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bookgeekgrrl · 3 years

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My media this week (21-27 Nov 2021)

📚 STUFF I READ 📚

😊 Hale’s Modern Encyclopedia of Playing Cards (and Dating Humans) (thepsychicclam) - 49K, Sterek, full HS AU

😊 Love That Journey for Me: The Queer Revolution of Schitt’s Creek (Emily Garside) - a short collection of essays about Schitt’s Creek

🙂 Anne of Ingleside (Anne of Green Gables #6) (L.M. Montgomery, author; Barbara Barnes, narrator) - it did warm my completionist heart to bring the series to a close. I absolutely did love that they had a giant cat they named The Shrimp. And I was left a little breathless at the very end by the casually dropped info that Anne’s 2nd son will die in WWI.

😊 The Rowdy Renegade (The Adventures of Nick & Carter #3) (Frank W. Butterfield) - I just continue to love watching Nick & Carter progress through the years

😍 The Compact (astolat) - 64K, HP - loved this expanded worldbuilding Arthurian transformation with political marriage and ambiguous choices

🙂 Cited to Death (Jamie Brodie Mystery #1) (Meg Perry) - perfectly satisfying cozy; I like that it’s queer and protagonist is an academic librarian; there’s the usual amount of background copaganda so ymmv

😊 The Wolf and the Sparrow (Isabelle Adler) - arranged marriage tropetastic romance fantasy

💖 +193K of shorter fic so shorter work shout out 💖

Bumpkin (bibliosexual) - Schitt’s Creek: Patrick x David, 2K - suuuuuper cute first meeting AU

Everything About It Is a Love Song (pocky_slash) - X-Men: Erik x Charles, 19K - Erik turns 79 and finally decides to retire with Charles to a small town in upstate NY and it’s both wonderful and takes a lot of adjustment. The series is called Old Retired Dudes and it’s delightful and feels very real.

Ten Kinds of Grateful (Speranza) - MCU: Stucky, 3K - a 4 Minute Window Thanksgiving fic. I legit got teary when I saw the notification for this.

The Courtship of Mr. Bond (marlowe_tops) - James Bond: 00Q, 29K - reread; I just love this very loose P&P/Regency AU

[Podfic] So Loud & So Clear (quietnight) - MCU: Stucky, 3 hrs - great podfic of a great fic

[Podfic] sneeze disease (quietnight) - MCU: Stucky, ~45 min - absolutely love this hilarious so very married fic

📺 STUFF I WATCHED 📺

Modern Persuasion - more entertaining than I expected tbh. Wentworth the cat is the real star though.

Elementary - s1, e18-20

The Road to El Dorado - which I had never actually seen.

Golden Girls - s1, e4

Frasier - s1, e1-2

Living Single - s1, e4

Schitt’s Creek - s4, e1-2; s5, e13

Station 19 - s1, e1-4

🎧 PODCASTS 🎧

Strong Songs - “Space Oddity” and “Starman” by David Bowie

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - The Forgotten Songs Sound Sculpture

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - The Office of Collecting and Design

Strong Songs - “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys

99% Invisible #466 - The Weight

Stuff The British Stole - Strange Fowle

Shedunnit - Whodunnit?

Shedunnit - Surplus Women

Ologies with Alie Ward - Booster Coronasode: Shots & Holidays with Vaccine Infodemiologist Jessica Malaty Rivera

Richmond Til We Die: A Ted Lasso Podcast - Ted Lasso S2E2: Like Tall Yodas

Strong Songs - Bonus Episodes: The Bridge On Olivia Rodrigo’s “Driver’s License”

Shedunnit - Crippen

You’re Wrong About - True Crime w. Emma Berquist

99% Invisible #467 - Cute Little Monstrosities of Nature

Shedunnit - Queer Clues

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - International Cryptozoology Museum

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Sunny Jim Cave

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - The Jagannath Temple

Shedunnit - The Lady Vanishes

Shedunnit - Crime at Christmas

Shedunnit - Adaptations (with Sarah Phelps)

FILMS TO BE BURIED WITH Patreon Crew! - Brendan Hunt - The Resurrection!

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Looking for Pawpaws

This is Good for You - Ep 20: Puzzles Are Good For You

Shedunnit - Edith Thompson

Shedunnit - Dining with Death

Strong Songs - "The Chain" and "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac

Shedunnit - The Rules

Shedunnit - Nurse Daniels

Shedunnit - The Other Detectives

Shedunnit - Round Robin

🎶 MUSIC 🎶

Presenting David Bowie

Presenting The Beach Boys

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Bach [Yo-Yo Ma]

Presenting P!nk

Presenting Pet Shop Boys

Christian Kane

Crying On My Keyboards

Presenting Lenny Kravitz

Presenting New Order

#sunday reading recap #bookgeekgrrl's reading habits #bookgeekgrrl's soundtracks #cannot believe we got so lucky as to get fics from both astolat and speranza on the same day #talk about something to be thankful for #that 00Q fic is a forever fave #fanfic ftw #i started a '90s TV viewing night #i also was in the mood for some soapy drama and found station 19 which i think will fit that remit *beautifully*#it's been ridiculous from the jump i'm delighted #'discovered' the shedunnit podcast thanks to door's rec #can't get enough #shedunnit podcast #strong songs podcast #99% invisible podcast #stuff the british stole podcast #ologies podcast #richmond til we die podcast #films to be buried with podcast #this is good for you podcast #you're wrong about podcast #david bowie #the beach boys #yo-yo ma #p!nk #pet shop boys #christian kane #'80s music #lenny kravitz

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sushiburritonoms · 3 years

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My fingers slipped and I wrote @sadiebwrites a little bit more of the library AU instead of doing adult things or answering the other prompts. It's not really tied together in any narrative and it's 100% self-indulgent fluff. I really spent way too many years in libraries, folks. Sorry, I'll get to the other requests soon!

Previous library AU ficlet here.

“Being a librarian is my dream job,” Ms. Mothma admitted as Luke helped put the last of her romance novels into her bag. “To be surrounded by books every day sounds so wonderful. You must read all the time.”

Luke tilted his head and desperately tried to think of the last time he’d read an actual book and not a Horn Book review on the latest trends in YA Lit or a publisher’s summary of a title. Did picture books count? He read a lot of those, over and over again until he had the lines memorized and he could recite the story without looking while he moved tiny hungry caterpillars and angry pigeons across his felt board for inattentive 4-year-olds. Actual fiction...well there were the tabs of Sherlock Holmes/John Watson fanfiction that sat unread in his browser at home. Did webcomics count? He read the latest Ngozi post last night, right before he fell asleep with his mobile phone still in his hand and Artoo purring on his chest.

“All the time,” he lied as he handed her the last book. “Real dream come true.”

Later when he texts his bestie from grad school, he is reassured that he’s not that bad of a librarian.

haven’t read a 📖for fun in 📅 Ezra texts back. last 1 finished was for our uni’s common read program 📚🤭😊

“I was going to read a chapter of Chernow’s Hamilton biography,” Tionne told him at lunch, “but instead I rewatched Gossip Girl and drank a lot of white wine.” Luke approved of her life choice.

“Books?” Dak stared at him with a blank face, with one of his earbuds looking like it was about to make a bid for freedom from his head.

“Nevermind,” Luke sighed.

But of course, there’s always one overachiever on staff.

“Of course. I always make time to read, my young apprentice,” Obi-Wan said when Luke interrupted his daily chat with retired Head Librarian Jinn. “Would you like some recommendations? I could send you my Good Reads account.”

“You know he’s not that young anymore,” Qui-Gon reminded him. “Nor are you. Perhaps you should be spending less time with your head in books and more time out there in the real world.”

“Hmmm, I suppose I would take your suggestion seriously if you weren’t haunting the very building you retired from three years ago,” Obi-Wan argued as he adjusted his delicate wire-rim glasses on his face.

“Perhaps it is not the building that brings me back, but the company, my dear former colleague.”

“Hmm perhaps.”

Luke tiptoed away with a silly smile on his face. Old people in love are so cute, even if Obi-Wan was an insufferable perfect librarian.

-----

On weekdays, when Luke was not lying to kind older ladies from the City Council, he was often hiding from his mortal enemies.

“Din! Hide me.” Luke ducked into the Children’s Room reference desk and waved his crush over with a grim look on his face.

“What’s wrong?” Luke was slightly impressed and slightly worried when he saw Din’s hand automatically drift towards his waistband, in search of a weapon. Their State was NOT open carry, but that was Future-Luke’s problem.

“The Imperial Solutions vendor is here,” Luke hissed. “They want me to be the majority vote to petition the county to switch to D. Star and I refuse, Din. I REFUSE.”

“I have no idea what any of that means,” Din replied.

“Imperial Solutions is evil and they’re gonna own us all!”

Din opened his mouth to reply but before he could say anything, a deep freeze fell upon the Children’s Room. Small infants started to wail and toddlers dropped their blocks and looked up in helpless confusion.

“Ah Mr. Skywalker,” a smarmy voice calls out. “There you are, young man.”

“Hello Mr. Gideon,” Luke mutters. “It’s a ...pleasure to see you again.”

“I was in the neighborhood and I thought I’d drop by to see if you had considered last week’s presentation.” Mr. Gideon had the biggest, fakest smile to ever don a human’s face. He looked like just being inside of the Children’s Room was causing him to melt. But then Imperial vendors were never children--they were hatched from some dark dank cave in Illinois.

A three-hour presentation. Yeah, Luke had considered it right out of his head.

“Oh ah...gosh Mr. Gideon, it was a long...long...presentation and I’ve been so busy. In fact, I’m so, so, sorry but I’m kind of in the middle of something.” He gestured to Din, standing in front of the reference desk.

Din glared at Gideon for a moment before he slowly sat down on the patron’s side of the reference desk. “Ah...right. I need a book. For my kid.”

“Great! What’s the title of the book?” Luke said as he saw Gideon roll his eyes.

“I don’t remember, but I know the cover is red,” Din replied. There was a sparkle of mischief in his eyes. “Then after we find that book, I need all the books about whale sharks. In Spanish. Can you help me?”

“Of course! So sorry, Mr. Gideon! If you have to go I understand!” Luke shrugged helplessly. “This is gonna take a while!”

The two of them kept their heads buried over Luke’s shared screen until Gideon stomped away. Then they fell apart laughing.

“Whale sharks?” Luke giggled. “Why whale sharks?”

“They are the biggest fish in the ocean and their mouths are 5 feet wide,” Din said robotically, obviously quoting from something.

“Grogu’s into sharks now?”

“Blame Baby Shark,” Din groaned and laid his head on Luke’s desk.

Oh God. Luke winced and reached over to massage Din’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”

“Do do do dodododo,” Din hummed tunelessly.

Luke is going to have that damn song back in his head for the next year...but he’ll sing the song for library staff karaoke night if it means he gets to keep rubbing Din’s shoulder AND be protected from Gideon at the same time. He’s got a mean singing voice after all.

#If I got Baby Shark in your head right now I'm SO SORRY #But you see I've had that song in my head for years #I live like this everyday #Also please dont ask book sellers or librarians if we read a lot #we're just as busy as the rest of y'all and sometimes its Gossip Girl Night #There's always one librarian on staff that has read everything #nobody likes you Obi-Wan #Except Qui-Gon #really my fanfic is just free therapy I subject y'all to #you're welcome

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hermitcraftheadcanons · 4 years

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[COMPLETE]

Hrrmitcraft AU (Hermitcraft villager AU)

...this started as a throwaway joke, but I guess we're doing this for real now! Might as well go with it. (I'm going to put summaries instead of direct quotes this time to help with length)

- The Hermits all live in or near a large Minecraft village

- Xisuma is a wandering trader who stops by every few days to trade and share stories of his travels. Nobody really knows where he lives, and they've never seen him actually sleep.

- Cleo was zombified a while ago and cured only partially. She is safe to be around now, but she still looks like a zombie and has occasional thoughts of attacking her neighbors.

- Stress is a witch who got lonely and moved into the village with her cat.

- Cub and Scar are villagers who were turned into illagers (1/10 chance of happening when a villagers health is brought low enough). It is unknown whether this was an accident, or if they orchestrated the incident in an effort to gain Evoker powers.

- Grian is a nitwit who spends his time pranking the others

- Joe works two jobs as a leatherworker and a librarian. Why? So he can have both a lecturn and a full cauldron.

- Beef is a butcher

- Impulse is a workaholic carrot farmer who just. Doesn't. Stop.

- Zedaph is also a farmer, but he spends most of his time 'farming' things that aren't actually farmable in the hopes of discovering a new crop

- Doc is a cleric, and so was Cub before becoming an illager. They take a scientific approach to potion brewing, and they developed the potion that cured Cleo. (Cub is still pretending to be a cleric after becoming an Evoker to blend in. Doc hasn't noticed yet.)

- False is a reformed pillager who now guards the Hermit village, crossbow at the ready.

- Iskall is a weaponsmith

- Bdubs is a mason. He really likes fancy and interesting blocks, and he's one of the first and most excited to greet Xisuma when he comes back with new trades

- Mumbo was originally an armourer, but he switches jobs a lot. Nothing really seems to fit, and he's a bit distracted by trying to mess with the redstone Stress gives him sometimes. He hasn't managed to create anything usable yet, but he's heard players can, and he's determined to try.

- Mumbo likes to help out when the others are overwhelmed with their own jobs, since he doesn't have a set profession

- Zedaph lives next to the sheep pen and has an understanding with them. He's figured out how to lead them with wheat and he uses them in pranks sometimes.

- in his experimenting, Zed discovered how to farm mushrooms in caves. He now gives them to Beef for making stew.

- in addition to being a cleric, Doc is also an armourer and the only one mentioned so far with the ability to make redstone work. He uses this skill to make cybernetics for anyone who needs them. He must have made some deal with something powerful to get his abilities extended like this, but at this point it's unclear who or what that might be or what the cost of the arrangement was.

- Beef isn't actually a shepherd, but he really wants to be. He spends a lot of time with llamas, getting them to trust him. He especially likes hanging out with X's llamas when he's in town, even if it makes him run a little behind on his travel schedule.

- Doc got his arm when a player found him injured after a creeper accident and decided to fix him up. He learned redstone using the arm as an example, but was missing the ability of a player to actually make it work. He made a deal (implied to be with Herobrine) at great personal cost to recieve this power. (Unclear exactly what that price was)

- there is at least one player in the Hrrmitcraft world, but the Hermit village is very far from spawn so the player has never been there. Doc and possibly Xisuma are the only ones who have seen the player.

(edit: there are two players in the world: the more compassionate one Doc encountered, and a much more efficiency-minded one who imprisoned Wels in a trading hall)

- Bdubs goes around the village every night making sure everyone is indoors and safe from mobs. He ends his rounds each day with the long, excruciating task of trying to get Impulse to stop farming and actually go to bed. He is hilariously and annoyingly persistent.

- as a consequence of his deal, Doc is very slowly developing creeper-like traits (an aversion to cats, slight gunpowder smell, green veins creeping up his arm). He hides it from the others and tries his best to deny or ignore it. (This may not be the only or the most severe consequence, but it is the most immediate)

- Grian has a pet parrot that X brought him from a far away jungle. He talks to it and has trained it to do simple tasks like pulling levers.

- Cleo used to be a leatherworker before her zombification, but can't do it now

- Tango is an iron golem who was accidentally given the ability to speak. He protects the village with False and hangs out near the farms with Impulse and Zedaph

- Keralis is an ex-wandering trader who got tired of life on the road and settled down. He used to travel with Xisuma sometimes, or at least their paths would cross often. Now, Keralis is a mason who spends his spare time trying to figure out bees.

- Etho is a cartographer who keeps to himself, often going days without seeing anyone other than Beef, Bdubs, and Doc. Xisuma uses his maps on his travels, and is willing to overlook how impossibly accurate they are in spite of Etho never being seen leaving the village.

- xB is a fisherman who's heard tale of Guardians in the deep waters. He wants to go find them, but Xisuma won't let him, fearing for his safety on the open sea and on the journey to get there.

- Wels uses his experience of being zombified and cured over and over again to help Doc and Cub cure Cleo

- Hypno is a fisherman, and he has a rivalry with Jevin the leatherworker. They argue over which is the smelliest after a long day of work.

- Hypno and xB talk on the docks sometimes while mending nets and lines. Hypno claims to have traveled the sea before, but won't say what happened. The hope of hearing the story gives xB a reason to stay, and the way Hypno gets when he asks about what happened gives him a bit more caution about following the horizon just yet.

- Ren is a shepherd. He's named all of his sheep, and his house is the first place they go for shelter in a storm. He has multiple outfits that he makes out of their dyed wool, and he loves to try out new colour combinations. He may or may not have taken some of Jevin's dyes for this....

- Joe picked up leatherworking after Cleo's zombification, since her fingers are now too stiff for delicate tasks. She's still very knowledgable though, so they work together a lot. Being able to keep doing her job with a friend is one of the main reasons she was able to accept and adjust to her new way of life.

- Evil X is a pillager captain who tricked Xisuma into leading his patrol to their village. They camped out on the edge of town and started launching raids on and off for several weeks. Tired of the attacks and feeling guilty for his part in causing them, Xisuma eventually lead the patrol on a chase after himself and trapped them in a cave.

- Scar was a cartographer before he became an Evoker, and he still does some of the work. Etho is the only one who knows his secret, and he's agreed to keep it if Scar helps him with mapmaking. Scar is the one to research for the details of the maps, since hostile mobs see him as one of their own, so he can leave the village safely.

- TFC is a (technically) retired weaponsmith who moved to the Hermit village after his own village died out. He makes weapons to help False guard the town, and he has a friendly rivalry with Iskall.

- TFC started out as a toolsmith, changing jobs after he left his original village. Before that, he made pickaxe after pickaxe and dreamed of exploring the caves, even though he knew it was far too dangerous.

(this AU was created by multiple lovely people through asks! I encourage you to scroll through the #Hrrmitcraft AU tag to see more details)

#hcraft #hermitcraftheadcanons #hermitcraft #hermitblr #mod shade #Hrrmitcraft AU #i still don't really know why this is happening but I'm here for it #long post

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aneekapaneeka · 4 years

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big fic rec masterlist here!

📝 - ongoing series ✔ - finished series 🎯 - bulleted 🎀 - one shot

Anonymous Love by @mortaljin - Pairing: ??? x reader - Genre: fluff, high school au - 🎀 - Summary: One sticky note turns into two, two into four and then four into dozens. Who in their right mind would confess their love for you, anonymously, via sticky-note? Why do your seven best friends have shit-eating grins on their faces?

Anonymous - by @bloomsuga - Genre: smut, fluff, angst, social media au - ✔ - Summary: Searching for inspiration, a chart-topping rapper who keeps his identity hidden from the public, going by the stage name RM, stumbles upon you singing in a coffee shop and finds his new muse in your voice. He makes you an offer to collab with one catch: you can’t see his face.

The Rich Man’s Cortchet Club - by @kpopfanfictrash - Genre: smut, humor, college au - 🎀 - Summary: When they were freshmen in college, Namjoon began a club with his six closest friends. The one thing they all had in common? V i r g i n s as fuck. Obviously, they couldn’t call the club the Virgins Club and so, the Rich Man’s Crochet Club was born. Until time passes and Namjoon is the only one left. Now, the Club has one, final mission: to get Namjoon laid.

Reasons Wretched and Divine - by @hollyhomburg - Genre: fluff, hybrid au, angst, poly - 📝 - Summary: You live on an isolated but sprawling farm with your abusive husband, but things start to change for the better when your husband adopts a retired police dog hybrid named Namjoon

Beauty & The Bookworm - by @jungshookz - Genre: librarian namjoon🤩, bratty reader, reader is rlly dumb in this one, fluff, smUT, angst - 🎀 - Summary: You discover that there are more things to check out at the library besides books.

far far away - by @lilac-park-jimin - Genre: fluff, college au - ✔ - Summary: when an accidental text from someone that apparently breaks everything, who’s name is namjoon ends up turning into something bigger than the both of you expected.

live & love - @lysjeon - Genre: fluff, angst, social media au - ✔ - Summary: namjoon always liked you but for some reason he never thought you would be interested in him. and you are too scared to tell him you like him too.

Life Is A Whisk - by @readyplayerhobi (you’ll be seeing this gal a lot here) - Genre: fluff, humor - 🎀 - Summary: You have no problem with Kim Seokjin most of the time, in fact you even consider him to be handsome and funny and he feels the same about you. Until you are both placed into a kitchen, and then it becomes the battlegrounds for World War Three, the Bake-off edition.

forever boy - by @lysjeon - Genre: fluff, angst, social media au - ✔ - Summary: how annoying can the handsome popular guy get? the answer is: really annoying, specially when you tell him he isn’t that handsome to you.

Ghosted - by @bloomsuga - Genre: social media au, angst, ghosts, smut, fluff, crack - ✔ - Summary: Your new roommate is everything you could ask for: quiet, never makes messes, a killer dry sense of humor… and oh yeah—he’s dead.

my kind. - by @hobios - Genre: soulmate au, fluff, angst, humor - 🎀 - Summary: “i promise i won’t get enough, think you’re one of my kind.” or, when you make a connection with the handsome guy at the laundromat late one night, you start to wonder if Fate ever makes a mistake when it comes to soulmates.

A Boy Like You - by @cinnaminsvga - Genre: FLUFF, coworker au - 🎀 - Summary: for whenever you are feeling low, always remember that there is a boy you know who would lift the sky for you. {or alternatively: Min Yoongi loves you, though he never says it. He’s always been a firm believer in that actions speak louder than any words ever could.}

Of Fire and Love - by @hollyhomburg - Genre: fantasy au, dragon yoongi, fluff, angst - 📝 - Summary: When Dragon Yoongi finds baby Jungkook in the wreckage of a house he burned down, he can’t bring himself to kill the child. Months after someone drops a baby at your door, you start to notice something- or someone, lurking at the edge of your farm. Why does the man you catch glimpses of have horns?

The Sugar Wars - by @hollyhomburg - Genre: soulmate au, idol au, fluff - 🎀 - Summary: Maybe tasting everything his soulmate eats wouldn’t be so bad if Yoongi’s soulmate didn’t have the largest sweet tooth Ever. Maybe you wouldn’t need to sweeten everything if he didn’t drink his coffee so bitter.

basketball captian!yoongi - by @jungshookz - Genre: fluff, smut - 🎀 - Summary: min yoongi - captain of the basketball team. y/n y/l/n - water girl.

chromatic - by @jintobean - Genre: fluff, comedy - 🎀 - Summary: “Fuck, he looks like a sparkly anime boy.”

never judge a cover - by @dulcaet - Genre: fluff, angst, humor - 🎀 - Summary: never had you thought you would find comfort in the character of min yoongi, resident bad boy.

slytherin to my heart - by @bangtan-insfired - Genre: fluff, enemies to lovers, hogwarts au - 🎀 - Summary: You hated Min Yoongi. He hated you. But the both of you were about to find out that hate was just a way to mask another passionate emotion.

Peppermint - @readyplayerhobi

- Genre: fluff, coworker au, angst - ✔ - Summary: Achieving your dream job is something that very people manage to do, which is why you’re all the more happier when you land a job on the film team at Poppin’ Culture; the biggest pop culture website, blog and YouTube channel around. What you don’t expect however, is to fall for the exceptionally shy and awkward colleague who is not even remotely your type. Or is he?

Night Stalker - by @readyplayerhobi - Genre: action, angst, smut, fluff, vampire hunter hobi is the hottest hobi, violence - 🎀 - Summary: Vampires are a thing of legend, and yet you find yourself being saved by a self-proclaimed vampire hunter. Only your saviour is half-vampire himself, and struggles with his base instincts. What happens when you get to know him more and feel an attraction you can’t help?

A Universe To You - @readyplayerhobi - Genre: fluff, angst, smut - 🎀 - Summary: Life for you has always been dull and grey; not only because you grew up on the most over-populated and polluted planet in the galaxy but because you’re colourblind. You’re convinced it’s because you have a soulmate out there, but soulmates are a forgotten concept now that humanity has spread across the stars. What happens then, when you finally escape Earth and discover colour with the touch of a man on a planet in which soulmates are just a tale of myth?

Wonder - by @smaubts

- Genre: crack, fluff - ✔ - Summary: In which jimin has a crush on y/n and decides to make it his task to make her fall in love with him, two crackhead personalities unite and make the funniest duo.

Part Of Your Own World - by @readyplayerhobi - Genre: fluff, angst, merman jiminie - ✔ - Summary: Jimin has always longed for the wide-open skies of the Above Sea. After saving the life of a beautiful human woman, he seeks to find her and finally live in his dream world. But young mermen should be careful what they wish for.

Insert Quippy Title Here!! - by @readyplayerhobi - Genre: CRACK, deadpool jimin, smut - 🎀 - Summary: There is no synopsis. It’s just you…me…and a real good time sweet cheeks.

Star Light, Star Bright - by @readyplayerhobi - Genre: fluff, angst, single dad jimin, tattoo artist reader, smut - 🎀 - Summary: Life has not gone exactly how Park Jimin imagined, and yet he can’t possibly imagine his life any different to what it is now. After six hard and stressful years, he’s now the happy owner of a degree along with being the proud dad of his little girl. But what happens when he meets you and his life is tipped upside down once more?

The Evolution Of You And I - by @readyplayerhobi - Genre: fluff, angst - 🎀 - Summary: For 15 years, Park Jimin has been in your life in some form. From childhood penpal’s to the closest of friends now, you can’t imagine your life without him even if you’ve never actually met him in person. It doesn’t help that you’ve fallen for him, even across the distance that separates you. But what happens when you finally meet up and you discover he’s been keeping something secret?

Beneath the Water - by @jungshookz (this one is so good, it’s funny asf!) - Genre: fluff, humor, merman jiminie - 🎀 - Summary: Moving to an apartment by the beach just got a whole lot more interesting

Under the Sea - by @bloomsuga - Genre: smut, fluff, humor, merman jimin - 🎀

sorting hat - by @bangtan-insfired - Genre: fluff, hogwarts au - 🎀 - Summary: You were nervous to delve into the unknown Wizard world, but luckily for you, Jimin was there to help.

expecto patronum - by @bangtan-insfired - Genre: fluff, hogwarts au - 🎀 - Summary: You were the first of your class to perfect the patronus charm & Jimin is curious about the memory you used.

the howler - by @bangtan-insfired - Genre: fluff, hogwarts au - 🎀 - Summary: Not being able to take any more of Jimin’s passionate rants about you, the boys decide to take matters in their own hands and send their dear friend a howler.

Papillion - by @readyplayerhobi - Genre: angst, fluff, pregnant reader, childhood friends - 🎀 - Summary: Kim Taehyung has been a constant presence in your life for the last 25 years. The bestest friend a girl could ever want; he’s been there for you through all the good times and the bad. What happens though when you find yourself pregnant and abandoned? What happens when your best friend steps up in ways you never imagined?

Seven Seas - by @readyplayerhobi - Genre: fluff, smut, atlantis au, angst - 🎀 - Summary: Atlantis is a myth; a hidden city, a sunken island, a missing continent. Only…it’s not a myth. Just hidden out of choice. As the daughter of an Atlantean and a human, you are a halfling that is unwanted by the underwater continent and misunderstood by the surface. But what happens when you finally go to Atlantis and meet an Atlantean who is oddly kind to you?

Sehebon - by @httpjeon - Genre: smut, fluff, angst - 🎀 - Summary: You find yourself on izo huen, home to the sehebon. luckily for you, you’ve arrived at an interesting time.

Apartment 512 - @moononthejoon - Genre: fluff, smut, humor - 🎀 - Summary: After finally finding a decent place to live, you couldn’t believe that you landed next to the loudest neighbour in existance.

Fish Are Friends - by @httpjeon - Genre: fluff, smut, hybrid tae - 🎀 - Summary: After moving to the seaside, there is a dreadful storm. when all is clear, a man washes up on shore…only he isn’t quite human.

Falling in Crayolove - by @jungshookz - Genre: fluff, tiny bit of angst, kindergarten teacher tae - 🎀🎯 - Summary: Y/n is a very single mom and taehyung is a very single kindergarten teacher. emma knows exactly what she needs to do.

Stuck With You - by @jungshookz (have you ever heard of the song stuck in love with ryan ross?) - Genre: fluff, smut, ENEMIES to LOVERS MATE, university au, fratboii tae - 🎀🎯 - Summary: Kim Taehyung becoming your new roommate is definitely up there on the list of the worst things that have ever happened to you.

Crinkle - by @worldwidebt7 - Genre: webtoon, hybrid au, fluff! - ✔ - Summary: You find yourself adopting a lonesome-looking bunny after hearing about him from a friend who recently adopted her own hybrid. The minute you looked at his big doe eyes, it was all over… - Beautifully done artwork, I definitely recommend checking all @worldwidebt7‘s work out!

Crush -by @jungxk - Genre: fluff, smut, amnesia au, husbang guk, comedy, angst - 🎀

Hopping Mad For You - by @readyplayerhobi - Genre: smut, fluff, flatmate jk, hybrid jk - 🎀 - Summary: For two years you’ve lived with your rabbit hybrid roommate, Jungkook. He’s been a model roommate and you’ve found yourself with little complaints. But his behaviour lately has been a little…unusual.

So You Wanna Be The Best - by @readyplayerhobi - Genre: crack, fluff - 🎀 - Summary: Every Pokemon trainer has a rival, and it’s just your luck that you got stuck with your hometown nemesis Jeon Jungkook. As any good rival, he’s determined to beat you to the title of Pokemon Master and he might have a chance at both that and you…if he wasn’t so dang inept.

neighbour!jungkook - by @jungshookz - Genre: fluff, smut - 🎀🎯 - Summary: Cute new apartment and cuter new neighbour.

gymrat!jungkook - by @jungshookz - Genre: fluff, smut - 🎀🎯 - Summary: The gym isn’t half-bad, you suppose.

badboy!jungkook -by @jungshookz - Genre: smut, fluff - 🎀 🎯 - Summary: It’s like he stepped straight out of a fanfiction.

drummer! jungkook - by @jungshookz - Genre: smut, fluff - 🎀 - Summary: ba dum tss

caramel macchiato - by @jungshookz - Genre: FLUFF, barista jk, smut - 🎀 - Summary: one caramel macchiato. one shot of espresso. six ice cubes. ¾ skim milk. ¼ whole milk. no whipped cream. a drizzle of caramel. a squirt of vanilla. and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Love Letters - by @jennieluvclub - Genre: fluff, angst - 🎀 - Summary: You get a crush on a certain poet named Jungkook, while secret messages start appearing in your locker… you’d think that poetry and romance and mystery would go well together, think again…

felix felicis - by @bangtan-insfired - Genre: fluff, hogwarts au - 🎀 - Summary: Jungkook has a huge crush on you, but is too shy to confess. Luckily for him, his friends make him drink some liquid luck potion that may have been that extra push he needed.

#fic rec #fic recommendation #fanfiction #bts #masterlist #fic rec masterlist #min yoongi #suga #jung hoseok #jeon jungkook #recommendation #recommended #kim taehyung #park jimin #kim namjoon #kim seokjin

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ennas-aesthetic · 1 year

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Retired!Dream as a Librarian AU part 2

I am SOOOOOO glad that the reception for the retired!Dream as a Librarian AU was so enthusiastic and sweet! Thank you so much for that (and if you haven't seen part 1 one yet, click here). More snapshots of the AU will be added as we go, because a retired!Dream experiencing the full range of human emotions in a place of community has brought so many stories to tell.

Anyway, a good friend on Twitter asked what happens when Lucienne finds out that Retired!Dream has become a librarian (or at least, a library volunteer) in the Waking World. I DO, in FACT, have a headcanon locked and loaded for that, so here we go:

Sometimes Dream wonders how on earth he has gotten here.

It wasn't like he hates the job. Dream LOVES the local library - loves the staff and the stories and the people. It's the best outcome he could have ever hoped for, really. Like someone has given him a second chance, a renewal. A new purpose where his existence could transpose into a life worth living.

But, OH, the circumstances that it took for him to get here. If only his former subjects could see him now. If only LUCIENNE could see him now.

Dream understands, more than ever, how much painstaking effort goes into even MAINTAINING a functioning library. Running the vastest library he knows in existence WHILE managing the Dreaming when he runs off to brood must have been a herculean feat. Morpheus resolves to be more appreciative of her work over the millennia, if he ever sees her again.

And see her he does. Lucienne comes to the library one day, on the guise of looking for a mislaid book. Her face is wreathed with smiles, looking sharp and dapper in her suit.

"Greetings, my Lord," she beams, eyes alight with fondness and mirth. "You look to be in good health."

"Please," he says, and surprises himself by laughing out loud. Laughing comes easier to him now, he notices. (The first time he did this in front of the library staff it was in response to an incredibly macabre joke he found hilarious. Dream had slapped a hand to his mouth, but the damage had been done: the library staff looked on in ACTUAL suprise, and then they cackled in earnest, delighted that their strange new colleague had a fucked up sense of humor and an absolutely ridiculous laugh. So many more attempts to make him crack up started since that day. Not that he minded.) "Call me Morpheus. I am your lord no longer."

"Hmm," Lucienne says. "Very well. Hello, Morpheus." And all of a sudden she envelops him into a bone-crushing hug.

"That was not a breach of protocol and conduct, I hope," she says, mischievous, as she lets a rather staggered Dream go. "Seeing as I am your librarian no longer."

Dream smiles wide. He does not think he has ever smiled this frequently in his entire existence.

He gives her a tour of the library, introduces her to the people behind the counter. After a few conversations the staff has agreed on one thing: Lucienne may be the BEST librarian there is. Some of them had already asked her to stay. Dream has to interrupt quickly, saying that she is already a hotshot librarian somewhere else, before steering her away from her new admirers.

"They adore you, it seems," he tells her. Lucienne rolls her eyes. Even as his librarian she had always been frank with him, but seeing her be openly candid with Dream, without the barrier of his Nobility and his Lordship between them, pleased him to no ends. If any outsiders could have seen them, they would have thought they are just extremely close friends (and they are. They are.)

"And they are COMPLETELY enchanted by you," she shoots back, grinning, "which is honestly quite the miracle."

She teases him about finally being able to handle his books, and jokingly chastises him about not doing it sooner. Dream, to her (non) surprise, takes this seriously, and admits, rather abashed, that most of his bookkeeping skills are only existent because of her. He concedes that she is still the better librarian between the two of them. Lucienne is very smug over this confession (as she should be.)

"I am forever indebted to you," Morpheus says, and finds himself a little choked up at the last syllable. "You have given me a lifeline, in more ways than one." He shakes his head. "I do not know how I may ever repay you."

Her eyes are overbright, but when she speaks her voice is steady.

"Just live, Sire," she whispers. "That's repayment enough."

It's a blessing, almost. An anointment of old, except his birthright is now renewed. Just live. Dream nods, determined to make the boon stick. To keep the oath for as long as he can.

Before Lucienne leaves she hands him a gift. "To complete the librarian regalia," she winks. And just like that she's gone.

Inside the box is a compilation of all the "Sandman Stories" he has adlibbed for the kids during Story Time Tuesdays. A note taped on the book: 'Matthew is gloating because he gets to be a dragon. Name a raven after me, will you?' Dream laughs out loud.

(Sure enough, on the next Story Time Tuesday a new character -- Lucienne the Raven Librarian -- was introduced. The kids instantly fell in love with her, and the book feverishly codifies the stories Morpheus comes up for her.)

But that's not all. In the box is another pouch - he opens it, and a pair of spectacles tumble out. Another note: 'from one librarian to another.'

Morpheus wears those spectacles till this very day.

---

Want to know more about the Retired!Dream as a Librarian AU? Read part 1 here and part 3 here.

#dreamling #sandman fic #dream of the endless #lucienne #dreamling au #retired!dream #retired!dream as a librarian au #dreamling fic #public libraries #RETIRED!DREAM IS A LIBRARIAN AND HE IS HAPPY #librarian dream #this was such a fun time oh my god I love Lucienne so much and writing this was very cathartic for me #bec i get to give them the closure they deserve

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luninosity · 4 years

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2019 writing round-up post!

It's been an interesting year!

Once again, I suspect I wrote more overall than last year - but much more heavily original, and even less fanfic (but still some!) again. But a couple of those have been stories people really love, or seem to, from the AO3 comments etc. I didn't finish one thing I'd really meant to finish, but I did write a 254k novel, which, what even.

So...let's see what all those things are!

Academic (just to get this out of the way first) ~A book chapter on Disney's Robin Hood for an edited collection on Disney & pop culture (my chapter's around 5,000 words) ~The intro/my chapter/overall editorial work/bibliography for the Terry Pratchett book, coming 2020 (collectively, probably around 15k words of my own writing, plus comments on contributor essays) ~The book proposal for the Star Trek book (~3,000 words) ~The in-progress Neil Gaiman and Batman book chapter - currently around 2k, needs to be around 6k including references ~Plus one more successful grant application! Not listing all the conference/unpublished papers, but those too. Fanfic Stucky straight from your heart, E, 10,516 words - ah, yes, my contribution to the Bottom Bucky Fest! It was such a marvelous prompt, about Steve guiltily having a kinky fantasy about essentially rescuing and caring for the Winter Soldier (which also includes teaching him all about pleasure), and Bucky finding out about this, and them then negotiating ways to make this fantasy come true. I hadn't been writing as much Stucky, but this one flowed really well and felt really good, and people seem to like it! Evanstan (hmm - way less Evanstan this year! still some, at least...) Evanstan Round Robin 2019, T, 12,497 words overall, but my chapters total 2,528 words. The annual holiday collaborative masterpiece! So soft and fluffy this year - such a delight sharing this love and creation and fandom with everyone! Extra Sugar - My Evanstan epic fic-baby! I added chapters 30 & 31 in 2019, which brings the total to 107,533 words - which means, doing some math, that's + 4,000 words exactly, apparently! There'll be one more chapter. I know what it is, I just haven't had the time to write it. 2020 goal: finish off this series, completely, entirely, at the end. I'm still so amazed by this whole universe that I somehow made, and by the fandom response to it. *hugs you all* Cherik When It's Time, T, 2852 words - this one's not up on AO3 yet, though I think I can do that now, if it's okay with the @cherikzine people! This was my story for the Bookends Cherik 'zine, and it's an AU with magicians in a sort of present-day fantasy setting version of the ending of Dark Phoenix, and it was fun to get back to one of my first real fandom loves, and I'm glad I wrote it. we are electric hearts, T, 2,732 words - fluffy little fun universe-crossover in which Erik and Charles meet Kris and Justin, my original Demon for Midwinter characters, written for @kernezelda <3 Original Fic (written and published in 2019) Gingerbread Dreams, M, 23,662 words - holiday m/m gingerbread competition baking fluff! A cranky judge! A cheerful ugly-sweater-wearing baker! The Grumpy One Is Soft For The Adorable One! The story I looked up medieval gingerbread recipes for, for a contestant challenge! Also contains a couple of familiar characters from "October Spice" in supporting roles... This story is also available as part of the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Trio Collection from JMS Books - three novellas bundled together, at a discount! October Spice, E, 3,130 words - the story that briefly made it to #1 Best Seller on Amazon in the LGBTQ Short Reads category! My super-short flash fiction romance for JMS Books, priced at only 99 cents! (Or even less, when on sale!) A first meeting, instant attraction (and some orgasms!), a Halloween-loving baker, and an adorable firefighter. (Evan and Matt (well, Matt in baked-goods artistic tribute) get a supporting role in Gingerbread Dreams, as mentioned above, if you want to know what they're up to...) (Also, Evan's last name is 100% an Ace of Cakes reference.) Bisclavret, T, 11,756 words - technically I had about 5k of this written YEARS ago, back when I first read Marie de France's 12th-century lai in grad school and immediately had to write an adaptation of it. But this version has extensive revisions, and ended up over twice as long. If you like stories about a medieval bisexual werewolf and the demisexual king he falls in love with, and a love of books and cuddling...well, that's basically what this one is! A Leather and Tea Morning, E,6,993 words - the first of the Leather and Tea sequels! (There'll be at least one more, about which more below.) Ben and Simon, a lazy morning, and some emotional comfort sex in the wake of Simon having been in a car accident. He's all recovered and everything - but there're some emotions that need to be dealt with, about Ben and protectiveness and tenderness and care and getting back to a very cautious-but-satisfying kinky scene. Sound the Fairy-Call, E, 5,545 words - the heavily rewritten (like, nearly twice as long, new original characters, world-building, all of that) original-fic version of my old Evanstan fic Glow, and it's basically the medieval fantasy healing-sex-in-a-forest story, with a fairy and a tired mercenary and Eastern European folklore references! Plus I've managed to quote Robert Graves in the epigraph! (To be precise, I wrote the first draft of this at the very very end of 2018 - I had literally just signed the contract before last year's writing round-up post. But then there was editing, revisions, etc, in 2019. So it counts!) This story is also available as part of the JMS Books 2019 Top Ten Gay Romance collection! Come pick up a copy and discover all the bestselling gay romance authors! The Ninepenny Element, M, 12,274 words - my first published lesbian romance! With a lawyer, a witch, some hexed earrings, a psychic younger brother, and a ghost puppy! This is essentially the sequel to Elemental (m/m, E, 12,776 words), since Verity's the older sister of Sterling from that story, but you don't necessarily have to've read that one first. There'll likely be one more - I have a vague idea about weather magic, and there's more to explore in this universe. The Pooka's Share, E, 20,205 words - a weary magical cop, an unruly faerie horse shapeshifter, and some creative punishments for apple-theft! More fun with folklore and sex and two people finding each other and turning out to be exactly what they both need, full of magic and compassion. This story is also available as part of the Legendary Loves Trio collection from JMS Books - three novellas bundled together, at a discount! Original Fic (written in 2019, publication contracts signed but stories not yet published) A Demon for Forever, E, 13,752 words - surprise! I thought I was done with the Demon for Midwinter universe - but JMS did a submissions call for stories celebrating LGBTQ marriage, and, well - I'd written the proposal story for Kris and Justin, so...we should get to see the wedding, right? This one'll be out in February. Justin may or may not wear a wedding dress. A sparkly one. :D Leather and Tea in London, E, 20,909 words - the third of the Leather and Tea stories! Written for the JMS Books BDSM collection call. Simon's brother needs a favor. So Ben and Simon head to London, bringing Ben's retired-spy skill set and also some fun toys for enjoying themselves... Original Fic (written in 2019, not yet under contract or published other than on AO3) Character Bleed, E, 254,099 words. Which means...since last year I had 40,371 words done...that's +213,728 words. In a year. Not even counting the Bonus Scenes (see below) or the sequel-in-progress. THIS STORY, YOU GUYS. I love it and these characters so much. It's the most ambitious thing I've ever tried to write, that whole story-within-a-story, being about actors filming a Regency-era gay love story, and falling in love themselves. I'm just looking at it all...and I'm in awe...and the response to this, oh wow. I've been so amazed and so grateful and so thrilled - the art, the trailer, the comments, the people thinking about these characters and loving them along with me - I'm so lucky to have all of you. *hugs everyone* And now I have to figure out what to do with it, and how and where one even publishes this behemoth, and how to cut it into manageable book-length divisions...! Character Bleed Bonus Scenes, E, 25,697 words currently - there'll be one more chapter, of which I have about a sentence written. I know exactly what that is, too - Colby getting to top, albeit still with Jason giving some directions. :D The untitled Character Bleed sequel, which is Leo's story - not up on AO3 yet, though I might start that with at least the prologue, later today or tomorrow. But it's already up to 15,511 words, plus my outline... Ember and Serenity, E, 20,752 words currently - I added chapter 4 in 2019, so about +5k words in 2019, I think? I do have plans for this one. Oh yes. My librarian-magician and his book-thief...yes. And if you're wondering who hired Serenity, well, there already has been a clue... :D

A few little scenes, odds and ends, plot bunnies like that necromancer/prince opening...not sure what the word count is there, probably a couple thousand. ~~ Okay, I THINK that's everything! Which is...a lot of words. Character Bleed alone...wow. Just...wow. It's definitely tilted even more toward original fic this year, and I didn't finish 'rain on tin,' which means it's been over a year since I've touched that one, so I'll have to get back to it!

But I did get to go back and write a couple things for my old Cherik loves, plus at least some Stucky & Evanstan, so that felt good, and I'm super-excited about lots of those original fic accomplishments - Amazon sales rank, sheer length, fun with medievalism, Top Ten achievements, my first lesbian romance, and of course everything about Character Bleed, which is, I think, my favorite thing I've written - it's so real in my head, and it was so weirdly easy to write, despite the length! Thanks for reading! I hope your year is starting off splendidly. <3

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shakespeareanqueer · 4 years

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Tony Stark Bingo Masterlist

So after a bit of a hiccup concerning my email, my card finally arrived! Thank you to @tisfan and the couple people who jumped in my inbox to let me know I was being searched for!

I am making the extremely over-ambitious goal of blacking out my board. I have at least tentatively titled and come up with the concept for all of the fics, so I’ll be posting them here as I have them in my planning doc, with the knowledge that some stuff might change in the next 6 months. Feel free to hop in my inbox and tell me what you’re most excited to see, and it might get bumped up in my to-do list! (List under the cut)

Chapters from two longer fics are included.

Ghost of Unprotected Sex Past - When your daughter gets sick, you finally have to tell Tony Stark he has a kid. How will he react? How will he get involved in your life?

The Avengers Library for the Study of Enhanced Persons and Heroes - When you wake up with no memories in the Avengers compound, Tony takes you under his wing and gives you a job as librarian and archivist for the Avengers. What is this alpha, beta, omega stuff, and why does Bucky Barnes smell so good?

Row 1:

Phobia - Ghost of Unprotected Sex Past - Chapter 11 (Can’t Sleep?)

The End - Ghost of Unprotected Sex Past Chapter 23 (Epilogue)

Image of Maya Hansen & Tony Stark at New Years Eve 1999 Party in Switzerland from IM3 - The First Domino (one-shot) (evening from Maya’s POV)

TY Stone- Ok actually I don’t know what that is and I’m writing to them to have it switched out.

Dares/Bets - Ghost of Unprotected Sex Past Chapter 20 (Saturdays are for the Boys)

Row 2:

AU: 80s Pop Star - Poster Boy (It’s 1985 and Tony sneaks out to see how celebrity crush In concert. He meets her twice more before finally fulfilling his childhood fantasies) (In 1989, Tony attends the concert of an 80s pop star. 15 years later, that pop star attends his party.)

Chore Rotation - Dum E’s Big Day (What happens when Tony tries to pawn off his turn at cleaning the common room onto his poor, clumsy robot?)

Fireplace: Ghost of Unprotected Sex Past - Chapter 10 (Moving Day)

Confessions Under the Influence: Ghost of Unprotected Sex Past Chapter 14 (Confessions Under the Influence)

Writing Format- Fairytale Narration: Ghost of Unprotected Sex Past Chapter 17 (Bedtime Story)

Row 3:

Photoshoot - Ghost of Unprotected Sex Past - Chapter 13 (The Discovery) (Paparazzi)

Afterlife/Ascension: At Rest (Nat, Tony, Pietro, Gamora, and Loki j chillin’ in the afterlife)

Free Space: Ghost of Unprotected Sex Past - Chapter 1 (Three Things)

AU-StarWars: The obvious answer here is an IronDad meets Papalorian but that requires me watching The Mandalorian so stay tuned

Tony Stark/Pepper Potts: Eggshells-CEO (an addition to my Eggshells series of therapy sessions with the Avengers)

Row 4:

Amnesia: Avengers Library for the Study of Enhanced Persons and Heroes Chapter 1 (Welcome to the Land of the Living) Pleasant Dreams, Waking Nightmares (angsty Stony oneshot)

Kidnapped!: Knight in Shining Armor (When Tony sends Peter to save his kidnapped daughter, he doesn’t count on sparks flying)

Abandonment Issues: Forgiveness (Tony has an angsty but ultimately fluffy heart-to-heart with Bucky)

Power Swap: Upgrade (omegaverse one-shot) (Tony Stark is a beta but Iron Man is an alpha. But... Tony Stark is Iron Man. Right?)

Grief: Shiva (angsty/fluffy one-shot) (Tony’s friends and family sit around after his funeral and share their fondest and most bittersweet memories) Grief (Everyone grieves differently. How did those around him grieve Tony?)

Row 5:

Ancient Civilization: Snafu (What happens when the time machine malfunctions, and Tony ends up in ancient Rome?)

Learning To Cook: Ghost of Unprotected Sex Past Chapter 21 (Measure That Shit With Your Heart)

Tony Stark/T’Challa: Vengeance (angsty chat between T’Challa and Tony, post Civil War & Black Panther)

AU- Reincarnation: URSULA -Underground & Retired, Saving Ur Lives Again (Tony was not expecting to be ‘woken up’ this early and brought back into the fray as an AI, but the Avengers are dumbasses and helpless without him)

Cheesy: Ghost of Unprotected Sex Past Chapter 19 (Late Night Cookies)

#my post #marvelll #alloy man #fanfic #writing

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rumbellebigbang · 5 years

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Rumbelle Big Bang: Masterlist

This is it. The big one. The one we’ve all been waiting for ... the wrap-up, the one-stop shopping for all your Big Bang goodness. There’s a lot of awesome fic and art on this list. Please don’t stay up until 3am reading :p although I know it’ll be tempting. Do enjoy, although I know you will :)

Team Fic

This is Us - by @worryinglyinnocent: Sold into a sideshow by his father on account of his strange appearance, Rumpelstiltskin has resigned himself to a life confined to a cage, being gawked at by a morbidly curious public. When Belle French arrives at the travelling show, abandoned by her own father, she gives him the new lease of life and determination that he needs to break them both free of their cages and find a new life where their differences will be celebrated, not jeered. [Art by @novaliane-san]

What Needs Mending - by @theoneandonlylittlebird: As soon as his son turns eighteen, Mr. Gold will be able to resume contact without his ex’s interference. When he fails to make a good impression on the new librarian, Gold begins to fear something he has never bothered to care about in the past, his reputation, may be insurmountable. This could cost him not only the favor of the new librarian, but ultimately his son. [Art by @avatoh]

Take Me Away - by @nerdcafeolatra: The faeries were tricksters, powerful beings not to be messed with, and Belle knew that. but the peculiar being that she found inside the fairy circle didn’t make her feel threatened by him at all. In fact, as she became closer and closer to him, not only did she find a friend, she found out more about herself than she ever thought she could. [Art by @nropay-gallery]

Finding Stars, Not Counting Scars - by @fangirlgeeksstuff: Belle French, new girl at school, is immediately drawn to the notorious Rumpelstiltskin, a troubled, closed off guy who has a bad reputation with criminal tendencies. Will Belle be able to get him to open up, or will he carry on in the footsteps of his parents? [Art by @leni-ba]

The Missing Piece - by @ethereal-wishes: Belle French has been raising her estranged stepsister, Milah’s son, since she dropped him on her stoop at two weeks old. Belle is the only maternal figure, eight year old Neal has ever known. Life is simple and it’s good, but matters become complicated when a wealthy businessman, sweeps into Storybrooke, claiming to be the boy’s father. [Art by @virgidearie]

Fine Print - by @prissyhalliwell: A mid-life crisis can be Hell, especially if you’re running the place. When his son falls in love with a mortal, Rumplestiltskin is forced to leave his throne in the Underworld and journey to Storybrooke to break the couple up. Little does he know that this will bring him face-to-face with his ex-girlfriend, the woman he’d run from years ago but had never been able to forget. [Art by @bisexualbelle]

Fragments of the Past, Glimpses of Tomorrow - by @wierdogal: Pan’s cursed had failed. Rumple was dead and the people of Storybrooke are left to pick up the pieces. Eleven months of peace and quiet…that is until people from the Enchanted Forest start popping up in Storybrooke. [Art by @fangirlgeeksstuff]

In a Dreaming Place - by @sieben9: Belle’s mother disappeared eight years ago, and now Belle has returned to sell the old family home in Storybrooke and finally move on with her life. However, she meets Rumplestiltskin, a member of the Fae Courts, who not only seems connected to Colette’s disappearance, but brings his own host of problems into Belle’s life. As reluctant partners (though increasingly attracted to each other), they have to navigate both smalltown life in Storybrooke, as well as the intrigues and mind-bending oddities of the Fae Court to find what they are looking for. [Art by @jackabelle73]

Much Ado About Lacey - by @thatravenclawbitch: Detective Weaver wakes up to find himself in bed with a beautiful brunette named Lacey. Life would be good, if not for the fact that he’d been introduced to Lacey just the day before as the longtime girlfriend of his partner, Detective Rogers. [Art by @desperatemurph]

The Demon Earl’s Deal - by @b-does-the-write-thing: With the fate of Avonlea in the balance, Belle French will do anything to save her village, including making a deal with the Demon Earl of Lonsdale himself. [Art by @rumpledspinster]

Opening Lines - by @emospritelet: After years on the streets, Lacey French is used to taking care of herself, but witnessing a violent crime leads to her bumping into Detective Weaver - quite literally. He never thought that he needed someone in his life. Until she came hurtling into it. [Art by @evilsnowswan]

A Long Way From Home - by @mrs-stiltskin: Former Britpop musician, Lachlan MacAldonich is hiding from his past on a California farm when his life takes an unexpected turn. Finding himself facing deportation and his own past mistakes, Lachlan meets Belle French, a restless spirit looking for adventure and meaning in a wider world. Maybe they’ll find a way to help each other, and reunite Lachlan with an important figure from his hard-living, partying past. [Art by @virgidearie]

Coleslaw and Daggers - by @darcyfarrow2005: Pink. The mansion of the richest man in town, the fortress of the world’s most powerful sorcerer, the lair of the dark beast, is pink. [Art by @mrs-stiltskin]

Holding On and Letting Go - by @sarashouldbestudying: On a night like any other, Belle French comes home tired from work, and wants nothing more than a good night of rest. Someone, however, shows up at her door: it’s Gideon, the son she gave up for adoption thirteen years before. Shocked but also overjoyed, Belle hopes to finally get a place in her estranged son’s life. His adoptive father, however, is incredibly protective of him; will she manage to convince Mr Gold that she’s not a threat, just a mother that had to make a terrible choice? [Art by @desperatemurph]

Begin Again - by @rufeepeach: Facing a midlife crisis, Mr Gold moves into a Manhattan apartment seeking a new beginning. Downstairs lives Lacey Rose, a beautiful young woman with a mysterious income, a hidden past, and a nose for trouble. Young, brash, and insisting upon belonging to no one, Lacey’s brassy exterior hides a whole different person beneath. A person who, just maybe, is also seeking a happy beginning. Fifty is far too old to begin anew alone, but maybe possible together. Rumbelle Breakfast at Tiffany’s AU. [Art by @ifishouldvanish]

How Do You Sleep - by @ifishouldvanish: When retired Brit rocker Lachlan MacAldonich is threatened with deportation after a DUI, he turns to his estranged wife for help– a groupie named Lacey he married one drunken night several years ago. [Art by @moonlight91]

The Sapphire Queen - by @moonlight91: Forced to live as a hostage after the death of her father, Princess Belle of Avonlea must marry the hidden son of the despotic King Malcolm of Aurum who has some secrets of his own.

Cupcakes and Magical Mishaps - by @idesignedthefjords: Belle’s new baking hobby is halted when she runs out of a special ingredient and accidentally doses her sweets with a potion that the two of them end up ingesting. [Art by @galactic-pirates]

Team Art

This is Us illustrated by @novaliane-san. [Fic by @worryinglyinnocent]

What Needs Mending illustrated by @avatoh [Fic by @theoneandonlylittlebird]

Take Me Away illustrated by @nropay-gallery [Fic by @nerdcafeolatra]

Finding Stars, Not Counting Scars moodboards by @leni-ba [Fic by @fangirlgeeksstuff]

The Missing Piece manip by @virgidearie [Fic by @ethereal-wishes]

A Twist in the Story illustrated by @galactic-pirates

Fine Print gifset by @bisexualbelle [Fic by @prissyhalliwell]

Fragments of the Past, Glimpses of Tomorrow video by @fangirlgeeksstuff [Fic by @wierdogal]

In a Dreaming Place gifset by @jackabelle73 [Fic by @sieben9]

Much Ado About Lacey gifset by @desperatemurph [Fic by @thatravenclawbitch]

The Demon Earl’s Deal illustrated by @rumpledspinster [Fic by @b-does-the-write-thing]

Opening Lines covers by @evilsnowswan [Fic by @emospritelet]

A Long Way From Home manip by @virgidearie [Fic by @mrs-stilrskin]

Coleslaw and Daggers art by @mrs-stiltskin [Fic by @darcyfarrow2005]

Holding On and Letting Go gifset by @desperatemurph [Fic by @sarashouldbestudying]

Begin Again art by @ifishouldvanish [Fic by @rufeepeach]

How Do You Sleep art by @moonlight91 [Fic by @ifishouldvanish]

Cupcakes and Magical Mishaps aesthetic by @galactic-pirates [Fic by @idesignedthefjords]

#rumbelle #rumbelle fic #rumbelle art #rumbelle big bang #masterlist #long post

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otome0heart · 5 years

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Hi! ^^ I'm glad to find another Mitsuhide fan! Since you're open to requests, I'd like to ask for some fluff/romance with the prompt "poetry". I don't mind it being in the Sengoku Period or an AU, whatever you prefer. Thank you! ♡ And Happy Birthday!

Hello Anon! (灬ºωº灬) Thanks to you for requesting something! And for your good wishes!

As you asked, here’s some Mitsuhide and poetry. It’s set in a Modern AU (I told you I was dangerous regarding that XDDD). I sincerely hope that you like it *^^*

Title: The Poetry of Love

Characters: Mitsuhide/MC

Words: 3720 (no, I don’t know how to write short stories ^^U)

Notes: There’s actual poetry scattered in the story, three poems, to be precise.

1. Kobayashi Issa, 1763 - 1827

2. Ono no Komachi, 825 - 900

3. Kitahara Hakushu, 1885 - 1942

Also, there’s a modified quote from the film “Sense and Sensibility” (1996) marked with an *

Tagging @han-pan and @otonymous, great Mitsuhide fans, like me ✿

THE POETRY OF LOVE

As part of his every day routine, Akechi Mitsuhide walked along the tall bookcases that filled the little library he worked in, his fingers sometimes brushing the spine of one of his favourite books, his eyes warming when they fell on a title which brought back memories of childhood laughter or sleepless nights under the covers, devouring pages until the hero triumphed at the end, and his heartbeat calmed down as excitement gave way to a satisfactory feeling.

He stepped out of the prose fiction narrative side, crossed the room, passing by his desk, near the main entrance, and entered the poetry section. Despite being a fan of action and historical stories, filled with samurai devoted to their code of honour, what had truly enchanted his heart, and what had made him who he was in the present, was poetry. He had loved learning by heart the little poems his teachers had taught during his lessons in kindergarten and the first years of primary school, and he remembered himself reciting them once and again as he bounced up and down the stairs of his family house, or running around in her grandmother’s traditional garden. Those were about animals and plants, and a smile found its way across his lips as they recited one in a murmur.

Splish, splash (Neko arau)

The cat washes (Zabu zabu kawa ya)

Spring rain (Haru no ame)

That had been one of the reasons why he had studied Japanese Literature at university and why he had decided to be a librarian. He hoped that somebody else could discover how fun literature could be.

However, when he had arrived at that library, located in a little town in the center of Japan, he had discovered that his work would not probably be as enjoyable as his young self had thought it would be. It was in an old building in need of many repairs, it was disorganised and only old people and young students in need visited it. With great effort, and applying for funds to the different governments, he had renewed the furniture, sorted out the books in sections and started having small events that little by little, had attracted more people, especially children.

He sat down on the floor in an almost hidden corner at the end of the corridor where the oldest books were. It was the place he loved the most in that old building. There, he had found his solace when sometimes his efforts had not been rewarded, especially at the beginning. In those times, after closing, he prepared himself some tea in the back room and brought a cup there, picking up a random book on his way, spending hours in silence until his body started to give in to the tiredness of the day, his soul at peace and ready to face the following day with new strength.

His fingertips brushed the back of the bookcase on his left and he extracted a volume from it. It was bound in the traditional way and, opposite to the rest, it belonged to him. Opening it, he leafed through it, glancing over the numerous notes he had written across the pages until he found an envelope between them. It was a bit discoloured and rumpled after all the times he had taken the letter out and read it, but it was the most treasured thing he possessed in this world. He opened it and his eyes fell on the words that he already knew by heart.

Thinking about you, (Omoi tsutsu)

I slept and saw you (Nu re baya hito no)

In the dream. (Mie zu ram)

If I had known it’d have been dream, (Yume to shiri seba)

I wouldn’t have woken up. (Same zara mashi wo)

He read it a second time and then, put the paper back in the envelope, and this, inside the book, not wanting to risk anybody knowing that he had given his heart a long time ago to someone he was not allowed to love. He had met her a few weeks after he had arrived in the town. She was an almost seventeen-year-old high school student who had arrived there in search of a book for a project and, he could not help a smile as he closed his eyes and leant back his head on the wall, he had never seen someone so lost before. It had been so obvious that it was the first time she had stepped in that place and he had helped her as much as he had been able to in her research. She was the oldest child of the owner of a traditional restaurant he had passed a few times on his way to and back from the library but with so much work ahead of him, he had not had time to go up to that moment. Days later, she had returned with a bento for him, filled with delicacies that he had discovered she had cooked herself, as a token of gratitude, and he had taken a break to enjoy a delicious meal for the first time since he had arrived.

However, contrary to this first impression, during their conversation at lunch she proved to be intelligent, curious and with a deep thirst for knowledge. From then on, they had enjoyed little conversations about literature, animals and many other topics over tea whenever she had free time and there were no people there and sometimes, she had helped him set some of the events.

He had been really surprised when months later, on Valentine’s Day, she had given him some chocolates and a love letter. Her cheeks had been red as roses in full bloom and her shy smile beautiful and enchanting. And it had been at that precise moment that he had realised how deep in love he was with her. However, not even opening the message, and as gently as he could, he had rejected her. She was still a child and there was a whole world of wonders and experiences waiting for her. He would not be the one to steal that from her and taint her innocence. She had just nodded, trying to contain her tears and had told him with a trembling voice to keep the chocolates, since she had made them only for him.

With a heavy heart but being convinced that he had done the correct thing, he had resigned himself to having lost a true friend and a kindred soul. However, he had been extremely surprised when, a few days later, she had visited the library again. Her eyes were slightly red and puffy, and her smile a bit hesitant, but as she had told him, he was very important to her and she wanted to have him in her life even if they could not become something more.

Mitsuhide smiled. She was a truly admirable woman and he was glad that they could continue enjoying each other’s company up to the present.

“I knew I’d find you here.”

Her voice reached his ears and he smiled softly as he opened his eyes and looked at her. Five years had already passed since that fateful Valentine’s Day, and he had seen her graduate, study to be a cook and start working in her parents’ traditional restaurant, which she would run next to her brother when they retired. He still loved her, dearly, deeply. Her smile brought sunshine to the deepest and darkest corners of his soul and every time her pupils shone with excitement or concern, or sadness, he felt those emotions echoing inside him too.

“You always know” he watched her walk to him. “How’s your stay in Tokyo been?”

“Really good. I learnt a lot these three weeks during the cooking course and also, I met very important chefs.”

“I’m glad.”

She sat down opposite him, her eyes twinkling with a mischievous spark.

“How about you? Already feeling depressed for being a year older?”

His smile broadened at her playful teasing and he lifted a brow.

“And who’s the one who prefers the company of this old sulking man?”

She giggled softly.

“Well, it’s not so bad to have birthdays… You get presents, secret pa-”

She interrupted herself, her hand flying to her mouth and Mitsuhide’s eyes opened with slight terror.

“Please, tell me that you didn’t…”

She shook her head, her hand still covering half of her face.

“I know how much you dislike big gatherings. It was Nobunaga’s idea and, even though we tried to persuade him, once he sets his mind on something, it’s impossible to make him change his mind.”

He sighed, nodding absently. He had met the entrepreneur when he had established himself there the year before. It was really strange for an important person to settle down in such a place, so he had been the talk of the town for quite a few weeks. But, as the man had told him later, he needed a change of scene and since he mostly worked from home, it did not matter where he was. They had become acquaintances and then, friends quickly. Since Nobunaga liked to meddle in other people’s affairs, as soon as he had known about the financial troubles the librarian was having, he had invested money, first to make some expensive repairs the old building needed and later, when the funds from the prefecture government he was expecting were denied. Every time, he had said that it was a good investment to pay less taxes, but Mitsuhide knew that, behind that cheeky arrogant character of his laid a generous heart and a true friend.

“But please, look surprised when you arrive at the restaurant tonight. He’ll have my head if he suspects I told you…”

“Don’t worry” he assured her with a small smile. “I’ll be speechless for sure. Who knows what he’s planning…”

She laughed and he marvelled, once again, at the sound, clear like bells ringing.

“And, what are you doing here? It’s really early…”

A barely imperceptible change in her features, something that for others would have passed unnoticed but not for someone who knew her so well as him, sparked his curiosity, but also his concern .

“Nothing, really. I just-” she put her hand in the pocket of the denim jacket she wore. “I just wanted to wish you a happy day and give you your present before anyone else.”

Mitsuhide rolled his eyes with a wry smile.

“Oh, gods, how many more plans do you know about?”

“I lost count” she looked at him with a smug smile but a moment later, she became serious. “You’re a very appreciated man here, Mitsuhide.”

“I just love my job and these old books” his fingers trailed down the side of the bookcase next to him, looking around fondly. “And I’d like everybody to enjoy them and feel the joy they can bring, even just a little.”

“And they love you for it” a soft smile had drawn across her mouth as a lovely blush coloured her face, and his heart skipped a beat.

However, she seemed to caught herself and she turned her head away from him, as if she were afraid of having revealed something, fidgeting for a moment with the things she had taken out of her pocket before putting them on the floor, in front of him.

“Happy birthday” she said putting her hands on her lap and bowing slightly.

A small box and an envelope. Mitsuhide felt his throat dry, remembering a similar day, five years before. She had given him other presents, big wooden boxes which contained tea cups, or rectangular parcels wrapped in colourful papers that hid books that he kept in a special shelf at home, but never again a letter and a small box.

She stood up.

“I’ll have a look at a couple of shelves down the corridor before going home” she hesitated for a moment. “Open them whenever you want and… I’d be grateful if you read it this time, please.”

She disappeared from his sight as she turned around one of the bookcases and his gaze fell on the gifts with a feeling of apprehension. It was as if fate was mocking him and he was condemned to repeat that moment again. He did not want to hurt her.

However, a voice whispered at the back of his mind, she was not a child anymore. She was now a fully grown woman who did not need anyone else to protect her anymore. He did not have to think of what was best for her because she was the one who made the decisions about her own life now.

He realised with a slight startle that his hand was reaching out for the box and he stopped himself. What would he do if it was what he thought? He had spent so much time loving her and at the same time, repressing his feelings that he was afraid of the chance of them being returned with no obstacles between them, of setting free the fire inside him and consume her because deep inside the kind, level-headed librarian, there was a shadow of possessiveness and passion that sometimes, he could barely control.

But also, it could be something else. Maybe it was just an innocent card wishing him Happy Birthday, or some Tokyo-related postcard that she had thought he might like.

Whatever it was, she had asked him to read it and, as her friend and a man true to his word, he would do it. Breathing deeply, he took the box and opened it.

Inside, there was a beautiful leather double-wrap bracelet with a silver bellflower, his favourite, on top. He admired the work for a moment and then, put it on his right wrist. It was perfect, simple, elegant and yet, modern.

Leaving the box aside, he picked up the envelope. It was made of thick blue paper and his name was on the front with small characters, slightly round and carefully written. Inhaling once more, he opened it and took a folded paper of the same colour from inside. Her calligraphy was delicate and clean, and immediately told him how much time she had spent on it.

‘Dear Mitsuhide,

I think I can imagine what you’re experiencing as you start reading this. It seems like we went back five years ago, on a rainy Valentines Day that has never faded from my memories. To tell you the truth, I feel really stupid doing this but I won’t be at peace with myself unless I try one more time. As you said, I was a child then and, such as one, I got impatient and I let my feelings for you overflow. I know I hurt you and that I risked our beautiful bond. After my confession and our conversation, I considered myself really fortunate because you overlooked that mistake and kept on behaving the same, without feeling uncomfortable or trying to put some distance between us. If you felt otherwise, you fooled me completely.

This time, I’m talking as the woman I’ve become. Looking back with the maturity these years gave me, I can say that I truly feel thankful because you rejected me that day. You gave me the best present I’ve ever received: the wings to fly, the space to grow and enjoy that world of wonders and experiences, as you called it, and the precious treasure of your company and friendship.

However, I need to say that my love not only did not fade away but grew stronger and that my heart was, is and always will be yours.* I don’t have any expectations but sometimes, there’s been something in your eyes, in the way you look and smile at me, that never let the tiny hope still left inside of me die.

So now you know, but I’m not going to pressure you for an answer. I can wait. I only ask of you to see me for who I am now and think about it carefully. And in the case that you reject me a second time, I won’t bring up the topic ever again. I don’t want to hurt you or our friendship anymore. I cherish your presence in my life more than anything in the world.

Your faithful friend.’

Mitsuhide swallowed hard, re-reading the last lines again, before scrambling to his feet and starting to look for her among the bookcases. He did not need to think of anything. He already knew the answer. That their feelings had not vanished in five years had to mean that, as foolish as it sounded, the red thread of destiny existed and his tied him to her inevitably. He loved her and for once, he was going to follow his heart and not his logic, to be selfish and grab the bliss that awaited him, to devote himself to her until his last breath and make her happy every single day of their lives.

The library had never seemed so big as that time, desperate as he was when he could not find her. Thinking that she might have already headed home, he turned on his heels to exit the back door to catch her before she reached her house and suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a glimpse of purple, the same colour of the skirt she was wearing.

He stopped in his tracks to drink in the sight of her. She had an open book in her hands, but her absent expression and that her eyes were a bit misty told him that her mind was far away from there, probably the reason why she had not noticed him standing there, a few meters from her.

He took the first step, his fingers gripping tightly the letter still in his hand and suddenly, she lifted her head, clearly shaken, his widened eyes falling on him. All colour drew from her face and her lips parted slightly. silently, he reached and took her into the circle of his arms, burying his face in her hair. She stiffened for a moment just before returning his embrace with as much strength as him, a strangled sob leaving her throat upon hearing his words in her ear, only for her.

A Hyacinth, (Hiyashinsu)

The pale purple colored (Usumurasaki ni)

Flower bloomed. (Saki ni keri)

It was the first day (Hajimete kokoro)

She shook my heart. (Furuisome shi hi)

“Shhh, don’t cry, my darling…” he cooed softly, cradling her head into the curve of his neck. “I’m so sorry for having made you wait for so long… I thought I was the mature one but it’s obvious that it was me who wasn’t ready…”

She shook her head.

“You’re always so warm-hearted to everybody… I believed I was mistaking your kindness for something else when I tried to read your feelings…” she took a ragged breath. “I was so afraid, I thought you’d be so disappointed with me after leaving the matter behind five years ago…”

“I was happy just seeing you smile… I was ready to give you up and support you when you chose a good man, since I refused to have any hopes after that day… You were so young, I thought that you’d forget about your affection as time passed by…” he made a pause, tightening his hold on her, enjoying her warmth. “And now, finally…”

She nodded and laughed, and he felt like he was soaring the sky.

“Don’t tell me I’ll have to cancel the party tonight.”

Both were startled by the brisk comment which came from the hall where the front desk was. There, a man wearing jeans, a grey shirt and a red jacket was looking at them with a slightly annoyed expression, though his pupils sparked with clear amusement. The couple let go of each other blushing profusely in clear embarrassment at having been caught.

“Now, don’t be such prudes” he said putting his hand in his waist. “I thought you were an item when I arrived here and met you both. It was so obvious to everybody except you two” he glanced at Mitsuhide. “I was tempted to give you a push, a big one, but I decided not to do your own damn job. Took you long enough.”

The librarian looked at him a bit confused for a moment, but them smiled.

“Thank you.”

Nobunaga seemed a bit uncomfortable for a moment.

“Well, since you’re busy and I have a meeting in an hour, let’s drop the matter of the new computers for another day. I’ll see you two tonight. Don’t be late or I’ll give you a truly unpleasant surprise you’ll never forget.”

They nodded, knowing very well that he would surely do it if they dared to disobey him. Nobunaga turned around and took a step, but then, he stopped, looked over his shoulder and smiled softly, something that they had rarely seen.

“Happy birthday, Mitsuhide. You deserve it.”

And then, he walked to the door with quick steps.

They smiled at each other, amused expressions on their faces.

“He’s like a whirlwind…”

“Yes” he agreed with a fond expression on his face.

Looking into her eyes, and forgetting about their interruption at once, he lifted his hand and caressed her face tenderly, brushing away any traces left of her tears. She bit her lip and half closed her eyes.

“Sorry I stained your shirt…”

“Don’t worry about that” his fingers stilled, cupping her cheek, and he searched her eyes for the slightest spark of doubt.

At that moment, a dull sound reached their ears and, though it was probably a book which had fallen from its upright position, he did not want to risk being caught again. He took her hand and brought her behind the bookcases. Taking her again in his arms, he leaned forward slowly, brushing his lips across her forehead, her temple and her cheek. Her lids fluttered closed immediately and, after making sure they were away from possible inopportune visits and prying eyes, he closed the distance between them. He did not want any witnesses of their first kiss.

THE END

#otome games #samurai love ballad party #slbp #ask #fanfic #akechi mitsuhide #slbp mitsuhide #hbdmitsuhide #writing

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hcpefulmarshmallow · 5 years

Text

I’ve been thinking about how so much of the way Komaeda presents himself seems so reactionary, in light of what he’s been through, which can make AUs hard because even a small change can make him feel like a different character altogether, thus rendering said AU pointless and stressful for a stickler like myself. You know, a normal Monday. So I decided it’d be fun to go over a few AUs I’m fond of, and just see if I can reconcile this other Komaeda with the canon dumpster fire we all know and adore. This post is mostly for my own reference, and I may add to or alter it in the future, but hey, if any of my mutuals see something you like, feel free to hit me up.

His Parents Live AU

As we’re aware, Nagito’s luck makes it’s mark very early on in his life. First, the death of his dog, and then the deaths of his parents at the hands of a meteor, which also caused the plane they were on to presumably crash and kill everyone else on board, see here, here and here.

From that moment, he has pretty much no one to help him learn or grow or understand his emotions, or pretty much anyone who didn’t treat him like a nuisance in general. And to be honest, I’m not entirely sold that his mother and father did the best job with him that they could, but hey. They were his parents. Still, this is the assumption I will be labouring under for the purposes of this post.

Their deaths lead Nagito to grow up as someone who is independent, but never really learned how to other people very well. He only takes direction when he feels like it, and he acts as if he’ll never have to answer to anybody, doing always what he thinks is right, and to hell with the rest of it.

So what if we put them back in the picture? How does Ko’s present self change?

I foresee a person who is less inspired by the idea of hope overcoming despair, and more tired of it, or at least tired of his own belief in it. He’s seen this cycle so much by now, but has been shamed for it at every turn.

Although he’s much better at getting along with people (albeit slower to try), he still struggles to make friends. Partly because his luck makes him nervous they’ll somehow get hurt, and partly because he just can’t relate to them, nor them to him. Therefore, he has only his parents’ approval to strive for, which he knows he’ll never achieve. Whether they mean to or not, by now, his parents have distanced themselves from the son who has inadvertently attracted to much trouble - and he feels like it’s all his fault.

He swears he’s okay with this, knowing that keeping his distance will allow them to better live their lives uninhibited by his curse. However, he still wants their attention and love, and in a misguided and contradictory attempt to get it, will engage in more risky behaviour, but then hide that from them so as to not be an even bigger disappointment. Partly, though, this is also an expression of his self-loathing, and firm belief that, though he’d like to be a stepping stone to hope, it’s not something he can aspire to.

He comes across as charming and friendly, but won’t make an effort to befriend anyone, actually preferring to keep to himself. During the rare times he does go on one of his Rants(TM), he’s far more vitriolic. He won’t reference his own luck unless he must, and somehow hates himself more than his canon counterpart. He’s quicker to bitterness and secrecy, refusing to tell his parents a thing even after his terminal diagnosis. He also keeps his sexuality from them for a very long time, for all these same reasons.

Otherwise, he’s very much the same person. Still adores his talented Ultimates, still quick to love them, to die for them; still desperate to be one of them.

Various Talent AUs

These are fun because they can change based off the talent. One sweeping alteration across the board, is that he’s more arrogant, and looks down even further on the untalented. That said, he still doesn’t put himself up as high as the others, and that’s because deep-rooted psychological issues transcend ideology, especially in someone as deeply damaged as our boy. Here are some of my favourite examples:

Detective!Komaeda

I’m of two minds about this one. I like the idea that he doesn’t consider himself that great a detective, much like Shuichi. Therefore, he feels undeserving of his title. Or perhaps he can recognise his skill, but views it supplementary to the others: something he must use for their benefit. Rather than catching criminals, he’d rather solve his classmates’ issues behind their backs so they can focus on being the best they can be, without petty distractions in the way.

In this timeline, he would take on a calmer, more Sherlock-esque demeanour. Since he’s an Ultimate Detective, he wouldn’t need to try to get peoples’ attention; they would give it to him, trusting his words as true deductions. But this is not a privilidge he abuses, using it only when he has something of value to say, and keeping quiet the rest of the time. He does feel the pressure of that trust though, leading him to isolate himself in direct rebellion with his desire to make friends.

His ability to believe in others is tested frequently, as he’s often brought in on the more brutal cases as he seems to be able to stomach them so much better (as even Hajime observes in canon how unperturbed he looks towards the beginning of the game). But these cases take a heavy toll on his psyche, especially the ones that hit close to home.

Mystery Novelist!Komaeda

Nagito doesn’t consider his books especially great literature. He started writing as he kept running all his local libraries and bookstores out of new stories, and since he found mysteries comforting, decided to make his own. He never intended to publish, but one of his manuscripts was sent in without his knowledge by one of his favourite librarians, and his stories became overnight sensations.

His greatest criticism is that the people in his stories don’t always act like people: but otherwise, he is praised for how deeply he can make readers feel what his characters feel. What his adoring public don’t know, is that he’s based a lot of that off of things he’s seen and experienced, venting his own depression and post-traumatic stress into his work. As a result, he never re-reads his own writing once it’s completed. He is also critically acclaimed for the complexity and intelligence behind the mysteries he creates, fooling even some of the greatest minds who read his work up until the very last page. And even then, they’re left with a sense that the answer could’ve never been anything else.

It’s this reputation that gets him invited to Hope’s Peak, although since Nagito doesn’t think his books are that great, and because this ‘talent’ comes from a deep pain he feels hopeless to resolve, he thinks of his talent illegitimate. He doesn’t bring it up unless made to, and refuses to be interviewed.

No Tragedy AU

Ah, the dream. The kids get to go to school, enjoy their school lives, graduate and live happily ever after. What would become of our boy in the big, bad adult world? Actually, this is a favourite of mine, but do permit me a little creative licencing here. For the sake of a better answer than “he ded”, we’re going to assume Nagito either never gets ill, is cured of his illness, or his condition is indefinitely stable.

I think that, after graduation from Hope’s Peak, Nagito will never wander far from his beloved school. The position of talent scout will be offered to him due to his innate ability to sense hope and despair and talent, and he will adore his job. He even comes up with innovative ways for the school to improve, citing his own experience as a student, and the mistakes he saw made.

If and when he’s ready to settle down with someone and start a family, he will take paternity leave to be with his child, but will always return to the school. After his first/only, however, he does not come back as a scout, but rather, takes a teaching post, allowing him to, instead of just finding future Ultimates, help shape them into the best that they can be. (And also, because the hours are more structured and require less overtime, so he can be with his family more.)

For Nagito, there is no higher cause a lowly nothing like him can dedicate himself to, than to see that hope is nurtured through the generations. He’s matured a lot by now, but he’s still a pretty...bizarre teacher, to put it nicely, often going off on lesson-long tangents about how “each of your talents is uniquely beautiful, and you should treasure them and use them to bring about hope!” Typical Nagito stuff. But he does truly care about his students, and is fair and treats them well. He works hard to earn each and every one’s respect over the years. Most of his former students will write to him at some point, citing him as one of the reasons they learned to believe in themselves and in their skills. It’s not a job he ever wants to retire from.

#( i had to end it happy #you're welcome )#ʀᴇᴘᴏʀᴛ ᴄᴀʀᴅ [headcanon]

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paladinsheadcanons · 7 years

Note

paladins college au?

*puts on sunglasses* LET’S DO THIS. Also, @mal-dambra. -Mod Inara (by the way, I don’t actually know how colleges work exactly and had to google a lot of this stuff, so some info might be inaccurate)

Makoa: The old professor teaching Marine Biology. He owns a massive saltwater aquarium at home. He often takes his students to the local Marine Life Rescue Organization, where a green turtle he personally rescued years ago currently lives. Makoa is well-known as one of the wisest and most knowledgable professors on campus, and most of his students don’t have a problem seeking him for advice for their studies. All the students do need to know one special rule though, Don’t ever challenge Professor Makoa when he’s angry.

Fernando: A former Fine Arts student himself, Fernando now works as an artist’s model at his former university. He doesn’t mind holding some really extravagant poses for long periods of time, and he loves chatting with the artists (when they feel comfortable with it). He sometimes flirts with his fellow artist models for fun. He cosplays during his free time, and he makes all his own armor and props. Also takes up salsa dancing.

Ruckus: Real name Russel. Dropped out of a geology major to get into Robotic Engineering. He’s a really eccentric person, and honestly a huge Sci-Fi geek. His dormmate and partner for the majority of his projects is a reserved dude named Bart. They nicknamed each other Ruckus and Bolt respectively, Ruckus due to his tendency to be loud-mouthed, and Bolt with his immense interests in electrical systems. They argue a lot, but are surprisingly close friends.

Barik: Head of the Engineering department, and a professor specifically for the Mechanical Engineering branch. His personal inventions and projects are often made to help those with disabilities and such, his motivation being his own struggles as a little person. Absolutely no one can deny his genius when it comes to how the stuff works, and he’s won a few awards for it but wants to continue teaching so that hopefully, he would be able to directly encourage more people to do the same with their inventions. He’s rather brash and really direct with both his praise and critiques, but is overall a pretty fun person to be around.

Ash: A Sports Management student, she takes every aspect of her studies very seriously. She’s pretty popular and known to be a strong leader figure in general. She’s also the president of the university’s rugby (For Americans: football) team, which is somewhat ironic to those who know her personally, as she’s someone who likes her personal space, a lot. She’s not huge on social events, but does enjoy the vacation/celebration parties her friends and teammates like to organize, provided they aren’t too wild. There’s a rumour going around that basically anyone attracted to girls has a crush on her. @Mod Ash :3

Torvald: The elderly head librarian at the university, and everyone affectionately calls him Grandpa Torvald. He is very healthy and energetic for his age, and loves chatting with the students and staff if they need any help finding material for their projects. He has a side interest in inventing things, and hangs out with Barik a lot. He gets extremely excited when one of his own inventions, no matter how “insignificant” it is.

Inara: One of the most well-known professors on campus, Inara teaches in Environmental Studies and always encourages her students to be mindful of nature. She has a few rock gardens at home, and collects stones and fossils as a hobby, with enough knowledge of it to help out students and even fellow professors in the Geology departments. She volunteers at an environmental organization called Mother Earth’s Grace frequently. Occasionally, students come to her to talk about personal troubles, and she would always take the time to listen and try to give them advice.

Drogoz: A Herpetology student struggling with student loans. A lot of people accuse him of being greedy and hoarding his money, but in reality he just wants to save up enough as soon as possible to get out of those college debts. (SAVE HIM.) Is a huge nerd when it comes to anything related to dragons, and in spite of his financial state he has a pet bearded dragon he named Pogoz. He loves the little guy, and would punch anyone who makes fun of his little dragon.

Bomb King: A Chemical Engineering student who simply goes by B.K, he was suspended at least twice for his more…explosive projects during classes. He’s often called a pyromaniac by his peers, but he doesn’t particularly care. He does actually take safety very seriously, so he knows his little experiments won’t actually harm anyone, and in reality most of his professors know this too. It’s just that he tends to cause a lot of disruptions.

Cassie: First year student in a Zoology. She loves animals, especially birds, and keeps her pet Greenwing Macaw, Zigs, in her dorm room (it’s technically not allowed, but Zigs is very well-behaved and her roommate Kinessa doesn’t mind all that much). She’s a rich kid who’s friendly to everyone and loves parties, especially those on the beach. She sometimes adopts a stereotypical valley-girl accent to mess with people as a joke, or when she wants to annoy someone who makes fun of her.

Lian: Another rich kid, but with attitude. Her family has very high expectations of her, and she takes those expectations to heart. She’s aiming for a degree in International Relations and takes her studies very, very seriously. She tends to be bossy and demanding in group projects, which results in her not being very well-liked in her classes. However she’s the president of the debate club as well as vice president of the shooting club (with air rifles mind y’all) and is well-respected for her skills in those departments. She has a reputation to uphold, but her guilty pleasure is watching random Japanese anime, and her favourite characters are often the noble girls with the obnoxious laugh.

Kinessa: Cassie’s roommate and a Business student, but she doesn’t actually give much thought to her studies. Was held back in high school due to a few disciplinary issues, thus about two years older than Cassie despite them both being first years. She has an interest in firearms and is the president of the shooting club. She likes watching movies of military stories, and has at one point considered joining the army herself, but decided against it, mostly due to her uncle, Strix.

Sha Lin: The resident playboy who doesn’t actually date anyone, and a student majoring in World History. He enjoys learning for the most part, but there are certain classes which put him to sleep. He’s also that person who refuses to sleep early and regrets it the next morning, as he is in no way a morning person. He survives on coffee and energy drinks. He absolutely hates exams with every fibre of his being but does study a lot for them. He’s in the archery club and considered to be one of their best, but has refused the position of leadership. Has plans to travel the world and visit major historical places of interest someday.

Viktor: He’d hoped to attend college in his youth, but was unable to, and ended up in the army forces. Now a retired soldier, he has decided to pursue a degree in Government Studies despite knowing how challenging the whole thing would be, especially as a much older student compared to his peers. However, he plans to take the lessons he learned during his time in the army and apply them to his studies, and has no intention of backing out regardless.

Tyra: A Archaeology student who absolutely loves the outdoors and exploring new places. Part of the reason she decided to pursue such a degree was due to the hopes of one day exploring new places with challenging terrain. She is also a well-trained survivalist, and thoroughly enjoys hiking and camping, especially in mountainous areas. It’s a well-known rumour that she fought a bear and won, which was how she got that bear skin she hung on the wall of her dorm room, but in reality she just bought the fake skin off a random pawn shop one day cuz she thought it was cool.

Willo: Everyone thinks she’s not supposed to be there cuz she’s too young. She’s actually a child prodigy, and is among the top of her classes. She’s pursuing a degree in Botany and dreams of one day founding a botanical garden and being able to take care of all the flowers growing there. She’s a bit of a prankster, and usually gets away with her pranks by playing the “just a kid” card. This evil prick.

Evie: Currently putting off going to college for the time being and enjoying some time out of high school. She does visit her local university frequently, mostly for the crazy-good ice cream cafe they had there, but she does wonder if there would be something she’d like to study there.

Skye: She’s one of the most notable students in Fashion Design, as well as a pretty notorious student on her own. She’s a little older than most of the other studies, as she took a few years off to work before attending college, and she likes flirting with many of the other students and even the staff, provided they were within her own age range. She has some interest in chemistry and botany, and some say that she once used that knowledge to poison someone who did something bad to her. This rumour was actually true, except that the “poison” was actually just terrible coffee and the guy was just being overly-dramatic.

Androxus: Dropped out of college halfway through his second year, but a few years later returned to work there as a night guard, considering he already knew the place well and knew his way around a fight. He’s very quiet and the other guards are wary of him, but he doesn’t intend to bother them as long as they don’t bother him.

Buck: He’s a yoga instructor in an on-campus fitness centre. He’s a lot louder than most people would expect, but he knows how to be patient with his students and colleagues. He’s a fairly religious Buddhist, and was allowed to set up a small shrine in the studio, which he prays at for prosperity everyday.

Maeve: Hasn’t started college yet, due to a really bad financial situation and being homeless. She isn’t really sure she even wants to get into college though, as she doesn’t particularly see any fulfilling futures for herself just yet. She hasn’t given up on the idea yet though.

Zhin: A really notorious problem student, with a small band of delinquents at his side. He doesn’t really do anything particularly serious, but definitely has a severe attitude problem with every one of his professors and many of his classmates. He’s technically a student in International Relations along with Lian, but he hardly shows up to classes. Has been threatened with expulsion several times, but he doesn’t care much.

Lex: He has dreamed of becoming a police officer as a kid, but eventually decided to pursue a degree in Law and become a court prosecutor, feeling that it would be more fulfilling to do so. He’s a really serious student, and actively tries his best to participate wholeheartedly in every class. He’s a bit of a sci-fi nerd when he isn’t studying, and has a thing for surfing.

Mal’Damba: That one creepy Medical Science professor with a ton of wild rumours surrounding him, one of the most well-known rumours being him secretly being possessed by some evil demonic spirit. Students staying late in any of the school of medicine’s buildings literally pray they don’t run into him at night. In truth Mal’Damba is just super skinny due to a mild metabolism issue and doesn’t get a lot of sleep thanks to his pet snakes being noisy jerks at night (he won’t move them from his room though, he loves them too much despite everything). He runs on several cups of coffee everyday. Someone save this man.

Pip: An overly-enthusiastic Chemical Engineering student, a year below B.K. He’s easily fascinated with chemical reactions in general and always asks a ton of questions. Some of his professors have literally had to ask him to give them a break from answering his questions. He likes studying a little more than most, and likes to work on pretty much all of his projects as soon as possible. Whenever he has any problems he either seeks out his professors or tries to find them in the library. Luckily for him, Torvald loves excitable students like him. Pip has a little fennec fox plushie he cuddles to sleep, which helps him deal with being away from home.

Grover: The head caretaker of the campus greenhouse and gardens. He’s a very quiet and gentle person, and is often visited by Inara, Willo, and Grohk. Whenever students have classes while he was caring for the plants, he likes to teach them a few more trivial details about the plants, or maybe tell the students some interesting experiences he has had in the gardens, such as the time he fell asleep under one of the larger trees and was awoken when a chick fell from the tree onto his lap.

Grohk: A student in Environmental Science, Grohk has a love of nature almost rivalling that of Inara. He loves to visit gardens, and has a particular fondness of thunderstorms. He volunteers at Mother Earth’s Grace along with his professor Inara, though not as often. He sometimes struggles in classes due to a minor speech problem, but other than that he’s pretty happy with his college life so far. That being said, he tends to stress out quite a bit when his projects’ deadlines and exams start coming up.

Seris: She’s the head nurse at the infirmary located in the school of medicine. She’s a very quiet and mysterious person, who pretty much only ever spoke when necessary. Some people are scared of being treated by her as she is visually impaired, but Seris has never made a mistake with her treatments in the infirmary, especially when her assistant Ying is there to help.

Ying: A recent Medical Science graduate, Ying is currently an intern assistant nurse at the infirmary at her former school. She’s still new, but has a lot of fun helping the patients. She also enjoys working with Seris and has a lot of respect for her. Ying is very outgoing and friendly, and when she’s not working at the infirmary she’s out volunteering at an orphanage. She carries around a small antique mirror everywhere, which she considers to be her lucky charm.

Jenos: A professor in Astronomy & Space Sciences, he’s kinda that professor that gets on everyone’s nerves due his more arrogant side. He’s good at what he does when he teaches, and is fair with his grading, though he has a bad habit of making dumb comments about his students or colleagues to their faces. He genuinely enjoys his work though, finding joy in thinking about the mysteries of space and the stars. He likes to go stargazing on his own every now and again.

Strix: Kinessa’s uncle, and an old friend of Viktor’s from their shared time in the army. Unlike Viktor, he chose a simpler life after the military, and instead crafts small trinkets to sell. He does visit the college often though, sometimes to visit Viktor, sometimes to check in on Kinessa as he lives closest to the institute within their family. Kinessa and him don’t particularly get along due to a serious disagreement regarding Kinessa’s initial plan to become a soldier at one point.

#all champions #paladins #paladins champions of the realm #paladins headcanons #long post #college au #i got a little carried away #but it was fun

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setepenre-set · 7 years

Text

Dangerous Currents (part 1)

for @displacerghost

Megamind/Roxanne, T rating.

vintage mermaid AU.

AO3 | FFN

Roxanne is a small town librarian who dreams of being a reporter. When she comes into the possession of something that appears to be directions to the hidden treasure of Great Lakes pirate Dan Seavey, she entertains wild hopes of finding enough money to fund her own newspaper. What she actually finds is a blue merperson. And trouble. A lot of trouble.

“All of us an ample share of the treasure, and used it wisely or foolishly, according to our nature.”

Roxanne blinked at the last sentence of the book, and then frowned.

She hadn’t remembered the story ending so abruptly.

No—no, surely there should be a description of what they had chosen to do with their shares of the treasure.

Roxanne had read the book before, though, admittedly, not this copy. Great Aunt Rachel had always been adamant that this book was not for reading, especially by reckless little girls who couldn’t be trusted to know the value of a book.

Some days, Roxanne suspected herself of having become a librarian specifically to spite Great Aunt Rachel—though of course, the job at the library was only temporary, until Roxanne managed to get enough money together to start publishing the newspaper.

Great Aunt Rachel hadn’t known about Roxanne’s plan for her paper—perhaps that was why she’d willed the book to Roxanne, after her death.

Roxanne had been surprised, to say the least. But then, perhaps by becoming a librarian, she had somehow managed to accidentally impress, instead of annoy, the old woman. A rather irritating thought.

Great Aunt Rachel been given the book, she was fond of telling anyone who couldn’t get away quick enough, by one of her patients back in Peshtigo, before he’d had to go into a nursing home. She’d been the kinds of nurse that stays with people in their homes. Evidently, this patient, Dan Seavey, had, in his younger days, been a sort of sailor on Lake Michigan.

And he’d been arrested (wrongly, Great Aunt Rachel insisted), on the charge of piracy.

He’d been found innocent, and had eventually been employed by the government, then later retired and moved to a town in Wisconsin.

He’d given Great Aunt Rachel the book, she said, as a thank you, and also (at this point in the story, Great Aunt Rachel always looked arch) because he’d rather taken a fancy to her. Great Aunt Rachel had always been a handsome woman.

So the book had come to Great Aunt Rachel via her accused pirate, and then to Roxanne after her great aunt’s death, and now it was, quite soon, going to become the property of Lady Scott, the richest woman in Metro City.

It had been very lucky, Roxanne thought, that she’d accepted young Wayne Scott’s invitation to come to the Scotts’ May Day picnic. Otherwise she might never have spoken to Lady Scott. They’d gotten onto the subject of lake piracy, somehow, and Roxanne had mentioned her great aunt’s association with Dan Seavey. Lady Scott had been terribly interested, especially when Roxanne mentioned that she had a book that had once been his. Evidently, lake pirates in general, and Dan Seavey in particular, were one of Lady Scott’s pet interests. She’d offered to buy the book then and there, for a price that was, Roxanne thought, extremely exciting.

If she managed to scrape together a bit more money, after selling the book, she might have enough to fix the old letterpress machine that stood in the corner of her bedroom. And when she got the letterpress machine working—

—The Metro City Reporter. Six pages, two cents, bi-weekly publication plus special editions as need arose.

The thought of giving up the book gave Roxanne no pangs of regret; she had her own copy of Treasure Island. She’d chosen to read Great Aunt Rachel’s copy tonight, before handing it over to Lady Scott simply because her great aunt had never allowed her to read it when she was a child and she relished the chance to break that rule at last.

Besides, it was a good book, well worth re-reading.

…but that final page didn’t seem right somehow. No, it didn’t seem right at all.

Roxanne went to the bookshelf, pulled down her own, more beloved copy of Treasure Island, and flipped to the last page.

Yes, she was right; there was the description of what they did with their portions of the treasure. Great Aunt Rachel’s copy must be missing a page.

Roxanne replaced her copy on the shelf and went to her desk to examine the other copy. Damn; she’d told Lady Scott that the book was in excellent condition. Was Lady Scott liable to notice that the story ended too abruptly? Roxanne thought not—perhaps she could get away with not telling Lady Scott about the missing page?

Except—Roxanne, looking down at the book, frowned.

There was no space for a missing page; the page with the line about ample shares was pasted to the inside of the back cover. Had one of the previous owners noticed the book was damaged and tried to repair it?

Roxanne ran her fingertips over the last page—and then her frown deepened.

That was strange. There was something underneath the pasted page. A small square of folded paper, it felt like. What on earth…?

She hesitated a moment, and then her curiosity won out over her better sense and she picked up the sharp knife she used for book repair from her desk. Carefully, she inserted the tip of it beneath one edge of the pasted page and then, still carefully, she sliced downward and around the edge of the paper, cutting the page from the back of the book.

It came up fairly easily; whoever had glued it down had only put paste around the edges of it, leaving the middle clear. There was only a faint stain of paste in a border around the edge of the last page and around the inside of the cover.

And there was, indeed, a folded piece of paper.

It was yellowed and looked rather old; Roxanne picked it up with care and delicately unfolded it.

There was writing on the page; a sort of list divided into two vertical columns placed side by side. The first column seemed to be a list of locations, some of them actual place names and some of them just vague descriptions of a general area.

The second column was a bit harder to understand; most of it appeared to be objects of some kind: cloth, jewels, money—usually there were several objects listed in the second column next to each location.

One of the entries in the second column caught her eye, though, because one of the words listed did not fit with the other objects.

The entry read:

Pearls, feathers, chimera.

Chimera? A chimera was a mythical monster, made up of the parts of different animals. What was the word chimera doing listed next to feathers and pearls?

Chimera.

Her eyes moved over to the associated entry in the first column—perhaps there might be some clue there…

Cave. Smugglers’ Cove.

She took a sharp breath. Smugglers’ Cove.

There was a Smugglers’ Cove here, in Metro City. That was what everyone in town always called it, that odd little inlet that nobody bothered trying to get to because of the difficulty involved.

She wasn’t sure if there was a cave in Smugglers’ Cove, but—

—but certainly there was no proof that there wasn’t a cave, and if there was a cave, then—!

(Pearls. Feathers. Chimera.)

Roxanne folded the list up carefully in its original creases and, after a moment’s thought, placed it in the drawer where she kept her stockings and lingerie.

Lady Scott was only paying for the book, after all. There had been nothing said about any list.

It was cold down on the shoreline, Roxanne knew, even in late spring. She put on her warmest woolen stockings when she dressed in the morning, and wore a coat and scarf as well.

“You’re very bundled up today, Miss Ritchi,” Lady Scott said pleasantly, after the book and the money—so much money!—had changed hands and a polite cup of tea had been drank by each of them. “I do hope you’re not feeling ill,” she continued.

“Oh, no,” Roxanne laughed. “It’s my day off today, and I thought I might go for a walk down by the lake.”

“Ah, of course,” Lady Scott said, smiling, her hands stroking absently down the spine of the book in her lap (she hadn’t put it down since Roxanne had handed it to her), “have a pleasant walk, then.”

It was not, really, a pleasant walk, but then, Roxanne thought, that was probably fortunate—it meant no one else was walking near the shoreline’s edge.

So there was no one to ask inconvenient questions when Roxanne moved to the mostly-unused end of the beach, or when she scrambled up over the big, slippery boulders that divided the main part of the shoreline from Smugglers’ Cove.

Or when she tore the knee of one of her stockings climbing down the rocks to the other side.

Roxanne was a more than a little out of breath by the time she made it down to the ground again, and she knew she must be flushed. It wasn’t simply the exertion, though, she admitted as she picked her way along the rocky shoreline towards the cliff face to look for any sign of a cave—it was also the excitement. She felt like a child again, and not just because of the torn stocking.

Roxanne was quite a young woman, still. And besides, hers was the sort of soul that craves adventure no matter the age of the body. Her place as Metro City’s librarian was a good one, but it was sadly lacking in adventure.

Well, Roxanne thought gleefully, she was certainly having an adventure now.

Of course she knew she wasn’t actually likely to find anything. There must be dozens of little inlets called “Smugglers’ Cove” scattered all over the shoreline of the great lake—it wasn’t exactly an uncommon name. And there was nothing to show that Dan Seavey—for Roxanne had decided, in her own mind that the writer of the list had indeed been Dan Seavey—had meant that the treasure was hidden in this particular smugglers cove.

For she had also, in her own mind, decided that there must be treasure. If you were going to have pirates, then you might as well have treasure. Pity the paper was a list, rather than an actual map, which would have been much more romantic.

True, the feathers seemed a bit odd, and the note about chimera seemed very odd—but pearls were pearls. And she was extremely curious as to what Seavey could have meant when he wrote chimera.

Roxanne searched the cliff face for a quarter of an hour before, at last, she found the crack.

It was not, she admitted to herself as she eyed the crack, the ideal cave entrance. She’d be able to fit, but only if she turned sideways, which seemed rather worrying to Roxanne—what if she got stuck?

(Local Librarian Lost, Roxanne thought, picturing the headline on a newspaper. Metro City Citizens Fear the Worst.)

But Roxanne was certainly not the type to let a bit of danger deter her from the promise of pirate treasure in a secret cave, and so she squeezed into the crack in the cliff face.

The narrow passage went on for some time, turning gradually to the right, so that, as she moved further from the entrance, it began to get darker. She had thought to bring an electric torch, though—Roxanne believed in doing an adventure correctly—and she pulled this from the pocket of her coat now and switched it on.

The passage ended not six feet further along, opening up into a wider area, about the size of her bedroom in the library apartment, and the ceiling was high enough that she did not need to stoop.

The walls of this room were honeycombed with different openings, quite a few of them large enough to allow for a person to walk or crawl through.

And nothing to show which one of them she was meant to go through to find the treasure.

Roxanne damned the writer of the list in her mind—why couldn’t they have written more clear directions? Did they really have that good a memory, to be able to recall the exact hole they needed in this particular cave?

Oh, but surely they hadn’t, Roxanne thought in frustration, surely the writer’s memory couldn’t have been that good, because otherwise the wouldn’t have needed to write the list at all!

She turned back to the opening she had just stepped through, the one that led out to the lake. If she was going to explore one or more of these tunnels, she would need to make some sort of mark to let her know which of them would definitely lead her back to the safety of the beach. She had no intention of getting lost down here.

Roxanne bent and picked up a stone from the cave floor, then straightened up again intending to scratch a mark—

—and saw that somebody already had.

There was a neat X marked onto the cave wall, right at eye level, in white chalk.

Roxanne’s breath caught. So someone had been down here—and perhaps that someone really was the writer of the list.

And if they had marked this tunnel, the way out, then they might very well have marked the tunnel that led in—

It took some looking, but she did find it, eventually, another mark, again at eye level and in white chalk, next to a different opening.

This mark was not just an X; it was a pair of letters. Initials.

D. S.

Roxanne covered her mouth to hold back a laugh of pure, amazed shock.

D. S.

Dan Seavey.

She hadn’t, she realized, ever thought that any of this would actually be real. It had been a sort of game, pretending to herself that this might be the Smugglers’ Cove of the list, that this might be the cave of a pirate, that there might be treasure.

But now—looking at the initials on the cave wall, Roxanne realized, for the first time, that all of that might really be true.

She took a steadying breath—and then another—and then she stepped through the hole marked with Dan Seavey’s initials.

There was another passageway, this one leading steadily downwards. At first she able to walk comfortably, but after a while, she was forced to stoop, and then, at last, to crawl.

Fear and doubt welled up inside her as she moved to her hands and knees. The thought of getting stuck was more frightening than ever, and this couldn’t—couldn’t really be what she was hoping.

Of course it couldn’t.

But she kept moving forward, anyway. She’d come this far, and she was damned if she was going to turn back before she absolutely had to.

Her determination was soon rewarded; the passage widened again, and Roxanne rose to her feet with relief.

As she moved forward now, she could hear the sound of water—dripping and also a rushing noise, like a river flowing.

The passage rounded a bend and then opened up into a great, dark cavern.

Although the cavern itself was dark, the ceiling, high above her head, glowed softly blue—bioluminescence, of course; moss or insects or something.

There was a large pool in the center of the cavern, and it, too, glowed gently blue. And at the edge of the pool, there was—

Roxanne blinked.

Furniture.

Furniture that had been set up as if in a sitting room. Lots of rugs, all different patters, layered over top of each other, arranged with their edges overlapping, and one long rug that led down to the edge of the pool. A low table, with a single stool—and a pair of odd, low divans, covered with pillows.

A low bookshelf, with books on it—and another low shelf that contained—

Roxanne moved closer, stepping onto the rugs—stepping into the ‘room’, and shone her electric torch over it all.

The other shelf contained tools; a small saw, a hammer, a box of nails—wrenches and pliers and all kinds of things. Which explained the furniture, she supposed, seeing the rough edges of the shelf, examining the way everything was made of small pieces of wood that had been cunningly fitted together. Whoever had made this ‘room’ had carried everything here in pieces, and then assembled it themselves.

Roxanne knelt down to look at the books.

(The complete works of Jane Austen, a biology textbook, a slim volume about botany, several pulp novels, and a dictionary.)

There was an orb made of overlapping bits of metal standing on the shelf next to the books. It was about the size and shape of an ostrich egg, but flat on one end, so that it could sit safely on the shelf. At the top of it, there was a little brass ball. Roxanne placed one fingertip on the brass ball absently, and then jerked her hand back in shock as, with the sound of gears turning, the orb folded open, the pieces of metal blooming like a flower.

It was a flower, she realized, staring. The inside of the orb had been painted a vibrant pink color, to mimic the petals of a flower, and there was a metal rod standing at the center of the petals, topped, still, with the brass ball—pistil and stamen. She reached out and hesitantly touched the brass ball again, and—click click click—the petals folded up again into the orb.

Roxanne looked around the rest of the room, noticing all of the numerous metal trinkets that were scattered throughout it.

Something that looked a bit like an elaborate toy train set had been assembled on the floor near her left knee. There was a flat metal box, about three inches high and three feet wide, and atop this, a track wound wound around a group of nine little metal pillars. The pillars were, like the orb, made overlapping metal pieces, and something that might have once been the engine car of a toy train stood waiting on the tracks.

There was a brass ball on top of the toy train’s smoke stack. Roxanne reached out a finger and touched it.

She was prepared for the sound of clockwork, this time, but instead there was music—tinny music, like the kind that might come from a music box, but was actually issuing from the little metal pillars. As the music played, the train’s wheels started to turn and it began to move along the track. And as the train moved past each of the metal pillars, they unfolded—not into petals, like the orb, but into branches, painted green.

“Trees,” Roxanne whispered. “Singing trees.”

Behind her, there was a splash.

She turned suddenly, her heart in her mouth, swinging her torch around, the beam of white light hitting the surface of the pool.

“Who’s there?” she said, her voice echoing in the emptiness of the cavern.

The music of the mechanical trees wound down, leaving the cavern in silence.

Slowly, very slowly, Roxanne rose to her feet. It struck her all at once, how very, entirely strange the little false room was, and suddenly the wonderful little mechanical toys, the furniture, the books—suddenly it all seemed menacing.

There were ripples on the surface of the pool.

Another splash, back near where the lake met the far wall of the cave. Roxanne jerked her torch up in the direction of the sound. It was too far for the torch light, though, all she could see was a vague, dark shape.

A dark shape—and eyes. Huge, inhuman eyes that shone green in the light of the torch like the eyes of a cat.

(tapeta lucida, babbled Roxanne’s mind, entirely unhelpfully. that’s what makes eyes glow like that in the dark. People don’t have tapeta lucida; that’s why their eyes don’t—)

“Run,” the dark shape said, and Roxanne saw the flash of sharp white teeth.

She reached behind herself, feeling for the metal orb, not taking her eyes away from the dark shape.

Her fingers closed on the orb and she picked it up, feeling the weight of it, wishing it was heavier, wishing she had a real weapon.

The dark shape—moved. It was a slithering, sinuous motion that sent more ripples across the surface of the pool.

“Run,” it said again.

(but Roxanne knew, oh, she knew in her heart, in her bones, that if she turned her back on the dark shape to run, it would dart forward and—)

She lifted the orb, feeling herself trembling.

“No,” she said.

There was a long silence; Roxanne could feel her heartbeat against her ribs, in her wrists, in her throat.

“—please run,” the dark shape said.

And Roxanne—stared harder into the shadows at its tone.

(pleading. fear. it was—it was afraid of her. It was afraid of her.)

“No,” she said, her voice shaking a little less than before. “No, I’m not going to run.”

“Please,” it whispered, drawing back. “Please, you have to run. You have to. Please.”

Roxanne took a step forward.

“No,” she said, and took another step forward, then another, and another, until she was standing at the edge of the water.

She could almost make out a form, now, in the shadow around the green eyes, but she still wasn’t quite close enough.

Roxanne held the metal orb threateningly, just in case the creature should think of lunging for her. She heard it take a quick, sharp breath.

“No!” it says. “No, don’t—you’ll break it!”

Roxanne blinked, glanced at the orb in her hand.

Break it?

(the careful, painstaking craftsmanship of the mechanical toys. Was the creature the one who—)

“It’s one of my favorites,” the creature said in a small, wavering voice. “Please don’t break it.”

Roxanne swallowed hard.

“Come into the light,” she said, “and I won’t.”

There was a long moment of silence, and then the dark shape sank down beneath the water, disappearing.

One heartbeat—two—Roxanne thought of running—

And then—

The creature rose slowly up through the dark water in front of her, moving with that sinuous, alien grace to the edge of the pool and into the shallows.

Into the light, where Roxanne could see it.

The top half of the creature’s body was almost human, but the proportions were odd—the arms and neck too long and thin, the smooth, hairless head too large and strangely shaped.

There was—there was a sort of delicate, upstanding membrane, a kind of frill, on either side of the creature’s head, going from the base of its neck to the back of its head. Smaller frills on its shoulders, webbing between its too-long fingers, and more webbing—fins?—along the bottom of its forearms. The creature had gills on either side of its ribcage and its skin was blue, an impossible sky blue.

And the lower half of its body—

(Roxanne understood now, why it moved the way it did in the shadows on the other side of the lake.)

The lower half of its body—

—it had a tail. Was a tail, the kind of tail that fish have, except there were no scales, just that smooth, flawless blue of its skin. Two fins on the lower half of its body—ventral, Roxanne’s mind supplied dazedly; ventral fins. And the whole thing ended in two large caudal fins, just like the tail of a fish would.

It was—it was absolutely the most alien thing that Roxanne had ever seen in her life.

And it was absolutely, entirely beautiful.

Chimera, she thought. That’s why the paper said chimera.

She took a deep, unsteady breath.

The chimera flinched, shoulders curving inwards. Its neck and shoulder frills curved, too, folding in towards its body, and then out, like the leaves of a sensitive plant touched by an un-careful hand.

“Have you come to take my skin?” it asked.

...to be continued.

notes: Dan Seavey was a real person, the only person ever arrested on a charge of piracy on the Great Lakes--and he did, in fact, retire and move to Peshtigo Wisconsin, and then later go into a nursing home.

He was arrested for piracy in 1908; Great Aunt Rachel’s connection with him sets Dangerous Currents around 1928.

The line quoted at the beginning is, of course, from Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson.

#dangerous currents #megamind #megamind/roxanne #fanfiction #mermay #mermaid au #this is set in the 1920's but it's not the 1920's au #which I still want to write #(I have so many au ideas send help)#yay look ghost I managed to at least get the first part of this out during mermay #the last day of mermay #but hey it still counts #mermaids

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