#man I wish they could have gotten *this* cora across more in the game - it's recognizably the same person but she's shown better here | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

vaguely-concerned · 4 years

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Mass Effect Initiation thoughts

In short: this book is actually really good, N.K. Jemisin is, as we all know, an excellent writer! It’s the story of how Cora met Alec Ryder and joined the Initiative, and it has SO much good good SAM content and I am full of emotions.

- poor cora is so continually out of her depth, I want to give her a hug. the points made about her in the main game are true though -- she is not ready for leadership yet. (and that’s fine! she does much better with something or someone to belong to and that is so Valid. she’s an honorable Loyal Knight!!! one of the sexiest things to be, as we all know)

I think I’ll actually like her a lot more on this new playthrough now -- she must have been quite hard to write compellingly in the game because at the end of the day she’s really very straightforward and honest and loyal, it’s quite hard to uh ‘hide’ things in her character

- alec ryder deadass installed an unspeakably illegal (and did I mention experimental?) AI in cora’s head with no informed consent whatsoever. d A D

(when cora is like ‘are you actually going to another galaxy because they don’t have laws to stop you from committing fully to your craziness in public’ and alec is like *...maybe so meme* fadsfhkj he does literally say ‘this is why I’m going to another galaxy’ out loud at a later point of the book)

- this book is giving me the good good SAM content ;________; I love SAM so much, the scene where cora thinks she’s dying and SAM talks to her? when cora asks SAM if he’s okay being connected to her because if he’s sentient that matters to her (cora is a Good)? SAM explicitly having inherited alec ryder’s sense of humour and sarcasm and alec a) doesn’t know how it happened, b) distantly thinks he should probably track that process down and turn it off (and never does) and c) regrets all his life choices when his robot kid mercilessly snarks at him and questions his life choices? please bioware give me an me:a sequel with more of this stuff I’ll eat it up with a spoon

- body diverse asari! HUGE BUFF ASARI! Short stocky beautiful matriarch asari with one krogan and one turian trophy husband fast asleep in her bed in the background of a vidcall fkdjshfkjsdlhfkjsdah god I love mass effect with my entire heart

- OLD LADY INFORMATION BROKER VOLUS WORKING OUT OF ILLIUM!!!! this is not a drill what the fUCK this is the coolest shit

- fasdklhfsjkdalfhsdjk okay in Alec Ryder POV: “I don’t think [Cora] likes me very much.” Which probably meant she had good judgement. AFLSKJDHGJSDKF ALEC

he has a weird flip-flopping sense of self -- he is uncompromisingly (one might even say... astoundingly arrogantly) secure in his own intellectual superiority and that most other people are idiots not to be trusted and that he needs to do things himself because others would mess it up, and yet there’s this clear seam of self loathing around basically everything else about himself too. (You know who he reminds me of, in a more military and less visibly anxious way? Rodney McKay. Alec Ryder is like a slightly unfortunate outcome for a McShep lovechild. I think we just figured out why I have sort of a soft spot for him even though he’s a certifiable dick lol)

- this book really makes it hit home that cora grew up incredibly isolated and dirt poor. I’ve seen some people say her backstory is all sunshine and daisies compared to kaidan and especially jack’s, but honestly her background is complicated and fucked up enough that I’m just like ‘shit baby :(’ all the time

- well I have successfully solved the puzzle about whether alec ryder is an idealist or not; he absolutely is. a grouchy, bad-tempered one with no people skills, but an idealist nonetheless. alec ryder is in fact a storm of 150000 emotions in a trenchcoat, barely held in check by a thin fragile outer shell of iron lol, SAM was absolutely right to say that he was mostly governed by his feelings. (and I mean if anyone would know it’d be SAM I guess). I found some of it sort of sweet actually: he reflects in passing that one of the biggest reliefs of no longer being in the alliance is that he’ll never have to risk other people’s lives again. he fundamentally wants to build something good to help people live and be happy instead of destroying things. (he also is quite bad at predicting how other people could corrupt and use his innovations precisely to be destructive b/c he doesn’t think that’s the ~*logical*~ thing to do, so... y’know haha, maybe it’s good he went to another galaxy, the milky way could not contain his chaos)

also he thinks a lot about his wife, even though she’s been dead for years at this point. o u c h (she truly does seem to have been a tether for him in so many ways though -- like a tie to the real world/normalcy/possibly sanity, and that’s a bit how he still evokes her)

additionally: alec ryder did fistfight at the very least one dude in the line of bureaucratic duty, and perhaps more, enough for SAM to have a list of warning signs ready and at hand jdfsklfhasdjf. he did, very much, throw a dude through a table. (at least it’s implied said dude was an asshole) I LOVE that alec’s SAM is the snarkiest iteration we’ve seen and that he’s perfectly willing to call the old man out on his bullshit (alec stresses that SAM is supposed to do what he says at the end of the day, but his SAM is also less subservient and more willing to argue and discuss things than any other we get to see -- and this is of course the SAM Ryder inherits, but I don’t think SAM is as confident in being able to read the PC correctly until a bit further into the game and the twin is of course a different person who’ll respond to different things so he’s not quite as... blunt? I guess? in confronting them about things. (the whole concept is just! so! interesting!!) anyway I feel like all of this says something about alec’s parenting style, for better or for worse haha. he sort of tries to be authoritarian but his children (well canonically at least Sara, she references having yelled at him a lot over the years) aren’t afraid to fight back or scared of the consequences of disagreeing, so I get the distinct feeling his temper never flared violently like that with his family at all, I think he’s more prone to just pulling away in disapproval.)

- I enjoy how casually diverse this book is -- Jemisin has done such a good job making sure especially the human characters are from different backgrounds and places, as they would be lore-wise in the Mass Effect universe, though the games often skew unfortunately white. (andromeda much less so than the trilogy, though)

- my heart. is so so soft for the fact that a huge reason for cora to join the initiative is how much she bonds with SAM-E. and I am so sad for her because she just wants someone or something who’ll stay, something that won’t disappear on her without closure like her parents; she’s so insecure and scared under her competence (and WHY THE FUCK WOULDN’T SHE BE holy shit her parents just. weren’t there one day after she left home so she wouldn’t accidentally crush their ship with her untrained biotics and kill them all). and she chooses alec and his dream. and then alec goes and FUCKING DIES at the first opportunity Y____________Y alternate universe alec please drink your victor sullivan juice and survive, all these dumb children need you

- I am so surprised about how much fond respect alec seems to have for cora and how quickly he developed it. I suppose he has a harder time with his own children because it’s closer to home? he is a complicated man lol, this last part of the book where he shows her the ark and everything is weirdly sweet. again I think he has the potential to be a good dad somewhere in there and that just makes it so much worse that he wasn’t. (also he staunchly considers himself still a married man. god help me)

they’ve both grown to honestly love their sams T________T fml. (well alec has sort of bound up all of himself, the things he loves and their future in SAM, so it’s a bit more complicated but my point still stands) alec advocating for a consensual synthesis is very heartfelt and convincing; you really want to believe him.

cora seen through someone else’s eyes is also SO AMAZING!!! after this whole book in her head and she feels so flailing and uncertain and adrift and other people naturally view her completely differently. I especially like alec picking up on her not talking a lot. (I think this is why she responds so well to SAM, who’ll be there always and can be in her head. I wish this part of cora was more evident in the game, the fact that she has this sibling-like connection to SAM seems very important. sequel where both SAM and Ryder grow closer to becoming her actual family? please? I keep begging for ME:A2 into an empty aching void haha)

- alec ‘I don’t have time to die’ ryder still talking about everyone else being idiots as he’s slowly catching fire while saving SAM fhdjfhsdlfhasdhlfsjd he is an asshole but it is hard not to stan

- nO SAM-E D:D:D: oh well at least he’s still alive within SAM, in a way?

- hey. hey you know what’s fun. alec tries to use his last words and last thoughts to ask cora to tell the kids about ellen being alive this time too. haha. ha. fuck

he consistently goes out thinking of his family despite all his bullshit and I’m not okay

- CORA IS A PERFECT BODYGUARD/SECOND IN COMMAND AND I’M EMOTIONAL

- alec is. surprisingly afraid to hurt people emotionally? he keeps putting off telling cora the bad news about SAM-E, to SAM’s stated disapproval lol (I must repeat again: I love SAM so so much). this supports my thesis that in his personal life he’s avoidant rather than confrontational/aggressive. (professionally... again, he did very much throw a man through a table)

- man I hope we some day get SAM being this comfortably close and sarcastic with Ryder too. thinking about SAM-E and the small differences between him and uh SAM ‘prime’ it really must have been a huge thing for him too to become someone else, especially after the last person died like that. and he kind of has no choice but to experience that loss and death intimately. (now that I think about it that’s. fucked up, man. he literally felt alec go like it happened to himself.)

If I were to summarize the differences between the SAMs we have seen, cora’s SAM-E seems younger, more exuberant, shyer and more -- what’s a non-shitty word for needy haha? it’s very firmly established that cora longs to feel needed, so this makes perfect sense. alec’s SAM is blunter, snarkier and more prone to questioning things, and hilariously is sort of alec’s emotional intelligence. (probably serves a similar role to what ellen used to, actually. ow) scott/sara’s SAM feels more worried/focused -- which also makes sense; he’s just experienced losing his person/pathfinder, in a real way he’s also recently orphaned and must be Extremely aware that he now has an enormous responsibility, not only what he was built for but for what remains of alec’s family. ...poor SAM

(come to think of it I guess one vibe I get from in-game SAM is a little bit of ’harried and anxious yet loving and responsible uncle’ hahaha)

- so at this point alec knew cora could never be pathfinder after him, and he never told her. *accumulation of asshole points continues, though I suspect this might have come from a place of not wanting to hurt her again (b/c he’s the only one who has a right to know these important things amirite)* but I’m also strangely touched that the reason he’s hesitant to involve his children in the whole thing isn’t that he doesn’t have faith in them, it’s that he doesn’t want to burden their lives with something so heavy, a burden he created. can you just imagine... if this man had managed to take the time to explain himself, his motivations and his feelings to his children just once. just one fUCKING time. am I laughing am I crying I honestly don’t know

- this book makes me ache all over for the potential of Andromeda. and I don’t think it’s too late to salvage it either. I know a sequel probably won’t happen, at least not any time soon, but... *sits by rainy window like a wife wistfully wondering if her husband will return from sea*

#mass effect #mass effect andromeda #meta #man I wish they could have gotten *this* cora across more in the game - it's recognizably the same person but she's shown better here #and also yes I am just a one person 'bring alec ryder back and give us some closure' cheerleading squad right now lol

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noodlecupcakeswritings · 4 years

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Ownership - Chapter 3 (A Kylo RenxOC AU)

Cora Ardmore and Kylo Ren work for rival companies, but they don’t know that until after they spend the night together. Once their identities are revealed to each other it’s a question of who will cave first?

This fic is pure porn, pure kinky porn.

Please leave comments, kudos and reblogs if you like it. If you would like to be tagged let me know. You can find my AO3 here

Warnings: Sexting, Harassment, Dirty talk, Sexual tension, Kylo Ren is a warning, Begging, Pet names, Ground rules, The start of a beautiful BDSM relationship is coming, Teasing

Chapter 3

Cora Ardmore

Two weeks and Kylo Ren was still harassing me through text messages. Two weeks and he was still not getting the hint. Two weeks and I was unable to stop myself thinking about him. Work hadn’t been easy with the constant distraction and having to keep this a secret. If this came out to my co-workers I’d be mortified as well as the talk of the office. Fucking someone when you’re supposed to be representing your company was probably a fireable offence. And I would not lose this job, they could pry it from my cold dead hands. My phone lit up, showing me another text notification. Cautiously in my empty office I glanced at the closed door before reaching for the device. Kylo Ren I can’t stop thinking about how good your cunt tastes.

I blinked, having to do a double take. His texts were getting more and more dirty. Heat flared across my cheeks and between my legs. Your so vulgar. Looks like work was going on the back burner yet again. I crossed and uncrossed my legs hoping the heat didn’t grow into an ache. Kylo Ren I’m just honest. If you weren’t so stubborn this could be fun for the both of us. My stubbornness was a result of how wrong it would be. Yet I had to admire his determination. Perhaps I’d indulge him, just a little. Who says I’m not having fun? I added a winking emoji at the end. The second after I sent it, I knew I was likely going to regret it.

But I’d be lying if I said he hadn’t been occupying most of my thoughts lately. Honestly, he was hard not to think about. I’d been going over our night together like it was one of my favourite films, desperately clinging to all the good parts and the fine details. He was hot, that was the understatement of century, he was single, he was rich and didn’t care about spending his money and he was unbelievable in bed. That gentleman charm he’d demonstrated that night was now gone…but maybe I liked how demanding his was, maybe I liked how dirty he was. I’m sure he’d be smirking cockily if he found out I’d touched myself at least three times since our encounter. It was hard not to when I was led in bed at night with only thoughts.

Kylo Ren Careful. It wouldn’t be wise to tease me. Biting at my bottom lip I quickly typed out a response. Why not? What would happen? Fuck it. There was nothing saying I couldn’t have a purely sexual relationship with him. So long as work didn’t get involve it shouldn’t be an issue. I’d never wanted someone so badly as I wanted him. Kylo Ren Why don’t you stop by my place tonight and find out? Or would you prefer dinner first? Dinner wasn’t a bad idea. If it went well then, I would go back to his place, if it didn’t then that would be the end of it. Perhaps I wanted an excuse to dress up and impress him. Dinner sounds good, perhaps if you’re on your best behaviour I’ll go back to your place for dessert. Kylo Ren I’ll pick you up from your place at 6. I’m happy that you’ve finally made the right choice.

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Deciding on an outfit was no easy feat, my bed was currently littered with clothes. I’d settled on a black lace bodysuit for my underwear, probably because it was the sexiest underwear I owned and even then, I knew it wasn’t that impressive. However I couldn’t just go out in this. Something at the back of my wardrobe caught my eye like a magpie spots something shiny. I held out the garment, considering my options. This was the only thing I’d gotten a good feeling about. Slipping into the old dress was easier than expected, the material clinging to my body perfectly. The black inner dress was covered in a layer of black lace complete with long lace sleeves. The dress stopped above my knee and would be complete with some strappy black heels.

Makeup was applied and I tied my hair in a high ponytail. I checked myself over before glancing at the clock. I had enough time to put the essentials into a smaller handbag. Purse, keys, lipstick, mints. Wait, should I pack an overnight bag? Or would that seem too desperate? Too confident? The doorbell rang, giving my answer. No time for an overnight bag, he was here. Taking a deep breath, I headed for the door. I opened the door finding Kylo Ren stood outside in another expensive suit, holding a dozen red roses. Oh. It had been a long time since I’d received flowers romantically. Perhaps he was turning up the gentleman charm again. Either way I appreciated the gesture. His eyes greedily took in every inch of my body, looking about ready to throw himself at me but he remained composed. A part of me wished he had thrown me up against the nearest surface.

I took the flowers from him and placed them inside in the kitchen where I would tend to them later. They’d survive out of water until tomorrow morning. “You look very tempting. I’m considering skipping dinner,” Kylo confessed. Pride filled me; all this effort had paid off. But I couldn’t let him have his way so easy. He’d played a game with me; I’d play one with him. Perhaps he’d make me regret it. “You promised me dinner. I expect you to uphold your end of the bargain,” I said matter of factly. “And you think you’re in a position to make demands?” There was a hint of a warning in his tone. That predatory gaze was back but I remained confident. “At the moment, yeah,” I smirked.

The tension had grown, neither of us backing down. For a moment I thought this would be it, he would definitely drag me in my home by my hair and put me over his knee. Instead he stepped back, allowing me to exit my home and lock up. He opened the passenger car door for me, and I climbed into the Mercedes. Once comfortable in the driver’s seat, Kylo started the engine and put the car into drive. The journey was smooth and comfortable. My gaze settled on his large hands as they gripped the wheel. One hand was big enough to wrap entirely around my wrist or maybe my neck. The thick prominent veins on the backs of his hands made me feel a certain type of way, much like the thickness and length of his fingers. I wanted to take one in my mouth or perhaps take them elsewhere. My body was already craving his touch and he hadn't done a thing. I wanted him to put one of those hands on my knee or maybe my thigh. Just some form of contact during this journey.

The car came to a stop, Kylo coming round to my side of the car to let me out. He led me inside a restaurant named ‘The Oval Room'. It was well known for its fine food and a perfect place to host a business dinner. Kylo gave his name to the front of house and we were led to a small intimate corner table. A place where we wouldn’t be bothered, nobody was sat near us thankfully. I opened up a menu, scanning the pages. I made a choice, now giving the man across from me my full attention. Conversation topics suddenly escaped me and I sat there awkwardly silent. I should have thought of a topic of conversation instead of him fucking me senseless. “How was your day?” I asked. Typically boring question. But I suppose it would get conversation flowing. “Difficult. All I could think about was you,” He answered as if it were the most causal thing in the world. “Oh?”

A server came over, ready to take our order and cutting the conversation short. Kylo recited his order without looking at the menu meaning he was a regular here. Salmon tartare for an appetizer and beef tenderloin for his entrée. The server turned his attention to me, and I gave them my order. Chicken salad and then crab cakes. The server left, Kylo taking the opportunity to lean in a little closer. “Can I ask, what made you change your mind?” He questioned. I should have expected this question and I knew giving him the truth would go straight to his ego. But perhaps I could have some fun with it. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you either. Especially late at night when I’m alone in bed,” I teased. This definitely got his interest, now giving me one hundred percent of his attention. “And have you touched yourself?” Kylo asked.

I don’t know how he had this level of confidence. How he could ask that in the middle of a restaurant. My cheeks burned at the question. I didn’t have it in me to be so forward, just teasing and suggestive. I was subtle, he was not. “Yes,” I confessed. “How many times?” My fingers curled around the hem of my dress and I chewed the inside of my cheek. Perhaps teasing hadn't been a good idea. It was very obvious I wasn’t good at this game. “Three times,” I finally gave my answer. A hint of a smile played at the corners of his lips as he leaned back in his chair, contemplating my answer for while. “You’ll have to be punished for that. I’m the only one who makes you cum from now on,” he said matter of factly. I opened my mouth to respond but my brain had since flat lined and couldn’t think of a response. Heat flared between my legs and I crossed them to try and ignore the feeling.

“Do you understand?” He asked, determined to get a response from me. “Y-yes.” He furrowed his brow in a way that meant he wasn’t completely happy with what I’d said. “Yes, sir,” I tried again. “Ground rules, if you want this relationship to work you belong to me and only me. You will refer to me as sir and you will answer to kitten. I expect you to be at my place from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon unless I state otherwise. Our work lives are to be kept separate at all times. Any questions?” He listed. Firstly I needed to wrap my head around the rules. All of them seemed reasonable and easy to follow. Although the pet name was going to take some getting used too. Wait, scratch that, all of this was going to take some getting used too.

“Not at the moment,” I answered. “Good. There's some smaller rules I expect you to follow as well. If I send you clothing or underwear, I expect it to be worn the next time we see each other. Every fortnight you’ll go for a routine grooming session, ranging from waxing to manicure. All of which will be prepaid for by me.” I frowned, that seemed a little controlling. I didn’t like that having my appearance altered was a rule. “Do I get a say in some of these rules? Because I’m not keen on the idea of you changing how I look to suit your fantasies,” I argued. It was his turn to frown, “I never said that. None of my previous toys never had any issues with this rule. They saw it as a gift, a pampering session so to speak.” “I’m not like most women.”

“No. No you’re not. I expect my toys to look their best at all times. And if you want me then you’ll accept that rule.” I scoffed, fine. I’d pretend to go if it got him off my case. I’d never had an interest in having my nails done and I wasn’t about to start just for him. Our appetizers arrived and we ate in a comfortable silence. “Are they any rules you have for me?” He asked. I hadn't considered it until now. I hadn't expected rules overall, I’d just expected a sort of friends with benefits relationship. But it seemed I was in for more than that. “It’s not a rule per say. More just that I ask you go easy on me. In case you haven’t already guessed I am terribly vanilla, and I’m not used to all of…this,” I explained. “Oh I knew that the moment I met you, I could see how innocent you were. In all honesty it makes me want you more, seeing you get all flushed and embarrassed as I talk to you.”

Conversation was thankfully cut short again as our entrees arrived. I was on the verge of rubbing my thighs together for some kind of friction. Kylo took a small bite of his beef, his eyes on me the whole time. “You know I’d much rather be eating your pussy right now,” He stated. I almost choked on my mouthful, a few other tables turning to see if I was alright. Kylo was doing nothing to hide his smirk as he poured me a glass of water from the jug. I took the glass from him and swallowed a few mouthfuls before glaring at him. “Stop it,” I mumbled, now more self-conscious about the nosey diners around us. “Why? You don’t like the thought of me laying you out on this table and eating you out like you’re the best meal I’ve ever had? I bet your dripping at the thought right now. I’d have you running down my chin by the time I’m done with you,” Kylo smirked.

Thankfully this time I didn’t choke on my food. But the sooner I finished this meal the better. Kylo took his time, cutting tiny chunks off his tenderloin and savouring every bite. He wanted to drag this out as long as he could. He literally wanted to make me squirm. “Or would you prefer it if I bent you over the table and fucked you? Which one have you missed more? My tongue or my cock?” He asked. My bottom lip was trapped between my teeth as I did my best to remain calm and composed. But he was not making this easy. Perhaps if I asked nicely enough, he’d take me back to his. He’d want to hear me beg for it. “Sir, please. Please take me back to your place and fuck me,” I gave him my sweetest voice. Kylo smiled triumphantly before calling for the cheque.

Taglist: @sweetfictionalworld, @sweetsec-93, @cltex84, @momobaby227, @jana-banana-fana, @dark-night-sky-99

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yetanotheremptypage · 5 years

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Happy Fanfiction Writers’ Appreciation Day!

It’s another fic rec list! Here’s last year’s, and here’s the masterpost with links to previous years’ lists. They are all amazing, so you should definitely check them out, but in the mean time, here’s some more. I tried to tag most of the ships and/or fandoms, so if you ship any of those or are in the fandom, check out the recs below the cut. Of course, there are plenty more amazing fanfictions/writers out there, and to them, I give a huge THANK YOU! Finally, for the shameless plug, if you have any interest in any of my stories, links can be found here.

all of my wrongs they lead me right to you series (Lara Jean x Peter, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before) AO3 [In-progress]

Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky reconnect 6 years after breaking up.

Peter's hiding a secret that could change everything.

A great look at relationships and the happy ever after we all want for these two. Plus Peter as a single dad. Perfection in every story, from courtship to parenting.

And All The Devils Are Here (Rosaline x Benvolio, Still Star-Crossed) AO3 [Complete]

It's a simple story, really: Girl meets Boy. Girl hates Boy. Girl and Boy infiltrate the most popular reality dating show on television to expose its unethical treatment of contestants and have to act like they're falling in love... And suddenly, the lines get blurred between the sparks flying on screen - and the real thing that grows when the cameras stop rolling.

Did you know you needed a Rosaline x Benvolio undercover Bachelor AU? No. But you do. Trust me. It’s by the same author as Falser Than Vows Made In Wine, which I rec’ed another year, and it is just as perfect.

Close To The Ground (MCU) AO3 [Complete]

“Not done,” Tony slices a hand through the air, and Peter shuts his mouth immediately. “Because you must have done something. Last I remember, your mother wasn’t an insect.”

Peter winces, but he can’t help mumbling an “Arachnid,” under his voice.

“Excuse me?”

“Spiders are arachnids, not insects.” Mask clutched in his hands, staring at the floor, Peter decides this might just be one of the worst moments of his young, ever persisting life.

(...or the civil war biodad au that no one asked for.)

Need to recover after the Starkson feels of the recent MCU films and/or the Marvel-Sony battle? Try this on for size. It’s so well-written, though, that it could make things worse. But probably not.

Elegance Cannot Kill A Man series (Sansa x Tyrion, Games of Thrones) AO3 [In-progress]

What if a good deed resulted in Sansa and Tyrion being married before Ned Stark's death? How would this change the Game of Thrones?

A series featuring a Sansa who is strong and smart, a Varys with a plan, and a Tyrion who has no idea what he's gotten himself in for.

This series gives me SO MUCH LIFE. In a recent review, I described it as the political fantasy epic the TV series wished it could be. Everything about it is amazing. Everything. I’m on the fourth one right now and literally everything is amazing, even the sad stuff. Just do it.

Happiness Can’t Be Arranged series (Regina x Robin, Once Upon A Time) AO3 || FF [In-progress]

Set during the Regency Period, Henry and Cora arrange a marriage for their daughter in an effort to save their family’s name and estate.

I accidentally stumbled across this series due to a OUAT hyperfixation relapse, and I think the relapse occurred so I would find this fic. The characters are so well written to the point that I hear the actors’ voices in my head, guys. It’s got everything: friends to lovers, arranged marriage, mutual pining. Also, we were robbed of Henry and Roland interaction and I didn’t know it until this fic.

Home (Sybil x Tom, Downton Abbey) FF [In-progress]

The lives of Tom and Sybil Branson, both in Dublin and Yorkshire, as told through an anthology of stories. Proudly AU from 3x05 onward.

I don’t remember how I found this, but in excitement over the Downton Abbey movie, why not read a brilliant AU where Sybil Lives and she and Tom get to be happy? It is a one/two-shot series and is complete perfection.

I Wanna Mash-Up With You (Brittany x Santana, Glee) FF [In-progress]

"People think that she and Britt just fall together when they're drunk at parties, maybe in between boyfriends. And Santana lets them believe it because she isn't ready for them to know its not the falling together that does her in, it's the fact she feels like without her, she would fall apart." Brittana & Quick. Lots of Unholy Trinity & Pucktana friendship too. Canon couples.

Full disclosure: I came for the Quick, stayed for the amazing Holy Trinity relationship, and wait with bated breath for the Brittana I know will soon come alive (For realz, at least). The characterizations are on point, and I love how it explores motivations for these early Season 1 moments.

Identity series (Leia x Han, Star Wars) AO3 || FF [Complete]

A distress signal reaches Coruscant after the Empire's demise, claiming to be the beacon of Bail Organa. what would the reappearance of Leia's adoptive father mean for her life in a post ROTJ context. What would he think of Han Solo, and what could he tell her about the dark shadow of her heritage? H/L; significantly AU, I suppose.

THIS IS AN AMAZING AU AND I AM IN LOVE WITH IT. PLEASE GO READ THE SERIES. THE WORLD BUILDING IS FANTASTIC AND THE CHARACTERIZATION FLAWLESS. I WILL NOT APOLOGIZE FOR THE CAPS LOCK.

Kindle (Harry x Ginny, Harry Potter) AO3 || FF [Complete]

Life throws a lot of unexpected things Harry Potter's way, but his luck has been pretty good so far.

THE Hinny Modern Single Dad-Ish AU you must read. We’ve got Weasley shenanigans, Sirius/Jily alive and well, Teddy as the Ultimate Shipper, and Harry and Ginny being super adorable and amazing all over the place. Plus, Harry as his awkward relatable self. A 10/10 must-read.

made weak by time and fate, but strong in will (Harry Potter) AO3 [In-progress]

In one world, James Potter is wandless when he faces Voldemort.

In another, he’s not, and everything changes.

*incoherent screaming for years about how absolutely perfect this fic is: the A+ characterization, the magnificent world building, and the fantastic pacing*

Poe Organa-Solo series (Star Wars) AO3 || FF [In-progress]

“You’re Han Solo’s kid, aren’t you?” he asks.Poe has no idea how to answer that, on a foreign planet no less. There are two types of people in the galaxy - those who hear yes and want to buy him a drink, and those who hear yes and want to kill him. He doesn’t feel like finding out which type this guy is, but then again does he really have a choice?

Hi, did you know that Poe Dameron was adopted by Han and Leia after Shara and Kes’ tragic demise, Luke is Kylo Ren’s father, and Kylo Ren is directly responsible for the death of Han and Leia’s biological daughter, Breha, and deserves to die for it? No? Then you haven’t read this masterpiece. Please correct yourself.

the santiago-peralta family stories series (Amy x Jake, Brooklyn 9-9) AO3 [In-progress]

This series is goddamn amazing and follows the two most amazing detectives raising some of the most amazing kids. It’s so well written and so FLUFFY and just amazing.

we’ve been together as long as i can remember (but we only make love in the spring) (Sansa x Tyrion, Game of Thrones) AO3 [In-progress]

She is always cold. And thin, so thin. He feels her bones protruding under her pale, marble skin, even with the layer of her clothes in his way: ribs and hipbone and the sharp angles of her shoulders, shoulder-blades, the notches of her spine. He ran a finger over them, once, in one of his braver moods, almost down to the small of her back, and felt her shivering lightly under the touch. Made of steel, he had thought, then. Today, he rests one modest hand on her shoulder. She's not drunk, he knows she's not, but he won't risk her resentment in the morning.

Still, even with the privilege that is to know her bones, he wishes he had a whole harvest for her.

This whole marriage is winterbound. He wouldn't call it love.

"Thank you", she mumbles, eyes closed and face hidden on his chest. "You're a good husband".

He reaches for the tip of the nearest blanket to cover her and bows his head down to puts his lips to her forehead. "You're drunk", he answers, and she chuckles briefly, too tired to argue.

[Where all the wars are over; the Starks are starting again; and everyone waits for news of spring.]

This might be one of the absolute best versions of Sansa and Tyrion coming back to each other, with all their demons, and making something beautiful out of it, that I have ever read.

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megairishrose · 7 years

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Put a Patch on it chapter 26

Emma nodded. She kept learning important things about Killian, insights to his life. Both he and his sister were hurting. And Emma was the only one who could stop the pain and close that chapter for them.

"I want phone records, emails, traffic cameras, all plans. I want to know when any of the board members sneeze." Tara forced herself to turn back to the present.

"Tara, I got this. You have other things to worry about." Emma told her softly. "The Jewel needs a CEO who is fully focused on the company and bringing it to a better place. Please, leave it to me."

"Oh sorry, did I tell you how to run your town? Don't tell me how to run my company." That made her panic, her company. "Wow, I hadn't said that out loud." Tara leaned back in her chair and took a deep breath. "Fine, the investigation is yours. Have it. I won't interfere."

"Thank you. I will bring justice for Liam." Emma said, that was directed to both Tara and Killian. And she meant it. But first she needed some more details. "I'm sorry I'm making you relive that day, but I am going to need your side of the story." Emma told Tara gently. This was always the hardest part of her job.

Tara sat in front of Emma, Killian was next to her for emotional support. She gulped, back in Storybrooke, she had only given Killian the watered down version. Now, she couldn't leave out any details. The tiniest thing could lead to them to whoever wanted Liam dead.

She did her best, ignoring the tears that threatened to fall. Tara had really thought she was numb by now. Killian has already grabbed her hand and squeezed.

"You shot Peter? No one is charging you with murder? How is that possible?" Emma was shocked.

"He shot at me first, so it was self-defense. One down, two to go. That's what he said. He was going to kill me next."

"How is your relationship with the other board members?" She opened a file to read the names. "Cora Hart, Sidney Glass, Ursula Anderson, and Arthur Pyle?"

Killian chuckled. "The board is a necessary evil. We have never seen eye to eye on any subject."

"But no one would stoop to murder?"

"Injure maybe, but there's no coming back from pre-mediated murder. It would ruin their lives and careers."

"So you don't think Peter was acting alone? That there's someone else? Anyone in your past who might want you dead?"

"Emma, you might be under the impression that we are innocent angels. But we most likely made enemies during our younger days."

"Something like that coming back to haunt us is entirely possible." Killian added.

"That's personal, what about professional? You said that the Jewel used to be the second largest shipping company. What about the new number two?"

"That owner is honest, wouldn't hurt a fly. He was good friends with our father. We played with his kids." Marco and his family were close friends, despite being the competition. Business and personal lives were very different things and were kept far apart."

"Just to be safe, keep him on the list." Killian said. Tara sent him a shocked look. "I just want us to safe, cover all the bases."

"What happened when things calmed down at the office?" Emma asked.

"Ruby brought me a new sweater, mine was blood stained. Neal came, so did Roxanne. We are stayed here for a short time. Robin took Roxanne home. Neal and I went home. I hugged my daughter tight. Then I booked a flight to Storybrooke. I told my staff to keep it all quiet. I did not want Killian to find out that his brother via the media."

"Thoughtful." Killian whispered, squeezed her hand.

The small bar was half full when Emma entered it later that night. Well, it was a Wednesday night, that was to be expected. She had finally gotten out of the office and she need to unwind a little bit.

Blarney Stone was kitschy Irish but when you looked past the deco, the food and drinks were amazing. Or so said the review on Yelp.

One would think being in an Irish bar was the last place Emma wanted to be, she dealt first hand with Irish all day. But maybe this would let her gain some insight to how they thought.

Emma was just here for drinks; she hadn't planned on eating. She watched the bar over the rim of her glass. She had never been a Guinness fan, but when in Rome. Actually this had to be the best Guinness she ever had. Maybe it was the atmosphere. "Can I get another?" She asked the bartender.

"Put her drinks on my tab, Evan."

She recognized that voice, Emma inwardly growled. She thought she wouldn't have to deal with that voice until the morning. "Can you guys stop buying things for me? I still need to pay Tara back for the taxi and the hotel room."

"I'm off the clock, I have an idea of how you could make it up to me…" Killian began, eyes twinkling.

Well, that was bold. "I'm off the clock too, which means I could punch you." Emma shot back.

"I meant a game of darts." He held up six darts. "You play?"

"Don't think I don't know exactly where you were going with that comment, Killian." Emma said, he was not going to pull the wool over her eyes. She had seen enough of his personality back in Storybrooke. Ladies' man didn't begin to cover it. Yes, she did know how to play darts, she had pretty good aim. But let Killian find that out the hard way. "You want to take advantage of an inexperienced dart player?"

Killian led her to the dart board and handed her three green darts. Green like her eyes. "Playing darts is like anything else, you need to find a good teacher." And he dared to touch her hand and showed her how to throw the dart.

Emma already knew how to throw a dart but the closeness threw her off balance.

"Let go." He all but whispered in her ear. The dart went sailing across the room but sadly did not hit the board.

Killian took a step back and handed her another dart. With the distance between them, his spell over her was broken. She could think clearly now. Emma aimed and threw the second dart.

This time it hit the center of the board.

"Impressive. Like I said, good teacher." He paused. "You've done this before, haven't you?"

"Maybe." She tried not to smile, that would blow her cover.

"You would get along great with my sister. Years ago, she fooled me and Liam into thinking she didn't know how to play poker. Cleaned us out in the fifth hand."

"So Tara is human?"

"She remembers her humanity every so often."

Emma and Killian played round after round of darts. And the drinks kept coming.

"Wait, wait, we need to toast before we drink! Do you know any?" Emma said, or rather sang slightly.

"Do I know any toasts? You are looking at the king of toasts." Killian stood up. "Here's to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one. A pretty girl and an honest one. A cold beer and another one." He was even all dramatic about it. There was a cheer from the next table. Killian knocked his mug into Emma's and drank.

"You know, until tonight I was not a fan of Guinness." She set down her fourth or was it her fifth glass. She couldn't remember.

"Maybe there's a little Irish in you." Killian observed.

Emma could feel her armor cracking and she suddenly became bold. "You want to be the little Irish in me?"

Killian's eyes bugged. That was a first. No woman had played the game as well as he had before. "Wow, you are drunk. I am cutting you off." He signaled to Evan. Then Killian leaned close. "And there's nothing little about it, I assure you."

Emma giggled then something in her face changed. "I could be Irish for all I know. My parents left me on the side of the road when I was a few hours old. I know nothing of my roots. I envy you, Killian. Not only can you trace your family back, you have connections with them. Names, dates, details, relationships. I have none of that."

Killian led her to a booth, she should not be on her feet after baring her heart. "You'll find your parents and have everything you ever wanted." He had faith.

"I tried, it's a dead end. So I just to focus on the here and now. It hurts less." Emma said.

"What about the future?"

That made her pause. Her future? She had a decent job, a least now she did. What more did she want? Love, a family, happiness? Pipe dreams, all of them. She couldn't just wish on a star and everything would magically happen. No, Emma Swan had to work for what she wanted. "The future? I don't even know what I'm wearing tomorrow." She joked, her preferred method of protection.

Killian wanted to joke about what Emma should or rather should not wear the following day but decided against. He could relate, slightly. He had always felt like the black sheep in his family. Emma was the only sheep in her family.

They locked eyes for a moment and it looked like she was going to…

"Killian!" A young woman's voice broke their moment. She bounced over to the booth. "I'm going to do my first Irish car bomb! Do it with me."

Emma studied the girl, she looked too young to be drinking and there was something familiar about her.

"I'm getting too old for this." Killian said under his breath but he did pull himself to his feet. "Emma, this is Kathleen McCartney, my cousin. She just turned twenty-one. Kathleen, this is Detective Emma Swan. She is helping us at the office." That was the best way to word it.

Oh, cousin, no wonder they looked alike. At least it hadn't taken Emma as long to realize like with Tara and Killian.

Kathleen's eyes widened. "Helping at the office… wait, are you going to catch the bastard who killed Liam?"

"Kathleen, language!" Killian sounded horrified.

"What, my parents aren't around." She shrugged.

"Excuse me, I'll be right back." Killian led Kathleen to the bar." One car bomb then I need to leave. I'll have Evan keep an eye on your drinking tonight."

"He would do that without being asked."

"That's what cousins are for."

Killian was right, he was not as young as he used to be. He could still handle his liquor but no need to push the limits. He half swayed back to the booth. Shockingly, Emma was still there. There was an empty glass in front of her.

"It's just water." She saw the look on his face.

"Good, as much as I want to help the damsel in distress get back to her room…"

"I think you are the damsel here, Killian." She got to her feet and grabbed his arm.

"Whatever floats your boat, lass." He tended to revert to terms of endearment when he drank.

"Lass? Wow, now you are drunk. You need to go home."

"No, I am taking you to your hotel, then I will call a cab."

"Seriously?"

"It's good form."

Emma decided not to fight him. They walked onto the street and headed to her hotel.

The night air seemed to wake Killian up. He realized Emma's arm was linked through his. He wasn't sure who that was for more and he wasn't going to question it.

They finally got to the front of the Mark hotel. Killian and Emma stood there staring at each other, unsure what to say or do.

Emma got herself together first. "I had a good time tonight, Killian." She was being honest. At least she wasn't drunk, drunk Emma did stupid things. But tipsy Emma?

She meant to kiss his cheek, but she missed the target. It was an accident, on purpose maybe. And Killian didn't stop her.

They fit together.

One of his hands rested on her waist while the other one was tangled in her hair. Emma's hands were tight on his collar.

Kissing him made her drunk and she didn't want to be sober. Apparently Emma now thought in clichés.

But she had to end it, before someone got hurt. She was working for his family; he was part of the job.

Emma pulled back and had to catch her breath. Killian's own breath was ragged. "Good night, Mr. Jones." She suddenly became professional.

He took the hint, reluctantly. Killian took a step back. "Good night, Detective Swan."

Emma entered the building and forced herself not to turn around.

So she didn't see Killian touch his lips and blink a few times.

Last night was stupid. Emma was never going to drink again. If she was being honest, she wouldn't have been surprised to wake up next to him. But she had shown self-control and shockingly so had Killian.

Last night had been a one-time thing. Things were going to be professional between them going forward. She wasn't going to touch him or be around him outside of the office.

Last night had been a moment in Heaven.

Emma slapped herself. "Pull yourself together. He has women lining up for him. Don't be one of those." God, she was at the pep talk stage.

She had to get the Jewel before he did, lock herself in her office and pretend to be on the phone all day. Anything to avoid talking to Killian.

That was her plan and it worked perfectly until she saw Killian out of the corner of her eyes. Actually she saw the flowers first.

Emma panicked and ducked under the first desk she saw. Flowers! Flowers? Pink carnations to be exact. Seriously, how old school was that?

"What are you doing under my desk?"

Emma looked up and saw a frazzled Noelle staring down at her. "Killian and I might have had a moment last night and now he has flowers."

Noelle was stunned then looked at the calendar. "Those flowers aren't for you."

"What?" Who did Killian bring flowers for? Emma was curious and maybe a little jealous, dare she say it.

"You're an idiot. If you have a few free minutes, I'll show you."

Around twelve thirty, Noelle knocked on Emma's office door. "You got a free few minutes?"

"Yeah." Emma was curious. She hated to admit it, but Killian fascinated her. He put on a cocky face most of the time but occasionally there was a reliable and caring person.

Noelle led her down a hallway to where Tara and Killian had their offices. She opened one of the doors. Emma peered in, there was only a table in the middle of the room. On the table were seven vases and a few battery operated candles.

Emma quickly spotted the flowers in one of the vases. There was something taped to it.

Kathleen Jones.

"That's their mother." Noelle stated the obvious. "Today is her birthday."

Emma saw the year of death and quickly did the math. Killian was just two years old. Was he just a motherless child?

Then she read the other cards on the vases.

Donald Jones.

Sophia Jones.

Robert McCartney.

Claire McCartney.

Michael Jones.

Liam Jones.

"It's a tradition that Mr. Jones, their father, started. New flowers on birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and the day they passed."

"Kind of morbid?" Emma remarked, hoping Noelle wouldn't judge.

Noelle gave her a hard stare. "You haven't been here long enough but family means everything to Tara and Killian."

#once upon a time #killian jones #fan fiction

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