Tumgik
#read them
thealmightyrat · 4 months
Text
Discworld books are absolutely brilliant because they'll have very clever jokes (that you'll often figure out on a train or something several months later) mixed with reality shattering concepts that will permanently alter the way you see the world. He's just that good. I started them a few months ago (with Going Postal) and they've made life sooo much more bearable.
Also, he will casually just call a character Carrot or Moist and act as if there's nothing unusual. It's brilliant.
Also also, The City Watch series is basically just a slow burn gay enemies to lovers romance between Vimes and Vetinari from what I've so far.
Also also also, the reading order chart is the finest work of modern engineering since the steam locomotive, the AO3 tagging system and that clever eukaryote who came up with wheels.
63 notes · View notes
entomolog-t · 24 days
Text
GtWAC Day 13 : 3 Different Genres
Clawing my way to catch up (We late late, but we WILL finish) 😭
Today's Prompt is Fic Recommendations in 3 different genres💕
First up is an INCREDIBLE work of Adventure Fantasy : Wick's End
@eightyuh Does an a phenomenal job taking a wild and unexpected concepted and pulling it together into a poignant metaphor. While Wick's End is full of hilarious moments, the comedy never seems to overtake the weight that the story carries. While we can laugh at Glen's expense, there is something deeply relatable and vulnerable about him as a character, making it so easy to feel for him and sympathize with his predicament.
Frankly all of the main cast has incredible premises that are both so out there, yet when shown in the context of their world they feel at home. It's something about the combination of the characters being real enough that you're able to both laugh at them, but also take their issues seriously- A dog struggling to understand human society is a fun and hilarious concept, but theres the weight of his realness?? The wanting of acceptance when others can't see him for what he is??? Like the skill to pace a story where the reader can bounce from laughing to feeling swept off their feet by the reality of their situation??
Each chapter has left me hooked and foaming at mouth for the next release- just ??? JGSFJKDGFKJ
I COULD GO ON FOR DAYS???
NEXT UP IS THIS ABSOLUTE GEM OF A OF A SCIFI HORROR SHORT- ANOTHER GTWAC CREATION TO BOOT!!! I read this a few nights back and was on the edge of my seat!! I absolute love the voice of the main character. @creatorofuniverses writes Casper in a way that genuinely makes them feel like a person I would know. They really do feel like you're everyday person got shoved into the widest job, and I am HERE for it. Without spoiling too much- I LOVED the creature descriptions, both aesthetics but also the mannerisms??? My gosh it just left me feeling so on edge??? Just such a great concept executed in a truly fun yet tense way! I would love to see more of Casper if you ever decide to use the premise as more than a short 😭💕
Finally we have the category of Dark Romance, with none other than @bittykimmy13 / @kendsleyauthor and their amazing fic The Clandestine Queen. Now this made for a wonderful read!! The premise is both so unique and also so uneasy??? There's a palpable tension throughout that just scratches something deep in my brain. Fantastic dialogue, wild premise, and a wonderfully competent female lead?? What more could a gal want? The interactions between Lorelei and the much more cold Andres are truly Dark Romance Magic (especially in the follow up piece) 😭 This just ticks every box for me and I cannot recommend this highly enough. The style of writing is captivating, the characters are intriguing, and the premise wonderfully unique!! The delivery from @kendsleyauthor as always never disappoints!!💕
36 notes · View notes
candleshopmenace · 9 months
Text
daily reminder that @dogsharks has amazing fics. personal favorites are a future hero and stalemate, but they're all fucking amazing and anyone who sees this needs to check them out right now. i don't care if you've already read them. read them again. i've recced them to people so many times because they're amazing and have taken over a functioning part of my brain.
30 notes · View notes
allsassnoclass · 1 month
Note
Are there any good 5SOS friendship fics?
the answer is definitely yes! we have fantastic writers in this fandom, so there are great friendship fics here. i can compile a list based on previous times i've answered this question, but i haven't been reading much 5sos fic for the past year and friendship fics have never been my favorite type of fic.
to find friendship fics on ao3, search for any of the pairings with a & sign instead of a / (example: Michael Clifford & Luke Hemmings). You can filter out the romantic pairings by excluding pairings with a / on the filters bar. this is a great way to find friendship fics, especially because asking me is only going to get the fics i'm aware of in my small circle here on tumblr, whereas filtering on ao3 will help you find a whole lot more!
now on to my recs:
with open hearts and open eyes by @lifewasradical: rated G, ot4 friendship, 2k. very highly recommend this one i love it a lot
If he closes his eyes, Luke thinks he can almost believe that he’s 16 again, that they’re in Australia and they’re just starting out, thrumming with energy and excitement and glee that still lingers in their bones if they look hard enough. Some of that childlike wonder bleeds through the moment, Luke’s sure of it, as the others all turn onto their stomachs too. Their outlines are barely able to be seen through the darkness, but Luke would know the contours of the other guys even if he went blind.
If I Can Dream Long Enough by @4thbrighteststar: rated G, ot4 friendship, 2k.
Luke leans back, closes his eyes and lets the setting sun wash over his face, lets his fingers find a rhythm of their own. Third fret, fifth string. Tenth fret - his fingers hop up and down the guitar. Seventh fret. Fifth fret - no, keep the riff. He loses himself in it, until the wind and the birds and the distant, roaring cars fall silent in the face of the music he’s making by himself for the first time in eternity.
(An ode to making music in the toughest of times.)
am i broken (are you the saviour) by jbhmalum, rated T, malum friendship, 4k
He should do something. Maybe take a deep breath, in and out. Maybe turn on the bedside lamp. Maybe go lie down on the cold bathroom floor. Maybe bury himself under Calum’s covers and cuddle up to him; it probably wouldn’t even wake Calum, and Michael would get the comfort he needs.
Michael hears something he didn’t want to and has a hard time dealing with it.
dearly depressed and brokenhearted (i’d like to let you know that boys cry too) by @clumsyclifford: rated T, muke friendship, 2k
Michael returns. He’s wearing a jacket and a beanie and there’s a blanket from off their couch in his hands.
“Michael,” Luke says.
“Please,” Michael says. “I’m obviously not going to convince you to come inside, but I don’t want you to freeze.” He takes the steps, footsteps falling where Luke’s had, and comes close enough to Luke that when he offers up the blanket, Luke reaches out and takes it. “I know you don’t wear jackets,” Michael explains.
(It’s cold and rainy out. Luke goes for a walk.)
crack a smile, stay a while (am i holding for applause?) by @clumsyclifford: rated T, cashton friendship (but the other two are there as well), 1k
Glancing down at Ashton, Michael adds, “What’s with him?”
“He’s convinced he’s going to do terribly and publicly humiliate himself,” Calum says, rolling his eyes again for good measure.
“No, you’ll be great,” Michael says brightly. “Calum’s always saying how you’re the most talented person in his music whatever class.”
“Calum’s stupid and wrong,” floats Ashton’s voice from somewhere underneath the seat.
no love sincerer (than the love of food) by TempestRising: rated G, ot4 friendship, 4k
5 times One Direction fed 5 Seconds of Summer / 1 time One Direction needed feeding.
melancholy & honey by @igarbagecannoteven: rated G, malum friendship, 500 words, they’re bees (yes you read that right)
Michael’s only been resting there for a minute when he hears a familiar hum approaching him from behind. He doesn’t have to turn his head to know it’s Calum.
glitter by @igarbagecannoteven: rated G, cake friendship
Calum has no idea how Luke is able to infect all of their tour gear with glitter so completely.
below are a collection of friendship fics that I personally have not read, but I’ve read other works by the writers so I feel okay recommending them
Jess @daydadahlias has written so many friendship fics that I have heard great things about!!!
 Torn Up (ot4 friendship, 8k)
Tailspin (cashton friendship, warning for alcohol/smoking, 5k)
Lightweight (ot4 friendship, warning for heavy alcohol, non-consensual kissing, 5k)
Tender (mashton friendship, 3k)
Superbloom (cashton friendship, warning for discussions of Skinny Skinny, 3k)
Movie Night (lashton friendship, 3k)
Shoebox (lashton friendship, 3k)
The Craft Club series (outside pov of ot4 friendship, but only Ashton appears in most of the installments. I've heard a lot of really fun things about this series, so while it isn't necessarily a heavy friendship focus I still recommend!)
from Bella @clumsyclifford
you should know i’ll be there for you (lashton friendship, 2k)
maybe this is just as good as it gets (cake friendship, 2k)
our best years are yet to come (thanks for choosing me) (cashton friendship, 1k)
from @lifewasradical
have my back (yeah, everyday) (malum friendship, 3k)
so much older (lashton friendship, 2k)
then if I may self-rec:
takeoff by me: rated G, mashton friendship, 1k
Sweater Weather by me: rated G, malum friendship or pre-slash, 1k
Tornado Warning by me: rated T, ot4 friendship, 2k
wedding vows by me: rated T, malum friendship, background roylum and mystal 5k
if anyone else has friendship fics they want to recommend feel free to add on!
8 notes · View notes
simpee9000 · 3 months
Text
Some of the BEST Works I've read
K. Bakugo-
Notion by strawberry-nugget
Southern Charm by willowser (such a good writer for bakugo)
good luck charm by yamigooops (i like cowboys)
you only had to look at me by willowser pt 2
P. Parker
The Last I Heard by webslingingslasher
Another good small(ish) fic by webslingingslasher (best peter parker fics)
in fact, here's their master list
literally cannot get over this fic by webslingingslasher
Secret Ingredient by ficthots
I. Midoriya
Diving by silver-weasel (so insanely good)
S. Todoroki
To Build a Home by shibaraki (all work by them is amazing)
S. Gojo
Burn for you by nezuscribe (any of their fics are great!!! read em)
Choso
Best Friend's Brother by notiddygxthgf
M. Fushiguro
Thifted romance by riaki
19 notes · View notes
gavinsdeviant · 11 months
Note
whats ur fav fanfic youve read for the redacted fandom
I’d have to link a few since there are so many talented people in this fandom, it’s INSANE!!! Most of these I read on ao3, a few on Tumblr
Two Little Field Mice & All Hollows Eve by @angelcactus
Pickle the cat by @epsi-l0n
Concussion? & Okay by @dominimoonbeam
Know That It Doesn’t Hurt Me by @cottagecorexboy
Bruises by @davidshawswife
I may have missed a few, but for the moment there are my top faves. There are SOOO many more because this fandom is fantastic!! Love u guys<33
23 notes · View notes
tongueonsocket · 1 year
Text
Tumblr media
PLEASE
Tumblr media Tumblr media
i adore angel eyes and no one talks about it
Tumblr media Tumblr media
i found out abt private opinion from a recommendation the website i read angel eyes on gave me
private opinion is my favorite side story it explains so much abt ash and blanca it’s insane and i’ve seen nobody mention it
35 notes · View notes
umbershift · 2 months
Note
can u pls share ur webcomic Lists
I'm putting together a proper List and it's taking way longer than I thought it would so I'm gonna go ahead and throw out my favorites with links to the About pages if I can manage it:
Midnight Furies: My current favorite comic, has been for a couple years now. Urban fantasy basketball. It’s got a shark lesbian and a Best Girl and a sorta himbo and just some SUPER cool art. Read it
White Noise: At least to me, this one’s got a strong focus on grief and community and relationships. And xenophobia. Lots of fantasy creatures and magic in a modern setting. A good comic if you like world building. It just finished its first story arc and has a big backlog, so this is a very good time to start reading!
Shot & Chaser: Tre and Olly, a matched set, go storm-chasing. I found this one because of a short sort of nsfw sketch comic that made me fall in love with Tre and Olly. I first read it less than a month ago and I’ve reread it in its entirety about four times
Check, Please!: This one’s completed! Eric Bittle (Bitty) is gay and just started playing college hockey, and the comic covers his years on the team! It’s very cute and sweet, and I love the support that Bitty gets from people around him throughout the comic.
O Human Star: This one’s also completed! It’s sci-fi, it's got robots and it discusses gender and queerness and being out and being closeted. The last pages make me cry every single time I read them.
Barbarous: I love love love the art and paneling and colors on this one. Percy is a super smart magic school dropout helping maintain/run an apartment building (I can't remember the job description) along with Leeds, a big monstrous-looking guy with, shall we say, some secrets. It’s got some really cool “who is the monster and who is the man” vibes
I'm trying to focus on non-webtoons here but I can't not recommend Lavender Jack. It's only on Webtoon, as far as I know, but I ADORE it. Think batman-style crime fighter but with Spider-man levels of banter, and also he's a 1910’s gentleman. This one's also completed!
Also, and I cannot stress this enough: if you like a webcomic, go follow the artists/writers on social media. They often share webcomics and creators they like, which leads you to more webcomics to read. I found out about a lot of these from artists I was following.
3 notes · View notes
dushman-e-jaan · 11 months
Text
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: over-population.
I won’t pussy-foot around this anymore as most of you, who’ve been following me for a while, know where I stand on this matter: heavily tax people who have more than one child now (as tube-tying and a little snip to the dick aren’t even remotely expensive; anyone can save money and get them done in their youth). There, I said it. There are about 8 billion of us out there, and there’s nothing remarkable about the overwhelming majority of us, regardless of what your mom and dad might tell you. The sheer thought of the multiplication of even half that number is fucking preposterous, vile, ghastly! Why’s ejecting out as many children as possible some sort of right but driving requires a license? We’ve literally destroyed billions of years of evolution in under a 100 years. (And I’m being very charitable here as we’ve been doing that since well before 20,000 years; the extinction event, the Holocene Extinction, we’re currently living through is entirely human created.) Congratulations! That’s something your “wholesome” movies never tell you. If it doesn’t sicken you, what will? Lay down the human-exceptionalism pipe (one of the, if not the, worst philosophy conceivable) and sniff a whiff of reality:
The world is being destroyed, countless species put through the dead-ring of extinction (many have already bit the dust), and climate change is going to obliterate everything. Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: it’s the overpopulation; it’s always been that; it’s never been anything but that. Put a boot up the arse of the next lunatic who tells you otherwise by appealing to some textbook emotional manipulation (that’s why Wal-e is a trashy film: the world won’t be whole after you destroy it completely and return to it, all fattened up, some thousand years into the future; it isn’t magic!). This number is completely unsustainable; it serves no purpose than to keep multiplying (mediocrities) for no reason. Nearly all the scientists agree on degrowth and going vegetation (vegan being the most ideal choice) to save our own skins, as well. No magic-machine is going to save you! Trust me on this. If you don’t change, climate change would simply do it for you, Nature’s own reset button. (What about the indigenous cultures? Well, change them; a “culture” doesn’t give you a free pass, some kind of “divine ownership”, to destroy the environment; it’s an evolving body; make it evolve or face the music.)
And I couldn’t care less about anyone’s empty platitudes. What’s the purpose of any of this? How does this repulsive grown of an invasive species (yes, we’re classified as that) seem like a just course to anyone? Who do you think would get the worse of it (spoiler alert: the poorest in the global south), when the world is already half-way down into the Malthusian Trap (I don’t think any self-proclaimed clever mother-fucker that talks about it has ever touched this work)?
Good fucking luck, because we’re already depleting resources way over the reasonable mark than the earth can recover; our glaciers (water reservoirs) are drying up, and once they’re gone, they’d be gone for good; forests are thinning out to make way for housing, agriculture, and industrial farming; animals bred for industrial farming grossly outnumber the wildlife that’s imperative for our and that of the other living organisms’ future (but that fucking beef burger keeps you happy, I suppose); river and ocean beds are going through excessive destruction due to the sand that’s drawn up in inconceivable tons to make new buildings, roads, and other infrastructure for our ever-growing species; the arable land’s degradation is happening at an accelerated rate, and in about 30 years, we’d have none of it left, not unless we don’t cut down the last of the rain-forests, releasing trillions of tons of carbon into the air, putting that final nail in every specie’s coffin (heck, agriculture produces so much pollution that it’s sickening; and the hit the insect population has taken because of that is an astounding nightmare); miles upon miles of oceans are now dead-zones due to pollution and over 40% of the rivers are polluted beyond repair; and the list is fucking endless. (And don’t give me that everyone, or 10 billion people, can be fed bullshit, when if all the world lived like an average American, you’d require over 4 earths to accomplish that; and you can’t feed 8 billion mouths equally; pull your head out of your behind and grab a book on something for a change.)
Where does this human exceptionalism trashy, self-masturbatory “wisdom“ even comes from in the light of the above? We’ve committed mass ecocide just by existing and not changing our lifestyles for the betterment of all. Mother fuckers can’t even use second-hand phones (electronics in general), drop coca-cola (one of the leading polluters of the oceans), and massively reduce meat intake to help the rain-forests and Eco-diversity; but they bitch, very passively, on the internet about mundane shit that doesn’t mean anything. You lot can’t even do the bare minimum (what’s in your power); but you expect me to believe you’d do anything down the line for anyone? Like, maybe, plant one fucking tree once a month? Eat less meat? Drive less? Buy second-hand items? Have 1 or no kids (trusty me, there’s nothing special about you or your genetic copy/line)? Engage less in hyper-consumerism (you won’t choke up and perish; I promise)? Etc.? Here’s a thought! But hey, eat the rich, huh? Man, there’s nothing lefist (or the so-called leftist spaces) about most of the fucks that litter this site.
13 notes · View notes
kazbiter · 8 months
Text
this is why I have 108 drafts lmao I get an idea for one of my long posts when I'm really busy with something else and just jot down some basic nonsense that lives there for months until I stumble upon it one day and go completely feral for several hundred words
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
8 notes · View notes
red-cavalier · 2 years
Photo
Tumblr media
Actual dialogue from the game. 
79 notes · View notes
couldntbedamned · 3 months
Text
Goodbye Grey Sky, Hello Blue - 32
Tumblr media
Summary: In an alternate universe where trains and zeppelins are still common forms of travel and the internet and cell phones exist, nineteen year old Peter Parker has few options left after he’s swindled out of his inheritance. Unable to pay for college, let alone keep the house left to him by his deceased aunt, he’s running out of time before he’s out on the streets. Desperate, Peter signs his life over to the Bureau of Civic Spousal Selections to take his chances as the selected husband of a complete stranger. After all, he only has to make it through a year and then he can choose to annul.
Dr. Stephen Strange has little interest in marriage, preferring to focus on his career. When his career is threatened by what a nosy board of directors considers a “lack of personal fulfillment and settling down,” he opts to select a spouse through the BCSS and chooses Peter Parker. The young man’s profile he’d briefly skimmed suggests intelligence and compatibility. It’s not ideal, but if after a year it’s not working out, he can always annul the marriage and send Peter on his way.
It’s a marriage neither truly wants, with sharp learning curves for both. It’s either going to be forever or it’s going to go down in flames.
Warnings/AO3 Tags: 18+ MINORS DNI, Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - 1950s/Modern Fusion, Doctor Stephen Strange, Jewish Peter Parker, Peter Parker is an Adult, Marriage of Convenience, Marriage Contracts, Government Sanctioned Marriages, Domestic Discipline, Dubiously Consensual Spanking, Spanking, Aftercare, Mildly Dubious Consent, Dubious Morals, Dubious Ethics, Asshole Stephen Strange, Smartass Peter Parker, Passive Aggressive Canned Soup, Two Morons Trying to Try Their Best, Borrowing Characters
Tumblr media
-------
Chapter 32
-------
Tony Stark's mansion sat on a cliff with a gorgeous view of the Pacific Ocean. While it was the largest private residence he'd ever seen, it wasn't a clunky multi-storied monstrosity like Peter had imagined, but sleek with curving lines and generous windows. It felt modern, almost futuristic.
"Impressive, right?" Stephen asked as they waited for Klaus to unload their luggage.
"It's amazing!"
"And here is the man of the hour," Stephen murmured.
Peter around and spotted Tony striding towards them, arms spread in greeting.
"Doc! Pete! Welcome to my humble little mansion!"
Peter snorted.
Tony had a quick word with Klaus, who then drove off with a grin.
"Now, I'd say tell me all about your first flight, Pete, but I know Sharon's going to ask so we may as well hold off until you and your taller half are settled."
"Where is Sharon?" Peter asked.
"She's in the sun room, reading with her feet propped up. Her obstetrician absolutely refuses to put her on bed rest, so it's the most I'm able to convince her to do," Tony said, disgruntled.
"Tony," Stephen said patiently. "I've read over everything her doctor sent me. There's no need for her to be on bed rest."
"Not even for my peace of mind?"
"Not even," Stephen said.
Tony huffed but nodded. "I just want everything to go okay. Sharon and I can always make another baby. I can't make another her." He paused. "Not ethically, at least. I mean, if anyone could figure out human cloning, it's me. But, you know, ethics and all that."
"She'll be fine," Peter soothed, holding back a laugh. Tony was probably right on the whole pioneering cloning thing. He'd already made science fiction science fact a few different times. "Pretty soon you'll find all new reasons to annoy her."
Tony inclined his head. "I know, I'm driving her crazy. I just can't stand the thought that something might go wrong."
"It won't," Stephen said. "She's healthy and she has the best doctor at her disposal. Her obstetrician is quite good as well."
"Can you believe that this guy lacks all self-confidence?" Tony asked Peter, jerking his thumb in Stephen's direction.
"It's tragic," Peter said, playing along. "He doubts himself all the time."
"You two are hilarious," Stephen said dryly. "Can we go inside now? It's gorgeous out but we've been flying for fourteen hours."
Tony took Peter's luggage with a wink and led them in.
Tumblr media
The inside of Tony's mansion was just as sleek and modern as the outside, albeit lived-in and somehow comfortable.
"We decided to put you in the west wing guest suite. It's close to us but you'll still have plenty of privacy and your own bathroom."
The suite was more like a small apartment. They had a sitting area with a royal blue oversized couch that Peter ached to just sink into and two charcoal armchairs in the same style. Their kitchenette boasted a cold cabinet, range, oven, and top-loading dishwasher from the Stark Kitchen Living Collection - not in Stephen's preferred Superior Sapphire, but Tony's signature Hot Rod Red. The bedroom had a chest of drawers in dark walnut that matched the odd bed frame. The mattress looked... sunken somehow, as if the frame was built around it. And the bedding was tidy and clean but definitely lacking in precise corners.
Stephen noticed his puzzlement. "Why don't you take your shoes off and lay down?"
Peter did, shooting Stephen a suspicious look. He laid down and immediately tried - unsuccessfully - to get back up.
"Wha-"
"It's a waterbed, Peter. The mattress is a reinforced bladder filled with water that's kept heated." He couldn't help but laugh at how startled Peter was. "It's quite comfortable; just relax and lay down."
Peter did. It felt like he was floating. The mattress seemed to mold around him so there was no pressure. He shifted and his body undulated with the mattress. It was as if he was being cradled.
"It's comfortable," he agreed.
"But?"
Peter blushed. "It's just... well, I enjoy when you cage me in against the mattress and I'm not sure how well that will work on this thing."
Stephen smirked. "Oh, we'll have plenty of fun." He extended a hand and helped Peter up and out of bed. "Let's get changed. Tony said dinner is being catered so there's no need to go out."
They changed out of their button-downs and blazers and Peter pulled his tie off with relish. He pulled on a polo and Stephen pulled on a light-weight sweater.
"You're not taking your shoes off?" Peter asked.
"Oh, right." Stephen slipped his loafers off and lined them up with Peter's against the wall.
Tumblr media
As Tony had said, they found Sharon reclining on a couch and ottoman in the sun room. She wore a pretty blue caftan and her propped-up feet were clad in matching cushioned slippers. She was reading, and after taking a closer look, Peter could see it was one of the scandalous romance novels his aunt May had sworn she didn't read but he'd once found a stack of stashed in her bedroom closet.
"How is romance with-" he read the title "Lord Wickersham?"
Sharon rolled her eyes. "A little tame for my tastes but it is the only romance I've been getting lately." She nodded in Tony's direction. "This one won't touch me."
"Oh, come on!" He complained. "I don't want to risk hurting you or little Starter."
"Starter?" Stephen asked. His hand was warm on Peter's shoulder; Peter liked the closeness.
"His portmanteau of Stark and Carter," Sharon explained. "He thinks it's clever."
Peter snorted.
"You know, I'm glad you two are here," Tony said, sounding put upon. "You can be the focus of her sass."
"If sass is what you're calling it, I don't blame her," Peter said. Stephen's hand squeezed his shoulder in warning.
Sharon marked her place in the book and set it aside. She motioned to the seat next to her. "C'mere, Peter." He sat and she pulled him into a side-hug. "I've missed you," she said.
"Guess we know who's really important here," Tony muttered to Stephen.
"Be nice," Stephen chided. "Growing another person is a taxing, often thankless endeavor."
Tony sighed. "You're right. I'm just-"
"Just wanting everything to go smoothly," Peter finished. "We know." He looked at Sharon. "Right?"
Her expression softened. "Right." Then, "well, sit down already!"
Stephen and Tony did, each taking a chair, though Tony's chair was closest to Sharon. He picked up one of her feet, removed the slipper, and began to massage.
"Oh, that's perfect," she said, eyes closing in pleasure. "I think I'll keep you after all." She enjoyed the foot rub for a few moments before asking Peter about the flight.
"It was amazing!" Peter exclaimed. He launched into telling Sharon and Tony all about the trip, from the early wake-up and Stephen's teasing about him being a menace when running low on sleep - ("What teasing?") - to arriving at the Upper York Air Hangar and checking through security and actually boarding the airship. "It was a Cessna LTA 2-4026!"
"Top of the line," Tony commented approvingly.
"For now," Peter agreed. "Luftschiffbau in Deutschland has been making some headlines about their upcoming trials." Tony smiled and motioned for him to go on. "I got to see some amazing views after we actually started flying and were given the all-clear," Peter continued. "Then I had to take a nap because Stephen said so."
"It was a few hours out of a fourteen hour flight," Stephen inserted.
"I needed it," Peter admitted. "And we had one of the private cabins, which was great! The bed was so comfortable."
"Did you join the LTA Club?" Tony asked Stephen with a smirk.
"No, I did not fornicate with my husband in the very un-soundproofed cabin of the zeppelin," Stephen said.
Peter's cheeks burned at that. He hadn't known what the LTA Club really meant. He'd thought it just meant people who'd flown in a zeppelin! Oh, Stephen must have laughed at him during the previous week when Peter was talking nonstop about his excitement in joining!
Stephen should have corrected him, Peter thought, annoyed. There was so much canned soup in that man's future!
"You alright there, Peter?" Tony asked.
"Leave him alone," Sharon insisted. "Not everyone is comfortable talking about sex openly." Peter shot her a grateful look.
Thankfully, Stephen didn't mention any of the comments Peter had made and prevented further embarrassment.
"How was the drive?" Tony asked. "Was Mr. Haas satisfactory?"
"Klaus? Oh, he was great!" Peter said. Stephen nodded his agreement.
"Good, I'm glad. I know traffic can be a nightmare coming out of that hangar."
Peter made to ask a question but was interrupted by his stomach growling. "Ah, sorry," he said sheepishly.
"No, no, that's fine. It's just about time for dinner," Tony said. He helped Sharon up, resting a hand at her lower back. "Let's go to the dining room."
Tumblr media
Dinner finished, Tony insisted on showing Peter his workshop, spiriting him away. "You'll love it; I have all the toys!"
Left alone, Stephen walked Sharon to the family room and helped her into the cushioned rocking chair. He helped her prop her feet up onto an ottoman and took his own seat.
"So," Sharon said. "Where shall we start?"
Stephen leaned forward. "Tell me about these agents I'm supposed to meet."
"Agents Hunter and Morse. They're two of the less... morally upstanding agents of my acquaintance, even by CSB standards."
"And they understand the situation?"
Sharon nodded and went over the particulars of what she'd told them and what they'd agreed to. "Everything is set up for you to meet with them on Thursday, so you and Peter should be able to enjoy yourselves tomorrow and Wednesday. I know he was excited to see the beach."
"The location I'll be meeting them?" Stephen couldn't think about enjoying himself just yet.
She sighed. "Middle California, just like you requested. Is there a reason why you were so insistent on Middle California?"
"The less anyone knows, the better," he said evasively.
Rolling her eyes, she nodded. "Okay, we're good on that front. Now, I told you last week you weren't getting out of a conversation. So what's had you in such a foul mood?"
He sat back and rubbed his eyes. "Richards," he gritted out. "That man had the audacity to come to my office and tell me that I had no business staying married to Peter after our year is up." He forced himself to unclench his hands and relax. "I'm holding him back from greatness, apparently."
"Oh," Sharon said softly. "Oh, no that was terrible of him!"
"No, he was right," Stephen said wearily. "I know how brilliant Peter is; if it hadn't been for Beck, Peter would be busy finishing up his first year of college. Hell, maybe he'd be well into his third or fourth semester, knowing him."
"You can't torture yourself with what-could-have-beens," she reasoned. "Did you ever consider that maybe Peter is more happy with you than he'd be if he'd gone to school?"
He snorted. "Please. What about life married to me could make him truly happy? Like I once told Dr. Grimm, I'm self-aware enough to know how insufferable I am."
Her expression hardened. "Stephen, for one of the most brilliant men I know, you can be quite stupid. I know exactly what kind of man you are, and you are so good, but it's as if you're the only one who can't see it. Peter sees it," she added at his skeptical look. "No, don't roll your eyes at me! Stephen, I talk to Peter multiple times a week. And yes, we talk about you and I am telling you that unhappy is the last thing Peter feels concerning you."
"He deserves better," he said.
"He deserves a life where he's happy," she countered. "And whether you believe it true or not, he's happy with you." A sly smile played around her face. "Somehow miserable people like you and I both ended up with husbands who are happy with us."
He couldn't help but laugh at that. "You deserve every happiness," he said.
She sighed. "I'd settle for Tony loosening his strings even a fraction. He's been driving me crazy, Stephen. I can't even go for a snail-paced walk on the treadmill anymore; he's always hovering."
"He wants more than anything for you to come out of this in good health. And he's determined to do everything he can to ensure that," he reasoned. "He's also determined to be the best father he can be."
"I know this is scaring him," Sharon acknowledged with a sigh. "But he shouldn't worry; he'll be a wonderful father."
"Of the four of us under this roof at the moment, the only person who grew up in a loving family is Peter. I'd certainly be scared in in Tony's place. And yours," he added. She'd told him all about growing up as a Carter and none of it sounded pleasant. "So cut him a break," he suggested. "He's doing his best."
"I know. And I love him for it."
"Baby Starter is going to have the best parents and the best life," he assured her.
"I'd like to get to the having Baby Starter, if it's all the same. I've already told Tony I am not doing this again."
"And how did he take that news?"
"Oh, he was fine with it. Said he wasn't sure he could handle more than one."
Stephen laughed. "That sounds like him."
Tumblr media
"So, what do you think?"
Peter looked around the workshop - which was essentially the whole basement of the mansion. "I think it's wonderful!" he exclaimed. "Really, it must be incredible to work here whenever you want."
"It gives me something to do," Tony said easily. "Share-bear would probably be happier if I spent more time down here at the moment but-"
"But you don't want to miss anything, do you?"
Tony rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't, no. I know I'm driving her crazy, but Howard was never around and I want to be better than that."
"Something tells me that you already are."
Tony smiled. "He set a pretty low bar so I'd have to bring a shovel and start digging to do worse, I suppose."
"You'll be great," Peter said confidently. He turned back to the infusion pump prototype Tony had shown him earlier. "What's the status of this one?"
"Oh, well, I'm still working out the heating element of it, figuring out the optimal temperature without compromising the variety of tubing that can be hooked up to it."
Peter frowned. "The tubing isn't standardized?"
"It's in committee," Tony said. "So while there's going to be a consensus and soon, manufacturers are dragging their feet and keeping substandard material."
"Then put out a statement that Stark Industries' medical line for this, in anticipation of whatever standard is forthcoming, will only be designed with tubing that complies with the forthcoming standard." It sounded simple enough to Peter. "Why would you even want to be associated with substandard materials?"
Tony considered, then grinned. "You really are brilliant," Tony said. "Ms. Potts is going to love this."
"I'm glad I can help," Peter said.
"You'd probably have set the medical world on fire, Pete."
Peter shrugged. "Maybe. I could have ended up a laughingstock, too. Life didn't exactly turn out that bad, all things considered. I didn't know just how lucky I was that Stephen chose me, but I've learned."
"He's lucky he has you, too," Tony said. "I've known Stephen for a number of years now, and he's a lot lighter than I've seen him in a long time."
"He's said that I make his life easier," Peter said, studying the schematics for the infusion device. "And I'm actually happy that I can, which is definitely not how I felt at the beginning when he selected me." He picked up a pen, crossed out one of the tolerances noted, and wrote in a different one.
Tony looked it over, curious as to what Peter changed. Then he nodded. "Yeah, I think that will about do it." He eyed Peter. "Think we should go and break up their little tête-à-tête?"
"Stephen's probably calmed Sharon down a bit," Peter said in agreement. He looked up at Tony and smirked. "She really has been going crazy. You're lucky she hasn't slipped a sedative in your drinks."
Tony laughed. "Yeah, I know. Come on, we have games to play."
Tumblr media
Games turned out to be Scrabble, which the four of them were viciously well-matched for. Tony had to keep his mobile on so they could verify the words in various language were, in fact, words. With the radio set to an easy music station, they played for a couple of hours until it was growing dark and Sharon couldn't stifle her yawning.
(Peter won by four points, with Sharon close behind thanks to her knowledge of languages.)
"Well," Tony said. "It's time for us to hit the metaphorical hay." He looked at Stephen. "Will you two be doing some sightseeing tomorrow?"
"That was the plan for tomorrow and Wednesday," Stephen said. "Then I have a meeting on Thursday."
That was news to Peter. A meeting? While they were on vacation? What if Sharon went into labor? She was due any day now! She didn't look concerned at Stephen's plans, though, or surprised.
"I'll have a list of places for you to check out ready by breakfast," Tony said. "You're going to love it," he added, turning his attention to Peter. "Malibu is a great place."
"I'm looking forward to it," Peter said honestly. "I can't wait to actually walk on a beach."
Sharon yawned again and leaned heavily against Tony. "Alright, good night, you two. Sleep well."
"Oh, we will," Stephen assured her. The tone had Peter's cheeks flushing a hot pink.
They did.
-------
6 notes · View notes
taz-clark · 1 year
Link
i haven't written a fic for my fav fandom since, *checks watch* .. 2014.
but hey, fellow Jak and Daxter babes; y’all looking sexy as ever. i see you.
23 notes · View notes
Note
😭 A fic that ripped your heart out (but it hurt so good) ( prongsfoot pls ? ) I need more prongsfoot angst recs ;_;
I know I rec this fic at least once a week on here BUT ALAS
Pioneers by inveracities is literally. the best. long. prongsfoot. fic. in existence. nothing tops that.
ALSO my fav WIP right now is On Fire, But We Can't Feel A Thing by arizayna
ITS AMAZING its memory loss and it's sort of like a getting-back-together fic and I need to catch up on some of the latest chapters but it's gut-wrenching and beautiful and makes me cry on occasions
18 notes · View notes
dandelionlovesyou · 1 year
Text
It's almost midnight and I should be reading The Grave of Fireflies, but lo and behold, I'm reading Everlark fanfiction and soulmate marks and how Katnis and Peeta's separation could affect their HEA! Or will there even be a HEA?
Oh dear! I'm trapped!
Tumblr media
THG Season of Hope 2022 Holiday Fic Exchange hijacked me!
7 notes · View notes
navnae · 2 years
Text
I need a body language breakdown of steddie, like a real professional to confirm or deny my delusions 🫠
15 notes · View notes