#anyways i really do love the untamed and i love my friends and i love wangxian and i love all the talented incredible amazing fic writers

[scottspack]

LIKE A PHOENIX FROM THE ASHES......: UNTAMED FIC REC PART 5

WELL HOWDY YALL! HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO THOSE WHO CELEBRATE! In my last fic rec, published on February 12, 2021, I made a joke about how one day I would get a job and wouldn’t be able to read 856 fics a day. I started another fic rec on April 21, 2021, and then promptly got my job back in early May, causing the fic rec to remain abandonded in my google docs for a year and a half. In that time I’ve moved across the country, settled in a new city, stanned BTS, and had many incredible professional and personal opportunities. And where has all of that brought me? Right back to untamed fic, apparently. This past week i got the itch and have been consuming untamed fic at unprecedented rates, which has inspired me to blow the e-dust off of my abandoned untamed fic rec, add in the shit i’ve read since then, and present it to you; anyone who still cares about the untamed in November 2022! (But mostly this is for @kerasines​, who enouraged me to do this, and @jlf23tumble​, who all of my fic recs are for, always.)

The rules to this rec are the same, but since it’s been a minute: these are in no particular order, they’re mostly wangxian, my favorites are marked with asterisks, and if you read any of these you are contractually obligated to come discuss them with me.

[jungkook bts voice] let’s get it!

The Fire Lapping Up the Creek by notevenyou (Wangxian, E, 66k) ***

Wei Wuxian travels to Lanling for his nephew’s one-month celebration alone, without Wen Ning.

Lan Wangji lives with the consequences.

Canon divergence au where lwj ends up joining the wen settlement and things play out differently from there. OKAY. Okay. I think this might be the last of the Really Big Fics in the fandom that I put off reading for whatever reason and GOD. DAMN. I should not have put off reading this. There is a reason this fic is Big and it’s because its SO GOOD!!!! One of those fics where every single chapter had me gasping out loud, crying real tears, and re-reading full paragraphs bc they were so GOOD. AHHHH!

2022 note: Some of these fics i havent returned to in the year and half since i was ass-deep in the untamed fandom. This is not one of those fics. This is a true, bonafide Classic that I’ve reread multiple times, and been impressed by every single time.

Last note: it wouldn’t be me if i didnt embarrass myself fully in a fic rec, but this author also has an absolutely AMAZING bts namgi fic if that’s something you’re into...actually...all of their bts fics are incredible...

Still in the Water by airgeer (Jin Ling & Lan Sizhui, background Wangxian, T, 45k)

A year after Jin Ling's early succession to the position of Sect Leader, a letter is delivered to him under strange circumstances. A night-hunt follows.

Hanguang-Jun shook his head, and played again. This time, the response was slower, almost coy.

“What did it say?” Jin Ling asked.

“Hanguang-Jun asked what it was doing here,” Lan Sizhui translated. “The response was ‘Waiting.’”

HOLY SHIT. this fic…..is bonkers. It’s another extremely interesting and action-packed case fic. Written in Jin Ling’s perspective, strange forces have been gathering the sect leaders to a strange town where they have to solve a mystery. When i tell you, this fic was the first ever untamed fic to made me cry for non-romance related reasons. It’s SO intense, and SO high-stakes my hands were literally SWEATING reading this shit. 10/10, would let it give me a panic attack again.

After the Final Rose by azurewaxwing (Wangxian, E, 55k)

(A talking-head interview. JIN ZIXUN, 36, entrepreneur.)

JZX: Oh, yeah, he’s a fucking catch, alright. He’s rich, he’s hot, he’s a Lan. Like, he’s been ranked number two among the local bachelors for years, and now that his brother’s seeing someone, he’s number one, right? So, yeah, of course I want to win.

Offscreen voice: Do you know anything else about him, besides that he’s rich and hot?

JZX: (shrugging) What else is there to know?

In which Lan Wangji agrees, reluctantly, to be The Bachelor, only to fall in love with Wei Wuxian, his cameraman/producer. Can the Bachelor find his way to a happy ending? And will The Bachelor: Lan Wangji be a ratings hit?

UM LMFAO!!!!!!!! Have I ever watched the bachelor in my entire life? Absolutely not. Was this au well written, thoughtfully planned out, and extremely interesting enough to make me not care? Yes oh my GOD!!!!!!!!!! I fully screamed through the entirety of this fic because it was so FUN! 

too much, not enough by Shamelesscooper (Wei Wuxian/Jiang Cheng, E, 14k) 

“Okay, so good news!” Wei Wuxian says, swanning into the room with just enough energetic cheer that Jiang Cheng knows whatever it is he’s going to say is going to be awful. “We figured out the nature of your curse! You’re probably not going to die! It’s not even going to hurt!”

“Yeah? And what’s the bad news?” Jiang Cheng gruffs, crossing his arms over his chest.

Wei Wuxian does a double-take, like he’d expected his (fake) good mood to fool Jiang Cheng. Like it’s ever managed to fool Jiang Cheng. His laugh is a little shrill, a little frenetic as he says, “Well, uh. You know our ghost friend back there? Yeah, she’s possessing you. Which is why...” He makes a gesture at the general area of Jiang Cheng’s... problem.

“Ah,” Jiang Cheng said, expression souring. “I’m not going to like the cure, am I?”

“You’re not going to like the cure,” Wei Wuxian nods.

-

Jiang Cheng gets cursed on a nighthunt. Wei Wuxian helps him with the cure.

It’s not one of my fic recs if there isn’t at least one (1) fic i feel deeply ashamed for reccing. Here’s that fic for this rec! Post-canon Jiang Cheng gets hit with a sex curse and wangxian, who are married, agree that wwx is the best one to help him out. This was very well written and made me very emotional and i’m always a sucker for yunmeng bros reconciliation, even if it’s in a form that could get me hashtag canceled.

Three Days and a Morning by snickersnacker (Wangxian, E, 14k)

“Do you know how annoying you are sometimes?” Lan Wangji asked, not unplayfully.

Wei Wuxian beamed. “Do you know how stodgy you are sometimes?” he replied.

“How stodgy was this?” Lan Wangji said with a tiny smirk, referring to what they’d just done together in bed.

Wei Wuxian conceded the point. “This has to be against at least one of your rules,” he replied.

Lan Wangji looked suddenly serious. “There are no rules against love.”

---

Between the lines of episodes 42-43, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji return to Cloud Recesses and finally figure things out.

Another episode 43 canon-divergence au that i really really enjoyed! Highlights of this one include wangxian crying about how much they love each other and a very fun sex scene, both of which are just *chefs kiss*

Let's take a ride round the curves of desire by feyburner (Wangxian, E, 5k)

Wei Ying was sprawled on the floor in front of the oscillating fan when Lan Zhan got home from work.

I’m still mad at feyburner for starting that really good wangxian star trek au and then never finishing it, BUT. this sweet little wlw!wangxian ficlet asuages the anger in my heart just a little bit.

2022 note: THE WANGXIAN STAR TREK AU HAS BEEN FINISHED AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

i will be soft in your heart by martyrsdaughter (Juniors OT4, E, 11k)

"You've been sitting on this," he said, "for five years? A little warning would be nice!" 

Sizhui's responding look was somehow both wicked and absolutely serene. Jingyi saw some of Zewu-Jun in it, which made him just... unfair. Unjust! Ridiculous! So attractive he once again wondered why he'd ever been invited to this relationship. Zizhen was there for moral support, obviously, and because he was too sweet to resist. Jingyi offered little of that.

"I didn't think you were unaware," Sizhui pointed out, as though he were merely reminding him of a pressing appointment. "After our last visit to Koi Tower, did you not ask me to, quote, 'fuck you until you forgot what Jin Ling's forearms look like'?" 

I can’t believe this is the first ever juniors foursome fic i've ever come across bc the material is RIGHT there, but it’s fine bc i've found it now! General plot is Jingyi/Sizhui/Zizhen have all been in a throuple for a while and finally get Jin Ling to join and it’s very cute and sweet and i love all my cute sweet boys!

The Ritual by nightwalker (Wangxian, E, 12k)

Lan Xichen asks Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji to participate in a ritual for the protection of the Cloud Recesses. There may be some ulterior motives going on.

Wangxian have semi-not-really-public sex for the greater good of the Gusu Lan, as you do.

Crack me open, pour you out by Tenillypo (Wangxian, E, 16k)

"Lan Zhan," Wei Ying says carefully, "do you truly not know you have been speaking?"

Lan Wangji claps a hand to his mouth and, to his horror, feels his mouth opening to answer despite having no intention to do so. Clamping it shut again takes a great effort.

OR

The one where Lan Wangji can't stop talking, and a mild amount of chaos ensues.

I bet you were like “damn, this far into a fic rec from liv and not a SINGLE post-canon-get-together-via-a-curse fic?” YOU FOOL. here it is! Lwj gets cursed to speak his mind! Three guesses as to what’s on lwj’s mind :)

can’t turn off what turns me on by sophiahelix (Yizhan, E, 2k)

The phone screen goes black, and he lies next to Yibo, feeling like he’s been turned inside out. As far as porn goes, it was barely even explicit, but the intimacy of the scene and knowing it’s something Yibo likes enough to watch over and over have left him stunned, not sure what to do next.

At long last, Xiao Zhan licks his lips. “That’s — what you want?”

It was so simple, but he can tell Yibo’s embarrassed as he clears his throat and mutters, “yeah.”

YIZHAN! For whatever reason, this smutty little yizhan one shot has stayed on. my. mind. And i’m not even someone who’s big into daddy kink. The power of sophiahelix i guess! WAIT SPEAKING OF…

yesterday, tomorrow by sophiahelix (Yizhan, E, 80k) ***

Before he’s even finished reading, Xiao Zhan knows this is the script, the one that could alter the course of his career. Not like Chen Qing Ling changed his life six years ago, catapulting him from a minor idol to a household name, or the way his more serious roles have slowly taken him to the upper echelons of dramatic actors. This is a love story, daring and bold, groundbreaking and unforgettable, if only he’s brave enough to do it.

So of course, eventually, they bring up the idea of casting Yibo as his lover.

In the summer of 2025, Xiao Zhan and Yibo reunite as the leads in a gay indie film, bringing their complicated offscreen history with them—and secret hopes of making things right.

AUTHOR SOPHIAHELIX DESERVES A NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FOR THIS FIC. yo……. YO……. The premise is that yizhan are back together to film a gay indie movie where they play lovers SO IM SURE YOU CAN GUESS WHERE THIS IS GOING. Boy howdy. This might damn well be one of my favorite fics of all time. I know some people aren’t into super long fics but if ever there were one i would urge you to give a shot, it’s this one. *lady gaga voice* talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular

2022 note: a year and a half later and i still think about this fic CONSTANTLY. i just think.......2025........it could happen.........

Pins and Needles by kisahawklin (Wangxian/Wen Ning, E, 7k)

Wei Wuxian works out how to give Wen Ning various sensory experiences. Of course this was always going to lead to sex.

It’s my fic rec and i’ll rec wangxian/wen ning fic if i want!!!!!!! I just think there’s nothing wrong with Wen Ning being appreciated in the way he deserves! Wen Ning stans make some NOISE!!!!!!!!!!

Lucky man by Onomatopoetikon (Wangxian, E, 3k)

“They really wore you down this time, huh, Lan Zhan?” Wei Ying asks as he removes the elaborate headpieces from Lan Wangji’s hair after dinner, his nimble fingers unlocking clasps and unpinning needles.

“Mn” he agrees, almost falling asleep already. “Good to be home.”

“It’s good to have you home” Wei Ying says, running his fingers through Lan Wangji’s freed hair and planting a kiss at the crown of his head. “Good to have you where I can take care of you.”

---

Lan Wangji returns home after some particularly exhausting Chief Cultivator duties. Luckily, Wei Ying takes care of him.

Just a lil tender love and pwp ! I think it’s nice for lwj to have a nice time with his husband who he’s very much in love with. Feels good on my heartstrings!

with intent by Lirazel (Wangxian, E, 10k)

Under other circumstances, it would make no sense for a healthy young cultivator’s golden core to be overwhelmed by mere cold, much less for qi infusions to be fruitless. But these caves and the tunnels that connect them are no ordinary place. This attack on Wei Ying--because that’s what it has to be--is intentional: this place, suffused with the presence of Lan Wangji’s ancestors, is attacking the presence of a stranger as automatically as a guard attacks a thief in the night.

The forehead ribbon isn’t enough.

After wangxian handfast in the cold pond cave to get past the Lan ancestors, lwj realizes that just tying their hands wasnt enough, they have to consummate their fake marriage :)

The dreamers. by orange_crushed (Wangxian, E, 17k) ***

“Stop mothering me,” Wei Ying protests. “Why don’t you ever listen?” He scowls at Wangji, but then the lure of the clean water is too much; he sits grumbling and strips off his vambraces and loosens the collar of his robes and wipes himself down in the steam. Wangji sits on a stool and watches him, and after a while Wei Ying slaps the rag into the bowl and glares back. “Are you going to sit and stare the whole time?” he demands. “You want to see me strip naked and give my filthy evil self a good scrubbing, huh?”

Yes, Wangji thinks.

[This is a story about a horrible war and a beautiful dream; about grabbing happiness where you can find it, and not letting go.]

An EXTREMELY interesting canon-divergence au where wangxian use a mindlinking spell early on in their relationship to fight better together but the connection between them is too strong and the spell doesn’t dissipate so they stay linked through the rest of canon. This one also had me gasping out loud on multiple occasions. 

2022 note: this has been a Frequently Revisited Fic over the past year and a half, it is just as shocking and intriguing every single time!

From my heart's ground. by orange_crushed (Wangxian, E, 38k)

After a while he can feel a palm against his face, gentle fingers soft and soothing. It’s not real, not exactly: he can tell the difference between a ghost’s touch and a living person’s, between a spirit-vision and an overactive imagination. His education has been thorough. But the beating has also been thorough, so for now he forgets what he knows and leans into it, into the hand cupping his cheek. It’s soft and dry as those forgotten petals, as the touch of a pillow. He can smell wildflowers, can taste blood and dirt. My baby, his mother says, and he closes his eyes. My treasure. He barely remembers the sound of her voice, but the feeling of it is just the same. Just the same as ever.

[In which Lan Wangji loses almost everything, plants a garden, and grows a second chance.]

Holy fucking shit, i just realized that this one and the last one are by the same person. Author orange_crush has an absolute GIFT for mind-boggling canon-divegence aus oh my GOD. This one is lwj post-wwx’s death discovering some of his mother’s old things in the jingyi and using them to extremely surprising results. I think about how crazy and brilliant this fic is literally all of the time. Insanity. I love it. 

bless my soul (i'm losing control) by aroceu (Wangxian, E, 31k) ***

Wei Wuxian returns from the Burial Mounds as a vampire.

WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN. A full canon-divergence au following vampire wwx post-burial mounds. I’ll give you one guess as to who offers to be his lil juice box :) Little known fact about me, i LOVE a good vampire au, and am frankly astounded that this is the first one i've come across for wangxian, but i’m not complaining bc this one fucking SLAPS. I’ve read it three times.

2022 update: i’ve read this WAY more than three times at this point

Brilliant Mistake by brooklinegirl (Wangxian, E, 53k) ***

"Fine," Wen Qing says, turning back to Wei Ying. "You're pregnant."

Lan Zhan feels his mouth drop open and has to work to shut it.

Wei Ying reacts not at all. He's swinging his feet where he's sitting on the table, a bored expression on his face.

Wen Qing just looks at him. "I am not joking about that."

Wei Ying stops swinging his feet. He blinks several times in a row. "Wait," he says.

Or:

I woke up at 3AM and sent myself an email that just said:

Modern cultivation friends curse sexy pollen hook up desperate WWX gets pregnant

And then I wrote it. In three weeks. IDK.

[deep shuddering inhale] MY NEW FAVORITE FIC, BITCH!!!!!!!! Remember back when i was like “omg so weird that i read a wangxian mpreg au, i’m never into mpreg aus.” and “omg so weird that i read a wangxian modern au, i’m almost never into modern aus” well when i’m wrong, i’m wrong. If brooklinegirl wants to write a modern cultivation mpreg curse fic then OF COURSE I WILL READ IT. What i didnt expect was for it to be so good that i read it FIVE (5) more times. But sometimes that’s just how life goes. If you’ll excuse me, i’m going to go read this again. 

2022 note: according to ao3 I’ve now read this FOURTEEN TIMES. So. If that’s not my gold stamp of approval on a fucking mpreg fic, idk what is. Life is full of surprises.

like the paradise found by occultings (Wangxian, E, 4k)

It isn’t often Lan Zhan finds herself at strip clubs.

If i’ve said it once, i’ve said it a million times: madame occultings can do no wrong in my eyes. A modern wlw!wangxian au where wwx is a stripper and lwj has a gift card. Let the congregation say amen.

a history of the body by northofallmusic (Wangxian, E, 14k)

Wei Ying's body hurts sometimes; she lets Lan Zhan help her.

A fic about the complicated nature of having a body, and also the versatility of sex toys.

A nice little wlw!wangxian modern au where they get together and have nice sex about it. Chicken soup for the soul.

A Sure Thing by mrsronweasley (Wangxian, E, 95k)

The message says, I require exclusive commitment as well as flexibility. You may spend the night, but not always. I will be the one to keep the schedule of our meetings.

Wei Ying crunches on a chip thoughtfully, then takes a deep breath and writes back, What do I get in return?

This was a trip and a half. A modern au (who am i) where lwj becomes wwx’s sugar daddy. Another instance of “if mrsronweasley (2022 note: who now goes by vesna??? how long have i been gone...) writes it, i will come.” Who am I to turn my nose up at 95k of excellent writing and delicious pining from the queen herself?

all I find is you by daltoneering (Wangxian, E, 10k)

There’s some cruel irony at work here, that the only inn for days would be off-limits to him. It has been months now that he’s been travelling, months since the last rays of sunlight brushed a Gusu mountaintop golden and he wrenched himself away and out into the world, months since he’s seen—well. What are months compared to years. What are years compared to a lifetime.

;

Wei Wuxian has been on the road for months, without a conscious end goal in sight. He isn’t expecting to find what he was looking for in a fully-booked-out inn in the back of beyond.

God is good but a 436th soft and tender post-canon get-together fic is better! This fic has it all: a chance meeting, a fully booked in, BED SHARING, lan wangji with braided hair, the works!

i'm the one for your fire by occultings (Wangxian, E, 43k) ***

Wei Ying, virgin and noted heterosexual, gets hit with a curse of an unusual nature on his 30th birthday — through physical contact, he can read the minds of others around him.

Enter Lan Zhan, hot former rival and current coworker, whose true thoughts about Wei Ying are nothing like he expects. (A loose Cherry Magic AU)

This is a modern au based off of a show that i think is japanese, but im not 100% sure, that’s about a curse where if youre a virgin when you turn 30 you can read people’s mind by touching them, which is an INFINITELY fun premise, so imagine my fucking delight when i realized this was written by MADAME OCCULTINGS!!!!!!!!!!!! CAN I GET A HELL YEAH!!! This fic is so fucking good, another one i've read multiple times already. I may have to formally rescind my statement that i don't read modern aus.

2022 update: this fic has become such a STAPLE to me that i was genuinely shocked to have found it on this unfinished fic rec. READ THIS SHIT!!!!!!! (Also I absolutely have to rescind my no-modern au stadnpoint. I do in fact love a good modern au now. People change!)

flux by SugarMilkTea (Wangxian, E, 60k)

When Wei Ying receives a strange figurine in a rural Gusu village, he thinks nothing of it. Ten months later, he finds himself walking a familiar path.

Ten months spent on the road. Ten months away from Lan Zhan. Ten months after they parted on that ridge in Gusu, Wei Ying comes home.

Another DOOZY of a post-canon-get-together-via-a-case fic. This time there are body swaps. There are ancient deities. There are strange old ladies. I read this feverishly in one sitting bc every single chapter i was like “wait WHAT.” Good good case fic antics.

2022 note: I went to link to the author’s ao3 and they have ORPHANED THIS FIC!!!!! the passage of time is cruel and ruthless.......

Pull out game weak by 74243 (Wangxian, E, 23k) ***

Wei Ying swipes right.

2022 note: i deleted my entire comment on this fic because it simply did not come close to expressing the cultural impact of ao3 user 74243. They showed up at the end of 2020. Wrote some of the filthiest lesbian wangcxian smut fics ive ever read. And then disappeared at the end of 2021. This fic in particular is my favorite of theirs, but honestly if you read it and are into it, i highly reccommend checking out all of their works. i..... [sweats]

Superfan by 74243 (Wangxian, E, 19k) ***

“I’m not going to apologize for my job,” Wei Ying said, “so if you want to give me some kind of lecture--”

“No,” Lan Zhan said. “You misunderstood. I am...” she paused, as if considering the best way to put it. “I’m a fan.”

Okay actually im also going to specifically throw this one on here bc its my other fave of theirs and ive read it...many times. This author kicked off what i can only refer to as a dyke lan zhan renaissance that has truly stood the test of time.

OKAY SO. There are the 26 fics that I had on my fic rec back in April 2021. INSANE. I was sitting on gold! Despite not keeping up with fic recs, i have actually read a fair amount of untamed fic over the time i’ve been gone, and especially in the last week, SO HERE THEY ARE! [OPRAH VOICE] YOU GET A FIC! YOU GET A FIC! YOU ALL GET FICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

miss me once the thrill expires by idrilka (Wangxian, E, 12k)

“Lan Zhan, explain one thing to me,” Wei Ying says as they make their way through the woods. “What is it about people saying, don’t go into the abandoned, potentially evil shrine, that makes teenagers immediately go into the abandoned, potentially evil shrine?”

Wei Ying and Lan Zhan team up to investigate a curse. It doesn't go quite according to plan.

i HAVE to start with the fic that kicked off my untamed fic rennaissance! my favorite untamed author, madame idrilka, recently started posting all of her fics on tumblr with fun graphics and to my utter surprise 1. i was already following her and 2. SHE POSTED A FIC I HAD NEVER READ BEFORE!!! if there’s any proof that god is good all the time, its idrilka posting a modern cultivation get-together-via-a-curse au. *chefs kiss until my fingers fall off* i owe you my life!

Better When We're Together by emmagrant01 (Jingyi/Sizhui, E, 64k) ***

In a universe where Wei Wuxian did not leave the Burial Mounds after settling there with the Wens and managed to live peacefully ever after, Jingyi grows up in the Cloud Recesses alone. Then one day, Hanguang-jun takes him to meet an old friend, and the course of Jingyi’s life changes.

OKAY SO. One of my favorite fics of all time is this 285k behemoth of an omgcp fic that genuinely is one of my most well-written and amazing pieces of fiction that ive ever read. so IMAGINE MY SURPRISE when i went to check in on miss emmagrant01 and found that she’s WRITING UNTAMED FIC NOW!!!! GOD. IS. GOOD. ALL. THE. TIME. this fic yall.........i truly cant sing it’s praises enough. there is so so so much good shit here. sizhui being raised more fully by wwx, jingyi being raised by wwx, childhood friends to lovers, wen qing is there. it has the works. PROMISE ME YOU WILL READ THIS FIC AHHHHHH

good friends by plonk (Wangxian/Nie Mingjue, E, 11k)

“I could invite her over for when the game’s done,” Nie Mingjue offers.

Lan Zhan hums, considering it.

They do that sometimes. Take omegas down together.

now listen.........like i said. ao3 user 74243 kicked off a dyke lan zhan era in untamed fic. and my most controversial love-to-hate author plonk wrote this fic FOR ao3 user 74243. is it a modern au? yes. is it also a fucking abo au? yes. have i read it many times bc im gay and it’s hot? WE DONT NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT!!!!!!! read it or dont, im not your mother! gosh!

Wrong to Say by easilyexcited (Wangxian, E, 5k)

When Wei Wuxian starts talking about how small his own dick is, Lan Wangji is...confused.

i actually found this fic for an anon of Jen’s recently and remembered that i liked it! not to pretend this is anything other than smut, but there are some fairly interesting character study bits for a 5k fic about wwx’s degradation kink

A storm without a warning by Spodumene (Wangxian, E, 22k) ***

Wei Ying loves his life. He wouldn't change a thing.

Change is like a storm. It comes anyway.

UGH man. this fic. talk about fics that made my hands sweat and my stomach flip from the sheer levels of YEARNING AND LONGING. realizing right here right now that this rec will have the most modern aus of any of them. oh how the turntables!

My stranger in the dark by becka (Wangxian, E, 20k)

Wei Ying, bartender at the Unclean Realm nightclub, likes making small talk with mysterious and beautiful Lan Zhan when she comes to the bar. It's a little bit of shock to find out that her favorite customer is a vampire involved in a fight for the safety of the club.

ANOTHER modern au, but this time they’re lesbians and lwj is a vampire. the spice of life!

bend me back, send me flying by  occultings (Wangxian, E, 9k)

It takes longer than it usually would for Wei Wuxian to catch on; the waiter’s mortified, flushed face, the couple with their hands under each other’s robes. The unusual warmth in his belly he has thus far, this evening, chalked up to his feelings for Lan Wangji.

“Oh!” Wei Wuxian says when the realization strikes him. It hits him so strangely that he hears himself laugh, even though the situation isn’t funny. Maybe it will be, someday. But tonight, he — oh.

—

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji get served the wrong pot of tea.

Newly married wangxian + aphrodisiac tea + madame occultings writing = *chefs kiss*

No Compasses, No Signs by brooklinegirl (Wangxian, E, 36k)

The old woman looks at Lan Zhan. "What's his name?"

Lan Zhan looks down at the man's pale, slack face, and presses his own hand against the cut, trying to staunch the blood flow with his glove. "Wei Ying," he says without thinking about it.

The man stirs slightly in his arms, his eyes blinking open for a moment. "Oh," he says faintly. "It's you."

Lan Zhan stares down at him, the stranger in his arms, whose name is Wei Ying. Which is something Lan Zhan knows. How does he know that? How does—he can't—this isn't—

"It's okay," Wei Ying says, reaching up to pat vaguely at Lan Zhan's face. "It's all—" His eyes slip closed again and he's limp in Lan Zhan's arms.

modern soulmate au that was VERY intersting and engaging! that’s love bitch!

sweet talker by vesna (Wangxian, E, 19k)

There's an unfamiliar middle blocker on the opposite team, one they've played a thousand times. "I've never seen her before." And Wei Ying is pretty sure she would have remembered her.

"That? I don't know her name, I think she's new to the team." Wen Qing assesses the woman. "I bet she's trouble. Look at how tall she is."

Well, yeah, she's a middle blocker. Wei Ying bets her height is what got her the position. She's tall and she's, like…super cool. Her dark hair is pulled up into a tiny pony at the crown, revealing an undercut underneath, and she's lean and muscular. She must notice Wei Ying's gaze on her because she shifts where she's looking and looks directly at Wei Ying. Wei Ying grins and waves, but the woman just skitters her gaze elsewhere, pursing her mouth. Hmph. Well. Rude.

When i said there was a modern au dyke lwj renaissance, i meant it! even vesna, aka fandom great mrsronweasley, jumped on the trend to AMAZING results. this made me sweat. when will dyke lwj dick ME down???

Let's Get Real, Baby by vesna (Wangxian, E, 22k)

If Wei Ying had been asked “what sort of pajamas does Lan Zhan wear to bed?” her answer might have been: something utilitarian, like shorts and a t-shirt. Or maybe a set of striped pajamas, like the kind grandpas wear. It would never, in a million years, have occurred to her to say “a slinky silky lacy cami and tiny shorts set,” but that is what she is currently staring—gaping—at as Lan Zhan makes her way from the bathroom to her side of the hotel room.

oh ho ho ANOTHER modern wlw wangxian au by the former mrsronweasley! not dyke lwj particularly, more girl boss powersuit lwj, but it still hits!

give me one good honest kiss by occultings (Wangxian, E, 16k)

The text keeps flashing over and over in Lan Zhan's head like the bulb lights on a marquee. They’d been talking about homework directly before that, swapping notes on music theory in the baroque period. Then, like a fork of lightning out of a clear blue sky: wanna practice kissing? 😚

—

Wei Ying suggests an arrangement. Lan Zhan, in love, deals.

i guess this is the modern wlw wangxian au rec????? the further back i get in my ao3 history the more i realize that the bulk of wangxian fic i’ve read in the last year and a half has been wlw shit. im not complaining!!!!! this one was great, STEEPED in gay pining! delicioso!

mercy, tear it down. by orange_crushed (Wangxian, E, 31k)

“You want me to call you good?” Wangji says. “To make you feel good?” Wei Ying makes a wretched, soft, surprised sound in the back of his throat. “Then will you be good?”

“Uh,” Wei Ying says. His lashes flick down again, nervously. “Good how?”

Wangji hasn’t quite thought that far ahead.

i really like this fic!!! wangxian fall into a bdsm relationship after wwx comes back Wrong from the burial mounds, then evolves into a pretty interesting canon divergence fic. ive reread this a couple times bc the tension is great and this author has such interesting ideas about canon divergent elements!

Love Don't Belong To Me by airinshaw (Wangxian, E, 29k) ***

Ten years ago Wei Ying was forced to disappear from his own life, changing his name and hiding from everyone he loved. Then on his birthday he runs into Nie Huaisang, who invites himself to Wei Ying's birthday party.

The clash of old and new lives freaks Wei Ying out, and he ends up drunkenly agreeing to call Lan Zhan to tell him that he was the love of his life.

But now that Lan Zhan has contact details for Wei Ying, he won't let it go.

WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW. THIS FIC. like the summary says this is a modern no-magic au where wwx disappears for 10 years to start a new life and then drunkenly hits lwj up one night. i cant emphasize how much every part of this fic was a punch to the gut, had me gasping, crying, screaming, throwing up, etc etc! ive reread this so many times bc its just SO emotional!!!! AH!

estuaries by vesna (Wangxian, E, 34k)

Wei Ying's back is to him, but Lan Zhan would know him anywhere. His hair is tied into a low ponytail, messy, as always. It's longer now than it was three years ago, snaking down his back, ending just above his shoulder blades. With him is a child—a boy—who's holding onto his hand and looking up at him with his eyebrows furrowed, one finger stuck in his mouth.

Lan Zhan feels utterly foolish peeking from behind a display case at them, but he's rooted to the spot. He cannot move.

another modern no-magic au! this one is pretty angsty but it has a happy ending and i love a kid fic so this one got me good!

got your way with me by vesna (Wangxian, E, 51k)

It doesn't hit Wei Ying until the third time it happens. In his defense, he's not running on all cylinders, and definitely only on four hours of sleep. So if all he's noticed about the guy sharing the elevator with him for the third time in two weeks is his hotness, who can really blame him?

But now that he's looking a bit more closely, as the guy stares resolutely at the number display ticking up, he sees the telltale signs: slightly rumpled collar on an otherwise pristine outfit, bags under his eyes—not so noticeable that they are instantly apparent, but there if you look closely enough—kiss-bitten lips, and (the most damning evidence of all) a hickey blooming just under his ear.

This guy is coming back from a hookup of his own.

we’re in modern no-magic au mode okay, but this time its a fwb au! LETS GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

I Wish You Would by brooklinegirl (Wangxian, E, 52k)

Lan Zhan takes a breath. His hands are in fists on his thighs. He stares down at them hopelessly, then carefully unclenches them, one finger at a time, before taking another breath and reaching for his lukewarm tea. He'll go out, tomorrow. Maybe in the late afternoon. Something quick. Something easy. He'll text his brother first, the short note of when he should be home, so he'll know to track him. He'll be fine, just like he said.

i think this might be the last of the modern no-magic aus i have for this part! in this one wwx finds out that his long term boy best friend lwj FUCKS and it sends him into a late in life gay sprial. love it!

Not What We May Be by brooklinegirl (Wangxian, E, 30k) ***

It's Lan Zhan, standing tall, his hand gripping his sword. Has his hairpiece gotten even more elaborate? Or has Wei Wuxian just forgotten how stately it is? He's at the forefront of the group of Lan cultivators and if the pulsing darkness pushes Wei Wuxian's eyes away, then Lan Zhan draws them like there's nothing else worthy of looking at.

Wei Wuxian shakes his head at himself. He's been on the road too long. He's thinking in lines of poetry.

back to my origins, this is a really really really good case fic. another one where the case plot is intriguing and engaging and the wangxian plot is VERY sweet and romantic and satisfying. as far as case fics go this gets a 10/10 gold star!

Give Me a Chance to Fall by brooklinegirl (Wangxian, E, 38k)

Jiang Cheng just blows his breath out and rolls his eyes right back at Wei Wuxian. "Stop being an asshole," he says. "You're lucky this is being set up for you. Do you know how many people would die--literally die--to get the chance to be betrothed to Lan Wangji?"

"Betrothed." Wei Wuxian rolls the word around in his mouth. "It even sounds stupid."

Or, an arranged marriage canon-divergent fic where the war doesn't happen, the golden core loss doesn't happen, but Jiang Fengmian and Madame Yu still die, Jiang Cheng is the sect leader, and Lan Wangji is still called Hanguang-jun because, well, look at him.

okay i already KNEW brooklinegirl is a powerhouse in the fandom and has written many of my favorite untamed fics but i just realized the last two fics and a couple other in this rec were ALSO by her, CMON QUEEEEEEN! love that she can write diverse many different types of stories and they’re all so interesting and emotional and engaging. this is my little love letter to a03 author brooklinegirl. ANYWAYS this fic is a no-war wangxian betrothal au that made me blush multiple times because it was SO sweet and romantic and i had an absolute blast reading this. I’LL STOP DESCRIBING BROOKLINEGIRL FICS AS SWEET AND ROMANTIC WHEN THEY STOP BEING SO FUCKING SWEET AND ROMANTICCCCCCC!!!!!!!!!!!

a light hidden and singing by  occultings (Wangxian, E, 48k)

Since he was a child, since Lan Wangji had first become aware of his own alienating effect on others, he has long resigned himself to a loveless marriage. Perhaps even a companionate one, so long as his partner was agreeable and unbothersome and let him have his own space.

He could not have even begun to predict Wei Wuxian.

(A canonverse arranged marriage fic.)

OKAY! We’re ending it on ANOTHER betrothal au by the amazing madame occultings. this was really so good, the flirting, the uncertainty, the pining, all very well written, in-line with canon, and just all around enjoyable to read! saturated in longing without making me want to bash wangxian’s head together, which is a feat in itself! madame occultings can do no wrong!

THERE YOU HAVE IT. AFTER A YEAR AND A HALF. I PRESENT TO YOU: 1.3 million words across exactly 45 fics. Even though i dont have the time to hyperfixate on the untamed anymore, it has continued to be something i enjoy reading and revisiting when i can. even to this day, there is an embarassment of riches when it comes to the untamed fandom whether thats fic writers, fan artists, or gif editors. i am so thankful to the untamed for getting me through lockdown, keeping me busy while i was unemployed, teaching me so many new things, and letting me make so many new friends. i cant say for certain this will be my last fic rec ever, but it’ll definitely be my last for a while. thank you for reading! i love you!

#the untamed #fic rec #the untamed fic rec #[paul rudd voice] look at us. who would've thought. #i literally cant believe its november 2022 and im publishing a long ass fic rec on thanksgiving day #stranger fucking things i guess!!!!!!!! #anyways i really do love the untamed and i love my friends and i love wangxian and i love all the talented incredible amazing fic writers #i hope kim and hannah and jen in particular enjoy this #yes im 4 beers deep but im also full of love you stupid son of a bitch

[weiying-lanzhan-fics]

Practical Mythology by metisket

Funnest story ever! I loved this soooo much - didn’t want it to ever end. Thank you for this gem ❤️

Quotes:

“You only hurt bad people,” Lan Wangji informs him with perfect confidence. “They won’t be worried.”

“Ah, Lan Zhan,” the Yiling Patriarch says, ducking his head and smiling, but sounding sad for some reason. “If only everyone had the faith in me that you do.”

Lan Wangji frowns. Everyone should have faith in the Yiling Patriarch. The Yiling Patriarch is always fair, and that means his rules and the Lan rules can’t be that different. “Can I visit you again?”

The Yiling Patriarch beams at him so brightly that Lan Wangji’s breath catches. “Yes! Come visit me, Lan Zhan. But you have to wait until you’re grown, okay? For decency’s sake.” He laughs, and Lan Wangji isn’t sure why.

“When will I be grown?” Lan Wangji wants to be clear.

“Hmm.” The Yiling Patriarch looks skyward, rubbing his nose thoughtfully. “…Twenty? Let’s say twenty. Your uncle shouldn’t have too much of a qi deviation about that. How’s that sound?”

Lan Wangji frowns, but nods anyway. It’s a very long time, but he supposes that’s how all the Yiling Patriarch stories are. You can’t win anything worth having without fighting for it yourself. “I will be here.”

“I look forward to it, Lan Zhan,” the Yiling Patriarch, smiling and tugging gently at Lan Wangji’s hair one last time before sending him away to the other side of the barrier—to his brother and uncle.

————

It takes him a couple of hours, but he eventually finds the perfect victim. Said victim is innocently standing in a garden admiring the flowers, and has no idea what level of little brother nonsense is about to hit him. Poor thing.

“So, Xichen-ge, I hear your brother is planning to run away and marry the Yiling Patriarch,” Nie Huaisang casually declares. He’s always felt more comfortable hassling Lan Xichen than he has Lan Wangji, anyway. “What’s that about?”

Lan Xichen sighs and suddenly looks very tired. “It was cute when he was eight.”

Wow. Just wow. “How did he even meet the Yiling Patriarch when he was eight?”

Oh, that was a bad question, because Lan Xichen’s eyes just iced over like a Gusu winter. Nie Huaisang will just have to pry the details of that ugly story from someone else. “Never mind!” he cries. “It doesn’t matter. At least Senior Wei is nice.”

Lan Xichen frowns at him in confusion. “Senior Wei? Your father’s friend, Senior Wei?”

Oh good. At least Nie Huaisang isn’t the only one who didn’t know. “My father’s friend, Senior Wei, who is the Yiling Patriarch. Yes.”

He’s never seen Lan Xichen gape before. This is a shockingly exciting day in the Cloud Recesses.

T, 17.5k

Summary:

The Yiling Patriarch is a living legend—a terrifying, ancient force of nature, dispensing punishment or reward with implacable, indifferent fairness.

Wei Wuxian, on the other hand, is a weird but oddly charming guy who wanders around the cultivation world making fun of people's art and mooching food from sect leaders.

It really upsets people to find out that they're the same person.

#wangxian #wei wuxian #wei ying #lan wangji #lan zhan #the untamed fic #wangxian fic rec #the untamed fanfiction #untamed fic #mdzs fic #fun fic

[lovelyyandereaddictionpoint]

Hello! I'm not sure if your open for requests or not but recently I just watched Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

(I'm pissed at myself for not watching that movie sooner it was amazing)

And I was wondering if I can request a MC who somehow befriends a wild horse that was put in the equestrian club and now they basically have a bodyguard that follows them around

(Horse girlbosses, gaslights, and gatekeeps)

And what would the dorm leaders (or if it's not too much everyone's) reaction to MC's new body guard?

(Btw i love your writing btw 😩👌🏼)

Spirit Stallion Guardian vs Yandere Twisted Wonderland 

Mysteriously coming home with a beautiful stallion in tow the only way Crowley will let him stay is if he stays in the stables. He and everyone soon realizes that latches and chains are no barrier to being by your side. Oddly enough you don’t ride your horse friend as much as your friends would expect, but everyone will soon know that you two are practically inseparable. What should be a wonderful thing for the non-magical prefect proves to be quite troublesome for some, especially the dorm leaders of Night Raven: 

Riddle Rosehearts

“Grrr this stupid mule is utterly untamed! He should be put down!” 

Riddle has a short fuse 

But he’s especially patient when dealing with horses

So it takes a lot before riddle is sure that this horse has it out for him

Kicks his shins

Practically running over him when you come to the stable

Eating his ties 

or grabbing his crown and throwing it a distance away

Crashing his unbirthday parties even when you are not in attendance

But eventually, he snaps, and somehow its in front of you

Perfect for him to be scolded by you for wanting to bring harm to your stallion-friend

He gets really fired up at the mention of your dear Spirit

“Do. Not. Mention that…hazard on four legs! He’s just playing off your tainted view of him I’msojealous”

He gathers the only way to win you is to finally tame this beast

He’s the prodigy of prodigies this will be a small task 

But should he have trouble…taming your guardian 

Well it wouldn’t be bizarre if he left large amounts of chocolate out before your guardian came to trot on his unbirthday party

“That donkey is getting in my way! Off with his head!

Leona Kingscholar

“Seriously? Do you have an actual herbivore to follow you around?! Might as well stick with me if you're going to stoop so low.”

Cheap tricks are done, similar to how Spirit treats Riddle

But Leona is a predator and while he may not be a hunter he can wait long enough

But your dear Spirit is just as smart

Aware of the carnivore’s threat level he ups the ante

Somehow releasing all the other horses from the stable to stampede into the botanical garden…where Leona is sleeping 

But he gets accusing glares/questions when he’s caught trying to use King’s Roar on the horse 

“It was asking for it…but if you feel so inclined to deter me from ever trying this again I could use a living pillow"

When he ultimately gets the true prize of you snuggling up to him 

He still ejects his claws to pierce into the stallion’s behind before getting away

When you do find it, you chalk it up to an injury created in his many escapes

“Man, that is one clumsy herbivore…I say you should get a deadbolt for his stable.”

Azul Ashengrotto

“Oh…it came too.”

He’s not particularly fond or familiar with horses

All he knows is that it's a land animal that's much more powerful than him in this form

Thus he is an obstacle in his love for you

Contracts goading the strongest students and those  with the best access to the stables are flying out of his office

He can’t attack head-on 

Not here anyway

“This really would be so much easier if we were back in the coral sea…wait that gives me an idea!”

Because he can tell when the horse puffs with pride when you leave the Monstro Lounge

Or dismissing yourself to brush the stallion instead of talking to him

He gets your attention in a better way

“It’s a shame your horse can’t come with you to visit our Coral Sea location. So let’s have enough fun for him, shall we?”

Kalim Al-Asim

“That’s so cool! Do you think he can fit on the magic carpet?”

He cannot but Kalim doesn’t mind

He’s plenty friendly and willing to entertain a horse

Especially when it has you smiling like it does

In fact, you’ll come over more if your horse is here right?

So maybe getting your stallion guardian hooked on Jamil’s cooking is a good thing

“Here you are Spirit, have all you want!”

“Kalim! Don’t give him too much sugar!”

“I’m sure it's okay! My pet elephant loves these sugar cubes.”

He doesn’t do much with ill-intent

He loves you more than ever and your pet is just an extension of that

He could never fathom being rivals with such a cute pet

“(Y/n) can we ride on Spirit together? I want to be close to you!” 

Vil Schoenheit

“An equestrian’s wild dream. Perhaps for perfume commercials, maybe even movie-worthy.”

He wants him out 

Maybe it's his flowing locks

Or the majesty that has everyone’s jaws drop when he trots towards you

So he can’t help but compare

“(Y/n). Come. I saw how you brush hair on the stallion, I’ll show you how to do this properly.”

When he feels like ultimately he can’t compete he tries a different method

He’s aware of this horse’s mind and awareness

So he uses that protective instinct against him 

He knows the right people to work with a horse like that

All he has to do is sell the…hay if he would call it that

“Don’t you want to help them..Spirit? Help them raise money for their hovel?”

By the time he’s done, you will be left with him to comfort and your beloved Spirit will be the next show pony

Idia Shroud

“I’ve seen a movie like this somewhere before.”

This is no different than having your bigger extrovert roadblocks friends blocking his way

But he’s also interested because of his favorite movies centered around taming wild horses

He’s smitten anyway with the sight of you in that position

He only really gets annoyed when Spirit takes a direct attempts to stop him

“Uhm S-spirit c-can you move…Please!?”

He gets irritated real quick when he finds that the times he’s courageous enough to face yourimmaculateperfect you is being thwarted by the horse

Don’t stop him 

When Ortho starts up with a horse tranquilizer 

Idia’s not all that keen to stop him 

Even going so far as to purposely word out his desire before conveniently leaving his AI brother to make the decision 

“Hishishishi, to think you thought you could get in the way of me and my love interest! Ha, now you’re going to be pulling some wagon or maybe becoming an experiment!...(Y/n) is mine. I have enough normies leeching off of them, already.”

Malleus Draconia

“Your stead is awfully valiant and especially brave to guard you against me.”

The way he says it makes it sound like one of those weird comments he just says

But he’s genuinely upset

He already feels like he doesn’t get to spend time with you enough 

And now he has to share with a spoiled horse you don’t even invite him to ride on

“You don’t ride it? What good is it if it doesn’t have a use? I could give you a ride and so much more…”

This is one of the only times he wishes this animal was scared off by him 

To see you out late at night with this beast instead of him

It’ll be a shame when a random thunderstorm is burning the Night Raven stables

Specifically, the one that your dear Spirit is in

“My condolences for your stead; shall I accompany you in your grieving process. I will no doubt be more than enough than that thing could ever have been.”

#yandere twisted wonderland #yandere dorm leader #yandere riddle rosehearts #yandere leona kinsscholar #yandere azul ashengrotto #yandere vil schoenheit #yandere idia shroud #kailim al asim #yandere kalim al asim #yandere malleus draconia #yandere riddle x reader #yandere vil x reader #yandere azul x reader #yandere idia x reader #yandere malleus x reader #yandere twisted wonderland dorm leaders #yanderes x reader #yandere kalim x reader #yandere leona x reader #yandere x reader #yandere x you #yanderexrea #lovelyyandereaddictionpoint #yandere #yanderes

[lilislegacy]

Hey, I know. I just left like a cute and really well. Thought out headcannon in your ask box. This is not one of them. Lol

This is quite literally some random thought I just had

Percy doesn't have body hair.

Ok hear me out

I was thinking about some of my old friends in my old highschool on the men's swim team and how they would shave their legs to go faster in the water.

My next thought was, "percy would probably shave his legs to be like a seal or dolphin"

But then I thought, what if he is like a seal or a dolphin?!

He is, technically speaking, a marine mammal. It would make sense that he have hairless legs.

Idk it just randomly popped into my head lmao

Me rn thinking of marine mammals and percy jackson:

thanks for the ask @invadericee!

this is SO funny to me because i’ve thought about this before, and i hc the exact opposite!!

idk why. your theory makes sense and i love the detailed thinking, because im the same way.

allow me to explain my reasoning ☝️

i picture poseidon - wild and untamed as he is - being a hairy guy. not like in a gross animal way (ares, however…) but just like having the most chest hair, facial hair, and arm/leg hair out of the big 3. hades doesn’t have a single body hair on his paper-white being. zeus would have an average amount, but manscapes (in a magical god-like way), and then brags about his ‘neatness’ 🙄. poseidon doesn’t give a fuck. he rocks his flip flops and bermuda shorts and hawaiian shirts with the top buttons undone - chest hair showing.

and i think their kids are the same way. 16/17 year old percy, i feel like had more chest hair (i repeat, not an absurd amount) than most of the other guys his age. he totally teases his friends on his swim team (“it’s ok boys! you’ll be a man like me one day!”). i think he has to start shaving his face at a young age - which sally teaches him - and as an adult he has to shave pretty much every day to stay clean-shaven. (which is why i think adult percy usually has stubble/short beard). and if he were a normal person, he probably would shave his legs for swim team. except, he doesn’t need to. he can swim exactly as fast as he wants (like at mach 5, for instance.) and actually has to purposefully slow down. so shaved legs = not necessary.

and if anyone is thinking “i can’t imagine percy with chest hair and facial hair.” first off all, probably because you’re thinking of 14 year old percy. second, well, do you imagine poseidon all bare and hairless? probably not. you probably imagine him with a beard (canon) and a healthy amount of chest hair and arm/leg hair. and percy inherited his physical features, so he’s bound to be the same.

anyway, back to reality. i love your quick little idea. my response was not trying to disprove you, cause i know you just sent it in on a whim. i just love to spew my thoughts about percy! 😂😂

loving all your thoughts!

#answered ask #percy jackson #pjo #percy jackson and the olympians #heroes of olympus

[sebstan2020]

Red Ties

Chapter 38

Mary, a sweet Christian girl living in the city of Brooklyn as a nurse had a simple life. She loved her work, her friends and attending church every Sunday and helping Reverend McCarthy. Her life was nothing out of the ordinary. However, it all changed one day when she bumps into the intriguing and intimidating James Barnes, Brooklyn’s notorious mafia boss and is introduced to a world of guns, lust and dominance.

Warnings: BDSM, Dom/Sub, Mafia, Violence, Gang, SMUT, Sex, Possessive Bucky, Overprotectiveness, Bondage, Sexual Themes, Dark Themes, Guns, Drugs, Gang Violence

Mary flipped off the bathroom light and entered the bedroom, dressed in her white robe and night dress. James was looking gorgeous in the dark sheets of the bed with no shirt on, the light boucning off his radiant chest. His hair was messy and untamed from a spicey evening with Mary. She herself was exhausted, and with every step, she wobbled, trying not to blush at the reason. 

but something was on her mind. her apartment. Yet again, she had forgotten to bring up the subject. The subject wasn't even a touchy one or one that would warrant an argument, but she wondered what James's reaction was going to be. Tonight, she wasn't going to miss her chance. It had to be said, and that was the end of it. Mary sat on the bed in front of him, crossing her legs together, and James smirked. He sat up, slowly leaning over to reach for her as if he were going to kiss her, but she quickly interrupted him before he could carry out his desire. 

"So there's something I wanted to talk to you about," she said, and he froze, quirking up an eyebrow. It wasn't like him to get nervous about anything, but after his track record lately, he couldn't be too careful. 

"Okay," he said with a slight concern in his voice. 

"It's nothing serious; don't worry," James said, relaxing back into the pillows as he stared at her. 

"It's just that I'm paying for my apartment but not really using it, and I wondered if maybe we could take turns staying here and there. I don't want to waste my money on it.".

"Why don't you move in here with me?" He hurried, as if the answer were so simple. and it was a simple resolution, but Mary hadn't thought about it being one. She had this perceived notion that you could only move in with a boyfriend after at least a year of dating, like she had brainwashed herself into thinking that. Perhaps it was all the girls around here with long-term boyfriends who didn't move in until they were serious. She and James had only been with each other for four months now. Was she ready to move in with him?

"Oh," she said in shock. 

"I mean, you're practically here all the time anyway, and my house is bigger and better.".

Jeez, what a way to make her feel better by telling her her apartment is shit. not that he was wrong. His house was three times bigger than her small apartment, and it was a lot nicer here, but that wasn't the point. 

"It's just that I'm spending a lot of money on it and don't want to pay for something I'm not using.". 

"So move here. We can sell your apartment, get someone else to rent it, and you can move in here with me," he suggested. A smirk came upon his lips as he rose up from the pillows again. 

"Besides, I don't think your apartment has enough room for what we do in here," he murmured softly, and Mary blushed. What he meant was that her room wasn't big enough for elaborate bondage scenes or her bed long enough for him to lick her pussycat to death all night and have her screaming his name. His gear was all neatly organised in the secret closet, and she was certain her neighbours would not appreciate hearing her scream and shout 'Yes, sir' while James flogged her. 

Mary thought about it for a bit. It wasn't a bad idea, but something was holding her back. Was it because she was scared to move in and nervous to find out more secrets about him? He was right that she practically spent every night here now, as if she already lived here. 

"Move in with me; I want you here all the time," he whispered as he towered over her, and Mary glanced up at him with her bright eyes. 

"I'll think about it," she answered, which meant she had a couple days to decide her final answer. James cupped her face in his large hands and kissed her gently in the silence of the room. Mary moaned into the kiss, and he pulled back. 

"Actually, there's something I wanted to ask you." He said it with a smirk on the corner of his lips. It was Mary's turn to raise her brow at his question. 

"I want to take you to vanilla," he said. His club was the place where big, powerful men came to dominate or be dominated by beautiful women and pay hundreds to thousands of dollars worth of money for it. The club he had started up with an ex-partner and dear friend of his. The place where he was most comfortable. 

"That's your club, right?" she asked. 

"Yes," he nodded. He and Mary had done a few scenes now, as he liked to call them, and he wanted to bring her to vanilla, not just to completely dominate her but to show her who he was and where he could let out his frustrations. She seemed comfortable with this one side of him, and he didn't want to keep his business away from her. She had every right to see and know all about it. 

"To do what?" She asked softly, and James chuckled under his breath, still cupping her face. He ran the tip of his nose across hers, his warm breath tickling her lips. 

"Anything I like," he whispered darkly, and Mary let out a soft moan. 

"Don't worry, it's not some skanky brothel; it's much more sophisticated than that," he assured her, and she wouldn't be disappointed. After her drunken confession to him about how much she enjoyed his dominance over her, he was going to take every advantage of that. 

"Okay," she answered, more quickly than she would have liked, but the grin on James's face said everything. She was curious and nervous, but it was a good type of nervousness—an excited nervousness. James tugged her forward into his lap, throwing her into the bed and earning a playful squeal from Mary as he attacked her. 

Mary finished her shift of independent work. She had quickly hopped back to her apartment to freshen up and dress in a tight white dress and small kitten heels, her hair bouncy and soft with a light layer of makeup. Sometimes she hardly recognises herself in the mirror, no matter how much effort she puts in. Tonight, she was meeting James at Vanilla. He had important business to attend to, and he would have picked her up if he could. 

Mary didn't mind meeting him there; at least she had an escape plan if it was all too much for her, but she kept saying to herself that it wasn't going to be like that. She spritzed her perfume on before running out of her apartment, leaving it a complete tip, and heding down to her car. Her stomach was a sea of nerves and excitement, and the closer she got to the address,the more she felt a little sick to her stomach. 

Driving up the long driveway, she was surprised to see what looked like a six-star hotel from the front. Beautiful stone steps lead up to the front doors of the high building, which has many windows. Outside stood two smartly dressed men that looked like valet parking, and upon arriving at the front doors, they immediately sprung to her, opening the door and offering their hands. 

"Welcome, Miss. Would you like me to park your car?" one said politely as she stumbled out, completely fazed by the beautiful building in front of her. marbels of cream, white, and brown, where the colour story of the buidling and warm lights flooded both the outside and inside. 

"Oh, um, yes, please," she stuttered, and the man nodded poletly before slipping into her car and whisking it away. Well, there goes her escape plan. Mary held her small clutch bag close to her as she walked up the steps to the revolving doors leading inside. It was huge. The reception looked just like a fancy hotel, wide with a long desk at the back. 

Bright, warm lights illuminated the lower floor, and the decor was gold, black, and white with glass tables and marble statues. A soft scent was in the air, not too overpowering to distract. It was quiet except for soft music playing over hidden speakers, and as she neared the large desk, she noticed a bar off to the side. much darker than the reception, and it only showered the front bar with a couple of stools.

Two men dressed in fancy suits were sitting at the bar, slugging down expensive whisky and laughing more loudly than she liked. James was right when he said this place was suspicious. Perhaps it was a cover to stop people from knowing what it really was. But it didn't seem like James wanted to keep this place hidden or unknown. He just wanted a classy place to offer this service and not let it be treated like a brothel. 

The desk was empty, and Mary waited a while, staring around the beautiful lower floor. If this floor was stunning, then she wondered how stunning the other floors were. But then again, this was no ordinary hotel, so most likely the rooms weren't going to be your average staycation room. 

"Can I help you?" she whisked around as a voice appeared behind her. A tall girl stood behind the desk. Dark red hair in big, bouncy waves ran down her shoulders, and dark makeup surrounded her eyes with thick eyeliner and lashes. She wore a skimpy dark brown dress in leather that hugged her body. She must be an employee. 

"Oh, um, I'm here to meet James," Mary said innocently, and the girl stared at her for a moment before plastering on a smile. 

"Oh, you must be her," she replied, leaning on the desk with her arms spread wide and her long nails tapping on the countertop. Mary blinks in confusion at her choice of words. 

"Her?" she asked, and the woman giggled. 

"I'm Natalie," she said, holding her hand out to shake Mary's, who at first thought it was a little strange, but out of politeness, she took it anyway. 

"Nice to meet you," Mary started, but was rudely cut off by her. 

"So obviously, this is your first time here, so you'll need to sign the book." She pulled out a large book and flipped to the most recent page, and Mary was quite confused. 

"Oh, okay." She didn't want to question anything because, as Natalie had said, it was her first time here. 

"Just sign here; it's a legal thing, you know." Her voice was very patronising, and Mary held back her tongue. 

"Okay," she said, giving a tight smile to Natalie, who hummed and snapped the book shut.

"So I'm guessing you're his new sub," Natalie said, and Mary took a step back. 

"Um, no, I'm not his sub," she stammered. 

"Oh, come on, you can tell me, we are all the same here. Did he tell you I was his original sub here?" Natalie pointed to herself with furrowed brows. Oh, so that's why she was being so cold to her. 

"No, he didn't," Mary admitted softly. 

"Oh, well, I was. He used to come over, like, four times a week, to fuck me. He didn't ask for anyone else but me, you know?" She smirked at Mary as if she were trying to rub this information in her face, and she wasn't quite sure how to respond. The Christian thing to do would be a polite nod, but her little demon side wanted to pounce out and shut this girl up. It wasn't the best feeling in the world standing across from your boyfriend's ex while they tell you all about the times they used to fuck and do kinky shit.

"Then he stopped seeing me because he met someone else; I'm guessing that's you." Natalie spat at Mary with deadly eyes, and Mary scoffed a little. 

"I'm sorry, I don't know." She was trying to deflate the conversation, but Natalie had already built up a fire inside her that was waiting to be breathed out. 

"Look, just because you're new, small, and fun doesn't mean you have the right to come walking in here. I had him first. I bet he didn't even tell you about the things we used to do together. In fact, he'll probably ditch you in a month or two and come running back to me. I was the only girl who could satisfy his needs, and I don't need you coming here and fucking that up." Natalie stormed around the desk, getting closer and closer to Mary, almost towering over her in her high heels.

Where the fuck did this come from? All Mary did was walk to the front desk, hoping to meet James, and yet she was arguing with his ex-sub. Before Mary even had a chance to say something back, his voice erupted. 

"Hey, what's going on?" He said it sternly as he came over, dressed impeccably in a dark suit. God, why did he always have to look this good? His brows furrowed as he came to stand by Natalie and Mary, who were at a loss for words. 

"Hey, can I talk to you?" Natalie threw her sweetest voice at James, reaching for his arm, but he pulled away as if he were disgusted with her, not wanting her hands on him. 

"Not right now," he said, dismissing her quickly and taking Mary's hand. 

"Come on," he tugged at her, so they began walking away, a clear scoff heard from Natalie. James was not in the mood for her right now, and he was naive to think she wasn't going to cause a problem. 

"Fine, go fuck your little whore. YOU KNOW I'LL ALWAYS BE BETTER!" Natalie yelled across the lower floor as James huffed, dragging Mary behind her. He furiously pressed the button for the lift and yanked Mary inside, leaving the two in silence. 

Chapter 39

Hey I hope you like this chapter, let me know in the comments what you think

@pattiemac1

@sebastiansluts

@charmed-asylum

@blackwood-bodecker-housewife

@abaker32

@samjuarezzz

@sebastians-lover-blog

@buckysgirl85

@captainsarahscratches

@thischubbydumpling

@dhoruwolfie

@silvaren-ladybird

@hazomi

@unaxv

@wintxr-widow

@identity2212

@mrsstuckyboo

@cjand10

@redheadonfire20

@carrotlove

@skulliecadaver-blog

#sebastian stan #sebastian stan fanfiction #bucky barnes #james buchanan barnes #james bucky barnes #bucky barnes fanficiton #sebastian stan smut #bucky barnes smut #bucky barnes dom #mafia bucky barnes

[brainrotgobrr]

finished the teal mask and oh boy do i have thoughts…

(SPOILERS FOR THE NEW DLC IF YOU DONT WANT SPOILERS PLS DO NOT READ)

god. kieran. kieran is so refreshing from a character perspective. kieran is like the anti-hop. it kind of feels like he’s the protagonist and we’re the classic jerk rival, doesn’t it? this guy clearly has Issues and i really like that, im enjoying this sort of “why can’t i beat you” rival trope that gamefreak’s been doing lately. they nearly did it with hop but with kieran they’re really going full in. the character arc that kieran went through in this dlc was actually difficult for me to watch, seeing this poor boy destroy himself mentally. the first time i battled him for the final time i actually lost, and i was hoping that he would get to keep ogerpon because altho shes cute and i adore her, i felt so bad. but ofc thats not the way the cookie crumbles. kieran is socially awkward, he doesn’t know how to communicate, and he’s never had a true friend. then florian/juliana comes along and suddenly there’s someone who seems to genuinely enjoy hanging out with him that isn’t, yknow, related to him. but then that person that he was so eager to trust goes along and begins befriending and helping a pokemon that hes adored all your life behind his back. i relate to kieran a lot and ofc yknow the absolute maniac arc hes about to go through is probably not healthy but i rlly hope this ends up being good for him. he idolized ogerpon because of how he related to her story, not because of the actual living creature she is. i wouldnt be surprised if it turns out he doesnt value his pokemon as actual living creatures either. i could see him being like a reverse silver, as he grows colder growing to not even care about his pokemon.

on the other hand, carmine! carmine was such a delight, i was genuinely not expecting to enjoy her as much as i did. sure, she also has Issues and has probably been a negative effect on her brother, but at the end of the day she is also just a kid. she probably has no idea what shes doing, and i dont think shed ever hurt kieran. she went through a lot of growth in the dlc and i can see her trying to become a better person with the help of florian/juliana and repairing her odd relationship with kieran.

also, it seems like she kind of has to play a parental role for kieran, as its implied that their parents arent around. thats another thing that separates kieran and carmine from siblings like hop and leon (and oh my god im just realizing all the parallels between hop and leon and kieran and carmine). its implied that the galar bros had a good childhood, and hops Issues dont start until hes set off on his journey and leon is a full adult with an actual life. with the kitakami siblings, if you read between the lines you can tell that theyve had a harder time growing up. with carmines comments on tourism and how it’s negatively effected their town and give her Trust Issues, that obviously fucked them both up a little, seeing that people only valued their hometown as an attraction, and that they themselves were a part of that attraction. and of course we dont know what the issue was with their parents. also, why are they going to school in unova? (side not oh my god it is so obvious that we’re going to get bw remakes in gen 9 or a legends unova game)

kitakami is such an interesting region. obviously its tiny, it has one town and then everything else is just untamed land. i feel like something Else is going on here. or maybe its just small idk

i love ogerpon a lot i think shes adorable and i love that we got to run around with her before she joined our team and it makes the whole “ten year old catches legendary thing” feel more realistic

also why are ogerpon and the loyal three legendaries i feel like they should be mythicals them being legendary feels Wrong

anyways these were my silly thoughts on the dlc and i hope kieran turns out to be the bb leagues champion (pulling a blue) and also i dont trust briar now time to finish my pokedex and talk to legends arceus pandering i mean perrin and if i see anyone call carmine a terrible person i will trade away your ev trained competitive team ok bye

(also this scene made me emotional)

#pokemon #pokemon scarlet and violet #jocey plays games #pokemon scarlet and violet dlc #the teal mask #trainer florian #trainer juliana #trainer kieran #trainer carmine #MASKSHIPPING GANG WHERE ARE U AT #spoilers

[cordonianroyalairlines]

All I Want for Christmas Part 1

Series: Cordonian Royal Airlines

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings for series: Various

Pairing for this chapter: Riley x Drake, Liam x Max

Word Count: 2,475

Rating: General

Warnings for this chapter: None

A/N: Listen. I had an idea for the @choicesprompts #rewritechallenge holiday edition. I had the whole scene in my head, but then I decided it needed a little lead-up. Then I decided the lead-up needed a lead-up and then these characters completely just took over, threw my script out the window, and took a whole detour to examine a little budding romance between Liam and Max when this story was supposed to be focused on Drake and Riley (and it still is, mostly).

Long story short, it got a little out of hand so I have split it into two chapters. I'm tagging all of the following:

@choicesprompts rewrite challenge, holiday edition TRR x Untamed Heart (one of my all-time favorite movies). @choicesficwriterscreations holiday prompt: Stuck together in the snow; @choicesdecember2023 Christmas and @choicesholidays: This is the worst Christmas ever.

“Goodbye, Mrs. Lassiter, have a pleasant stay!” Riley waved with a smile painted on her face as the last passenger debarked. The smile faded from her face as the guests disappeared down the jet bridge and her eyes took in the heavy snowfall blanketing the runway.

Max noticed her despondent expression. “You okay, Ri?”

She turned toward her best friend and coworker with a sigh. “Remind me again why I volunteered to work this flight?”

“Uh…because your sister is getting married in less than two months, and you needed the overtime to pay for the ridiculous over-the-top bachelorette party she wants.”

“Right. Amelia,” Riley nodded to herself, “I’m doing this for her.”

“I think you do too much for her, Ri,” Max clucked at her like a mother hen, “She takes advantage of your generous nature.”

“Oh, Max, it’s fine. You only get married once!”

He arched an eyebrow at her.

“Okay,” a giggle burst out of her, “Hopefully, she only gets married once!”

“Frankly, I’m surprised she found anyone willing to marry her. Is there something wrong with him?”

“Max!” Riley laughed as she thumped him playfully on the shoulder before turning serious. “I just hope we’re able to take off tomorrow as planned.” Tomorrow was Christmas Eve, and she had promised her mother she’d be home so she could spend Christmas day with her parents and siblings.

“I wouldn’t count on it.”

Riley turned toward the voice to find the pilot striding toward them. Captain Liam Rys stopped in front of the flight attendants to announce, “There’s a blizzard headed straight for us.”

“Maybe we could just fly out right now—” Riley started hopefully.

“That’s a negative,” Liam cut her off, “that would put me over my flight limit for the day. We’ll proceed to the hotel as planned and hope for the best but be prepared to spend Christmas here.”

“Remind me why you agreed to fly into Estonia, the blizzard capital of the world, two days before Christmas?” Max grumbled.

Liam’s eyes flicked to him in annoyance. “Because of the obscene amount of money Mr. Lassiter was willing to pay for me to do so. You’ll thank me when you get your next paycheck and there’s a substantial bonus on it, on top of the holiday bonus you just received.”

“It’s okay,” Max shrugged with a tinge of disappointment in his tone, “My brother is in Japan anyway.”

Liam’s expression softened a little. “I’m sure he wishes he could spend Christmas with you.”

“Well, he’s flying with Leo, which he loves. I’m just disappointed that we’re almost never assigned to the same flight.”

Liam averted his eyes, unwilling to tell Max that was on purpose. Bertrand had requested that Max not be on the same flight as himself after the younger Beaumont’s enthusiasm became embarrassing for him. Max had gushed to a passenger about his pride in his older sibling, proudly articulating that, “My brother’s the co-pilot. He’s really good at it. He’s almost good enough to be the pilot!”

Liam shuffled his feet awkwardly, then nodded at Max, “Yes, well…. See you at the hotel.”

“You will?” Max’s head whipped around in surprise. Liam had never expressed an interest in seeing him outside of work before.

“Well, he was a little snippy,” Riley observed as Liam disappeared down the sky bridge.

“But did he seem….I don’t know…interested in-“ a flush crawled up his neck and then flared across his face, “Never mind. Of course not.”

Riley’s brow furrowed. “Interested in what?”

“Nothing. Let’s just get this cabin cleaned up so we can go.”

***

Riley awoke the next morning to sheets of snow pouring from the sky, blanketing the city in white as far as she could see from her hotel window. Which wasn’t that far. The snow was coming down too fast and too thick for her to see past the parking lot.

“Shit!” She aggressively pulled the curtains closed and dove back under the covers.

***

“So, what have you two been up to all day?” Liam asked as the four-member flight crew sat down for dinner in the hotel restaurant.

“Well, I slept in, then I called my mom to let her know I wouldn’t be making it home today and probably not tomorrow either. Then I drown my sorrows in a steaming hot bubble bath.” Riley responded as she pulled the menu over to her.

“Yeah, but then we saw a movie,” Max reminded her. Turning to Liam, he rambled excitedly, “This hotel has a theater in it. There was popcorn and everything! And then we took a cooking class! Can you believe that? The hotel chef hosts a class here once a week, but they did an extra class today because it snowed everyone in.”

Liam smiled at Max’s enthusiasm. “That sounds like fun. Now I feel boring. I read all day. Drake, what about you?”

“What about me?” Drake was busy shoveling a complimentary roll into his mouth.

Riley laughed. “Have you not been listening to the conversation? He wants to know what you did to keep busy today, you dork.”

Drake grabbed his water glass and chugged the cold liquid down to cover the fact that he had not heard a word of the conversation since Riley stopped talking. He was still picturing her in that bubble bath. When he sat the glass down, he responded, “I did my usual morning workout. The gym here is excellent. Since I couldn’t go for a run, I hit the heavy bags and then swam a few laps.”

“How many is a few?” Max asked.

“Twenty.” Drake’s eyes flicked to Max as he answered before landing quickly back on Riley’s face searching for any clue that she was impressed, or at least interested in him.

Not that he cared. She was a coworker, and he didn’t date coworkers.

“All before lunch?” She raised an eyebrow.

He wasn’t sure if she found his morning activities impressive or stupid. Her expression gave away nothing. “I find it hard to sit still,” he answered.

Liam scoffed, “You sit in the cockpit for hours at a time.”

“First of all, that’s different. I’m doing plenty as you well know and second of all, that’s why I need more physical movement when I’m on the ground.”

“Makes sense to me!” Max nodded emphatically as the waitress arrived with the menus.

They ordered their food and ate while making companionable chit chat. After dinner, Max suggested they continue the night across the lobby.

The hotel bar was crowded. The four coworkers quickly parted in the crowd. Drake and Liam navigated to a small table in the back and ordered drinks.

“You don’t want to ask her to dance?” Liam nodded across the room to the dance floor where Max and Riley were laughing and twirling to the music.

Drake followed Liam’s eyes and froze as he watched her sway and shimmy to the thump of heavy base. “I don’t dance.”

“I’ve seen you dance.”

“Not well.”

“So, you’re worried about embarrassing yourself in front of her?”

“What? No!” Drake reached for the tumbler of single malt scotch as the server placed it on the table in front of him and took a long pull as his mind spun with ways to shift the conversation away from his nonexistent love life. “What’s going on with you and Max?”

Liam startled so hard that bourbon sloshed over the rim of his glass. He stared at Drake in a blind panic. “What do you mean?”

“I mean….you usually pay no attention to what the flight attendants are doing when we have layovers. Yet you invited everyone to dinner tonight and you’re the one that was watching them dance. I’m pretty sure you’re not into Riley because if you were, you wouldn’t be pushing me toward her. So that leaves Max. Tell me I’m wrong.”

He lowered his glass to the table with a sigh. “It’s that obvious?”

“To me, but I’ve known you for a long time, Li.”

Liam blew out a long breath. “Shit.”

“Why don’t you just tell him you’re interested?”

“No,” Liam shook his head vigorously, “I can’t do that!”

“Why not?”

“So many reasons! Starting with the fact that I’m his boss and that’s a sexual harassment suit waiting to happen.”

“Not if he likes you back,” Drake countered.

“That’s not likely.”

Again, Drake asked, “Why not?”

Liam scoffed as he gestured toward the dance floor. “I mean, look at him! He’s fun and popular and hilariously funny. And look at those dance moves! He’s interesting and cool. What could he possibly see in me?”

“Hey, don’t sell yourself short, man.”

“I’m a stick in the mud and you know it. I was the president of my debate team. He was the lead in his school’s production of Beetle Juice.”

“How do you know- “

“Bertrand told me.”

“So, you’ve been pumping his brother for information?”

“Not the point. He’s amazing and fun and talented and I’m….me.”

“Liam, come on, man, you-“

“When I was twelve, I read law books for fun.”

“Geez, okay. Never mind. You’re definitely going to die alone.”

“Shut up,” Liam laughed, “I know you think I’m being dramatic.“

“You fly planes for a living,” Drake reminded him. “In my experience, a lot of people find that sexy.”

“Yes, well, I know your experience is quite extensive in that area but-“

“Are you calling me a man whore?”

“If the shoe fits….” Liam muttered into his drink.

“Insult me all you want, but it isn’t going to change the fact that you’ve got it bad. You should just tell him.”

“Oh, okay, Mr. I don’t like Riley.”

Fuck. Drake took another long drink. The conversation had come full circle. His eyes drifted across the room to find her again. She was still with Max.

***

Riley led Max off the dance floor and to a table as she flagged down a server for some water. “What’s up with you tonight?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, you’ve been acting squirely all night and you keep looking around like you’re searching for somebody. What’s that about?”

Max flushed, “Ah….I think I might have a thing for Liam.”

“Wait…what?” Riley shrieked, then clapped her hands over her mouth.

“I don’t know….” Max dropped his eyes to the table. “I mean, you know, he’s hot or whatever.”

“Max!” She slapped his shoulder. “Since when? And why didn’t you tell me?”

He shrugged. “Just recently I’ve started to notice him more, that’s all. He’s always being nice to me and- “

“He’s nice to everyone.”

“I know, but it’s more than that! I can’t explain it, okay? It’s just…the way he looks at me sometimes….”

“I have never seen you act shy before! You hit on that model last week!”

“Oh, him? Yeah, but that was just--”

“That man is an international star, and you had zero qualms asking for his snap.”

“I know, but- “

“And he gave it to you!”

“Sure, but Liam isn’t just a pretty face, Riley! He’s so fucking smart and serious. He’s sophisticated, and there’s just no way he’d be into a goofball like me.”

“Ah, Maxey, anyone with half a brain would be into you.”

“You’re just saying that because you’re my best friend.”

“Yes. But also because it’s true.”

“No, it’s not. I’m the general fuckup in my family. Just ask Bertrand. Or my father.”

“Max, you’re not a fuckup!” Riley admonished. “You’re just different from your brother and father, thank God! I’m sorry, I know you love him, but Bertrand is the most boring man alive, and your father is a dick, so please don’t judge yourself by his opinion of you.”

“Bert’s not boring. He just had to grow up fast. My father put a lot of pressure on him and he, unlike me, rose to the challenge. I mean, look at us. He’s a pilot and I’m a flight attendant. Do you remember what my father said when I told him I wanted to be a flight attendant?”

“Yes, but on the bright side, it was the first time he acknowledged your sexual orientation.”

Max snorted, “That’s not funny, Riley.”

“You laughed.”

He bumped her shoulder with his own with an amused shake of his head, “If your point is that my father is a homophobic, controlling, abusive asshole whose opinion should mean nothing to me or anyone else with a lick of self-respect, then point taken.” He lifted his glass to her.

She lifted hers and tapped it into his with a grin. “My work here is done. Now go over there and ask him to shoot darts or something.”

***

“All right, well, this has been fun, but I’m going up to bed now.” Liam pushed away from the table and stood up, stretching as he did so.

“You really are a stick in the mud,” Drake laughed as the server cleared their table and asked if he could get them anything else. “Yeah, an unopened bottle of what we’ve been drinking tonight.”

Liam turned to go but froze as a voice that sent heat shocking through him spoke, “Hey…Liam….you wanna…go play darts or something?”

He turned to find Max smiling at him. Trying to push down the rising panic in his throat, his eyes flicked to Drake, who just gave him an amused smile, then back to Max, who looked uncharacteristically nervous. “Uh…. sure.”

“Great!” Relief washed across Max’s features. Then he remembered himself and begrudgingly turned to include Drake in the invitation. “Would you like to join us?”

“Nah, I’m good. You two go ahead. I’ve got a bottle of top-shelf whiskey, and this hotel has steak on their room service menu. I’ll be fine.”

“Okay then, goodnight and Merry Christmas,” Liam didn’t meet Drake’s eyes as he waved bye and then followed Max to the dart boards lined up against the far wall.

Drake chuckled to himself as he took the bottle from the server and thrust a handful of bills at him. He started for the door, then thought better of it and backtracked to the bar, reaching across and grabbing a clean tumbler to take to his room with him.

He had to dodge a bunch of drunk people on his way back, causing him to veer off course until he was damn near on the other side of the room.

It wasn’t so much that he saw her as he felt her presence. His head lifted and his eyes somehow went straight to her despite the dozen or so people between him and the table she was seated at. Without making a conscious decision, his body angled in her direction, and he made his way over to her, reminding himself the whole way that he didn’t get involved with coworkers.

#cordonianroyalairlines #trr au #the royal romance #drake x mc #drake walker #liam rys #maxwell beaumont #liam x max #christmas 2023 #drake x riley #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week

[hami-gua]

I'm back!!!

I'm back!! I was literally in no spirits to write fanfics, but thinking about picking it back up again.

Really have been in a Honkai Star Rail brain rot lately (mostly about xianzhou men ^^), and many ideas just popped into my brain. So please read through all of it and tell me which one you think I should start first. And please repost or share it with others! Comments are important!! I know it's long, but just bear with me. It's vital for me (>.<)

Long Fics:

Jing Yuan x Reader

Trope: Childhood friends to lovers

Relationships: Jing Yuan x Reader, TBD

About: Based off of a Ming dynasty emperor who only loved one woman (his childhood friend) for his whole life.

Reader Gender: Female

Tags: Fluff, Angst, Hurt/comfort, Ancient China au, childhood friends to lovers, Honkai Star Rail x Reader, hsr x reader, female! Reader, jing yuan x reader, hsr jing yuan, honkai star rail jing yuan, jing yuan x you

♡ ꒰ ◞ ◟ ꒱⌒)ᦱ 𓈒 ૮₍ ´ . ˕ .` ₎ა 𓈒 ⊹ ໒ ꐦ ｀ヮ ´ ა

Dan Heng x Reader

Trope: Reincarnation

Relationship: Dan Heng x Reader, TBD

About: Loosely based off of the c-drama 三生三世 (it’s really just an ost that inspired me). Dan Heng loves reader for the longest time, but instead of him reincarnating, it’s reader. Basically, reader is mortal while Dan Heng is immortal and heavenly law states that immortals aren’t allowed to fall in love with mortals. Essentially Dan Heng breaks that rule many times and gets punished many times (i.e. heavenly prison, loss of status, etc). And what if reader becomes immortal one day?

Reader Gender: Neutral

Tags: Fluff, angst, hurt/comfort, guzhuang, immortal x mortal, immortality, Honkai Star Rail x Reader, hsr x reader, gn! Reader, dan heng x  reader, hsr dan heng, dan heng x you,  suggestive, reincarnation

♡ ꒰ ◞ ◟ ꒱⌒)ᦱ 𓈒 ૮₍ ´ . ˕ .` ₎ა 𓈒 ⊹ ໒ ꐦ ｀ヮ ´ ა

Jing Yuan x Reader

Trope: Maiden and knight

Relationships: Jing Yuan x Reader, TBD

About: Another one based loosely off of c-drama (again, it’s the ost doing it for me). This time loosely based off of Love Like the Galaxy. Some characters may be more calculating  than in the show. Only really thought of this cuz of Jing Yuan being a general.

Reader Gender: Neutral

Tags: Fluff, angst, hurt/comfort, guzhuang, Honkai Star Rail x Reader, hsr x reader, gn! Reader, jing yuan x reader, hsr jing yuan, honkai star rail jing yuan, jing yuan x you

♡ ꒰ ◞ ◟ ꒱⌒)ᦱ 𓈒 ૮₍ ´ . ˕ .` ₎ა 𓈒 ⊹ ໒ ꐦ ｀ヮ ´ ა

Blade x Reader

Trope: Good x Evil

Relationships: Blade x Reader, TBD

About: Another another loosely inspired by the c-drama, Love Between Fairy and Devil. Though no, reader isn’t really gonna be an innocent dunce from the start. May display dumb, but not make it her personality. People around reader keep trying to tell them to stay away from the evil ones, but reader doesn’t really listen (cuz folks really don’t be telling them what the evil people look like) and ends up meeting the leader of said evil forces, Blade. Plot starts towards the beginning of the war between the good and evil.

Reader Gender: Neutral

Tags: Fluff, angst, hurt/comfort, guzhuang, Honkai Star Rail x Reader, hsr x reader, gn! Reader, blade x reader, hsr blade, hsr blade x reader, blade x you, hsr blade x you

♡ ꒰ ◞ ◟ ꒱⌒)ᦱ 𓈒 ૮₍ ´ . ˕ .` ₎ა 𓈒 ⊹ ໒ ꐦ ｀ヮ ´ ა

Dan Heng x Reader

Trope: Can MDZS be a trope itself?

Relationships: Dan Heng x Reader, TBD

About: Inspired by MDZS/The Untamed. Although it won’t be danmei and will deviate with the fact it’s more chronological than having long periods of flashbacks (yes I’m looking at you Untamed, why tf did you spend so many episodes on flashbacks and then everything after just went by so quickly??? But that’s just my opinion -- anyways). Obviously not everything is going to be 100% accurate since this is a fanfic inspired by MDZS/The Untamed and Star Rail isn’t that.

Reader Gender: Neutral

Tags: Fluff, angst, hurt/comfort, guzhuang, Honkai Star Rail x Reader, hsr x reader, gn! Reader, gn! Reader, dan heng x  reader, hsr dan heng, dan heng x you,  suggestive, resurrection

♡ ꒰ ◞ ◟ ꒱⌒)ᦱ 𓈒 ૮₍ ´ . ˕ .` ₎ა 𓈒 ⊹ ໒ ꐦ ｀ヮ ´ ა

Blade x Reader

Trope: Princ(ess) and knight

Relationships: Blade x Reader, Dan Heng & Reader (platonic)

About: Blade is assigned to be the personal guard of lord/lady by none other than their brother, Dan Heng. The lord/lady only thought of Blade as a sword and shield, they never thought they’d ever fall for the man with many mysteries. Yet they know, that those who hold many mysteries are the ones most likely to betray and use. That was just the way of court life. However, a small part of them just hopes -- wishes that Blade would never betray or use them for ulterior motives.

Reader Gender: Neutral

Tags: Fluff, angst, hurt/comfort, guzhuang, Honkai Star Rail x Reader, hsr x reader, gn! Reader, gn! Reader, blade x reader, hsr blade, hsr blade x reader, blade x you, hsr blade x you, protective! Blade

♡ ꒰ ◞ ◟ ꒱⌒)ᦱ 𓈒 ૮₍ ´ . ˕ .` ₎ა 𓈒 ⊹ ໒ ꐦ ｀ヮ ´ ა

Luocha x Reader

Trope: Immortal and mortal

Relationships: Luocha x Reader, Fu Xuan (just filling in the role of the monk)

About: Based off of the Legend of the White Snake. Deviation will occur. Reader doesn’t have a sister, and Luocha is an actual doctor not scholar.  Reader will not be imprisoned in a pagoda (like is some shows/rendition of the story).

Reader Gender: Neutral

Tags: Fluff, angst, hurt/comfort, guzhuang, Honkai Star Rail x Reader, hsr x reader, gn! Reader,  luocha x reader, hsr luocha, luocha x you, hsr luocha x you

One-Shots

Jing Yuan x Reader

About: Very loosely based off of Fuhao, the Shang dynasty warrior queen. Reader is is a priestess and  a warrior, going off to fight battles and returning victorious until one day, she didn’t return. Stricken with grief, Jing Yuan prepares a burial and tomb for his beloved queen.

Reader Gender: Female

Tags: Fluff, angst, hurt/comfort, guzhuang, Honkai Star Rail x Reader, hsr x reader, gn! Reader, jing yuan x reader, hsr jing yuan, honkai star rail jing yuan, jing yuan x you,

♡ ꒰ ◞ ◟ ꒱⌒)ᦱ 𓈒 ૮₍ ´ . ˕ .` ₎ა 𓈒 ⊹ ໒ ꐦ ｀ヮ ´ ა

Dan Heng x Reader

About: Dan Heng (Imbibitor Lunae) takes a stroll for a break. Then stumbles upon a  unique looking figure: softly resting atop their hair were two long feathers of grey color. He had never seen someone like them before, so curiosity getting the best of him, he approaches them. Only for them to turn and look at him. That’s when he froze, both in embarrassment and in fear. Da peng, the only child of the phoenix to feast upon dragons. Da peng, the one who stands before him with a curious gaze.

Reader Gender: Neutral

Tags: Fluff, silly, no dan heng they're not gonna eat you, Honkai Star Rail x Reader, hsr x reader, gn! Reader, dan heng x  reader, hsr dan heng, dan heng x you, chinese mythology

#honkai star rail #hsr x reader #hsr blade #hsr luocha #hsr jing yuan #hsr dan heng #hsr imbibitor lunae #hsr jing yuan x reader #hsr blade x reader #hsr black swan #hsr jing yuan x you #hsr dan heng x reader #hsr dan heng x you #hsr luocha x reader #blade x reader #jing yuan x reader #dan heng x reader #luocha x reader #jing yuan x you #jing yuan x y/n #blade x you #blade x y/n #dan heng x you #dan heng x y/n #luocha x you #luocha x y/n #imbibitor lunae x reader #yingxing x reader #blade fluff #jing yuan fluff

[wangxianficrecs]

💙 Linger by the Door (I've Always Been Yours) by piecrust

💙 Linger by the Door (I've Always Been Yours)

by piecrust

T, 78k, Wangxian

Summary: Wei Wuxian travels the world alone, finding homes in unexpected places, and loving Lan Zhan one letter at a time. Kay's comments: I swear with every other story piecrust wrote I'm like: and this is my favourite story of this kind! - and what can I say? That's just how it is. Piecrust is just an amazing writer that I adore, can't help it. Anyways, this is one of my favourite post-The Untamed epistolary stories where Wei Wuxian travels and searches for a place in this world after Lan Wangji didn't really offer him one. Love that. Love the various people Wei Wuxian encounters on his travels, the cases he solves, how he frees himself off his burdens with this letters and of course, the dramatic way in which Wangxian eventually find their way back together. Also featuring: Song Lan being hilarious, Yunmeng brothers reconcilliatin, found family, and even more amazing things! Excerpt: Wei Wuxian stared at the letter for a long while, feeling inexplicably overwhelmed. Lan Zhan’s words were growing inside him and threatening to make him too big for his skin. If he didn’t calm down soon, he was in danger of doing something stupid. Something stupid like run to Gusu. Maybe take Lan Zhan hostage and force him to take responsibility for Wei Wuxian’s heart. Maybe beg Lan Zhan to love him. It was surprising how long the letter was considering how little Lan Zhan actually spoke. Perhaps, he considered, that for someone who spoke so carefully, writing was an easier form of communication. If he had known this, Wei Wuxian would never have given him such an opportunity. Lan Zhan, sweet Lan Zhan, writing such a sweet letter, not knowing at all, all the horrible things his words were doing to Wei Wuxian’s heart. He rubbed his thumb against the ‘Yours.’ Once again feeling the longing grow. Lan Zhan didn’t even know enough about Wei Wuxian’s heart to know that he should be careful, he thought brokenly, feeling so fragile in that moment that he was sure he would shatter. Lan Zhan thought that he was writing to a dear friend, not to someone who wanted him so desperately. In his next letter, maybe he’d write, “Lan Zhan, please do not send me so much sweetness or I’m afraid I will never be able to return to Gusu.”

pov wei wuxian, the untamed canon, post-canon, rogue cultivator wei wuxian, jiang cheng & wei wuxian reconciliation, case fic, epistolary, emotional hurt/comfort, pining, lan wangji/wei wuxian get a happy ending, blood and injury, recovery, marriage proposal, found family, families of choice, @sincerelystranger

~*~

(Please REBLOG as a signal boost for this hard-working author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)

#Wangxian Fic Rec #The Untamed #wangxian #MDZS #Kay's Rec #Kay's Favorite #pov wei wuxian #the untamed canon #post-canon #rogue cultivator wei wuxian #jiang cheng & wei wuxian reconciliation #case fic #epistolary #emotional hurt/comfort #pining #lan wangji/wei wuxian get a happy ending #recovery #marriage proposal #found family #families of choice #Linger by the Door (I've Always Been Yours) #piecrust #Teen #long fic > 50k

[thesunoosshining]

RIZZ 101 !

– intros 01 – bitchless !

class of '24:

shotaro – "the only normal one here." – literally the only normal one here. also the only one who manages to pull. has a girlfriend! oldest of the group. gives younger kids advice and sells his gcse notes because what else is he going to do with them. also does tutoring! and is good at it. honestly the only genuinely trustable one here.

eunseok – "when did i ask, again?" – does not care. he doesn't. he's here to clown on his friends and pass his a levels. posts recipes and food pictures on twitter and somehow has a dedicated following. they love his recipes. he genuinely has no idea how people even found his account but he doesn't even care enough, actually.

sungchan – "my favourite subject? p.e, duh!" – rizzless. but in the way that he's convinced he could pull if he wanted to. he cannot. please never take his advice on romance. type of guy to use a pickup line like "did it hurt when you fell? not from heaven, but for me." and then wink. really into sports!

(rest under the cut!)

class of '25:

wonbin – "shut up, i'm trying to look mysterious!" – plays guitar and posts covers on youtube. tries his oh-so-hardest to look mysterious and cool. is secretly a massive nerd loser. terrified of everything. anton's best friend. also kind of down bad, but at least he knows he has no rizz.

seunghan – "yeah, sure, you can copy my homework." – like. the nicest guy ever. will let you copy his homework and borrow his notes before your test. need to borrow a pen? he's got you covered. you don't even need to give it back. genuinely just Nice. honestly the only other person in this group that COULD pull if they wanted, but he just doesn't want to right now.

sohee – "oh, i got 30%? eh, there's always next time!" – world's biggest optimist. also might fail his classes. occasionally posts videos of him singing. they always go viral, because he's great at it. has zero rizz, though. zero. too good for this world. also has untameable hair, for some reason.

anton – "dinosaur. can you leave me alone now?" – he wants to go home. he's just here to shitpost and then go home. and also to flame his friends. has no rizz but is self-aware and also doesn't care. he really just wants to not fail his classes. really funny but keeps it to himself most of the time because he's too socially anxious to be the first one to initiate a conversation.

privs:

woninthebin – wonbin – he thinks he's SOO clever for this name. wonbin's private account.

atonofants – anton – he also thinks he's SOO clever for this name. anton's private account.

notes ! ummm... first post for rizz 101! i am personally. so proud of the profiles i think i'm the funniest person ever for these. I KNOW I FUCKED UP THE AGES A LITTLE AUGHHH but it was necessary. for the years thing. yes it's important. trust! anyways hope you look forward to the rest of the au 🫶 will be posting all of the profiles at once though so get ready for that!

masterlist – next lesson

taglist: @naespas, @callanton, @dreamiestay !

© thesunoosshining 2024. do not repost, translate, or plagiarize.

#⭐️; smau #⭐️; RIZZ 101 #anton lee smau #anton lee x reader #anton riize #riize smau #riize x reader

[badass-queer-couples-battle]

Do you mind if I ask your top 5 (or top 7) favorite BL and your top 3 (or top 5) favorite GL? And why do you love them? It can be from any media : books, manga, anime, manhwa, tv series or movies.....

Hard question again! I'm going to do 7 for GL and 7 for BL, again under the cut!

In no particular order:

GL:

Revolutionary Girl Utena - is including it on this list cheating since it's not primarily GL? I don't care, it's too good to not recommend. A teenage tomboy fencer gets 'engaged' to a mysterious girl by winning a duel, many more duels happen alongside symbolism, feminist messages and a really mature handling of topics like depression and abuse. REALLY dark though, but worth it! Deserves its place as one of the classic anime.

Bloom into you - incredible handling of internalised homophobia, first love, high school relationships both in the platonic and romantic sense and golden child syndrome. A heartwarming but occasionally heartwrenching story that felt very real. Bonus points for the author actually being a sapphic woman.

The Handmaiden - sapphic thriller from Korea set in the early 1900's! Dark but incredibly engaging, surprisingly happy and hopeful despite how much the girls have to suffer to get their happily ever after. The book it's based on, The Fingersmith, was also great!

GAP - Thailand's first GL series and got so popular there are now multiple other projects coming this & next year! The protagonist is a uni graduate hired in her idol's company only to discover the lady is both meaner and hotter than she thought. Lesbian crisis and full-on romcom shenanigans follow, though the series also comments on traditional family values in Thailand acting as an excuse for homophobia (the idol, Sam, is in an arranged engagement to a man as ordered by her grandma). Don't worry though, the show is mostly very fun and light & ends very very happily for the ladies.

Whisper Me a Love Song - look, as a former band kid I can't not mention the band lesbians manga. It's a highschool romance full of miscommunication and funny/cute shenanigans with occasional sadness to balance it all out. Very relaxing. It's getting an anime adaptation next year so looking forward to that!

Riddle Story of Devil - as an action series fan this was pretty incredible. A school full of assasins, everyone is sapphic and they're all badasses? High school me was obsessed and I still am. The manga is much better though, the anime is both way less gay and develops the characters much less due to the story being compressed into 12 episodes.

Legend of Yunqian - short fantasy drama from a small Chinese studio, it's about a regular young lady going back in time via a magic fan and falling for a magical warrior woman. Lovely and available on Youtube for free!

Honorary mentions: Flip Flappers (anime), Clear and muddy loss of love (novel), She likes to cook and she likes to eat (manga & TV series)

BL:

Heaven Official's Blessing - come on, it's incredible. Dark fantasy with immortal love that breaks even the most powerful curses, a complex and deeply human protagonist, a lot of emotional moments and incredible use of flashbacks to slowly reveal his backstory to the readers- what's not to love? Just a warning, when I say it's dark fantasy I'm not kidding. The series has funny and light moments but when shit gets real, it gets REAL.

No.6 - just like RGU isn't technically GL, this isn't technically BL but I am gonna talk about anyway, it's incredible. It's a dystopian sci-fi story about Shion, a teenager who discovers a government conspiracy and works to stop it alongside his new friend/love interest Nezumi. It treats the gay relationship super casually, there's no sexuality angst or anything, it was super refreshing! Read the novels though, the anime compressed the story a lot.

The Untamed/Mo Dao Zu Shi - love the intrigue, love the main romance, love the fantasy elements! My first Chinese series and one I hold dear for introducing me to the wuxia (Chinese fantasy) genre. Any version of the story is great but I'd recommend to start with the series and then read the books.

Kinnporsche - it's deeply insane and I love it for that. Everyone is gay, everyone commits crimes (they're in the mafia, so. Yeah) and it makes for a really entertaining show even if its darker elements aren't always super well handled.

Not me the series - Motorcycle gang of young anarchists against corruption! Very radical and critical of capitalism and the police system, engaging and fast paced. The director/showrunner is a trans activist/filmmaker so it's not like she doesn't know what she's talking about. It's very universal so I'd recommend it even to people who normally don't watch BL. One minus point for minor queerbaiting with 2 side characters, nothing major but it did bother me a bit + felt unnecessary in a series full of queer characters.

Cherry magic - queer office romance + mind reading! If that combination sounds interesting please do check it out, it was super cute. Bonus for very realistically human protags and an explicitly aroace side character.

Semantic error - opposites attract-type romance between an introverted, collected STEM prodigy and an extroverted art student partnered together for a project. The protagonist is autistic and written pretty well so I latched onto the show immediately, bonus points for side queer representation (bi character who's a super cool and pretty lady, love her).

Honorary mentions: Word of Honor (series), Yuri on ice (anime, only homoerotic sports anime to make the gay explicit, iconic), Nobleman Ryu's wedding (series, short but v heartwarming!)

#bqcb asks #mod speaks #mod's favourites tag #(tag for questions like these)

[rosethornewrites]

NR, E, & M reading since 2/26

Finished

Not Rated:

in which Jin Ling is tragically underappreciated, by Buttercup_ghost

"You're a cutsleeve," is the first thing Wei Wuxian's time traveling nephew says to him.

"Um. What?"

-

Jin Ling is doing his Dajiu a wonderful favor in getting him hitched early. Now if only his Dajiu would appreciate it!

Heart-to-heart with the Elder Jade, by KarenF

After the revelations at Guan Yin Temple (in YunPing City), it was obvious that Wei WuXian was a victim, wrongly blamed, wrongly ostracized, wrongly ‘hunted’ for things he did not do or had no knowledge of even ‘doing’ it. Guilt and remorse knew no bounds and ‘everyone’ sought to find ways to apologize and/or make amends… But, Wei WuXian was an elusive person who did not like to be at the receiving end of an apology, especially from someone he respected or loved. Everyone was the victim of a skilful manipulation after all…

Su She &/ Wen Xu, by nirejseki

Prompt: Wen xu and su she somehow form a bond of some sort, maybe su she decides to just say fuck it and join the Wen sect? Maybe wen xu’s repressed desire to kill his dad comes into play?

Explicit:

Because of Wen Qing, by QteCuttlfish (71 chapters)

What if Jiang Cheng had chosen to support Wen Qing, the Wen clan remnants, and most importantly, Wei Wuxian? Follows CQL/Untamed canon. Canon Divergence from Episode 20.

The Space Between Us, by TempestFlame (11 chapters)

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji were once considered a doubles pair to watch as they rose through the ranks of tennis players in China. Though they were each skilled individually, together they were practically unstoppable. But things ended poorly between them, and they haven't seen each other once since the downfall of their partnership.

But when they meet again, two years later, their connection is still stronger than the distance that has grown between them, and they seize their second chance at standing together with everything they have.

most barren peak and bleakest winter, by WhatTheOwlHears (10 chapters)

He drank. Set the cup down. “I understand Wei Ying would not choose to behave that way ordinarily.”

Well that was certainly true, but it felt like a lie anyway. “Haha, yeah.” Wei Wuxian put his elbow on the table so he could put his face in his hand. “Definitely would not normally make attempts on the virtue of my dear dear friend Hanguang-jun.”

Mature:

I Call For You to Come Back, by Sunflower1778 (10 chapters)

It wasn't possible. And yet here they were. His parents looked at him full of fondness, unknowing of what he did or who he had become.

"A-Ying, you're so big now," his mother spoke, tears running freely down her face.

**DISCONTINUED**

To Let the Light In, by dedougal

Lan Zhan didn't really want to go to his school reunion. It was bound to have all the things he hated: people, people he'd forgotten and people he should try to forget.

Unfinished

Not Rated:

Did i ask for this? (You really need it?), by Weiwuxiansfluteowner

In a world where Lan Wangji and Wei Ying didn't meet at cloud recess. In a world where Wei Wuxian was still pushed in the burial mounds, and came back and saved the wen remnant. In a world where Wei Wuxian created the Wei clan, and started teaching his ways.

Would still be possible for them to love each other? Even when their first meeting is a proposed marriage for the Yilling patriarch? Even if Lan Wangji did not ask for a marriage, and is not sure what to feel about the patriarch of Yilling?

---

Aka the one where Wei Wuxian is constantly scaring the other clans on leaving him and his family alone, but they started to gift him so many things he just accepted them. But how do you say you don't WANT to accept a clearly forced marriage, with the most beautiful man you ever layed your eyes on?

Don't worry, Lan Wangji falls hard too.

The Kids Are Okay (I Think), by GossamerGlint

Wei Ying, in a twist of fate, finds himself on the streets once more, betrayed by cultivators

Meng Yao's mother dies early, betrayed by cultivators.

Xue Yang loses his finger with his optimism, betrayed by cultivators.

Yet none of them will be left alone, if this mysterious ghost with an equally hazy past has anything to say about it. And so what if these boys are her distant grandchildren? She'll adopt them all the same! Now... if only they wouldn't get into any trouble because of their inheritance...

Explicit:

Heart of the Beast, by WaitForTheSnitch

“Wei Ying?” Nie Mingjue prompted him gently. “Where are your parents?”

“They went on a night hunt,” Wei Ying said, a bit evasively.

“Your parents are cultivators?” Da-ge asked in surprise. “Did they leave you here while they hunted? When did they go on their night hunt?”

“Four summers ago,” Wei Ying said a bit uncomfortable.

“Four summers ago,” Nie Mingjue repeated. “What are your parents’ names?”

“My mama is Cangse Sanren and my baba is Wei Changze,” Wei Ying told him, and recognition registered in Nie Mingjue’s eyes.

“Wei Ying,” Nie Mingjue said, sounding a bit regretful, “Your parents aren’t coming back.”

Or, Nie Mingjue and Nie Huaisang run into Wei Ying while in Yiling and decide to bring him home. And it changes everything.

Obscuring the Sun, by Karmiya

When Wen Ning finds Wei Wuxian, strangled and left for dead a mile out from Lotus Pier, he brings him to his sister in Yiling for treatment. Wen Qing is left with the task of hiding him- and of trying to convince him not to return to the person who nearly killed him, as little as he wants to hear it. She isn't sure there's anything she can do to help him when they're now on opposite sides of a war, but soon events transpire which give Wei Wuxian no choice but to shelter with them in Yiling.

As much as they can't afford for the Sunshot Campaign to lose the war, neither can they win it; not if all the innocent people caught up in Wen Ruohan's tyranny are to survive. But can anything be done to depose Wen Ruohan, or is the tyrant too close to the sun for any mortal to reach?

Mature:

travelers through the empty gate, by stiltonbasket

Ten years after eliminating the Jiang and Nie clans, Emperor Wen Ruohan is dethroned by a young demonic cultivator from the outlands of Yiling, who surpasses him in both talent and cruelty. Where Wen Ruohan burned his enemies, Emperor Yiling raises his from the dead, and sends them through the imperial city to hunt down every last remnant of the Wen clan that tries to evade his clutches.

The last thing Lan Wangji wants to do with the Yiling huangdi is marry him.

Unfortunately, his family's fall from grace leaves him with no other choice.

Lotus Blooms, by SuperiorJello (2nd in a series)

This work is part 2 of my Reset-verse series. If you have not read part 1, it will make a lot less sense. I'm not gonna stop you though, you do you.

Our team of heroes are all still students at Cloud Recesses, but with a recent attack by the Wens, war is imminent, and many if not all of the students will be fleeing home.

This fic is the story of how time-travelling WangXian help handle the Sunshot campaign with their future knowledge, and also XiCheng falling for each other as they handle the chaos around them.

Old Endings Lead to New Beginnings, by 2wish_4life

Following an accident with an array, Wei Ying, Lan Zhan, and their gaggle of juniors are thrown into the past. Back in the year they studied at Cloud Recesses they decide to change the future to prevent all the unnecessary death.

Will they succeed?

And most importantly will Lan Zhan get his necessary Wei Ying snuggle time under Lan Qiren's watchful eyes?

A Characters Watching their Series fix-it fic, starring the younger versions of everyone they know.

#the untamed #mo dao zu shi #mdzs #cql #chen qing ling #untamed fanfiction

[mejomonster]

Mysterious lotus casebook, just fun things~

Li Lianhua calling his old rival A Fei which is just such a familiar name (I'm only used to Zhao Yunlan asking a crush to call him A Lan so). Like what a choice. Can't figure out an alias for ur super famous rival? Call him an intimate nickname. Sure.

Fang duobing being the MOST territorial man to ever live. Grabs hold of li lianhua and won't let go and moves himself in. Doesn't like li lianhuas other friends. Actively tries to Beat the shit out of them and give them bad food. On a mission to drive them OUT. Absolutely enraged over said nickname A Fei. Ready to throw hands nonstop

Fang duobing being That Bitch who says "you're my partner" nonstop within like a week of meeting. He could shake hands with Wei Wuxian calling Zhou Zishu his soulmate by ep 8 of Word of Honor lmao. But like genuinely, while partner im gonna interpret only as meant to be "detective partner/work partner" I still think it's Mighty Clingy of him to force li lianhua to be his partner lmao.

Fang duobing being such a fucking little liar who lies. "Fine I'm going my separate way" proceeds to move into the guest bedroom and eat all meals together. "Fine I'm not going to ask you to solve a crime with me" except I'm absolutely going to drag you into my shit until I get you mixed up in the case anyway uvu then insist you MUST help (and you won't want me to die so you will... and eventually fang duobings strategy DOES work... because eventually li lianhua goes back for him, like in the tomb, instead of leaving him behind anymore).

Fang duobing being like "You're ordinary, I'll protect you!" And like while in a way he's right, it's hilarious he's saying that to the Once Upon a Time second best fighter in the world. I also love how he immediately took the job of guard dog to heart: he is ride or die ready to do anything to protect his new coerced partner li lianhua.

I also like that him being ADAMANTLY ready to save li lianhua and protect him at all times, means we get plenty of rescues that aren't even a big deal. I think it's funny to compare the rescues to Ultimate Note and wu xie for two reasons. 1. Because Joseph zeng is playing the rescuer this time, and fang duobing is way more vocal about wanting to save li lianhua than xiaoge ever is, so it's cute to hear how intently up for Heroics the rescuer is. 2. Ultimate Note, like pretty much all dmbj for some reason, goes Really Shippy whenever it would do rescue scenes (you know what I mean... romantic music, long gazes into each other's eyes, romantic framing). It's interesting to see this show NOT do that, despite possibly even more frequent rescue scenes. I think it's a good idea but like... for a few reasons? First, li lianhua is experienced in fighting so he's not naive damsel in the way wu xie is, and he assumes he'll die so he doesn't really have major fear when he's in danger. Second, the whole tone of the show is more practical. I think the positive of this is we get really nice emotional scenes between the main trio that don't feel like jokes, and feel important as major relationships (which would also I guess be good for ships), and while it therefore doesn't really hit romance tropes (making bl potential scenes thankfully not get overt attention but also making it more vague, doing the same with women love interests so their scenes likewise feel less overtly intense as well) it does mean the weight of all scenes feels more balanced. I would compare it to how The Untamed handled all scenes romantic, platonic, familial in extremely similar ways in terms of feel. It made the romance stand out less, but it also meant the familial ties and friendship scenes felt Equally weighted. Which is a positive trait for this kind of show, I think, to weight all relationship types equally. While yeah it means ships of any kind become more subtle, I think it also makes all dynamics feel like they're closer to equal importance.

Fang duobing being a rich boy hypocrite is just The funniest fucking. It's so clear he's used to getting his way and it's part of why he grabbed li lianhua and didn't let go. He's got a mix of "genuinely wants to help people" that drives him to do good things like try to stop murderers and protect people until proven guilty and pursue evidence and the truth. Then he's also got that inherent quality of he's always gotten what he wants, he doesn't think he should ever Stop getting it. He's broke and starving, but only Very Nice tasting food he particularly craves is worth saying yes to. He's arrested? Use his family name and status and Baichuan courts sway to get himself free and bully the suspects into cooperating more. Li lianhua doesn't want him? Insist he's a Generous Hero for offering to protect/help li lianhua and no one should refuse such a Gift (so fang duobing simply won't be refused). A fei shows up and clearly has an existing (closer) relationship to li lianhua? Be a complete bitch to him to the point where it's leaning into harassment, try to chase him away, because if li lianhua is HIS then obviously he should be HIS more than he should be close to anyone else. Like an extremely territorial pet, he wants the most attention the most given to him from li lianhua and he does NOT want anyone to get as close to li lianhua as he is. Or at least as close as he Wishes he was (which is partners in solving cases and Life that travel the jianghu together... which... its fascinating he's really locked onto an "ordinary" person for this desire, you would think he'd want a martial arts master for that... but I think fang duobing enjoys feeling like the powerful one who can show off, impress, protect, and teach his partner... especially because his ego takes a hit with struggling to get into baichuan and being a subpar investigator compared to doctor li lianhua. It's clear fang duobing is used to being The Best, and while he wants to learn from li lianhua to fix his own shortcomings in investigating, he also probably appreciates he's BETTER at this ordinary man at things like fighting and it helps keep his ego from tanking. He could go find a jianghu martial arts master... but then they'd be better than him in All areas potentially. And then he'd just feel like shit. Hed rather have a teacher to learn from, who he can also feel NEEDS him. Fang duobing wants to be a hero, a damsel who repeatedly finds himself in danger is a great person for him to have around as it gives fang duobing repeated opportunities to show off how he's Valuable and Talented and Impressive and Needed by others. And oh boy... there's probably a LOT to say about how fang duobing grew up sick, weak, struggled to make progress and put in intense effort to be the best fighter of his age and best baichuan candidate, and how that pursuit means he really wants to Prove he's valuable outside of his family name. Because family name was all he started with, and he wanted to be like his uncle who proved himself Outside of the political system. He wanted to be like li xianyi who was a hero among those people, who even wanted to bring laws and justice to the jianghu, who treated fang duobing fairly and equally even as an ordinary weak young boy. Fang duobing INTENSELY desires to prove he's useful, needed, and has proven himself as capable in his own right. Li lianhua Feeds into those emotional needs a lot, and that alone would be enough for fang duobing to want to cling SO hard to him.)

Yeah more of just. How much I love fang duobing the lying liar who lies. He will be against tomb raiding but want a treasure to heal li lianhua. He will say he's fucking off and not going to bug former suspect li lianhua anymore then turn around and stalk him. He'll get told to leave and barge in and eat the man's fucking food. He is very set in getting what he wants, and he's not beyond doing whatever he wants to Get those things. Sure, he wouldn't kill someone or steal from a living person (at least not yet... he does have a lot of upstanding morals). But he's not above bullying an ordinary person who can't push back except intellectual, or trying to strong arm said intellectuals close friends to back the fuck off Fang Duobings PARTNER, or strong arm anyone who starts refusing him with whatever tools he's got (from his sword to his family's power to baichuan connections).

#mysterious lotus casebook #lb

[bi-turtle-enthusiast]

Hello.... Can I ask your top 5 (or top 3) favorite characters from MDZS? And why you loved them? And your top 5 favorite moments from the series? Thanks if you want to answer....

yeah sure!

Characters:

5. Lan Sizhui/Lan Jingyi I love their dynamic SO much. They're best friends who have clearly known each other for such a long time, and they're both really interesting characters in their own right! Lan Sizhui is so interesting, what with his Lan upbringing and his Wen heritage, and the fact that he's connecting to both by the end of the book. Lan Jingyi is Lan Sizhui's ride-or-die, protecting his best friend at every opportunity while having the best lines in the entire book, and he makes every scene he's in 100x better.

4. Wen Qing Medical malplractice queen!! But in all seriousness, there's something so viscerally powerful about the fact that she's willing to go against nature itself for her baby brother. She'd both die and kill for Wen Ning, and later for Wei Wuxian. I feel like her type of character (murderous older sister) is kind of rare and I really, really like her. I feel like The Untamed really fleshed out her character and I really appreciated her after I watched it. She's equally capable of nurturing and destroying—a force of nature herself.

3. Lan Wangji/Wei Wuxian Fun fact: I hated Lan Wangji when I first read MDZS, and to be honest I'm still so-so on novel Lan Wangji. However, he was easily one of my favorite characters in The Untamed, and watching it made me see him in a whole different light. He doesn't communicate through his words, but through his actions. I think Wang Yibo was perfect casting because he NAILED Lan Wangji's micro-expressions and body language and really brought the character to life. Reading Lan Wangji as autistic also made me understand him a lot more. As for Wei Wuxian, I initially read him as a silly guy and... was right. Despite everything, he stays silly. I do find him a little insufferable pre-death, but I think that was intentional. He probably would have been higher on the list, but while I think he's a really compelling character (and ADHD personified, just like me fr), I'm also very frustrated by him and I don't like how he treats people sometimes. Still, I adore the way he looks after Jin Ling, refuses to let anyone blame Jiang Cheng for anything that happened to him, and takes care of Lan Wangji (towards the end, anyway).

2. Jin Ling Ok he probably would have been at the very top of this list but unfortunately jiang cheng brainrot is real. But CAN WE TALK ABOUT HIM. Over the course of the story, he finds out that his disgraced uncle who insulted him for not having a mom was actually Wei Wuxian reincarnated, then had to contend with the fact that Wei Wuxian was both the reason his parents and grandparents died AND the guy who protected him at every opportunity. Not to mention, he learned that Jin Guangyao, his beloved uncle who gifted him his beloved dog, had orchestrated his parents' death and was ready to kill him too. And what does he do at the end of the novel? He cries. He doesn't seek revenge, he doesn't get angry, he just cries, and he lets go. He chooses not to pursue revenge, because he's seen how the quest for revenge has destroyed everyone around him in one way or another. He's a little shit (because he's an edgy 15 year old) but he's a really intelligent and kind person who loves Jiang Cheng more than anything.

1. Jiang Cheng Some of y'all are going to disagree with me but it must be said. Jiang Cheng is the best MDZS character. Jiang Yanli's love and care taught him how to be loving and caring too. He loved Wei Wuxian, he loved Jin Ling, and he loved his sect. Jiang Cheng never stopped loving Wei Wuxian, even after everything that happened. He hated Wei Wuxian too—that's undeniable—but he also loved him. He kept his belongings intact, he never stopped believing he would come back, he literally gave up his golden core to protect Wei Wuxian. And Jin Ling! He loves Jin Ling so much! Despite having AWFUL parents himself, he was determined not to be that way towards Jin Ling. He did his best to break the generational trauma of his family because he wanted Jin Ling to have it better than he did. When Jin Ling becomes sect leader, he makes sure that he knows that if he EVER needs ANYTHING, he'll provide it to the best of his ability. I could go on for hours about this man. Best MDZS character. He's so full of resentment and hatred and vengeance, but in the end, the thing that always wins out over everything else is his unshakeable love.

Honorable mention: I loved MianMian in the Untamed and wish she got more time to shine in the novel

Favorite moments: 5. Literally anytime Lan Jingyi is in a scene. Every time he opens his mouth it's my favorite scene. He keeps Wei Wuxian humble in a way that only a teenager can. 4. The WangXian scene where Wei Wuxian hides porn in Lan Wangji's book. It starts off so genuinely nice—you can tell Lan Wangji isn't really serious anymore when he tells Wei Wuxian to stfu, and you get the feeling that Wei Wuxian is probably the closest thing Lan Wangji has to a friend. Wei Wuxian draws Lan Wangji a little portrait, and it's genuinely a sweet gesture. Lan Wangji thinks so too—he hasn't ever gotten something like this, and the fact that Wei Wuxian took the time to learn his appearance and commit it to paper makes him feel some type of way. And then, it turns out that everything was just a ruse so Wei Wuxian could prank Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji is,, understandably enraged. It feels cruel that Wei Wuxian would be so insincere just to do that. I kind of hated Wei Wuxian in this scene, but it's one of my favorites because it kind of shows the nature of their initial relationship—half-sincere, but never truly sincere. 3. Xuanwu cave scene. It's so funny and so painful and so sweet. We really see everyone's characters coming out—Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji being selfless protective, Jiang Cheng being capable and responsible, Jin Zixuan being brave and righteous, MianMian being the GOAT, Wang Lingjiao and Wen Chao deserving death, etc. 2. The umbrella scene in the Untamed. It was just so powerful. Lan Wangji putting down his umbrella, which represents the rules and morality of his sect, and just letting the rain mess up his perfect appearance. He doesn't know what's right and wrong anymore, because he loves Wei Wuxian, but everyone is telling him that's wrong. Wei Wuxian himself doesn't know what's right and wrong. Lan Wangji has been thinking in terms of black and white all this time, and for the first time, he finds himself in a gray area. It was just so powerful!! 1. The conversation between Jin Ling and Jiang Cheng after the temple scene at the end. It was just so beautiful. Go read/watch it.

#mdzs #asks

[runespoor7]

What first made you ship chengqingxian?

several factors! Mostly the fact that I love when all of JC's important relationships except JL are because of/thanks to WWX, and the friendship between WWX and WQ is my favorite (she's his intellectual equal! she's the one person he respects! she's the one who said the thank you and I'm sorry line, which he remembers and respects in his second life! do you know how rare that is! they bonded over mad immoral impossible science! to be fair the WN scene of boasting for his sister's achievements did a lot to get me to realize the extent to which she and WWX are similar.). @demoiselledefortune and I had also spoken about WQ/JC as a good possible crackship for JC - that was before Untamed came out.

I like the idea of the three of them together because they all have things they'd prioritize over the other two (not necessarily easily!) and they're all the sort of gremlin who goes "hm, yes in a minute" when being persuaded to go to bed (JC: busy with sect stuff; WQ/WWX: busy with research, or in WQ's case work) and then proceed to work for six more hours. They're cool because whenever there's a disagreement the sides are up in the air, depending on the issue.

Also if I'm going to sexualize the GC transfer I should extend the same logic to WQ's participation. Yes, she wasn't JC's beloved shixiong whom he trusted with everything, but she had them laying down. She's the one who performed the "operation". She impersonated Baoshan Sanren. She lied to JC so she could do what she wanted with him (it was what her brother asked her, and it stroked her ego - to be able to test her theory!) and she betrayed her sect in one fell swoop and it landed her and hers in the BM with a dead brother. Hybris, etc.

Anyway I think her and WWX's dehumanizing of JC for the purpose of the transfer is really fascinating and hot. WQ coming to know JC beyond his being her experimental subject is interesting - especially since when WQ isn't busy committing treason for the sake of ego/science/her brother asked, they have similar priorities! JC coming to know the woman who saved him (on WWX asking!) and whose voice he may still hear in his dreams as Baoshan Sanren's is fascinating! WWX should have a smart friend at home that he can rope into mad science, preferably on one of their loved ones, for their own good! WWX and WQ both can look at JC like this is theirs. They did that. WQ rebuilt him up and WWX is so deeply embedded in JC's identity that if you take it out what's left wouldn't be JC anymore. It's a ship that's easier to implement with a canon divergence starting sometime before JZX bites it, which is a bit inconvenient, or you need to write about WQ surviving if you want to set it after WWX's resurrection, so there are practical downsides. Which probably explains why I haven't written much of them.

they could be happy and there's potential for horrendously fraught and fucked-up crimes against JC's personal agency, so I'm all for it.

#chengqingxian #they're awful and i love them #they could be friends #they have so much shit to work through #also the AU where JC claimed WQ for his betrothed after WWX's attack on the Jin prisoner camp in a desperate attempt #to 1)get WWX back 2) with his pet Wens (so he'd stay) 3)while DESPERATELY trying to not ENTIRELY endanger his sect #cool AU idea #jc is wwx-and-wq property and i love this for them

[robininthelabyrinth]

Jiang Yanli/one of the Nie brothers - your choice! Post war letter writing - a long distance slow burn type thing through letters? It would be especially lovely if they somehow save the day that way.

ao3

Untamed verse

You’d better not marry him!

Jiang Yanli did her best not to giggle when she saw the note in the mirror sitting on her dresser. It was a hand-held mirror, dusty and banged up – most people who saw it thought it was some treasured sentimental memento that she’d rescued from the Lotus Pier, probably because that was the only reason they could conceive of a lady of her status possessing something so poorly made. In fact, it was the most valuable thing that she owned, and it wasn’t even originally hers: Nie Huaisang had pressed it into her hands with a grin while she’d been staying at Qinghe during the war, claiming that he desperately needed her to keep him informed of everything that was happening while he was away in the Cloud Recesses.

She hadn’t understood what he meant until she’d looked at it again that evening and seen words shining in the mirror, at which point she’d abruptly been completely aghast – communication mirrors like that were sect treasures, utterly priceless. The technique for making them had long ago been lost, and most of them were bloodline-bound or, at utmost, used for married or engaged couples that had endure lengthy separation; she couldn’t even imagine giving something like that away to someone outside the sect that owned it. She’d written to Nie Huaisang at once with her protests, and he hadn’t listened to a single one of them, insisting that it was his inheritance that he could distribute it to anyone he pleased, and anyway that if she felt so strongly about it she could give it back to him on the event of his marriage. Or hers, if she preferred.

Jiang Yanli had eventually given in to his pestering – by the time she’d figured out its use, Nie Huaisang was long gone, and she really didn’t want to get him in trouble by revealing what he’d done – and they’d kept up a correspondence ever since. During the war it hadn’t been all that much, mostly updates on how the people around them were doing, but after, when it was done, Nie Huaisang’s liveliness had started making a comeback with a vengeance: he had opinions on people, lots of them, and he was a positive fountain of gossip. Really funny gossip, too.

Well maybe you should have warned me that Sect Leader Jin was going to make that sort of proposal, she wrote back, tracing the brush straight onto the mirror without any ink – the words were formed in the faint condensation that always seemed to cling to it, and sank into the mirror, vanishing without a trace.

If I’d known about it, I would have! You can’t hold that against me! Anyway you can’t possibly marry Jin Zixuan, he was a complete ass to you.

Jiang Yanli smiled. She knew how blessed she was, to have brothers and friends whose first thought was always her happiness and never the political situation.

Maybe he’s gotten better.

Jiang-jiejie! You can’t!

There are certain undeniable advantages to it, Jiang Yanli wrote, feeling a little wry and regretful. She’d never allowed herself to be a romantic, not even when she’d been younger – too aware of how ordinary she was, too aware of her position, her responsibility to her parents and her sect…it was all the more critical now, no matter what brave words her beloved Jiang Cheng said both in public and to her in private. Just because he didn’t want to have to trade her away for benefits, using her life to solidify an alliance with a bond that couldn’t be shaken as easily as the words on a page, didn’t mean that it might not make the most sense to do it.

Jiejie! Nie Huaisang wrote back, somehow managing to convey a great deal of emotion in very few characters.

Don’t jiejie me, she wrote, scolding lightly. You know it’s true. The Jin sect has money, stability and power, and my Jiang sect currently lacks all of those things.

But -

And it’s not as if it would be a tragedy to marry Jin Zixuan; I’ve only spent my entire life preparing to do it. I liked him rather a lot when we were younger…you might not remember, back in the Cloud Recesses, but I really did, I was very genuine. It wouldn’t be that hard to dig those feelings back out again.

Though…perhaps she might only admit it to Nie Huaisang, but it would have to be an affirmative effort to do so, if she did.

It was hard to maintain liking in the face of such consistent rejection – first in the Cloud Recesses, then later, again and again…Jin Zixuan had matured more during the war, and he’d been nothing but polite during the times when he’d escorted her to and fro through the dangerous paths, from battlefield to safety. But then there’d been the incident with the soup and it was all happening over again…It was painfully clear that even after years and years, Jin Zixuan still didn’t care to know her enough to know that she would never behave in such a manner. Even if he regretted what he’d done, if he by some miracle he liked her now, it was more than a little insulting.

But if Jiang Yanli’s pride, inherited from her mother, was deeply stung, then her practicality, inherited from her father, still ruled over her heart. If the best move for the Jiang sect was for her to marry Jin Zixuan, and it might very well be, then she would continue her tentatively started acquaintanceship with Madame Jin. She would accept all future invitations to be pushed together with Jin Zixuan against her will, and while she wouldn’t bend her neck to beg for his attention, if he finally showed interest…well…

Like she said, it wouldn’t be that hard to resurrect her former interest in him.

Jiang Yanli was a practical girl, friendly and easy-going. No matter the circumstances, she could find a way to be happy.

The Jin sect isn’t the only sect with money, power, and stability, Nie Huaisang wrote. You’re selling yourself short! Just because you can be happy with him doesn’t mean that’s the happiest you could be.

Happiness is a state of mind, Jiang Yanli wrote back to him, smiling a little – younger brothers never understood the nature of sacrifice the way oldest daughters did, and that was a good thing. And I really don’t have as many options as you might think. My Jiang sect is a Great Sect, and has to be mindful of its dignity; I can’t just marry some rogue cultivator or sect no one has heard of. And even the larger small sects…now that the Jin have expressed an interest, there won’t be many who would be willing to cross them in order to have me.

It was the simple truth of it. That was why Jin Guangshan had made the announcement public – even though she’d demurred and put him off, he’d known he was boxing her in, cutting off her options.

Then get someone whose influence outweighs theirs!

Jiang Yanli actually laughed out loud. Jiang Cheng had said something similar when she’d pointed out the situation they were in, refusing to acknowledge reality, rejecting it as if things could be different if only he willed it strongly enough. He’d done the impossible with resurrecting their sect, so he’d assumed the same would be true for her marriage. Sadly, things were never so easy as that.

That leaves me with the Lan and the Nie, she wrote, smiling. The Lan are notoriously picky. Are you making me an offer?

Nothing on the mirror.

She realized belatedly that he might not realize that she was joking, and lifted her brush to clarify, but before she could, the mirror shimmered again –

Yes.

Jiang Yanli blinked. Before she could say anything, the mirror was suddenly fully of words.

I don’t see why I can’t! You’re the nicest girl I’ve ever met, and even if you’re a weak cultivator in Jin Zixuan’s eyes, you’re still stronger than I am – anyway, no one in my sect will care about something like that. My brother’s always wanted me to marry someone who I liked, who’ll make me happy; I don’t see why I can’t be happy with you, and you can be happy with me. Certainly happier, and more genuinely, than you’d be with Jin Zixuan, at least until he grows up a little…even if you don’t actually want me, I’d be more than happy to pretend for a while, let him learn to fight for you. Just think about it!

Jiang Yanli stared at the mirror as Nie Huaisang rambled on, alternating between trying to convince her to marry him and trying to convince her to at least become engaged with him in some wild scheme to piss off the Jin sect and convince Jin Zixuan that if he wanted to make a move for her, he had to get off his ass and do it – accordingly to Nie Huaisang, the biggest problem Jin Zixuan had was that things came too easily to him, everything he wanted being given to him by his parents, never having to work for anything, no effort meaning no satisfaction with the result…

All right, Jiang Yanli wrote, and the words suddenly stopped. Let’s get engaged. We can work out how the rest will go after that, all right?

She waited for his response with her heart in her mouth. If he’d only been joking…

I’ll talk to my brother, Nie Huaisang wrote back immediately. Tonight. You just keep on refusing that arrogant jerk for now, all right? We’ll come talk to you soon, just you wait.

Jiang Yanli found herself smiling again, except instead of the faint, resigned smile she’d gotten used to, it was a real one. It was nice to be asked, nice to be wanted. Even if it did end up being a sham in the end, and Jin Zixuan did somehow pull off a caper to win her heart back after all this time, it would be…

It would be fun.

#mdzs #jiang yanli #nie huaisang #my fic #my fics #I imagine that this is the beginning of JYL and NHS engaging in a long series of shenanigans #and growing closer all the while #and ultimately so thoroughly distracting the cultivation world that no one has time to gossip about WWX