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belle-keys · 3 years

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Reflections: The Story of Tessa

This isn't an objective or even fair assessment of TSC, but because of how much Clockwork Angel and herongraystairs mean to me given that I read TID back when I was twelve, I sort of visualize the whole of TSC as the story of Tessa, with the different trilogies being punctuations, in the overarching scheme of things, in the Tessa Herongraystairs story.

I once said that Tessa marks the chronological inception of the story of the five families: the Herondales, Carstairs, Fairchilds, Blackthorns and Lightwoods. No family would have a lineage in the present day in its current state if not for Tessa and the Clockwork War and the way herongraystairs' played out chronologically. So, sometimes I just map out the whole TSC as the story of Tessa with the different books in TSC as linear checkpoints in the narrative of The Bestest Girl Ever aka Tessa Gray. It sort of looks like this when I break it down in my head:

Phase 1: Inception - This is TID (and the literal equivalent of the Big Bang for me from a linear perspective) yunno like the passion the love the power the sacrifices the desperation the growth of the characters in this series. I think the choices made in this trilogy set the course for everything.

Phase 2: Wessa - this is TLH. It's Wessa's Happily Ever After that we get to glimpse, ie, their follow-up to TID and the lifetime that Wessa got to have together: the ever-important Love Story No. 1 come to life. The end of this lifetime is marked by Learn About Loss and A Deeper Love from GOTSM for me, another punctuation. Lifetime No. 1 includes the Tessa Herondale story and that of a lineage she will produce that will reappear in her life in a century's time: it’s her family and experiences with Will, the story of her children, James and Lucie, and a Shadowhunter life in Edwardian London.

Phase 3: Impetus - This is City of Heavenly Fire aka, the book that changed the trajectory of Tessa and Jem's lives completely and the figure that shifted everything for them: Jace Herondale. Jem gets freed from the yin fen and his strife, and a whole new door gets opened because of this "other story of Fairchilds and Lightwoods and Herondales" and whatnot. In this way, you can picture the whole of TMI as the story of Jem's inevitable freedom from Brother Zachariah. From this angle, the epilogue of Clockwork Princess (*cries*) and the epilogue of City of Heavenly Fire are not just an ending or a beginning. It is sinply the midpoint in the narrative of Tessa Gray.

Phase 4: The Search for the Lost Herondale - This is both TDA and GOTSM. The Carstairs owe the Herondales. Tessa and Jem don't get to have their Happily Ever After just yet, because they need to find Kit. We know they love Kit with the pureness that parents just possess, but we also know that they see Kit as a little piece of Will that Jessa can still have in their lives (which mirrors the way Brother Zachariah in TLH was a means of having a little piece of the old Jem in Wessa's life). Cassie made Jessa work for their happily ever after here. The punctuation mark for me here is Through Blood, Through Fire and Forever Fallen from GOTSM.

Phase 5: Jessa - this is TWP. We haven't gotten much of it yet, but it's basically the Happily Ever After of Jessa that we've been waiting for since our Phase 1. This is the second follow-up to TID and the life that Jessa now get to have. This is Love Story No. 2 come to life, and it likely will be punctuated by the end of TWP. This is the story of Tessa Carstairs, one of a warlock's life in Devon with a family in Jem, Kit and Mina.

So to conclude, I'm a huge-ass Tessa stan okay, so sometimes I just see the whole of TSC as the story of Tessa with her two relationships and lifetimes - it's her love and family-building with Will and Jem just stretched across different epochs, each as milestones in a singular but linear character arc. I see Tessa Gray stepping onto the docks of London in TID as the inception of TSC from a narrative perspective and her relationships with Will and Jem as complements to each other.

James and Lucie are to Wessa what Kit and Mina are to Jessa. Shadowhunter Tessa is to Wessa what Warlock Tessa is to Jessa. Rescuing Kit (to have a bit on Herondale in their relationship) is to Jessa what having Brother Zachariah visit the London Institute every two minutes was to Wessa (what I mean here is that it was never possible to fully have both Jem and Will with her at once - Brother Zachariah was a fragment of the Jem Carstairs that Wessa loved, while Kit Herondale is a pretty souvenir of Will and the Herondale bloodline that Jessa so love).

Hence, Tessa's character arc is the spine of TSC when it comes to *major emotional stuff* for me. Amidst each individual book, the sheer size of herongraystairs is a penumbra always living in my peripherals. Tessa is an ever-lurking constant in the narrative of TSC itself, and I guess I sometimes just imagine TSC as a giant hallway: the paintings that hang at the sides are the individual TSC books, and Tessa Gray is the granite upon which they sit.

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dontmindmyshadowhunting · 3 years

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To never being parted - Part 2 Chap 4 - The Birthday Party

This is the Chapter 4 of the mini sequel to my flower cards inspired Kitty Fan Fic “Am I Forgotten?”

AO3 Link here.

****

As it turned out, Jace absolutely loved his surprise. He jumped in the pop-out cake to hug Kit, who pushed him away, and they ended up rolling and wrestling amidst the vanilla buttercream, with a crowd of onlookers cheering. The most enthusiastic was Mina, who shrieked with delight during the entire fight.

They both had to change after that, which was a relief. Tessa had to hastily recover Kit’s dress from Mina, who had undertaken to lick the fabric drenched in vanilla frosting.

The party was as decadent as any party organized by Magnus Bane could be. Dark blue velvet banners hung from the ceiling, stitched with the design of stars which seemed to shine, as if the guests were standing under the night sky. Candles glowed from every surface. Magnus had magicked up a small playground for the kids in one corner of the room, far from the chocolate fountains.

Kit carried Mina around on his shoulders for two solid hours before she finally asked him to put him down. When he did, she whispered in his ear. “When I am older, I am going to marry that tall and handsome Centurion bodyguard who has been following us everywhere… He takes such good care of my big brother.” Kit felt all the blood drain from his face.

****

The dinner table was covered with food from all around the world but Kit settled for a burger. He noticed that Julian had made the same choice although he saw him slip his lettuce to King Kieran, who had decided to make an appearance for Jace’s birthday party. He was seated between Mark and Cristina, and both were trying to get him to taste Mexican food. He shot Julian a grateful look.

“So, has Ty been sleeping in front of your bedroom, as he used to in Los Angeles? That was so cute!” Cristina asked Kit, in a cheerful voice.

“Of course not”, Kit replied. “He is absolutely welcome to my bed now.”

Everyone around the table froze before turning to look at him. Shit. Did he say that out loud?

Kit moved his gaze towards the only person whose opinion mattered in the case.

Ty, who was seated next to Dru and Jaime Rosales, was staring at him open-mouthed, his cheeks flushed. Oh well, thought Kit. I am not taking it back anyway. If I said I was joking, Ty would take it literally. And we wouldn’t want that now, would we?

Kit shrugged and went back to eating his burger.

****

After dinner, there was a cluster of girls around Lily Chen, who was seated on a chair flaunting the Hot Shadowhunters calendar, as if it was the best book of the year.

She had decided to publish a first edition, as an experiment, in an attempt to boost the Clave’s revenues. Alec had been reluctant at first, but even he couldn’t deny the incredible success of the calendar after only a few weeks of sales. It had been sold to both Shadowhunters and Downworlders, entire stalls being dedicated to it in several Shadow Markets around the world.

King Kieran himself had bought several to add to his collection which included kitten and mundane firefighters calendars.

“So, of course we have Jace for the month of January. That one - and Mark Blackthorn’s - were the easiest pictures to obtain,” Lily explained as she enthralled her audience by flipping through the pages of the calendar.

On the front page, Jace was almost entirely naked, a well positioned sword covering his most intimate parts. Mark was just as barely dressed, poetically covered in roses and thorns.

“I had to negotiate with Magnus for Alec’s picture but as it turns out, I am quite happy with what he provided.” Magnus winked. In the picture, Alec was half naked, his muscles flexed as he was pulling an arrow to his bow. His skin was covered with black marks which stood in stark contrast with his white skin.

“Here we have Jem. Although he is officially retired from the Clave, we couldn’t do this without him. He is much too popular with the Shadow Markets’ crowd. He is only half naked of course, but compared to what people used to see of him when he was a Silent Brother, this looks like porn.” Most of the girls giggled.

“This is Simon, it was easy enough to obtain a picture of him. I just had to offer him a limited edition of a light-saver…”

“A lightsaber,” Isabelle corrected.

“Whatever. The most difficult one to obtain was Julian Blackthorn’s, of course,” Lily continued. “I had to hire a professional photographer…”

“You mean a paparazzi,” Emma interrupted.

“Emma almost broke his arm…”

“He was lurking behind a rock, taking pictures of Julian while he was surfing…”

“But apparently you both found an arrangement.”

Emma stared off into space. “He does have talent. He took amazing pictures of Julian on his surfboard… I made an album of them. He’s going to be our wedding’s photographer. Free of charge.”

“That’s my girl,” Julian said, raising his hand for a high five, though not moving his gaze from Tavvy.

Lily turned to Kit and Ty, then, pointing two fingers at her eyes and at them. “Now that you have come of age, I have got my eyes on you boys.”

Ty looked terrified but Kit only shrugged.

****

Kit danced with a lot of people. Mina, mostly, but also Clary, Isabelle, Emma, Dru, Aline and even Lily, who kept giving him a variety of nicknames. Mostly food-related. When he waltzed with Tessa, everyone stopped to observe their graceful twirls, and they were given a round of applause. Kit had to admit he was quite smug about it. Not a single dance with Ty though, who had mostly been hiding in a corner with his headphones on, his arms crossed, though a friend of Dru’s kept talking animatedly to him. He didn’t seem to notice.

After a dozen dances, Kit was exhausted and parched. As he moved towards the buffet to get something to drink, Emma and Cristina appeared out of nowhere to stand in his path, their faces alight with excitement. Kit had noticed that when Emma was not glued to Julian’s side, she was always running around with Cristina and Mark, like an iconic trio of besties.

“Welcome to the club,” they said in unison. Had they rehearsed that?

“What club?”

“The club of fearless warriors who decided to take the hazardous path of dating Blackthorn men,” Emma replied with an ominous voice.

“One word of advice,” Cristina said. “Get as much sleep as you can, while you can.”

“What?” Kit was puzzled.

“Hmmm, how to explain…” Emma put one finger on her mouth, her expression thoughtful. “Have you ever wondered why there are so many of them?”

“The Blackthorns you mean? Er- because they like kids?” Kit answered.

“True enough,” Emma replied, winking at him.

“What else is there?” Kit asked, as he had the feeling he was missing something.

Emma and Cristina burst into fits of laughter, clutching each other for support.

Kit shrugged and considered it as his cue to leave. Ty had already left the party an hour ago and Kit was wondering whether he should stop by his room to watch him sleep. Just a little peek. Ok, no, that was creepy.

As he was heading towards the door to leave the party inconspicuously, Kit was stopped mid-flight by a hand grasping his shoulder.

“Not so fast, Kit Herondale.”

Kit turned to meet Julian’s blue-green eyes. He was a different version of the Julian he had known.

The shape of his face was sharper, his features more chiseled and his luscious Blackthorn waves longer. There were no longer circles under his eyes and Kit had noticed that he had stopped biting his fingernails. He seemed happier, more rested. Almost… glowing.

Kit had to admit he was stunning. But I am already head over heels in love with his brother, Kit was reminded.

According to Jace, Julian had been a close and trusted advisor of Alec for the past few years, the Consul relying on him for war strategy and delicate political matters.

During the time he had spent in Los Angeles, Kit had witnessed how dangerous Julian’s sharp mind could be when he decided to use it. How deadly. And that was tired, restless Julian. Glowing Julian… their enemies would never know what had hit them.

Julian’s gaze moved to Kit’s chest, where the Blackthorn locket was resting.

“I see that Ty has given you his and Livvy’s pendant. I trust that you know what this means.”

His blue-green eyes were now boring into Kit’s, and Kit could not help but feel exposed, as if Julian was not looking into his eyes but straight into his head, accessing his mind.

“I do. This is it, for Ty. I am it . First and last. There won’t ever be anyone else for him.”

“What about you?” Julian’s gaze was still burning holes through Kit’s eyes.

Kit sighed. “You know what they say. Herondales love but once.”

“And you just realized that, where you are concerned, this is true?”

“No, Julian. I had already realized that three years ago.”

Kit turned to move, but Julian caught him by the arm.

“You already know what I am going to say next, don’t you?”

“Julian, I have witnessed what you were capable of in order to protect your family. I’d rather be facing the nine Princes of Hell.”

“Good,” was all Julian said, letting him go.

****

Tagging @darkkitai

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theheartsmistakes · 3 years

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Any Other Name: Chapter 2

“Cordelia!” Her mother called up the stairs in a fake, chipper voice that held undercurrents of irritation Cordelia knew had nothing to do with her and everything to do with their company. “Our guests are here. Why don’t you come down and help me set the table for dinner?”

If she took to yelling up the stairs at her rather than walking the staircase or sending her father to come and retrieve her, she must be considerably uncomfortable.

“I’m coming!” said Cordelia so no one could come after her and find her kneeling on the floor over a removed floorboard with a secret letter in her hands.

Quickly, she folded the paper, stuck it back under the floorboard, and pushed the wood plank back into its place before pushing herself to her feet and brushed the dust off of her hands. She grabbed her black cardigan from off the bed and threw it on as she twisted the knob and opened the door and nearly walked right into Augustus Pounceby.

A small shriek escaped her as she fell back against the door frame, cursing in Persian, and clutched her chest.

Augustus smirked. The last time she’d seen him he had an impossibly round face, buck teeth, and a lisp that made it difficult to understand him. They’d been twelve years old at the time, but she didn’t think people could change so much in five years. He’d lost the roundness of his youth, grew several inches, and his teeth were a normal size. His dirty blond hair was cut short at the sides, long on the top, and perfectly coifed with products. He wore a black button-up t-shirt with the buttons done up to his neck, over dark denim jeans, and a pair of black and white trainers.

His smirk turned lascivious as his eyes roved over the length of her body, lingering on the bits her dress left exposed. She fought against the urge to close her cardigan around her.

“Pounceby,” said Cordelia by way of greeting. “Anyone ever tell you it’s rude and a bit creepy to lurk outside of someone’s bedroom door?”

“I was sent to fetch you,” he said, glancing over her shoulder into Lucie’s bedroom. “Your mother said that you’d give me a tour. I’ve always wanted to see the inside of the infamous London Institute.”

Cordelia unceremoniously closed the bedroom door behind her with a bit more force than necessary. Unfortunately, the movement made her step closer to Augustus. “No one’s ever invited you in before?”

“It wasn’t a matter of being invited,” said Augustus, not moving an inch to provide some space between them. “I wouldn’t have stepped one foot inside of this place with those demon-blooded Herondale’s living here. You can still smell their taint all over this place.”

Cordelia shoved her shoulder into his chest as she moved around him, fighting against the urge to also knee him in the solar plexus while simultaneously breaking his nose with her elbow. Her father probably wouldn’t appreciate her getting Pounceby’s blood all over the floor and he’d most likely make her clean it up, so she decided against bloodshed for tonight and keep things— cordial.

“Allow me to give you a tour then,” said Cordelia pointing to the walls as she walked towards the stairs. "This is the hallway and these are the--" She looked over her shoulder and realized Augustus wasn’t following her.

“What’s down this way?” He asked, nodding towards the other end of the hall.

She hadn’t bothered to wander farther than Lucie’s old bedroom. It felt wrong like she needed an invitation to go farther. There were two more doors at the end. One used to be a study and the other had been James’s bedroom.

She’d only ever been in there once the last time her family came to London for a visit. Lucie had gone on a trip to Paris with her Aunt Cecily, but James stayed home due to some punishment after an incident that happened at the Academy. James never told her and she never asked. Not that she could have, from a young age she was so enamored by James that she often found it difficult to form coherent sentences when she was around him. He was the most beautiful boy she’d ever seen. With his raven black hair, always unruly and curling at all ends like it’d been worked and shaped by the wind and his eyes, like golden flecks of sunlight framed by thick dark lashes. She remembered how they would crinkle at the edges when he smiled, and he always smiled at her.

They spent that entire week reading, wandering around the Institute, pretending to battle each other with the baguettes Tessa brought home for dinner. It'd started as the worst summer of her existence and ended as one she would never forget.

Warmth spread up her neck and into her cheeks at the memory of it. “There’s nothing down there. Come on, they’ll be wanting to eat soon.”

“The men are talking in the old, stuffy drawing room,” said Augustus as he turned on his heel and walked leisurely down the hall. “Come on, Carstairs. It’s your house now, you can do whatever you want in it.”

“I want to go downstairs and help my mum set the table,” said Cordelia, crossing her arms. “Come on, let’s go.”

“Wait just a moment,” drawled Pounceby. “Isn’t this goat eye's old bedroom?”

Cordelia glared. "Who?"

"James."

Cordelia bristled at the rude name he'd given James. “I don’t know. Why does it matter?”

“My interest is peaked is all.”

“Some infatuation of yours with James, Pounceby?” smirked Cordelia. “I’m sure he’ll be flattered, but somehow I doubt you’re his type.”

Augustus put his hand on the doorknob and tried to turn it but it wouldn’t move. “It’s locked.”

Relief swept through Cordelia. “That’s settled then. Let’s go to dinner.”

“Why is it locked?” Augustus tried the door again. “What’s in there?”

“How am I supposed to know. I did just tell you I haven't been there." Cordelia dragged her feet as she came beside him to try the door herself. It was, in fact, locked. “I’ll tell my father about it at dinner and he can find the key, or something.”

Augustus narrowed his eyes at her. “Are you hiding something in here?”

Cordelia’s eyebrows rose. “Excuse me?”

“It was no secret you were a Herondale and downworlder sympathizer,” he said with a sneer that once again made Cordelia want to shove his face into the wall. “Is there a reason you don’t want me going in here?”

Cordelia’s empty hands clenched around the fabric of her cardigan to keep from swinging out against her will. “If you want to look stupid for claiming that my father has anything to hide from the Clave by dragging them away from their drinks to come up here and open a door that’s obviously been locked from the inside, only to find that it is as empty as all the rest?” She stepped aside so there was room for him to go around her. “Please, by all means, be my guest. I was really hoping for quality entertainment tonight and to see the look of disappointment on your father’s face will be well worth the wait.”

Augustus held her gaze for just a moment longer before he released his grip on the door and walked past her, whispering the word ‘bitch’ in a volume that was just loud enough for her to hear.

She’d been called worse.

When he was far enough down the hallway, she gave the doorknob another attempt, but just as before it wouldn’t budge.

Curious, she thought and tucked the anomaly away for a later time.

~ ~ ~

“Ah, there she is!” Her father said as Cordelia descended the stairs. Now with the lights all burning in their sconces from the wall, casting shadows from the chandeliers, they gave the Institute back some semblance of the warmth that Cordelia remembered when she would visit. It still felt odd without any Herondale presence; she half expected Will to come bursting through the door in a rage about the city traffic and Tessa to follow behind him with her genuine smile.

But the front door remained closed, much to Cordelia’s dismay, as she slowly sank from the last step.

“Cordelia, you remember Inquisitor Bridgestock?” said her father with a tight smile.

Cordelia looked to the tall man standing before her. He always reminded her of a toad with his round face, bulbous eyes, and thin mouth. He even had a rather large wart at the start of his right eyebrow.

“Well, Elias, what a beauty your daughter has become,” said the Inquisitor, folding his hands in front of himself, not even bothering to shake hers, because why would he? Perhaps he thought her dainty little hands couldn’t withstand his masculine dynamism.

She fought hard not to roll her eyes at her thoughts and plastered a smile across her face. “Oh yes, I remember him well.”

“And our new Consul, Marcus Pounceby?”

Her eyes shifted to the man standing beside the Inquisitor. He did offer her his hand, and when she placed it into his smooth palm, she could not feel a single callous on his fingers or palm. It made her wonder when the last time he trained, or patrolled, or held a weapon for that matter. He raised her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss against her knuckles. A European custom and she was in Europe, but it still made her feel uneasy, small. At least, he wasn’t trying to kiss both of her cheeks like the French, which she didn’t mind, it just all depended on the person. Lucie and James’s cousin Anna was privy to that custom and with her, Cordelia didn’t mind it in the least.

“My son wouldn’t stop raving about you when he learned about your arrival,” said the Consul. “He spoke of your bravery, your skill, we are very lucky to have you back in England. He graduated from the Academy with top marks and has shown himself to lead a powerful squadron of Shadowhunters. You should speak to him about going out on raids together. He can show you around town.”

Her eyes flashed to Augustus, standing beside his father, looking rather bumptious. When she didn’t say anything for a good long time, her father nudged her with his elbow. “That would be delightful.”

She’d only used the word delightful possibly twice in her life. It tasted like poison coming out of her mouth, but it did its job. They both looked pleased with her which made it all the more difficult not to vomit on their shiny oxfords.

Only her father, who was attuned to her sarcasm and indifference after being the victim of it for sixteen years, noted the tone of her voice.

“Where is your son?” inquired the Consul.

“He stayed in Tehran to oversee the Institute until the new family moves in,” said her father. “He’ll be joining us just as soon as their settled.”

“Excellent,” said the Inquisitor. “Another student of the academy that succeeded with top marks. We could use him on the streets while this issue with the Downworlders is in effect and in meetings regarding demon and downworlder business. He had some dealing of his own with the Herondale boy, did he not?”

Cordelia looked to her father for an answer. She knew Alastair and James went to the academy at the same time and didn’t necessarily get along. Then some incident happened that resulted in James’ expulsion, but she didn’t know what that had to do with Alastair. He never told her even though she asked him nearly a hundred times.

Elias shifted a step so he stood closer to Cordelia. “Alastair only spoke of how troubled James was.” His eyes flashed to Cordelia. A warning and a plead not to say a word.

“Yes, well, with the filth that runs in that family’s blood it is no wonder he was capable of causing such a disturbance. He shouldn’t have been accepted into the academy in the first place,” said Inquisitor Bridgestock.

Cordelia bit the inside of her lip until she tasted blood.

“Wouldn’t you agree, Elias?” asked Bridgestock.

Elias breathed through his nose and straightened his shoulders. “Of course. Now that we’ve all been reacquainted, why don’t we move this discussion into the dining room. Sona has been slaving away in the kitchen for the better part of our move-in day to make this dinner special. Cordelia, please go help your mother.”

Cordelia gave them a half-hearted curtsy and dipped out of the entryway towards the hall that led to the kitchen. Upon noticing her angelic energy, the lights in the sconces along the walls flickered on with several distinct clinks and filled the space with a subtle glow. Cordelia put her hand on the swinging door that led into the kitchen where her mother, with a large ladle in hand, poured some kind of broth over the sliced pork chops lined neatly on a silver platter.

“I can’t do it,” said Cordelia as soon as the door swung shut again. “They are absolutely incorrigible. They called the Herondale’s filthy.”

Sona set the bowl of broth down on the crowded counter and started to pull the leaves off from a sprig of thyme. “You already knew they felt this way, Cordelia. This should not come as a surprise.”

“Yes, but to hear them say it out loud makes my skin crawl.” She picked up the serving fork and stabbed it into a pork chop. “I can’t even say anything to defend them. I just have to nod my head at all of their slurs. I might as well be stabbing my friends in the back.”

Sona wiped her hands on the cloth hanging over her shoulder as she turned to Cordelia. “Your friends know you, they know your truth, and they would want for you to protect yourself. If the situation was reversed and it was our family that had been banished, what would you want from James and Lucie?” After a moment, when Cordelia didn’t answer, Sona continued, “I knew Tessa well. She was a good friend. I know that if the situation was reversed, I would want Tessa to protect her family.”

“She was a good friend?” Cordelia emphasized the second word without looking at her mother. “Maybe I would want James and Lucie to protect themselves and not be banished like me, but I know I wouldn’t want them to stop seeing me as their friend.”

Sona opened her mouth and sighed. “Cordelia—“

“Let’s just feed the monsters so they can leave.” Cordelia picked up the platter of steaming pork chops and started towards the swinging door, leaving her mother to look as dejected as Cordelia felt.

Once in the dining room, still decorated in Tessa’s elegant taste with gold and white herons flying across the wallpaper with holly in their beaks, Cordelia set the platter of pork onto the center of the mighty oak table. The chandelier hung low with sphere-shaped crystals that cast rainbows across the walls when the light from the large arched window at the west side of the room hit them. The table was set for only six people tonight with Elias at the head closest to the window.

Cordelia had no choice but to sit beside Augustus, as all the other spots had been taken.

Sona followed in after her, free now of her emerald green apron and kitchen towels, carrying a plate of scorched rice and another plate of fresh-herb Kuku-- Cordelia’s favorite. A twinge of guilt went through her as she noticed the plates of comfort food her mother had prepared for no one else, but Cordelia.

“Sorry about the wait, gentlemen,” said Sona as she placed the food on the table. “I hope you’re all hungry and wish to expand your palettes. These are all dishes from Tehran. We thought you might like to experience something from our home.”

Augustus looked at the green pie-shaped dish placed directly in front of him as if it might come to life and attack him.

“It’s called Kuku,” said Cordelia, serving herself a large piece before anyone else. “It’s delicious.”

“It’s green,” said Augustus and looked to his father for help.

Consul Pounceby just laughed. “You didn’t have to go out of your way for us. We would have been happy with fish and chips or a nice shepherds pie.” He forked a piece of pork onto his plate with a small helping of scorched rice.

"What kind of pie?" asked Cordelia with a mouth full of Kuku.

“I thought it might be nice to have something from home for our first night here,” said Sona.

“It’s looks wonderful, darling,” said Elias.

The conversation took a small reprieve as everyone ate their meals. Metal forks clinked against plates and ice rattled around in glassware in the silence. Marcus Pounceby chewed with his mouth open and took a particular fondness to the Kuku, though his son took one bite and then refused to acknowledge it again. Inquisitor Bridgestock proceeded to take a drink of his wine after each bite to clear his throat. Cordelia felt a brief sense of satisfaction at the light sheen of sweat that coated his brow after having a piece of pork.

“We’re not used to such flavors here in England,” said Inquisitor Bridgestock, dabbing his face with his napkin. “It’s quite exotic.”

“I may have gone a bit heavy handed on the peppers,” said Sona as she soaked a piece of her pork in the sauce. “Can I get anyone some water or milk, perhaps?”

Cordelia forced herself not to laugh.

“Milk?” inquired Marcus. “Does that help?”

“It does,” said Sona.

“That won’t be necessary.” Bridgestock patted his distended stomach. “I’m quite finished as is. If I drink a glass of milk you’ll have to roll me out the door or call my wife and have her come drive me home.”

“How is Mary Beth?” asked Sona. “It’s a shame she couldn’t come tonight. I did look forward to seeing her again.”

Another easy lie from her mother. The last time Mary Beth and Sona met, Sona couldn’t stop talking about what a deplorable know-it-all with questionable moral Mary Beth was and how the Bridgestock’s may have not been the best family to adopt the young Ariadne girl. To go from such strong feelings towards the Bridgestock's to inquiring about her as if her absence was missed surprised Cordelia. Her mother’s ability to be so languid never ceased to amaze her.

“She’s well. She simply didn’t want to be present for a bunch of Clave talk.” Bridgestock wiped the corners of his mouth with his napkin. “Not when she had a previously schedules game of bridge with some of the other wives. You should go sometime, Sona.”

Her mother’s tight smile was all Cordelia needed to know. She’d been invited to a few bridge games and attended one thinking that at least Tessa would be there and she’d have someone to talk to, but when she got home Sona looked exhausted and explained that all the women at the bridge club did was gossip, smoke, and drink expensive wine. There was not one game of bridge to be played. She then went into a rather hilarious impression of the Inquisitor's wife, with her pinched face and animated hands that may have been slightly exaggerated, but had even Alastair snickering.

“Perhaps when things are a bit more settled,” said Sona and took a long drink from her water glass.

“That reminds me,” said Marcus as he placed his napkin on the table, “we’ve interrupted your move in day. We apologize. We’ll get out of your way just as soon as we finish some business with Elias. Should we retire to the study, gentlemen?”

“Yes,” said Bridgestock as he rose from the table. “There is much to discuss regarding this Downworlder business. We’ll need to brief you on some of the changes we’re making regarding the laws and how we are expecting those on patrol to be our inforcers. We’d appreciate your opinion on a few of these matter before we hold the official Clave meeting in two weeks.”

“Uh, yes,” said Elias as he stood from the table too. “Cordelia, would you mind helping your mother with the dishes and then come and join us—“

“Oh, that won’t be necessary,” said the Inquisitor. “Our talk will just bore her. We can explain everything to her at the official meeting with the rest of the Clave.”

Elias’s grip flexed on his dining room chair. “My daughter will be one of those patrolling the streets of your city. I would like for her to be prepared and understand what is expected of her.”

“Kill demons and any downworlders that dares to step out of line,” whispered Augustus under his breath. “Not much else left to understand.”

Demons can take the shape of many things, she thought. Even privileged, annoying boys.

She might be able to plead her case against the Clave if she were to accidentally stab him.

“It will all be explained at the meeting,” continued Bridgestock. “Until then, Cordelia will not be allowed to patrol alone and will instead train with Augustus.”

Cordelia couldn’t stop the pinched look that took over her face. Her mother nudged her underneath the table before anyone could see her.

The men filed out of the dining room, leaving their half-cleared plates of food for Cordelia and Sona to clean up. They piled the dishes and separated the silverware in silence before carting everything back into the kitchen.

Sona turned on the faucet over the deep bucket sink and held her hand under it waiting for the water to warm while Cordelia continued to bring plates in and set them on the small island.

She glanced at the old grandfather clock that stood in the hallway each time she passed it. Only two more hours and she could find Lucie. Finally, there would be someone she could speak freely about all of this to and not constantly be shut down; told to smile, and bear it.

The large hand steadily clicked on, but not fast enough.

Not nearly fast enough.

A/N:

This chapter does include some artistic license. To make it relative to the times, I changed it from James having to stay home from a Paris trip due to being expelled from school rather than being sick with the Scarlet Fever.

I also made up Augustus's appearance. It is not canon. It's just how he looks in my head.

Also I have no clue what Inquisitor Bridgestock's wife's name is so I'm calling her Mary Beth.

Comments and hearts are ALWAYS appreciated!

Next update comes out in two weeks: May 28

#the shadowhunter chronicles #jordelia fanfiction #the last hours #chain of gold #chain of iron #cassandra clare #james herondale #cordelia carstairs #james x cordelia #lucie herondale #matthew fairchild #thomas lightwood #christopher lightwood #alastair carstairs

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anewbeginningagain · 3 years

Note

Thank you for what you said about being disappointed in the fandom and not in VM. I came to follow you through the VM fandom and I do remember you clearly drawing a line when the shipper/anti discussion got to be overwhelming. I respect that so much. I loved them as performers and as a team, and I have always believed them when they clearly said they were not a couple. I also believe they have now each forged paths that fit them and that were 100% what I would have expected given what they expressed interest in over the years.

How did you know when to step back? While I wasn’t a shipper, I mistakenly thought that the shipper discourse was all in good fun and hung around far too long. During that time, and especially around the WOF events, it felt like nearly every VM blog (even the normally neutral ones) had drunk the shipper Kool Aid and was taking sides between VM. I really can’t look at any of those blogs with any respect, to say nothing of the truly vile people who continue to propagate lies about VM to this day. So I’m now also very bitter at the fandom, because it put a darkness over the last year we got to see VM be a skating team, and we won’t get that time back.

I don't think I knew when to step back, I stepped back too late tbh. For a long time I tried to fight what was done to them because it was just such injustice in my eyes and in my character I find it hard not to fight for what I believe even when it costs me. I'm putting this under a keep reading since it turned out long.

I think my experience was different for many reasons, I wasn't on tumblr before TS, I didn't know what a fandom is and was never part of one, didn't even know what shipping was. So coming here in 2014 and lurking until I joined fully was a strange experience. And that's partly why I was a part of it but also always an outsider, I didn't have group chats or was a part of some clique. At times I chatted with other blogs but it was mostly impersonal. That's also why I was a very low-key shipper in some ways but I was also much more realistic in terms of what it actually means and what I expect from them (nothing at all btw, shipping them was always on me, not on them, it was my decision and they owed me nothing).

The thing with the TS fandom is that it was toxic from the start and I was completely aware of it. One of my first ever posts was me publicly calling out another blogger for being a bully, it wasn't even done to start a fight or anything, I just didn't know what the decorum was around here... But it was well deserved and only escalated from there. The fandom basically turned people into monsters in my eyes - people were bullies, harassing others, belittling them. Every time a blogger would come out and share a personal experience like TS helping them deal with personal heartbreak - those "monsters" would drag them both anonymously and publicly. And while it drove me crazy to watch it, what made it worse is that most people were reluctant to stand up against it. And this was when the fandom was way smaller than it became in 2018.

During 2016-2018 before they went viral the fandom still had many low points, they'd start a rumor about every person TS were seen talking to, every photoshoot Tessa did made people question her motivation and commitment to skating and made them angry at Scott for not trying enough, every skating related decision was questioned and they were announced as DOOMED about once a week. It was a time where the fandom will have a meltdown about once a month over the dumbest things ever. And yet at that time, it was still worth being around. The good outweighs the bad.

But it stopped being the case in 2018. I was so happy they went viral but the new batch of fans made things a lot worse. They came in knowing nothing and completely fell for the "monsters" that were always around, they needed the entertainment and they didn't care about the consequences of their actions. Some of them came from other fandoms and didn't realize that what you can do when shipping two movie stars, can't be done when it's two Canadian athletes who are much more accessible and way less prepared to deal with the insanity. It became a circus and TS were the opening act, there to either behave as the masses pleases or fall apart in front of them for entertainment purposes. Everything was fair game to those people, their private lives, their reputation, their families, their integrity, it was all a big game.

So even when it was fun I knew it won't last. There were too many people around that I knew in my heart were horrible people, I think about a month after the Olympics I started blocking accounts who were determined to make stuff up or those trying to "educate" new fans by telling them complete fabrications while still abusing the old bloggers that were around. But I was also getting to know new blogs and while some are still around and are totally great, most were either awful from the start or die-hard shippers who were bound to turn on TS once it will get out that they aren't a couple. And then all the rumors about TS being stalked started going around and things became way too much for me.

And I think I knew that it will be a shit show around here when it will come out that they are not a couple, but even I couldn't have imagined the level people were stoop to. The complete insanity that went down reached the media, other skaters were asked to comment about nasty rumors about them, they and their loved ones were cyberbullied.

I think the time I knew I have to make a complete purge to my timeline both here and on twitter was when someone tagged Scott's girlfriend's old husband in a tweet asking him to get her away by taking her back while attaching legal documents from their divorce papers. That was so demented that I knew I don't want to even be associated with those kinds of people. And there are tons of other horrible things that were done, it's just too infuriating to name more of them.

But the one consistent thing in this fandom was that a big part of it will always try to ruin the happy moments: Their first ACI - some tried to make up some guy Tessa is supposedly dating and was there, first SCI - they couldn't even beat C/B in the FD, a small error at 4CC SD - they are falling apart, a stumble at worlds - they won't be allowed to win the Olympics, they choose MR - it's a warhorse and the judges will laugh at them, the entire 2017/18 - they are doomed, touring Japan - they are a couple but are fighting just look at their body language, thank you Ilderton - can't even look at each other. I can legit keep this going for days.

About 95% of TS fandom is the absolute worse, always have been and always will be, and when anyone come across those "nice" fans who interact with Tessa on Instagram or are part of fs twitter - keep in mind most of those people behaved like horrible human beings, not only to TS but to other fans as well. So yeah, I'm bitter LOL.

#I know this is long but I guess I'm more bitter than I thoguht?#and I didn't even go into many of the other sh*t that went down #to whoever bothered reading it all #I salute you

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parkersbliss · 4 years

Text

Twenty-Four | T. Holland

Pairing: Tom Holland X Female!Actress!Reader

Warnings: me trying to be funny, no-no words, me trying very hard to be funny, like really hard, but I’m not. Sexual innuendo.

wc; 4.1K

A/N: dedicated to the one and only Tom Holland, can you believe he’s 24?? I’m going to cry. Happy birthday Tom! Also let’s pretend I had a creative title. I’m really sorry this is so bad, a great idea came right when I finished :(

Synopsis: This year you decide to surprise time on his birthday. With the help of the boys, what could possibly go wrong?

Masterlist | Taglist | Prompt List

—

“Hey darling,” Tom spoke excitedly through the phone.

"hi baby," You greet in return, holding your phone to your ear with your shoulder. "What's up?"

"Just checking in on my lovie," He said.

You roll your eyes, a smirk playing on your lips, "sure, Tom."

He laughs, the sound making your grin, as you shift your phone to your hand, finally having dropped your stuff in the back of the car.

"Alright, you caught me. I was wondering if you were going to be able to make it to London?"

"Oh baby," You sigh sadly. "I wish I could, but they have to re-shoot some scenes here and they're keeping me for an extra week. Then I have press for a few weeks."

Tom huffs through the phone, "so you really don't think you'll make it?" You can hear the sadness in his voice and it breaks your heart a bit to lie to him like this.

"No, I'm so sorry. Believe me, if there was even the slightest chance I could be there, I would."

"I know, lovie, I know. Just haven't seen you in so long and I really hoped you'd be there."

You bit your lip anxiously, "I'm sorry, truly. I'll be sure to Facetime you."

"Okay," Tom sighs sadly.

"I love you, bubs," You said, hoping to cheer him up a bit.

"I love you too."

"I gotta go, I just arrived home, I'll speak to you soon?"

"Mhmm, miss you."

"Miss you more, all my love."

The line goes dead and you send Harry a quick text.

Step One: Completed. Tom has no idea.

...

"(Y/N)!!" Harry said, jogging up to you. He tackles you in a bone-crushing hug and you stumble a bit, wrapping your arms around the redhead. Sam follows up behind, laughing as he takes your suitcase from you. You hug Harry back, grinning at the warmth you received from the Holland twins. It felt like you were home again.

"Jeez, Harry you'd think I died or something!" You joke, wiggling out of his grasp and going to hug Sam as well.

"Sorry, it's just you being here means Tom will finally shut up about how much he misses you."

"You still have two days," Sam points up, causing Harry to roll his eyes.

"Whatever man, at least she's here."

"Happy to be here." You smile as the three of you walk towards the exit, “What did you tell Tom?”

“Sam said we were picking up Elysia’s sister,” Harry replied.

You nod your head as you push open the Airport doors. The London weather is a drastic change from the usually hot and humid L.A., but you very much prefer it. The sky was a bright blue, a few cotton ball clouds floating in the distance, occasionally blocking out the sun. There was a slight breeze, but nothing too chilly. It was just perfect weather, you could only hope it stayed this way until Tom's birthday. The twins lead you to the car and Sam deposits your luggage in the trunk as you open the door to the back. Both boys climb into the front, shutting the door behind them.

"So, what's the plan?"

...

Harry pulls into the driveway, announcing your arrival. He's about to get out of the car when Harrison comes running out the door. He gives Harry a deer in the headlights look, hands waving frantically. Sam rolls down his window, poking his head.

"What?" He yells.

Harrison sighs defeated, he gestures with his thumb behind him. Tom pokes his head out the door, a solemn look on his face.

"Get down!" Harry screeches at you, turning around. You slip off your seat, folding yourself behind Sam's seat. You hug your knees to your chest, holding your breath. There's a whooshing sound as Harry tosses a jacket over your head, trying his best to conceal you from his brother's eyes. Tom walks over to the car as Sam laughs nervously.

"Thought you were golfing with Harrison?" He inquired.

Tom sighs, "I wasn't in the mood. Where's Elysia?"

"What?" Sam asked, receiving a quick kick to his seat from you.

"Right! She - uh - we dropped her off at a cafe!"

Harry smacks his head down on the wheel, convinced Sam just blew their cover. Tom gives his brother a quizzical look, "You left your girlfriend at a cafe?"

"Yes?"

"Tom! Your dad needs your help to hang something!" Nikki shouts, trying to get her eldest son away from you.

"Coming mum!" Tom replies, leaving his brothers alone. The twins exhale loudly as he disappears inside the house. There's a loud commotion and your side door is pulled open and you tumble onto the pavement.

"Sorry!" Harrison apologizes, helping you up and squeezing you into his arms.

"Haz!" You exclaim, hugging him. "I've missed you!"

"I think we know who the favorite is," Harry mumbles. You step back from Harrison to see Nikki and Paddy approaching you. Nikki squeals, pulling you into a tight hug and you laugh.

"Hi, darling! Safe flight?"

"Hey, Nikki! Can't complain."

She steps back to allow Paddy to say hello.

"Hey, Padster!" You cheer, wrapping him in a side hug.

"Hi (Y/N)!"

"It's so good to see you guys," You gush. Ever since meeting Tom, you had become very close with his family and friends. As soon as he brought you home Nikki had gushed to you about how much he talked about you, making you smile. His family was very warm and welcoming and it made you feel at home.

"We've missed you!" Paddy said.

"Mum!" Tom calls out. Harrison immediately shoves you behind him and you yelp in protest, before clamping your mouth shut and trying your best to shield yourself.

"Yes, dear?" Nikki said.

"Nevermind!"

Everyone rolls their eyes and you cautiously step out from behind Harrison.

"So, how do you plan to sneak me in?" You ask quietly.

Everyone looks at each other, eyebrows furrowed.

"Well, we wouldn't be worrying about it if Harrison could keep Tom away!" Harry accuses.

"I texted you!" Harrison defends.

"With your shit phone, there's no surprise as to why I never got it."

Harrison rolls his eyes, sticking his tongue out at the redhead before turning toward you. "How many spy movies have you done?"

"Three?"

He claps his hands together, "I have a plan!"

"We might as well give up now!" Harry sighed, receiving a glare from Harrison.

"It's a great plan, mind you," He snorts. "If we can distract Tom long enough and pull him into the other rooms then we could (Y/N) upstairs without him noticing."

There's a moment of silence as everyone ponders the idea. They only had to hide you from Tom, that should be easy enough. Plus the house was big enough to hide you somewhere should it not work out.

"Let's do it!" Paddy grinned, "It'll be like a spy movie!"

"We don't have much of a choice," Sam comments, peering in through one of the windows.

"I'll bring him to the kitchen," Nikki offers, heading back inside. The three boys follow her, Harry tuning around to point an accusing finger at Harrison, "don't screw this up, mate."

Harrison rolls his eyes, "I won't."

You watch with keen eyes as a small thumbs up appear in the window, letting you and Harrison know the back entrance was clear. You both make a run for the back door, crouching low just in case. Harrison puts a finger to his lips, receiving an eye roll from you. He smirks, poking his head in the door to ensure Tom wasn't lurking around anywhere. He sticks a hand out, beckoning you closer. You comply, taking a few steps forward before a string of curses fall from Harrison's lips and he tumbles back from the door and tackles you to the ground. You bite your lip, caging in any sounds from his sudden attack. Your eyes bug out at him, eyebrows pinched together as a silent 'what the hell.' He mouths 'Tom' to you before poking his head in the window again. You push yourself into a sitting position, wiping up off the dirt from your outfit.

"Can you run?" Harrison asked, turning around.

"Yes, but are you sure that's-" He doesn't let you finish before he opens the back door and shoves you inside. Sam runs into the room, ushering you to the next room over.

"He's coming!" He half whispers half yells. Sam goes to stand next to Harrison, giving you a thumbs up and mouthing the word kitchen to you. Tom strolls into the room and Sam waves a discreet hand at you and you pull yourself from your hiding place and tiptoe to the kitchen. Your footsteps fall silently on the plush carpet of the living room and you feel like you can finally breathe since your arrival. However, the moment of peace doesn't last long and before you know it there's the scurrying of paws and loud barking. Tessa happily runs into the room, tail wagging happily when she sees her mom.

"Hi, Tess!" You whisper, bending down to scratch behind her ears. She barks loudly and you press a kiss to her forehead. "Mmm, I know, excited to see you too, but I'm here to surprise daddy."

"Tom, wait!" Sam shouts and you take that as your cue to get moving. You pat Tessa's head one last time before running into the kitchen where Nikki is waiting with Paddy. She leads you to the stairs as Paddy grabs Tessa to prevent her from chasing after you. She whines loudly and Paddy shushes her.

"Do you know where the guest room is?" She asked. You nod and she smiles at you, "I'll have one of the boys drop off your luggage once we get rid of him."

You laugh at her choice of words before thanking her and scurrying up the stairs. You stroll down the hallway, admiring all the baby pictures of the boys. Your eyes land on your favorite one of Tom. He's clad in a superman suit, lips pursed together as he climbs over the obstacle course. You study the picture a little longer, soaking in all the features of your boyfriend. Was he really turning 24? Seems like you just met yesterday, back when you both were both new in the acting business, just starting in your careers. Things seemed much simpler back then when your biggest worries were if you had made the cast. It was already your third year spent celebrating Tom's birthday. Oh, how time flies. It didn't feel like three years, more like three days. Your eyes scan the array of photos and land on one from last year's birthday celebration. It was taken late at night when most of the guests had cleared out. Tom had an arm around your waist and you were resting both hands on his broad shoulder, pressing a kiss to his cheek. The photo wasn't the best quality, as a drunk Harrison had taken it and the only light was coming from the living room. Nonetheless, it still held a special memory with it.

Drunk giggles escaped your lips as you stumbled over the carpet. You had ditched your heels long ago, but that didn't stop you from being a klutz. The night seemed to drag on forever, yet seemed over in the blink of an eye. You were properly tipsy, having drowned multiple shots (courtesy of the Holland boys) and drinking glass after glass of some fancy champagne. It was probably some time between midnight at two A.M. You weren't quite sure, having lost track a while ago and frankly, you weren't sure where your phone was either. You stopped walking for a minute to collect your thoughts. Where was your phone? Patting yourself down, you laugh at your stupidity when you feel it in your back pocket.

"(Y/N)?" Harry asked, poking his head into the room.

"Oh, hi!" You exclaim, turning around and almost tripping over your feet.

Harry takes one look at your drunken smile before sighing, "Tom! Your girl's drunk!"

"Liar!" You accuse, crossing your arms over your chest, a pout adorning your lips.

Harry rolls his eyes, slightly tipsy himself, but had sobered up enough to comprehend his thoughts. Tom comes running into the room, "What? Where is she?"

"Harry you tattletale!" You whined, stomping your feet on the plush carpet. Tom laughs at the sight in front of him, shooing Harry off with a wave of his hand. He walks up to you, reaching out to place his warm hands on the exposed skin of your arms, rubbing small circles on them.

"I don't like Harry," You pout, looking up at your boyfriend with big doe eyes.

"Mean either," Tom agrees, brushing a few strands of hair from your face.

"I heard that!" Harry calls out from the kitchen.

You both ignore him and Tom leans in to press his forehead to yours, you giggle, biting your lip. "happy birthday."

"it's midnight, so technically it's not my birthday anymore," Tom points out. You roll your eyes before pressing a sweet kiss to his lips. He whines when you pull away, not having enough.

"'m tired," You said, rubbing your eyes, a yawn escaping your lips. Tom chuckles as you latch onto his arm, resting your head on his shoulder. He presses a tender kiss to your hairline.

"then let's go to bed, lovie."

You arrived at the boy's flat with Sam and Paddy at two. Dom and Nikki had just left with Tom, keeping him away from where the party was supposed to be held later that night. You opened the door, dropping your bag in the corner and placing the rest of the decorations on the kitchen counter.

"We're here!" Sam announced, walking around and searching for the boys.

"Hello?" Paddy calls out, looking upstairs.

"No, you div! It goes this way!"

"But look at the instructions!"

"fuck the instructions, mate!"

"you all royally screwed this up."

"you're not helping Tuwaine."

The three of you look at each other, snickering as you walk into the open backyard. Tuwaine stands tall, arms crossed over his chest as Harrison and Harry argue about how to set up the table. Sam coughs loudly, causing them all to turn to you.

"And this is why we don't have nice things," You said smugly, smirking as all three of them roll their eyes. You laugh, pulling Tuwaine into a hug, "good to see you again."

"Likewise, it's nice to have a lady around here."

You giggle, stepping back, "I can imagine."

The six of you step into the kitchen to discuss the plan for setting up. Sam was (obviously) in charge of food, Harry and Tuwaine were on drinks and setting up the tables outside, which leaves you, Paddy and Harrison to work on the actual decorations. You're all about to leave and get started when the door opens.

"I forgot my wallet!" Tom announces. Everyone freezes, eyes wide as they realize the birthday boy was here. Tuwaine curses under his breath.

"Hide!" Harrison hisses at you, Sam and Paddy. Sam runs outside, ducking under a window. Paddy glances around frantically before deciding to tuck himself into a far corner of the kitchen, somewhere between the kitchen and the fridge. Which leaves you, the one person Tom absolutely couldn't see, standing in the open air.

"the living room!" Tuwaine whispers and you nod, ducking yourself behind the couch.

"Have you guys seen my wallet?" Tom asked, stepping into the kitchen. From your place behind the couch, you can see Sam's mop of hair in the window, and Paddy squished into the corner. He's holding his breath as Tom steps around the room. Harrison leans against the counter obstructing Paddy from Tom's view.

"No, maybe it's upstairs?" Harry offers.

Tom shakes his head, "no, I think I left it in the living room."

Harry's face falls, panic written all over it. Tuwaine looks from you to Paddy to Sam, not at all being discreet about it.

"You can't!" Harrison shouted.

Tom gives him a quizzical look, "mate, what do you mean?"

"You can't go in there!"

If anything, that just made Tom more curious and he rolls his eyes, stepping into the room. Unbeknownst to him, you were huddled up next to the couch, eyes screwed shut and practically suffocating. Harry runs into the room, standing behind you, ensuring Tom couldn't step back and see you.

"What Haz is trying to say," Harry said, voice laced with venom as he shot the blonde a dirty look, "is that we saw it in your bedroom earlier."

"why were you in my room?" Tom inquires.

"Because that's what friends do?" Harry replied, smiling.

Tom nods his head, "Right, I'll keep my door locked from now on." With that, he turns on his heels and runs upstairs.

"You can't go in there? You can't go in there?" Harry whisper shouts at Harrison. "How was that going to stop him?"

"Oh please, you said we snooped in his room!"

"Like you haven't."

"Guys, I think I'm stuck," Paddy's small voice said.

Everyone turns toward him, he wiggles around, frowning as he doesn't budge. You stifle a laugh, covering your mouth as the absurdity of the situation.

"Found it!" Tom shouts, feet thundering against the stairs. He stops at the door, noticing a familiar handbag in the corner and he feels his heart stop. Had that always been there? He blinks once, twice, trying to make sense of the all too familiar Chanel bag.

"Guys, why is there a Chanel bag at the door?"

"Shit!" You curse, knowing that if he opens the bag, he'll know you're here. "don't let him open it!"

Tuwaine crosses into the doorway, grabbing the bag from Tom's hands.

"It's a gift!" he said, clutching it tightly in his hands.

"For?"

"For (Y/N)!"

"I'm pretty sure she has the same one."

"Oh well, you know Harrison, doesn't know shit."

Tom laughs, Harrison, throwing Tuwaine a glare.

"You're right. I'll be on my way now, don't want to keep mum waiting."

Tuwaine nods, "alright, mate. Have a good time with your parents. We'll be waiting for you."

Tom smiles at him, patting his arm before he shuts the door behind him. There's a collective sigh from everyone. Sam brushing off the dirt from the garden.

"We are never doing this again," You said.

"No way," They all agreed.

"Hello?!" Paddy yelped, "I'm still stuck!"

You scramble to your feet, running over to the youngest Holland. He holds his arms out and you grab onto his hands, pulling.

"He's not budging!" You cry out, dropping his arms.

"That's because you have no strength," Harrison scoffs, butting you out of the way. He does the same, grabbing onto Paddy and tugging. You cross your arms over your chest, giving him a pointed stare when Paddy doesn't budge. Harry walks over and you all tug on Paddy, there's a satisfying pop as he flies out of the corner and you all land on a heaping pile on the floor.

Tuwaine and Sam burst out laughing from above, clutching their stomachs as they double over, wiping tears from their eyes. You shove Harry off, standing up and brushing down your dress.

"I swear, you guys are going to kill me."

"That's the plan."

"Divs."

...

Almost four hours later and you were ready. The house had miraculously been transformed, food lining the kitchen counter and cases of beer resting on the fold-up tables outside. There was a banner hanging from the doorway that read, "happy birthday, Tom!" Streamers and confetti were strewn across the room, all a mixture of blue, red, and gold. You had to admit the boys had done a pretty good job of cleaning the place up. Harry had told all the guests to park a while away so that Tom wasn't suspicious when he arrived. Nikki had texted the boys not too long ago, saying they were almost there. Which was why you were currently making yourself at home in Tom's room. The boys were all hiding downstairs, lights dim as they waited. They had told you to wait in Tom's room as a surprise to him. It was also a plus because you were still slightly jet-lagged. You were sitting against the headboard, phone in your hand as you waited for your cue. There's the faint sound of keys jingling before the door is pushed open.

"Hello?" Tom calls out, flicking on the lights.

"Happy Birthday!" All the boys shouted. You hear a loud thud, followed by a string of curses and many apologies. Snickering to yourself, you figure Tom just fell over. He was never good at surprises.

"Wow, you guys did all this?" Tom asked, a smile painting his face.

"Of course, mate!" Harrison chirped as he wrapped him in a hug, "Happy birthday."

Tom sniffles, "I just wish (Y/N) was here."

You begin your descent down the stairs, adrenaline pumping through your veins. You could finally see your boyfriend. Your footsteps are silent against the wood stairs, "who said I wasn't?"

Tom spins on his heels as his jaw falls open if he wasn't crying before he was now, "(Y/N)?"

"Happy Birthday, baby!" You squeal as he runs to you and picks you up spinning you around.

"You made it! You're here! It's actually you," He spoke into your neck, inhaling the familiar scent of your shampoo. You comb your hands through his chestnut curls, making funny faces at the boys behind you who were all gagging.

"You didn't really think I'd miss my favorite person's birthday, did you?"

"I might've."

You smile at him, lacing your hands together, "Well, it was all Harry's idea."

"Of course it was."

"Are you going to kiss me or..?" You ask.

Tom wiggled his eyebrows, "Missed these lips?"

"Honestly, I've missed you d-"

"There are cHILDREN!" Sam screams, covering Paddy's ears.

"Shove off, I'm fifteen!" Paddy whines.

The boys all leave the room, giving you both some much-needed privacy.

Tom laughs as they leave, before pulling you flush against his chest. He lets go of your hands, running them along your arms before cupping your cheeks gently.

"If you don't kiss me within the next five seconds-" You warn before Tom playfully rolls his eyes and presses his lips to yours. You wind your hands behind his neck, trying to pull him closer because, god, he tastes so good. His lips are warm and tender, pressing against yours in an ever so soft way, but still passionate at the same time. He pulls away, sticking his tongue out at you and you giggle, missing his funny faces he'd always pull on set. Tom laces your hands together, pulling them to his lips to kiss the pad of each finger carefully.

"I've missed you so much, lovie," He said softly.

You burn under his gaze, after almost four years and he still has the same effect on you. "Missed you more, bubs, but I'm not going anywhere for a while."

"I love you so much, you know that?"

"I love you too, birthday boy. Now let's not keep your friends waiting, I'll get you all to myself later."

The rest of the night is spent next to Tom's side, always touching. Whether it was a hand around your waist, his hands interlocked with yours or a hand placed gently on your thigh. He goes around to all his friends and family, joking with them all thanking them for coming. He especially jokes with you and the boys as you tell the story of how they snuck you around.

"So that was your Chanel bag!" Tom said.

"Sure was, I was hiding behind the couch and told Tuwaine if you opened it up you would for sure know." You learned your head on Tom's shoulder, his arms wrapping and pressing a kiss to your forehead. All the boys fake gagging at the display of affection. "That explains everyone's weird behaviors."

The whole table laughs, beer, and glasses of alcohol clinking together.

You lift your glass, "A toast to the birthday boy and to all of you for getting me here as safely as you could."

Everyone raises their glasses, clinking them together.

"Happy Birthday, Tom! Twenty-Four years down and hopefully many many more to come!" Harry toasts. "Thank you for being the best older brother we could ask for."

"The best friend we could ask for."

"The coolest movie star."

"And the best boyfriend," You add, "I hope to be by your side for all those other birthdays. Even when your curls are gone."

"Likewise, baby," Tom chuckles, before sealing the night with a kiss.

— END —

🏷 Holland Taglist: @cams-lynn @runway-to-my-aid @peterspideyy @yoinkyourheart @t-monosapiens-h @hollandsamor @quaksonhehe

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welllpthisishappening · 3 years

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Welllp These Are Books: the April 2021 Edition

I did not read Romeo and Juliet this month. I read a bunch of other books. Like, a bunch. More than one series. Because Big Bang burnout is real and grown adults missing their deadlines is a real good way to stress me out. So, I read a bunch. Good books, very bad books, books that caused limbs to flail. For positive and not-so-positive reasons. Naturally, all those reasons must be shared. Under the cut with occasionally long and rant-prone reviews, as well as spoilers. Beware of spoilers under the cut. Please keep telling me what to read, internet. My library wish list is almost comically long now.

GIVE ME ALL THE WORLD BUILDING AND SNARK AND FIGHTING! WITH MAGIC! AND SWORDS! IT’S MY FAVORITE THING IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!

Shades of Magic Series by V.E. Schwab

Kell is one of the last Antari—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black. After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they'll first need to stay alive.

— Picture it, approximately twelve forty-seven am. My husband is asleep. I am reading. The second book in this series ends. And I say, right out loud, at what might now be twelve forty-eight am, HOLY SHIT IT JUST ENDED. Justin thought we were under attack. No man has ever snapped awake quicker. He was not pleased. At least not in the same way that I was about these books. Which I goddamn LOVED. Loved. The world building. The magic. The banter. Rhy and Kell’s relationship. Once more. RHY AND KELL’S RELATIONSHIP. Which I might have cared about more than the romance??? Maybe??? I cannot get over how good this world building was. I know people have quips with it, and that’s fair. I saw the “twist” coming in the first book, and I think trying to preserve that left some plot holes that are understandably frustrating. Because Lilah definitely needed depth perception to fight as well as she did. Also did Schwab really refer to her as a cross dresser in her author’s note? Yikes. She wore a dude’s jacket, like—c’mon V.E. Other than that though. I loved it. Also shout out to @peglegsjones for suggesting this one in my 2020 post and call out to me for taking so long to read it.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone. . . . A convict with a thirst for revenge. A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager. A runaway with a privileged past. A spy known as the Wraith. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.

— I’ve talked about how little I cared about anything that happened in Shadow and Bone before, but I kept seeing gifs of the Crows in the Netflix show and my brain was like: huh, I could like them. So, after some help from the very helpful internet, I’m happy to report I do in fact like them. At one point, I slunk into the couch. Like that’s how overcome with emotion I was. Kaz ripped a dude’s eye out! For Inej! Matthias loved Nina’s laugh! I would like to hug Jesper. Seriously, this hit all my high points and world building and banter and I lol’ed at “scheming face.” I would like my hold to come through faster on the sequel.

THEY DID NOT CALL INTERMISSION HALFTIME AND MY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE WAS WAY DIFFERENT THAN THESE KIDS

The Off Campus Series by Elle Kennedy

Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she’s carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush’s attention, she’ll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice…even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date. All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he’s worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he’s all for it. But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn’t take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn’t going to cut it. Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him.

— The first book in this series was free on Amazon. So, I read it. And really liked it??? It was so chock full of cliches and badly written tropes and Garrett probably should have accepted that Hannah didn’t want to go out at the start, but like—he was cute? And as we all know I am TRASH™ for stories set in the same verse, so, like, I just kept reading these trashy college hockey books. Trashy is a compliment here. God, these kids had so much sex. So much. An incredible amount, really. I once had a guy tell me he was physically attracted to me, but not emotionally attracted to me in college. Like, that was my college experience. The first and second books were the best, I think. I didn’t really like Dean that much.

MAYBE IT WAS BECAUSE HE WAS A RABBI???

The Intimacy Experiement by Rosie Danan

Naomi Grant has built her life around going against the grain. After the sex-positive start-up she cofounded becomes an international sensation, she wants to extend her educational platform to live lecturing. Unfortunately, despite her long list of qualifications, higher ed won't hire her. Ethan Cohen has recently received two honors: LA Mag nominated him as one of the city's hottest bachelors and he became rabbi of his own synagogue. Low on both funds and congregants, the executive board of Ethan's new shul hired him with the hopes that his nontraditional background will attract more millennials to the faith. They've given him three months to turn things around or else they'll close the doors of his synagogue for good. Naomi and Ethan join forces to host a buzzy seminar series on Modern Intimacy, the perfect solution to their problems--until they discover a new one--their growing attraction to each other. They've built the syllabus for love's latest experiment, but neither of them expected they'd be the ones putting it to the test.

— Ok, I know that sounds bad. Again, I’m a creature of predictable habit and this was the sequel to The Roommate, which I absolutely LOVED last year. But where as the relationship in that one was kind of swoony, this one was...I don’t know, really. Everyone was a well-rounded character and the plot was good, but there was this semi-invisible something that made it difficult for me to get fully on board with the whole story. Honestly, it might be because he was a religious figure?? Also, they got together real quick. Like zero to sixty in twenty-six seconds flat.

I KNOW IT’S BAD, IT WAS BAD AND YET—I CANNOT STOP READING IT???

Too Wild to Tame by Tessa Bailey

Sometimes you just can't resist playing with fire . . . By day, Aaron Clarkson suits up, shakes hands, and acts the perfect gentleman. But at night, behind bedroom doors, the tie comes off and the real Aaron comes out to play. Mixing business with pleasure got him fired, so Aaron knows that if he wants to work for the country's most powerful senator, he'll have to keep his eye on the prize. That's easier said than done when he meets the senator's daughter, who's wild, gorgeous, and 100 percent trouble. Grace Pendleton is the black sheep of her conservative family. Yet while Aaron's presence reminds her of a past she'd rather forget, something in his eyes keeps drawing her in. Maybe it's the way his voice turns her molten. Or maybe it's because deep down inside, the ultra-smooth, polished Aaron Clarkson might be more than even Grace can handle . . .

— Last month I read the first book in this series and it was absolutely ridiculous. This one even more so. The Clarksons are still on the road trip (sans one sibling because she fell in love in a week in the first book) and Aaron was, like, not a root’able character? Very Edward Cullen I’M A BAD GUY, BELLA vibes and his relationship with Grace was so strange. Super rushed again, obvs. Meeting in the woods is weird enough. Professing love forty-eight hours later is decidedly unbelievable. Also there was a kidnapping involved? I totally put a hold on the next book in the series.

COME UP WITH DIFFERENT TRAUMA, I DARE YOU! OR NO TRAUMA. WHAT A CONCEPT!!

The Trouble With Hating You by Sajni Patel

Liya Thakkar is a successful biochemical engineer, takeout enthusiast, and happily single woman. The moment she realizes her parents' latest dinner party is a setup with the man they want her to marry, she's out the back door in a flash. Imagine her surprise when the same guy shows up at her office a week later -- the new lawyer hired to save her struggling company. What's not surprising: he's not too thrilled to see her either after that humiliating fiasco.

Jay Shah looks good on paper...and off. Especially if you like that whole gorgeous, charming lawyer-in-a-good-suit thing. He's also infuriating. As their witty office banter turns into late-night chats, Liya starts to think he might be the one man who truly accepts her. But falling for each other means exposing their painful pasts. Will Liya keep running, or will she finally give love a real chance?

— I had such high hopes for this one. Which is on me, I guess. Because I didn’t hate this one, but it was...not great. Maybe I’m just getting old and crotchety but I am BEGGING romance writers to come up with different trauma for their female protagonists. Not every woman has to have been assaulted to rationalize their current personality. Doesn’t have to happen. Like, ok, yes it does happen. Far more than it should. But that’s an entirely different story, and I am so tired of female characters getting absolutely destroyed by their past only to have that be their defining characteristic for so much of the book. Until a nice man they were initially mean to shows up and he’s UNDERSTANDING and he CARES and it’s just, bleh. It’s bleh. Tired and predictable and I’m over it.

IN WHICH I SHOULD HAVE LOOKED AT THE COVER

Much Ado About You by Samantha Young

At thirty-three-years old Evangeline Starling’s life in Chicago is missing that special something. And when she’s passed over for promotion at work, Evie realizes she needs to make a change. Some time away to regain perspective might be just the thing. In a burst of impulsivity, she plans a holiday in a quaint English village. The holiday package comes with a temporary position at Much Ado About Books, the bookstore located beneath her rental apartment. There’s no better dream vacation for the bookish Evie, a life-long Shakespeare lover. Not only is Evie swept up in running the delightful store as soon as she arrives, she’s drawn into the lives, loves and drama of the friendly villagers. Including Roane Robson, the charismatic and sexy farmer who tempts Evie every day with his friendly flirtations. Evie is determined to keep him at bay because a holiday romance can only end in heartbreak, right? But Evie can’t deny their connection and longs to trust in her handsome farmer that their whirlwind romance could turn in to the forever kind of love.

— Ok, so I had had this book on hold for so long that I genuinely forgot about it and forgot who it was written by. Samantha Young wrote that one book that I called the worst book I had ever read. Only I did not realize that when I started reading this one. So, you see how this sets us up for disaster. Because this book was a disaster. Everyone was goddamn annoying. And whiny. Shit, everyone whined. About everything. Also, the actual writing was atrocious. I am not usually one to be like “men can’t write,” but at one point I told both @shireness-says and @optomisticgirl that this book must have been secretly written by a man because no woman writing it would be so obsessed with pointing out where her cellulite was. Like, what??? Also the first sex scene? Oh my God, I laughed. Guffawed. The so-called love interest literally asked: “Are we going to have sex now?” And then they just did. It was so bad. Also there was a dog? Who went everywhere with the so-called love interest. And they just never explained that? I thought it was going to be part of some crushing and depressing backstory. Nah, he was just there.

HOLY SHIT THIS WAS SO DUMB I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS WAS A BOOK! A BOOK MEANT FOR YOUNG ADULTS! WHAT IS YOUNG ADULT???

The Queen’s Secret by Melissa de la Cruz

Lilac's birthright makes her the Queen of Renovia, and a forced marriage made her the Queen of Montrice. But being a ruler does not mean making the rules. For Lilac, taking the throne means giving up the opportunity to be with love of her life, the kingdom's assassin, Caledon Holt. Worse, Cale is forced to leave the castle when a horrific set of magical attacks threatens Lilac's sovereignty. Now Cal eand Lilac will have to battle dark forces separately, even though being together is the only thing that's ever saved them.

— Remember last month when I was like: can’t wait for my hold to come through on this sequel so I know what happens? What an idiot. THIS BOOK WAS SO DUMB I CANNOT BELIEVE IT WAS A BOOK. As always in my rage-induced rants, no apologies for spoilers because seriously do NOT read this, but Lilac (legit, that was her name) married some other dude but just kept fucking Cale??? Like she had a secret door? So he could come in and they could fuck?? I just—oh my God. So, all these things kept happening. Magic and bad stuff and horses were killed. Lilac’s mother was the absolute WORST. Honestly the most worthless character who at one point was like “well, my story is over, guess it’s time to leave,” and then just left?? Forced Lilac into a marriage of alliance and no love and then everything evil was defeated in point two four seconds. It happened so fast I wasn’t even sure it happened. So, then I’m like, ok, how are Lilac and Cale going to end up together? Because this is YA and that’s how it’s supposed to work. Only her being married and that marriage requiring an heir is something of a rather large hurdle. Don’t worry! Remember when Lilac and Cale were fucking? Everyone totally knew. Including the king Lilac is married to. Who is somehow like...ok with this? And tells Cale that Lilac is pregnant. ISN’T THAT WONDERFUL! Sure, because now they can lie and claim its the king’s heir. ONLY IT’S CALE’S KID! AND CALE IS COOL WITH THIS! His entire internal monologue during this is about how he realizes he might not ever be able to tell his kid he’s their father, but he’ll be around and that’s good. Wait, what??? But there’s more! Not only is Lilac having Cale’s kid, but the king she’s married to is in love with one of Cale’s spy associates. So the king and the spy are going to go hang out (and presumably have their own kids) at one castle and Lilac and Cale are going to go to another. Lilac and the king never get divorced or annulled or whatever. Everyone stays as is and married as is and—they all live happily ever after? This was presented as a good ending, I swear. What the shit, guys, seriously.

#book rec #book reccs #fantasy recommendations #rom com recs #laura reads books #i am still waiting for people to respond to my emails #and only vaguely stressed out about it #welllp these are books

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six-of-ravens · 3 years

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mid-year book freakout

tagged by @bigcats-birds-and-books, thank you!!!!!

Best Book You’ve Read So Far in 2021? Tough choice but I think it’s A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth! Or The Scapegracers by Hannah Abgail Clarke... it’s a good year for YA urban fantasy!

Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far in 2021? A tie between A Closed and Common Orbit and Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers! I feel like I didn’t really “get” her writing when I read The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, but now that I do I love every Wayfarers book more than the last.

New Release You Haven’t Read Yet, But Want To? Aaaahhhhh so many! Mister Impossible by Maggie Stiefvater is the first to come to mind, but there are a TON of June releases on my library holds that just haven’t come up yet.

Most Anticipated Release For Second Half of 2021? VERY excited for A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee!!

Biggest Disappointment? Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth. It just didn’t click with me, and I found the writing style annoying (how many times can one say “dear reader,” seriously? also footnotes annoy me if an author doesn’t use them very carefully, either for necessary information or actual funny jokes. using the to point out your own clever wordplay is *eyeroll*). The whole movie thing could have gone MUCH harder into horror, it felt just kinda gimmicky and half-assed. We get the super intense historical plot with the headmistress/teacher slowly going mad, but with the modern-day stuff it was like “haha this is totally just the film crew playing tricks!! OR IS IT??? Lol no it totally is don’t worry.”

Biggest Surprise? I think The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year (Volume Ten). Rented it from the library just to read Tamsyn Muir’s story, but figured I’d skim the rest to see if there was anything I liked since I thought it’d be all “serious hard SFF” stuff that doesn’t interest me, but I actually loved all but one of the stories (and that one was good, it just had some fucked up alien sex lmao).

Favorite New Author? Cannot possibly pick just one cause I’ve read some GOOD BOOKS lately. I’ll say Ashley Shuttleworth, Krystal Sutherland, Hannah Abigail Clarke, and Robin McKinley.

Newest Fiction Crush? Alecto/Nausicaa from A Dark and Hollow Star OTL

Newest Favorite Character? again, Alecto/Nausicaa from A Dark and Hollow Star. I love a fast-talking asshole who’s good with knives...

Book That Made You Cry? Didn’t expect Record of a Spaceborn Few to punch me in the feels like that. Also, Radio Silence by Alice Oseman didn’t have to go that hard...

Book That Made You Happy? Spindle’s End by Robin McKinley was thoroughly delightful

Favorite Book Adaption You Saw This Year? Shadow and Bone! They did SUCH a good job with the show!!

Favorite Review You’ve Written This Year? Oh boy I don’t think I’ve written any actual reviews? I made a half-coherent late-night post on the book blog about how The Scapegracers was everything I’ve ever wanted in a piece of teen witch media, like all the tropes were So Right, and I think that still stands, at least.

Most Beautiful Book You Bought So Far This Year? I haven’t received it yet, but the cover for Persephone Station by Stina Leicht is gorgeous!

What Books Do You Need To Read By The End of The Year? For my new year’s goals: The Riddle, The Crow, and The Signing by Alison Croggon; The Fall of the Kings by Ellen Kushner; Souless and Changeless by Gail Carriger; The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch; and The Anatomy of Curiosity by Maggie Stiefvater, Tessa Gratton, and Brenna Yovanoff. For my personal sanity though, I’d like to finish/catch up on some of the half-read series lurking on my shelves, ie.: The Illuminae Files, the Strange the Dreamer duology, The Book of Dust series, and the Lady Helen trilogy. And then there’s the endless stream of library holds...

Not sure who’s done this or not, so tagging anyone who wants to!

#thanks for the tag!!

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steves-on-a-plane · 4 years

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The Camping Trip

Words: 1484 Pairings: Steve Rogers x Reader, Bucky Barnes x OC Prompt: “Our friends dragged us as third and fourth wheels on a camping trip and they keep arguing and we may have run off AU” Prompt Credit Via @dailyau Summary: Reader agrees to go on a camping trip with her best friend, Tessa, and Tessa’s boyfriend, Bucky. What she doesn’t know is that Bucky also invited his best friend, Steve. Reader and Steve soon become unwilling allies when it seems Tess and Bucky can’t stop fighting.

“[Y/N]!!” Your best friend, Tessa, came running over to your car excitedly. You’d just parked in her driveway where your car would be resting for the weekend. You got out of your car and were immediately encircled by Tessa’s arms. “I’m so glad you agreed to come with us this weekend! It’s been forever since we’ve hung out!”

“It’s been too long.” You nodded, ending the hug. “So, is it just me, you and Bucky this weekend?” You asked, opening your driver’s side back door and reaching for the camping equipment you’d packed.

“Hey [Y/N]!” Bucky, Tessa’s long-term boyfriend came over to help you load your bags into their car. “Have you met my friend, Steve?”

You looked up to see a mountain of a man lurking by Bucky’s SUV. He was at least six feet tall, with a muscular build. You thought for sure one of his biceps was the size of your head. As you approach the SUV, Steve offers you a hand to shake. You accept his hand a give it a stern shake.

“Nice to meet you, Ma’am.” He says politely.

“It’s [Y/N] please.” You insisted, looking up at his ocean blue eyes. “It’s nice to meet you too Steve.”

“So [Y/N], are you an avid camper?” Steve walked to the driver’s side back door and opened it for you.

“Not exactly.” You laughed. “I just get dragged along on a lot of Tessa’s adventures.” Steve shut the door. You clipped your seatbelt in and Steve joined you in the backseat. “The last time I went camping with Tessa we were in college. I got eaten alive by mosquitos and vowed I’d never do it again.”

“Yet here you are!” Tessa chirped, jumping into the passenger’s seat of the SUV.

“Okay, last chance for everyone to use an actual toilet. Anyone have to go?” Bucky warned starting the car. “Going once...twice…sold.” Bucky changed the car’s gear to reverse and rolled his SUV down the driveway.

“I created a bumping playlist for our drive!” Tessa announced. She plugged her phone into the aux cable on the SUV. The first song that played was obviously not Bucky or Steve’s taste it was loud booming pop music with shrill vocals. The next song that played was similar and the next fifteen after that. After an hour of this Bucky turned the volume down.

“Do you have any other music you could play?” Bucky asks with a hint of irritation.

“I worked really hard making this playlist!” Tessa pouts. You steal a glance at Steve. From his expression you guess that he too has witnessed his share of arguments between Tessa and Bucky. By the sound of things the happy couple were winding up for another legendary disagreement.

Bucky and Tessa argued over the music the remainder of the car ride. When you arrived at your campsite the situation didn’t improve much. First they argued about where to set up the tents, then they argued about how to set the tents up. Even worst, it turned out one of the tents was missing its poles.

“How do you not remember to pack tent poles for the tent?” Tess complained as Bucky dug frantically through the back of his SUV.

“I just assumed that when you used it last month for your yoga retreat you would have put the poles back in the bag with the rest of the tent.” Bucky snapped at her.

“It’s alright, I brought a spare tent just in case.” Steve offered. He reached into the back of the SUV and pulled out the tent. “I’ll start setting it up.”

“Don’t worry about it, Steve.” Tessa told him in a sugary sweet voice. “Bucky left the poles at home so Bucky can set up the backup tent.” She took the tent bag out of Steve’s hands and tossed it at her boyfriend.

“Tess!” You scolded your best friend. “Ease up, you could have checked for the poles yourself.”

“Hey, [Y/N], I’m gonna go look for firewood. You want to come with?” Steve asked. He held an axe in his two hands. You were very aware again just how muscular Steve Rogers was.

“Yes!” You agreed quickly. You followed the guy you’d just met deep into the woods to avoid listening to another argument between your best friends. “You know, I feel like I should apologize for Tessa. She’s not usually so…”

“Disagreeable?” Steve laughs. “Maybe I should apologize for Bucky too. He’s never been one to backdown from an argument. They make quite a pair.”

“Yeah.” You agreed. You whistle low and looked around the forest floor. “I guess we should start gathering wood and get back there before they kill each other.”

“I mean I could swipe Bucky’s keys when he’s mid-argument and we could drive off with his SUV. Leave the two of them here to sort things out.” Steve suggests. He steps a safe distance away from you and starts chopping at a nearby tree.

“You’d do that to your best friend?” You asked gathering small sticks and twigs that you’d need to start the fire.

“If you told me that you wanted to get out of here, I wouldn’t blame you and I couldn’t subject you to their arguments anymore.” Steve told you.

After a little while you both hoped enough time had passed that Tessa and Bucky had stopped fighting. You helped Steve load up his arms with as much wood as he could carry. You held a fistful of sticks in one hand and the axe in the other. When you returned to the campsite Bucky and Tessa were sitting on a log embracing each other and making out. You immediately looked away and Steve cleared his throat loudly. Tessa and Bucky broke apart at the sudden sound.

“Sorry,” Bucky apologize. “We didn’t know when you guys would be back.”

“While you were gone, Bucky and I were talking…” Tessa said. Steve got to work building the fire. You crouched down next to him and tried to help.

“I think you were doing more than that.” You pointed out.

“Anyway, we were thinking,” She nuzzled up close to Bucky practically climbing into his lap. “That maybe instead of doing guys and girls tents it would make more sense for us to share a tent and for you and Steve to share another. I mean we’re all adults.” She shrugged innocently.

“Sure.” You knew that Tess would get what she wanted one way or another, so it was easier to just agree from the jump. “What do you say, Steve?”

“Uh, sure. If you’re comfortable with it.” He nods, looking slightly uncomfortable.

“OMG yay!” Tessa exclaimed excitedly. “So later tonight if the tent is a rockin’ don’t come a knockn’, know what I’m saying?” She winked suggestively before leaning over and nibbling on Bucky’s ear.

“Why did we agree to this trip?” Steve whispered quietly to you.

“Actually,” Bucky stood up holding Tessa in his arms. “I think we’re gonna hit the hay right now. You two gonna be okay?” Steve responded by waving Bucky off towards one of the tents.

It didn’t take long for Steve to get a fire started. It turned out Captain America was quite the outdoorsman. You found marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers in the SUV and made a few smores. As the sun went down it started to get cold. You shivered at the gentle breeze. Even with the fire roaring, you wished you’d brought more layers.

“Wind is picking up.” Steve observed. “It’d be warmer in the tent and I brought some extra blankets too.”

“I could call it a night.” You yawned. You and Steve went into your tent. There was enough room for the two of you to retreat to opposite sides, but Steve offered you two spare wool blankets he’d packed. “Won’t you be cold?” You asked.

“I’ve slept in worst places.” He shrugged.

“We could, ah, share?” You suggested cautiously. The last thing you wanted to do was make Steve uncomfortable. “We could use our sleeping bags as mats for extra padding, and cover up with these.”

“I’d hate to make you uneasy.” Steve hesitated.

“Well, I’d hate for you to freeze to death on my account.” You took the two blankets and spread them over the two of you. You laid down pulling the covers with you. “We’ll both be warmer this way.” You told Steve. “Shared body heat and all that.”

“You could snuggle a little closer and you’d be even warmer.” Steve invited you into his arms. You scooted closer and rested your head on his muscular shoulder. You wrapped an arm around his waist. Steve held you in his arms. As you drifted off to sleep your heart fluttered. You couldn’t help but think that get stuck sleeping in a tent with Steve Rogers wasn’t exactly the worst place to be.

#Steve Rogers #Steve Rogers x Reader #Steve Rogers Reader Insert #Steve Rogers FF #Steve Rogers Fan Fic #Steve Rogers Fan Fiction

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rainbhrts94writes · 3 years

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Tephra 02

Hello! Here’s the next thrilling instalment, hope you enjoy the banter as much as I do! :)

POV: YN Warnings: None this chapter, mostly intro stuff Word Count: 2.2K Rating: PG

Master List

Tephra 02

When Imogen told you Prince Namjoon of Atlas had been searching for you in the mage courses by name, you nearly spit out your drink. It's not like you had forgotten about him or anything. Who could forget dimples like that? I mean, really. It was more like you didn't typically associate with people from any of the four kingdoms outside the Min family.

"What do you think he wants?" Imogen asked you over dinner.

"Who knows, it's not like I'm anything special." You grumbled, finishing off the food on your plate.

"You're kidding, right? Did you forget you're the youngest addition to the Academy's guard ever?" Imogen scoffed.

"You should stop bringing that up. The last formal training I had was when I was ten. The fact that anyone thinks I'm qualified is embarrassing." You rolled your eyes.

"So what is all my night time training to you? Chopped liver?" Imogen smiled as she spoke, spinning her fork around in the air. "Besides, who's embarrassed?"

"All of the old cranky ass guards who worked for years to hone their magical skills to defend the Academy from the invisible powers that threaten us all." You said in a mocking spooky tone.

"You're not wrong. Did you see General Karp's face when Lady Cecilia offered to promote you to Captain of the Evening Forces?" Imogen let out a roaring laugh at her memory.

"I'm still saying it had to be a prank. The Headmistress is an air mage by nature. Seriously, we're always out on night rounds. Just because I've caught a few shady individuals lurking around the gate doesn't mean I need to be in charge of my own task force." You poked your fork at your tablemate as you tried to make a point.

"I don't think she was kidding. You're a great mage, YN, and you lead your peers with this weird calm I've only ever seen in TV dramas. Your skills were obvious last month."

"Are you talking about that landslide again?" You asked, exasperated, deciding not to pick fun at her terrible choice in behavioral reference. "For the last time, we didn't do anything special. The royal family of Atlas and friends already had over half the trench built by the time we got there."

"You're right, but there's no way they would have been able to hold that line alone. They also didn't think to make it deeper while it was filling up, did they? That was all you and Tessa." Imogen stated, looking snarky as she sipped on her tea.

"See, the key there is Tessa. You really think I could have blown that much earth around without focusing on projectile boulders if she and the others hadn't been there." You argued back.

"I do. Even then, you proved my point. Teamwork, you got the stuff of leaders, kid." Then she paused. "Wait, YN."

"What?" You looked up at Imogen, concerned with her tone.

"Prince Namjoon mentioned in his report of the situation that he had narrowly escaped a flying boulder!"

"Yea, and?" You pressed her, trying to find out what Imogen was so excited about.

"Was that you or Tessa?" She asked, nearly bouncing in her seat.

"So what if it was me?"

"YN! He's been out looking for you for over a month! What if he feels indebted to you and wants to make you an offer?!" Imogen leaped up out of her seat, slamming her hands on the table. "Something to repay that debt, the people of Atlas hate debt!"

"Don't most people hate debt?" You deadpanned. "Would you stop with the wild fantasies? You're supposed to be my guardian."

"Exactly, I'm your guardian. I told your parents I'd take care of you, and if that means marrying you off to a prince of Atlas, then so be it!" Imogen's voice grew in enthusiasm as she pressed on.

"There are so many reasons why that's not going to work, and you know it. Did my folks know you were clinically insane before they put me in your care? Does the Academy know one of their professors is straight out of the looney bin?" You asked, trying to hide the amusement in your voice.

"Nope, nobody knows I've escaped." Imogen winked. "You're not going to tell on me, are you?"

"Not until I've graduated, I still need that free tuition." You replied, holding in a laugh.

"Is that all I am to you? A ticket to free education!" Imogen put a hand to her chest and feigned hurt as she flopped back in her chair.

"That and my pseudo-mom."

"You're not allowed to get sentimental with me after being rude." Imogen snapped at the comment, a gentle smile on her face.

"Whatever you say." You rolled your eyes and collected your empty plates from the table.

"So, what do you want me to do about the prince?" Imogen asked. "I can only deflect his questions for so long before he sends someone more powerful digging around."

"I don't know." You tipped your head as you put the dishes in the sink. "Find out what he wants first, I guess."

"That I can do," Imogen exclaimed.

---

The school had a strict curfew. It was how they ensured nobody knew about your class and the inner workings of the Academy. Technically, Spiros was a refugee city, despite it's long, illustrious history.

As the story goes, Neith the Great Mother descended from the heavens adapting to the life of human's already present on Sias. Those born of her newfound flesh and blood were known as The Children, and together they shared their knowledge and godlike powers with humanity. As time went on, The Children grew in strength and popularity, each now a god in their own right. With power came struggle, and when they fought, so did the humans who followed them.

The conflict immediately led to a hundred-year war, resulting in the fracturing of the continent and its people. To keep the peace, Neith separated those with magic into four territories and left her home open to all seeking refuge from her children and those who sought to harm them for their perceived powerlessness.

In the years of peace that followed, the Academy was built to educate those who resided in Spiros safely. They brought in people from all walks of life and the different territories to balance out the curriculum. This angered one of The Children, the daughter Opis who with the help o hr followers sought revenge. During the ensuing battle, Neith perished, the four kingdoms established themselves as they are now, and Spiros was taken and divided into sections to be jointly ruled and controlled.

One could say that for the past four hundred years since the end of the original conflict, all the four Kingdoms had fought for was a place to dump the underprivileged, unwanted, and their country's political adversaries. As such, over the years Spiros had developed into an eclectic city, one that you'd always really enjoyed visiting so it wasn’t so bad living here. It was a place heavy in multiple cultures, lifestyles, and most importantly the food.

Your parents had been sure to teach you all about the world when you were little. Spiros, in particular, had always made your dad smile. He had explained to you that nearly eighty years ago, the Adyan Empire was trusted with the duty to appoint a new Headmistress for the Academy. Fortunately, the Royal Min family chose a bishop from The Church of Shango. She was a kind and thoughtful woman who prioritized her students' wellbeing and growth before all else. Not only that, but because of the Adyan Empire's ongoing situation, the Academy's top brass bent the rules to accommodate the common folk of Spiros.

As stated in the peace treaty, refugees and those exiled were not to participate in the use and learning of magic of any kind. You had been told by Imogen years back that the Academy read the laws and decided it didn't mean the children of those who had been exiled, since they were technically born as people of Spiros, instead of refugees of another country. For that reason, the Headmistress decided to educate the commonwealth, leaving magic training until the students of Spiros could be protected by the cover of darkness and away from prying eyes.

When the time came to appoint a new Head, the Arabeillan Alliance chose Lady Cecilia. Not only had she figured out what the previous Headmistress had started all on her own, she found it so delightfully tricky that learning was allowed to continue uninhibited. She also did her best to make sure Spiros students were as trained in magic and combat arts as those from the four nations.

The air mages had always freaked you out. On top of never being able to see their attacks coming, they were capable of a host of inhumane magic that you had to trust they didn't use out of sheer benevolence. For that reason alone, you had joined the guard when Lady Cecilia told you to. Aside from Cecilia's wickedly psychic abilities and her probably having a reason for instating you, you didn't want the air ripped out of your lungs anytime soon, which is precisely how you found yourself here this evening. Staring at the gate, wondering why being on guard duty was so sought after.

Seriously, you could be in class learning, but no; According to Lady Cecilia, there wasn't anything more for you to learn in the courses here. Since you couldn't get her to explain what she meant by that, you did as you were told and stood there. Technically it could be worse; the job could be exciting, which just meant it was unnecessarily dangerous, and you didn't need that, not when there were still things you needed to do.

With curfew having started only a moment ago, you waited in silence, watching the sunset. It was that perfect time of the year where you got a show of sherbet skies just as your shift started. It was excellent and made up for the monotony of your guard duties. Though maybe you shouldn't have been so concentrated on the sky since the door was now slowly creaking open, and you were not ready.

"Halt!" You projected, "Who goes there?"

"Who goes there? What is this? A bad period movie?" You recognize that voice.

"Yoongi, seriously, what are you doing using the main door? There are much better ways to find me, yanno?" You sighed as your friend stepped towards you.

"Oh, I know, but he doesn't." Yoongi gestured to the man now standing behind him. "This the one you're looking for?"

Even though there wasn't a verbal answer, you'd recognize those dimples anywhere. "Long time no see Namjoon."

"Interesting," Yoogi remarked.

"What, he didn't like 'Your Princeliness.'" You shrugged as you relaxed back into your position. "I'm just following orders."

"If you say so." Yoongi snickered as he turned to the second prince of Atlus. "Welp, she's all yours. I'm off."

"You're not going to stay?" Najoon asked.

"No, why? Do I need to?" Yoongi quirked an eyebrow as he crossed his arms.

"No! I just- how am I supposed to get back without getting caught?" Namjoon continued his questioning.

"That's my job now, dear. Unless you've got a problem with that?" You wondered aloud.

"No! Gods, why are you both so infuriating. You're clearly capable. I was just curious." Namjoon sighed as he rubbed the wrinkles out of his forehead.

You stifled a laugh as you watched Namjoon work through his frustration. Once it was clear Yoongi had left, you turned your attention away from the door and out towards the town. "So, what can I do for you?"

"I uh, I wanted to say thank you." Namjoon bowed politely to you.

"You've been looking for me for this long just to say thank you?" You quirked an eyebrow.

"You knew I was looking for you?" Namjoon questioned back.

"Not really, just a hunch." You shrugged, trying not to give yourself away. "Yoongi did bring you here, which means you had to be visibly struggling for quite a while."

"That's a fair observation." Namjoon straightened himself out. "How do you know Yoongi, if you don't mind me asking?"

"We're related." You responded.

"That's a terrible joke." Namjoon sighed. "I should not have asked."

"So now that you've asked your more formal question, what do you really want?" You quirked an eyebrow.

"I'm honestly not sure?" Namjoon responded, relaxing against the looming stone wall behind him.

"That's a terrible reason to break curfew and seek out a stranger." You chuckled.

"It is, isn't it?" Namjoon laughed alongside you. "I think I wanted to be friends?"

"You think?" You raised your eyebrows, intrigued. "I'll have you know I'm a great friend. There's not much to think about."

"You shouldn't wink. It's creepy." Namjoon's lips twitched up in amusement.

"Oh? What's this now?" You leaned forward, meeting Namjoon's gaze. "I know nobody in the capital taught you to talk like that."

"You'll find that I'm very well-read." Namjoon puffed out his chest as he boasted.

"Oh my gods, you do need friends." You laughed out loud, not hiding the smile on your face. "Answer me this, though, why me."

"Why not you?" at that, you stuck out your hand.

"Touché"

#Tephra 02 #bts fanfic #BTS au #fantasy au #magic #kim namjoon #min yoongi #reader insert

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virtuemoired · 4 years

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VM get to know me!

since i finally made a blog after years of lurking, here goes!

What does your @ mean?

it’s a play on virtuemoir i know mahler =/= moir but just let me be okay? i thought it was genius at the time but now i know it was just 3 am and i was exhausted and wasn’t thinking clearly.

Any nicknames you go by?

you can call me keesh!

Favorite VM program?

i’ll do one for each segment of ice dance since choosing just one should be illegal:

short dance: either prince or dream a little dream of me!

compulsories: argentine tango, golden waltz, finnstep, tango romantica

original dance: farrucas (sentimental faves: tears on my pillow, call me irresponsible)

free dance: mahler. if you asked me to choose my favourite ice dance program ever, this would be it.

Least favorite VM program?

dark eyes probably! i watched it once and never again.

(edit: i went back to watch it, because i was feeling some old school v/m. it isn’t as bad as my mind made it out to be, and it makes me wonder if maybe i should go back and rewatch everything and see if any of their programs grew on me, i know seasons did.)

Which VM program has made you cry the most?

mahler (i think you get the idea by now), and i think umbrellas gets me in the feels too. moulin rouge makes me cry tears of pride because i can’t believe everything they had to go through to get to that point. but also, crying to roxanne really isn’t a vibe and i need therapy probably.

Favorite VM costumes?

i feel like a fake fan saying this but i just would die for the moulin rouge dress!!! it’s the perfect dress i love it so much omg. i also love her mahler dress at TEB even though i think there was a costume malfunction (can’t remember if it was an earring deduction or something but tessa virtue looks great in anything to be honest). for scott, i would say either the mahler costume, latch costume, or the black shirt in long time running.

honourable mentions: TEB green seasons dress, prince outfits, MAHLER!!!! and latch (even though something about the mesh not matching tessa’s skin tone just doesn’t sit right with me, especially when the mahler mesh exists).

Least favorite VM costumes?

dark eyes or the original great gig in the sky dress. also that russian medley program when they won their first junior nationals, and honestly some of their junior costumes were questionable, but i will excuse them because let’s face it, fashion in the early 2000s was WHACK. for the modern era, i think my least favourite was the seasons dress tessa wore during the individual event at the olympics. i think i just really liked the green dress she wore at TEB and the pink one was just lacklustre in comparison. again, i repeat that tessa can pull off anything so the bar was really high for this one.

Favorite off-ice moment?

i’m interpreting this as when they aren’t performing so i guess it’s when tessa got injured during 2013 4cc and scott was so supportive because it would’ve been so easy for him to lash out at her? and every time they hug pre-performance/bucket of rice. i think i’ll think of something else in the future and add it here there are too many moments.

(edit: go pro canadian nationals 2015, i know they were on the ice but like it wasn’t competitive ice so i’m counting it here. and i guess i wouldn’t be a fan if i didn’t say their pre-skate hugs! but also post skate hugs and kiss & cry moments. okay i need to stop before this becomes a whole thesis.)

A song that you wish VM had skated to?

lover by taylor swift (specifically the first dance remix can you imagine them skating to the lyrics “Have I known you twenty seconds or twenty years?” and “Can we always be this close forever and ever?”), mary’s song (aka the song written specifically for vm and no one else) and maybe movement because they liked it. also i know mfd and patch fans are going to come @ me but i really wish they had skated to somewhere in time, but i know why they didn’t. and maybe pride and prejudice because tessa really seemed to like it!

Which program would you most like to see VM skate to again?

the great gig in the sky! it was so innovative at the time and they never performed it to it’s full potential. but for my own selfish pleasure: mahler or umbrellas.

What is your favorite picture of them?

the mahler one because, in kate virtue’s words, they got their dream. but also anytime they are hugging! i also love the pictures of them in sochi, they looked genuinely happy and i know, i know we don’t talk about sochi but really i think it’s so bittersweet and sometimes i feel sad but they did say after pyeongchang that their favourite olympics was sochi and so i’m happy for them. i also like the one in my profile pic, they look so happy!

How long have you been a VM fan?

my love for vm started since 2008 after watching umbrellas. i wasn’t a huge fan like i am now because it was just me rooting for them every time there was figure skating as they were the only team i knew and supported. they were a huge deal and every time figure skating was on i’d always watch them and cheer for them (also because i didn’t actually know any other team that well). it eventually evolved to an obsession but umbrellas was what introduced me to them, i remember being so proud of them after seeing mahler at the 2010 olys because they were my team (weird, i know). i wasn’t that into figure skating after that but i got back into it around 2012-13 ish. a true fan though? i only started watching their non-skating related things i.e. interviews etc post 2012, so i guess that’s when i started becoming a “fan”. as for when i found fan threads, let’s just say it was around 2015 because i was curious as to whether they would continue competing, and i also didn’t know who to root for in ice dance.

#virtuemoir

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