#at some point i'll go and add more words but i'm pretty damn satisfied so far

[shirohige-pirates]

Hey Doll

CisFem Reader x Thatch

CW: toxic parents, manipulation, The Plan™, smut, mdni, I'll add as we go I'm kind of fly by the seat of my pants on this one.

tag list: @mfreedomstuff @harahettania

Chapter 3: No Plan Survives

The Edward estate was far larger than you had expected. Larger than you think even your parents had expected. Your father had been grumbling about the driveway being so long and twisty, but once the tree line was cleared and you all saw the house he nearly drove off the path.

House wasn’t even the right word for it. It was a mansion, an estate, a manor, some kind of castle made modern and attempting to look less intimidating. You were all dressed well, but you might as well have been in potato sacks and rags for all the distance between your family’s income and his.

Income wasn’t always a factor when matches were being made. According to statistics it was one of the least impactful metrics in the entire process. Stipends were provided to couples who had an income below a certain threshold to assist with ceremony costs and natal care, and sometimes temporary income was provided if a match caused one person in the pairing to need to move any great distance.

You were not going to be in need of any such assistance.

The vast difference in wealth made you feel a little more at ease, however. No matter whatever the The Plan was, there was no way your parents could ruin this family. They could probably make some sort of useless social fuss about any number of things and Edward Newgate would write them a check for his pocket change and they’d be satisfied.

If they pushed things too far you were certain that would be the outcome before anything got out of hand.

“We’re going to have to reconsider a few things.” Ralf says, recovering from the shock and continuing down the drive.

“The backup plan might be the better choice.” Mellanny agrees. “But don’t think about any of that right now, just focus on the meeting.

“Yeah. You okay, Doll?”

You nod a little even if neither of them are looking at you. “I’m good, father.”

“Good. Don’t mention their wealth in any capacity.” He reiterates.

“Unless directly questioned, I will not.” You answer.

“I doubt these rich fucks are going to boast.” Mellanny’s voice slides through the car like oil, thick and greasy. “And I’ll watch my damn tongue once we’re out of the car, but, fuck.”

Ralf grunts, and you don’t react.

When you pull up to the gates just before the house proper, someone’s already outside. A young man who looks to be about the same age as you and Thatch is already opening the gate for you. He’s tall, with blonde hair and blue eyes, and waves to your father to come in. Given that he’s in shorts, sandals, and a t-shirt, you’re pretty sure he’s not going to be at the first meeting. Regardless of the size of a family, they’re often kept as small as possible.

Ralf rolls the window down and the man smiles brightly at all of you.

“Welcome, I’m glad you found the place without any trouble, yoi. I’m Marco, you can park right over there.” He says, pointing to an area not far from the front door, just off to the side of a large fountain that’s easily the center piece of the main entrance. “Don’t wait for me, yoi, Izou’s just inside to escort you to where Thatch and Pops are.”

“Certainly, thank you young man.” Ralf responds, following where Marco had pointed and parking the car.

Getting out of the car your father took the lead, and you stayed a step behind your mother. When you approached the front door it opened ahead of you, and a well-dressed man with long black hair that was done up quite elegantly greeted you.

“Welcome,” He says in a voice that reminds you a little of your own. Reserved, practiced, controlled - he’s not giving away anything, not even an abundance of joy, in his tone. It’s almost professional, as though he’s extending basic courtesy and nothing else. “Thatch and Pops are waiting in the tea room. I’ll escort you there.”

“Thank you, you must be Izou,” Ralf says, stepping inside.

“Indeed,” he replies with a soft smile. “This way please.”

Your father did his best to keep his eyes forward as he was right next to Izou, but your mother’s gaze was wandering all over the place. You mostly watched her. The manor was lovely, clean, neat and spacious without feeling empty. It was certainly lived in, there were pictures and art and signs of life everywhere, but it was also well-maintained and organized.

Izou knocked on the door to the tea room, announcing your arrival before opening the door and letting you inside. The soft shuffle of heavy chairs against wooden floors caught your attention before you entered the room and you stepped in to see two men at a table.

One was massive in his presence alone. Only a little taller than Thatch in terms of objective height, Edward Newgate was almost unnerving in how big he seemed. His presence had nothing to do with his wealth, and you were momentarily struck with the notion that he would kill your parents before he would write them a check for anything he didn’t want to.

Marco had been tall, and kind of willowy. Izou seemed to be the shortest, and slender as well, but of those you had met so far Thatch seemed to take after his father the most. He had to be over seven feet tall, if not right on the line. Broad shouldered, barrel-chested. Both men wore suits, but even the well-tailored suits couldn’t hide their sheer size.

Thatch had the same pompadour now that he had in most of his pictures. Unusual as the hair style was, it did suit him.

Your parents took a step back as you stepped toward the table, smiling softly up at Thatch.

“Edward Thatch,” he says. There’s tinges of pink on his face that make it easier for you to smile.

“Kakusho (Y/N),” you say in return, bowing just a little.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Thatch says, nearly sighing the words. His father clears his throat and he starts. “Oh, right, excuse me. Let me get that for you.” He says coming over to your side of the table and pulling out your chair for you. “If you would.”

You nod, seating yourself in the offered chair. “Thank you.”

Thatch pushes your seat in before returning to the other side of the table. After he seats himself, his father and your parents also sit, your father across from Newgate and your mother beside him. They handled introductions amongst themselves and Mr. Edward started things off.

“Eighty-five percent is the minimum threshold for compatibility between two matches.” His voice deep and clear, but not loud and overwhelming. “In such cases it is usually wise for the parents, or close friends of each match, to help smooth over their first meeting. However,” he looks away from your parents and catches your gaze for a brief second before looking to Thatch. His gaze returns to your parents and frankly you’re impressed the two have kept their composure in his presence.

“These two have a compatibility of 97%. It’s not unheard of, but it is uniquely high.” A wide smile split the old man’s face, genuine enough that it put a twinkle in his eyes. “I would like to suggest that I give the two of you a tour of the manor, and we let these two talk in private for a while.”

Shock widens your eyes for a split second, but you’re back in control when your father turns to you. You can almost feel him practically vibrating with excitement at the idea of getting a guided tour of the manor.

“Will you be okay, Doll?” He speaks in the form of a question, but you know the words for what they are. You can’t see your mother’s face, but you’re certain they’re of the same mind at this point.

“Yes, father. I’m certain Thatch will be a proper gentleman.”

“Of course!” Thatch says, maybe a little more loudly than he meant to. There’s no anger or indignation on his face or his tone, but he looks happy that you would get to speak more privately.

“If he is anything less, Izou will be just outside.” Newgate assures you, standing up and prompting your parents to stand as well, and the three of them leave without further ado.

The soft click of the door pulls your gaze back to Thatch.

“I, heh, I don’t know where to start,” he admits after a moment of silence.  Years of acting, and you know well the signs of genuine emotion, and he’s truly flustered. It’s cute.

“Tell me about yourself.” You prompt, and you can see a brief quizzical look cross his face. “I let my parents read the book,” you clear your throat lightly and look away. “I saw a picture of you, but I didn’t look at anything else.”

“Oh? May I ask why?” He questions, putting an elbow on the table and resting his chin against his knuckles. Relaxed and curious, it makes you pause a little before you can answer.

“It just happened so suddenly.” It’s hard to meet his gaze, and you keep looking away. You can’t remember the last time someone was honestly interested in you. Usually you received just enough regard in order to allow someone to speak about themselves. “I think I’m still trying to process it all.”

Concern furrows his brows. “We, I mean, I would’ve been fine waiting until tomorrow to meet.”

“Oh no, no I don’t mean it like that.” You insist, shaking your head. “I’m glad, um, glad we’re meeting now. I just mean that I,” you put your hand over your face a little, before peeking at him. “Those books are embarrassing, and I couldn’t stop wondering what you were seeing.”

He makes a strange sound, trying to hold back a laugh, and bites his lower lip to keep himself composed. “Sorry,” he manages, looking away for a second before turning back toward you. “Sorry, that was just … really cute.”

You’re both silent for a moment, and while there’s some awkwardness in the air between you both, it’s not all that uncomfortable. There’s something comforting about it.

“Your pictures,” he begins, eyes shifting to yours as he smiles. “Were good. Ah, you’re prettier in person, but, I mean, they didn’t use a picture of you sneezing or something like that.”

“That’s… good.”

“I’m glad though.” He starts and you tilt your head a little. “All your pictures were so perfect, like you’d inadvertently posed for all of them. I was worried you were going to be too good to be real.”

But I’m not real. I’m no more real than a doll, it’s just that they taught me how to move and speak.

“Mother and I considered pageants and modeling when I was younger,” you answer evenly, trying not to sound as hollow as the words are. “I think some of the lessons just stuck with me.”

“Is that why your dad calls you doll?”

You nod. “Yeah. Well, no, I think it was just an endearing term that stuck.”

“Would it be wrong for me to call you that?”

The sound of his question is almost timid, the tone kind, the sentiment pure. Still, the words themselves sink into your back like daggers. You let them fall away, ignoring the pain, especially since you know it was completely unintended on his part.

“Not at all, it’s very fitting.” You answer, smiling sweetly. “Do you have any nicknames?”

“Ah, none I think anyone else should be using. My brothers call me Thatchy-boy sometimes, and Pops calls me Elvis, but please, please don’t call me those names.” He begs, hand over his face.

“Then, for now, just Thatch.” You say, and see him smile from behind his hand.

“That works.” He agrees, clearing his throat lightly before straightening up.

The conversation slips along more comfortable lines. Thatch tells you about his business, how he went from cooking for his brothers and his father - almost all of them are adopted you discover, something you don’t think your parents are aware of - and how those skills had carried him through culinary school.

While he enjoyed cooking foods of all kinds, he really enjoyed making pastries and the artistic freedom that came with decorating.

“So do you really have all those hobbies?” Thatch prompts.

“Pardon?”

“The book said you enjoyed cooking, organizing, sewing, knitting, drawing, reading, hiking, and swimming.” He explains. “I think two more things as well.”

You nod. “Embroidery, and flower arranging.”

“Right, yeah. Flower arranging, huh?”

You shake your head a little. “I was lucky to have the chance to learn and experiment with a lot of different things, but I don’t know if I’d call them hobbies. They’re just things I learned how to do.”

“Do you enjoy them?”

You barely muster a shrug. “I’m good at them.”

Thatch hums and you tilt your head questioningly.

“Will you forgive me if I say something that could be rude?” His tone is playful, so you smile and nod.

“Perhaps.”

“I’m good at washing my dad’s car, it doesn’t mean I enjoy it.” He points out, and your smile widens before you concede his point. “You don’t enjoy cooking though?”

You let slip a small, and slightly nervous laugh. “Seems rude to answer that when you’re a chef by trade.”

“Nah,” he grins, his cheeks turning red. “I… would love to try your cooking, but if you don’t enjoy it, I don’t want you to think you have to.”

“I assumed I would be handling cooking when we moved in together.” You admit flatly. Thatch looks up at you and you continue. “I… could look for a job if you’d prefer, but, perhaps incorrectly, I assumed I would look after our home.”

“Oh, I, that’s.” He clears his throat. “I’ve got a service, to keep the apartment clean since my work hours can be so long, I was going to keep it. If you want to take over stuff like that you can, but only if you’ll enjoy it. Otherwise, just take some time to adjust. You’ve been living with your parents this whole time, right?”

You nod.

“You haven’t lived on your own at all. Moving in with me is a big change, and I just want you to be able to adjust without worryin’… that’s all.” He clarifies, scratching the back of his head idly. “I can’t push back the deadline for getting hitched, but I don’t want you to feel forced into anything else.”

“I don’t feel forced into - into anything.” You insist, voice cracking a little. You can’t look at him, you can’t get your heart to settle. You’re almost angry, but you don’t understand why you’d feel angry right now, and more than that you know you cannot appear angry no matter what. “I mean, I’ve known, we’ve known, about the program since we were kids, and… that is…”

Wear this, Doll.I’ve set up your class schedule, these electives will serve us best.The recipe for dinner is laid out, get to cooking.Clean the bathroom again, you missed the corners. I swear you’re more of a rag doll.

“I’ve never felt forced…”

Don’t cry, it’ll ruin the makeup.You’ll do as you’re told, you’ve already ruined enough!It didn’t hurt that bad, stop sniveling.You get that vacant look and it’s creepy, like one of those old porcelain dolls.You owe us! You’ll see this plan goes smoothly or I’ll make your life hell.

“I’ve -.”

What the hell is that? You’re not wearing that!What do you mean you want to learn karate? Are you kidding me?They let you shoot a bow?! Absolutely not! You’re not going to get matched properly with a horrid hobby like that!Don’t read that, no man’s going to appreciate someone over educated. Read this.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay.” You look over and see Thatch is knelt by your chair. One hand on the arm rest, one on the table, he’s gotten down low enough that you have to look down to meet his eyes. You got so lost in your own memories that you hadn’t seen him move.

“It’s okay.” He repeats softly. “I’m sorry.”

“You didn’t-.” He puts a hand up and you stop talking.

“It doesn’t matter if I meant to or not. It’s okay, yeah?” The expression on his face calms your heart, but something about it still makes you angry and you still don’t know why.

But you shove that aside, more forcefully this time and give him a soft smile, nodding.

“Maybe it was a little more sudden than I thought.” You say, trying to smooth things over.

Thatch’s smile still has concern in it, and he tilts his head, looking up at you. “Marco says I jump in like a hyperactive Leonberger when I like someone. Not very gentlemanly of me.”

“It’s okay.” You say giving him a warm smile.

You can’t tell him that he doesn’t like you. That he doesn’t know you, because whoever it was that was neatly packed into that Match Book wasn’t you. There’s not even a ghost of you in the pages, or if there is, you wouldn’t know where she was.

“Alright.” He stands up, taking a few steps back. “You want something to drink? There might be some left over dessert in the kitchen I can put together if you’re hungry? It’s dark out, so I don’t think you’d want to walk in the garden.”

“… You have a garden?”

Thatch smiles. “Yeah.”

“I… would love to see it, but it is late.” You press your lips together for second. “Tea would be wonderful, if it’s not too much to ask.”

“Hm… How’s ginger chamomile sound?”

“Delicious.”

Thatch leads you out of the room, letting Izou know that he’s going to make some tea. Izou offers to join you, looking forward to Thatch’s tea himself. He fills the short walk from the tea room to the kitchen with small talk, talking about his own job, and mentioning how Marco mostly worked nights, so you wouldn’t be meeting him yet.

“Pops and your parents went out into the garden earlier,” Izou explains as you and he sit at the breakfast bar while Thatch makes tea. “They’ll come through here on the way back in, so don’t worry.”

“May I ask, why do you call him pops?” You question and both of them shrug.

“We just do.” Izou answers. “Why do you call your parents what you do?”

“They -.”

There was a loud bang and clash of voices all yelling at one another. You couldn’t make out what was being said, but you could hear your parents voices, and Edward Newgate’s as well. His voice was booming over everything, enough that your parents stopped yelling back.

“OUT!” He bellows clearly, practically herding your parents through the manor. “LEAVE IMMEDIATELY, AND DO NOT RETURN!” His tone, presence, and expression are all furious. You’re actually surprised to see your parents almost falling over themselves to leave. You’re so scared you don’t think you could move if you wanted to.

Newgate points in your direction, probably at you, but his gaze is still watching your parents as they continue to scramble out the front door.

“Thatch, Izou, Miss Kakusho stays.”

Neither of your parents so much as looked at you on their way out.

#x reader #reader insert #thatch one piece #modern au #Hey Doll #mdni

[jpn-langblr]

Japanese Writing Practice Prompt Generator for Intermediate Learners

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#japanese #japanese langblr #japanese studyblr #writing #prompt generator #writing practice #writing exercise #exercise #mine #at some point i'll go and add more words but i'm pretty damn satisfied so far #also linked in my sidebar!

[katsukis-sad-angel]

Based on a True Story

Summary: there's this boy who makes you super uncomfy and doesnt take a hit, but you're to sweet to tell him to back off. Katsuki Bakugou, the more blunt end of the friendship, is happy to tell him off and free you from that sorry bastard.

Pairing: Katsuki Bakugou x Fem!Reader

Warnings: possible tw, a lot of swearing and some pretty colorful insults, there are guys that are really fucking creepy, based on the actual events of February 7th, 2021 at around 10:30 pm

A/N: this was very very rushed, I just wanted to write myself some comfort real quick and go to bed last night and I didn't have time to properly edit! I'm really proud of some of the banter lmao, please enjoy and never be afraid to punt a ballsack! I'll add tags later🙄🙄🙄

A message popped up on your screen and your once neutral expression went sour. Slamming the face of your phone onto your pillow, you groaned angrily into your bedspread, catching the attention of a certain ash blonde sitting in your comfy desk chair a few feet away. Katsuki Bakugou, one of your best friends, gave a questioning glance but refused to meet his ember gaze

“What’s your deal?” He asked, not letting his genuine curiosity as to why there was such a pained look on your face, show.

You opened your mouth but paused.

Katsuki already knew about this boy and scolded you every time he saw his name pop up in your notifications, telling you to ‘fucking block him already’ for the umpteenth time. It wasn’t like you had feelings for the guy anymore, you were just too nice and polite to cut him off completely and tell him to go fuck himself.

The ash-blonde had already volunteered to do it for you, but you always said no because you knew he’d just find another way to contact you.

“It’s that piss baby again isn’t it?” 

“Yeah…”

“Wow, did you just agree with one of my insults?”

“Suki, I’m about to take you up on your offer to tell him to go fuck himself.”

He snickered, “Now you’re talking sense. What the hell is that pansy bitching about now?”

You sigh and roll over on your back and Katsuki moves to sit on the edge of your bed.

“I cut him off for a while, I really did! It felt so good to be free of him, but then he got my number again and started bothering me a few days ago. I saw him at school yesterday and told him I wasn’t interested in dating at all and he was like whatever so I honestly thought he could keep it in his pants and we could just be friends but nooo! He calls me a simp for anime guys, I tell him to stop being a hypocrite because he used to simp for me and he was like “I still do. You’re the only one” yeah like I’m stupid enough to actually believe that!”

You paused to catch your breath, but before you could start speaking again Katsuki interjected, “Well, you are stupid…”

You socked him in the bicep and he hunched over laughing. You looked so fucking adorable when you got royally pissed at him.

“Oh go to hell.” You snapped, crossing your arms and continuing, “Anyway, this guy used to simp for my goddamn sister! Not only do I reject being a replacement for her, but if she rejected his sorry ass, that means he’s a huge piece of shit because she’s super picky.”

“I might’ve mentioned that once or twice-”

You punched him again to shut him up. “Plus he’s super creepy and gross and it always feels like he’s undressing me with his eyes and whenever he’s around I want to dive into a pool full of only chlorine and drink it. I’m just trying to coexist and just be nice to him but apparently, a female looking in his general direction means that they want dicked down by his micropenis. He’s so fucking dense too. Why can’t he see that I’m not interested, especially after I EXPLICITLY told him that?!”

By that point, you were on the verge of frustrated tears, bottom lip trembling just slightly with bottled up emotion.

Katsuki could see it.

You felt trapped in something you never signed up for and you’d do anything to get out. All of this frustration had been stored inside of you for so long and it just kept mounting and multiplying until you burst into tears.

“Goddammit, come here dumbass,” He growled, gathering you into a warm embrace, “You can’t keep all this bs inside okay?”

He let you sob into his shoulder, one calloused hand supporting the base of your neck and the other crossed firmly over your back so you’d feel safe and secure; away from the world full of horrible people and into a small one of just your best friend’s warmth and the sweet sweet scent of caramel.

“Why don’t you listen to me? You’re just too fucking nice to every shitty dickhead that sees you as an easy, fuckable target. Something really fucking bad is gonna happen to you if you don’t shape up and learn how to punt a dude’s excuse for a ballsack and tell him what you really think.”

You raised your head from the solace of his shoulder to look at him with big, reproachful doe eyes and whimpered, “I tried that!”

“Have you tried punting their fucking balls first?”

“No… that would hurt.”

“That’s the point.”

“But if I did it without reason I could get suspended or charged with aggravated assault!”

It was Katsuki’s turn to sigh.

“That’s not the point dumbass, the point is that you need to tell these bastards off when they start getting creepy. You know what? Why don’t you just fucking ignore their sorry asses in the first place!”

You sniffle and drag a hand over your cheek to dry your tears, then resume your position with your face in the crook of your best friend’s neck.

“I feel bad for them.”

“Well stop. I’m gonna call him now alright? After that, we’ll block his stupid ass on every fucking app, you hear me?”

You nod and hug him tighter as he leans forward to grab your phone and opens it with your passcode, swiftly finding his name in your contact list and pressing the call icon, then he tapped the speaker button and waited.

The call was picked up almost immediately and a voice on the other line said, “Hey cutie! I was just about to call and ask to see if you wanted to come over on-”

“She’s not here.” Katsuki cut him off with a dry snarl, “And last time I checked she wasn’t interested enough in your sorry ass for you to be calling her ‘cutie.’” 

You could almost hear his lip curl in utter disgust.

“Who the fuck are you?” The voice asked, dropping its sickeningly sweet tone to something more appropriate in light of the previous insult.

“I’m her fucking boyfriend you dickwad-” You popped up from your haven in surprise, mouth open to sputter in protest but he put a finger to your lips and smirked, “who the fuck are you?”

“No fucking way that whore has a boyfriend-”

“Ex-fucking-scuse me? Shut your mouth, you mother fucking pussy, insult her one more time and I’ll fuck you up so bad you won’t be recognizable by the time you get to the hospital.” He snapped back, “She’s crying right now because you’re too dense to realize she doesn’t want any business with some horse-faced piss baby like you. Take the hint right fucking now you useless bastard so you don’t make the mistake of coming near her again because I. Will. Kill. You. Delete this number because she’s too sweet to block you herself, but I will.”

“Fuck man, I was just tryna get laid. She’s the one who started rubbing herself all over me-”

“I said delete this number. Damn, you are a dense piece of shit aren’t you?”

“Hey, I-”

Katsuki pressed ‘end call’ and blocked his contact, moving from Instagram to Snapchat, to any social app you had, and blocked him left and right until he was satisfied.

“Feel better?” He asked softly, tossing your phone aside and peeling you off.

You carded a shaky hand through your hair and wiped your eyes, giving him a watery smile and a nod.

“Why did you tell him that we were in a relationship?” You asked, voice on the edge of a taunt.

“To make him mad.”

“I mean, it worked, but is that the only reason?” You giggled.

“The hell are you insinuating?”

“Do you… possibly by chance… have feelings for me?”

You batted your eyes at him and he retched, but the smirk was still present on his handsome features.

“What’s it to you?”

You squirm a bit, but something pops into your head so you can stall a bit longer.

“I mean, you’re not THAT ugly-”

He responded with a simple, harsh flick to the forehead to make you whine and try to whack him, but he easily intercepted your fist and pushed you on your back, caging you in nothing short of a horizontal kabedon.

It was your turn to smirk, “Yenno ‘Suki, I could very easily… oh what was your phrasing? ‘Punt your fucking balls’ in this position…”

“Just shut up and tell me what the hell you want.” Katsuki snapped.

“You’re cute when you’re flustered.” You prod.

“You look like a pissed hamster when you’re mad.” He shot back.

“You smell like a fucking candy store after training.”

“You’re the dictionary definition of a dumbass.”

“You have a better hourglass figure than Yaomomo.”

“You're quickly becoming an extra.”

“Date me.”

“Fine.”

“Wait really?”

“It’s the only way I can kiss you, protect you, and keep you all to myself.” He shrugged, leaning in dangerously close, “You don’t fucking understand how hard it is to watch you prancing around with one failed abortion after another and watching you cry because they leave since you don’t want the one thing they’re after.”

“You’ve always been there for me ‘Suki… I guess I just took you for granted, and I’m really sorry.” You met his soft vermillion gaze with a meaningful and apologetic one and reached out to squeeze his hand.

“‘S okay. You’re mine now, right?”

You nod, smiling. 

“So it doesn’t matter how dense you are anymore.” He smirked, laying down on your bed and dragging you down with him so you were tucked comfortably under his chin.

You grabbed the remote and flicked on the tv, preparing to turn on an anime you had in mind.

“What romance garbage are you inflicting on me this time?” Your new boyfriend groaned, burying his face in your hair.

“One that’s super sappy and romantic and sad just to piss you off.” You pouted, clicking on each letter to form the desired word in the search bar.

“Have fun with that.” Katsuki snarked, beginning to move away, but you stopped him by deftly pressing your lips to his.

You slowly pulled away, blushing furiously, but happy to feel strong forearms snaking around your front and crossing over your stomach.

“I certainly will.” You respond.

[daisylincs]

Today is, officially, the last day of 2020 - so it's literally just in time that I'm getting to @aosrecweek's amazing challenge. But that does go to show the nature of this crazy year a little bit, right? Time has just been INSANE, and I honestly cannot believe it's so close to over.

That said, I want to put it out there that everyone - absolutely everyone - who created something in this mad year, is a SUPERHERO. Like. We could have hidden away in dark corners, curled into little balls, and lost touch with our creativity entirely - but instead, we made some of the most fantastic content I have ever seen. And, excuse the language, but that is fucking amazing, of each and every single one of us. We're bloody INCREDIBLE, you guys. We really are.

Now, the rules of this challenge dictate that I've got to start with some of my own things, then repeat with the same number of creations by other people. So I'm going to do that, and I apologise for the sheer length (and self-plug-iness) of what is about to follow - but, bloody incredible, remember? I really mean that. 💜💜💜

My Own:

you could call me babe for the weekend - 19k of Spideychelle being oblivious, mutually pining IDIOTS while being snowed in. And, you know, fake dating. (This thing was SO MUCH FUN to write and though, yeah, it got completely out of control, as evidenced by the 19k, I still really love it.)

'tis the damn season - my first attempt at writing a multi-chap, and, yeah, it only has one chapter as of now, but I really love said chapter. Basically, it's Daisy and Mackelena being friends, and honestly just the BEST friends - I adore the style I managed to achieve in this thing. Plus, the Skimmons I have planned up next is going to be da bomb.

the closest thing - Philindaisy plus fake family. Also; amusement parks. And for a fangirl like me - well, it was pretty much a dream come true to write!

oh valley of plenty - in this fic, I basically told myself, so AoS won't give us Huntingbird in the finale? Fine. I'll just do it myself then - in the fluffiest way possible. And that's exactly what I did - making them, and their kids, be best friends in Perthshire.

maybe life should be about more - a very angsty Skimmons and Daisy-centric AU, focusing on the internalised homophobia Daisy has experienced through her life, and shaking it off (and eventually, y'know, getting together with Jemma.)

and it's dark in a cold december (but i've got you to keep me warm) - Fitzsimmons just make such a supreme pairing for hurt/comfort, what with how insanely well they understand each other and care about each other, so I'm really glad for the Fitzsimmons Secret Santa giving me the chance to write this! Basically, this follows our science duo through a stressful mission on Christmas Eve (so yes, it's a mission fic!!) and realising that the two of them can do anything together.

july second - ahhh, one of my personal favourites to write! Daisy birthday surprise fluff will always be top-notch for me, especially for all the team-as-family fluff you can add in, especially especially that this is set in Staticquake times! Also, it's from Hunter's point of view, which will forever be the most insanely fun thing to write, I do think.

i just wanna be with you - man, I'm such a big royal fan, so getting the chance to write a modern royalty AU for my OTP was nothing short of amazing!! This is Princess Daisy and her fiancée Lincoln Campbell at their official engagement interview

see the line where the skye meets the sea - shameless season 1 bby Bus Kids fluff, featuring movie nights, singalongs and... so much fluff your teeth will rot. Also I'm really freaking proud of the pun in the title okay

'cause all that you are is all that i'll ever need - Huntingbird waking up together fluff (because, fight me, Huntingbird in their sweet moments is one of the sweetest things you will ever get to read or write.) This is also my, fluffy, take on the origin of the Franny's Saloon keychain.

we love you, we love you (and we hope you love we too) - aha, my first polyship fic! Also my first try at some actually fancy HTML formatting (forever thanks to Kat for explaining.) Both of these things combined to form a fic that even I think is ridiculously fluffy and funny, and kinda amazing, at that.

and man I don't know where the time goes (but it sure goes fast like that) - Another Bus Kids movie night fic, but this one set post-season 7, and reflecting on how far they've come. A little bit more hurt/comfort-y than it's pure fluff prequel, but still super fluffy and soft. And, of course, with a happy ending.

she shares my dreams, i hope that someday, i'll share her home - snowy Fitzsimmons fluff, complete with them falling in love at the Winter Olympics, as you do.

then you walked in and my heart went boom - 16k of Dekesy for the wife, and remarkable for that, because literally a month ago from this, I hated Dekesy with my entire soul. Then I started reading Kat's fics, and, well, fell in love with them... so much so that I wrote sixteen thousand words of enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, bed sharing holiday fluff for them.

a love like that - a Fitzsimmons Cinderella AU, featuring my two favourite science babies, in true science bby style, falling in love over science and how stupid the whole courting thing is. Also, Daisy makes a brief appearance, and she's the freaking best.

ever after - ah, probably the one single fic I'm proudest of. A post-season 7 Daisy character study focusing on her emotional rollercoaster re: losing her family/things never being the same again, which just achieves... an emotional level that I have never managed to replicate again. I was full-on sobbing while writing it, and, guys, it also part-holds the Closest To Making Kat Cry prize.

blue - Daisy character study spanning snapshots of seven seasons, and before - but tied together by something blue in every moment. Researching for this, and finding all the blue moments, was very interesting, and immensely satisfying, especially since all the moments where a little bit of blue was present actually combine to chronicle Daisy's journey on the show remarkably well.

who is that girl I see - the one time I decided to write straight angst, and straight angst with no happy ending. Melinda May post-Bahrain, folks.

take my hand, take my whole life too - aww, the first thing I wrote that I really and truly loved. A Staticquake and Fitzsimmons Actors AU, featuring a proposal on set and INCREDIBLE amounts of fluff and softness.

hold out your hand, 'cause friends will be friends - the wife's favourite, and, as second fics go, pretty damn good, if I do say so myself. It's a Soulmates AU for Staticquake and Mackelena, with the focus being on DaisyMack friendship, and lots of denial, angst, and guilt about finding their soulmates. (They figure it out eventually, don't worry - it's me, of course I made them happy.)

Fitzsimmons + Fake Dating moodboard - Fake dating will always be FAB, and picturing it out in a moodboard - especially for my clueless bby best friends in love - was the best, and super satisfying.

Staticquake + Orange moodboard - One of the cooler ideas I had for Trick or Treat (which I still have not finished, heaven help me) was to make a series of moodboards for my OTP plus different colours. This orange one is just so light, and cheerful, and happy, and honestly I kinda adore it.

This Philindaisy + Family Moodboard - making moodboards can be insanely frustrating when you just can't find the photo that fits exactly right. With this one, however, I found all the pics I needed pretty insanely fast, and, better, the whole thing just worked, and really nicely so, too.

This Bus Kids + Baking Cookies moodboard - there's absolutely NO faults to be found with tiny, adorable Skye, Fitz and Jemma concocting choc chip cookies - but I'm actually doing a tiny cheat here, because, cute as my moodboard here is, the accompanying fic by my love @eowima is the SWEETEST and best thing you could ever wish for!!!

This Daisy Johnson Appreciation Week Photoset - Day 3 of Daisy Johnson Appreciation Week focused on an emotion, and I picked confidence and power, because honestly, it's nothing short of amazing how confident and powerful our gorgeous girl has become.

This Daisy Johnson Appreciation Week Photoset - One of the times I wish I could gif, because this quote about struggling though never giving up just suits Daisy perfectly. The photos I found are cool, though, and I mean, it's Daisy, so that's already absolutely fabulous.

Other People's:

I managed to find twenty-six of my own things that I liked enough to put up there (because, yes, I'm that big a dork, 26 things for me being 26 is the way to go :D) Anyway, now that gives me the amazing chance to spotlight twenty-six of my favourite creations by my FANTASTIC mutuals! 😍

To start, my wife - Kat said I couldn't put everything she's ever written on here, so, ugh, I guess I'll just do my top five then. *grumbling* Everything by Kat is on here in spirit, though!!

Chasing Cars (even after the story ends) by @aleksandrachaev - the epic Dekesy roadtrip AU and incredible Daisy character study itself, which, I do believe, finishes today!! Words aren't enough to describe how freaking AMAZING this thing is, or how spectacularly well characterised. Just: if you haven't read this yet, you are missing out. You will laugh, you will groan, you will want to wrap Daisy in a very tight hug, and you will probably cry, too. This fic just has it all, really!

there goes the maddest man this town has ever seen by @aleksandrachaev - the post-season 7 Deke-crashes-the-Framework-Zoom-call fic I didn't know I needed (but spent the next two weeks rereading every single night.) It is absolutely INCREDIBLE, with all the Deke & Team feels we missed in the final outro scene, and honestly just the most fantastic writing. I cannot recommend it enough!

To Box It Up And Start Again (everything must go) by @aleksandrachaev - bloody hell, this BROKE me. Deke never really got to say goodbye in canon, but Kat gave him the chance to do it here. And, my freaking GOODNESS, she made it so incredibly bittersweet and heart-shattering. 10/10

i am a leaf on the wind by @aleksandrachaev - a little bit of a stretched-out, reflective moment in the season 7 finale. As Daisy lingers on the edge of death, she reflects on all the lives she could have had - and, man, what a study in bittersweetness!! This entire fic is utterly incredible, and something I think all Daisy fans should read.

Falling Into Place by @aleksandrachaev - here's a tiny cheat from me (sorry, babes, lmao) because technically this isn't one fic, but a series of three. Way too amazing to miss out on, though!! Set mid-season 7, this has the Chronicoms go after a young Mary Sue Poots to kill Quake before she can become a problem for them. They stop the Chronicoms, yes, but not without a TREMENDOUS dose of feels and hurt/comfort. There's also a wonderful little dose of Dekesy friendship, and then an adult adoption (!!) that honestly made my entire day to read. Actually, that's true for the entire series - I really canNOT yell about it enough!!

destroyer of worlds by @bobbimorseisbisexual - a study in incredible parallels between Jiaying's daughters. Utterly breathtakingly done, this will give you ALL the feels for this small and complex Inhuman family.

Muscle Memory by @robotgort and @bobbimorseisbisexual - a Huntingbird!! Bones!! AU!! And also a collaboration between two of the most fabulous Huntingbird authors in the fandom - honestly, what more can you ask for?! This will make you laugh, and gasp, and wince, and keep you guessing at each new plot twist (and also screaming at your screen for Hunter and Bobbi to get their acts together and TALK ABOUT IT.) In short: it's completely and utterly amazing, and I cannot, cannot recommend it enough!!

You Belong Among the Wildflowers by @libbyweasley - a freaking incredible Scis & Spies Regency AU! I only just started reading, but I was hooked all the way through, especially on the way Libby writes all four characters' complex relationships (and their attraction, and their history!) Everything about it is just completely stunning, and I for one cannot WAIT for these beautiful idiots to figure out they all belong together.

Family Snapshot by @tomatobookworm - if it's family fluff you're after, especially Staticquake family fluff, look no further! This tremendously soft and utterly amazing fic follows a day in the lives of a pregnant Daisy and her husband Lincoln, and their not-so-little family of Inhumans, both adopted and biological. There's also shopping with Grandma May, lots of feels, lots of shippiness, and just AMAZINGNESS all the way through!!

Best Day Ever by @loved-the-stars-too-fondly - Jemma and Daisy want to adopt a pet, and make a very special trip to Wisconsin to do it. Also, whether he knows who he is or not, Jemma has an important question to ask Cal - and just, AHHHH, everything about this is utterly stunning! For starters, Aubrey's writing is FANTASTIC, and the scene she sets is absolutely beautiful, and so very bittersweet. I was actually misting up a little with happy tears towards the end of this - really, I cannot recommend this enough, to any Skimmons fan.

so why don't we go somewhere only we know by @loved-the-stars-too-fondly - more Skimmons (platonic this time, though), more hurt/comfort, and, yes, again, more absolutely INCREDIBLE writing. This one is canon compliant, following a shaken Jemma struggling to sleep after Maveth, and how Daisy finds a way to help her out. Incredibly sweet, tender and BEAUTIFULLY written, this one was an instant favourite the moment I read it!

Unspoken by @anxiouslynumbme - a birthday fic for yours truly, and, honestly, one of the most STUNNING Staticquake introspectives I've read. It follows Daisy and Lincoln in a beautifully tender missing moment in season 3, with them both realising their feelings, and just... AHHHHHHHH, everything about it is utterly incredible!! I cannot, cannot recommend this gem of a fic enough

the thing about water droplets and ruffled hair by @que-mint-tea - here's another fic that proves, once and for all, how good Kat's Dekesy is, because it managed to convert T to write some Dekesy smut. And, oh my GOSH, what Dekesy smut - so goshdarn angsty, but so FANTASTICALLY characterised and written that it leaves you more than a little breathless, and gaping at your screen. The first chapter initially left us on the most HORRIFIC cliffhanger, but then T fixed it, and it's just... this thing is really a whole new level of emotional writing, raw and gripping and intensely perfect for both of these characters. My haw still drops whenever I think of this thing, and how utterly AMAZING it was, so yeah. Fic rec!!!

beautiful stranger, there you are by @justanalto - I do believe I still owe Serena a long and very gushy comment on this thing, because, MAN, does it ever deserve that!! Pipsy and fake dating, with the most HILARIOUSLY incredible writing, plot and characterisation, and honestly just a giddy "askhdfkhsfh" whenever I think back to how much I enjoyed it. Yup, it was that good.

Jumping to conclusions by @eowima - a very special one, because it marks my love Océane's first venture into writing AoS fic! It's an AU of 1x06 (the Fitzsimmons episode of s1) where Fitz does actually jump out of the plane to save Jemma. Realisations of feelings, and some of the most genuinely FANTASTIC Fitz characterisation I've read in a while, follow - and, yup, I was shouting at my screen for them just to get together already. Amazing stuff, really!!

Look into your eyes and the sky's the limit by @eowima - okay, this. This. Another gift for me, and one that I will probably treasure forEVER, because it is just?? so?? utterly?? perfect?? Just for starters, the title is a Hamilton reference - and then the theme of Hamilton references continues into the fic itself, I'm delighted to say. There's also the most BEAUTIFUL, playful Skimmons friendship, and teasing, and then of course the bet about who can make out with their crush first... Staticquake & Fitzsimmons perfection. And all rendered in Océane's delightful, best-thing-ever-to-read writing!! I'm going into a giddy keyboard smash just THINKING about this, so yeah, cannot recommend it enough.

lullabies and clear blue skies by @springmagpies and @bobbimorseisbisexual - okay, I never thought I'd catch myself shipping FitzBobbi, let alone shipping it this hard, but... wow. Maggie and Al teamed up to completely blow me away, and MELT MY WHOLE ENTIRE HEART with the sheer cuteness of this!! It features Fitz, Bobbi and adopting two daughters, and it's just the most tender, beautiful development through that little family - I love it so, so much.

We made all the wrong choices by @browneyedgenius - the winner of the AoS Angst War 2020, how could I not include this one? It is such a well-deserved win, though, whoa - I was sobbing, full-on sobbing, at least twice while reading. It follows the season 5 team through the events of the time-loop, after they failed to save the world - and, oh my gosh, it ripped my heart right out of my chest, but beautifully so. Everything about this fic just hits so hard, and it's written so well - yeah, really a most AMAZINGLY deserved win, for an utterly SHATTERINGLY incredible fic.

I threw stones at the stars (but the whole sky fell) by @nazezdha321 - this is Z showing us all how to write a backstory for a minor character, and write it so well that everyone's hearts break all over again when she dies. This one is about Victoria Hand, and it builds a stirring and profound childhood for her, also making her rise through the ranks of SHIELD and just her entire character mean so much more. Really, fic-wise, this is goals, and I take my hat off to you, Z, 1000%, for writing it.

in which the universe is put together by @besidemethewholedamntime - Rebecca's emotional writing, particularly Fitzsimmons' emotions, is incomparable, and she proves it all over again in this fic. If follows Fitz and Jemma before, after and during the bloodwork, and I just... wow, honestly. The emotion!! And the characterisation!! Absolutely stunning, and honestly all I could wish for in a we-had-time fic.

Agents of SHIELD Season 8 by @egumal - THIS. This, this, this, oh my gosh - as fix-it fics go, this has to be the most spectacular one I have ever read. What it does is find a way - a potentially canon compliant way, too - to bring back Lincoln Campbell, and reunite Staticquake. Basically: just about as season 7 finishes, the Astro Ambassadors get an unexpected visitor from another timeline, who asks them to come help out against Hive. Case in point, Daisy meets her lost love again (... but he has no idea who she is) and also has to relive the Fallen Agent drama. It all gets even more complicated when Kora restores Lincoln's memories, and Daisy meets the full team Deke has assembled around him in the 33 years (for him) that they've been apart... in short, this is one of the most thorough, well-written and downright SHOCKING plot-twist-wise fics that you will ever read, and honestly, saying "I can't recommend it enough" is an understatement. This thing is thd BEST, plain and simple!

Black Roses aren't real (but you and I are) by @ohwriteiforgot - ahhhh, a fic that will always have an incredibly special place in my heart, because it introduced me to one of my best fandom friends. The main focus is on Clintasha, it's true, but it's also a crossover with AoS in the sense that Clint was adopted by Coulson and May. Also, Daisy is his little sister, and their bond is gold. Also - there's Staticquake!! And flower shops!! And rivals to friends to lovers!! All I'm going to say is, what more can you ask for?!

A book to shield my story by @maybebrilliant - Staticquake High School AU, ahhhhhhhh!! There are only two chapters out so far, but the way this is shaping up is making my DAY - with Daisy as the new girl who meets Lincoln and his group of friends, and, though her foster parents are absolutely shit, starts to find actual happiness in a school for the first time in her life. Also - THE REFERENCES. Guys. I'm crazy for those, and in this book, so are my favourite dorks, Daisy and Lincoln - and let me tell you, it's nothing short of the best thing ever.

This AoS Finale Gif Edit by @heysteverogers - AoS really has been the most INCREDIBLE journey through the years, but what's really made it special is the company - and that's summed up perfectly in this gorgeous gifset. Also, the graphics on this are just, ahhhh, stunning - I'm in awe, and I've spent very long periods of time just looking at this thing in a state of heart-eyes.

This AoS Finale Gif Edit by @jemannesimms - combining Auld Lang Syne and the final scenes of my favourite show was a raw emotional - but utterly brilliant experience - for me. It's just so absolutely beautiful, and perfectly suited to the team, and their goodbyes!! Breathtaking editing work here, too.

This Daisy as Peter Parker and May as Tony Stark moodboard by @agentsofcomedyandchaos - ahhhh, a crossover of two of my favourite fandoms!! And what a lovely one, too - the colour scheme, quotes, and just the whole FEEL of this is absolutely genius, and I am guilty of being inspired by way too many fic ideas by it. Stunning stuff!!

And... whoa, that was long, but I really do feel that we deserve a bit of a proper pat on the back after creating such magical content in such a messed up year. So that's the note I'm going to leave you with for 2020, my friends: hell-year or no, look at the absolute beauty we were still able to create!! We really are freaking amazing, guys.

#aos best of 2020 #fic rec #massive fic rec list #and honestly; WHAT a list!! #despite this utter hellstorm of a year #we as a fandom have still been nothing short of INCREDIBLE #and honestly; I am SO proud of us #💜💜💜