Thranduil for at least 2 minutes. No words uttered he had just stood there like an idiot letting his mind wander while Thranduil waited patiently for a response.

“Aha, sorry, yes coffee is fine.” He shoved his hand into his jeans pocket to fish for change, but Thranduil chided him with the click of his tongue and walked off without taking any of the money he had attempted to offer.

Bard took this chance to take off his own coat after sliding his unpaid for table down by the table and the restaurant wall.

How badly he wanted to put his hands over his face and scream into them. This had never happened to him before. He had never found another man attractive before. However, by the look of it, Thranduil was used to it as many of the other occupants actively and openly stared at him as he passed them by before their eyes snapped over to Bard with questions burning on the tips of their tongues.

Mortifying, mortifying, awful, terrible.

When Thranduil returned he placed both cups on the table before digging into his own pocket for the sugar packets and little pots of milk he had acquired on his way back to their table.

“Does that happen everywhere you go?” Bard motioned to the people still watching him though trying to pull it off that they were merely having a good old gander at the restaurant and out of the windows.

“Oh, I suppose. I think it’s my hair.” Thranduil seemed disinterested and concentrated on peeling back the foil from the tiny milk pots.

Yeah sure, not the fact you’re the most beautiful person to grace the earth.

Nope, he wasn’t going there, after all this, he was going to have to sit down with his brain and talk to it about inappropriate thoughts.

Should go well.

“You do have nice hair, I suppose it makes sense people will stare at you, and you’re b- big… uh, tall!” Bard pulled his own coffee cup towards him and tore open two of the sugar packets dumping them into his coffee without looking at Thranduil.

His face felt hot.

“I am very big, you’re correct.” No further context was given and Bard near choked on his first sip of coffee upon hearing the words uttered.

Is he flirting with me? Surely not.

Bard cannot even begin to formulate a response and as if the Gods smiled up on him, the squeal and hiss of the tannoy above interrupted their conversation.

Dear customers of the store, unfortunately, due to the weather conditions we have been required to close the store for the rest of the day. Due to the ongoing storm and its severity, for your safety we have been advised to have anyone in store remain until the worst has passed.

We understand that this is inconvenient and may cause some upset, if you have any questions our staff are on hand to assist.

We strongly suggest that you remain indoors and do not attempt to leave the store. IKEA are offering free food and hot beverages to all customers affected for the duration of your stay.

Again, we apologise for the inconvenience this may cause.

Thank you.

When the announcement ended Bard could hear the throng of people gathered in the restaurant begin to grumble, muttering under their breath that they had places to be. He had no sympathy for them coming out in a storm with the intention of running errands.

Sure, he had done the same and maybe Thranduil had done, too. But he had nowhere to be. When he looked back at Thranduil he noticed the man was simply continuing to drink his coffee with not a single worry plastered across his face.

“Nothing waiting for you back at home either, ay?” Bard gave an empathetic smile when Thranduil nodded and set down his cup, leaning back in his seat he gave a cursory look around the room before he spoke.

“I have two adult children, well, university age, they are with their respective partners this Christmas, and I pretended I had made plans so that they didn’t feel sorry for their dear old dad being alone on Christmas.” As casually as he had tried to make it sound, Thranduil did come across as sad as he explained himself.

“I only ventured out for something to do. I had already promised I wouldn’t work over Christmas so IKEA it is. You know the hub of all social interaction. Joking aside, some good has come of it, well, the snowed in part of my day isn’t the highlight but I do have good company at least.” Thranduil lets the silence linger, and Bard swallowed hard, it was hard to know if this man was in fact flirting with him even if he wasn’t the way he spoke was just so fucking…

Suggestive

“We’re in the same boat, I only came out to replace a coffee table and only because I’m home alone for Christmas too,” It was a stupid thing to do, his brain was already telling him he was going to crash and burn but still his mouth disregarded the warning.

“I know you probably have a ton of friends you could hang out with, but you know my door is open to you if you want to spend the day. I know we are practical strangers- ah, I don’t know why I’m doing this. Sorry.” Bard fumbled at the last moment and decided it was better to rescind the invitation to save his already shaky ego.

“Strangely, I have very few friends. Something about being intimidating and having a- now what did Tauriel call it, ah yes! I have a resting bitch face that seems to put people off from talking to me.” The delivery was dry and still Bard let out a surprised laugh which he quickly smothered by taking a long sip of his drink hyper aware that others were now looking over at him.

“Now that is a nice sound.” Thranduil was resting his chin in his hand, elbow planted firmly on the tabletop looking across at Bard with a gentle and sincere smile. “So, is my invitation still valid or are you going shy on me?” He arches a brow and Bard can’t look away from him, and he knows he’s beet red.

“A-are you really flirting with me?”

“I have been this entire time, thank you for noticing,” The confidence that oozed from Thranduil was almost unbearable in how damn hot it was. No hint of arrogance just sheer and open boldness.

“You left me quite lost for words when I first set eyes on you, or rather… when I full body smashed you into a cart of BLÅHAJ, butchering the pronunciation but you get the idea. Could scarcely even look at you, with your beautiful brown eyes and dark wavy hair. That and you said I had pretty hair and I was big- ah, tall.” The corners of his mouth quirked up in a smirk and Bard felt like sliding out of his seat onto the floor hoping it would open up and swallow him whole.

“W-well, my invitation still stands if you’re interested.” How he had managed to even get words out in a coherent manner was beyond his comprehension seeing as his brain was on fire and there didn’t appear to be any extinguishers wedged into the grey matter.

The lights above them began to flicker before going out, the power had cut out and the wind and snow battered the side of the building brutally the sound of metal creaking faintly around them.

“Fuck- it’s getting worse.” Bard was thankful for the distraction and directed his attention to the windows, the snow was swirling through the wild gales. It came down fast and heavy blotting out the world beyond the glass.

“Let’s move on, I want to sit on something more comfortable.” Thranduil didn’t wait for a response as he stood grabbing his coat and scarf and leaving behind the tiny pack of scented tea lights.

It wouldn’t make any sense for him to carry them around until he could actually purchase them, so Bard followed suit, picking up his coat and leaving the flatpack box still resting between the table and wall.

Like a lost puppy he followed Thranduil until he was at his side struggling to keep up with the long strides the blond made until he came to a stop in the department he had sought out. Bard watched as he wandered through the sofas until he found one that looked comfortable enough, he gently laid his coat over the back of it before flopping down onto the cushions and patting the space next to him.

With as much grace as he could manage, Bard wove between the other sofas and proceeded to sit next to Thranduil, taking care not to have any part of him against the other. However, this didn’t seem to be how things were supposed to go because Thranduil shuffled himself closer so their legs touched from thigh to calf.

“Oh, now this is nice. Do you suppose we will be stuck here all night?” Thranduil had no qualms about being pressed up beside Bard, meanwhile, Bard was trying to as covertly as possible hide his heart attack whilst wondering if he needed to have a conversation with himself about the sudden attraction he had to men.

Because it was sudden like he was smacked with a bisexual stick as soon as he entered the IKEA.

Was it a requirement to be in IKEA?

“I- hope not. I don’t think a big metal building with no power will be a very comfortable place to sleep.” The idea was unappealing, and Bard shuddered though it turned into a shiver as the cold air began to seep in, whatever warmth there had been, it seemed was no longer apparent and he could feel a headache coming on.

“I’ll keep you warm, don’t worry.” The words were whispered into his ear, he could feel Thranduil’s hot breath ghosting over the shell of his ear and the vibrations of his words jostled Bard’s already frayed nerves to near breaking point.

As luck would have it, a store employee was hunting down customers and handing out blankets still in their packaging.

“You two look cosy, but this should help, too.” She was young, early twenties if that. Her cheery demeanour didn’t quite fit the predicament they were in, but it was nice to see that a snowstorm wasn’t dampening her smile.

She didn’t stick around, she had a cart full of blankets she had to distribute, all the while wearing one as a cape as she went.

Bard wasted no time in pulling the soft grey blanket out of its packaging wrapping it around him to ward off the chill, he watched as Thranduil did the same and was genuinely grateful when Thranduil plastered himself against Bard’s side again.

Heat was heat, even if it was the body heat of a particularly amorous man who looked like an angel. When he thought about it, knowing someone harboured obvious affection for him was nice.

New, but nice.

Before he knew it, the girl from earlier was shaking them both awake holding a torch, the bright beam blasting against the floor so as to not blind the both of them in the now pitch-dark sofa department.

“If you’d both rather sleep in a bed I can take you over there now, come on. Everyone else is already over there and the more people in one space the warmer it will be. There’s a small generator nearby too, we have a kettle if you want tea or coffee.” The idea of a bed was delightful and both Thranduil both murmured their sleep thanks as they stood up from the sofa.

“I don’t know about you, but at my age sleeping on a sofa in the cold is not a kind way to treat the body. I ache in the most atrocious way.” Thranduil griped as he collected his coat and scarf, Bard gave him a consolatory pat on the arm hoping it came across as sympathetic in the dark.

“Right there with you,” Bard responded, his hand dropped to his side, fingers accidentally brushing Thranduil’s, who saw the chance to grasp his hand in his. The lack of light other than a torch beam a few steps ahead of them a perfect cover to hide any embarrassment at the gentle touch.

It was such a soft gesture, endearing and sincere. More than Bard had experienced since his divorce, while amicable, it didn’t hurt any less.

But this man was actively pursuing him, in his heart he knew this was moving fast but it didn’t mean he would wish for it to slow down. Of course, he was confused but the excitement was overriding his common sense a little bit, whatever would come of this he couldn’t tell but it was thrilling.

There were several people already bundled up in the show beds, shoes and boots neatly set on the floor beside their coats, some giggling at the absurdity of it all while others looked worried, if not a little scared.

The young girl led Bard and Thranduil to a king-size bed mentioning under her breath that ‘Blondie needed room for his legs’ before smiling at them both and wandering off to assist others with their queries.

Of course, she had assumed they were together. She’d found them bundled up asleep under blankets almost glued at the hip and he really didn’t want the ordeal of having to ask her for his own bed.

It was one night, one night, fully clothed and in a room full of other people, nothing would happen and they couldn’t talk privately with beds set out barely a metre apart. It wasn’t that he felt unsafe or that he thought Thranduil might do something untoward but sharing a bed with him even unromantically… platonically, was fast fast.

Speed of light fast, he didn’t know this man’s last name, where he lived, what kind of car he drove, his favourite food… all he knew was that they were similar in age and were basically alone.

I’m overthinking this. We’re just going to sleep; I was fine sleeping on a sofa right next to him. I was happy to have him hold my hand…

It wasn’t until Thranduil reached out and nudged him that he realised he was being spoken to and wasn’t listening to a word that was said. Sheepishly he looked to Thranduil in the meagre light of one singular lamp that was situated at the edge of the display beds and offered an apologetic smile.

“Would you like me to find somewhere else to sleep?” Serious tone, his face set with determination, but Bard wasn’t sure what it was Thranduil was hoping to achieve. If he was trying to make him feel more comfortable it was working but the idea of sleeping alone when he had the chance not to was what forced him to respond.

“No, you don’t need to do that.” Bard turns away from him to sit on the bed and slip off his boots, placing them under the bed along with his coat. He feels the bed behind him dip as Thranduil moves to do the same.

“Sleeping together and we haven’t even had a first date, how scandalous.” Thranduil teased, though he still had his back to Bard as he spoke. An older lady in the bed next to them let out a chuckle and it managed to put Bard at ease, he locked eyes with her, and she gave him a wink.

Standing up he threw the covers back on his side of the bed and climbed in, but he didn’t lie down, he didn’t want to really commit to sleep until Thranduil was also beside him and comfortable.

It didn’t make any difference if Thranduil slept before him or not and he couldn’t explain to himself mentally why he was waiting for the blond and yet he did.

Thranduil was having a whispered conversation with someone in the bed across from him, but the conversation ended when Bard put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently to get his attention.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you waiting, you cannot sleep without me already, hmm?” Another tease from him and even in the limited light Bard could see his triumphant smile.

When they both settled in bed, Bard was surprised to notice that Thranduil had not plastered himself against him but did welcome the space. Still, he wanted to speak to Thranduil before they tried to get some sleep.

Rolling onto his side he came face to face with him and he sighed before actively readying himself for what he was about to ask.

“Thran, can I call you Thran?” Stalling but when Thranduil nodded he continued, as his eyes adjusted to the dark he could see he held the other’s rapt attention. “How long have you been single?” He tried to whisper the question as quietly as he could and he knew Thranduil had heard it because he stiffened before rolling onto his back remaining silent for some time.

Eventually, he rolled back onto his side, his hand sliding over the space between them reaching for Bard’s hand.

“I know you’re worried about my intense interest in you, I understand it. You are right to be cautious, we know virtually nothing about one another.” His voice sounded so inviting even in a whisper, but his voice was so deep Bard had to move in closer just to hear him properly.

“This is a unique situation, I don’t think I’ve ever been snowed in in an IKEA before and I doubt I will again for the rest of my life, but this is advantageous a blessing in disguise. Would we have met if not for the snowstorm?”

We wouldn’t have met if Bain hadn’t decided to People’s Elbow the damn coffee table. But Bard didn’t say that Thranduil didn’t need to know that ancient re-runs of WWE were the cause of their meeting.

“The moment I realised I was interested in you I knew I couldn’t let you slip away. I was already so annoyed when I thought you’d already left. When you showed up at my side at the empty checkout I was beside myself. I wanted to make the time count, I made sure that we had a chance to talk again and when you so easily went along with it… I knew I had to trust my attraction to lead the way.” How earnest he was in admitting all of this, knowing how strange it was to feel as he did with so little provocation.

They both understood there needed to be far more put into whatever it was they were doing, this wasn’t going to be a fated lovers thing, even if that was how it felt right at that moment. In the morning they would part ways and it was up to them to work out how to deal with their strange evening and how far they were willing to go to make things work.

Even if Bard felt somewhat like a defeatist in thinking it would die out as soon as they stepped out of the store, he was willing to try. He was willing if Thranduil was, and it was apparent to him that Thranduil would put the effort in.

At least, he hoped he would. This gave Bard pause because he was just as eager to continue seeing Thranduil in any capacity. Would he regret it if he never spoke to him again?

This time he did not allow his brain to offer up an answer.

“Let’s talk about this in the morning, I don’t think I can keep whispering like this.” Bard gave Thranduil’s hand a squeeze and he smiled when it was returned.

Nothing else was said between them and it wasn’t long before Bard could hear Thranduil’s breathing slow signalling the man was already asleep.

In the morning, Bard woke with a start trying to work out where he was and who was lying in the bed next to him. The memories of the day before came flooding back and he covered his face with both hands sighing heavily.

Yesterday had been a lot.

Today would be more so.

It was then he realised the lights were now on. Power had been restored and people were getting out of their beds cheerily chattering away pulling on shoes and scouting the area for staff.

It wasn’t until they were alone that Thranduil opened his eyes, his hair was tousled from sleep, and when he mumbled a ‘good morning’ it was so deep it came out more like a rumble of thunder leaving Bard to scramble mentally to gather up his senses once again to return the greeting.

“You’re the last one up, sleepyhead.” Bard joked as he grabbed the blanket and threw back exposing Thranduil to the cold. In response to such callous behaviour, Thranduil groaned like he’d been stabbed before grabbing Bard by the front of his t-shirt pulling him down on top of him and pressing a kiss to his cheek.

“I consider this repayment for such hideous behaviour after I kept you warm all night.”

“Excuse you, but I was the one that kept you warm all night, not the other way around.” In a bid to keep himself from short circuiting, he had to volley right off Thranduil’s words because if he allowed himself to think of the kiss for a mere second he would probably explode.

I cannot believe I was about to lose my mind over a peck on the cheek. Get yourself together, Bard, mate.

“Let’s not start discourse of who kept who warm, instead let’s get coffee and breakfast and get the fuck out of this place. I’ve had no phone service all this time and I am sure someone is going to report me missing if I do not get in touch with the outside world.

My company are going to assume I’ve died.” Business like but he was smiling, thoroughly pleased with himself for the cheek kiss, probably.

They were not released from the yellow and blue prison until lunchtime and by that time Bard was willing to dig the place out himself. He wanted a shower, clean clothes and his own comfortable sofa and TV.

The time to decompress was a necessity, he needed time to overthink every single interaction he’d had with Thranduil, from the moment they met to the very moment he handed over his contact number before rushing off to his own car while on a conference call with his children and vice president of his company all who sounded as though they were wailing into his ear with relief.

With his replacement table securely in the back seat, and after having the car running with the heat blasting for 15 minutes, Bard made his own way home.

His house was blessedly empty, upon his return home. It was the first time in years he was pleased to have only the sound of silence in every corner. In a matter of minutes, Bard had the thermostat cranked up, his coat off and boots kicked into the hallway.

He had an important meeting with the sofa he couldn’t miss and probably a fair few calls to make to confirm he was not dead, he was ok and ‘You wouldn’t believe what happened last night’.

As he unlocked his phone, the first message to come through was an unsaved number, opening it up he realised who it was from almost immediately.

I wanted so badly to kiss you properly this morning, but we have time for that. See you at Christmas. T x

#Bard the Bowman #Thranduil #The Hobbit #Prompt #Writing

[ladyswillmart]

Hivallion Pellithorn

Born: March 09, Y.T. 1388 (8122 years old)

Birthplace: Near Eglarest, the Falas

Height: Roughly 6'5"

Hair: Tawny silver; formerly very long and typically worn in a single plait that reached all the way down to his hips, but recently he had it cut quite short

Eyes: Pale bottle green; occasionally wears spectacles for reading

Appearance: A bit unusual for an elf, but nothing too terribly outlandish and perhaps owing to his Falathrim heritage. His face is constantly chapped about the cheeks, as if he spends a lot of time outside in windy conditions. Observed by one Arlen Askew (student) thusly:

“He doesn’t appear aged, not in the face, not quite. Not quite young either, but there is a sort of overall worn quality to him that I find comforting. Not worn out, just worn, like a fisherman’s jumper that’s gone all fuzzy and grey from years of being battered about by waves and spume and salted breezes. Despite that, he has such a kindly countenance! In fact he simply radiates this lovely sort of warmth through and through, like a freshly baked apple and cheese pie. Though I am not sure an elf would find the comparison as flattering as a hobbit like myself...”

Trades: Ecologist, scholar, natural historian; following his injury, he has been regaining his strength while working as a tutor in the Shire, far from any meaningful strife (for now)

Background:

Born near the coastal elf-haven of Eglarest, Hivallion’s early years were uneventful, however formative. Although shy and quiet around other elves, he harbored a deep appreciation for the wildlife of his home, especially its birds and insects. He fast became a respected scholar of Falathrin ecology, particularly for his detailed field work and exquisite illustrations. When Morgoth’s forces sacked the Falas in F.A. 473, Hivallion (along with his mother and his twin brother) escaped with Círdan to the Isle of Balar. He narrowly escaped death in the Third Kinslaying (F.A. 538), and later still he participated in The War of Wrath as a scout—such skills would have been tightly honed for all his work as a clandestine observer of animals!

Forty or so years of warring—however victorious—left most of Beleriand totally annihilated, forever lost in the depths of the Belegaer. Now bereft of a home like countless others, Hivallion once again followed Círdan, this time to the Grey Havens where he spent most of the Second Age in relative peace and stability. Alas, this changed in S.A. 3430 when he several of his colleagues (perhaps most notably his fellow lore-master Elrond) convinced him to join the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, though he did so reluctantly. His fears were well-founded as he fell at the Battle of Dagorlad in 3434, following an extreme breach of personal space courtesy of an Edged Weapon of Morgul-steel wielded by the Witch-king of Angmar. Hivallion ultimately Survived the ordeal, largely due to the intervention of Elrond and his suggestion to bear the injured elf to the Last Homely House so he could receive a more thorough treatment for the wound. However, his recovery would not be easy or swift; he spent the next 3025 years in a dreamless coma in Tham Send.

While Hivallion himself has yet to fully comprehend the extent of this, the story of "the irrefrangible Falathrim" touched the hearts of all who heard it and elevated the humble seaside scholar to something of a minor folk legend, especially in Lindon and thereabouts. It is rumored (but only rumored) that Elrond had to clear out an entire storage closet in his home just to hold all of the letters, flowers, and other lucky trinkets sent by well-wishers to the slumbering elf in hopes that he would one day overcome his injuries.

Hivallion did regain consciousness in the summer of T.A. 3018, though he would yet need several more weeks of rest to recover his bearings. After deciding he was well enough to travel, he first sought out the company of one Gildor Inglorion, an old friend whom he learned was leading a Wandering Company around Eriador. This in mind, he decided to head west from Rivendell towards the Shire, hoping they would perhaps meet somewhere in the middle...

#LotRO #for once i actually kinda kept the origin story that a game gives you #though i added onto it of course lol #he really did Survive an Edged Weapon #but it was at morannon not in milwaukee

[facial-hair-fight]

The brackets are here!

Much like @blue-character-brawl, the 128 characters that made it in have been split into four brackets, where the four winners will fight in the semi-finals, and then the winners of those will fight in the finals to find out who the best character in fiction with facial hair is! Brackets will last 24 hours (except for the finals) and the first set of polls will be posted on April 26 between 4:00 and 4:30 PM EST! Here are the matchups:

Bracket 1

Matt (Wii Sports) VS. Saburo (Wii Sports)

Rockhopper (Club Penguin) VS. Sensei (Club Penguin)

Mario (Super Mario) VS. Wario (Super Mario)

Luigi (Super Mario) VS. Waluigi (Super Mario)

Toadsworth (Super Mario) VS. Penguru (Super Mario Galaxy)

Cranky Kong (Donkey Kong) VS. Bluster Kong (Donkey Kong)

Vitruvius (The Lego Movie) VS. Sandy (Lego Monkie Kid)

Rex Fury (Lego City Undercover) VS. Forrest Blackwell (Lego City Undercover)

Dr. Coomer (HLVRAI) VS. Gordon Freeman (Half-Life)

Colonel Mustard (Clue) VS. Mr. Monopoly (Monopoly)

War Doctor (Doctor Who) VS. Wilfred Mott (Doctor Who)

i Tony Stark (Marvel) VS. Steve Rogers (Avengers: Infinity War)

Stephen Strange (Marvel) VS. J Jonah Jameson (Spider-Man)

Grandpa Fletcher (Phineas and Ferb) VS. Balthazar Cavendish (Milo Murphy’s Law)

2nd Dimension Doofenshmirtz (Phineas and Ferb) VS. Major Monogram (Phineas and Ferb)

Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars) VS. Count Dooku (Star Wars)

Bracket 2

Ganondorf (Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom) VS. Dr. Eggman (Sonic the Hedgehog)

Wilford Warfstache (Markiplier) VS. Old Mark (In Space With Markiplier)

Oliver Queen (DC Comics) VS. Mobius (Loki)

Ron Swanson (Parks and Recreation) VS. Stanley Hudson (The Office)

M. Rasmodius (Stardew Valley) VS. Gus (Stardew Valley)

Lewis (Stardew Valley) VS. Linus (Stardew Valley)

Chief Bookem (Kirby: Right Back At Ya!) VS. Mayor Len Blustergas (Kirby: Right Back At Ya!)

Top Chef (Deltarune) VS. Asgore Dreemurr (Undertale)

Senshi (Dungeon Meshi) VS. Mustache Girl (A Hat in Time)

Santa Claus (Christmas) VS. Julius Pringle (Pringles)

Present Mic (My Hero Academia) VS. Edward Newgate (One Piece)

Drayden (Pokémon) VS. Kamado (Pokémon)

Cirdan (Lord of the Rings) VS. Gimli (Lord of the Rings)

Alex Louis Armstrong (Fullmetal Alchemist) VS. King Bradley (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Richie Tozier (It) VS. Murray Bauman (Stranger Things)

Homer Simpson (The Simpsons) VS. Jasper Beardly (The Simpsons)

Bracket 3

Warden Blackwall (Dragon Age Inquisition) VS. Dorian Pavus (Dragon Age Inquisition)

Pops (Regular Show) VS. Alex Dorpenberger (Close Enough)

Kili (The Hobbit) VS. Bofur (The Hobbit)

Alador Blight (The Owl House) VS. Phillip Wittebane (The Owl House)

Iknik Blackstone Varrick (Avatar: Legend of Korra) VS. Iroh (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Murro Morton (Identity V) VS. Percy (Identity V)

Jeff Winger (Community) VS. Gregory House (House MD)

Rico Rodriguez (Just Cause) VS. Tom Sheldon (Just Cause)

King Triton (The Little Mermaid) VS. Frozone (The Incredibles)

Harry Du Bois (Disco Elysium) VS. Kim Kitsuragi (Disco Elysium)

Gashu Satou (Your Turn To Die) VS. Hades (Hades)

Kogoro Mouri (Detective Conan) VS. Shaggy Rogers (Scooby-Doo)

Ted Lasso (Ted Lasso) VS. John Wick (John Wick)

Otokichi Shirabe (Suite Precure) VS. Asuma Sarutobi (Naruto)

Gomez Addams (The Addams Family) VS. Frederick Loren (House on Haunted Hill)

Cap’n Cuttlefish (Splatoon) VS. Lionel (Animal Crossing

Bracket 4

Abe Lincoln (Clone High) VS. Rex Mohs (Scott The Woz)

Hercule Poirot (Poirot) VS. Seneca Crane (The Hunger Games)

Bob Zanotto (Psychonauts) VS. William Riker (Star Trek)

Alexsandr Kallus (Star Wars) VS. Steve (Minecraft)

Sea Hawk (She-Ra) VS. Boris Badenov (Rocky and Bullwinkle)

Victor Sullivan (Uncharted) VS. Yosemite Sam (Looney Toons)

Thorin Oakenshield (The Hobbit) VS. Qui-Gon Jinn (Star Wars)

Din Djarin (Star Wars) VS. Alec Hardy (Broadchurch)

Buford Tannen (Back To The Future) VS. Scott Howard (Teen wolf)

Halt O’Carrick (Ranger’s Apprentice) VS. Jack Pearson (This Is Us)

Thomas Magnum (Magnum PI) VS. Dedue Molinaro (Fire Emblem)

Barbarian (Clash of Clans) VS. Adam Jensen (Deus Ex: Mankind Divided)

Remus Sanders (Sanders Sides) VS. Grandpa Harley (Homestuck)

Massimo Marcovaldo (Luca) VS. Dr. Erasmus Craven (The Raven)

Toki Wartooth (Metalocalypse) VS. Richard Kimble (The Fugitive)

Deputy Dewey Riley (Scream) VS. Walter White (Breaking Bad)

#facial hair fight #brackets #tournament #if there’s a typo please let me know #i wrote this while half asleep

[yandere-toons]

CURRENT FANDOMS

-- Alphabetised by Title --

★ No need to limit yourself to what's here! This is more of a formality than anything concrete.

Novels:

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Dune

Durarara!!

The Great Gatsby

The Hobbit

The Hunger Games

IT

The Lord of the Rings

Mortal Engines

No Country for Old Men

Percy Jackson & the Olympians

Ready Player One

The Silence of the Lambs

A Song of Ice and Fire

Star Wars: Dark Disciple

Comics & Manga:

Beastars

Blue Exorcist

Boku no Hero Academia

Death Note

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Disney Duck Comics

Johnny the Homicidal Maniac

Kamonohashi Ron no Kindan Suiri

Scott Pilgrim

Soul Eater

Tokyo Ghoul

The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye

Watchmen

Films:

Accepted (2006)

The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl

Airplane!

The Angry Birds Movie

Argylle

Austin Powers

Back to the Future

The Bad Guys (2022)

Bad Ronald (1974)

Bad Taste (1987)

Balto (1995)

Bambi (1942)

Bambi II (2006)

The Banana Splits Movie

Barbie (2023)

Batman Begins

Batman Forever

The Beekeeper (2024)

Beetlejuice (1988)

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon

Big Hero 6

Black Christmas (1974)

The Black Phone

The Book of Life

Brave (2012)

Brother Bear

A Bug's Life

Bullet Train (2022)

Cars (2006)

Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness

Chicken Little

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Con Air (1997)

Coneheads

Coraline

Corpse Bride

Cowboys & Aliens

Deadpool (2016)

Deadpool & Wolverine

Despicable Me

Detective Pikachu

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010)

Dracula: Dead and Loving It

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Elemental

The Emperor's New Groove

Encanto

Enchanted

Exchange Student Zero

An Extremely Goofy Movie

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Fast & Furious Saga

Fear Street Trilogy (2021)

FernGully: The Last Rainforest

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Five Nights at Freddy's (2023)

Free Guy (2020)

Frozen (2013)

Galaxy Quest (1999)

Ghost Rider (2007)

Glass Onion

Godzilla

A Goofy Movie

Grease (1978)

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio

The Happytime Murders

Haunted Mansion

Hellboy (2004)

Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Hercules (1997)

The Hobbit Trilogy

Hocus Pocus

Holes (2003)

Home (2015)

Home Alone (1990)

Hotel Transylvania

Howard the Duck (1986)

How to Train Your Dragon

The Hunger Games

Ice Age

The Incredibles

Inside Out

IT (2017)

John Wick

The Jungle Book (1967)

Jurassic Park

Jurassic World

Killer Klowns from Outer Space

Knives Out

Kung Fu Panda

Legally Blonde

The LEGO Batman Movie

The LEGO Movie

The LEGO Ninjago Movie

The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special

LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation

Lift (2024)

Lilo & Stitch

The Lion King (1994)

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride

Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

The Lorax (2012)

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Luca (2021)

Luck (2022)

Mad Max Saga

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Mean Girls (2004)

Meet the Feebles

The Meg

Meg 2: The Trench

Megamind

Minions: The Rise of Gru

Mission: Impossible

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

The Mitchells vs. the Machines

Monkey King Reborn

Monsters, Inc.

Monsters University

Monsters vs. Aliens

Mulan (1998)

My Little Pony: A New Generation

My Little Pony: The Movie (2017)

Napoleon Dynamite

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Night at the Museum

The Nightmare Before Christmas

No Country for Old Men

NOPE (2022)

Onward

Open Season (2006)

Osmosis Jones

Over the Hedge

Pacific Rim

Paddington

Penguins of Madagascar (2014)

The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

Pirates of the Caribbean

Planet of the Apes

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Rango

Ready Player One (2018)

Renfield

Return to Oz

Rio (2011)

Rise of the Guardians (2012)

Road House

The Road to El Dorado

RoboCop (1987)

Robots (2005)

Rock Dog

Ron's Gone Wrong

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Shark Tale

Shaun of the Dead

Shrek

Sing (2016 & 2021)

Small Soldiers (1998)

Sonic the Hedgehog

Spaceballs

Spaceballs 2: The Search for More Money

Space Jam

Spider-Verse Trilogy

Spies in Disguise

Star Trek

Star Wars

Storks (2016)

The Suicide Squad (2021)

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Surf's Up

The Terminator

Titanic (1997)

Toy Story

Treasure Planet (2002)

Trolls (2016)

Tucker & Dale vs. Evil

Turning Red

Vivo (2021)

Whiplash

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

Wreck-It Ralph

X-Men

“ASTEROID CITY”

TV Series & Web Series:

The Adventures of Sam & Max: Freelance Police

The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin

Adventure Time

Alvin and the Chipmunks

The Amazing World of Gumball

American Dad!

American Dragon: Jake Long

American Gods

Amphibia

Animaniacs

Aqua Teen Hunger Force

Ash vs Evil Dead

Barry (HBO)

Bates Motel

The Batman (2004)

Batman: The Animated Series

Better Call Saul

Big City Greens

Bigtop Burger

Black Clover

Bluey

Bob's Burgers

BoJack Horseman

Breaking Bad

Buzz Lightyear of Star Command

Camp Camp

Carmen Sandiego

Cars on the Road

Clone High

Codename: Kids Next Door

Count Duckula

Courage the Cowardly Dog

The Cuphead Show!

Danger Mouse

Danny Phantom

Dan Vs.

Darkwing Duck

The Devil Is a Part-Timer!

Dexter's Laboratory

Dinosaurs

Diriliş: Ertuğrul

Doctor Who

Dogs in Space

Don't Hug Me I'm Scared

Dorohedoro

Duck Dodgers

DuckTales (1987 & 2017)

Exchange Student Zero

Freakazoid!

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

Futurama

Game of Thrones

Gargoyles

Good Omens

Goosebumps

Gotham

Gravity Falls

Green Eggs and Ham (Netflix Series)

Gregory Horror Show

The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy

Grimm

Happy Tree Friends

Harley Quinn

Hazbin Hotel

Helluva Boss

Hero: 108

House of the Dragon

Inside Job (2021)

Inspector Gadget (1983)

Invader ZIM

Kim Possible

King of the Hill

The Lion Guard

Looney Tunes

The Looney Tunes Show

Love, Death & Robots

Making Fiends

The Mandela Catalogue

Max Headroom

the middle.

Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series

Milo Murphy's Law

Mob Psycho 100

Modern Family

Monkie Kid

Monsters at Work

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic

Mystery Skulls Animated

Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu

The Office

OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes

Our Flag Means Death

Overlord

The Owl House

Peaky Blinders

The Penguins of Madagascar

Phineas and Ferb

Pinky and the Brain

Popee the Performer

The Powerpuff Girls

Primal

The Proud Family

Regular Show

The Righteous Gemstones

Salad Fingers

Samurai Jack

The Sandman

Schitt's Creek

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off

Shameless

Shaolin Wuzang

Silicon Valley

Silly Symphony

The Simpsons

Sonic Prime

Sonic X

Soul Eater

Space Force

SpongeBob SquarePants

Spooky Month

Star Trek

Star vs. the Forces of Evil

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Static Shock

Succession

Superjail!

Superstore

Tabaluga

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teen Titans (2003)

Tiny Toon Adventures

Tom and Jerry

Total Drama

Transformers: Prime

True Detective

Twin Peaks

The Umbrella Academy

Underverse

Villainous

The Walking Dead

Wander Over Yonder

We Bare Bears

Welcome Home

What If...?

X-Men: Evolution

Xiaolin Showdown

The Yogi Bear Show

Zig & Sharko

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead

Music:

Gorillaz

The Purple People Eater

Board Games:

Monopoly

Video Games:

At Dead of Night

Batman: The Enemy Within

Borderlands

Crash Bandicoot

Cuphead: Don't Deal with the Devil

Danganronpa

Deltarune

Destroy All Humans!

Dialtown

Dino Crisis

Don't Starve

Eloquent Countenance

Fallout: New Vegas

Far Cry

Five Nights at Freddy's

Friday Night Funkin'

God of War

Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee

Grand Theft Auto V

Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series

John Doe

L.A. Noire

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Lollipop Chainsaw

Lucius

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy

Mass Effect

MazM: Jekyll and Hyde

Middle-earth: Shadow of War

Monkey Island

Monster Prom

Mortal Kombat

Naughty Bear

Nicktoons Unite!

Oddworld

Outlast

PaRappa the Rapper

Pathologic

Psychonauts

Rampage: Total Destruction

Ratchet & Clank

Red Dead Revolver

Resident Evil

Road 96

Silent Hill

Slime Rancher

Smile For Me

Sonic the Hedgehog

Total War: Warhammer III

Uncharted

Undertale

#Navigation #Fandom List #Fandoms #Yandere #Reader Insert

[floydsmuse]

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE MEGGY!!!!! I come bearing another basket of thought/thots straight from the pantry (lol).

Lets just say you and Rhett keep a very well stocked collection of books (lol). Rhett is a voracious reader, especially during the winter when there's not alot of chores to be done. He'll eat up books like they're popcorn and it actually got to the point where his room was starting to look like a used bookshop.

One summer, the Duttons came down from Bozeman and Kayce, Rip, Beth, Monica, John and Royal all helped you renovate an abandoned barn on the property just up the little path from the house and my God did that thing need some serious TLC. But by the time you guys were done the very next summer, you had the best little library on the property!

The Cozy Corner was always the first thing you would see when you'd come in and just behind it was the little kitchen area. The corner had a big giant throw rug and a space for the woodstove, a big stretch of window seat with drawers underneath and low stretches of shelves for some of the little, little children's books you've collected from Rhett's childhood. Of course he still has Goodnight Moon, Peter Rabbit and Winnie The Pooh which he passed down to Amy when you guys adopted her, but there's also some little paperbacks there too, such as Matilda, James And The Giant Peach, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and of course, Rhett's absolute favorite, The Indian In The Cupboard. One story that Amy absolutely loves is called She Was Nice To Mice and it's about the little mice that lived in the court of Queen Elizabeth I and all the shenanigans they caused (lol).

Oh but of course there are stacks and stacks and stacks of books on the shelves upstairs that are suited for everybody in the family. Royal absolutely loves reading The Hobbit to the babies and they think it's hilarious that he reminds them so much of Beorn (lol). You guys have all the Lord Of The Rings books complete with the illustrations and everything. During the summer, you and Rhett will read Treasure Island, The Swiss Family Robinson, Robin Hood and Peter Pan to the babies and they absolutely EAT IT UP!! Tatum and Tanner, your twin boys are obsessed with Treasure Island and anything that even remotely resembles The Goonies (lol).

The girls love the Grimm's Fairy Tales even though some of the endings are a little bit above the PG rating, they love Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel. Muchie Lal was always a favorite of theirs which is about a little prince in India who was raised by a nine-headed cobra. Snow White is another favorite of theirs along with The Goose Girl, Diamonds and Toads and The Princess And The Frog. Rhett even managed to get a copy of The Arabian Nights and all the babies love that on top of everything else. The boys can't get enough of Sinbad The Sailor while Aladdin was always a favorite of everyone's (lol).

At Halloween it's almost always Dracula and Frankenstein. The babies might not be at the most appropriate age for it, but you and Rhett couldn't resist when your boys all came running to the cozy corner one day with a copy of Dracula (lol). Rhett will even read them a parody of Goodnight Moon which is called Goodnight Goon and the boys always say goodnight to the monsters under the bed after that (lol).

Dinotopia by James Gurney has always been another favorite of everyone's. The babies love the illustrations in them and how colorful they are and almost always wanna see what it's like to ride on a dinosaur. The babies have even drawn in their own little notebooks as if they were in the world of Dinotopia, pretending to explore and keep track of the dinosaurs and after a while they got really good at it. Even their teachers are a little surprised that they can draw so well at such a young age (I firmly believe that you and Rhett sent the kiddos to one of those hippie schools that emphasizes drawing, outdoor play and all the creative arts, lol).

Meggy there's alot more I could add to this but I don't think I'll have the space for it (lol).

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE MY DARLING <3 hehe yay! more thoughts & thots :) i can’t wait to read them !!!

~ first, i love wifey & Rhett having a book collection! second, i love Rhett being an avid reader & bookworm! i could honestly see that under the rough & toughened cowboy persona! the winter is certainly the best time to read cause you can just curl up under a bunch of blankets, get cozy, & crack open a good book :) Rhett’s room looking like a little bookshop is the cutest thing i’ve ever read please !!!

~ ooh! i remember you bringing this up over our messages & Mary can i say, it’s the best thought ever!! i love the idea of everyone getting together to renovate the barn into a library! like who wouldn’t want that?! it’s just so awesome☺️ lovin’ the name the Cozy Corner! the way you described it sounds so warm & homey :,) the kids books! OMG! i remember Goodnight Moon, Peter Rabbit, & Winnie the Pooh so vividly!! such staples in my growing up🥹 Matilda still remains one of my favorite films of all time & i enjoyed the book too! Charlie & the Chocolate factory being Rhett’s fav just makes so much sense to me ?! idk, but it def works! ahh! The Indian in the Cupboard makes me think about elementary school !! i miss being little haha :)

~ you already know how I feel about Lord of the Rings! im a huge fan hehe🤭 & i love that it’s included in their book collection! also love that Royal reads the Hobbit to the babies & i could even picture him doing different voices for each of the characters 🤣 he could do a spot on impression of Gandalf, mark my words! the twins & Rhett being super into Treasure Island is just so great too !! Robin Hood & Peter Pan are such classics & absolutely essential to the collection :)

~ yess! the Grimm Fairytales are just awesome & i really love all the different princess stories !! ooh Dracula & Frankenstein during Halloween time couldn’t be more perfect! i also imagine all the kids getting together to read spooky stories & cuddle up like a bunch of scaredy cats when they hear a noise, but it’s only because they are literally in an old barn & it’s destined to make all sorts of creaky sounds😭 haha! Goodnight Goon i’ve heard of, it definitely sounds cute! & aww, the boys saying goodnight to the monsters under their bed is so adorable! :,)

~ Dinotopia sounds really cool! i actually had to look it up real quick to see what it was all about & i have to say, the illustrations are just incredible! i could see why they would love the book so much!! the babies getting into drawing because of this story?! Mary! that is so sweet 🥹 the hippie school thing is soo true! i could totally picture Rhett & wifey sending the kids to it!! hehehe!

Mary, thank you so much for these lovely little thoughts! they brightened my day & i just loved reading them like always 🥰 i hope you have a wonderful New Year’s Eve my love! 💗

#rhett abbott #outer range #rhett thoughts/thots <3

[hihimissamericanbi]

would love to hear your answers for maize or bonfire!

Hey cutie!

🌽Maize: weirdest encounter on the street

Oh god where to even start. I wish I had any that didn't have to do with, like, street harassment, but alas. What comes to mind off the top of my head is my friend and I went to London and got all dressed up to go Out-out but it was like 6pm on a Thursday so we looked like heauxs and were very self aware of the fact and these two dudes RAN LIKE THREE BLOCKS to catch up with us just to ask us if we were American (??). They were like out of breath and everything. Idk I h8 it here.

🔥Bonfire: dream house

We rent and really like renting, though we are in an area where most people our age own houses. We have great amenities, management, location, access, etc. So where we are is kind of our dream!

BUT: if we did make the jump to owning. It would have a huge state of the art kitchen and an outdoor pizza oven and a garden all for my hobbit of a husband. I would want a fenced in yard for my dog, and so I could get my dog a dog. And I would want my own space as my studio/office/dance room where i can paint and write and record erotica and play on my pole and keep my pet snake 🐍

Autumn asks

#ask game #autumn asks #new friend!

[hauntingsoundtracks]

List of titles

To make the search on the blog easier, I've compiled a list of the movies, shows, etc that have at least one music here. I'll do my best to keep it updated as I add more.

Unfortunately tumblr won't let me publish a post with so many links, so I'm unable to add a link to each corresponding tag.

See the list under the cut :

List of movies / animated movies : 12 Monkeys 28 Days Later 2001: A Space Odyssey A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night Alien Aliens American Beauty A Nightmare On Elm Street Arizona Dream A Series of Unfortunate Events Babe Baby Driver Basic Instinct Batman Returns Beetlejuice Black Swan Blade Runner Blood Simple Bram Stoker's Dracula Brazil Candyman Carrie Casper Clockwork Orange Conan The Barbarian Coraline Corpse Bride Crash Crimes Of The Future Dancer In The Dark Dark City Darkman Death Proof Devdas Die Hard Dirty Dancing Divine Intervention Donnie Darko Don't Worry I'm Fine Dune (1984) Dr. Strangelove Dune (2021) Edward Scissorhands Escaflowne Escape From New-York Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind Excalibur Eyes Without A Face Fargo Firestarter For A Few Dollars More From Dusk Till Dawn From Hell Full Metal Jacket Gattaca Get Out Ghost Ghostbusters Ghost In The Shell Gremlins Groundhog Day Halloween Hellraiser Hereditary Home Alone Howl's Moving Castle Interstellar Interview With A Vampire In The Mood For Love Jane Eyre (1996) Jane Eyre (2011) Jurassic Park La Belle et la Bête / Beauty And The Beast (1946) Legend Leon Le Père Noël est une ordure / Santa Claus is a Stinker Lisa Frankenstein Little Miss Sunshine Little Women (1994) Mad Max Fury Road Mandy Melancholia Microcosmos Midnight Express Midsommar Moonrise Kingdom Moulin Rouge! Mulholland Drive Near Dark Nikita Nope O Brother, Where Art Thou? Oldboy Once Upon A Time In The West Only Lovers Left Alive Oppenheimer Out Of Rosenheim / Bagdad Café Perfect Blue Perfume : The Story Of A Murderer Portrait Of A Lady On Fire Ravenous Re-Animator Romeo + Juliet Pan's Labyrinth Phantom Of The Paradise Phenomena Philadelphia Pi Pink Floyd The Wall Platoon Poltergeist Practical Magic Predator Pride And Prejudice Princess Mononoke Queen Of The Damned Requiem For A Dream Robocop Rosemary’s Baby Scanners Scream Sleepwalkers Sleepy Hollow Starship Troopers Star Wars Episode IV Star Wars Episode V Star Wars Episode VI Strictly Ballroom Suspiria (1977) Suspiria (2018) Tacones Lejanos / High Heels Terminator 2 : Judgement Day The Abyss The Addams Family The City Of Lost Children The Company Of Wolves The Craft The Crow The Dark Crystal The Elephant Man The Exorcist The Fifth Element The Fly The Frighteners The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey The Hunger Games The Hunger Games : Catching Fire The Hunger Games : Mockingjay Part 1 The Hunger Games : Mockingjay Part 2 The Innocents The King And The Mockingbird The Land Before Time The Lord Of The Rings : The Fellowship Of The Ring The Lord Of The Rings : The Two Towers The Lord Of The Rings : The Return Of The King The Lost Boys The Lovely Bones The Matrix The Mission The Neverending Story The Nightmare Before Christmas The Omen The Others The Piano The Prestige The Rocky Horror Picture Show The Shining The Sixth Sense The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya The Terminator The Thing The Thin Red Line The Virgin Suicides The Witch The Witches Of Eastwick Time Of The Gypsy Titane Tommy Total Recall Tron Legacy Under The Skin Us Whiplash Willow Wings Of Desire / Der Himmel über Berlin

List of series / miniseries / animated series : Battlestar Galactica Berserk Buffy The Vampire Slayer Cowboy Bebop Dark Dragon Ball Z Elfen Lied Game Of Thrones Lost Lucifer Misfits Our Flag Means Death Over The Garden Wall Record Of Lodoss War : Chronicles Of The Heroic Knight Serial Experiments Lain Stephen King's IT Stranger Things Teen Wolf The Dark Crystal : Age Of Resistance The Haunting of Bly Manor The Haunting of Hill House The Vision Of Escaflowne True Blood Twin Peaks Westworld What We Do In The Shadows Yellowjackets

List of games : Bad Dream : Coma Final Fantasy VII Stardew Valley

List of podcasts : The Magnus Archives The Magnus Protocol

[honeyedxhearts]

character questions || accepting @swordoaths​ :  For Mary! Put us in your muses house! is there a specific squeaky floorboard? what does the house usually smell like? is it messy/clean? if they have more than one bathroom, which one do they use the most? list what the vibe is usually like there or any headcanons about their home!

I’m gonna talk specifically about her lil hobbit house bc I haven’t gotten to talk about it yet lol

like most houses in the Shire, Mary’s is overflowing with cozy vibes. her living room is almost always lit with the warm glow of candles, some with pretty little glass covers in different shades or embossed with shapes of flowers. there’s a sofa, well loved but still very comfortable, that has a quilt draped over the back which was made by her grandmother. beside it there is an old rocking chair, complete with a pillow that Mary embroidered herself. and closest to the fireplace is a reading chair that has an obvious indent from how often she finds comfort in it, a crochet blanket folded neatly on the floor underneath a little table where she often sets a cup of tea and the book she’s currently reading.

the kitchen is always clean -- her mother instilled it in her from a young age that the place one prepares food should always be tidy. the table however does have a leg that’s just a bit shorter than the others, so Mary has taken to using letters from people she doesn’t particularly like to jam under the leg to keep the table from wobbling. in the summer time, there are baskets with fresh fruit and vegetables. and as summer fades, the fresh fruit becomes jars of preserves. 

between the kitchen and the living room is a quaint bathroom. in it is a toilet, a basin to wash hands, and a small tub to bathe in. the ceiling is covered by a vine plant that gives Mary no small amount of joy every time she sees it spreading further. 

her bedroom has the best natural light, with a window facing just so. her bed is soft, but not too soft, and laden with blankets and quilts and pillows -- some she’s made herself and others that have been gifted to her. on her bedside table is a beautiful candle holder made of brass with little floral designs, and always another book for her to read before she falls asleep. against the wall opposite the door, an old but sturdy wardrobe that holds all her clothing. right beside it is a row of hooks that hold her different aprons and handkerchiefs. the walls hold a few different paintings, or maps, or family portraits. on the other side of her bed is a full length mirror with a small crack in the lower left corner that she has painted over with a small dandelion.

and of course, the main attraction, her library. not just a few shelves with a handful of novels but the largest room in her house with rows of shelves that are full to the brim, even a few neat stacks of books on the floor that she swears are going to get a proper place as soon as she finds the space. there is a modest chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and a few covered sconces on the walls. on each end of each shelf is a handwritten label for genres. between all the shelves are two comfortable chairs, in case someone wants to read a bit before committing to taking out a certain book. and in a little cupboard on the wall by the door is a ledger where she has each person write their name and the book(s) they’re borrowing.

at the end of the hall is a guest bedroom, set similarly to her own room, the floor in front of the wardrobe does creak in the winter, so she’s set a small rug over the spot to help damped the sound. there is also trunk at the foot of the bed in case her guest is staying longer than just a few nights and needs more storage. the room is most often used by her parents when the come to visit for her birthday, so she’s also painted two small hearts on the headboard.

most of the house smells of candlewax and honey and parchment, save for the kitchen which mostly smells of herbs and whatever she’s cooked or baked last. is she is expecting guests, she will put some fresh sprigs of lavender in the guestroom and bathroom. 

#swordoaths #x. m. hawthorne || character study #thank you for this !! it was so much fun to think about #v. tolkien

[larksbooks]

lark’s top 5 books of 2022!

ok! so! i read (drumroll, please...) 52 books in 2022, one for every week! (although, i didn’t exactly pace it so that i finished one every week, lol) and that’s NOT including the copious amounts of fanfiction i read, which probably would make it average out to a lot more. anyways. i wanted to share my top 5 :))) (even though i’m a couple days late shh)

1. The Lord of the Rings trilogy/The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (1937-1955) 🦅✨🏹🏔️🧙🏻‍♂️

is this technically four books? yes! shh! i had been putting off reading these for ages because i never had the time to sit down and really give them justice. luckily, i found these phenomenal audiobooks which are on spotify! as someone who chiefly writes fantasy, it was definitely overdue for me to read lotr, since tolkien is THE master worldbuilder, lol. classics, and must-reads for sure.

2. The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune (2020) 🧚🌅🏝️🐈👹

speaking of fantasy! this book, in a word: whimsical. the tone & cadence of the writing is reminiscent of a lot of the stories i read as a kid, though certainly not lacking in complexity or emotional depth. the cast of characters is colorful and bright. you can’t help but grow fond of the well-meaning but stuffy caseworker linus baker as he gets to know the magical children of marsyas orphanage--including a wyvern, sprite, gnome, and the literal antichrist--and their mysterious, eccentric caretaker arthur parnassus, for whom he starts to develop feelings. this was such an enjoyable, refreshing read, and definitely one of the highlights of my year.

3. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (2021) 👽🔭👨🏻‍🚀🪐🚀

i don’t often cry because of fiction. really, i don’t. even E.T. didn’t make me cry. this book made me cry. and that’s saying something, given the subject matter. *clenches fist* it’s the enduring and selfless nature of humanity!! and our inherent goodness and curiosity!! even when we’re stranded in the middle of space with no idea why we’re there or what we’re supposed to be doing. ugh (/pos). i adore this book.

4. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque (1929)

another classic! i read this ahead of the netflix movie adaptation which came out this year. this is one of the most powerful and impactful pieces of literature i’ve ever read. this book displays the horrors suffered by german soldiers in the first world war, and serves as an apt condemnation of warfare in general. the first-person perspective is poignant and intense, and it’s hard not to emerge from reading this book a pacifist.

5. If Not, Winter: Fragments of Sappho translated by Anne Carson (2002) 💖📝🌸💫💋

i was gifted this lovely, lovely book and it made me so happy. i have been wanting to read sappho for so long and i am so glad i finally got the chance in 2022! her poetry is just beautiful and reading her fragments are like reading the most devastating kind of blackout poetry. i’m not a huge fan of poetry myself, but sappho is definitely the exception.

#booklr #book recs #lotr #the house in the cerulean sea #project hail mary #aqotwf #sappho #posts of lark