#i too would go to hell twice for darlington | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

risingphoenix-nowreading · 5 months

Text

What I Read This Year - 2023 Edition

(I kept track! Yay! Short notes with each so I have a better chance of finishing this post!)

The Ocean At The End Of The Lane by Neil Gaiman - I flew through this so much faster than I meant to (not hard to do, though, it's on the short side), it was beautiful, and I cried at least twice that I can remember.

The Haunting Of Hill House by Shirley Jackson - holy non-existent paragraph breaks, Batman! I love stories that make you wonder if the Terrible Place is really what's messed up or if it's only that there's something wrong with the people there (spoiler alert: this time it's both!)

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo - my new favorite universe from one of my new favorite authors. This was the only reread of the year, in preparation for the second book of the series. I would kill for Alex. I would die for Darlington.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater - I've only ever heard good things about this series, and I was not disappointed when I finally got to read it. Charming, funny, fantastical, and grounded. In particular, the fantastical was grounded in the reality of the universe, in a matter-of-fact kind of way that felt very Gaimanesque. Bonus points for the Welsh!

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo - my only regret is that I read this as fast as I did. My reading pace has slowed down a lot in the past several years, but I inhaled this at the rate I used to do in school. The world is expanded, the stakes are higher. I would die for Alex. I would kill for Darlington.

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater - Ronan, you beautiful boy. 😭

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater - ok, so, this was the point in the series where a few of my theories were right on the money and I felt more confident about where the finale was going. Except for the part where Maggie yanked the rug out from under me and all I could do was stare into space when I finished.

Rules For Visiting by Jessica Francis Kane - probably not the book I would have picked up without a recommendation, so good thing my best friend recommended it. It took a while for me to warm up to it, but I was misty eyed and very attached by the time it was over. The vibes were very Austen at times, which I loved, and the emotional parts hit me in the feels. Bonus points for the gardening!

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater - I was right about a few things, and sooooooooooo wrong about others. This series was consistent, the writing lovely, and I adored every single one of the characters. This book in particular had some heart wrenching moments I still haven't recovered from, and I regret nothing.

Wild Things by Bruce Handy - if revisiting children's literature to find out what makes the stories you grew up with special doesn't sound like a good time, then I don't know what does. I loved this to pieces, and I want my own copy.

Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham - I don't usually read apocalyptic sci-fi, as it's usually too pessimistic. Not that this wasn't, it's just that killer plants sounded better than nuclear fallout, or climate change, or an epidemic, or whatever usually kicks things off in apocalyptic sci-fi. I'm convinced Stephen King has read this, as The Stand feels similar.

Book Of Night by Holly Black - I've been wanting to get hands on this author for awhile (her name was familiar and it took too long to realize I'd confused her with a singer I like and was therefore surprised to see she wrote books as well), and I'm glad I finally did. This was a blast. Good world building, intriguing characters, the works. I get the feeling this is going to be a series, so I guess I'm keeping my eyes peeled.

In progress...

Bag of Bones by Stephen King (though one chapter barely counts as progress)

Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman (it's taking awhile, but anthologies usually do)

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (....it's also taking awhile)

#yearly round up #book recs #neil gaiman #shirley jackson #leigh bardugo #maggie stiefvater #holly black

1 note · View note

monst · 4 years

Note

Hi sweety. How have you been? All good? I want to make a request. Can you continue to imagine ‘Inviting the league over to your place for thanksgiving’ but at Christmas and New Year, I think it would look great by this time. Thx sm, rest well and have a merry christmas and new year pd: i new request things so idk wheres the request box sorry foto that also i not good at english;(((( sorry. Hope you do it 💗💗💗💗

^.^

The madness continues:

Lov of villains that make an appearance – Shigaraki, Dabi, Toga, Spinner, Kurogiri, Twice, Compress, and you!

This probably won’t make sense if you haven’t read Thanksgiving with the LOV.

Warnings: More shenanigans, Suggestive comments? Cursing and crude/dark joke ^.^ Pe dumbassery Enjoy your time with La familia! Lmaoo I just re-read the thanksgiving one :’D. there was like five spelling errors…..

Shigaraki had demanded that he be invited to all of your family’s future gatherings when he was sitting stuffed as a turkey on Thanksgiving the previous month. You were pleasantly surprised that your last gathering went semi-smoothly… If you ignore that your uncle was streaking over to the neighbor’s home……

“Are we still on for tonight.” Your boss had asked from his spot on the couch. You really hated him sometimes you thought as everyone’s eyes were on you once more. “Yes (Name) are you still on for tonight? And are we allowed to know what you’re going to be on for.” Spinner sassed. “It’s obviously her family’s Christmas gathering.” Toga pouted.

“I was already invited.” Dabi grinned. “Someone told me it was going to be lame and, to come over an entertain them.” Your eyes quickly met the burnt man’s eye. “Dabi I fucking swear! If she ends up pregnant the kid won’t have a father.” You threatened. “Jealous?” He teased. You flipped him off “Like hell I am. I just don’t want to be related o your crispy ass.” “Oof! Want some ice for that burn!” Twice chimed.

Dabi rolled his eyes and was about to speak when Spinner cut him off. “Your cousin invited me over as well.” A slow smirk stretched your lips. “Did he now?” You saw his scales redden. “T-to talk more and s-stuff.” “Can I be invited too!” Toga grinned. “If she goes I’m going too! Invite me please!!” Twice chimed. You sighed they were really doing this to you again. Your eyes landed on a masked Mr. Compress in silent questioning only for him to pull out his phone.

‘Hello Darlington I do hopeth youll come over to spend time with os on x-mas’ Why the fuck were you surrounded by idiots. The atrocious text made you want to facepalm with the wall… You looked to all the ratchet faces of your fellow league members and sighed. Hopefully things would run as smoothly as they did on Thanksgiving…. ‘Please, please, please let it go well’

When you arrived, you received familiar greeting ‘What the fuck took you so long?’ Wow. ‘Why are you here alone? Where’s the crusty heir?’ Crusty heir ‘Oi d-do you know if Spinner’s comin’ over?’ Hello to you too bitch… ‘You look trashy, it’s so obvious you don’t get laid.’ Says the one fucking a burnt chicken nugget… “You brought that gud Kush kiddo?’ No.. Fuck off and keep your fucking clothes on!?!

You sat there with shitty eggnog in hand waiting for the others to arrive. The sickly tree was buried under gifts leaving you confused. But since you weren’t exactly the paragon of humans you didn’t question it. You did question the choice of Christmas tree. It looked straight out of a horror movie… The first knock of the night brought to your utter joy…..Dabi.

“Ugh” You groaned wanting to shut the door in his smug face. “Play nice dollface maybe you’ll get a turn.” You wrinkled your nose in disgust. “Don’t be absurd. I’m not trying to catch an infection.” “Your loss sweet cheeks.” He sashayed inside and was promptly ignored by everyone save for your female cousin who had invited a friend as Dabi requested. You didn’t have time to comment negatively on their panned activities as the door came a knocking. With it’s opening you saw that Mr. Compress had come along with Toga and Twice.

You smiled at the trio as you invited them in. Toga pulled you into a crushing hug while you received a polite one from Mr. Compress and got spun into oblivion by Twice… “I missed you so much (Name)! No, I didn’t!” He cried. “Put me down. We saw each other yesterday!” You hissed. “Oh Mr. Sako” And it began… Your humiliation that is…..

“I’ve been awaiting you.” Your aunt grinned. She looked creepy… “And sir Korugiri? Is he not coming (Name)?” She asked pulling away a smirking Compress. “Sir Kurogiri?” Toga repeated. “He likes milfs” Twice informed. “……I… I seriously didn’t know you knew that word….” You mumbled. “It’s okay (Name)-Chan there’s a lot that we don’t know about Twice!!” Toga chimed. ‘o.O Like what??’ You thought.

Spinner came knocking next he was swiped away by your cousin who disregarded tradition and handed him a nicely wrapped gift. “The lizard doesn’t get to open presents first!” Your uncle hollered. “Shut the fuck up he can do whatever he wants.” Your cousin shouted back. “Oh, can he now! You’re just trying to get double dipped you whore!” He yelled back at your male cousin. Toga grinned turning her attention to the escalating drama. Twice began to eagerly instigate both sides. “You tell that lizard fucker!! Spinner is a good boy!!”

You groaned in frustration. “Ma tell your fucking brother something!!” He yelled his face beyond flustered at being outted in front of his crush. Sadly, he was promptly ignored as your aunt was lost in the kitchen boasting about how marvelous of a cook, she was to Mr. Compress. The argument persisted and you thought things couldn’t get any worse. Sadly your thoughts jinxed it and, you received background music…..

The lewd sounds bled through the thin walls of the apartment and stopped everyone’s bickering. “The fucking slut.” Your uncle scowled. “Right!?! She can’t keep her pussy dry.” Your male cousin agreed. “It’s not like our comrade is any better he’s always trying to get his dick wet.” Spinner grumbled in embarrassment. “A bunch of nasty fucks they are.” Your uncle frowned lighting a blunt.

“Not inside!” You hissed. He only shrugged and passed it over to your cousin who passed it to Spinner. “Fucking pot heads” You groaned. As they smoked you noticed that Toga and Twice had moved to help your aunt set the table. Your smile at the nice scene was ruined by your uncle who stood a top the coffee table “We should all sing Christmas carols!! Come on sing with me Jingle bells! My crack sells! Fuck yo bitch today!” He screeched like a newly made Jurassic park movie.

It was a miracle you heard the door and you debated on opening it. It could be the police, or worse, your boss. For some reason you didn’t want him to see or hear what was going on. But you knew if you left him outside he’d get pissed. And he’s very no fun when he’s pissed….. You did a once over of the living room your uncle in his drawers singing about ‘open legged hoes’ Spinner and your cousin gazing into each other’s eyes. When you looked to the side you could hear your aunt ‘flirting’ with Mr. Compress. Toga and Twice were well behaved. But, the worse part of it all was the noises coming from your female cousin’s room.

Dabi’s hedonistic ass was having the time of his life probably high as a kite as he indulged himself. In your family’s house no less. When you opened the door, you felt your cheeks grow warm. Shigarkai was once again in a fitted suit but his hair was slicked back out of his face. There was a slight smile on his scarred lips as he handed you a ‘polite’ gift of assorted cheese. The cute rat was probably proud of himself for remembering to bring a gift. Your NEET boss looked nice……. Too nice…..

As soon as they passed the threshold your aunt came running to kiss some ass. “Oh, my how handsome” she gushed not questioning his four fingered hand shake. You elbowed you in the rib “Doesn’t he look great (Name).” You rolled your eyes at her insinuation. “Look he’s even brought gifts how thoughtful” She beamed. “Sir Kurogiri how lovely it is to see you again.” She hummed looping her arm with his to drag him away. “Sir…?” Shigaraki mumbled. “Don’t question it.” You sighed.

“Sorry in advance.” You apologized as a loud moan cut through the air. “I see Dabi was here early.” He muttered walking over to the kitchen table. You followed along noticing the look your aunt gave you. You knew exactly what it meant. ‘Get yourself that man (Name)! If you don’t land someone with money, you’ll end up like me! Do you want to end up like me!’ You rolled your eyes at her and she narrowed hers at you while maintaining ‘polite’ chit chat with the ‘wealthy suitors’.

When dinner was called Shigaraki quickly took his seat beside you. He had come for the food. When skewed up words of thanks were given you all dove in. Except for Dabi, your cousin and her friend of course. They had their own meal you supposed. That just meant there was more for all of you and Shigaraki wasn’t about to complain… Speaking of which the bag of bones that was your boss could seriously put away!

“I see your ward really enjoys food.” Your aunt began. “(Name) here isn’t so bad herself.” She hinted. You caught Shigaraki’s side eyed gaze and sighed in embarrassment. Your aunt took it as some sign that he was interested. But you knew your boss that was the look of something else. And you soon found out what if meant when he leaned over you his finger wiping away food debris from your lips. “You never told me you knew how to cook.” He drawled. You knew where this was going, and you grimaced. “I’m not gonna make you food.” You grumbled only to yelp at the kick you received from your ‘innocent’ aunt.

“Don’t you guys think it could be nice if (Name) could treat us to a home cooked meal every so often.” He asked the present members who all jumped at the thought. You were met with a chorus of agreement. ‘Great not only do I have to do my missions and worry about not dying or getting arrested but now I have to cook for these idiots.’ But when you saw the excited looks on their faces you sighed. ‘It’s not like it’s too much trouble.’ You figured they deserved it, the budget was low, and you knew some of them went without a proper meal for days. Maybe you could commit yourself to doing this...

You guys sat down in the living room drinking eggnog and eating cookies. You couldn’t help but think of how well it ended. A bit bumpy but still nice. And as you saw your cousin kiss spinner on the cheek you smiled. ‘Yeah still nice.’ Toga and Twice were glued to the hallmark movie on the screen as Mr. Compress, Kurogiri and your aunt spoke of nothing. Shigaraki had fallen asleep beside you on the couch his head resting on your shoulder as you tried to dust the cookie crumbs off his suit. Your uncle lay passed out underneath various Christmas wrappers. It was nice.

You spoke to soon, the door to your cousin’s room slammed open startling everyone in the room. Out of it came your cousin’s friend who yelled and screamed. His hair was set ablaze and, your female cousin shouted for someone to put him out. No one moved an inch ignoring the spectacle. When she finally managed to put him out, they were gone. Half-nude and everything. She did yell something about taking him to the hospital…… At this point you were just too tired to care…….

You shot the burnt man a glare when he nudged you over to sit on the couch. “Why the fuck did you set him on fire.” You hissed. Only to be shushed by the movie watchers. “The bastard came inside.” He grumbled. You wished you hadn’t asked…….. Shiragaki stirred and muttered “New year’s too.” You sighed in frustration. Knowing that he wasn’t the only one coming over....

#bnha league of villains #league of villains #shigaraki tomura #shigaraki x reader #dabi #Toga Himiko #jin bubaigawara #Spinner #shuichi iguchi #Mr. Compress #atsuhiro sako #kurogiri #bnha imagines #Twice #bnha christmas #mha christmas #bnha ficmas

238 notes · View notes

belphegor1982 · 4 years

Note

And Tom and Jon, 31

(EDIT: urgh, sorry, Tumblr is stupid and won’t put the “keep reading” at the right place. So this is a long post. Sorry again :S)

(“flowers” it is, then!) This is set just at the end of the Christmas holidays, after Jonathan returns from home. Our two lads have acknowledged that what they have is more than a couple of friends having fun; they did the do, they said the words, and they’ve come to terms with that. Now if they could only find a beard girls to (pretend to) flirt with to hide the fact that they love each other 🤔

(which is how you get this: fluff! idiots in love being idiots! and proof that Tommy does have his share of chancy ideas, as well :D)

Lost in Translation

“Flowers?” Jon repeats, sounding a little suspicious. Tommy nods enthusiastically.

“Yeah, flowers! My cousin Annie and her husband sent each other flowers at least twice a week before they got married. She said each one had a special meaning and they had whole conversations without even sendin’ each other letters. Apparently flowers have a ‘language’.”

“That does ring a bell, yes,” Jon says, still squinting in that way he has when he thinks someone is trying to put one over on him. “It’s not a language I speak, though. And you’re proposing, what – giving flowers to random girls in the hope that they’ll stop long enough to talk?”

Tommy shrugs.

“Why not? At the very least it might make them smile. And it’ll make a good talkin’ point.”

There is no rejoinder, only a warm puff of air against the skin of his chest as Jon gives a snort. He does appear to think it over, though. After all, if they’re going to find girls they can pretend to court – which is the whole point of this conversation – anything that can help is welcome.

“All right,” says Jon finally. “What do we want to ‘say’, then?”

“Well, I was thinkin’ carnations, mostly. They’re supposed to be about, er, fascination, admiration, that sort of thing. The white ones are a symbol of innocence, I think.”

“Hm.”

Jon’s hand, which for the past few minutes was splayed on Tommy’s chest, shifts as he caresses the skin with the back of his fingers.

“We usually wear white carnations as boutonnières,” he points out with a small smirk that somehow manages to look thoroughly wicked. “How ‘innocent’ do you think that makes us?”

It’s Tommy’s turn to snigger. No amount of white carnations could make Jon look innocent. Even when he has neither said nor done anything reprehensible, he still gives the impression of being up to something.

“Not very. But that’s the thing about symbols – it’s all in the eye of the beholder, so to speak.”

“How very true.” Jon thinks for a bit, fingers still moving idly. “Look at green carnations. Sweet little flower, perfectly innocuous colour, but anyone who wears one at his lapel might get odd looks at best and probably a nasty encounter with the more savvy members of the constabulary at worst.”

“Why’s that?” asks Tommy, curious.

“Let me put it this way: if I were interested only in chaps and looking for a way to advertise that fact without, y’know, advertising it, I could resort to wearing a green carnation at my lapel.” Jon pauses, lays a kiss just under Tommy’s collarbone, and adds, “Of course I’d have to be a bit desperate, considering the risks.”

He raises his eyes to Tommy’s, smiling that little smile of his, almost a smirk if it weren’t for the warmth. His expression is clear: I’m glad I don’t have to.

So is Tommy. He’s just had a week to ponder the fact that he actually said “I love you” for the first time, and he doesn’t regret it now any more than he did then. And it seems that Jon, for all that he looks a little frayed around the edges sometimes since the beginning of the Christmas holidays, doesn’t regret saying it, either.

If pretending to flirt means he gets to keep what they have, then by God Tommy Ferguson is going to flirt.

* * * *

Of course, when the next day Jon disappears then reappears with a dozen carnations and a grin like the cat that got the cream, Tommy starts to have creeping doubts regarding this whole operation.

“Where did you get those?” he asks, suspicious.

“You told me you didn’t want me to put more money than you into this endeavour of ours, didn’t you? Well, good news! You don’t have to pay one bob.”

Tommy’s jaw drops.

“Jon, for God’s sake – did you steal those?”

“No, I did not.”

Tommy stares at Jon until he squirms just a little.

“I picked them,” he says pointedly. “There’s a difference. Stealing would imply they were someone else’s property.”

They probably were, but Tommy knows better than to ask. Except –

“Did anyone see you?”

“Who do you take me for, some bloody amateur?” says Jon, sounding scandalised. “The Parks are quite empty at seven in the morning. Besides, I was careful, you know – only picked one flower every three or four. Not even the Superintendent’s going to notice. Shall we go?”

Go they do, but eastwards, towards the Water Meadow. Tommy isn’t too keen on setting foot in the University Parks while the flowerbeds look like they’ve been pillaged, and Jon, in an uncharacteristic display of sense, isn’t in a hurry to show his face there.

Unfortunately, when at the end ofthe day they compare their respective tallies, it becomes obvious that something is not quite right. Not only they both failed to get a single name, let alone a rendezvous, but most of the girls who stopped long enough to look at the flowers they were offered strode off in a huff.

Which means that the flowers Jon picked (in other words, stole) wither and become quite unfit for gifts by the day after.

That evening, at hall, Tommy and Jon both stare glumly into their mushy peas.

“I don’t understand!” says Tommy at some point, fork clattering on the table. “What kind of girl doesn’t like being handed flowers?”

“The local kind, evidently,” Jon mutters into his palm. It’s terrible manners, propping your elbow on the table and your chin in your hand, but it’s informal hall and they’re too despondent to care.

‘Darling’ Darlington – one of the few first-years who stayed in college for the entire vacation – looks at them curiously.

“What do you mean?”

“We thought we’d take advantage of the holidays to find company of the female persuasion.” Jon doesn’t miss a beat. He doesn’t even take his chin off of his palm. “No offence to you chaps, but a man needs a bit of variety once in a while.”

This is said matter-of-factly, like a truth universally acknowledged. Meanwhile, Tommy feels Jon’s foot nudge his ankle under the table, and he grins into his glass.

Darling nods wisely.

“That’s only natural. I wish you the best fortune. But where do flowers come into it?”

“I thought we could use the ‘language of flowers’,” says Tommy, who is fully prepared to shoulder the blame for the apparent failure. “We got a bunch of carnations to give girls, to convey admiration and all that, but all we got was glared at.”

“I see.” Darling eats a bit of his beef, swallows, and asks, “And what colours were your carnations, if I may?”

“Yellow, mostly,” Jon replies. “Some had stripes. Why?”

The bark of laughter Darling lets out makes the whole table turn to look at them.

“Because,” Darling says with barely-restrained mirth, “yellow carnations convey disdain and rejection, and the striped ones mean refusal. You spent a day telling every girl you met that you despised them and couldn’t be with them.”

Tommy and Jon both open their eyes wide, stare at each other, and groan.

“Oh, bloody hell.”

“Which flowers should we have used, then?” asks Tommy just a little desperately.

Darling puts down his fork and counts off, still grinning, “Let me see… Pink roses for grace, gardenias for secret love, chrysanthemums for joy and optimism – only not the yellow ones, that’s ‘slighted love’…”

“I think I’ll stick to English to speak to girls after all,” says Jon flatly. “Fewer risks of misunderstandings that way.”

Darling’s eyes are twinkling in a way that says he’s finding their misadventure a lot funnier than they do, but at least he makes no further comment.

“Well,” says Tommy as they file out of the hall after dinner, “there goes my idea.”

“It wasn’t a bad idea,” Jon insists, which makes Tommy smile, because if he knows Jon at all at least half of that isn’t a lie. “The execution needed work, that’s all. Doesn’t mean we’re all that hopeless.”

“I know.” Tommy’s mind strays to the wilted carnations they’re going to have to get rid of somehow and he says, “No more stealing flowers to give to girls, though. We’ll find something else.”

Jon agrees, the matter is closed, and they’re off to the pub.

* * * *

A few days later, after the start of term, Tommy takes two minutes between class and a late morning shift at the Turf Tavern to drop into his hamper a few dirty collars, cuffs, and drawers he forgot in Jon’s room. Just as he’s about to run out, however, he notices his bed is slightly unmade.

Slightly, but in a very conspicuous way.

Tommy makes to fold the covers properly, but stills when he spots something that sticks out from under the pillow.

And laughs.

It’s a sheet of paper, folded in two, in which lie two flowers, neatly pressed: a gardenia and a green carnation.

Three hours later, at the end of his shift, Tommy is still smiling like an idiot.

__________

A boutonnière in English is the flower a man can wear at the lapel of his jacket. (In French it’s a buttonhole. *shrug*)

Oscar Wilde, trailblazer and trendsetter that he was, wore a green carnation on his lapel, and it became a symbol for gay men from the late Victorian age well into the 20th century.

I’ll work on your TF2 ASAP! :o)

#thatsoneginger #mon OT3 à moi #<3 #fanfiction #my stuff #ask reply #long post

6 notes · View notes