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johannestevans · 1 year

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Pirate Media Recommendations

Along with Ryann Fletcher, Kate Heartfield, Juliet Kemp, and F.D. Lee, I'm going to be on the Queer Pirates panel at 3pm this Friday at EasterCon 2023!

Our Flag Means Death and other pirates: a panel discussion including fandom and canon of Our Flag Means Death and other series such as Black Sails. This item will start around 15 minutes after advertised start time to minimise clash with the Opening Ceremony.

You can still sign up for virtual membership of EasterCon here if you'd like to attend online, as there are going to be a great many panels and discussions throughout the con, which are gonna be great.

Coming up to the panel, I thought I'd make a list of some of my favourite pirate and nautical media to point people to, as I'm probably going to mention a bunch of it on the panel and this is a particularly fierce interest of mine!

So for Our Flag Means Death, we know that it's an interpretation of the historical relationship between Edward Teach and Stede Bonnet as a romance - two other famously queer pirates were of course Anne Bonny and Mary/Mark Read. I'm personally super excited to see if these figures will feature in Our Flag Means Death S2.

Podcast Episodes & Videos:

Ching Shih: The Pirate Queen, from Puppet History

The True Story of a Pirate Queen, from Ruining History

A History of Gay Pirates with Rebecca Simon, on the PRIDE Podcast -

Sailing Through Queer Pirate History with Rebecca Simon, on the PRIDE Podcast

Pirate Queens with Rebecca Simon, on the PRIDE Podcast

Were Some Pirates Poofters?, from the History is Gay Podcast - Going through Anne Bonny, Mary Read, Calico Jack, and Pierre Bouspet.

Queerness in the Golden Age of Piracy, from Queer as Fact

Books & Essays:

FICTION: The Aubrey-Maturin Series, by Patrick O'Brian - The Aubreyad is not about pirates, but is a nautical-historical series of 20 books set in the 1800s. I love these books a lot, they're ridiculous and very homoerotic with a lot of background gay dynamics - you can absolutely infer a romance between Captain Jack Aubrey, a hot slab of beef, and his doctor, Stephen Maturin. They're funny and they're rich with nautical descriptions, really immersing you into the language and feel of the period and the sensation of being on these vessels. While I'm not holding these books up as a bastion of queerness compared to other texts, Maturin is a fervent abolitionist and despite being a member of Aubrey's crew is actually vehemently anti-colonialist in his views, and those discussions do play out on paper again and again. Because of their realism these books do kind of poke a hole in the naval officers being held up as inherently noble or honourable, and particularly regularly criticises the actions and ideas of the state.

FICTION: J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan - I love Peter Pan, and obviously I talk and blog about it a lot. What's particularly dear to my heart is the relationship between Hook and Smee, which is such an intimate marriage even though it's not explicitly described as such, and it makes me very emotional. This book was written at the beginning of the 20th century, and I do want to warn anyone before going in about the racism inherent - the text treats the existence of the Natives to Neverland as part of an "adventure", and there's also anti-Black racism toward many of Hook's crew, as well as the description of Hook himself as "swarthy" despite being a white Etonian. Peter Pan is a story about working class white children in London whose parents has dreams of them ascending to middle class, and the children's fears of growing up are heavily influenced by economic anxiety, but also they desire a return to a time when as young white kids "adventure" would have been more accessible to them, as is typical in the classic adventure novel.

FICTION: Peter Darling, by Austin Chant - The Lost Boys say that Peter Pan went back to England because of Wendy Darling, but Wendy is just an old life he left behind. Neverland is his real home. So when Peter returns to it after ten years in the real world, he’s surprised to find a Neverland that no longer seems to need him. The only person who truly missed Peter is Captain James Hook, who is delighted to have his old rival back. The oft-recommended trans man!Peter Pan/Hook romance novel. Please don't talk to me about this one as I haven't and can't read it for some personal trigger readings, but it's recommended all over and is well-loved for a reason!

FICTION: Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island - Treasure Island is of course, one of the archetypal adventure novels. What a lot of people might not know is that the TV series Black Sails is a prequel to Treasure Island! If you enjoyed Our Flag Means Death, you might be delighted to realise that the real life pirate Israel Hands features in Treasure Island, and fights with Jim Hawkins, the protagonist.

NON-FICTION: Sodomy and the Pirate Tradition: English Sea Rovers in the Seventeenth-Century Caribbean, by B.R. Burg - In Sodomy and the Pirate Tradition, historian B. R. Burg investigates the social and sexual world of these sea rovers, a tightly bound brotherhood of men engaged in almost constant warfare. What, he asks, did these men, often on the high seas for years at a time, do for sexual fulfillment? Buccaneer sexuality differed widely from that of other all- male institutions such as prisons, for it existed not within a regimented structure of rule, regulations, and oppressive supervision, but instead operated in a society in which widespread toleration of homosexuality was the norm and conditions encouraged its practice.

ESSAY: Our Flag Means Death and Queer Utopias at Sea, an essay by Seth LeJacq

TV Series:

Our Flag Means Death - Of course, duh! Our Flag Means Death, a queer romcom interpreting the historical relationship between Stede Bonnet, the Gentleman Pirate, and Edward Teach, Blackbeard, as a romance.

Black Sails - A "gritty" and brutal prequel to RL Stevenson's Treasure Island, exploring the tales of Long John Silver and how he came to be what he ultimately is in Treasure Island. There is a lot of gay shit in this and it's extremely anti-imperial in its outlook - with that said, I'm personally not a great fan of Black Sails to watch, for me personally it's either too upsetting or too dull to stick with, oscillating between the two extremes. If you haven't tried it and do want to, I do recommend sticking through at least the first season and seeing if you get into it! With that said, it's got particularly brutal onscreen treatment of its WOC, especially Max, a Black woman who is violently raped onscreen (as well as onscreen abuses of other women), and I would recommend treading with caution if this is something that will be difficult to watch.

Neverland - This miniseries is near and dear to my heart - it's not huge on the pirates, but it actually has Bob Hoskins reprising his 1991 role as Smee, and I find it to be an interesting and quite different exploration of the Peter Pan prequel that really explores class some. More importantly, it actually has Natives playing Natives, and features Q'orianka Kilcher as Aaya!

Movies:

Love, Death, & Robots: Bad Travelling (2022) - This is a short film that's part of the LD&R series, and it's really good nautical horror. That's all there is to it.

Master and Commander (2003) - Taika Waititi said this movie is his favourite romance movie, and he's so fucking right. Anyway, this movie is based off the first five of Patrick O'Brian's Aubreyad, and it's so loving and so gay.

Treasure Planet (2002) - There are so many adaptations of Treasure Island, but this is my favourite every single time, it's just so well-done, it's so full of care, it really captures the wonder and excitement of sailing and the sense of freedom, and honestly? Jim Hawkins is sooooo transmasculine, he even has an ugly shitty mullet haircut and a little gold earring, he is the blueprint, he is perfect. If piracy in space tickles your fancy, I also might recommend Space Pirate Captain Harlock (2013).

Pirates of the Carribean: The Black Pearl (2003), Dead Man's Chest (2006), and At World's End (2007) - Listen. Are there technically other POTC movies? Yes. Should you watch them? Oh, fuck no. I have seen On Stranger Tides and Dead Men Tell No Tales/Salazar's Revenge and let me tell you: you do not have to, you do not need to, and you do not want to. On Stranger Tides tried to tell me that Hector Barbossa fell in love with a woman. My man. Hector Barbossa. A woman!? Please! Anyway, I grew up on these movies and unfortunately they are overwhelmingly and unrealistically white - there are some really cool characters of colour and I especially love Tia Dalma. Remember not to watch these movies legally, by the way - watch them on an old cheap DVD or do some piracy yourself. Fuck Johnny Depp.

The Pirates of Penzance (1983) - This is an adaptation of the Gilbert and Sullivan opera, and it is so over the top, so ridiculous, so much fucking fun. Kevin Kline has some of the sexiest fits in this movie and so much thick, thatched chest hair, and the music is good, many of the jokes still land, and it's just fun.

Peter Pan (2003) - Don't watch the Disney Peter Pan. Never watch it, it's garbage, it's ugly, it invented a bunch of anti-Native racism that isn't in the already racist original text, and you know, fuck Disney. Is the 2003 Peter Pan perfect? No. But is it better? Yes. Jason Isaacs is so hot as Hook, and while I am not the biggest fan of PJ Hogan's take on the book that's all about Wendy wanting to fuck her own dad on top of cutting the Hook/Smee dynamic back significantly, the Neverland aesthetics and the silly piratical ones are a lot of fun.

Hook (1991) - Spielberg's sequel to Peter Pan is glorious for one reason and one reason only: Dustin Hoffman and Bob Hoskins were like, "hey, these two dudes are married. They're old queens in love!" and they played it like that, and they were so fucking right. Hoffman's Hook is so queer and so effete and so incredibly mentally ill and he is the biggest mood throughout, as is Smee trying to keep them both alive. I adore this movie to death, I really do.

Down Periscope (1996) - Okay. So. This movie is a little bit different. It's not set in the Golden Age of Piracy or even just after it - it's set in the 1990s, and is about a Yank Naval Captain doing wargames with other members of the navy. With that said, it's got a lot of pirate hijinks and a lot of found family dynamics with a lot of freaks and neurodivergents packing the crew - note that there's some misogynistic harassment in this for the only female crew member, but she's one of my favourite characters and she's so much fun, much like the rest of the crew. Listen. The captain has a tattoo on his dick. They all dress up as pirates while making one of their crew members walk the plank. Their ending credits feature the cast dancing and singing along with the Village People, to the iconic gay anthem, In The Navy. It's good, I swear.

And I've tried a bunch of pirate videogames, but none of them has measured up to Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. Unfortunately, this game is an Assassin's Creed game and all the AC plot stuff sucks, because that's what AC games are for.

When it's not doing their terrible meta plot in the "real world", though, this game has such excellent gameplay, it's great fun, and the soundtrack is tremendous. Even if you don't play the game, absolutely consider giving the sound track a listen, because it's just great!

An old album I would recommend is also the Robert Shaw Chorale Sea Shanties one! It's from 1960, and they do some really fun arrangements of different sea shanties - their Drunken Sailor is one of my absolute favourites!

If you'd like to see a different take on the sea shanties and would still love some more space piracy, I would also recommend Once Upon A Time (in Space), by the Mechanisms!

My Stuff

And separate to the general rec list above, here's some of my work that's relevant to my takes on queer pirates, and why I'm on the panel:

Communicating Want, by me, DictionaryWrites - 75k, rated E, Frenchie/Izzy. Izzy's just so buttoned-up, how is Lucius supposed to resist the urge to seduce him? It doesn't go well. Just a silly thing exploring sexual trauma and stuff with Izzy Hands! Love that bitch.

Our Flag Means Death S01 E01: Close Textual Analysis — Examining OFMD E1: Pilot in close detail and liveblogging/analysing the text. On Medium / / On Patreon.

Gerald Poole and the Pirates - A distinctly queer adventure full of internal conflict ensues when a gentleman and a sailor are captured by pirates. Read on Medium: Part I / / Part II / / Part III / / Part IV / / Buy as an eBook on SmashWords, $2.99 / Buy as an eBook from Amazon.

The Coffin at Sea — 400w. A vessel picks up a coffin afloat at sea. On Medium / / On Patreon.

The Pirate Accountant — 4.5k, rated M, MB. A quartermaster works up the nerve to finally mount a seduction on their accountant. Dark humour and biting banter throughout, between an exceedingly cautious and paranoid accountant and the quartermaster who’s finally worked up the courage to ask him out. On Medium / / On Patreon.

Saint Jude’s Kitchen — 20k, Rated M, MB. After an injury stops him working, a failing deckhand gets a new lease on life. Themes around cooking and nurturing, identity and sense of self, and complex family dynamics. Adapted from a TweetFic. On Medium / / On Patreon.

#musings #our flag means death #eastercon #conversation 2023 #pirates

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windermeresimblr · 5 months

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OC Obscure Associations Tag

I was tagged by @treason-and-plot! Thank you, Pru! Of course I chose Alasdair.

Animal: Badger. Colors: Green, blue, and red. Month: May (he's a softie and loves to see flowers blooming and the world returning to life, shhh.). Songs: I always associate him with the Master and Commander version of "Musica notturna della strade di Madrid," because it's just such a lovely piece and he originally began life in my head as a companion to Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin. (And perhaps one day he might play a duet with a certain Spanish bluestocking…) And--this is a touch self-indulgent--"Chì mi na mòrbheanna", specifically for a loose translation of one line that goes "in the hunts of the deer shall I roam." Never mind that poor Alasdair doesn't like deer! Number: 8. Plants: Tulips. Smells: I'm hopeless at smells, so consider this a freebie! Gemstone: Freshwater pearls. Time of Day: Early morning. Season: Spring. Places: The loch by the McCarrics' house; his mamma's townhouse in London from when he was a boy; in the forest when sun shines through the canopy. Food: White soup, as in Pride and Prejudice. Drinks: Mulled wine. Element: Earth. Astrological Sign: Aquarius. (This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius / Age of Aquarius / Aquarius…) Seasonings: Mustard, ginger, marigold blossoms Sky: Dawn breaking through the clouds, followed by a wild stormy sky. Weather: Clear and bright; whether sunny and mild in the springtime or brisk and chill in the autumn, he doesn't have much preference. Magical Power: Time travel, of course! (Also he has some psychic ability…he is a very, very good guesser.) Weapon: A claymore. Social Media: He doesn't have one. If he were in the modern era, he'd have an Instagram focused solely on his beloved, spoiled rotten Scottie dog Wee Lassie and her antics, where he would make appearances only as a hand giving her treats or petting her. Make-up Product: None, though as a teen his mother would hold him down and wash his face with all kinds of concoctions to "fix his pimples." This did not work, but fortunately our Alasdair is a handsome man anyways! Method of Long-Distance Travel: Ship. Art Style: He's in the weeds of the 18th and 19th-century Academic style, but I think he'd like the Preraphaelites. I think he'd also love the Fauvists. Fear: Deer (though he'd never admit that), losing control (sorry buddy) Mythological Creature: Centaur. Piece of Stationary: Sealing-wax. When he was a child he would play with bits of sealing-wax, rolling them into balls, squashing them, etc. More than once he burnt his fingers trying to melt it. Three Emojis: He's from the Regency. Modern Alasdair: 🦡🐴🐶 Celestial Body: The Pleiades.

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hotchbian · 9 months

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criminal minds Q&A (Qs from @/concretemercy on twitter)

who’s your favourite character? hotch, emily and spencer are my big 3 but if i had to choose between them.. i think hotch

which season is your favourite? early seasons >>>>> but more specifically i think season 4! although 3 and 5 are close too, that whole era has some of the most interesting cases and as devastating as it is i love the focus on hotch’s home life both pre and post haley’s death

who (in your opinion) is the most underrated character? i’m not mega attached to any of the characters who filled emily’s place in the seasons she was away but i did rly like kate callahan!! i’m surprised she’s not talked about more, she’s such a cool character imo and her storyline with her niece is also underrated!

who (in your opinion) is the most overrated character? this is a hard one but i think i’d have to say rossi? there’s several reasons why i dislike him a bit compared to other characters but he just felt like quite a step down from gideon and i just feel like his personality and backstory have less substance and are less interesting compared to the others’?

who’s your favourite cast member? SOOO difficult i love them all 😭 i think thomas’s acting skills are seriously underrated, i rly don’t believe many actors can achieve the duality between hotch and david from love and human remains as successfully as thomas does,, equally i loveee paget she’s such a sweet incredible soul 🫶 also bonus: aubrey plaza one of my #1 celeb crushes 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩 she plays cat so well 😫

if you could change one thing in a plot what would it be? rossi being canon racist in his youth.. but if we’re talking more major (?) plot points i think maeve’s death - everyone agrees spencer suffers by far the most trauma throughout the years and i think it would’ve been nice for maeve to have survived and for her and spencer’s relationship to have progressed further, just to add a little sprinkle of consistent joy into his life :(

your favourite canonical ship? does garvez count as canon or not.. bc it is in my mind

your favourite non-canonical ship? i’m not much of a shipper i think bc the team feels like such a found-family i cant imagine their relationships to be anything other than platonic but.. i might go niche and say elle x emily (ellily? emme? emelle? idk) bc i think if they ever met emily would have the maddest crush on her lmao (i need them to meet, pls let them meet one day 😫)

favourite episode? again crazy difficult but i have to say 100.. literally not a day goes by where i don’t think about that episode, it’s television and acting perfection (thomas being the most talented actor ever strikes again) bonus #2: seven seconds (the one where the aunt is the unsub of the girl that goes missing in the mall) is also perfection, the tension throughout it is insane, i could write essays about it

favourite quote? the scene where hotch and will are talking about a victim who was the will’s closeted co-worker and will says “icb he flew hundred of miles to be someone else” and hotch replies “no he flew hundreds of miles to be himself” 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔 hotch my little ally

why did you start watching the show? one of my school friends loved it and convinced me to watch it bc a family friend had given us her prime video log in but i only got through season 1 until i got logged out so i went two years without watching it until i subscribed to disney+ at the start of this year and picked up where i left off

have you watched criminal minds more than once? i finished my first watch-through a month ago and i went straight into rewatching it all the next day! so i’m currently at s3 on my first rewatch :)

what is the most heartbreaking scene from the show? the entirety of 100 is the obvious answer for me but also when derek faces his abuser (both times) and ofc “he was alive yesterday?”.. mgg your directing destroys me

favourite scene? too many.. any moments between hotch and jack, jj’s wedding, emily’s return from death, derek telling spencer that hank’s middle name is spencer ❤️‍🩹

when did you start watching the show? watched s1 in late 2020/early 2021, had a two year break and picked it back up in early 2023

favourite cast photo? my bffs 🤭

17. have you watched the spin offs? cm: evolution (if that counts as a spin off?) yes, the others no, i was planning on watching beyond borders but it’s not top of my watchlist priorities

18. who’s the best unsub? cat.. i feel so evil for loving her (that’s just what aubrey plaza does to me ig)

19. what was the most terrifying case? the only case i’ve been so genuinely scared of i’ve had to look away from my screen is the capilanos (the mgg directed killer clown episode), but i also love that ep bc spencer mentions a village near my hometown lmao

20. whose death was the hardest to watch? haley’s ofc and maeve’s

21. is there a character you can’t stand? when he was first introduced i didn’t like will and i was like.. why would jj like him of all ppl (i think i just found his accent and bad flirting annoying 😭) BUT i love them together now, they’re rly cute especially in s16

this took way longer than i expected 😭

#criminal minds #criminal minds questions #aaron hotchner #emily prentiss #spencer reid #david rossi #jennifer jareau #elle greenaway #penelope garcia #derek morgan #luke alvez

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softly-and-suddenly · 11 months

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#this is the first time he has ever seen the ship!!!#Jack Aubrey is the love of my life!!!!!#master and commander

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thiefbird · 9 days

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🌹

Here are a few snippets of dialogue from My Heart and Eyes Have Erred, a far-off addition in So Long Lives This 'verse where Diana and Sophie find out that Jack and Stephen have been carrying on an affair since before either of their marriages (ik this is stretching the game but you're not getting such well-written stuff bc its just dialogue also i do what i want)

First, a snippet of Sophie and Jack's conversation:

Sophie: I know you love him. You’ve told me yourself countless times - “I love him more than anyone but you” you wrote me, from India, even! - am I so very foolish? [more upset again] Did you pride yourself on pulling the wool over my eyes?! Jack: Sweetheart… Sophie: [turns back to face him more slowly] I will not ask you to choose between us, Jack, but by God if the children must see you hanged-! [chokes on a sob] Oh, I could not bear it…

and second, for comparison, Diana and Stephen's:

Diana: [voice deadly quiet, hissing through clenched teeth ] Did you tire, my dear, of playing a man? Did it lose its charms at last? You are rich enough; you could fund Aubrey’s divorce and annul our own bonds, if you wanted to be his wife. I should respect you more if you did - give up this absurd freemartin act and accept the hand you were dealt, like every other woman alive. Stephen: [stricken] I would never - you are my wife, Diana. I would change nothing of our life together, were it in my hands. Diana: And therein lies the problem - you want to have your cake and feed it to Aubrey, too. God-[cuts herself off to smother a sob] -I hate you.

#diana is not the bad guy here tho!!! in the eventual prose(which will be her POV)#she immediately regrets saying such vile things. but she's hurting and doesn't know how to apologise in the moment so she just. doubles dow #this is set between the letter of marque and the thirteen gun salute for context

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thekenobee · 1 year

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Girls, forget about Mr Darcy's proposal

This is the only way I could find the offer acceptable-

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peonierose · 1 year

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Rosé all Day

Characters involved: Luna Auclair (F!OC), Keiki Lahela (F!MC), Evie Auclair (F!OC), Soraya Auclair (F!OC), Meilani Leahi (F!OC) and Bryce Lahela (M!MC)

Summary: It’s Maxines birthday on February 14th, but Luna knows that Maxine doesn’t like Valentine‘s day. So she and the girls spend some quality time together. Drinking eating, and playing some games.

Words: 3,600+

Rating: General. A few innuendos but nothing too bad.

A/N: I’m participating in the Valentine’s Day celebration by @choicesficwriterscreations 💓

Side note: Thanks to @annieruok94 for proof reading 💚

I’m getting ready to host a night of games and drinks. Sadly non-alcoholic for me. Yeah, the story of my life. At least for the next remaining month.

Tonight’s Maxis birthday. Yes,my best friend‘s birthday is on February 14th. On valentine‘s day. She doesn’t like Valentine’s Day so we’ll have a quiet night in with the girls. I did make her something. Even though she said no birthday gifts.

I stare at the rectangle gift I wrapped up earlier. All in pink. With a glittery satin bow on top.

I grin to myself as I hear the doorbell ring and put down the basket of freshly baked pizza bites and garlic bread I made earlier.

I open the door. And see it’s Maxi in leather shorts and a burgundy shirt, topped with scuffed up red Dr. Martens.

Some of her colorful tattoos peeking out. She’s holding a bottle of rosé in her right hand and a box of fruit for me in her left one.

”The woman of my dreams brings me a fruit bowl. Thank you milady.“

”Seriously? Another Bridgerton reference?“

I grin at her.

”It’s a great show. Even Adam likes it. Maybe on your third date, you can subtly suggest tuning into Bridgerton?“

Maxine just snorts.

”Yeah sure. I’ll suggest it, but no promises sugarplum.“

I sigh and hold the fruit bowl close to my chest. Ever since I got pregnant, I’ve been craving fruit. It’s insane. One night I had Bryce run out in boxer shorts to buy some watermelon and bananas. He was like here you go and went back to sleep. I grin at that memory.

I smile at Maxi.

”You’re a godsend you know that?“ I say and together we walk toward the kitchen. Me at a slower pace than Maxi.

”So who’s coming tonight?“ she asks and hops on the counter stealing a grape from the charcuterie board.

I slap her hand.

”No trying the goods. Those are for later,“ I say laughing.

She grins like the Cheshire cat and takes another one.

”To answer your question. Soraya, Evie, Meilani, Keiki and I. I asked Aubrey too. But she has a surgery so she can’t make it. Keiki will join us later,“ I say grinning.

Maxi catches on.

”Does she have a new guy in her life?“ Maxi hops off the counter and goes to the fridge to get herself a bottle of mint water.

I shrug.

”I have no idea. If she does? Then she’s keeping it to herself. I think she’s still hurt after Dylan broke things off over a text on her prom night. Sure Bryce took her and they had a great time. But I think she’s just careful,“ I say, pouring the rosé into glasses and assembling them on the counter one by one.

Maxi nods.

”Yeah that was a dick move. Seriously. I don’t get it. But hey Keiki is an amazing girl. Who’s in her second in college, to become a vet. And she’s going to find an amazing guy I’m sure,“ she says.

I glance at Maxi and then get the gift and put it behind my back.

She eyes me with suspicion.

”What? I swear to god if that’s a present behind your back…“

I wiggle my eyebrows.

”You’re going to what? I’m pregnant you can’t do jack shit.“

Maxine almost chokes on her bubbly drink.

”Why do you keep insisting on giving me presents sugarplum?“ Maxine asks me, her tone gone softer.

I shrug and reveal the pink glittery wrapped present behind my back.

”Because I love you and I wanted to give you something. It’s nothing big I promise.“

I give her the gift and she puts her mint water to the side.

She stares at the pink wrapping paper and then tears the wrapping to reveal a photo album I made.

She looks up at me. At a complete loss for words.

”Oh Lu.“ She asks and opens the photo album and goes through all the pages.

It starts with a quote

”There are many people to be close to. But no one is like you. That’s why I love you.“

She smiles and turns the page.

It’s pictures from all the years we’ve been friends. From bubble baths together, complete with champagne and chocolates. To us eating pizza and malasadas. Acting like complete dorks.

When she doesn’t say anything and just keeps turning the pages of the photo album I get a little nervous.

”I looked everywhere for the perfect present, so when I came short I just printed out all the photos we’ve ever taken together and put them together in an album.“

I nervously play with my engagement ring.

She looks up, puts the photo album aside and gives me a hug, careful not to crush me since I’m 8 months pregnant.

When we break apart she looks at me. Her eyes radiating joy and happiness.

”I’m so glad we’re friends. You have no idea. And this gift you made me? It’s so special, it’s the most beautiful gift I’ve ever gotten.“

She picks up the photo album again and points to a page with a hand painted sunset at Waikiki beach, where we sit side by side with our backs to the camera.

”You hand painted this. That‘s incredible. The time you took to make this. I said no presents but boy am I glad you still gave me one. Damn I love you sugarplum.“

”Love you too Maxi.“

We hug again and smile at each other. I’m happy I could make Maxi happy on her birthday.

We talk amongst each other when I hear the doorbell ring again.

Maxi waves me off before I can get it.

”I got it. You just finish whatever that is,“ she motions to me.

I’m making the fruit into star-shaped little snacks. So what? It looks cute.

Ever eaten a piece of mango or watermelon that looks like a star or a heart? Adorable.

When Maxi comes back I see Evie in a green spaghetti strapped dress.

Soraya in ripped jeans and a shirt, followed by Meilani who looks super cute in a flower print dress.

Meilani is also my Ob-gyn, she works together with Bryce and Aubrey at the Kuakini Medical Center here in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Both Soraya and Meilani are holding hands and stealing looks when they think no one is looking. So cute.

I smile at everyone.

”Hi guys. I’m so glad you could all make it tonight,“ I say and hug everyone.

”Sor I gotta say you’re perfume is quite strong. But you look very pretty,“ I say.

Sor groans.

”You know I changed my perfume twice because you said it’s too strong. I’m not changing this one,“ she says grinning.

”That’s okay. I think this one is less strong than the other two,“ I say and everyone gets seated around the table in the kitchen.

”Thank god for small miracles,“ Soraya grins at me.

Evie who’s holding a pink box in her hands gestures to Maxi who’s standing next to her and groans.

Everyone smiles.

Soraya and Meilani come closer too.

”You didn’t think we’d forget your birthday did you? You’re family. So we’re going to celebrate whether you like it or not.“ Evie grins.

I get out plates for everyone in the kitchen.

Maxi smiles reluctantly and opens the box.

Inside is a round cake. The cake is adorned with pink, purple and yellow edible flowers and topped with white frosting. And the cake says ”Happy Birthday Maxine.“

Maxi looks up and she’s close to tears I can tell.

”Aunt Grace made the cake. We just put it in a box.“ Evie says and winks at me. I grin. My mom sure knows how to make a good cake.

Meilani gets out matches and birthday candles.

She and Soraya put them on the cake and light the candles.

”Make a wish babe.“

I say and Maxi holds her hair to the side so it doesn’t catch on fire. She closes her eyes and blows out her candles in one go.

We all cheer and give her hugs and kisses.

”Thank you. You really know how to make a girl feel special on her birthday. Which happens to be on February 14th.“

We all grin and take out some bubbly and cake, and some snacks from the charcuterie board I made, and move to the living room.

I love the charcuterie board I assembled. I have to say I’m pretty proud of all the cheeses, fruits, and crackers. It looks like, dare I say it, a piece of art? I chuckle.

Comfortable is all I really need these days. Sitting down on the couch? Yes please! Carrying twins is a lot more straining than I thought, but I wouldn’t trade it in for anything in the world.

The others find a comfortable sitting position too. Keiki and Maxi were on one end of the couch, and Evie joined me. Soraya and Meilani sit together.

I look at my friends and family and am so happy we‘re all here together.

”I’m really glad we got to get together,“ Evi says while taking a sip of rosé and a bite of cheese.

”So any juicy stories? What have I missed?“ I ask around.

Maxi splutters her drink on herself.

”What your sex life not entertaining enough?“ Maxi asks.

”Oh it is. The other day we tried…“ I say and hear the door slam as Keiki walks inside just to catch the last sentence of our conversation.

”Can we please not talk about your sex life? Please. I’m already spending way too much time at my friend's Lexi’s house. Aubrey said it’s as if I’m living at their place. So please no sex stories,“ she says and joins us.

Keiki grabs a ball of cheese and a glass of rosé and moves to Maxi to give her hug.

”Happy Birthday Maxi.“ She says and Maxi hugs her back.

”Thanks Keiki.“

I smile at Keiki out of the corner of my eye.

”Yeah. What’s up with that? Anything you want to share Keiks?“ I ask innocently.

”Bryce warned me about that look,“ Keiki says.

I grin.

”What look? I’m just asking. About your not-boyfriend?“ I say grinning and sipping on my hibiscus lemonade.

”I…went on a date. But it was just one date. Please don’t make a big thing out of it,“ Keiki says and looks at all of us.

”We’d never do anything that’ll make you feel weird,“ Meilani says and the others nod.

”Mei is right. You’ll tell us when you’re ready. And when you do? We’ll all want to meet him. And I can’t wait to ask him all the questions,“ I say.

Keiki sighs.

”No! You and my brother will turn it into the Spanish inquisition,“ she says.

I laugh.

”We’ll be nice. Maybe,“ I add.

”Just stop it, Mooney,“ Evie interjects while munching on a star fruit.

We sit and laugh for a while. Enjoy the food, drinks and company.

”How about never have I ever,“ Maxi suddenly suggests and I grin at her.

We played that on Christmas two years ago and I got so drunk. I even asked my cactus if it was taken. Bryce recorded the whole thing. He still laughs about it. He said my flirting was cute.

”I’m not playing, never have I ever. I always lose clothes in the process,“ I say remembering the times B and I played.

”That’s not how you play,“ Sor says after taking a sip from her drink.

”It’s the dirty edition,“ I explain.

Keiki groans.

”Can I be excused for the rest of the evening? I do not want to hear about you and my big brother making out all the time. And FYI you’re not as quiet as you think at night,“ she asks and the others laugh.

I flush red.

”Oops. I’m sorry,“ I say. Maybe B and I should buy a soundproof door? Hmm. Maybe we can talk about that next time.

Maxi sighs.

”I need tequila shots for this,“ she says.

Soraya clinks her glass to Maxis.

”Yes. Please,“ she replies.

Evie chuckles.

”I think it’s nice,“ Evie says a longing in her voice.

I look at her. And she sighs lost in her thoughts.

”You okay Evie?“ I put my arm around her shoulders.

”Peachy. No, I’m not. I feel lonely and sad,“ she says but her voice sounds sad.

Soraya nods knowingly.

”I knew something was wrong. So what’s going on?“ she asks her sister.

Evie sighs, picking at invisible lint on her dress.

”Everyone got someone and I don’t. You know I love the job we have Sor. But seeing all these couples get married and start a family, it makes me want to have that too. Guess I’m unlucky when it comes to love,“ she says and sighs.

That gets me thinking.

”You’re not unlucky you just haven’t met the right guy, but you will. Any guy would be lucky to have you in his life. Don’t get discouraged.“ I say and she smiles quietly.

I grin suddenly when I remember my conversation with Aubrey from a few weeks ago. She said her brother starts his new job at the University of Hawaii. His name is Emry. Maybe he and Evie would be a good fit. We’ve talked a couple of times, and he’s extremely nice and has a great sense of humor. Someone who’d be perfect for my cousin Evie.

”I think I might have someone in mind,“ I said, munching on a piece of mango.

Everyone looks at me.

Maxi grins.

”How did you find him? Did you set up a tinder profile for Evie?“ she asks.

I stick out my tongue at Maxi and she blows me a kiss.

”I didn’t. He teaches at the University of Hawaii,“ I say.

Maxi raises her eyebrows.

”Really? What does he teach math?“ she chuckles.

I shrug.

”As a matter of fact he does,“ I say.

”Tell us more about him,“ Meilani chimes in.

”His name is Emry. He’s Aubrey’s brother. As I said he’s a professor at the University of Hawaii. He teaches math and molecular biology. He’s extremely nice and polite. Also, he’s very hot,“ I wink at Evie.

”Why don’t you use your old tinder profile, Eves?“ Soraya says.

”That’s a great idea,“ I say snatching Evie’s phone from the table before she has a chance to take it.

”Lunes don’t,“ Evie says.

I smile at her.

”Oh come on he’s hot and single. Give it a try maybe you’ll get lucky and it’ll be a match,“ I say.

Evie looks unconvinced.

”I don’t know looney,“ she says.

”Come on. Let’s just try. We could even go on a double date. Bryce and I will be there for moral support,“ I said nudging her.

Evie relents.

”He better be cute,“ she says.

”He’s very handsome,“ I say.

I unlock her phone.

”How did you know my password?“ Evie asks.

I bite my lip.

”I…uh…remember it from that last time you asked me to reply to a text because you were getting your nails done,“ I say and add.

”I’ve never looked through your phone pinky promise,“ I say and Evie nods.

We try and see if she can match with Emry.

Suddenly I see his pic and swipe. Crossing my fingers it’ll be a match.

The sound of a match makes me grin and let out a whoop and shimmy on the couch a bit.

”What happened? Did they match? Let me see,“ Keiki peeks over my shoulder.

I show her Evie’s phone.

”Woah Evie he’s so good-looking. I know since Lexi, Aubrey’s sister told me about her brother but I’ve never seen a pic of him. And that guys a professor? Suddenly I’m very interested in molecular biology. Maybe I could take a class?“ Keiki says thinking out loud and we all laugh.

Soraya clears her throat and we all look at her.

When I see Sor grin like the Cheshire cat, I know she’s up to something.

”What?“ I ask cautiously.

”One word. Jenga.“

I groan and Evie breaks out in laughter.

She and Sor high five. While everyone looks at us as if we’ve gone mad.

”Anyone want to clue us in?“ Maxi asks.

Evie is still laughing together with Sor. So I answer.

”When we were seniors in high school, we got bored during the winter holidays. We wanted to play board games but all the board games we had sounded boring, so we invented our own Jenga styled game. By drawing and painting things like truth or dare, take a shot or worst date versus best date on the Jenga pieces. Ever since then we always play it together when we get the time,“ I explain to the others.

Sor gets her bag and puts out all the pieces on the floor and nods at us.

”I can’t believe you still have it and that you brought it with you tonight.“ I shake my head grinning.

Sor grins.

”Come on, let's play.“ She says and we all agree.

So we all build the Jenga tower together and then Soraya turns to me.

”Hosts honor.“ Evie points to me to pick the first Jenga piece. I sigh and take the one in the right corner.

I turn the Jenga piece so that all can see what I’ve got.

It says ”2 truths and 1 lie“.

They all look at me expectantly.

I breathe out and try to come up with two truths and one lie.

”I have three tattoos. I used to work as a nude model during college sometimes and I did body shots at a party once. What is the truth and what is the lie?“

They look at me as if they’re seeing me for the very first time.

Keiki eyes me from left to right.

”Okay the second one has to be a lie.“

I shrug. No emotion betraying my face.

”I’d say the first one is a lie.“ Maxi says grinning.

When I start smiling they grin and know that the first one was a lie.

Keiki leans forward.

”Wait, didn't you say you bartendered during college?“

I smile at Keiki.

”I mean I did bartender throughout college.“

Maxi grins at me.

”Is that where you did body shots?“

I grin. ”I did.“

Then I get serious for a moment.

”But from time to time I stood in as a model. Nothing to r-rated. I could reveal as much as I liked. Because let’s be honest, scholarships don’t cover everything. So bartending and posing as a model paid the bills too.“

They all nod and then I nod in Maxis direction.

”Maxerella it’s your turn.“

She sticks out her tongue at my poor attempt at a nickname.

Maxi takes one from the top.

It says. ”Dance like a Ballerina.“

She groans.

”Uhhh. I like it. You can relive your glory days.“

She rolls my eyes at me.

”Let’s see a pirouette babe.“

”As milady wishes.“

”Ha! Bridgerton reference.“

I point my finger in Maxis direction and grin. Everyone just laughs. I get my phone ready to record this moment for eternity. Seeing Maxine dance ballet is a precious and rare moment, so I want to remember it.

Maxi gets her shoes off and makes a pirouette for all of us. When she’s down she bows slightly.

”Your mom would be so proud of you.“

Maxi laughs.

”Yeah I know. She says I still got what it takes to be a ballerina.“

We all grin and drink.

Meilani pulls out a Jenga piece and she gets ”sit on lap“.

Meilani looks at Soraya and Soraya grins.

”Have you popped the question yet?“ I ask and Soraya throws a raspberry at me, it lands on my face making me laugh. I pick it up and eat it.

Soraya blushes furiously, while Meilani grins.

”Luna!“

I shrug.

”What? Luna loves love.“

Keiki sighs.

”You’ve got to stop speaking in third person like Terry from Brooklyn 99.“

I smile and lean into Evie who sits next to me.

”Terry is great.“ I say not ashamed to love Terry, who’s amazing by the way.

We keep playing until late into the night.

As the night is dwindling down I start yawning and almost fall asleep on the couch nestled into the cushions.

”I think it’s time we wrap this party up. Because it looks like sugarplum is getting tired,“ Maxi says and stands up and covers me with my favorite green blanket.

I sigh, eyes closed.

”Sorry guys. But I’m just more tired than I would normally be,“ I say almost half asleep.

Meilani chuckles.

”You’re 8 months pregnant with twins. It’s normal to be tired,“ she says and I smile.

I fall asleep to the sound of the others cleaning up and putting the dirty dishes into the dishwasher.

The next thing I know is being carried upstairs.

I open my eyes and see a tired but grinning Bryce carrying me to our bedroom.

”I fell asleep didn’t I?“ I ask nuzzling closer.

I sense him chuckle.

”Yeah you looked like a baby pygmy goat,“ he says and lays me down on our bed.

”I love pygmy goats. I’d name her Daisy. B can I have a goat?“ I ask into my pillow.

He covers me with his body and turns on my nightlight illuminating the whole room in shades of blue. The night sky is literally in our room. So pretty.

”Sure I’ll get you a pygmy goat. We’ll let her run around the house. Chewing on everything. Sounds great,“ he says kissing me on my shoulderblade.

Too tired to comment on his sarcasm.

So I just smile and count small itty-bitty pygmy goats.

#Rosé all Day #Luna Auclair #Maxine Moore #Open Heart #Evie Auclair #Soraya Auclair #Meilani Leahi #Keiki Lahela #Bryce Lahela #Adam Sinclair #Valentines Day fic #cfws valentine 2023

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beatrice-otter · 1 year

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Yuletide Recs! 60 fics in 46 fandoms

This year was amazing. All three of the fics written for me were absolutely perfect in their own way, exactly what I hoped for, and there was a fourth that wasn't written for me but felt like it was, because it matched a long-term request I've had in multiple ficathons over the last several years. (I also wrote two fanfics, one assignment and one treat, and I'm curious if anyone spotted either as possibly coming from me.)

Here are the fics I received:

Children of the Universe (4006 words) by Anonymous Fandom: A Wrinkle in Time (2018) Rating: Not Rated Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Meg Murry O'Keefe, Calvin O'Keefe, Alex Murry, Charles Wallace Murry, Kate Murry, Mrs. Whatsit (Kairos)

Summary: Of course, people don't just go back to their lives, after experiences like theirs.

It's so perfect an encapsulation of the love and the pain together and trying to build something together and heal in the midst of it.

follow your memory upstream Fandom: A Wrinkle in Time (2018)

This is amazing and I love it. It's a wonderful conversation between the two of them, and I love that her dad validates her anger.

Employment (100 words) by Anonymous Fandom: Rivers of London - Ben Aaronovitch Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Mamusu "Rose" Grant, Elsie Winstanley Additional Tags: Alternate Universe, Yuletide Madness Drabble Invitational Summary:

One universe over when Peter is ten and Mamasu Grant’s future is about to take a new direction.

This next one wasn't exactly written for me, but it feels like it was; I've been asking for Mamusu-and-Elsie adventures for years, and making sure they're in fanwork exchange tagsets, and this year I was not the only one asking, and someone wrote it!

Bintumani Working in Freetown, Elsie gets a mysterious letter that sends her on a journey across Sierra Leone. Fandom: Rivers of London - Ben Aaronovitch

All the details about life in Sierra Leone and who Mamusu and Elsie are and an adventure, it's everything I've been wanting for years since first reading A Rare Book of Cunning Device.

Other fics I loved:

16th Century CE RPF Periapsides (2303 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Characters: Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn Summary: Five things Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn could have been to each other. I love all the what-ifs, they’re such interesting ideas. Ask A Manager Blog my wife doesn’t know I hench, the evil sex ray made my employees do it, and more (2007 words) by Anonymous Fandom: Hench - Natalie Zina Walschots, Ask a Manager Blog - Alison Green Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Alison Green (Ask a Manager) Additional Tags: Worldbuilding, Llamas Summary:

It’s hench week at Ask a Manager!

Aubrey-Maturin Series - Patrick O'Brian Reconciling the Irreconcilable (1938 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Jack Aubrey, Stephen Maturin Summary:

Jack and Stephen must rescue a double agent from prison, provoking an unusually frank conversation between them

Jane Austen Gratitude (5880 words) by Anonymous Fandom: Mansfield Park - Jane Austen, Persuasion - Jane Austen Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Edmund Bertram & Fanny Price, Fanny Price & William Price, Henry Crawford & Fanny Price, James Benwick / Fanny Price Summary:

What if the Harvilles took Fanny in, instead of her spending three months with her parents in Portsmouth? This is a gift for everyone who wanted to see someone other than the Crawfords and the Bertrams being truly nice to Fanny. Constant (2183 words) by Anonymous Fandom: Persuasion - Jane Austen Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Anne Elliot/Frederick Wentworth I love all the details of life at sea and how well it suits Anne. Righteousness and Respectability (10506 words) by Anonymous Fandom: Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Marianne Dashwood/John Willoughby, Marianne Dashwood/Colonel Brandon, Elinor Dashwood & Marianne Dashwood, Elinor Dashwood & Margaret Dashwood & Marianne Dashwood & Mrs. Dashwood Additional Tags: Period-Typical Racism, Period-Typical Sexism, Alternate Universe, Racebending, Age of Sail, Non-Consensual Kissing Summary:

The Dashwood ladies are mixed race. Some things change, but others do not.

Batman If I’m Shining Everybody Gonna Shine (3902 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Dick Grayson & Duke Thomas, Duke Thomas & Jason Todd, Duke Thomas & Bruce Wayne Characters: Duke Thomas Summary:

Duke is finally going to his first gala and needs some advice. The quality of advice some of his siblings give is questionable. Very questionable.

“You would be wise to listen to my advice, Thomas.” “Which is?” Duke asks. “Bring a weapon.”

Featuring the return of the Wayne Family’s inability to tie a tie.

Dance, then, wherever you may be (1431 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Dick Grayson, Cassandra Cain, Damian Wayne Summary:

Dick understands why Cass loves to dance.

World’s Okayest Detective (2690 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Summary:

Bruce tries to shake a present. Tries being the operative word.

proper rites (7215 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Jason Todd, Damian Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Stephanie Brown Summary:

Being a cat for three weeks has repercussions, it turns out.

Jason snacks his way through one of them. Damian reads books. Both of them drink a lot of tea. It’s nice, mostly, which Jason finds highly suspicious.

can everyone please stop touching Bruce Wayne’s bust (2998 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Stephanie Brown, Selina Kyle Summary:

Everyone in the family just can’t stop touching Bruce Wayne’s bust.

Wait, no, that’s not quite right…

Love the shenanigans and sibling fighting. Katie, Bar the Door (2915 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne, Duke Thomas, Batfamily Members Summary:

Duke’s never been to a hockey game. Jason thinks that’s a shame. Blackadder Private Party (2448 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Edmund Blackadder/Kevin Darling Characters: Edmund Blackadder, Kevin Darling, Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett, George Colthurst St. Barleigh, Baldrick (Blackadder) Summary: A dubiously merry Christmas in the trenches. The author has all their voices down cold! Cabaret From Cradle to Tomb (2193 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Characters: Cliff Bradshaw, Emcee (Cabaret), Sally Bowles, Ernst Ludwig Summary:

In which Cliff finishes the first draft of his manuscript before he leaves Berlin, and receives advice from a friend.

Or: history is dust. You are not.

A fascinating look at all the ways Cabaret is about stories and storytelling. Cadfael Christmas Rose (3797 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Hugh Beringar & Brother Cadfael, Aline Beringar/Hugh Beringar Summary:

Cadfael reminisces about an old investigation.

The characterization is lovely, and the mystery feels like the sort in canon. Chalion Saga Demon Touched (3634 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Adelis Arisaydia, Penric kin Jurald, Desdemona (Chalion), Nikys Khatai Summary:

Adelis’s entire life changes in an instant. Set somewhere post-current-canon.

The Inverted Chord (8705 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Penric kin Jurald, Nikys Khatai, Adelis Arisaydia, Desdemona Summary:

Adelis returns from leading Duke Jurgo’s army against the Rusylli to meet Penric again, this time as his brother-in-law.

I love this, both the insight into the Father here and the way Pen helps with Adelis’ lingering trauma over what happened to him.

A Christmas Carol Fellow Passengers (3453 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Tiny Tim & Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley & Ebenezer Scrooge Summary:

Paying Marley’s debt comes at a cost. Tim is a comfort.

This made me cry, and it really captures the Dickens voice. The Price of Salvation (5780 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Jacob Marley & Ebenezer Scrooge Summary:

Scrooge received only one visit from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come.

Jacob Marley came many times.

Angsty in the best way Dune (2021) hear them chant (burn the witch) (2295 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Duncan Idaho, Jessica (Dune), Leto Atreides I Summary:

the witch had to die.

I like the subtleties of this. Future Tense (1172 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Paul Atreides/Duncan Idaho Summary:

“If I became Emperor, would you still serve me?” (Duncan lives!AU)

Enchanted Forest Chronicles Witchcraft and Dragons (10102 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Morwen (Enchanted Forest), Archaniz (Enchanted Forest), Morwen’s Cats (Enchanted Forest), Kazul (Enchanted Forest), Deadly Nightshade Gardening Club Summary:

How Morwen arrived at the Enchanted Forest

The worldbuilding was perfect and so were the character voices, it felt like a part of canon! Enola Holmes i’ll hide underneath my pride (18834 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Enola Holmes/Viscount “Tewky” Tewksbury Summary:

Enola doubted that when Tewksbury had invited her to his childhood friend’s countryside home for a weekend away that he had planned for her to solve the theft of a very important item. But luckily for everyone in attendance, Enola Holmes was always on the case.

Ethan of Athos Time Enough (20075 words) by Anonymous Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Terrence Cee/Ethan Urquhart Summary:

Terrence Cee had spent most of his life feeling jumpship caught in the gravity well of a blackhole. Engines on full bore. Only able to keep out of the crushing center, but never able to escape. Now in his new life on Athos, he found himself unsure of how to find a new pace.

Ethan wondered if there was a way to get his love life gestating again. Not frozen like zygotes stored in a bio-freezer against some eventual future.

step by step (planet by planet) (950 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Terrence Cee/Ethan Urquhart Additional Tags: Mutual Pining, Unresolved, Oblivious Ethan Urquhart Summary:

“We’re being watched,” Cee said, and then, before Ethan could respond, “Don’t look.”

Fandom For Robots Stay In Touch (1019 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: bjornruffian & Computron (Fandom for Robots) Summary:

Computron and bjornruffian stay in touch. Fiddler on the Roof firebrands (3894 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Hodel/Perchik (Fiddler on the Roof) Summary:

In a world where Hodel is also a revolutionary, she and Perchik fall in love.

I love this exploration of what Hodel could have been, and the exploration of her and Perchik’s relationship. The Goblin Emperor On the Twelfth Hour of Winternight (2060 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Csevet Aisava/Maia Drazhar Summary:

Edrehasivar smiled, and Csevet marveled and despaired in equal measure at how that smile still hit him like an arrow to the gut, even after all this time.

Or: Csevet’s emperor needs help fetching Winternight presents, and Csevet is only too happy to assist.

Really sweet, in the best way Need To Know (2151 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Csethiro Ceredin, Maia Drazhar, Csevet Aisava Summary:

After Eshevis Tethimar tries to assassinate the Emperor at the Winternight Ball, information is shared on a need-to-know basis - and Csethiro needs to know.

it gets okay to praise the day (5770 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Thara Celehar, Iäna Pel-Thenhior, Maia Drazhar, Anora Chanavar, Velhiro Tomasaran, Othalo Rasaltezhen Summary:

Thara, while gradually recovering from the aftermath of his encounter with the revethavar, discovers that he is not so alone in the world as he tends to think.

The Grief of Knives (1841 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Thara Celehar, Iäna Pel-Thenhior, Velhiro Tomasaran Summary:

The moment of catharsis in the Orshaneisei maze had lightened the pain Thara carried. It did not eliminate it. But this time, Iäna is there.

As long as thou com'st back (1438 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Thara Celehar/Iäna Pel-Thenhior Additional Tags: Pre-Relationship, Developing Relationship, Hopeful Ending, Canon Continuation Summary:

A man like Thara Celehar is worth waiting for. Iäna does.

A look at what their next interaction after The Grief of Stones might look like, from Iäna’s eyes.

Great Iäna perspective Imperial Radch Series - Ann Leckie favorites (3414 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Major Character Death Relationships: Justice of Toren & Original Character, Justice of Toren/Original Character Additional Tags: Identity Issues, Grief/Mourning, Canon-Typical Violence, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD Summary:

Justice of Toren and its favorite officers.

I love this perspective on what it was like to be a ship and all the ancillaries together and taking care of officers. Very interesting. Henry V I’ve no language left to say it (1014 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Henry V/Montjoy Summary:

“Read for me, Montjoy?” He pushed it to the side. Montjoy picked up the letter.

“In English or in French, your highness?”

“En anglais, s'il vous plaît.”

Into the Woods careful the tale you tell (that is the spell) (2555 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Characters: Rapunzel (Into the Woods), Cinderella (Into the Woods), Baker (Into the Woods), Baker’s Mother (Into the Woods) Additional Tags: Post-Canon, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Rapunzel Lives, Family, Parenthood, Trauma, Past Child Abuse Summary:

Rapunzel learns to tell her own story, and just what story it is she wants to tell.

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell - Susanna Clarke The Lost Works of the Dry-Cræfticen of Wherwell: a New Approach (1450 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Additional Tags: Worldbuilding, Magical Realism, Pseudo-History, Academia, Archaeology Summary:

An article from the book Female Magicians in Pre-Aureate England, published in 2006 by York University Press.

Really interesting worldbuilding The stones shall make a throne for me (5756 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Stephen Black, Original Characters, John Uskglass | The Raven King Summary:

The new king of Lost-hope is not like the last.

What a great perspective on the Nameless King and what he might do next. King’s Progress (3840 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Stephen Black, John Uskglass | The Raven King, Original Characters Summary:

The man once Stephen Black, as the new King of Lost-Hope, decides to make a Royal Progress through his demesne on the advice of a raven after realizing how little he knows how to rule a fae court. He meets the Raven King himself with surprizing consequences for both.

I love the poetry in this. When Once We Are Buried, You Think We Are Dead (3186 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: John Uskglass | The Raven King, Catherine of Winchester, Martin Pale, John Childermass Summary:

The great Cathedral at Winchester seems as near timeless as any work of man in England. But time and magic can intersect…oddly.

L'Empereur (5043 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: John Childermass, Stephen Black Summary:

Childermass’s search for the meaning of the King’s Letters leads to an unexpected encounter.

Kings (2009) All this, and love too, will ruin us (8080 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Jack Benjamin/David Shepherd Summary:

Everyone thought him pampered beyond measure, but this…this was where Jack felt most alive: soldiering had been the first place he’d known who he was, and hardship and deprivation had never been punishing, not when he was with his men, his comrades in arms. His brothers. And that was what David was, right now—his brother in arms. His brother.

Little Women (2019 Movie - Gerwig) Happy (2144 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Theodore Laurence/Amy March Summary:

“Anything interesting from the girls?” Aunt March says. They’re in the drawing room of the hotel, and Amy still has the letter from Jo held tightly in her hand. She carefully places it down on the writing desk.

“Oh, not much Aunt March,” Amy says, turning the information over in her mind. Beth is ill…and they’re not sure what to do, and mother has been called. “Beth is sick,” she says.

Lord Peter Wimsey - Dorothy L. Sayers Scene on a Balcony (1965 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Eiluned Price, Sylvia Marriott, Gerald Wimsey Viscount St George, Helen Duchess of Denver Summary:

8th October 1935 and it’s the wedding of the year - Lord Peter Wimsey and Miss Harriet Vane have finally tied the knot. But the wedding breakfast (served at the Dowager Duchess’ London house) is getting a little heated. So the balcony is an excellent place to which to escape.

A Little Princess Rajasi (2067 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Becky/Sara Crewe Summary:

Four princesses Becky met, and one she loved.

MCU Moon Knight Scarlet and Moonlight (4769 words) by Anonymous Fandom: Moon Knight (Comics), Moon Knight (TV 2022) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Marlene Alraune/Steven Grant, Gena Landers & Jake Lockley Additional Tags: Marvel 616/MCU Crossover, Comics AU Layla El-Faouly, Layla El-Faouly-centric, Multiplicity/Plurality, Team Moon Knight is in So Much Denial, Alternate Origin Story, POV Outsider Summary:

Phantom thief Layla has finally tracked a stolen artifact to some rich couple’s collection. Shouldn’t be too hard to break into their mansion and retrieve it, right? This Steven Grant and Marlene Alraune are probably total pushovers.

(Spoiler alert: they are not total pushovers.)

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) Awkward (1775 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Katy Chen/Xu Xialing, Katy Chen & Shang-Chi Summary:

It wasn’t that Katy was ashamed of her relationship with Xu Xialing. She was, in fact, rather proud of herself for locking that down. In a world of superhero tens, Xialing was an eleven. Brains, beauty, an entrepreneurial spirit combined with a hard work ethic—Xialing had it all.

It was just awkward.

I love the way they wrote Katy. Ms. Marvel (TV 2022) Three Times Kamala Thought About Revealing Her Identity And One Time She Didn’t (1312 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Kamala Khan, Nakia Bahadir, Muneeba Khan, Yusuf Khan, Tyesha Hillman-Khan, Aamir Khan (Marvel), Sheikh Abdullah (Ms. Marvel) Summary:

Three times Kamala Khan thought about revealing her secret identity and one time she knew better.

Paristan (1166 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Sana | Kamala Khan’s Grandmother, Muneeba Khan, Kamala Khan Summary:

Sana Ali leaves home behind, and finds home anyway.

Men’s Hockey RPF i’m your passenger (2382 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Joel Farabee/Travis Konecny Summary:

“I figured it out!” his staffer exclaims—Sarah, the tiny white embroidery on her polo reads—holding TK’s hand up like a prizefighter. “TK will fit.”

He blinks at her. “Fit where?”

One of the staffers steps back and he sees it: the neon orange fluffy monstrosity, slumped bonelessly against a chair.

(Or: Gritty needs a body. TK provides.)

Right Where You Left Me (9913 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Carey Price/P. K. Subban Additional Tags: post-retirement, Age Regression/De-Aging, but not to childhood, Getting Together, Pining, Angst with a Happy Ending, totally ignoring vast swaths of real life Summary:

PK hasn’t seen Carey much in the past eight years, but he doesn’t remember him looking quite this young.

Grindin’ It Out (In the App) (6464 words) by Anonymous Rating: Explicit Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Jeff Carter/Mike Richards Summary:

A chance Grindr encounter leads - eventually - to a reunion.

Miss Marple Three Card Trick (3816 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Jane Marple, Raymond West, Joyce Lemprière, Henry Clithering Summary:

A Christmas party and a small magical mystery.

An interesting little mystery, very much in the style of Miss Marple. Murderbot Diaries Heuristic Analysis (10965 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: SecUnit 3 (Murderbot Diaries) Summary:

Three makes some choices.

I love this whole thing. The worldbuilding of PUMNT. The way they build and raise baby AIs. The philosophy students having just enough knowledge to do some really stupid things. Three’s choices and reactions all the way through. Perfect. Paint Your Wagon Wandrin’ (3763 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Pardner/Ben Rumson/Elizabeth Rumson, Pardner/Elizabeth Summary:

It’s been five years since Ben Rumson was on the road to No Name City.

This sounds much more likely than Pardner and Elizabeth just settling down and becoming farmers. I love it! Philadelphia Story Unionville, PA. (2194 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Tracy Lord & C K Dexter Haven & Macauley Connor, Tracy Lord & Liz Imbrie Summary:

“I have the most wonderful little house in Unionville. It’s up on a hill with a view that would knock you silly. I’m never there except in the hunting season, and not much then, and I’d be so happy to know that it was of some real use to someone….There’s a brook and a small lake, no size really, and a patch of woods, and in any kind of weather, it’s the most wonderful…”

RED Leave Room for Dessert (1721 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Han Cho Bai/Victoria Winslow Summary:

Three times Han and Victoria enjoyed a meal together.

Singin’ in the Rain picture stars on parade (3383 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Cosmo Brown/Don Lockwood/Kathy Selden Summary:

Cosmo’s dearest friends are busy making movies, and he would like to see more of them. Lots of musicians rendered unemployed by the coming of talking pictures are writing to him to try and get jobs, and the stock market just crashed. Why not try to solve every problem with a party? Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute RPF Nest-wrecker (1053 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Chris Crowe (Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute RPF), Walnut the Crane (Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute RPF), Original Characters Summary:

Chris was pretty average looking, Nora thought, just a normal guy - but then, she wasn’t an endangered and horny white-naped crane, so what did she know? Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Fall Into Your Sunlight (3459 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Number One | Una Chin-Riley/Christopher Pike Summary:

When a snowstorm interferes with the transporter, Pike and Number One are forced to take shelter in an abandoned cabin. Revelations ensue.

Star Wars salvage (2559 words) by Anonymous Fandom: Andor (TV), Star Wars - All Media Types Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Maarva Andor/Clem Andor, Maarva Andor & Cassian Andor, Cassian Andor & Clem Andor rief/Mourning, Relationship Study, Established Relationship, Yuletide, Yuletide 2022, Yuletide Treat, Background Cassian Andor/Bix Caleen Summary: It turns out that taking in this boy is like taming a wild Loth-cat. Clem tells her that, one night: “It has to be on his own terms, in his own time.” (A family study of the Andors, from initial adoption through what happens on Rix Road.) All Blue and Gold and Glittering (1635 words) by Anonymous Fandom: Andor (TV) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Tay Kolma Summary: In search of a present for Mon Mothma, Tay Colma pays a visit to an antiques shop he’s been told she’s fond of. תנ"ך | Tanakh The Giant Killers (and marginalia) (13234 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: David | Dāūd/Yehonatan | Jonathan, David/Michal (Abrahamic Religions), Michal/OFM Summary:

Listen you children of exile, let not your ear close up. Listen now even in forced mirth. Hear a song that the weavers sing in their enforced labor. Hear how a princess of an Israel united in the company of a barbarian, a mighty hunter, a priest of great knowledge, a seer of Ein Dor, a princely warrior of pure and noble heart, and a musician blessed by YHWH, defeated giants that threatened all the lands of the earth.

This is AMAZING, I love all the historical details and the footnotes! And the adventure is great, and so is the queerness, this story makes me so happy. Temeraire an ever fixed mark (1216 words) by Anonymous Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: William Laurence & Temeraire, William Laurence/Temeraire Additional Tags: Possessive Behavior, Jealousy Summary:

In fact, Laurence realized, with no small amount of chagrin, by all accounts one would have to consider him the wife in their arrangement.

Watchmen now that we are dead (1636 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Dan Dreiberg/Laurie Juspeczyk, Dan Dreiberg/Laurie Juspeczyk/Rorschach, Dan Dreiberg/Rorschach Additional Tags: Post-Karnak, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Rorschach Lives (Watchmen), Suicide Attempt, Post-Apocalypse, Unhealthy Relationships, Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms Summary:

Rorschach tries to kill himself after Karnak.

Great job at showcasing the complex issues between them all. We Are A Picturesque Small Town And We Refuse To Be The Setting For Your RomCom (McSweeney’s) I’ll Be Home for Winter (4161 words) by Anonymous Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Summary:

Terry Pratchett told us, “The theory of narrative causality…means that a story, once started, takes a shape. It picks up all the vibrations of all the other workings of that story that have ever been. This is why history keeps on repeating all the time.“

In other words, stories want to be told, and a few pesky rules aren’t going to stop them.

#dreamwidth #original post #fanfiction #fanfic #fanfic rec #fic rec #yuletide

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