#purely academic interest i promise

[sp0o0kylights]

You know what I want to see, I want to see more of Steve, Eddie, and Robin being 1980s small town kids from Indiana, by which I mean;

Robin is The Source of Gay Knowledge purely because her parents host Hippie Christmas and she managed to sneak away to find a neat bookstore in Indiana once. 

Her knowledge is not in depth. It's patchy, woven together through rumors, stories she heard or things she picked up from her parents' old pictures. She's got a handful of zines, one book, and some movies she managed to order for Family Video behind Keith's back.

She acts like she's Queen of the Queers because in Hawkins she pretty much is.

(Max and El ask her what a lavender marriage is once, something they overheard snooping around. 

Robin confidentially answers that it's code for when one woman dresses up as a man, fooling officials into wedding two woman.

She does not live this down two years later when they find out what it actually means.) 

Eddie doesn't spend every weekend in Indianapolis. 

Gas is expensive, his busiest days of his "job" is Friday and Saturday, and he has no fucking clue what the hanky code is. 

He's wearing that bandana because Metallica front singer James Hetfield has one on all their tour posters. 

Eddie does make it down to a gay bar though, by accident. Rick needed some back up for a shady deal. Promised Eddie a boatload of free drugs to sell if he agreed to just stand there and look mean. 

He was warned the bar they were meeting in was 'weird' and to not 'freak out' --which Eddie thought was hilarious given his nickname and general appearance, but whatever.

He doesn't understand when they get there, because it's just a bunch of hot men with hanky's in their back pockets everywhere.

Then he sees two women kissing and it clicks. 

He can't out himself in front of Rick, but one of the bartenders playfully dresses him down for his own hanky, letting him know all about the code and teasing him through his embarrassment. 

He's got an offer to come back and learn what color and which pocket his hanky should actually be in, a prospect Eddie was salivating at until Chrissy Cunningham up and died on his ceiling.

(He still wore the hanky, because the feeling of that bartender tugging it out and stuffing it back in might be the closest thing he's ever had to sex and he absolutely wants a repeat. 

He's young and horny, sue him.) 

Steve Harrington may not be academically smart but he's not dumb. 

He figured out a while back that the basketball team as a unit probably crossed the queer line more than once--or at least it did before Hargrove came in. 

( Brad Handly for example, went around slamming kids into lockers and screaming slurs like a fucking movie villain one Monday because the varsity team got dead drunk at Laura's party on Sunday and hey, look, there weren't that many girls there, okay?

They all had fucking hands and mouths. Everybody but Tommy was single and hot to trot. Nothing gay about it.

Its not even like they were kissing or treating each other like chicks. It was just Brad's first time and they got to tease him later for overthinking it. 

Dude graduated soon enough after and given Steve was on the team as a sophomore, he hadn't thought about the guy and why he might be freaking out so bad in years.) 

Robin's entire panic attack at Starcourt, and a few more after had Steve replaying that whole incident. Reframed it a bit, and, yeah.

In retrospect that had been extremely gay, actually. 

It sat with him a lot easier than he'd thought it would. Partially because of Robin, but mostly because that's just who he was.

Stranger things had happened to Steve and this one didn't want to kill, maim or otherwise eat him, so it got filed under 'interesting facts he should never tell his parents if he wanted to keep his trust fund' and then he went about his day. 

(Or he tried too, anyways.

It caught up to him when Eddie and Robin somehow figured out the other was queer and dragged him along to some bar Eddie had a standing invitation at, with demands for Steve to do what he did best.

Babysit.

Their magical trip was utterly destroyed when Brad Handly happened to be the very same bartender who had given Eddie the invite.

 Considering Brad's immediate bark of laughter followed by a hug and introducing himself as "Steve's gay awakening", Steve ended up having to speedrun through Eddie and Robin both having a crisis for him.

It didn't help that Steve had politely, and laughingly, corrected Brad with a casual; 

"Pretty sure that was Tommy man, but if it helps I think that tongue of yours gave Matt Burdon a crisis."

--which ended up with him answering a lot more gay sex questions with Brad than he cared too. 

At least he, through Brad, was able to help Robin connect to some local lesbians and--after a second crisis from Eddie regarding how Steve managed to have more sex than "the resident town freak and guy who actually knew he was gay, Steve!"-- even helped Eddie out by catching the metalheads tongue with his mouth later that evening.

The last one landed him a boyfriend, trust fund be damned.) 

#this started as thought and ended as a mini fic #filing this under shit I'm not expanding on #steddie #platonic stobin #its the “Eddie and Robin drag Steve to a Gay Bar” trope but with a twist #the twist is that Steve skipped his gay crisis entirely #and also that basketball team is not straight #steve harrington #eddie munson #robin buckley #I just want to re-invoke that pre internet feeling of "No one has an easy way to google whether or not their friend is right #so it comes down to who sounds right LOL #or whose known for what

[cuntrygirlcallista]

you need him? i could be him

mattheo riddle x reader

Why you should break up with your boyfriend (and get back with Mattheo)

When you and Mattheo broke up, it was civil, an agreement between you both that you were better off as friends, at least for the time being...

This all began when you started dating a French transfer student who was sorted into Hufflepuff—a choice that, in Mattheo's opinion, just wasn't right for you, for obvious reasons, of course.

1. You didn’t even know if you liked him

"Are you sure you like him?" Mattheo inquired, tilting his head while glancing over at the boy walking toward you. "Matty." you warn in a blank tone. He turned towards you, raising an eyebrow. "Don’t look at me like that. You do this every time I’m interested in someone." "Do what?" "Give me reasons not to, and I refuse to let you do it this time." The conversation ended abruptly as your new little transfer student made his way over, shooting a quick “hello” to Mattheo to be polite and asking to walk you to your next class. Mattheo just scoffed inwardly as the two of you walked away. He knows you, and he knew if you really liked frenchy, you wouldn’t care what he had to say.

2. The both of you had nothing in common

Yes, sometimes opposites do attract, but in Mattheo's opinion, the two of you just weren't an ideal match. You enjoyed small amounts of PDA, like hand-holding and quick pecks—simple gestures that brought you joy. However, your boyfriend despised any public displays of affection, creating a noticeable contrast between your preferences. While you excelled as a diligent student, you also relished in the thrill of partying, letting loose, and embracing moments of pure fun, a lifestyle that clashed with your boyfriend's more reserved nature.

"I don’t understand why you're so upset," you said, frustration evident in your voice. "I don’t understand you at all," your boyfriend replied, packing up his things and leaving your dorm room. All you did was ask to reschedule your weekly study date because you’d promised Pansy you’d go with her to Draco’s party. The two of you could study any other time. Expecting your boyfriend to be a little upset due to losing time spent with you, instead, he went on a tangent about how unserious you are about your academics and even mentioned he wasn’t sure how the two of you were even dating because of how “different” you were.

and Mattheo had to agree.

3. He was too jealous, for example

It was a generally nice day at Hogwarts. The school year was winding down, the weather was pleasant, and you were studying with your boyfriend in the courtyard, surrounded by books and snacks on a blanket. You glance up from your books upon hearing the familiar voices of your favorite Slytherin boys. Draco, Mattheo, Theo, and Blaise emerge from Quidditch practice, looking a bit worse for wear but in good spirits, teasing each other. Pansy follows behind them. Spotting you, they hurry over, eager to talk to you. Amidst laughter and half-finished stories, you learn that Mattheo narrowly avoided a bludger to the head in practice and fell off his broom while dodging it. "Matty, perhaps I could offer you a basic broom skills lesson. I've been assisting the first years, and I'd be happy to help you," you playfully tease.

He flips you off, but instead of responding to your teasing, he asks, "Where's your little boyfriend gone off to?" You scan the courtyard, puzzled by his absence. Unbeknownst to you, Mattheo had been observing closely. He noticed the immediate stiffening of your boyfriend's face when the group approached and the sneer he gave when you affectionately called him “Matty” in your normal, all too sweet tone. Eventually, Mattheo observed your boyfriend getting up and walking away, seemingly conceding to your friends.

4. He couldn’t compete with Mattheo

Everyone in your close circle recognized that Mattheo was the perfect match for you, and eventually, your boyfriend came to the same realization.

He observed the softness in your eyes when you looked at Mattheo, how you would relax upon hearing his voice, and the laughter-filled conversations that defined your interactions, with Mattheo always striving to keep you smiling. How you’d scold Draco for mockingly calling your boyfriend “frenchy” but when Mattheo did it, it would conveniently go unheard.

The final straw was witnessing how quickly you rushed to Mattheo's side after the two fought. As the Slytherin boy stood victorious over the fallen figure of your boyfriend, it was Mattheo's well-being that concerned you the most. While your boyfriend lay beaten on the ground, Mattheo's bruised knuckles seemed of little consequence, yet it was his welfare that captured your utmost attention.

Kneeling beside Mattheo, you overlooked the Slytherin boy's smirk, attentively inspecting his bruised knuckles with worry as he reassured you of his well-being, telling everyone involved where your loyalty resided—always with Mattheo.

Though unspoken it was unmistakably clear that your heart had long belonged to from the very beginning.

@cuntrygirlcallista

#mattheo riddle #draco fluff #draco lucius malfoy #harry potter #mattheo riddle headcanon #mattheo riddle imagine #draco malfoy imagine #theodore nott x reader #draco malfoy x reader #theodore nott #blaise zabini x reader #blaise zabini #mattheo riddle x reader #harry pottet gif #harry potter x reader #hermione fanfiction #draco x hermione #severus headcanon #hermione granger #luna lovegood x y/n #lucius malfoy #cedric diggory #slytherin #harry potter x y/n #hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry #draco malfoy fluff #headcannons #ron weasly imagine #ron weasly x reader #mattheo riddle smut

[undreaming-fanfiction]

No Such Thing As Stupid Question

This one is for you, Anna! @unclewaynemunson! Congratulations on your academic progress, I'm so proud of you!

Also on Ao3 for your convenience :)

As someone who showed as little interest in romance as possible, Wayne Munson didn't really expect to be come a parental figure. Maybe he'd get a dog when he retired, some older mutt from a shelter, and they'd sit in front of the trailer in quiet company, perhaps a bark here and there as Wayne sipped his beer. Wayne could imagine that. But a kid, never.

But of course, life had a peculiar sense of humor and his younger brother hit a new low - sadly admirable, given that he was already at the very bottom, but someone brought a shovel with him. Grand theft auto, petty crimes all over, domestic disputes (to put it mildly)...Wayne breathed a sigh of relief when he found out he got locked up before he escalated even further. He didn't want to believe Danny had it in him to seriously hurt someone, but given the right or wrong circumstances, he couldn't guarantee there wouldn't be a casualty like a random witness, someone trying to protect their property...yeah, Danny was definitely better off where he ended up.

As for his son Eddie...Wayne couldn't guarantee the same, even though he vowed to try his damn hardest.

Eddie was a scrawny kid with an ugly buzz cut and dark eyes so large he seemed afraid of anything and everything. When Wayne met with the social worker and they talked over coffee, Wayne couldn't help but notice how Eddie grasped his milkshake, as if someone would take it from him the very next second. His twitchy fingers wrapped around the glass in a vice-like grip and even though Wayne was convinced he was listening to every word said, he kept stubbornly staring into the drink, refusing to meet anyone's eye. And even though the kid was barely in middle school, Wayne found the rigid focus all too familiar, painfully so. It was the first time he found himself truly and purely hating Danny, feeling a burning coal in his chest at what his so-called upbringing did to this boy.

In the end, Eddie was sent to live with him, only a bag with clothes too big, a few trinkets and a single book, worn from constant reading. The Hobbit.

The first day, the now joint Munson household was quiet. Eddie was chewing on an improvised pasta Wayne had made - on his own, thank you for asking, with all three ingredients - and looking anywhere but at his uncle. And Wayne was a quiet man himself so sure, they could stay in silence until Eddie graduated and moved somewhere else, but there was a part of Wayne that didn't want this for Eddie. He wanted at least one Munson to turn out alright.

"Hope it's edible. I...don't cook much," he tried, swallowing a lump of poorly mixed spices.

Eddie's eyes were fixed to his plate. He nodded, the movement almost indiscernible, and then returned to his pasta.

So Wayne tried again. "I saw that book you have," he mentioned and boy, was that a wrong move. Eddie almost curled into himself, his eyes darting to Wayne for the first time - but not with curiosity. With defiance and fear.

He didn't say anything, only stared at Wayne. As if he was daring him to say something, do something.

So Wayne did. "It looked interesting. The Hobbit? I've never heard of it. Is it any good?"

The slight relaxation in Eddie's shoulders seemed promising. "It's my favorite," he said, his eyes returning to the pasta, stabbing a few offending pieces with his fork. "It has an adventure in it. An unexpected one."

Wayne huffed a quiet laugh under his breath. "Ah. So somethin' like this?"

Eddie looked at him again with those large dark eyes. "...yeah."

And then it was quiet again, but this was less forced, less tense. Wayne thought that maybe this was how Eddie would be normally, a withdrawn soul just like himself, but just as he chewed on the last mouthful of less than ideally cooked pasta, Eddie broke the silence.

"Why'd you take me in?" Eddie blurted out and seemed to regret it immediately, biting in to his own lip. "It's...it's not like you knew me before and you could have refused, I...I would understand that. I think. But you agreed to let me stay and I'm grateful and all, but...I just don't get it. Why?" Pausing for a moment, he added "sorry if that's a stupid question. I just want to understand."

It might have taken Wayne a second longer than ideal to answer, but he didn't want to spit ketchup on the poor boy who already seemed flustered enough. He held his finger up and quickly washed down the food with a gulp of soda. "First rule of this house, son," he said and smiled at Eddie, actually smiled, although his facial muscles protested. "Ain't no such thing as stupid questions. Anything you want to ask, just ask. And if I know the answer, I will give it. Understood?"

Eddie was maintaining eye contact now and he nodded eagerly. Almost too eagerly. It made Wayne reconsider in that very second, because this wasn't a withdrawn soul like he'd suspected - this was a boy who wanted to open up to someone so, so badly. "Yes," he muttered and Wayne couldn't help himself, he reached out, slowly, and ruffled whatever hair remained on Eddie's head. And Eddie didn't move away, just watched his hand like a hawk and, when he ensured he wasn't in any danger, even leaned into it, giving Wayne a small smile.

Returning to his side of the table, Wayne leaned in. "Why'd I take you in? I could give you a bunch of reasons, none would fully cover it. Obligation, sure. You're family, that's another thing. But most of all, I just..." He trailed off, finding the correct words, the truthful words. Throughout all of it, Eddie was watching him, waiting. "I guess I just want to give you something better, Eddie. Danny and I, we didn't have the best family, not sure how much he told you. And there ain't much we can do to fix ourselves, but I look at you and I think...maybe I can make a difference right here. Because you seem like a bright kid to me and I just...I just want to do right by you. Even if I'm the only one."

Eddie swallowed thickly, fidgeting. "And...and if I turn out like him?" he mumbled, struggling to keep the eye contact. "What if you...you do that, but I still fail?"

Damn, Wayne Munson did not cry, but the fear, the insecurity in Eddie's voice tugged at something in his chest. He reached over again and grasped Eddie's bony shoulder. "Then you'll still have home here for as long as you want. All I want from you is to give it your best shot. That work for you?"

The boy smiled at him and nodded, wiping at his eyes. "Yeah."

"Good." They were grinning at each other over dirty plates, the smell of ketchup and cheap soda between them. "And I meant what I said. Anythin' you want to ask, go for it. No question is a stupid question."

Eddie smirked at him and Wayne might have detected a glint of mischief in his eyes. He thought he'd bend over backwards to keep it there, to give this frightened kid a bit of childhood back. "Anything, huh?" he asked.

"Yup. But count on me askin' a lot of stuff too. Like," he paused, rubbing his chin in deep thought.

It was ridiculous. But Wayne remembered what the doctors told him when he returned from Vietnam - sometimes to get moving, you need something unexpected, something to confuse the anxiety right out of your brain. So he dug deep and hard into his imaginative side and pointed at Eddie. "What is the single superior animal noise? No long thinking, go."

Eddie blinked at him, once, twice, and then he burst out laughing. He kicked his knee into the table and the dishes rattled around, but he couldn't stop himself. He was wheezing, grasping the side of the table and trying to breathe. And if that didn't make Wayne's heart swell. "You...you looked so serious!" gasped Eddie between snorts and giggles.

"It's a serious question. Now, Eddie, what's your answer?" Wayne tried to keep his face under control, but Eddie's grin was contagious.

The boy cleared his throat and leaned forwards, brow furrowing in concentration. "So many fine choices," he said in a contemplative voice that made Wayne nearly choke on his soda because it sounded like a poor imitation of a British TV celebrity. "I have to go with ribbit. Unique and well-balanced." Glancing at Wayne, he shot back. "The soup to beat all the soups!"

Wayne smirked and crossed his arms. "That's an easy one. Bean soup. And before you ask - not from a can."

"Knew it."

It gradually becomes their thing.

Whenever Eddie is lost in thought, when he comes back from school with a new bruise, Wayne shoots a ridiculous question at him, what is the best race in the Middle Earth for a basketball tournament, what is the ideal number of dried peas to have in your kitchen, and Eddie's smile is back, as radiant as ever.

When Wayne returns from the plant, grumbling about the stupid idiots from the previous shift making his job harder, he finds Eddie bouncing on his feet, waiting for him to come home to ask what is the ideal sole color for running shoes. "Not the shoe color, the sole, Wayne, what is the sole color that makes you just want to run? No thinking, go!"

Even years after Eddie's hair has grown into the thick wavy locks that Wayne isn't envious of, nope, not at all, they still randomly yell questions at each other across the trailer. Eddie hollers "WHAT'S THE FUNNIEST FRUIT IN THE WHOLE WORLD WAYNE?!" and Wayne shouts back "IT'S PEACH BECAUSE IT'S STUPIDLY HAIRY JUST LIKE A CERTAIN NEPHEW OF MINE AND STOP YELLING, BOY!". Wayne asks between quiet puffs of smoke outside "if you had to wear a hat for the rest of your life, what hat would that be?" and Eddie blows out a circle and snickers "a top hat." There's a joke there and Wayne smiles to himself, wondering if he should acknowledge it.

And eventually, when his boy is returned to him after the hell that was March of 1986, when Eddie slowly heals and the Harrington boy doesn't leave his side, Wayne has the perfect question but he bides his time, watching the two fools dance around each other like the foolish fools they are (has he mentioned they are fools? Because they absolutely are). He's hoping he won't need to ask the question, maybe it will be enough to just wait, but nope, he's had enough. Life is too short for people like him and Eddie. So he grabs a couple of beers, drags Eddie to the porch of their government-funded house and after a couple of cans, starts their favorite pasttime.

"What's the best pink thing to ever exist?"

"Plastic flamingos," responds Eddie and sips his beer. "The one piece of clothing humanity should have never invented?"

"Ties, who's supposed to learn to tie that thing...the best cat name?"

"Household or wild?"

"Wild."

"Fluffles. Imagine being eaten by that in the woods. You'd never live it down, even after dying. The most humiliating job ever?"

"TV weather guy. Must suck to be wrong all the time." He doesn't even pause, just continues in the disinterested, flat tone they always use for their late night rounds of no-stupid-question. "The best place to take Steve for a date?"

"Somewhere calm, I think a picnic, he doesn't do well with a lot of loud noises or people," replies Eddie immediately. He sips his beer and freezes, mid-gulp, when his mind finally catches up with his mouth.

Wayne just pats his shoulder reassuringly. "Sounds like a great plan to me." When Eddie doesn't answer or move, he adds "swallow, boy."

Eddie pours the rest of his beer into his mouth and chuckles at Wayne, breathless. "That sounds more like a second date idea. Uh, shit. Sorry. I mean..."

"I'll pretend I stopped listening at the picnic," says Wayne, but the smile tugging at his lips betrays his sternness. "Just stay safe, Eddie. But if I have to keep watchin' you and that pretty boy dance around each other for a week longer, I swear I'll have you two sit down and talk it out, kindergarten style. So you'd better ask him out before I give him the talk."

With the corner of his eye, he sees Eddie nodding, grasping the can for support. "Will do. Just...are you..." He bites his lip, turns to Wayne. "Does this change anything?"

"I sure hope it does!" Wayne flicks the ash off his cigarette. "For one, I'd expect your room to be much cleaner when you get a boyfriend."

They're both chuckling now, clinking their empty beer cans together. "Smart ass," says Eddie but it has no bite, no venom. "Thank you, dad," he says quietly, and Wayne can't help himself, he throws his arm over Eddie's shoulders and pulls him into a very uncomfortable sideways hug. It's the best hug in his life.

When Eddie throws open the door the next Friday and hollers "WHAT IS THE BEST CHAPSTICK FLAVOR FOR KISSING?" and Wayne answers, he gets corrected for the first time. "Wrong," says Eddie and wipes at his mouth, still grinning wildly. "It's cherry."

And Wayne gets proven right once more when, not even a year later, after rebuilding of Hawkins, practically adopting Steve into their small weird family, Eddie proves to him that he's not just scarily observant, but he learns the worst tricks in the book.

Because sure, Wayne might have buried his own needs and desires so deep they're practically at the Earth's core, but then there was a sympathetic man close to his age, maybe a bit younger, who approached Wayne and told him he's so happy for him that Eddie is back, that he taught Eddie in middle school and he never believed a single word about his involvement because that boy is incapable of harming anyone, that's what he said. And he invited Wayne for a beer because some people were still treating the name Munson as the plague itself and Wayne might be finding himself looking at Eddie and Steve, wishing that he was younger, he had more courage...

So he's still mostly lost in those thoughts when Eddie starts pestering him during one of Steve's shifts, meaning they're home alone and bored. It's late July, they're both sitting on the porch, sipping beer again, and Wayne has already answered questions about the mug to end all mugs, whether soccer would be more fun to watch with human-sized insects and who is the single person from all Hawkins to be sent to Mars to never return. And then Eddie asks "what's the best movie to take Scott Clarke for the first date?" and Wayne's brain short circuits.

When he comes to, Eddie is smirking at him sympathetically, offering him a new can of beer because Wayne dropped the old one. "Come on, did you think I wouldn't notice?" he asks and nudges his shoulder. "I can sense the "desperately in love" Munson eyes from a mile away. I've got them patented, you know. So. Your answer?"

Wayne coughs and stammers out that it would have to be something smart because Scott is smart. And that he isn't smart enough to figure out what he'd like, so it's not really a good question...

But Eddie just shakes his head and reaches into his pocket, producing two tickets to the Hawkins movie theatre. "Wrong, Wayne. Or not completely. Mr. Clarke - Scott, shit, that's difficult to get used to, he loves smart things, but he's also a massive nerd, as our lady Applejack loves to call him and everyone within a certain interest group. And I happen to know there's something called RoboCop playing tomorrow. I also happen to have two tickets right here, to know that Scott is free and that he'll be waiting for you 15 minutes before the movie starts."

Wayne gapes at him, mouth hanging open and speechless for the first time in his life. His eyes are traveling between the tickets and Eddie's smile while he's desperately trying to stomp out the flames of hope in his heart. "But...but what if he doesn't see me like that?" he asks and he hates how small and insecure he sounds, but Eddie needs to understand that things are different for people like him, for his age, his...whole person.

His nephew - no, son - throws his head back and laughs into the setting sun. "Look at that," he grins and shoves the two tickets into Wayne's hand. "That has to be the first stupid question I've ever heard from you. Let's see..." he taps on his chin, pretending to think. "Ask me again tomorrow after the movie, okay? If you still need to ask."

The next evening, Eddie leans next to the door when Wayne returns from the movie. "So..." he drawls, raising his eyebrows. "Do you still need me to answer?"

And Wayne huffs out a laugh and shakes his head. "Nah, no more stupid questions in this household."

#steddie fanfiction #steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #academic fairy godmother Aneta #clarkson #wayne munson #scott clarke #steddie drabble #stranger things #stranger things fanfiction

[victoirey]

Hi!! I'm so happy to see more people writing for avatar, it's been on my mind since I saw the movie and I'm in dire need of something fluffy or hurt/comfort with Lo'ak. Maybe with the reader as a halfling (omaticaya and metkayina) amongst the rest of the metkayina? If it sparks your inspiration! ❤

♡. "stupid with love." —

synopsis / smart with math, but stupid with love.

gn!halfling!reader | bro first lo'ak fic ??? first LO'AK FIC??? EVER ??? the synopsis and likely this whole fic is loosely based on that one song from the mean girls musical called stupid with love

you were always so sure of your love for lo'ak. it came naturally to you, because whenever he smiled or you so much as saw a glimpse of him— you'd just... brighten up. you loved him, from his eyes to his fingers to his legs— you, loved everything. it is idiotic how oblivious he is, though. almost every sight you saw through your eyes — was him, and of course, naturally, it was him being idiotic. you had seen him ascend into the heavens purely because he drank human alcohol. he didn't know it was alcohol. he thought it was apple juice and he had always wanted to try apple juice. he was wrong, except he chugged the whole thing down anyway. it was embarrassingly funny. there was also the time in which lo'ak accidentally mistook you and your ( beautiful ) face for a direwolf , and in his defense it was "considerably dark" — nonetheless, you still whacked him. kiri supported your decision.

still, amongst all others, he was your everything. he was stupid, stubborn, reckless, and you were half sure he didn't even have a conscience and what really controlled him was a villainous shimmyfly— but even then, you still loved him. he was your stupid-stubborn-reckless-noconscienceonlyshimmyflycontrolled boy. except, as mentioned, he was idiotically oblivious. like, really really oblivious. he didn't even know his mother was pregnant as a child, only when they outrightedly announced it did he actually know. he's stupidly oblivious to obvious signs.

which is why you just can't seem to win his stupid heart.

then again, lo'ak is only continously oblivious because you are too much of a wuss to formally court him— but what the hell! how could he not notice your love for him when you just outright say I love you in the heat of the moment? you don't know! you refuse to know because you don't want to court him! he knows what courting is, and knowing him, he'd be absolutely thrilled to know you want his heart— okay, that's wishful thinking because you don't even know if he likes you back. lately, he seems even more interested in other things, like once again, being reckless & throwing himself into the heat of battle.

that was stupid. he's stupid. why are you inlove with him?

you remember how scared you were, when he first arrived. you remember how kiri told you him and neteyam were fatally injured. you remember how close you were to crying. you remember pulling him into your chest, having him pinky promise you to never do that again.

you knew he wouldn't keep it, except was it so bad you wanted to believe he would?

you saw the look of pain on his face, and the wound he was palming. it struck a cord in you.

am I actually about to court lo'ak? am I actually about to court this idiotic boy with nothing but a shimmyfly controlled brain?

you gulped, resolve solid.

no.

not yet.

not yet.

sickeningly good at academics, that's what you were. you grew up in the lab, actually— and to be taught and constantly surrounded by these humans, taught you to be more than just strategic. it taught you to be smart. strategy doesn't work if you don't know stuff. so, naturally, you would bury your face into a book until inevitably lo'ak would come take you away like a prince taking away his lover. you wish you were his lover. except, then again, you wouldn't let yourself give into love so easily. love can and will lead to stupid idiotic things. books, numbers, chalkboards & the likes— only led to expanded knowledge. that was good enough for you.

stupid lo'ak, you thought — chalk pushing down onto the board, near breaking it in two before it just snapped out of your grip and hit you right in the face. "shit!" you yelled; forget bb guns, chalk in a slingshot would be lethal. "you okay there, kid?" max called, checking in on you. all he saw was a lovesick halfling who used academics as a coping mechanism and also to avoid the thought that their one true love would never love them the way they loved him. "woah, woah, woah, you good? you look a bit set off. trouble in paradise?" he teased, you glared at him.

"I only have trouble with math problems. not paradise. not with lo'ak—" "

"I didn't say anything about lo'ak."

"...touché. but you know, it's not like he likes me or anything. I got no chance."

"he is just painfully oblivious. besides, you won't know whether or not he likes you until you make a move on him. court him, y/n. court him."

"....excuse me—"

"y/n."

"what if he doesn't like me?? what if I make a gift for him and he just throws it away and calls me stupid and shimmyflybrained and —"

"oh my go— y/n, calm down. i can't debunk your theories except I can't find truth in them either. I promise you, the worst thing he can do is say no."

you let out a half whine half noise that's a poor attempt at a groan, and then pause. to think. to really analyze all your life choices. to think forward on your future choices.

to scream internally too, for good measure.

"eywa, am i really doing this?" you breathed.

love has made you stupid.

"no way." lo'ak marveled.

infront of him was a handmade gift. handmade by you. it was a silly thing, honestly. a necklace — the base was an unbelievably pretty vine, and leaves were placed in the center. in the absolute middle of the necklace, was a pretty rock. it was ... simple, and yet when given to you by someone you loved, it was cute. you wished you were on the receiving end. the suspense is killing you right now. but, as you watch lo'aks face brighten— his eyes examining the necklace you gifted him, his eyes creasing as he smiled and how pretty that smile was— you realized, hey, maybe all those hours of self doubt & crippling fear were worth it. he laughed, a loud and boisterous laugh it was— and yet, what else do you expect? it was him, and you love him.

it is not always you admit that you love somebody, and yet sometimes — your love for them is prioritized more than your morals, or in this case, your whole life. it was liberating, watching lo'ak take the hint and looking at you fondly.

"no fuckin' way. you did not. you cant be—" lo'ak paused, gripping at the necklace like it was a marriage proposal. "you're inlove with me, is what I'm getting at, y/n, and I'm gonna tell you this now— if you wanted to kiss me, damn, you could've just asked! this - " he looked at the necklace again, and practically kissed it. you wish you were that necklace, to be very honest. lo'ak seemed to have done that forgetting he was infront of you. he shrunk, but even then, delivered a flirty excuse. "sorry, i was practicing —" he grinned. you laughed, hitting his arm playfully. this was going really really well. like, really well. you think you're about to faint from how well it's going.

lo'ak stilled, playing with the necklace— he sighed, lovingly, and then clasped the necklace around his neck. he puffed his chest out, wearing it with pride. you couldn't deny it, you had to have some blush creepin' round your cheeks, and honestly, no one would blame you for it if they were inlove with lo'ak. and you were inlove love. stupid with love. embarrassingly, disgustingly inlove with this stupid-stubborn-reckless-noconscienceonlyshimmyflycontrolled boy. you froze when he looked at you, straight in the eye, and you were so sure he was stabbing you with his gaze. his smile was softer, more poised. "you know, I was really hoping that all those times you spent in that lab, you were calculating how to win my heart. I thought it was wishful thinking. I really did. except, you know— maybe you were calculating how to win my heart." he teased, "but, I will say,"

"your solution was spot on." he finished, your whole world went quiet and your peripheral vision just clocked out as all you saw was him. you thought, as he pressed your foreheads together—

eywa, i really am stupid with love.

#lo'ak x reader #lo'ak #awow lo'ak #awow #awow x reader #atwow x reader #atwow #atwow lo'ak #lo'ak sully #avatar the way of water #avatar: the way of water #avatar 2009 x reader #avatar 2022 x reader #james camerons avatar #max patel #the way of water

[accio-lo-ki]

Hii would you have any percabeth fic recs?? I'm just deprived 😭😭

Oh I have a LOT. If you’re as insane about this ship as I am, you’ve probably read all of them but I’m still going to list them down anyway. So, in no particular order:

Whiny Little Pitch by petersgwen - this fic literally made me scream multiple times. everything by this author is chef’s kiss btw. Sports au like no other + exes to lovers

Apartment 305 by waddled - a literal serotonin boost monster of a fic that i’m sure most already know about . i love percy and annabeth’s relationship here, and their characterization. It’s got college romance, olympic athlete Percy, and pipabeth bffism at its finest.

Five Times Percy Jackson Cheated at School by lammermoorian - man this one I reread a lot. I just love it so much. Academic!Percy, domestic percabeth, and just a whole lot of charm

Honesty and Promise Me by Darkmagyk, lammermoorian - never thought I would enjoy punk!annabeth until this fic. it has unexpected pregnancy but it’s so well done! fwb to lovers!

For Real This Time by captainjackson, timelesslords - anything written by this pair is a must-read, but this is one of their best! roman!percy and divorced annabeth! the premise is so interesting and the setting even more so.

Murkiest Intentions by inkncoffee - i feel like this fic shows my age, but when i tell you it’s a classic! jurassic world au (it sounds crazy but it’s so good) i’ve been rereading this since high school and it still holds up

Would it really kill you (if we kissed) by greenconverses - i mean, who hasn’t read this and all the author’s works? but it’s a classic in the fandom and it’s a classic for a reason

The Old Guard au by ananbeth, blackjacktheboss - this series is so well-written with such a solid worldbuilding you have to binge it this instant go

Love me, won’t you by ananbeth, blackjacktheboss - modern romeo and juliet with greece as a backdrop? sign me tf up

the sun stands by petersgwen- if you want pain this is it this fic is pain in fanfiction form

That crosses the white sea by husborth - another well-written masterpiece with percabeth in college

Voice on the radio by PastyPirate - another fandom classic! this one has me giggling kicking my feet everytime i reread it. soulmate au! musician!percy! and friendship bracelets!

The Heart is a Muscle by thebackupkid - I feel like this one is so underrated, but it’s so good and so interesting and distinct! it’s got magic and adventure and fantasy! the worldbuilding again is so good!

Impossible Year by bananannabeth - another pain in fiction form. but this time it has a breakup trope, which destroys me so much I always need years before i want to reread this again. but it’s a masterpiece and you should experience it at least once in your life!!

Game, Set, Match by ananbeth, blackjacktheboss - if there’s a classic percabeth sports au, it’s this. and it has fwb too and it’s just too iconic

Stucco Hearts by ananbeth, writergirl8 - another fandom classic, but this time it’s a soulmate au! this is so so interesting and one of my favorite soulmate aus ever. the worldbuilding is so interesting. another case of it’s a classic for a reason!

Puck It by bipercabeth, jasonmclean - hockey au + friends w benefits. again, another fandom classic. unfortunately i think this was discontinued by the authors but it’s still too good not to read!

Broken glass, no reflection by ananbeth, flyingcrowbar - another (potentially) discontinued fic that I still think about now. it’s a pacific rim au and it’s so. goddamn. good. read it now !!

kiss me once cause you know i had a good night by herecomesthepun - this one is pure comedic fluff and if you need a serotonin boost you have to read it. workplace romance with a twist !

slow motion double vision in a rose blush by herecomesthepun - ooh this one is a high school fwb secret relationship au with a punk percy and a student council president annabeth so basically it’s a classic

and they were roommates by bipercabeth - friends to lovers + college percabeth like no other. another fandom classic

Never Shall We Die by captainjackson, timelesslords - this pirate au series is INSANE it’s crazy good the worldbuilding is amazing it makes me feral actually

Wreck my plan, that’s my man by seaweedbraens - everything by this author is so good they’re a fandom icon but this one in particular i think about daily (tho it’s ongoing)

How to Seduce an Earl by sinfulindulgence - this is hella spicy but it’s also so addicting? i blame bridgerton (this author does so much stuff w this vibe that u should check out too! i liked Revenge of the Duchess as well)

Night at the Museum by lammermoorian - it’s so niche and crazy and camp but also angsty and fluffy and you need to read it right this second ! i LOVE this one

faster than a hairpin trigger by medeaa - this one is the quintessential percabeth fwb college au TO ME. unfortunately it’s (potentially) discontinued, but it’s still one of my favorites.

watch me fall at your feet by maydayparade8123 - this is a really well-written friends to lovers fic that realt explored how confusing it is to fall in love with your best friend like,, it’s a classic but also it’s so real !! this author is a fandom icon but i think they deleted / orphaned their accounts on ff.net and ao3

spellbound by writergirl8 - this is the percabeth hogwarts au. i dont make the rules.

home is where i want to be (but i guess i’m already there) by percivaljackson - fake dating + holidays! this is so well-written!

‘tis the damn season by captainjackson - regency au at its finest!!

-

This is way too long already lmao i dont have the time to list down everything (i have 700+ percabeth fanfics downloaded on my ibooks app 😭) but these are the ones that i can recall at this time !! Happy reading!

#this got out of hand #percabeth #fanfic #fic rec #pjo #percabeth fic rec

[somefanchick]

-Rollo's Angelic Obsession-

(This story is from Rollo's perspective during the events of the visit to Nobel Bell College. I only know information from the English server story and events so sorry if anything is terribly out of character. This fic is cannon for my female Yuu-sona, but I do just call them Yuu in the story. Yuu uses she/her pronouns. Hope you enjoy! TW: Rollo is obsessive and Delulu with a major crush on Yuu. Found the banner pictures in a post by @ raven-at-the-writing-desk, they are not mine. I got the event book 1 transcripts from the Wiki, and the book 3 transcripts from @ kanasmusings!)

It was disgusting. The headmaster of Night Raven called to inform us that his group of ten had grown to thirteen, not including the chaperone. I had requested Malleus Draconia so I could execute my plan, but to add two more students to the group was borderline infuriating. I didn’t even have the time to see how powerful these other students were, or who they were. I had no idea if they would be an issue or if it would be better to rid the world of them like the others. The only information the headmaster gave on them was that they counted as one student, and that one of them was magicless. That last note made me somewhat hopeful.

The portal lit up and all of the students stepped through. I recognized each and every one of them, so I assumed the new ones were tucked behind the others. I even recognize the chaperone. None of them were a threat. None of them were pure. They all would burn.

“I've been expecting you,” I stepped out of the shadows, vice president and aide on my left and right, “ Esteemed guests from Night Raven College, welcome to Noble Bell College.”

Mozus Trein, the chaperone, spoke in a tone much like my own, “Judging by your uniform, you must be the student the headmage mentioned.”

“That's right,” I put my handkerchief over my mouth for a moment before speaking again, “My name is Rollo Flamme. I serve as the student council president here.”

Riddle Rosehearts was the next to speak, “Oh, interesting. Our school doesn't have an independent student council, but it sounds like you all do.”

I removed the cloth from my lips, “Indeed. And while it may sound presumptuous, one could call it the face of our school. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Idia Shroud’s voice was shrill with surprise or fear, “Ack! Immediate encounter with strangers!”

Azul Ashengrotto seemed equally annoyed and used to the outburst, “Isn't the whole point of this social to meet strangers?”

I could hear some of the freshmen mumbling to themselves, about me undoubtedly. I pressed on, “This is our vice president, and this is our aide. When they heard they could meet with such an esteemed group, they dropped everything and came running. The entirety of Noble Bell College welcomes you. Our school is small compared to yours, and you may find it lacking in some ways, but we beg your indulgence.”

Trein looked like he could almost smile, “How courteous. You have impeccable manners for someone so young.”

Deuce Spade whispered to Silver, a guard of Malleus Draconia, I kept speaking, “We couldn't allow you to keep hauling your luggage around, of course. Let me show you to your rooms. I'm afraid it's a bit of a walk. We can use it as an opportunity to get better acquainted, though.”

I began leading the group forward as Idia Shroud made another winey comment. They were infuriating, and I hadn’t even gotten a glance at the unexpected visitors. They all deserved death.

Azul Ashengrotto made his way to the front with me, “So you're a junior. I imagine it's quite an honor being student council president, considering there can only be one in the whole school. I'm sure your academic performance is also superb and will guarantee you a promising future.”

I tried not to grit my teeth, “Noble Bell simply has a smaller student body. I can hardly compare to those of you from the great Night Raven College.”

Ashengrotto coated his words in flattery, just as we had done with their headmaster, “Please, you needn't be so humble or formal. Why, you're technically my upperclassman! Everyone at my school would be overjoyed to acquaint themselves with such a fine individual.”

I hummed as if amusing the idea, “All right, as you wish. I won't stand on ceremony so much.”

Ashengrotto got involved in a side conversation with Shroud. Leaving me to do nothing but move forward and suppress the urge to strike them down where they stood.

“Ah, but where are my manners? I've gotten ahead of myself,” Ashengrotto pulled himself back to me, “Apologies for the belated introduction. I'm-”

“Introductions won't be necessary,” I waved it off, bringing my handkerchief back to my lips, “I already know who all of you are. You're Azul Ashengrotto, housewarden of Octavinelle and a merman from the Coral Sea,” I kept going, “And you're Idia Shroud, housewarden of Ignihyde and affiliated somehow with the Shroud family. And you-!” I quickly kept myself from flying off the handle at the sight of that Fae, “You are Malleus Draconia, scion of the ruling fae in Briar Valley and one of the top five mages in the world. Correct?”

I felt sick as he smiled, “Indeed, I am Malleus Draconia.”

Sebek Zigvolt butted into the conversation, “Of course the great Malleus would be known even in such a tiny burg!”

I lowered my handkerchief once more, “You are Sebek Zigvolt, and you hail from the same land as Malleus. The one next to you is Silver. And over there chatting with our vice president is Riddle Rosehearts, housewarden of Heartslabyl, Rook Hunt, vice housewarden of Pomefiore, Jamil Viper, vice housewarden of Scarabia, Ruggie Bucchi, Deuce Spade, and Epel Felmier. I thoroughly perused the documents Mr. Crowley so kindly sent, you see.”

Ashengrotto’s eyes were almost wide, “It's like privacy's a foreign concept to that man-”

Shroud gave me a dirty look, unacceptable, “That could get you sued in this day and age.”

Silver almost smiled, “You must have a very good memory, to recall so many different names.”

“It's simply because I was eager to meet such talented mages,” And that’s when I saw them, “But who have we here? You two there. Might I ask your names?”

The first unknown student was a monster. A tiny mythical beast that resembled a cat with fiery blue ears. A familiar that was almost pure magic and fur. Disgusting, “I'm the great Grim, future great mage!”

But the one standing beside him was something else. A woman. Her hair looked silky like a festival scarf. Only one of her eyes was covered by her bangs, but the other one looked like it had seen so much, yet so little. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. It made sense that she couldn’t use magic. She was an angel. I couldn’t help but wonder what the school had prepared for her to wear later.

When she spoke, it made the bell seem like nothing in comparison, “I’m Yuu. Prefect of Ramshackle Dorm. Nice to meet you Rollo.”

I loved the sound of my name on her lips, “Ah, you must be the student attendants Mr. Crowley mentioned,” I tried not to smile, “He said you couldn't use magic. I certainly wasn't expecting you to bring a familiar.”

“A familiar-?” The wretched thing spoke, “Wait, are you talkin' about me?! It's the other way around! I'm the boss, and Yuu's my hench-human!”

“I hate to say it,” She rolled her eyes at the creature as she whispered, it was almost as if she had been speaking to me alone, “But at this point I almost can’t debate that.”

“Heh, what a dependable companion you have,” My sarcasm was almost indistinguishable from my normal speech. I let my voice soften as I moved closer to the magic-less angel presented to me, I almost let a smile slip for her alone, “Yuu, I imagine it must be taxing living among mages all the time. I entreat you to forget about school while you're here and enjoy a moment of respite in Fleur City. And I hope the rest of you will enjoy the social.”

Her eyes seemed to widen. She looked shocked at my words. She must be so used to brash animals that it sounded odd to be treated properly.

“I actually-”

Malleus Draconia didn’t hear her and spoke over her. I wish I could have killed him in that very second, “I'm truly grateful for your hospitality.”

I moved my handkerchief to cover my scowl, “Think nothing of it.”

I stood by the statue of the Righteous Judge while the pests changed in a building nearby. I had made sure that there was a separate space for Yuu to change. I couldn’t let any of those monsters see the angel in her purest form. Her exposed body would be a gift from the saints above. A gift that I had to keep from being tainted though those devils that called themselves her classmates.

The brats talked loud enough for me to hear them. It was all I could do to keep from lighting the building on fire with them inside, “All this goofing around-”

Trein approached me, “Hello, Flamme.”

I put on my ‘show’ once more, “Ah, Professor Trein. What can I do for you?”

“I wanted to thank you for your generous hospitality. Clothing is an embodiment of the culture it comes from and can provide us with a glimpse into different time periods. This is a fine opportunity for my student to get a hands-on history lesson,” Trein was respectable, for a mage.

“Please, think nothing of it,” It was easier to show him hospitality, “Perhaps we should have arranged attire for you as well, though. That was a grave oversight on our part.”

“It's quite alright, I assure you. I don't need the other teachers poking fun at me for dressing like the students when I get back.”

I hummed, “Sounds like you're on friendly terms with the rest of your faculty.”

He released a dry laugh, “Hardly. They're a raucous group and a constant source of embarrassment.”

We broke into humble laughter. I watched as the brats came out, commenting on how me and their professor ‘got along’. 

The familiar came bursting out of the building, laughing, “I'm all done changin' too,” He turned towards the building his master was changing in, “Whaddaya think, Yuu? Isn't my getup way more stylin' than yours?”

“I don’t know about that,” She looked amazing.

The others on the council had scrambled to find female festival clothes for her, and I hated that they couldn’t do better. It wasn’t nearly extravagant enough. Dark blue high-heeled boots, thin black pants, a flowing black and purple asymmetric skirt, multi-blue corset with hot pink lacing, a flowy off-white shirt, bracelets and golden bangles, and a silk chiffon scarf in a lavender color that flowed off her head. She was a saint.

The familiar ran over to her, “Oh, you think you can go toe to toe with me? Don't let one set of cool threads go to your head!”

She smiled and scanned herself over, “I’m just glad it wasn’t too extravagant. Those extreme duds might look fancy, but I prefer something simple and somewhat practical. And this fits the bill.”

She was right. A simpler ensemble let her natural beauty shine though.

Sebek Zigvolt scoffed, “You're both equally unbecoming.”

Trein looked like he could almost smirk, “Goodness, don't you all make a striking ensemble.”

Rosehearts smiled as he dusted off his outfit, “The clothes have a very classical design, I note.”

I removed my gaze from Yuu and addressed the group, “I believe they're patterned after designs that are over 500 years old. Supposedly people in those days had a tradition of wearing new clothes and shoes on festival days. And the outfits grew brighter and more elaborate as the years went on. People would emulate those in prominent positions, such as nobles, royalty, merchants, knights- Which led to the outfits you're wearing now. There were simpler styles that rose to oppose this trend. Though more people gravitate towards the extravagant style in the modern age.”

Ruggie Bucchi was checking himself out, “I getcha. Everyone likes getting fancied up, even if it's once a year.”

Rook Hunt’s accent was almost insulting, “It must have been quite exciting for everyone. I can tell this festival was beloved then as it is now.”

I couldn’t help but mutter into my handkerchief, “Indeed. More's the pity.”

Zigvolt noticed my slip up, “Hm? Did you say something?”

“No, nothing at all.”

I had been tasked with visiting all the Night Raven groups between duties, and I had the misfortune of never running into Yuu. However, the Topsy-Turvy Festival was a mandatory event for all students and chaperones from the visiting schools. It was the last bit of normalcy before I burnt the magic away from this world. 

I locked my eyes on Yuu and approached the Night Raven group, “There you are, Night Raven College.”

Trein did his own kind of smile, “Hello, Flamme. Are you here to watch the festival as well?”

“Yes, this is part of my duties as the Student Council President,” I realized that it may benefit me to stay closer to the group, ‘keep your enemies close’ and whatnot, “May I take this opportunity to sit with you? I’d like to hear about your experiences, too.”

Ashengrotto put on that sleazy grin, “Yes, you’re very welcome to! Please have a seat.”

The fae questioned his classmate, “There’s not enough space, correct? What will we do?”

He smiled as if it was obvious, “Simple. We let Grim sit on Yuu’s lap instead.”

Zigbolt seemed shocked, but Trein only nodded, “Yes, that will do. I’m interested in hearing from Noble Bell College students, too, so please feel free to join us.”

“No way!” The ungrateful monster yowled, “I’m not sitting on Yuu’s lap!”

Shroud smiled creepily, “How about you sit on my lap instead?”

“That grin’s freaking me out,” Grim pushed Yuu onto the bench, “Sit on the chair properly, Yuu! Imma make space for myself.”

I took advantage of it all and sat beside Yuu, “Pardon me. I’ll be taking this seat, then.”

I tuned out the others and focused on Yuu as she watched the mages and the festival goers. There was a slight sign of joy, but she remained mostly neural. She did make a point to try and hold in some laughter at Zigbolt’s outbursts. 

“Hello, everyone! All eyes and ears on me, please!” The same Jester I had seen every time the festival came into town spoke, it seemed he was leading this year, “Come one, come all. Forget about all your work and worries for today, and let’s enjoy the festival. Welcome to the Topsy-Turvy Festival!”

“Topsy-Turvy Festival?” The familiar spoke. Ignorant as a newborn baby, “That sounds weird. Will everyone be upside-down or something?”

I covered my mouth with my handkerchief, “No, he’s just talking about the participants in general. It’s the one day people get to live their lives without titles or status. The weak can become strong, anyone can pretend to be king, so on and so forth.”

Negative emotion coursed through me as I realized Malleus Draconia had sat on the other side of Yuu, and now he was speaking, “Ah, so ranks are put aside for today?”

I grit my teeth behind the cloth I held, “Yes, that’s right. That’s why everyone wears masks for the festival.”

Past Malleus Draconia was Ashengrotto, “I see. I think I understand the appeal now. You get to live as freely as you want today.”

“I saw lots of stalls selling masks, too. There’s a kind of romance to hiding your identity behind a mask,” I swear Shroud was smiling.

Grim spoke up and pointed at some performers, “Everyone looks like they’re having lots of fun!”

The Jester kept going as performers kept prancing, “It’s our long-awaited Topsy-Turvy Festival! But let’s not forget that it’s the ‘Kindly Bell Ringer’ who loved this festival the most!”

Yuu and the familiar spoke in unison, although Yuu’s voice was quiet – as if it was for me alone to hear, “‘The Kindly Bell Ringer’?”

Malleus Draconia spoke again, “Oh, did you not know?”

The little beast was the only one to respond, “Nope, I didn’t!”

Ashengrotto rolled his eyes, “You didn’t even bother researching about the City of Flowers, Grim?”

“I’m not interested in anything except for the food.”

Shroud smiled, “I’ll praise your straightforwardness.”

I then tuned out, I had heard this story a million times. While I did love the tale, it was hard to stand it being said from the lips of a jester and his ragdoll puppet. I but in for a moment to tell the animal what a ventriloquist was, but then I resumed just watching Yuu’s reactions out of the corner of my eye. 

The Night Raven students had turned the festival into a horror show of magical fireworks and mage tricks. It was despicable. Although it did give me a moment alone with Yuu while we said on the Night Raven bench. She was watching the fireworks with a neutral smile. Her lack of ‘joy’ made my heart beat loudly in my chest. Part of me was afraid she was going to hear it over the commotion of the festival. 

I tried to make conversation, “Mages are quite a handful, don’t you think?” She turned to me, her eyes were mesmerizing, “It must be difficult for you to keep up with noisy mages who don’t understand the severity of it all. It would be nice if magic didn’t exist so we could avoid all this fuss. Don’t you agree?”

Her eyes widened, but she just chuckled, “Yeah right. I’m used to it by now.”

I was almost speechless, I couldn’t keep the horror from my face, “You’re ‘used to it’? Oh you poor thing! I can’t blame you for becoming numb to the absurdity after spending everyday practically swimming in it. Mages will use magic to deceive people around them. They cloud the eyes of the righteous. Truely how vexing. But rest assured. This kind of world will soon vanish.”

She froze, “Excuse me? What is that supposed to mean?”

As soon as the words left her lips, her familiar called out, “Yuu! Stop standing around and spacing out over there. Behold! I’ll show you the Great Grim’s Special Golden Fire!” The monster sent out a spray of golden fireworks. 

I used the distraction to slip away. Maybe she didn’t understand right now because she had become accustomed to the horrors of magic, but one day she would. She was too pure. She was an angel. She would be saved from the dirt and grime of magic once it all burned away. 

Then she would be mine.

#disney twst #twisted wonderland #twst mc #twst #rollo flamm #twst rollo #twisted wonderland rollo #rollo x reader #twst x reader #twisted wonderland disney #twisted wonderland Yuu #twisted wonderland drabble #twisted wonderland reader #obbsession #I feel like this this seriously undermining Rollo as a character but in the same breath I am obsessed with him being obsessed with a Yuu #I stg #i need mental help

[belle-keys]

My Hogwarts House book recs

Okay, ever since some of my favorite booktubers made posts like these many a year ago, I always wanted to make a book rec list like this because I still genuinely do like the Hogwarts Houses. Enjoy!

Gryffindor

Graceling by Kristen Cashore - she walked so these new fantasy girlies could run, fantasy kingdom with assassin main character, the original ya high fantasy killer girlboss imo

A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin - all of the sympathetic leads are classic heroes (dany, jon, arya), adventure and politics and battle and dragons, nuanced outlooks on honor

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah - ww2 novel, deals with the french resistance during the occupation, hit every spot in my cold black heart, emphasis on sisterhood and endurance

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - what is bravery if not a broke woman telling a rich man to get a grip, og strong female lead overcoming many challenges, criticisms of polite society

Hufflepuff

Crave by Tracy Wolff - big on found family, paranormal romance shenanigans in a boarding school, somewhat satire, unserious and just very wholesome, steeped in nostalgia uwu

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir - unapologetically written to heal and explore trauma, cathartic, wholesome and pure relationships, emphasis on self-growth and overcoming abuse and pain

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali - historical, about the value of relationships in war and hardship, themes of growth and acceptance and promises, beautiful story

The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic - what happens when you let a bunch of mentally ill kids play a made up sport, angsty but feels like a big hug, contemporary fiction, just genius ok

Ravenclaw

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake - very slytherclaw, philosophy and physics as the basis, dark academia urban fantasy, character-driven, multiple POVs, morally grey academics

Babel by RF Kuang - this book has been likened to a history textbook, by a nerd girlie for the nerd girlies, linguistics and languages, super well-researched, condemns colonization

Disorientation by Elain Hsieh Chou - witty and sharp narration and dialogue, set in academia and deals with east asian literature, satire and black comedy, explores racial fetishization

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov - only a ravenclaw could appreciation its complexity, so many literary references, stylistically immaculate, lots of room to debate its message and themes

Slytherin

Vicious by VE Schwab - perfect moral quandaries demonstrated here, everyone is morally dark grey, supervillains, very angsty and also profound at times, dark academia

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde - my man makes a deal with the devil for eternal youth and beauty, everyone here is morally dubious, murder and orgies and philosophy

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn - exhausted woman does what she needs to do, female rage book, does some interesting things with pov, justified evil, amy dunne is insane and it's great

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao - tired chinese woman does what she needs to do and kills men, very unhinged queen behavior, ambition and god complexes, pacific rim but in china

#book recs #book recommendations #hogwarts houses #gryffindor #slytherin #hufflepuff #ravenclaw #the picture of dorian gray #asoiaf #all my rage #the foxhole court #the atlas six #babel an arcane history #iron widow #graceling #books and literature #book blog #ya books #dark academia #dark academia books #books #slytherclaw

[dujour13]

Owlcatober 22. Nobility

“If it isn’t the Commander’s conman consort.” Daeran stood rod-stiff with both arms folded across his chest and his venom-green eyes flashing. “Honestly I’m not certain whether I’m more furious with you or with myself, to have been quite so easily hoodwinked.”

“Uh…” Woljif’s tail darted in time with his mind. Is this about that bottle of wine? The ruby cufflinks? The maps? The cut of the fake investment scheme? His eyes were wide with total innocence. “What about?”

“’Oh Count, I need a nice outfit to sit on the Knight-Commander’s council,’” Daeran mocked. “To sit on the Knight-Commander’s c—”

“Hold on, you’re mad about that?”

“I’m positively outraged!”

“But—” Woljif blinked. There were so many other things to be outraged-er about.

Daeran flipped a blond lock from his face. “That you didn’t confide in me! You could have told me it was a bid to seduce our brave and beloved bard.”

“You’re jokin’, right? You woulda laughed me outta town.”

“Touché. But I am nonetheless wounded.” Daeran stormed over to the drinks cabinet, poured himself a glass of wine and threw himself gracefully across a divan. “I’m taking credit, I’ll have you know. He did like the outfit, didn’t he?”

At the memory of Siavash’s eyes wandering down his chest – Is that a new shirt? It looks like silk – Woljif felt a flood of treacherous heat in his cheeks and pretended to search for something non-alcoholic among the Count’s bottles until it cooled down. “I guess.”

“You are so deeply in my debt you’ll require a potion of water-breathing.” It sounded like a threat. Daeran leaned forward on the divan, fixing him with a gaze of bright green shards. “Did he rip it from your trembling frame?”

“No!” Now it was Woljif’s turn to be outraged. “It cost a damn fortune.”

“Tsk. My dear Prince, you have so much to learn. Seductive apparel is meant to be ripped.”

“Really? When you got that much money, you just let people tear up your nice clothes?”

“I don’t let them, I enthusiastically encourage it! If any garment of mine did not simply cry out to be torn from my body I should be mortified.”

“Oh yeah?” It was purely academic interest that drew his gaze to Daeran’s ruffled powder-blue shirt, he would have sworn. This time Woljif didn’t catch the flush in time and had to feign a coughing fit.

“Please tell me you ripped his clothes at least,” Daeran said as soon as the fit passed.

Woljif narrowed his eyes, suspecting he was being mocked but grappling with certain doubts. Was that how you were supposed to do it? Had he messed up on some lovemaking ritual known only to the upper crust of society, and the chief was back there at the Citadel in his intact shirt feeling disappointed? Or was that just for toffs who rolled around in so much cash they didn’t know what to do with it except trash expensive stuff? Nah, more likely the Count was having a go.

He shrugged one shoulder and affected an air of confidence. “We weren’t in a rippin’ sorta mood.”

At that Daeran’s eyes lit up, though he sat very still as if to avoid scaring him off. “I see. What sort of mood was it, then? Shy, virginal probing? Frantic fumbling? And tell me, in the moment—la petite mort—is it chief? Knight-Commander? Or something soft, perhaps. Dove? Kitten?”

“I know what you’re doin’,” Woljif scoffed, moving toward the door. “And I ain’t that easy.”

“No. Stay right there or so help me. We are engaged in a game of riposte, you and I, and I believe I recall that you have made a solemn vow never to run away again.”

“Not to you.” But the Count was right about one thing. Woljif was desperate to tease from him the secrets of seduction, while he knew very well how dangerous Daeran could become when on the trail of entertainment, in this case apparently a play-by-play of his night with the chief.

“Yet you had best concoct some way to repay me or I promise you that you’ll regret it, my timorous tiefling.”

Woljif didn’t doubt he meant it. He stopped halfway to the door, calculating. Give a little, invite the obvious attack, and get the enemy to open up. “Fine. It was a romantic mood. Happy?”

Daeran certainly looked on the verge of happiness. “I’m afraid that’s too vague, my friend. Tender, trembling touches? Significant sighs? Longing looks?”

He made it sound like one of those dog-eared novels the chief kept on his nightstand, but in truth Woljif had to admit he kind of hit it on the head there, at least in some ways. He parried with “Is that so bad?”

“Oh, certainly not. Comically maudlin, but then what did I expect from Knight-Commander Butterflies?”

Despite the mockery, at the word “comically” Woljif’s brain went straight back to that night, to himself and Siavash tangled in the sheets together laughing until they cried, and it was too late to stop the huge, dopey grin that crept up and pounced on him.

“Aha.” Daeran pointed his wine glass and grinned triumphantly.

Woljif was going to have to concede defeat, but as he departed from the Count’s chambers he felt satisfied that while he’d learned little from the verbal sparring, he at least felt far surer that he hadn’t messed up with the chief. On the contrary. It might not have been the sophisticated clothes-rending dance of seduction the likes of Daeran and his dandies engaged in, but it suited him and the chief just fine. He could get everything he needed from those novels. Well, except maybe for more advice on rippable princely apparel.

#pathfinder: wrath of the righteous #owlcatober 2023 #woljif jefto #siavash x woljif #daeran arendae #my writing #pwotr pals #woljif

[tgmsunmontue]

It's all academic darlin' PART 8/10

PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 PART 4 PART 5 PART 6 PART 7

Part 7 and 8 are Explicit. And nothing else makes sense without the first six parts but you do you!

Chapter 8 is 8k, each previous chapter was about 2k on average. Yeah. I'm not going to apologise however if you're expecting a short chapter you might want to get a drink and snack first?

PART EIGHT

            Jake snorts, god, he’s fallen for a giant dork. A hot dork. But still a dork. Who is changing into a different shirt which still, somehow, has fucking roosters on it. How many shirts with roosters on them did he own? How many shirts with roosters on them did one man need to own?

            “You get your sense of humor from Mav don’t you?”

            “Maybe. He’s probably going to want you to come to dinner you know?”

            “Sunday? Family dinner?” Jake asks, because that was one of the emails he’d received just this afternoon. Bradley looks at him, eyebrow quirked and Jakes wants to kiss him again, has no reason not to so he just does, leans forward and gives him a quick kiss. He means for it to be quick anyway, Bradley kisses him back though, chases his mouth when he pulls back slightly and he savors it, the whole experience so novel after months of nothing.

            “What, did he already invite you?”

            “Yeah. He sent me an email about two hours ago. Didn’t reply yet.”

            “Waiting for a better offer?”

            He hadn’t been, had wanted confirmation first that Bradley was who Jake thought he was. And now… well. Yeah, he’ll do dinner with Mav any night of the week. But…

            “Well, you did say you wanted to fuck with him…”

            “Oh my god this is perfect. Let him know you can make it. Then tomorrow I’m going to let him know I’m bringing my boyfriend –”

            “Boyfriend huh?” Jake asks, and he knows he’s grinning, cocky, but he feels like his blood has suddenly turned to ice.

            “Yeah… boyfriend. That okay? I mean, I don’t want to assume anything, but I haven’t exactly been emailing anyone else on an almost daily basis.”

            Jake sucks in a breath, reminds himself he has nothing to lose right now and maybe a lot to gain.

            “I... don't know what to do here,” Jake admits and Bradley glances at him, frowns briefly before smirking at him.

            “Pretty sure you've done this before.”

            “Fuck you,” he shoves at Bradley’s shoulder. “No. Not sex. I’ve fucked around plenty. I –  I don’t want to just fuck around though. And I’ve never… not fucked around.”

            He’d mentioned it briefly in passing in an email, can see a look of comprehension cross Bradley’s face, then he’s stepping into Jake’s space again, one hand cupping Jake’s jaw and Jake swallows, throat tight with nerves.

            “Well, you just got to keep on putting the effort in. Some days you'll get an A grade, and other days you'll scrape by with a bare pass...”

            “I don't want to fail,” Jake says, voice barely above a whisper.

            “I won't let you fail.”

            Jake’s pretty sure no-one can make promises like that, even if it’s a nice sentiment. Makes him feel like he maybe won’t fail.

            “Really?”

            “Really. I'm a very good... educator. And I’ll have a vested interest in you passing. Group project…”

            Jake huffs a laugh, shakes his head.

            “Well, I guess it's good I'm a good student. And you do come very highly recommended on Rate my Professor…”

            “Of course you looked me up…”

            “I’m getting very good at research.”

…         …         …

            Bradley takes them to a bathroom first where they can wash their hands, ignores Jake’s snarky comments about getting the premium tour of the mailroom, office and now the bathroom.

            “Okay, seeing as you actually want this tour…”

            “I’m actually interested. I haven’t studied in a while, but what you’re working on isn’t just purely theoretical to me. I can understand how it would be applied, which is pretty cool…”

            “I’m glad you think so…”

            He is glad, more than he thought he would be, that Jake seems genuinely interested. His first serious boyfriend had been in management, not at all interested in what Bradley was studying. His serious girlfriend had been a fellow engineer, smart as a tack, but her career had been more important than their relationship and Bradley had agreed with her, because he’d felt the same. Jake though… he can’t help but feel the little twist of hope uncurling in his gut.

            He walks toward the labs, set apart from the other buildings with heavy duty walls and a lightweight roof. He points out the machines, explains what they do and greets the technicians and students still working. Reminds his students that they have to take breaks, that it’s Friday; they need to have at least one-day off, that he will be checking the security logs. Half of them roll their eyes at him. He introduces Jake as his boyfriend, gets a few surreptitious thumbs up which make him grin.

            “Right, that’s the dime tour. All I can show you without firing up some of the machines myself and showing you some stuff. Which I’m happy to do, but uh, maybe another time?”

            “You have somewhere to be?”

            “Nope, just think I’d rather be sitting and talking with you over a drink instead of showing you where I work…”

            “You love your work. I wanted to see it. You can show me more another time, a drink sounds good.”

            “Did you drive?”

            “Nope, hitched a ride, then caught a trolley.”

            “So I have you at my mercy huh?”

            “You sure do.”

            The smiles they give each other are equally slow and he leans forward and captures Jake’s mouth with his own, lets his hands just come to rest naturally on Jake’s hips. Enjoys the sense of warm wet…

            “You should take you own advice and go home Bradley… or are you coming climbing tonight?”

            “Uh…” he pulls back from Jake to blink at Matthew, one of the technicians (and one of his climbing buddies) who is standing there smirking at him.

            “That’s what I thought. Have a good weekend!”

            “You too,” Bradley manages, ignoring the cackle that Matthew lets out as best he can. He turns back to Jake, wonders whether he should apologize for his friend’s behavior and realizes that Jake has probably experienced far worse friendly heckling from his own friends in the Navy.

            “Okay. What do you want to do?”

            “Mmm… what do we want to do. Right? A drink and some food would be good. But maybe some place quiet. And do you want to go climbing? Friday is your usual night right?”

            “Uh, yeah… But, well –” He’d rather spend the time with Jake.

            “You have a problem with me coming with you?”

            “You want to go rock climbing?”

            “I want to spend time with you and meet your friends. And it’s been a while since I went climbing.”

            “Yeah. We can do that. Uh…”

            “Yeah, I’ll need to borrow some clothes. Figured you be okay with that. I’m hoping you have something that I’m okay with, because to be honest, your shirt choices I’ve seen aren’t filling me with confidence.”

            “I’ve got plenty of clothes. You’ll be fine.”

            “I’m gonna withhold my judgement.”

            “How do you feel about me cooking?”

            “Well, you didn’t kill me last time…”

            “I just thought… I have food waiting to be cooked at home. And drinks. And if we go there then we have more time before I would usually leave for climbing…”

            “Sounds like a plan. Lead the way.”

…         …         …

            He follows Bradley, feels a little flutter when he grabs his hand to just hold it as they walk and he’s never had that before, and to have it suddenly, grasping his hand and giving him a wide easy smile throws him back to the memory of Bradley in the cabin, his smile and laughter and he marvels that he might get to have this. As Bradley drives he sends a quick email to Mav, accepting the dinner invitation for Sunday and he wonders how Bradley’s going to break it to Mav that they’re… together.

            “You didn’t mention to Mav that you’ve been emailing me almost daily?”

            “Nope. None of his business.”

            “Really?” Jake asks, because he’d kind of assumed Bradley would be the kind of person to tell his parents everything, but maybe he’s wrong about that. Clearly is, if Bradley thinks he can spring Jake being his boyfriend on Mav.

            “Really. We talk about a lot of stuff, but I try and avoid the subject of relationships because he is overly invested. Especially since he retired and I didn’t know he’d left you with a breadcrumb trail, but I was suspicious enough to not want to bring it up…”

            “Okay.”

            “He’d drop it if I asked him. Seriously. But if he thought there was even a small inkling he’s like a dog with a bone, will just keep niggling at it and I’ve just found it’s easiest for me to just… not raise it. I’m just going to drop it on him on Sunday. Okay?”

            “I’ll be there anyway, so I’ll just… follow your lead I guess.”

            “Hmm. Yeah… fuck. Actually, just wait a second. I need to send a message.”

            Jake shrugs, because it’s not like he has anywhere better to be. Bradley parks his car in the underground carpark and Jake watches other people entering the apartment building from their own cars, it’s clearly the end of the working week, all the civilians returning home after their nine to five jobs. He can’t imagine a life like that.

            “Okay… message sent. Let’s go.”

            They enter the elevator and Bradley holds it for a couple whom he clearly knows, making small talk about ending the week and the weather before he turns and introduces Jake.

            “This is Jake, my boyfriend. Jake, this is Adam and Penny, they live down the hall from me.”

            “Hey man, nice to meet you.”

            “Ah, you too,” Jake manages, but then they’re at Bradley’s floor and the couple are heading in the opposite direction. “Any particular reason you’re introducing me as your boyfriend to everyone?”

            “Desensitization. You can’t look surprised about me calling you my boyfriend when I introduce you to Mav.”

            “And how are you going to introduce me exactly?”

            “I’m still thinking about the best way… waiting for some backup.”

            “Backup?”

            “Mav’s… uh…” Bradley’s phone vibrates then and he grabs for it and Jake notices that the protective screen is scratched to hell and he’s pretty sure there is a crack in the case. “Oh thank fuck. Okay. Great.”

            “Everything okay?”

            “Yeah.”

            There isn’t anything more forthcoming but he can tell that Bradley’s working through something and he looks around the apartment, takes in the floor to ceiling bookshelves, covered in plants and books and a lot of fucking rooster figurines, the odd goose and plane also in place. He wants to ask, knows they must have stories behind them. Turns back to find Bradley still staring at his phone, tapping a knuckle against his chin and he looks forward to finding out if that’s a habit he has.

            “You’re phone isn’t broken, lost or in pieces… an improvement from last time I saw you.”

            “Yeah, all accounted for at the moment, I’ve been taking better care of it. Anyway, I need to tell you something. Because as much as I want to pull one over on Mav, I don’t want you to think that I’d do that to you.”

            Jake frowns, because Bradley is nervous, worried about something and Jake has no idea what it could possibly be. Then Bradley’s opening the fridge and offering him a bottle and he glances at it quickly, accepts and twists it open but doesn’t take a drink. Instead watches as Bradley pulls food out of the refrigerator and cupboards, lays out a knife and a chopping board and Jake wonders if he should offer to help or whether Bradley is further organizing his own thoughts as he organizes his working space.

            “Okay…?”

            “Okay. Right. So, I have two dads.”

            “Yeah, Nick Bradshaw and –”

            “No. Okay. Three dads then. Just… let me get this out. I was raised by Mav, and his… boyfriend. Partner. Except they were both in the Navy, so… not many people know who he is.” Jake keeps quiet, nods his head to show he’s listening. “As in, they know exactly who he is. But not many people know he’s with Mav. Or that Mav’s with him. He’s a pretty big deal. You know him.” Jake can understand now why this would make Bradley nervous.

            “So, you want to meet my other dad? Before dinner on Sunday? Because Mav will think he’s hilarious, getting one over on you by not telling you by the way, if that makes you feel better about me pulling any shit with him… I just got permission to tell you, because it’s the biggest secret I keep. And it’s not even mine.”

            Jake’s now feeling nervous, his mind running through all the different Admirals, because that’s what he’s getting from this. He’s learnt from not trusting his gut with Bradley and the photos that popped up the first time he searched his name. It’s going to be an Admiral that he knows. Holy shit. Simpson maybe? Bradley’s hands are flying, cutting and dicing without even paying attention.

            “Just tell me who it is…” Jake says, because waiting isn’t going to make it any easier. Bradley glances up and takes his expression in and clearly assumes that Jake is bracing for the worst.

            “Tom Kazansky. Admiral Kazansky. And I didn’t want that to come as a shock to you at dinner. Because he’ll be there. Mav seems to take weird pleasure in inviting people over for dinner, to meet his partner, and then just introduces him as Tom and of course everyone recognizes him…”

            “You other dad is the COMPACFLT?” Jake asks, just in case there is somehow another Admiral Kazansky he isn’t aware of.

            “Yes. That, uh, going to be a problem?”

            It’s the first time that Bradley has sounded even a little unsure about whatever this relationship is or might be and Jake pulls himself together. He’d admitted his own worry about this whole relationship maybe being his first ever and Bradley had reassured him. He wants to be with Bradley, not the COMPACFLT. You can’t choose your family. That type of thing. Right. Holy shit.

            “Uh. Fucking hell. It’s a bit of a shock but it doesn’t change anything at all. Uh. Does he know about… us?” Jake asks, because he assumes the COMPACFLT knows who Jake is, especially with the whole mission nearly two years ago. But Bradley hadn’t told Mav…

            “Well, he does now. He won’t tell Mav. You know, Mav talks about you all the time. All the Dagger squad to be honest,” Bradley says, and his face scrunches up then, like he’s thinking about something unpleasant. He’s gorgeous and Jake can’t believe he’s been calling Jake his boyfriend for the last couple of hours. He can deal with the COMPACFLT if he gets to keep that. “You’re not… freaking out?”

            “Nope,” Jake says, and he’s pretty sure he isn’t lying to himself. His mind is racing, because he saved Mav’s life. He’s just learnt that he saved the COMPACFLT’s partner’s life. That’s quite a lot to take in. He’s very glad he didn’t know at the time.

            “Great, because he wants to have lunch with us tomorrow. Brunch probably.”

            Blink.

            Blink.

            Blink.

            “Oookay…”

            This is not okay.

            “It’s fine, he’ll bring food here and cook. He’s the one who taught me to cook actually, not Mav.”

            “Huh. Yeah. That makes more sense…” Jake says, although the idea of Admiral Kazansky cooking anything has his brain shorting out. “Wait. You keeping me here until lunch tomorrow?”

            “I kind of thought I was keeping you here all weekend…” Bradley replies and there’s a promise and challenge in his eye and Jake grins, leans forward and kisses him, shoving thoughts of casually having lunch with the COMPACFLT as far to the back of his mind as possible.

            He can at least try and compartmentalize.

…         …         …

            “So, you still want to go climbing?”

            “Yeah, I’m probably going to skip the hike tomorrow, spend it in bed with this hot guy I just met…”

            “You met me months ago,” Jake grumbles, but there’s no heat in it and Bradley grins, kicks at his feet under the table they’re sitting at while they eat the stir-fry that Bradley had quickly made.

            “Actually yeah, I did. Want to explain why you were so… proper and polite? Because Mav asked what I thought of you and I said you were very polite and he just looked like I’d shaken the foundation of his world view. What was up?”

            “Uh, excuse you, I am polite.”

            “No. You can be polite. Some people are naturally polite, you’re polite when you choose to be. And you were choosing to be. With me. Why?”

            “Didn’t want to piss Mav off… or be rude to you.”

            “What, you thought Mav would think badly of you doing something a little… impolite? Mav? The man who only managed to stay in the Navy through the grace of his innate talent and Ice making sure they wouldn’t kick him out?”

            “Huh, makes a lot more sense when you say it like that. But no… I just. I was recovering from a car crash. Noticed you, but figured I better not make a pass at Mav’s son.”

            He can’t help but feel a little relieved that Jake hadn’t failed to notice him, but had instead been trying to be polite. It’s all sorts of sweet. He’s pretty sure not many people get to see these softer sides, but he equally likes the intelligence and sharp sense of humor; his snark as he makes fun of Bradley.

            “And now?”

            “Well, it’s a little more than a pass now ain’t it?”

            “Definitely,” Bradley agrees, realizing that Jake respects Mav. Thinks highly enough of him to somehow, for some reason, think that Mav wouldn’t be happy for Jake to be with Bradley. Hopefully he’s been disabused of that notion at least.

            “Come on, lets go through my clothes and find you something you can climb in. You can make fun of my dress sense.”

            “Where’s the challenge in that though? You make it too easy for me…”

…         …         …

            “You really like plants huh?” Jake asks, because there had been three book cases almost completely covered in the living room, making the softening evening light feel like he’s in a forest. There’s another shelf of plants in the bedroom.

            “No. Well, I do like them. But as soon as I’m in charge of them they seem to die. I either neglect them or give them too much love.”

            Jake’s not sure that’s true, because he can’t see a single dead plant amongst the lot, but maybe Bradley is a perfectionist when it comes to plants. He’s heard of weirder things. Fortunately, Bradley’s clothes aren’t a lost cause, the bright button-downs the only anomaly from what actually looks like a decent sense of style. He manages to borrow shorts and t-shirt, and even though he had high hopes for meeting Bradley he’s starting to realize he could have planned a bit better. Like bringing a change of clothes. Especially as he’s apparently staying the weekend.

            “You mind making a detour to base so I can grab some things after we finish climbing?”

            “Before okay? We might forget after…”

            “Why would we forget?”

            “Might be distracted…”

            Jake smiles slowly, lets his hands smooth over Bradley’s chest and yeah…

            “You’ve got a point. Before it is.”

…         …         …

            They’re a little late to meet Bradley’s friends, they’re already climbing, half of them up the walls, others belaying. Jake has to get fitted for a harness and go through a safety induction, which he follows closely while Bradley wanders off to talk to his friends. Once he’s finished he wanders over, feeling a little awkward as a couple of them watch him approach.

            “Hey everyone, this is Jake…”

            “The boyfriend!”

            “He actually exists!”

            “How much is he paying you to answer to Jake?”

            “I told you guys to be nice!”

            “We’re being nice to him. You’re still free game.”

            Jake laughs, pulls out his license and hands it over.

            “He either found someone who is actually called Jake, or he’s actually legit been mooning over you for the last couple of months.”

            “Fuck off Ryan, I have not been mooning over anyone!”

            “He says that, and yet he was late to a few things because he had to send an email to you. And he was late again tonight.”

            “Are we hassling Hei Hei about his recent phone addiction?”

            “Yeah, he hasn’t lost his phone in months. He’s never been such a conscientious email answerer before either…”

            “Well, not that I need to add fuel to this particular fire, but he was wearing a different shirt this afternoon than he was this morning so… make of that what you will,” one guy says, and Jake’s pretty sure it’s the same guy from outside the labs, the one who’d interrupted them kissing.

            “You’re all awful. Jake, ignore them.”

            “I think I like them, bring you down a peg or two. Can’t think you’re perfect…”

            “I am far from perfect.”

            “Really? Sure seems like it from where I’m standing…”

            “Barf! Come on, some of us are here to climb rather than gossip!”

            “Speak for yourself, gossip now saves me getting Bradley drunk later and asking him all the questions I want answers to…”

            Bradley is tightening his harness and Jake has an impressive view of his thighs and ass, the straps highlighting the muscle. His fingers are nimbly working the rope and Jake watches, wants those fingers on his body and he can’t think about that right now. The harness doesn’t hide anything.

            “You want to go first? I’ll get to enjoy the view…”

            Jake laughs but hooks himself in, reaching for the first handhold. They climb for over an hour, switching out who belays and it’s easier than he thought it would be, just hanging out. Bradley and his friends call out encouragement for particularly challenging climbs, and it makes him realize that Bradley has his own squad.

            “So I have to ask, the whole rooster thing… just, why?”

            “He came back from Sweden and greeted everyone with Hej hej, which would have been fine, but then Moana came out and it kind of cemented the whole rooster thing. Isn’t it also a childhood nickname?”

            “Can’t we save some embarrassing stories for a time that isn’t the first date?”

            “Is it seriously your first date?”

            “I said it was!”

            “Man, I would not have all you fuckers at my first date.”

            “We’re not counting the two nights at the cabin huh?” Jake says, tossing Bradley a wink and Bradley just rolls his eyes, shakes his head in gentle exasperation but the smile he gives Jake not even seconds later is playful. Fun. It’s the back-and-forth bantering that they’d developed in their months of email communication and he realizes it’s similar to what he has with Javy. Except he doesn’t want to ever have sex with Javy. He very much wants to have sex with Bradley. And also have… more emails, more dinners, more time with friends. All of this. It’s quite the revelation to have when he’s busy stripping the climbing harness from his body.

            “I’ll see you guys next week!”

            “What, no hike tomorrow?”

            “Nope. I’m planning on staying in bed…”

            That’s followed with some whistles and catcalls, Bradley just looks smug and wraps an arm around Jake’s waist, making him laugh with a wink. Yeah. He wants this.

            “Nice for some!”

            “Jealous!”

            He waits for Bradley to throw his own climbing gear into the back of his car, waves back at a couple of the others who are leaving at the same time.

            “I like your friends.”

            “Thanks for putting up with them. I wish I could say they’ll stop being dicks, but if it isn’t one thing then it’s another.”

            “Maybe you’re just easy to hassle?”

            “Maybe…” Bradley concedes and he pulls Jake toward him so they’re leaning against his car.

            “Come home with me?”

            “We already went and picked up my bag.”

            “Yeah, but it’s still a choice. I can take you back to base if you want.”

            “No. Take me home.”

            “Okay.”

            He settles into the passenger seat and Bradley’s hand comes to rest on his thigh, a steady and warm weight and he places his own hand over it, runs his fingertips over the back of his hand, thinks about touching more of Bradley’s skin. The hand jobs earlier had definitely dealt with the immediate need, but the further kissing and casual touches while they were climbing have slowly and surely built the tension back up and it’s been simmering away under his skin, ready to boil over at the slightest provocation. His cock is definitely getting hard and they’ve still got a twenty minute drive.

            “So there’s more than one reason why you have a rooster collection?”

            “Really? You want to know?”

            “Yeah, I really do…” Jake says, and he isn’t even lying, grips firmly at Bradley’s hand before returning to the gentle touch.

            “My dad’s call sign was Goose. Except I had a lisp, or missing teeth, and apparently I walked around saying I wanted to be called Goose too, except it sounded a lot more like Rooster. So it switched between Little Goose and Rooster. I was just getting rid of it when that fucking movie came out and then pictures of that rooster were fucking everywhere. Inside toilet doors, on the roof of corridors, someone changed my staff photo… there was chalk art. I just had to lean into it.”

            “Destined to be a rooster in every life huh?”

            “Apparently. Some of my students have some wild theories.”

            “I just bet they do…” Jake says, laughing.

            They walk from the car to the apartment, tracing the same path they made earlier. This time though he has an overnight bag, packed with enough for a couple of nights, which can stretch longer if he can do washing. Or doesn’t wear clothes. He’s pretty sure Bradley is planning on a clothes-optional weekend inside his apartment and the idea of coming back from every deployment to this is heady.

…         …         …

            He toes off his shoes, leaves them where they land, knowing full well it’ll annoy Ice tomorrow. Jake’s shoes are lined up tidily, but he’s dropping his bag on the sofa and Bradley watches him; he seems comfortable in Bradley’s space already and he likes that. A lot. He moves forward, doesn’t want there to be awkwardness between them.

            “What do you want?”

            “My choice huh?”

            “Well, we have all weekend, and that’s just the beginning right?”

            “Yeah. Yeah I guess it is,” Jake agrees and it’s like whatever tension he was holding in his shoulders is sapped away and he relaxes against Bradley, lets his hands go to Bradley’s hips and his top is damp with sweat and feels gross when pressed against his skin.

            “So, what are we doing here? Now, tonight? I’m just happy to get my hands and mouth all over you…”

            “Yeah, that sounds like a good place to start. See where it takes us.”

            “Okay then. Maybe a shower, pretty sure you don’t want to taste stale sweat…”

            “Don’t think I’d mind that much…” Jake states and oh, that’s a telling statement right there and Bradley feels another block of arousal slide into place on top of the steady foundation that’s been building all evening. There’s direction now and that direction is up. They strip and he throws all their clothes into the hamper, grabs extra towels and places one on each side of the bed for later. He’s already done his due diligence and stocked up on condoms and lube, again not assuming but hopeful.

            They don’t talk while they wait for the water to warm up, lets Jake run his hands over him, eyes following his own fingers as he traces over beauty spots and scars. He lets himself do the same, Jake’s skin is smooth under his fingertips, his chest hair golden and fine, the nerves in his fingertips becoming more sensitive as he focusses more on the sensation beneath them. They lather soap and wash each other, kisses soft the whole time, hands running over hardening erections but not really making any concerted effort to make each other harder when they’re in no rush. He rinses his hair, licks up Jake’s neck when he tips his head back to rinse his own.

            “Better?” Bradley asks, even though he was definitely the one who was originally more keen on showering. Not that Jake complained at any point.

            “No stale sweat… can start workin’ on a fresh layer.”

            Jake’s accent becomes thicker when he’s aroused and it sends prickles of want all over his skin. Bradley wonders what phone sex would be like, realizes they’ll likely get a chance to find out in the future with them doing long distance and he can’t believe he’s even thinking about that when they haven’t even talked about it. They’ve been together physically for a few hours and yet Bradley wants to shove everything he has and is toward Jake and just let him have it all.

            He dries off haphazardly, not really caring because it’s not like he’s getting dressed into clothes. Jake beats him to the bedroom and he lies down on the bed, stretches his body out with his arms above, like he knows Bradley is enjoying the view. He straddles Jake’s thighs, runs his hands down his arms, lets his mouth leave a trail of kisses over a bicep. He moves over Jake’s body, wants to find what turns him on and what makes him shiver with need. He lines their cocks up and does a slow undulating grind, pressing down with what he hopes is just the right amount of pressure. Feels good to him, hopes it’s the same for Jake.

…         …         …

            “Fuck you’re amazing…”

            “Took the words right out of my mouth darlin’…” Jake says, letting his fingers dig into the muscle of Bradley’s thighs. He’s fucking gorgeous. He feels the full body jerk and he wonders what caused it, captures Bradley’s moan in his mouth. “You like me callin’ you that? Darlin’? Baby? Sugar plum?”

            Bradley laughs then, shakes his head and pulls away.

            “Not sugar plum, I’m not…”

            “You’re plenty sweet…”

            “Fuck Jake.”

            “We’re getting there.”

            It’s only because he apparently has all weekend, at least, that he’s willing to keep the pace slow. He’s enjoying having Bradley’s undivided hyper-focused attention on his body, apparently intent on finding all the little spots that turn him on. Not the obvious ones, like his cock and nipples, but the other patches, the skin that is tight across his pelvic bone, the inside of his thighs. Not that his cock is getting ignored exactly, Bradley comes back every few minutes and rolls his hips down in an exquisite grind that’s just shy of being hard enough, although the repetition is definitely winding him tighter and tighter and he’s over being passive.

            “Turn abouts fair play… my turn to explore.”

…         …         …

            Bradley grins, moves back and holds out a hand to pull Jake up, which he ignores and Bradley watches the shift of muscles under skin a Jake sits up. Bradley realizes he might have a thing for abs, he’s never had one before, but maybe it’s unique to Jake’s abs. He settles back, pulls Jake to lie on top of him before he can even start to get settled and he laughs at the annoyed look, lifts his head to press a hard kiss, grinds his hips up as well and he’s definitely hard now.

            “Explore away, all the territory is yours…”

            He snickers at Jake’s huff of amusement, he’s never not laughed with his partners in bed; obviously not every time, but he doesn’t like being with people who take sex too seriously. Jake seems like he’s a perfect match, giving Bradley’s body an equally thorough inspection, although he uses his tongue more, licking at him, his neck, collar bone, his nipple and he jerks at the sudden suction and groans. Been a long time since anyone’s played with his nipples.

            “Oh… sensitive huh?”

            “Yeah…” Bradley gasps as Jake does it again. His nipples are sensitive, one much more than the other for some reason. He knows he can come from being fingered and someone sucking on that nipple, his cock not needing any stimulation at all. He’ll let Jake find that out on his own.

…         …         …

            They end up on their sides, facing each other, aligned so they can keep kissing and he’s pretty sure he’s going to have to learn what to do about beard burn with how over-sensitive his skin feels everywhere Bradley has kissed. It’s a weird sensation between wind and sun burn and if it looks half as bad as it feels anyone looking at him is going to know what he’s spent a good chunk of time doing. Bradley’s hand wraps around both of them, his fingers just that little bit longer. It’s tight and hot, and Jake isn’t sure if he’s going for a hand job or if he can thrust into the clasp of fingers. He desperately wants to thrust.

            “This okay?”

            “God yes, so okay… fuck.”

            “Come on Jake, want to see you come…”

            He covers Bradley’s hand with his own, holds it still, feels the squeeze of Bradley’s hand around his cock. He takes that as permission and starts thrusting, slow to start before increasing his pace. He’s aware that Bradley is watching, his own body taut and unmoving, though his breathing coming in shaky gasps tells Jake that he’s ratchetted as tight as Jake is. Bradley’s hand starts moving then, his hips jerking minutely and Jake isn’t sure he’d have noticed except for the way it adds a different level of friction on his own cock.

            “Oh fuck…”

            “Jake, fuck… come on… ugh.”

            He feels Bradley come, hot wetness easing some of the friction very slightly. His own orgasm is slow and rolling when it hits, a reflection of how long they’ve spent building it up. It leaves him feeling shaky and unmoored and as if he knows how Jake is feeling Bradley kisses him, slow and thorough. He was already melting into post-orgasmic haze, the kiss just adding a layer of promise or care and fuck he wants this. He feels Bradley shift away briefly, then there’s a towel wiping between them. Jake is doubly glad for his forethought, his entire body feels too wrung out to consider moving anywhere and brain going offline fast and doesn’t want to clean up. Doesn’t want Bradley to leave his side.

            “Imagine what we’ll be like when we’ve had practice,” Bradley says, kissing him softly and Jake hums his agreement. Lots and lots of practice. “Sleep well.”

            He’s used to the constant noise of the carrier after the last seven months, but the quiet of the room and the afternoon and evenings activities have left him feeling sated, soporific and he soon falls asleep.

…         …         …

            He wakes, room still dark and he doesn’t need to know the time to know it’s too fucking early to get up when he’s in bed with Bradley. He grumbles a little, pulls the sheet back up to cover them both, shuffles so he’s touching more of Bradley’s bare skin because neither of them bothered putting anything on. He feels him turn and then he’s being held, very firmly the little spoon with Bradley’s chest against his back.

            “Morning. Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you.”

            “I normally get up around this time anyway. You sleep okay?”

            “Yeah. Little stiff now. Climbing and sex… Oh god. I’m getting old.”

            “Ancient,” Bradley murmurs, lips brushing over the fine hairs behind Jake’s ear, making him shiver.

            “You know, the best thing for stiff muscles is another workout…”

            “What do you think I’m trying to do?”

            “Try harder.”

            Bradley does.

…         …         …

            He can smell coffee, the bed is empty, but he can smell coffee. He might have a boyfriend for the first time in his life and he’s making coffee. He rolls over and searches for underwear before remembering Bradley chucking everything in a hamper. He opens a drawer and finds Bradley’s underwear straight away, one particular pair bright and with a fucking rooster on it, little speech bubble with ‘my favorite cock’ and he pulls them on with a grin before heading out to the kitchen with a quick stop in the bathroom.

            “Good morning again…”

            “It is a good morning isn’t it,” Bradley says, his smile bright as he gives Jake a soft kiss. He could definitely get used to this. “Nice underwear. How do you take your coffee? Or do you want something else?”

            “Coffee. Black. Thanks… And thought you’d appreciate them.”

            “Definitely look better on you…” Bradley says, another kiss and his heart-stomach-brain all feel like they’re on the same roller-coaster. “Be right back.”

            He takes the mug and goes to more closely investigate the parts of the bookshelves not covered in plants. He recognizes some of the same texts from the cabin and now it makes more sense. As do the roosters and goose figurines. He’s not really paying attention to anything when he hears a quick three-tap knock on the front door and he freezes.

            Surely it’s not that late.

            Did Bradley mention a time that Admiral Kazansky was coming?

            Quick glance at the clock confirms it’s after ten and Jake is standing in his underwear. Not even his underwear. Underwear that is very clearly not his in fact.

            Fuck.

            And now the door is opening. Jake can’t move.

            He has a key?

            Of course he spots Jake as soon as he enters, eyebrows raise in silence and then Admiral Kazansky is placing grocery bags on the kitchen bench before turning back to look at Jake again. He wonders if he needs to salute, but his hand is currently holding a coffee mug.

            “Good morning sir.”

            Jake is never going to master the same level of smile-smirk that is being directed his way, and the Admiral still doesn’t say anything, simply gestures at Jake’s state of undress and makes a shooing gesture toward the bedroom and he takes the direction for what it is and flees.

…         …         …

            “Admiral Kazansky is in the kitchen.”

            “Already? He’s early. Of course he’s early… Oh. You were out there like that huh?” Bradley asks, grinning. Jake is gorgeous fully dressed, standing there in nothing but underwear he’s breathtaking. The fact that it’s his underwear has him feeling even more smug.

            “Yes Bradley, I was.”

            “Don’t worry, he’ll just think it’s funny. Plus only way is up right?”

            “Fuck off… I’m going to go and drown myself in the shower. Then I will somehow come back to life and get dressed because the COMPACFLT is apparently making me… brunch?”

            “Yeah. Brunch. You know you’re adorable when you’re flustered.”

            “Bradley!”

            Jake’s also hot when he’s getting angry and Bradley can’t help it, steps forward and kisses him, hands cupping Jake’s face to hold him still, mindful that Jake’s still holding a hot mug of coffee. Jake takes a few seconds to kiss back, but he does and Bradley gives himself a mental high-five for distracting him. He doesn’t think it would have ended well if he’d told Jake he found him getting angry hot.

            “Have a shower and get dressed. Don’t drown. I’ll go and start brunch with Ice. Also, I forgot to mention this, kind of forget because it’s just normal for us. Ice doesn’t talk very much. He had cancer and uses ASL to communicate or his little tablet thing with an app. One of the reasons we’re eating here really, he prefers it to going out in public.”

            “Ice. You call the COMPACFLT Ice…”

            “Sometimes I call him Pops to wind him up…”

            “What? No. That’s what I call Mav to wind him up!”

            “Really? That’s hilarious. No wonder Mav likes you so much. Now, I’m going out there because otherwise he’s going to think we’re having sex again.”

            “Oh god…” Jake mumbles and it gives Bradley pause.

            “Is it okay? I can ask him to leave if you want…”

            “No. It’s fine. I just… would have preferred to have not been in my underwear. Your underwear.”

            “Could have been worse.”

            “How?”

            “You could have been naked…”

            Jake’s laughing then and Bradley kisses him again, carefully grabs his ass before gently pushing him in the direction of the bathroom before he heads back out to greet Ice.

            “Morning,” Ice signs, his expression wholly amused and Bradley gives him the finger.

            “Morning. Thanks for scarring Jake. I’m sure he’ll add that to his rotating nightmares.”

            “Not my fault you lost track of time,” Ice signs, tapping his watch and grinning and Bradley shakes his head.

            “You’re over half an hour early!”

            “I’m always early!”

            Bradley snorts, rolls his eyes then makes the signs for orgasm - always - early, raises his eyebrows to question and smirks.

            “Should I feel bad for Mav?”

            It’s rare to hear Ice laugh, the sound raw and scraping but he looks delighted, slaps Bradley on the arm, head shaking and he clearly concedes a point to Bradley in their ongoing sparring.

            “Behave!” Ice signs, still laughing and Bradley grins, knocks his arm with his own.

            Apparently they’re making waffles with a fruit salad and he’s surprised, because this is Ice’s favorite family breakfast meal, he doesn’t make it often, the buttermilk batter having to be made the night before, which means he’s either made and transported waffle batter by stealth across the city, or he taunted Mav with the knowledge that he wasn’t getting waffles. Both are equally probable and he’ll ask later. They work in easy silence, years of experience making them seamless in the kitchen, especially when Mav isn’t there getting underfoot trying to help.

            Fruit salad all done, turkey bacon grilling under the broiler, last of the waffles now cooking they settle back, Ice taking a sip of his own coffee as he places the tablet he uses for communication on the table, the text to voice app already open. Bradley’s glad he’s not going to have to act as interpreter. Is pretty sure Ice wants to grill Jake a little, even if he’s only doing it for show. At least he can act as a buffer.

            “Good morning again,” the electronic voice says from the tablet and Bradley turns to see Jake hanging back in the doorway to the hall. He makes a beckoning gesture with his hand.

            “Jake, I’d like to introduce you to Tom Kazansky, one of my dads.”

            “Nice to meet you Admiral Kazansky sir.”

            “Nice to meet you in a less formal setting.”

            “Uh, could we get less formal than this?”

            “Probably not. Call me Tom.”

…         …         …

            Apart from the fact that he knows Tom Kazansky is the COMPACFLT, he’s also Bradley’s other dad, and he wants to try and make a good impression, despite a part of him feeling like he’s already spectacularly fucked up by being nearly naked when he arrived. Bradley seems happy and relaxed, so he’ll follow his lead. They sit down to eat and it’s an impressive spread of food.

            “Thank you, this looks great.”

            “You can make me breakfast tomorrow,” Bradley says, giving him a wink and Jake wouldn’t normally blush, but of course under the scrutiny of the COMPACFLT his cheeks are flaming.

            “I’d love to,” he says, ignoring the heat in his face and instead focuses on the grin Bradley gives him.

            “I wanted to say thank you.”

            “Uh… what for?” Jake asks, because he hopes he doesn’t expect an invite for breakfast tomorrow to reciprocate. They’re already doing dinner. The Admiral looks uncomfortable, lips pursed and giving a quick glance at Bradley.

            “Oh, is this about the mission where Jake saved Mav’s life? Don’t worry, I already know about it.”

            Bradley, who can apparently read Admiral Kazansky like a billboard sign and knows about a highly classified mission. Wow. He snaps his jaw shut, head automatically shaking, because he sure as hell never mentioned anything and he sure as fuck doesn’t want the COMPACFLT thinking he said anything.

            “Of course you do,” the electronic voice says and Bradley shrugs, the expression on the Admiral’s face seems exasperated and Jake’s struggling to get his head around their half-silent way of communicating.

            “You can blame Mav.”

            Jake watches as Bradley makes a couple of signs, and he’s never learnt ASL although he figures he’s going to need to. But he’s pretty sure Bradley just signed blowjob and this morning is already feeling surreal in so many ways, but in none of them does it make sense that Bradley needs to use the word blowjob when talking to Admiral Kazansky.

            “There are no secrets in this family,” the little voice declares, and the expression on Admiral Kazansky’s face is a little challenging, like he’s somehow daring Jake to cross the threshold and join said family. He reaches for his mug and does a little toast.

            Challenge accepted.

…         …         …

            “Actually, about that… Mav’s in the dark about us. I thought we could have some fun.”

            “I have some ideas,” Ice signs, typing it in at the same time for Jake’s sake.

            They sit and talk for a while, eating, and Jake slowly relaxes, although Bradley notes he doesn’t call Ice anything at all, and certainly not Tom. That’s fine, he’ll get there. He does make Ice chuckle silently a couple of times and it makes Bradley feel bubbly inside, that they’re getting on so well. They’re finished, and there’s a little left over for a snack later, and Bradley reaches for his phone.

            “Okay, let me make this call…” Bradley says, putting his phone on speaker so Jake and Ice will be able to hear as well.

            “Hey Mav…”

            “Bradley! What are you up to?”

            “Just having brunch actually, wanted to make sure dinner was still happening tomorrow night.”

            “Tomorrow is Sunday, and we do dinner every Sunday… so yes, Bradley. Dinner is still happening. I’ve actually invited a few friends. People I want you to meet.”

            “Really?” Bradley asks, raising his eyebrows at both Ice and Jake across the table. Ice is shaking his head.

            “Yep, really think you’ll get on with one of them in particular…”

            “Uh… this another set-up Mav?”

            “Hmm. And if it is?”

            “Well, might make it a bit awkward with me wanting to bring my boyfriend.”

            “What. Since when? Why haven’t I heard about this?”

            “Because you’re the biggest busybody and gossip I know? You usually ring them up to introduce yourself and in the process scare them away?”

            “That was only one time! And I saw you on Sunday! And again on Tuesday! How have you got a boyfriend since then? It’s only been four days!”

            “What can I say, when I know I know. We’ll bring dessert. How many people are going to be there?”

            “Uh, just… eight if I count this mysterious boyfriend. Do I know him? What’s his name? Have I met him?”

            “Eight? Wow. Was it going to be a like a speed dating situation?”

            “No! I just… it’s us three and your plus one. And some of the Dagger Squad.”

            That has Jake’s attention, his eyes wide as he looks between Bradley and Ice, expression clearly wanting Bradley to ask who.

            “Let me guess, you’ve invited Jake. Who else?”

            Mav sighs over the phone and Bradley has to bite his lip to stop himself from laughing.

            “Coyote, Phoenix and Bob.”

            Bradley looks to Jake and he knows those names are going to mean a hell of a lot more to him than they do to Bradley.

            “Great, okay.”

            “And your young man’s name?”

            “You’ll find out tomorrow. Patience. Thanks Mav, I’ll bring enough brownie for eight.”

            He quickly ends the call before Mav can get another word in and turns his phone off, not wanting the notifications. He knows all the people he cares about are safe so has no reason to have it on.

            “Okay. Step one is done.”

            Ice grins and Bradley grins back. Then Ice makes a shooing gesture toward the bedroom and Bradley rolls his eyes, throws back a yeah yeah gesture because it’s apparently grilling time. He doesn’t know why Ice expects him to leave the room, he’s totally going to listen in from around the corner. Of course Ice seems to be on to him, he can hear the chairs scraping back and the table being cleared. He has to strain to hear over the running water, fortunately the little electronic tablet is nice and clear.

            “Thank you for making him happier. He is happy. Full life. Many friends. Loves his job. You can add to all of that.”

            He can’t hear what Jake says in reply and he knows Ice must be typing out his reply, the words conveying meaning without being full sentences.

            “There is no try.”

            “Sure thing Yoda. You a secret Star Wars geek or something?”

            “Not secret.”

            Jake’s laugh is beautiful and Bradley grins to himself.

            “Tell your friends. Serves Mav right.”

            “Excuse me sir? You mean, I have your permission to tell Coyote, Phoenix and Bob who you are? And your relationship with Maverick?”

            “Yes. Already gave to Mav. Now you too. Good for Mav be in dark for once.”

PART 9

#Hangster #Top Gun Maverick fanfiction #Sereshaw #rooster x hangman #It's all academic darlin'

[gettingfrilly]

If one of the Eds died early, how do you think the remaining two would react? In all three hypothetical cases? (i know it's really morbid, but I woke up hungry for angst today)

I'm always hungry for angst.

I guess it would depend on what you mean by die early. That's a whole lot of different age ranges. Usually my headcanons have to do with young adult Eds so I'll do that. I've never thought about this before though so uh no promises this will actually be in character or make sense.

Okay so... let's imagine the Eds all form one body together. imo Eddy is the head (leader) Double D is the gut (intuition) and Ed is the heart (love.) Eddy's take charge attitude and hyperactivity is what keeps the friend group active and social. Double D's conscious and gut feelings about right vs wrong keeps the three of them from going completely off the deep end. Ed's unending affections and love for his buddies is the glue that keeps them together. If I were to take a page out of Rebecca Sugar's book, I think you could also consider Eddy the id, Double D the superego, and Ed the ego (with Eddy being pure desire, Double D being the morality judge, and Ed being the actions taken based on the desires of the id and the restrictions of the superego.)

Without Eddy, the other Eds are left without a leader and a huge decrease in the cumulative desires and goals of the group. Ed and Double D have their own desires, sure, but Eddy always had desires and goals with the whole group in mind: making them all rich, making them all hip, making them all socialize. This would lead to Double D and Ed isolating themselves, festering in depression and grief. Double D would completely throw himself into his academics with no attempts at a healthy work life balance. Ed's ability to focus his attention would take a huge hit, and I see him spending the vast majority of his time alone and watching the same movies over and over again.

Without Double D, the Eds are left with no moral compass. An unchecked id with its own ego to use sans superego is a dangerous thing. Eddy leads both himself and Ed into self-destruction. It's drugs, sex, and rock and roll time. Anything to numb the pain and keep the party going.

Without Ed, the Eds are left without checks and balances. Ed was their tie breaker, their third vote, the action taken. An id and superego with no ego is pure inaction. There's only bickering and fighting and endless arguing, and no one is the winner; two wounded souls caught up in horrendous grief who can't come to a decision on how to move on. I truly believe Eddy and Double D's friendship would not last without Ed. They would eventually go their separate ways and stay that way.

All that being said, I don't think their lives would suck forever if one of them died young. The other two would eventually get ahold of themselves and learn to live balanced lives again. There'd always be a hole where their friend once was, though.

Hopefully that all made sense! Thanks for the interesting ask.

#gettingfrillyspeaks

[meowcats734]

[Soulmage] "Academy Magic" is generally regarded as safe magic. "Fell Magic" is dangerous and can almost only be used for evil. "Vile Magic," meanwhile, is 'safe' but is also the magical equivalent of "don't google that, if you don't already know then you really don't want to know, I promise."

"Magic is emotion," Witch Aimes stated, one finger pointed towards the hovering screen of smoke that served as a blackboard. "We can divide the schools of magic by the emotion they are powered by. A witch who wields happiness creates light; a witch who wields passion creates heat; a witch who wields sorrow creates cold."

As she spoke, she cast a spell from each school respectively. An orb of light, a shimmer of heat, and a glaze of frost coalesced on the smokescreen.

"Witch Aimes?" I asked, raising a hand.

She arched an eyebrow at me. "Yes, Cienne?"

"What about the darker emotions? Grief, agony, fear, despair... we haven't learned about any of them yet."

Witch Aimes' lips tightened. "There is a reason for that. The primary schools of magic that you will learn at the Academy are what we call constructive emotions. Since emotions are a witch's power source, all witches are incentivized to create more of the emotion they wield—which is why in civilized parts of the world, witches of happiness, calm, and empathy are amongst the most valued members of our society."

Most valued. As if witches who dabbled in the darker emotions didn't have their uses. I carefully kept the scorn off my face, but it was useless against a witch—Witch Aimes read souls the way others read faces. She could feel the disdain and anger in my heart as easily as I could.

It was why they'd taken me in, after all. To "guide me on the right path."

I could tell Witch Aimes could glimpse the emotions swimming beneath my calm expression, but she simply moved on. "On the other hand, witches of pain and loss are incentivized to harm others in order to gain power. This is why the lawless wastes outside the Silent Peaks have so much trouble building up anything that lasts: a dark witch can always storm through, gaining momentum with every heart they break, and bring ruin to everything they've built." Witch Aimes' eyes pierced mine, as if daring me to object, but I knew that was the truth.

My hometown was a smoking ruin thanks to one of those dark witches.

"There are other emotions, too," I pointed out. "Ones that are neither intrinsically constructive nor destructive."

"And those would be?" Witch Aimes asked, folding her arms.

"Lust. Arousal." Some immature part of me was amused to see that Aimes actually blushed at that. "Or, what, are we just going to pretend that those don't exist?"

Witch Aimes coughed. "No, no, lust and arousal... exist. You, er... you're a little young to be visiting those parts of town, aren't you?"

I'd seen a lot for my age, admittedly, but to be honest I was purely curious from academic interest. Although now that I thought about it, if I expressed 'academic interest' in the magics of lust, I was pretty sure I'd be the laughingstock of the academy within days. Secrets moved fast in a society of empaths-in-training. "I am," I said neutrally. It was better than 'I've been constantly watched to make sure I don't go darkwitch on the academy ever since your people brought me here.'

"Well." Witch Aimes cleared up her blush—witches had remarkable emotional control—and said, "Yes, those witches do exist. I highly recommend you stay away from them. Their magics are not... well, let us say that they are somewhat vile, and leave it at that."

I hid my annoyance as best I could as Aimes moved on to talk about the fundamental elements. Oh, sure, we could talk about the evils of 'dark' magic all day, but as soon as we got to the squishy parts of being a witch, it was too embarrassing to be talked about in polite company?

I narrowed my eyes in thought. Perhaps that was my issue. I hadn't gotten where I was by hanging around in polite company, after all, even if that was how the Silent Academy wanted me to move forwards.

Maybe it was time to find some impolite company.

As class drew to a close, my mind made up.

It was time to find a witch of lust.

###

I'd been at the academy long enough to know I had a shadow. It wasn't obvious—the way crows turned their heads when I drew near, the extra attention stray cats paid me, the way moths and flies seemed to think I was a candle instead of a gutter—but anyone who lived in the Redlands knew how to tell when a witch of empathy was stalking them.

I didn't know much about the mind-transfer-nonsense that witches of empathy used. I was no stellar student, when it came down to it. I didn't have the raw material to make it as a witch of happiness, I was too perpetually angry to tap into the witchcraft of sadness, and I hadn't dared ask for help using the one emotion I could control.

But if there was one thing I knew about witchcraft, it was this:

Self-hatred made you feel small.

I didn't bother stripping off my clothes as I walked into the showers. They had hot water and divided stalls and all the things a mountain-city of good little witches thought were more necessary than doing something about the constant bloodbath that gave the Redlands their name. I simply reached into my soul as I turned the water on and threw the thorny, sticky vines of self-hatred out around me, bracing myself for the spell to hit.

Once I felt myself begin to shrink, I hopped onto a nearby ledge—probably for conditioner or essential oils or some other city-boy invention—so that I didn't get hit by any of the falling water droplets. Water got weird when I got small; something about the magic made it much harder for me to escape if I got trapped in a water droplet than normal. My breathing quickened and the air felt syrupy and thick—but I'd survived shrinking to nothing before.

I survived. It was what I did.

Once the spell was complete, I snuck underneath the dividing stall and made for the nearest window. I had to route through a nearby stall to get there, but the massive city boy didn't even bother looking down at little ol' me as I scampered by. They never did. By the time I reached the window—it was at ankle height, which just meant an unpleasant climb at my size—it had already begun to snow.

The year-round snow cover was what gave the Silent Peaks their name. The city boys said it made life peaceful and tranquil, the way the snow ate sound; privately, I just thought it meant that if someone jumped out a window, you'd never hear them scream. I landed in a snow poff, spluttering, then regained my original size before I suffocated in the snow. Some passerby gave me a surprised glance, but there were no suspicious animals around, so I deemed myself safe. It wasn't hard to deduce where the witches of lust would live—all I had to do was remember all the places they'd shown me on the grand tour of the city, then go to the places they hadn't shown me. The nearest such cluster of buildings didn't seem like anything special when I walked up to it—

"Can I help you?" A voice rang out from behind me.

—or not. I let myself flinch. If I was dealing with a witch, showing an honest burst of surprise would probably make them think I wasn't a twisted mess of lies and masks. "Er, yeah. I'm trying to find a witch of lust."

"You're talking to one!" The voice from behind me cheerfully said.

I paused, turning around. To my surprise, I wasn't talking to a filmy-clad succubus or whatever nonsense the Academy had primed me for—just a wrinkled-looking old man.

"How'd you, uh... sneak up on me?" I asked. "Magic?"

He laughed. "No. Just snowshoes and habit!" He raised an oddly wide boot, shaking some snow off it, and my esteem for him raised a notch. Anyone who had a habit of going around quietly was a friend of mine.

"Fair enough. So... if I can ask... what is your magic?"

He raised an eyebrow, then mimed holding something out and tossing it to me. By reflex, I moved to catch it—it was an invisible rod, about the size of my fist, and... strangely light. Was that... was that solid air?

"The witchcraft of lust," the old man said, an amused twinkle in his eye. "Temporarily makes things hard."

I eyed the rock-hard rod in my hand. "Lovely," I deadpanned.

He snorted. "Well, you didn't start moralizing at me, so you're not one of the Academy's boys." My esteem rose another two notches for the man. "I'm Jiaola. What's a fellow like you seeking out a witch of lust for?"

I grimaced. "The people at the academy... they don't talk about the orphans of the Redlands, or the rifts in the sky, or anything important. And... they don't talk about you, either."

Jiaola laughed. "Me? That's because my kind is an embarrassment." He nodded towards a nearby house. "See that?"

I nodded.

"Me and my husband own that place."

And I understood.

"Built it ourselves with our hands and our craft," Jiaola continued. "The craft that the Academy likes to say is a perversion, a way to spread our deviance. But you wanna know the first rule of witchcraft? Magic is powered by emotions. Magic drains emotions. Me? I became a witch because any hint of my sexuality was verboten—so I sealed it off and channeled it into my craft instead." Jiaola's gaze grew distant. "I became a witch to hide who I was."

And suddenly, my throat tightened.

"I became a witch to hide who I am, too," I blurted before I could stop myself.

Jiaola raised an eyebrow, possibly seeing something in my soul, but I shook my head. "I... I'm sorry. I have to go."

"Wait." Jiaola held out a hand, and something formed in it. I took it—another slice of hardened air, but this time, with... letters. Invisible letters I couldn't read, but letters nonetheless. "If you ever need me... my door is open."

I nodded once. Something writhed within my soul.

Then I sprinted away, not trusting myself to speak.

The words Jiaola gave me burned against my palm.

A.N.

Soulmage is a serial written in response to writing prompts. Stick around for more episodes, or join my Discord to chat about it!

Table of Contents

Next

#writing #writing prompt #writers on tumblr #writeblr #serial fiction #fiction #series #web serial #oc

[needlesandnilbogs]

for the character ask game: ART

I still do not know if I am figuring this out correctly on a technical level but I rarely think about ART so this was an interesting intellectual exercise! Also I am still unaware of how Tumblr link things work but I am doing the character ask game that all the other Murderbot people are doing right now.

First impression: Wait, the ship talks???

Impression now: It's probably taken the idea that compassion is often the most logical course of action to heart but forgets that compassion also involves being kind and nice not just giving people what they need. Also it's very much like my friend who will force me into doing self care things but out of love (she is as in love with math as I am and I assume ART is also in love with math, so that's a further similarity) (if this describes you: this is a compliment and I promise you I'm trying. Really.).

Favorite moment: I don't have one, really?

Idea for a story: It writes an academic paper on rogue SecUnit socializing with the help of Arada and Bharadwaj and one of its crew members and then drags mb into presenting it at a conference with them. also eventually I think someone else should go back to that one thing that got started about mirror art that never went anywhere

Unpopular opinion: I appreciate ART's existence and I like it as a character, but I wish it wasn't quite so many people's favorite secondary character, there are a lot of other good ones that deserve equal love and attention.

Favorite relationship: Probably with its crew, what's going on there anyways, or with Iris because I still haven't decided which of them has eldest child vibes and which one is the younger child

Favorite headcanon: It was the pedantic little kid except it was in a drone body so it didn't stop going why why why to sleep. Seth and Martyn are still a little annoyed about that. also I think it likes applied math more than pure math.

#fandom #murderbot

[autisticempathydaemon]

What song are you fixated on at the moment? What lyric or verse, and why?

Maria by Blondie!! i LOVE a good girl song (e.g. jolene, come on eileen) & the music is just so good plus there’s this one line ‘a million and one candlelights’ and ????? i’m simply obsessed

What is your Enneagram type?

i only just took the test and it got caught between 8w7 & 4w3 so that seems. kind of antithetical?

Do you love gargantuan Youtube video essays, and if so, which is your favorite and why?

i enjoy them but i have to take breaks as i have an extremely short attention span </3 i don’t have a favourite but my favourite creator in that respect is DEFINITELY Mina Le

What is your go-to way to fall asleep?

cutting off all noise & distraction & then just daydreaming until i start nightdreaming

If you had to change your name, what would it be, and why? (In tandem, if you have changed your name, why did you pick that one?)

i really really love names with a lot of history behind them, especially in the religious respect - i’d probably change my name to Judith (after Judith slaying Holofernes)

What is your favorite of Redacted’s audios, and why?

it’s probably the recent Vincent dinner date audio!! i love it when he and lovely just get to be flirty freaks in love without anything looming over them.

What Redacted boy holds no appeal to you, and why? Like, not the one you hate but the one who you don’t get the hype for. (I won’t judge, I promise.)

it kind of has to be ollie? i don’t have anything against the guy but he just really is not my type, he’s a little too boring. that sounds so mean

Tell me about that one book/movie/tv show you know all the words to.

the movie is probably Marie Antoinette directed by Sofia Coppola. i know it’s hopelessly romanticised but it’s just so FUN and PRETTY

Which Redacted boy are you platonically attracted to? Like- forget dating, which dude do you want to be your best friend?

Damien? i think we’d have the most in common, although we’d probably start off as academic rivals.

Do you have a go-to thing you ramble about when you’re tired, and if so, what is it? (For example, my boyfriend knows I’m ready to sleep when I start talking about space.)

Greek mythology and/or marine biology. if i mention deep-sea gigantism or Eros & Psyche i’m probably seconds away from passing out.

Tell me your go-to gas station and drink combo.

it would probably have to be pretzels & a milkshake! this hasn’t come up much yet so i’m a little unclear

Tell me about your favorite playlist at the moment. 

i make playlists for each month with all the songs from the month before i still like - so obviously it has to be my june 2023 one!!

What’s your guilty pleasure media, and why?

Fall Out Boy. i’m not sure if it counts as a guilty pleasure in that i have no shame but i guess it could be seen as one!!

thank you so much this has been a really fun questionnaire to fill out!! i love talking about myself haha

I loved this entry- something about your pure vibes led me to the answer. Sometimes I really think these through with my brain algorithm, and I love doing that, but Anton himself just led me to you, and I can’t explain why.

I think it’s something about the sheer range of interests you have and the amount of energy with which you engage with them. Like, let’s be real- Anton is probably a nerd. He’s a soft-spoken, introverted-ish technician who was probably a stem major; dude is hella nerdy and probably in his own little world if someone doesn’t turn his head. It’s giving that introvert/extrovert, STEM/liberal arts couple that works really well and is super cute.

I can very easily picture you as his “Blossom” as some people like to call his listener. Anton would miss you dearly while he’s on assignment at ETS and all the little things about you like the way you sing along in the car to your favorite girl songs or the way. He would miss window shopping with you and the way you might get distracted, hopping from one display to the next as he makes mental notes to spoil you with the things that catch your eye. He misses your constantly changing playlists that act as time capsules of him months with you, (Maybe, if he’s lucky, you’re allowed to share them with him, and Anton can at least listen to them and know you and he might have the same song stuck in your head.)

Song:

​​I will stand by you/ Even when we fall/ I will be the rock that holds you up/ And lifts you high so you stand tall/ I won't let you go/ No one can take your place/ Oh, a couple fights and lonely nights/ Don't make it right to let it go to waste/ And I won't let you fall/ I won't let you go

I want you to know that I went through my Spotify looking for a girl song that you would like, but then this song came up, and I can’t explain why this felt right, but it does. I’m going all intuition with this match-up, because one, a duet calling out to me when I was looking for a girl song just fits. Two, standing by each other no matter what works given Anton’s sad as heck circumstances. Three, this song is the wedding vows of the duo that sings this, it’s so cute!

Runner-ups:

Huxley is a two-parted runner-up. One, you said you have a lot in common with Damien, and we know they’re made for each other. Two, his two moms definitely taught him all the girl songs; he sings along with the best of them. Eric is a runner-up because you’d bring a lot of life and variety into his life, like you would to Anton, except he wouldn’t have as much to offer in return.

note: thank you for waiting! You’ve got great taste in YouTubers by the way; I love Mina Le 💕

Read this post and send me an ask if you’d like a match-up of your own! 💌

#redactedasmr #redactedverse #redacted asmr #redactedaudio #redacted audio #redacted #busybee matches

[nauticalparamour]

Sneak Peek | Tribulations

This is a sneak peek to something I'm working on. It's a divergence from Trials where Tom asks Alfie to deal with Hermione when he finds out she is a muggleborn. Alfie is happy to do so, until he sees what promise Hermione has.

I thought this was going to end up being a brief one shot, but the first chapter is already nearing 20k words. I think it will end up being about 5 chapters.

When should I post it? As I finish chapters, knowing that the wait between them could be long? Or, wait until I've finished it all and then post on a regular schedule?

Alfie did not know what to say to that. He wanted to grab the book back from her once again and hold it high above her head so that she could not reach it. Would she try to jump to get it back from him? Or would she be the witch that she was and summon it with her wand? “It’s dark magic,” he told her, wanting to rub her nose in it. Surely, she would recoil at the thought of sullying herself. “So what if it is?” she countered, jutting her chin proudly in the air. “My interest is purely academic.” He was thrown off kilter by her, more than he already was. That was the last thing he expected her to say. Just who was this fascinating creature and how had their paths crossed? In the end, he spent too long musing. She cocked her head to one side and looked at him, a smirk slowly spreading across her face as she made up her mind. “I am going to borrow this book, Mr. Nott,” she told him. “And you are going to let me. Because if you don’t, I’ll return to the Ministry and tell them about the Vanishing Cabinet that you keep in your parlor or the Demiguise tail that you have above your mantle or the powdered kraken tentacle that you have in your potions stores or the venomous tentacula that is growing in your greenhouse.”

#tribulations #sneak peek #trials #alfred nott x hermione #nott x hermione #nottmione #fanfic #fanfiction #nauticalparamour

[marjiellat]

" MEMOIR "

hello, my Marjorie Visperas, everyone calls me Marjs, let me tell you a story of mine which is my journey get ready your paper towels hahaha anyways, I grew up with my mother's cousin is not sure if they were cousins but I think it's my mother cousin, anyways I grow up without knowing both my mother and father and it was hard, go back when I was a child I always compare myself to others like look at them what they what always have or look at them, I wanna experience those moments with my family but as I grow I never experience those moments and it broke my heart as I grow older I've always imagined how unhappy am I when I was young. at school I was doing great at that time I gained a lot of friends by joining extracurricular activities I have those best memories of mine.

when I reached high school things started to change differently. In my 7 and 8 grades things were great i joined some extracurricular activities but ended up crying because I didn't meet the grades that I had always wanted but still proud of myself a little for achieving some achievements. by grades 9 and 10, I transferred to a public school due to the pandemic things were tough, and financially unstable when I was in grade 9 I got depressed and cried a lot because I started to miss both my mother and father i started to blame my self and my anger issue got worst and wordt like how could they do this to me? what I have done to them? am I the reason for their divorce? could they do this to their DAUGHTER?? I cried so hard in silence, that I could feel the ache in my heart so bad. My grade 9 journey was complicated and the worst and it affected my academics time I got 79 that time I cried so hard until my heart got heavy, and I didn't have anyone to lean on to let my tears until Icalmedm Then I decided to go to the church and I didn't expect to cry so hard I got embarrassed because people notice that I cried. I talk to god-like WHY? This is so heavy lord I could not even handle this situation I want my mom and dad a happy life a happy family getting my parents together again this is all I ask for you, not this one lord this is so heavy please let me experience happiness and help my heart to calm down lord I don't even know what to do with this life, how should I end this life and I don't even know the other messages I talk to god after I pray I promise to myself to move on. after my grade 9 journey, I exhale then move forward

when the time I stepped on my grade 10 journey I thought I couldn't survive it. you see I met this boy named Vincent Baguio when he approached me that time, he is so friendly and I love his humor so much he is the only person who helped me to move on from the past and focus on the present, i did well that year i laughed a lot just like what I ask to god I received pure happiness of mine that I could not even imagine in my whole life, with his help and gods help I wouldn't receive the honor certificate sometimes I can think about my family but I'll remain calm. I thought those journeys would last forever but they didn't when the time it was the awarding ceremony I got jealous of those schoolmates, classmates of mine because they had their mom or dad to honor their achievements, ents or sometimes both of their parents showed up to be proud of you. When I only had my guardian and was not even interested in coming I cried after the ceremony and my anger issues were back again. I came to church after that day and prayed to god about how great he is hoping next year I still get an award and a calm heart again.

by the time I reached senior high, I prayed again to god to let me experience that happiness again. By the day I stepped into our classroom I was slightly nervous so I remained calm around 3 months into my 11 journeys slightly bad because I didn't receive or obtain the grades that I wanted even though I worked so hard I cried and cried and then it's getting worst but in the end, I'll manage to the honor list so I thank god so much and ask more but this time my business I prayed that when I reached at the age of 18 I have my own small business. *passforward my grade 12 journey is still resuming, but I noticed something about myself, my grades were falling started to feel depressed and empty, I started to lose the passion for something that I've always done, which I fully gave up everything, all I wanted is to have a physically mentally rest, while my life gave up my aunt invited me to go to the church to. niño basilica and we prayed I only prayed that time to be productive and happy again and also let me heal this pain and sickness I've been trying to figure out, unexpectedly, she invited me to the confession room and while I got chills, and nervous when it's my time I was shaking I don't even know what to do but father calms me down while I was addressing all the pain the never-ending heartache I felt, also my family situations and my business I can't handle my teary eyes I burst into tears and after that, he prayed for me. after that, my heart was slowly healing. received a message from my dad that told me to come home and ask for forgiveness he wanted to repay all the things he did he wanted to make it up. I've never been so happy in my whole life seeing those messages from my papa. like this is the first time my papa would never congratulate me, or thank me but I'm glad he wanted to make things right I know I have some issues with my family but as father told me to forgive my parents and talk to them with my Besides that, I got my business at 18 and I'm so happy and it's growing and growing.

there are so many stories I could share but I have some issues like I don't even know where to start and when should i start. all I can say is to always pray to god and thank god for everything and try to confess your sins and pain Father I promise after that you will receive great news. the end my journey will continue soon thankyou for your Time...the end.

#autobiography

[wondereads]

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett: Review

There are spoilers for Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries in this review

Summary

After her adventures in Ljosland, preeminent dryadologist Emily Wilde has since devoted her time to track down a back door into the Irish faerie kingdom of Silva Lupi. After all, she had promised her good friend--and future husband if it were up to him--Wendell a way to reenter his kingdom and retake it from his stepmother. Her timeline is sped up drastically when said stepmother starts sending assassins after Wendell, forcing Emily, Wendell, an older grumpy academic, and an overeager niece to abscond to the Alps to try and locate Wendell's door.

Plot 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Purely based on the synopsis of this book, I got what I expected from the plot of this book. However, there is so much more included in the story. There are some interesting new characters, such as Dr. Rose, Emily's superior and colleague, and Ariadne, her niece, both of whom seem specifically engineered to bring out Emily's flaws, be it her impulsiveness or difficulties interacting with people. On top of that, there are two separate subplots, one concerning Wendell, who is going through it this book, and one concerning another set of academics who were brought up regularly in Encylopaedia of Faeries; de Gray and Eichorn.

Their inclusion was a pleasant surprise, and I especially liked how their personality factored into the story. Despite Emily's search for the door largely relying on them, they are, pardon me, extremely unlikable. It was a small twist, but an unexpected and interesting one nonetheless. I appreciate that for most of this book Emily is the one saving Wendell, as it is a reversal of the last book and also a reversal of the fae/human relationship dynamic.

The plot does falter at some points at the beginning, but the connection established to the characters pulls things through. Once Emily starts getting involved in the mystery of de Gray and Eichorn, things pick up significantly, and the last 75 or so pages are quite exciting.

Characters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Emily and Wendell are still the stellar characters they were in the first book of this series. I really like that although Emily had good character development in the last book concerning her aversion to human interaction, she still struggles with it in this book. It's realistic that her flaws would not be instantly fixed once she's aware of them, and this book also addresses her impulsivity in a way that strikes a compromise instead of just siding with her or the other side. Wendell is still his whiny, flamboyant self, and I swear he becomes more like Howl the more I read about him. Emily and Wendell's relationship is in a weird middle place since Emily is very hesitant about marrying a faerie monarch, but there's so much casual affection between them in this book; it was adorable.

The two new major characters are Dr. Farris Rose and Ariadne Wilde. Rose is an older, incredibly grumpy academic who is both opposite Emily but also very similar to her. He provides a lot of character conflict, and I think he's a good cautionary tale for where Emily's free interaction with faeries might go sour. Ariadne is nineteen years old, incredibly enthusiastic, and Emily is constantly at a loss for how to interact with her. She ends up with quite a friendly relationship with Wendell while Emily sort of sits on the outskirts. Unfortunately, I do think Ariadne is a bit underutilized and could have sparked much more conflict, plot and character-wise, than she did.

The final character I'd like to discuss is Wendell's stepmother, who is very interesting to me. We don't get much of her at all, mostly just the assassins she sends and Wendell's accounts of her, but she is very intriguing to me for one particular reason. It's unclear whether she'll be more present in the next book, but I hope she is, and I hope we get to hear her story.

Writing Style 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

As usual, the Emily Wilde series is a great example of the epistolary style in speculative fiction. It's a little funny that the other characters (Wendell) poke fun at her for her incessant journaling, even when she is literally on the verge of death. Emily's voice is strong and engaging, and I love that she insists she is being scientific and objective when she waxes poetic about how beautiful Wendell is. Also, I appreciate that we're continuing the trend of Wendell getting an entry; his voice is entirely distinct, and I love how subtly he expresses his love for Emily, despite it being present in almost everything he writes.

Overall 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

This was a lovely continuation to the adventures of Emily Wilde and her smitten, dramatic faerie paramour. Emily is a wonderful main character, and though I suspect the next book will be the last, I would love to keep reading with her as a narrator. We get to see a darker side of Faerie in this account, especially considering Emily's dangerously casual interactions with the inhuman, and I think we will get even more of that in the next book. Emily and Wendell are amazing as usual, and the writing grabs my attention in a way most other series don't. I can't wait for book three!

The Author

Heather Fawcett: Canadian, has a Bachelor's in Archaeology, also wrote Even the Darkest Stars, Ember and the Ice Dragons, and The Grace of Wild Things

The Reviewer

Hi, my name is Wonderose and I post about books, including my own reviews and recommendations. You can check out my pinned post for more about me.

#books #reviews #emily wilde's map of the otherlands #emily wilde #heather fawcett #wendell bambleby #fantasy #historical #faeries #pseudo academia #dryadology #romance