Orange Porch Light: aka Coral Island Fanfiction by a Rafael Simp

Section 2.

Again this is just from my google keep notes because I get bored at work. Grammer will be questionable and I’ve probably forgotten some quotation marks. This was the first note I actually wrote for this Fic. Still slowburn and minimal drama because I like cute shit.

CW: some reference to anxiety.

Penelope goes to blacksmith because she needs the hoe sharpened (according to her). She enters and is greeted by a waft of heat she wasn't prepared for her. After a long day of work the heat is welcoming to her aching body. The floor looked really comfortable.... She entered and could hear light clanging and no one was standing at the front counter. Penelope glanced tiredly towards the source of the noise and could see Rafael hammering away. He was very sweaty and his rusty shirt clung to his thick back muscles. She leaned against her hoe and let out an audible sigh at the view. Rafael heard someone and turned around stopping what he was doing "Oh Penelope!" He smiled wiping some sweat from his brow, "Sorry I didn't hear you." Penelope blushed because she knew damn well that it was her admiring sigh that caught his attention. He walked towards her removing his gloves and clasped his one arm, "uh How can I help you?" Penelope mustered some strength to hand him the hoe, she looked more tired than usual. "I need this sharpened or something", Penelope yawned. Rafael took the hoe, gave her a side glance to make sure she was doing okay and proceeded to inspect the tool. It was in ROUGH shape... He really wanted to rebuild this for Penelope and maybe she wouldn't be so exhausted. He could do a minor upgrade. He kept his face soft so Penelope would hopefully not notice that the tool was almost beyond repair. He smiled again, "yeah I can get this in better shape." Penelope yawned again turning away to hide her contorted face. "This will take me maybe a half hour, there's coffee in the kitchen if you want to help yourself. Uhm maybe take break?" He pointed in the direction of the kitchen. Penelope rubbed her face, smearing some dirt across her cheeks, and nodded. Rafael could feel himself blush, she was just too cute. He cleared his throat and walked away stiffly while Penelope staggered into the kitchen. She poured herself a cup of coffee sat at the table, lowered her head, and fell into a DEEP sleep. Pablo came down the stairs looking cleaned up, "Hey Raf I'm out, see ya later." Rafael waved the hammer without looking to Pablo. He made himself focus on doing a good job getting this tool in better shape. He got lost in the work he didn't even notice how much time had passed. It had been just over an hour since he started, it was time to close shop. After Raf locked the door he figured he should let Penelope know he was just about done. He entered the living room and kept walking to the kitchen. Penelope had her face smooshed against her arms and was out like a light. Rafael felt his heart do a somersault, she had such a squishable and kissable face. He sighed and gently shook her shoulder, "Penelope?" She didn't move. He tried again. Penelope could not be stirred. Rafael decided maybe it was best to let her sleep. He grabbed a blanket from the couch and rested it over her shoulders. He decided to improve the hoe a little bit more. She was still asleep when he finished. Raf sat down across from her and bounced his leg trying to think of what to do with her. She's NOT waking up. Does he put her on the couch? Does he know her well enough to even pick her up? He looked around for ideas to maybe wake her up before resigning himself to let her stay the night. Rafael tried one more time to gently shake her but nothing and he would not wake her more aggressively, that's just rude. So he went about his Friday evening routine. After he cleaned up he started to cook dinner, he decided he'd make enough for Penelope too. He grabbed himself a beer and sat across from her while the food finished cooking. She was still not moving. He got up to check her pulse. Okay, still alive. She's going to be so sore sleeping like this. He really didn't want to wake her up rudely but all the gentle tactics weren't working. Hell, she slept through him working. When the meal was done cooking, Rafael plated up some for him and then set a plate near Penelope. He set the plates down rather aggressively and yet she still didn't stir. Rafael took a quick look around the kitchen to see if there was anything else he could try. He saw some onions. Maybe the smell might wake her? He placed some onion right near her nose all while feeling like a jerk but she really needed to wake up. She finally stirred. Rafael took the onion away quickly. "Oh geez! Oh crap!" She came to her senses. Penelope stood abruptly, "I didn't mean to fall asleep! Oh my god I'm so sorry." Like a dumbass, her foot caught the chair as she tried to bolt and fell. Thankfully for her, Rafael caught her in a classic romance trope style. "Uh it, it's okay. Really." He stammered helping her to her feet. Both their faces flushed and Raf let her go, "Uhm, I made extra food. You really should eat something." Penelope looked back at the table and saw the plate of food and she rubbed her eyes. "Oh my god it's dinner time??" Rafael smirked, "uh yeah. I made extra food in case you were hungry." She was hungry, Penelope thought and she maybe had some breakfast today but she wasn't sure. She agreed to stay and eat. A little dazed, Penelope sat back down and ate some of the food. It was basic bachelor food but delicious nonetheless. She was still so tired though and ate just enough to feel her stomach chill out. "Thanks Rafael," Penelope sighed leaning back into the chair looking like she was going to fall asleep again. He had watched her eat because she looked like she was gonna face plant into the food at any given moment. Thankfully she didn't. "Uh, Penelope? can I walk you home?" He could feel himself tense from being so forward (for him). "Oh uh you don't have to...." "I want to make sure you get home okay", he blurted then cleared his throat, "don't want you falling asleep in a bush somewhere." Penelope giggled nervously, "yeah... okay then." Their eyes met but they looked away because they're both painfully shy. Rafael carried the hoe and they walked together under the night sky. The silence was nice but hella awkward. Raf cleared his throat, "so Uhm. I reshaped the head a little", gesturing with the hoe, "it should be more efficient for you..... Uh It'll be better for packed dirt." Penelope lit up and took the hoe, "oh thanks!" Raf looked away and rubbed his neck, "yeah. Uhm, it should be balanced a bit better for your height too. It looked like it was built for someone taller." Penelope took a swing at a nearby dirt patch and it was way more comfortable, "oooooooh!!!" Raf stopped and tensed as she kept hacking at some dirt, he just wanted her to go to bed! "This is so much better!" She beamed. He smiled tiredly and grabbed his arm, "I'm glad, but uh, please get a full night's sleep before you get back to farming." Penelope grinned sheepishly stoked on her hoe (loool). They kept walking but now the silence was comfortable. As they were crossing the second bridge Penelope stopped. The sight of that plot of land still gave her intense anxiety. Raf took a few steps but stopped and looked at her. She gripped the hoe and stared down at her feet. He could barely see her silhouette in the dark. "Rafael?" He turned fully to her and tilted his head, "yeah?" She didn't want to cry but 'her farm' was a disaster and she didn't like looking at it. "I think I'm in over my head", her silhouette started to look smaller. "What?" He stepped towards her. "I'm in way over my head", Penelope said her voice shaking, "I don't think I'm made for this." "For what?" He took another step towards Penelope. "Farming, ranching, living on my own. I was so ready for all of this I didn't realize it was going to be this hard." Rafael could feel his heart practicing acrobatics again, she sounded sad? Oh no! What could he do to make it better?! Penelope walked to edge of the bridge and let her head rest against the railing with a thump. She still gripped the hoe. He couldn't think of anything to say. Obviously Raf didn't know much about farming and couldn't offer advice. He stood next to her and rested his forearms against the railing as he continued to think of ways to help. Penelope could feel his presence next to her. He smelled good, nothing perfumey, but like wood, dirt, metal, like a man who works but still remembers to wash his face. Oh shit her face must be so dirty.... Shit, he probably always sees her at her dirtiest all the time. Great another thing to he upset about. Thank God it was dark, she could feel some tears burn her eyes. Raf rubbed his face hoping the words about to come out of his mouth helps, "so... I don't know you all that well......Uhm but you seem like someone who doesn't give up." It was much easier to talk to her when he couldn't see her. "Uhm, you do also seem like the kind of person who would try to eat an entire cake in one bite." Penelope stood up confused but Rafael couldn't see her so he continued. "I think..... Uhm you should eat the cake one piece at a time", He grinned like an idiot because he knew what he was saying sounded real stupid but he rolled with it. It was hard to see but Penelope could feel his smile. "This is cliche.... But, uh, set small goals. Like for instance," He paused and Penelope looked at him, "For instance", he took the hoe, "bring your tools to me because....I can make them make your life easier." He let out a laugh and Penelope relaxed and laughed a little too which made the brimming tears disappear. "Uhm so don't give up. Set smaller goals", he recapped just in case his idea didn't come across, "anyone can do anything with hard work."  She could feel his smile again, "Thanks." Rafael could feel his stupid cheeks get hot again, "yeah.... No problem." They finished their walk in a significantly more comfortable silence. Penelope walked up her 2 steps and turned to Raf. They were both slightly illuminated by the orange porch light. "Okay, get proper sleep now", he stuttered now that he could see her. He turned to walk away. "Sweet dreams Rafael", Penelope called after him. Raf choked a lil and quickly sputtered back, "sweet dreams." He now walked quickly away. Penelope entered her house and could feel her face was completely flushed. She went to the bathroom to get ready for bed and saw her face in the mirror. Oh no!!! Her face was exceptionally dirty. She washed up and died of embarrassment on her bed. But shortly after her moment of dying she feel asleep hard. Once Raf was clear of Penelope's property he let out a long sigh and hid his face in his hands. Why did he feel like he was dying everytime he talked to her.  Pablo was home when Raf got in "Oh hey where were you?" Raf looked at his brother a little dazed, "just out for a walk", He said and walked right past him into his room. He flopped face first on to his bed. Ugh he had butterflies and he was very aware of his heart beat. He rolled onto his back and stared at the dimly lit ceiling. 'Sweet dreams Rafael' played over and over in his head and he couldn't stop blushing

Intro to my English final from senior year (part 1)

I understand that literature nerd Jason Todd is kind of overblown in fanon compared to it's actual presence in canon (a few issues during his pre (and post?)crisis Robin tenure that highlight it) BUT consider that I think it's hilarious if the unhinged gun toting criminal has strong opinions on poetry

Shoutout to those whose burnout never felt like a controlled bush fire, but felt as a forest fire consuming everything in its path. To those whose burnout didn't blossom into new life on the forest floors, but whose burnout has only left charred bark and silence in its wake. There's nothing wrong with you. Burnout can feel like a wound sometimes, a secret you keep to yourself out of shame. Your forest is not ruined. The fire wasn't your fault. If something will start to blossom in that forest, it will take time. It will be small. But it will be life.

To the illiterate people with 0 reading comprehension that I have seen on tik tok today claiming that Maven deserved Mare, that it was stupid and "unfair" that he didn't get her, and that clearly with his trauma and what his mother did to him he deserved her:

I would just like to issue a sincere Fuck You to you and any future illiterate children you produce.

pencil sketch of upgrade and the spine because their dynamic is actually so funny to me. combining my spine tail hc and the upgrade charger tail hc ive seen floating about, im not sure who started it but i first saw it from @asmogorna so maybe them? i think she would wrap their tails together while hes distracted talking to the other bots

edit: heres the link to the complete/digital version 🫶

started listening to the magnus archives and i must say i keep getting distracted by the fact that cynical, frustrated jon who is so annoyed by his new job is ALSO recording these statements like you know what. if im gonna have a shit time organizing all this i might as well get freaky w it. and then proceeds to give emotional and CREEPY performances w all the talent and gusto of a passionate voice actor. like what... was bro a theatre kid or smth

Idk if this is controversial, but studying for a English/writing degree at university shouldn’t make you NOT want to engage with writing or literature. Just a thought.

I have thoughts in my brain about six of crows and they may or may not make sense. So. The thing is when people talk about how the crows couldn't possibly be 16-18 because they're overly mature and competent and have life experience etc etc. i get that BUT is that not the whole point? I mean the books really hammer it home that notions of childhood in their world are entirely different from ours, like to the point where i would even say it's a main theme and kinda the driving force behind all the events in the duology.

Kids are taken away from their parent at like 11 to train as soldiers. Kaz was all alone in Ketterdam at 9 years old and there doesn't seem to have been any functioning system of care for kids like him, nor mandatory schooling. In Fjerda, it seems like the closest thing to foster care is being taken on by the Druskelle. Inej started training as an acrobat pretty much as soon as she could walk and was playing starring roles in performances by the time she was 14 (and probably a fair bit younger). I don't remember Jesper's backstory perfectly but I think he was put to work in the jurda fields (a hazardous agricultural job) as a small child, then worked with guns in some way, then got sent to school in a different country when he was like 15. This isn't exclusive to the crows - it's mentioned a lot that there are many kids in situations similar to Kaz and Inej in the Barrel. Even Joost, despite seemingly being quite sheltered, is working full time night shifts as a guard when he's not even old enough to grow facial hair.

It seems that there's just much more of a vocational focus for kids/teenagers in the grishaverse. This makes a lot of sense because many elements of culture across the grishaverse countries come from the ~1800s when the attitude towards kids was that they weren't all that different from small, inexperienced adults, especially in working-class and rural settings where you just had to get on with things. Kerch especially took inspiration from victorian England, where kids as young as 9 could legally work up to 60 hours a week in dangerous conditions. So yeah that's kind of the whole point imo. It's especially interesting because I read the soc duology as a (potentially semi-unintentional?) criticism of capitalism. This is highlighted by the fact that Wylan, the only one of the crows from a rich background, is also the only one who had a childhood and got an education even vaguely comparable to what we would consider normal. So clearly the whole childhood innocence vs being put to work at like 4 thing is closely tied to class. (obviously Wylan did not have A Good Childhood but it seems from the books that the standard for merchers' kids is to give them a really good and varied education with 1-to-1 tutoring etc, which is very different from what all the other characters seem to have had as kids.)

And okay yeah they're unrealistically skillful and competent and just generally smart, but that would be the case even if they were adults. Like you kinda have to just take liberties with your characters of they'll never manage to do anything, especially in a world that's so hostile toward them. And it's actually kinda hard to even say how unrealistic their capabilities are because their experiences are so different from the experiences of real-life modern teenagers. Like kids are crazy adaptable and good at learning things, especially when they've had no other choice, and the crows actually mostly have quite a lot of experience and had time to develop their respective skills because they haven't spent 8+ hours a day in school for most of their lives. The same goes for the degree of adult-ness in their general behaviour - they're really quick thinkers and less likely to panic in a crisis than any teenager I've ever met. Again I'd say that's the whole point. The charaters are acting older than they have any right to because the experiences they've had have forced them to develop the capacity to do so.

Idk maybe i just read it differently to some people but yeah i think that cross-cultrually throughout the grishaverse children just have very very different experiences to kids in real life. It makes sense that they would then grow up to be very different from real-life teenagers, and obviously the crows are an extreme example of that but there is like. clear historical inspiration behind a lot of the crows' backstories and the general cultural backdrop of the duology. And the whole thing with the books is yeah they're doing all of this stuff and they're capable of these amazing things but actually they are literally children and they are doing all of it mostly for the sake of survival and taking back the things that they deserve from the world. And everything they've done for years and the people that they've become has all been for the sake of survival. And they're kids.

Another people don't have basic reading comprehension rant:

Why have I just seen a tiktok saying that brennan being gay is something that everyone's missed??? Is it not very clear that Brennan and Naolin were a thing??

Their evidence was Violet wondering if naolin and brennan meant more to each other (obviously, they were in love). And in response to Vi asking if he was married, Brennan said 'no partner'. Which is not conclusive because straight people use partner all the time (eg Remi and Xaden in Basigaith Remi's version by @skyfallscotland) .

But, like, did other people question whether naolin and brennan were in love, or am I going crazy?

i feel like i should have just become a linguist or something

Sometimes I forget I have a sociology degree and then I have a subject like this one, where I'm debating (in favor of) the importance of cultural competency in health care, and then I'm like oh yeah. I'm actually semi-qualified to speak on this subject.

🥹💕

been putting off uploading this damn modpack for like a week bc for some reason i am just physically incapable of writing a plain n simple description for it 🫠

I FORGOR TO POST THESE BUT dragons.

Another unforeseen frustration in my quest to find a romance novel I actually like: a huge chunk of college romances are written by people who have clearly never been to college.