Draco x hand-out candy
happy valentine!!!!! (to my fictional ships)
finally a new installment of Draco having a secret crush on hermione series hehe

Andulka
Show & Tell
Cosmic Funnies
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ojovivo
Game of Thrones Daily
Misplaced Lens Cap

JVL
Stranger Things
styofa doing anything
occasionally subtle

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Origami Around

titsay
sheepfilms

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almost home
Sweet Seals For You, Always
YOU ARE THE REASON
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@jungkooks-tea
Draco x hand-out candy
happy valentine!!!!! (to my fictional ships)
finally a new installment of Draco having a secret crush on hermione series hehe
Quote of the day
I’m seeing a lot of people saying this post changed their brain chemistry, and as a neuroscientist I wanted to say yes!!! Yes it does!
Wanting something requires dopamine signaling, but liking something doesn’t.
If you have a mental illness/disorder that affects dopamine, you might feel that you don’t want to do the things that you like. You do still like them. You will appreciate having done them.
Let your likes guide you.
(If you want to read more, here’s one experimental paper about it. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5171207/ This theory called the incentive-sensitization theory was originally created to explain behaviors in addiction but can be applied elsewhere as well)
Rewards are both ‘liked’ and ‘wanted’, and those two words seem almost interchangeable. However, the brain circuitry that mediates the psych
Sakura Haruno fic recs: SasuSaku
Sakura and Sasuke are my personal favourite couple from canon Naruto. I know that as much as fans love them, there are also plenty which truly hate them together, but I believe that just stems from a lack of understanding of their characters.
Their relationship as a whole is very complicated and if the slightest detail is done wrong, then everything falls apart. However, when done well, they are really quite beautiful.
I've decided to create this list dedicated to them as a pairing. Most (if not all) of these recommendations will be fairly accurate to their characters. Anyway, I'll probably add onto this list soon since I need to go through my ffn favourites.
Started: 2025.04.17
Last Updated: 2025.04.17
note: feel free to check out my master list which has a bunch of Sakura Haruno fic recs (all organized)!
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In due time - plumblossomed || ao3 || M || sasusaku || modern AU || one-shot complete
Sasuke and Sakura meet and fall in love in their 40s.
In Due Time is a lovely modern AU that follows Sasuke and Sakura finding love at a later stage in their lives. With both of them being skilled doctors, love just took a little longer with them being more career focused. It's a very sweet read and I thoroughly enjoyed their ages here. Sasuke and Sakura's relationship feels genuine. It's not about extravagant gestures or lengthy love confessions, but rather just finding someone you can enjoy your time with.
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Approaching Sun - ANerdInAllHerGlory || ao3/ffn || M || sasusaku || blank period || ongoing
After 2 years of traveling on his own, Sasuke returns to the village where friends anxiously await him. Still troubled by the mysteries of Kaguya and his personal guilt, Sasuke is split between friends and his journey. Troubled by rising casualties and international dependence on her abilities, Sakura is torn between her love for Sasuke and her duty to her village. Taking a chance on love, Sakura joins Sasuke on his next mission in his search for traces of the Otsusuki in the deserts of Sunagakure.
Approaching Sun is the ultimate slow burn blank period fanfic!! And when I say slow burn here, I mean it haha. I cannot rave about this one enough because I genuinely think it's so well done. The characters feel very accurate to themselves and the details included are such a treat. For those of you that read the novels, this might be for you since there are plenty of references here. Also, Sakura and Sasuke's relationships with Kakashi is precious. I believe the author is just finishing up too.
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Rays of Spring Sunshine - sparklyfaerie || ao3 || M || sasusaku || childhood friends AU || complete
Sakura had been by his side since he lost his family, following him around since they were seven years old, trying to ease his loneliness in whatever way she could. He didn’t even know why he allowed it. He just silently allowed her to claim the seat next to him at the beginning of every term.
Perhaps one of the most canon accurate depictions I've read of their characters. I will note that things stay pretty close to the manga in Rays of Spring Sunshine, but things definitely get shaken up near the end and for the next in the series. Ah yes, I should mention that this is the first work. Anyway, I highly recommend if you like reading about them during the genin days. Sasuke is rather gruff and aloof, but deep down he does care for Sakura a great lot. Really well written.
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The Long Way Home - thegeneralgirl || ao3 || T || sasusaku || amnesia AU || complete
Sakura finds Sasuke again in Wind Country five years after the war. He's supposed to be dead and she's supposed to be beyond caring, but neither of them likes to live up to expectations.
Sasuke is living the life of a civilian in his state of amnesia when Sakura finds him. Nonetheless, upon meeting Sakura he finds himself intrigued by the ways of shinobi. Loved it!
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Choosing Fate - plumblossomed || ao3 || M || sasusaku || no chakra AU || complete
They married for duty, not for love. She was fresh air and spring breeze while he was scorching flames and summer heat. Still, they’d come to find out they were two halves of the same whole.
In a world without their powers, Sasuke and Sakura are forced into an arranged marriage. I enjoyed how they slowly warmed up to each other. Sakura feels that she's been stripped of her freedom and person, but through small actions on Sasuke's part she is able to find herself once again.
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Synergy - bttrmllw || ao3 || M || sasusaku || Mulan AU || complete
AU. Mulan-inspired. In which Haruno Sakura poses as a man to join the ranks of the Konoha army and General Uchiha Sasuke is very, very confused.
For those of you that love secret identity! Set in a very interesting AU where only men can enter into the shinobi ranks and women are left as medics. Sakura infiltrates, left under Sasuke's command, to save someone precious to her and proves her strength while she's at it. Definitely BAMF Sakura!
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Something Left to Save - helena3190 || ao3 || M || sasusaku || post-war || ongoing
In the aftermath of the shinobi war to save the world, from their own war to save Sasuke's soul, Team Seven adjusts, mends severed bonds, and strives to love.
Something Left to Save is another favourite of mine! Most fanfics that take place after the war are during the blank period; however, this here covers the time directly following. Sasuke isn't quite forgiven and Sakura is still struggling with all of the recent events. There is more of a focus on team bonding than romance, but it's certainly present as well. Such a lovely slow burn and lots of just character healing all around. With that said, don't go thinking that this is fluffy because there is a lot of hurt. Also, Sai and Yamato are included, which makes me so happy!
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Markings - CatFlorist || ao3 || M || sasusaku || post-war || complete
After the war, Sakura steals the hearts of Team Taka. Sasuke doesn’t know how to feel about this. All about healing and friendship for Sakura and Sasuke (and Team Taka/Team Seven).
Markings is a super cute and fairly short fic that follows Sakura bonding with Team Taka directly after the war. Sasuke gets a little jealous and Suigetsu is flirtatious! I think Team Taka are all super fun characters, so I found this quite enjoyable.
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A Day Apart by rabbitholessk || ao3 || T || sasusaku || orphan AU || incomplete
Sasuke and Sakura go through similar traumatic experiences a day apart from the other. They are placed into a tough situation after their experiences. How will two traumatized eight year olds deal with growing up and their pasts. Canon divergent, slow build/burn. Ratings may change.
Oh, how I hope this gets continued! Sakura and Sasuke both lose their families just days apart and are assigned to live together in a shared apartment. Honestly such a sweet yet sad read. You watch them struggle with their own trauma, puberty (yikes), and how to deal with each other. They slowly warm up and now on Team 7 together they have a new family.
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Changing Chance by DancingInTheDark282 || ao3 || G || sasusaku || time travel AU || complete
Sakura had experienced many weird things in her life. But travelling 17 years into the past, saving Naruto's parents, battling Madara Uchiha, and doing it with Sasuke of all people, had to be at the top of her list.
Ok, so this actually got completed today!! I love time travel AUs and Changing Chance has both Sakura and Sasuke go back together. To make matters even better, Minato, Kushina, and Kakashi are all fairly major characters.
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Hatsukoi - sparklyfaerie || ao3 || sasusaku || gen || non-massacre AU || complete
Sasuke leans away as the girl turns to him, and his mother doesn't need to be any closer to guess as to the expression on his face. The girl's body language changes in an instant, and Mikoto recognizes the posture of a little girl in love. It's kind of adorable.
Probably one of the cutest sasusaku fics I have read as Hatsukoi follows them from genin to marriage! It's told in multiple perspectives and it's full of tooth rotting fluff. You get to watch the slow progression of their relationship over time and how they grow even closer in Naruto's absence. Definitely read is you want something light!
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Louder than Words - SouthSideStory || ao3 || T || sasusaku || non-massacre AU || complete
Sakura hasn’t uttered a single word since the day her family died, but Sasuke is determined to hear her, one way or another. (No Uchiha massacre AU.)
Louder Than Words is another short read where Sakura joins the Uchiha household after Fugaku finds her on a mission. She's non-verbal here, but Sasuke finds a way to make it work nonetheless.
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Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Tozette || ao3 || T || sasusaku || blank period || one-shot complete
Sasuke is actually eighteen the first time he looks at Sakura and realises abruptly that he wants her.
I think we all know by now that Sasuke has always been attracted to strength, power, so why not when it comes to romance? Essentially, one day on a mission, Sasuke discovers he has a strength kink. Watching him continuously get flustered throughout the fic because of his admiration towards Sakura's strength is so entertaining. Really fun read
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Heat - Lady Otori || ffn || M || sasusaku || blank period || incomplete
Sasuke's temperature has always run higher than most, and Sakura has always, always burned for him. Moments of heat, spent together in the time after his return. [SasuSaku] [Blank Period] [Team 7 Friendship] [Slow Burn / Eventual Smut]
This screams summer to me, so I thought it was fitting to recommend Heat considering the time of the year! I love how Sai is included and how Kakashi jokes around with them. Not to mention just general team bonding!! The characterizations are all quite well done and this is just overall a great read.
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Most of these are from ao3, but I have loads from ffn that I read and loved, so I will definitely share at some point. However, I just find it such a pain going through my favourites on that site haha.
DRAMIONE FIC RECS + WHY YOU SHOULD READ THEM — 100k+ words edition
hogwarts: a home by coralcollective — reimagined horcrux hunt. draco is so down bad for hermione and the smut is crazyyy. theo/hermione friendship. pansy is the breakout character and you'll love her. there's nsfw art and inappropriate use of the malfoy signet ring. please check the tags! (it says incomplete on ao3, but it's only missing epilogues so don't be afraid of starting it)
word count: 372,978
chapters: 67/70
the commoner's guide to bedding a royal by olivieblake — god, this fic!!!! it's a modern royal au and the ensemble of characters make this whole world feel so alive. it's inspired by will/kate and harry/meghan and it's sooo cute. theo and daphne were the breakout characters and i love them dearly. if you're looking for a lighthearted romcom-esque, occasionally angsty (because duh!) fic, this is it!!! i probably read this in two days which is insane considering the word count, but that should just tell you how lovely this whole fic was. there's a second part to this if you're itching for more afterwards (and it's just as good!)
word count: 503,570
chapters: 45/45
draco malfoy and the mortifying ordeal of being in love by isthisselfcare — honestly if you haven't read this yet..... this is god tier. a CLASSIC. this should be taught in the schools. hermione's a magical researcher / healer and draco's one of the best aurors out there. he's assigned to protect hermione because she's in the midst of a big discovery. hermione's not happy about it and draco isn't either. slow burn!! idiots in LOVE!! forced proximity!!!!! EMBEDDED ART!!! honestly this is the fic that made me want to learn how to bind which is so serious and if you haven't read this yet you need to.
word count: 199,548
chapters: 36/36
the disappearances of draco malfoy by speechwriter — this is my new canon. it's a deathly hallows rewrite where draco accepts dumbledore's offer to fake his death and go into hiding with the order. enemies to friends to lovers. i honestly can't even remember what happened in canon because this is IT for me.
word count: 289,780
chapters: 33/33
this world or any other series by olivieblake — includes clean (book one) and marked (book two). anything by olivieblake should be a must-read, i swear to god. this one starts as a year 6 slow burn. draco and hermione are assigned partners for potions and it all snowballs from there. olivie writes so beautifully and her characterizations for hermione / draco are so good. slight warning for marked: this destroyed me and i pretend it doesn't exist, but it's still a must-read.
word count: 118,892 & 178,268
chapters: 31/31 & 39/39
rights and wrongs series by lovesbitca8 — you want fluffy dramione? read the first two parts of the rights and wrongs series. you want dark and heavy dramione? read the auction, an alternate universe of the fluffy dramione, where voldemort wins and they all get auctioned off to death eaters. please check the tags for the voldy wins au! all three were chef's kiss and coming from someone who isn't a fan of dark aus, reading the first two helped me get through the auction because you know where draco's coming from / what's in his head. you can just read the auction without reading the first two parts unless you like catching parallels and having more depth / context (which i very much love).
word count: 174,911 & 160,297 & 325,876
chapters: 36/36 & 24/24 & 41/41
I Want You to Stay (Series Masterlist) | JJK
Pairing: Jungkook x (f.) Reader
Genre/Tags: boss!JK x assistant!reader; idiot strangers to lovers; slow slow burn; k-drama feels (What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim-inspired); angst, drama, fluff, smut
Series Warnings: foul/explicit language; alcohol consumption & passing out, unhealthy coping mechanisms; family drama; minor injuries; power dynamics (JK starts off as a jerk); work-related anxiety, feelings of helplessness, insecurities; childhood traumatic experiences, nightmares; sexual harassment, prior incidence of domestic violence (PLS PLS BE CAREFUL WHEN READING); arts and business/property devt talk that’s probably inaccurate; commitment issues & emotionally constipated characters; cold and detached JK; explicit sexual content (specific warnings stated per chapter) (18+)
Word count: 261.3k
Status: Complete
Series summary: Working for Jungkook isn’t the same as working for Hoseok. For starters, Jungkook doesn’t smile, he doesn’t appreciate you, and he gives you too much work. It doesn’t help that he’s incredibly handsome and has women at his beck and call. But as the tension grows, it becomes impossible to resist him. You've dedicated yourself to your job for 8 years so when you finally decide to put yourself first, he asks you to reconsider. And while you know that leaving is difficult, you learn that when it comes to Jungkook, staying is always so much harder.
Inspiration: Stay by Mikky Ekko
A/N: Hiii I am BAAACK! 🫡 This story is finally seeing the light of day after 3 years. I feel a little rusty, especially this being my first new JK series in 1.5 years! But it's also been a bit rough getting back into writing (and in Tumblr) after so long and after the year that was, so there won't be a schedule for chapter releases and I'll probably be a lot slower than usual. I wasn't sure if I was gonna go back to writing but I realized that I've missed interacting with you guys and screaming about stories so I do hope you give this some love. Fair warning that it's a really slow burn and some scenes are reminiscent of k-dramas. There are also sensitive and triggering topics so please proceed with caution!
And lastly, my biggest love and deepest gratitude to @wonwoonlight who's been the sweetest and loveliest person to talk to about everything, including this story. 🫶🏼 I give her credit for her amazing photos of Seoul (check moodboard) and for being the playlist manager. Please send her love as well!💕
Season 1 -> Playlist 🎶: on the way home
Episode 1 (wc: 12k)
Episode 2 (wc: 11.9k)
Episode 3 (wc: 14.8k)
Episode 4 (wc: 11.4k)
Episode 5 (wc: 14.8k)
Episode 6 (wc: 14.6k)
Episode 7 (wc: 15.4k)
Episode 8 (wc: 17.4k)
Episode 9 (wc: 18.4k)
Episode 10 (wc: 20.6k)
Episode 11 (wc: 23.5k)
Episode 12 (wc: 24.7k)
Episode 13 (wc: 29k)
Episode 14 - End (wc: 32.8k)
Season 2 (??)
Waaaaaaahhhhh Mimi!!! What a masterpiece! I binged in 2 days, I am demolished, destroyed, ravaged, mind blown, heartbroken and then built back up again WOW.
The way I BOOHOOED MULTIPLE TIMES should be researched.
Yoongi is an A+ solid friend in this. “But it’s not the only thing they can do” that line and sentiment is not gonna leave me for a while or maybe ever.
The slowest of burns in the best way (if you’re into that, i am) and the maddening torture was WORTH IT. I wouldn’t change a thing. These characters story had such rich and complete development, the immersion into the story can’t be avoided - I mean who would want to anyways.
Mimi, you are a gem. I can physically feel the energy you put into this. Can’t wait to see what’s coming next from you.
Solavellan fic recs please I’m so hungry 🥺🥺
oh I'd love to provide! these have been my personal favorites so far (also fair warning, I am a solavellan fucked in DAI truther and that is reflected in my choices below so your mileage may vary)
Everything by niceasspavus - especially their fic Servitude which is an absolute masterwork. The prose is succinct but spectacular, the smut is excellent and never feels out of place (smut sometimes can with solavellan okay) and they dig into Solas' mind in a really beautiful way. They also started a modern AU fic and while that's not usually my trope at all, I've actually read what they have posted so far like three times because it's so good. Can't wait to see if they grace us with more.
Fellchaser by @rosieofcorona - Okay make that literally anything Darcy touches I recommend but Fellchaser is...I want to plaster my walls with it. The walls of my mind prison at least. The first time I read it, I literally read it five times back to back to back (I was admittedly very high but that's NOT THE POINT) because I was so taken with the prose and every detail. It is absolute perfection, seriously, the only thing wrong with it is that it isn't 100k words
What He Wouldn't Give by sugarhihello - a devastating take what happens immediately after the Crestwood scene we know and hate to love. I'm scared of writers who can make me want more of a scene like that and yet this fic gives me that
The Waiting by say_lene - solavellan thigh riding, need I say more?
Even Gods Need Miracles by callmebecks - A study of Solas' mindset from DAI to now include the DAV ending.
A Field as Wild as Your Heart by lillith_morgana - An exceptional take on the solavellan ending/post-DAV with gorgeous prose
Dreadful Recollections by @scaryanneee - if you know me from the bg3 era at all, you know Think of Me is a smut of all time so scaryanne joining us in solavellan hell has been SO FUN (for me personally at least eheheh) This little smut is so brilliant because it truly gave me so many ideas to play with for my own ship during this time period while also being so hot??? Also just read the tags on this and you know you're in for a great time
Handle With Care by feynite - I'm sure you've seen feynite if you've looked at solavellan fics because Looking Glass is the biggest one but I think this is just a really excellent little fic of theirs. Sad AND sexy - what every Solas fan is looking for I think
solavellan moots, please feel free to add on - I'm always looking for more and I'm sure others are too! anon - hope this gave you some tasty morsels and feel free to come back if you need more! xoxox
Writing Tips Master Post
Character writing/development:
Character Arcs
Making Character Profiles
Character Development
Comic Relief Arc
Internal Conflict
Character Voices
Creating Distinct Characters
Suicidal Urges/Martyr Complex
Creating Likeable Characters
Writing Strong Female Characters
Writing POC Characters
Building Tension
Plot devices/development:
Intrigue in Storytelling
Enemies to Lovers
Alternatives to Killing Characters
Worldbuilding
Misdirection
Consider Before Killing Characters
Foreshadowing
Narrative:
Emphasising the Stakes
Avoid Info-Dumping
Writing Without Dialogue
1st vs. 2nd vs. 3rd Perspective
Fight Scenes (+ More)
Transitions
Pacing
Writing Prologues
Dialogue Tips
Writing War
Writing Cheating
Worldbuilding:
Worldbuilding: Questions to Consider
Creating Laws/Rules in Fantasy Worlds
Book writing:
Connected vs. Stand-Alone Series
A & B Stories
Writer resources:
Writing YouTube Channels, Podcasts, & Blogs
Online Writing Resources
Outlining/Writing/Editing Software
Writer help:
Losing Passion/Burnout
Overcoming Writer's Block
Fantasy terms:
How To Name Fantasy Races (Step-by-Step)
Naming Elemental Races
Naming Fire-Related Races
How To Name Fantasy Places
Ask games:
Character Ask Game #1
Character Ask Game #2
Character Ask Game #3
Miscellaneous:
1000 Follower Post
2000 Follower Poll
Writing Fantasy
fantasy characters: “Geez”
me: who the fuck spread Christianity there
this two-years-old shitpost just gained a hundred notes who the snickerdoodles dug it up
W H A T
@rogha
In moments like this I always fall back on the fact that they also aren’t speaking English because they don’t have England or the many languages and conquering peoples that contributed to the creation of the English language and therefore the work musr be a translation into recognizable terms in our world’s terms. Call that Tolkien Brainrot.
Definitely funnier if you make fantasy explanations though,
Champagne is a wizard who sells bubbly alcohol.
It’s called English because of the original Lish people, all languages start with En here.
French fries are not potatoes they’re roots of the french plant.
Goodbye is now short for ‘good be your eye’ wishing you luck seeing the path ahead.
Jesus Christ is a long dead lich who used to cause everyone problems and we haven’t stopped saying her name when things go wrong.
And that’s the Pratchett approach
MASTERPOST | Lists 🍅🌸
Hey there! :)
This post consolidates all the lists I’ve created so far. I’ll keep it pinned and updated whenever I share a new list.
P.S.: My apologies for delays in responding to asks. Due to various factors, I’m not as active as before. I hope to address each inquiry eventually. For more info, check my FAQ 💬 page or latest update. Thank you for your understanding!💕
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SasuSaku Fanfics ~ Rec Lists
*Ordered as posted | 🌟 = updated recently
Keep reading
Kinktober Day 1 - 'Love' Bites | Overstimulation - Astarion x Fem!Reader
Love bites | Overstimulation | Impact play
Coming out the gates strong with 3500+ words for this man. It has not been edited, I have work in the morning, I'm going to bed.
Summary: With the promise of taking you to a quiet little piece of nowhere to forget all the madness of the adventure, Astarion pulls out all the stops to ensure you forget everything, except the pleasure he gives you.
Warnings: NSFW, Blood, Vampire Kink, Overstimulation, Crying, Light Choking, Dirty Talk
The Arrangement (1)
Summary: You managed to convince Astarion not to go through with the rite of profane ascension. He remains a vampire spawn, and you now offer your blood from time to time to help with his sanguine hunger until a solution is found. Even though you had both decided to stay as friends back in Moonrise Towers, lines begin to blur once more as other cravings come to the surface… and things with Astarion are seldom uncomplicated.
Pairing: Astarion x female!Tav
Word count: 6k
Warnings: 18+. Endgame spoilers. Blood drinking. Mutual pining. Biting. S*xual tension. Mentions of past trauma.
Series masterlist . AO3
writers' resources
sick of using "very _____" ? : https://www.losethevery.com/
want to simplify your writing ? : https://hemingwayapp.com/
writing buddies / motivation ? : https://nanowrimo.org
word you're looking for but don't know ? : https://www.onelook.com/thesaurus/
need a fantasy name ? : https://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/
need a fantasy name ? : https://nameberry.com/
want a name with meaning ? : https://www.behindthename.com/
who wants a map maker! : https://inkarnate.com/
story building / dnd ? : https://www.worldanvil.com/
need some minimalistic writing time ? : https://zenpen.io/
running out of ideas ? : https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/
setting a goal ? how about 3 pages / day ? : https://new.750words.com/
what food did they eat ? : https://www.foodtimeline.org/
questions on diversity within writing ? : https://writingwithcolor.tumblr.com/
now what was that colour called ? : https://ingridsundberg.com/2014/02/04/the-color-thesaurus/
want more? : https://www.tumblr.com/blog/lyralit :]
If you still want Astarion requests, I’d love to see something with a Tav who’s really nervous to let Astarion bite? 🥺
Positively Starved (Astarion)
Pairing: Astarion x Reader [Baldur's Gate 3]
Summary: In spite of your nerves, you invite Astarion back for a bite; admiring the trust you've put in him, he promises to be gentle (Act 1 spoilers).
A/N I wrote this in under an hour as I wanted to play around with some requests! Let me know if you'd like to see more of these off-the-cuff oneshots! (Also, slight mention of blood in this one).
Masterlist
"You can feed on me tonight... if you'd like."
The words sprung from your mouth. They lingered in the air, each syllable punctuating over and over—ringing out through your shared connection.
You felt a cringe.
Where in the seven hells did that come from? Was one near-death encounter not enough?
Before you could attempt to splutter out any sort of explanation, you were met with Astarion's laugh. "How very generous, my dear! I was starting to wonder when you'd invite me back for a bite."
Ambrosia (Act 1)
[ Astarion x f!Reader ] | ao3 link
rating: explicit | word count: 2k | status: ongoing themes/tags: vaginal sex, feelings realization, denial of feelings, light smut.. for now, and a whole lotta angst, will add more smut tho in the next chapters, soulmates, fluff, written as a glimpse into his mind during each act ———–
Astarion would never tell you, though - it was his little secret, one he hid away just for himself.
In other words: A delve into Astarion's thoughts, starting with the day he met you. *will update description at some point. ———– A/N: i wrote this as a peek into Astarion's mind throughout Act 1. plan to continue as i progress throughout the game. lmk what you think and if you like this style!
Instincts
[ Astarion x f!Reader/Tav ] | ao3 link
rating: explicit | word count: 3.7k | status: complete themes/tags: vaginal sex, vaginal fingering, creampie, feelings realization, denial of feelings, light angst at the end, you know the sex scene after the tiefling party?, yeah so this is it, with astarions pov, already catching feelings smh, smut is halfway through, just skip to after all early dialogue
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Little did he know that evening, that was the beginning of his simple plan crumbling apart.
In other words: Astarion has been struggling to balance century-long instincts with newfound feelings, an undeniable connection. He carries out his simple little plan as intended, but meets complications he didn't quite expect. ----------- A/N: so i hung up my cod medals of honor to write this.. i've been playing for a month now. originally posted without proofreading, but its now edited for grammar and some terms -----
Restlessness
Summary:
She usually only lets Astarion feed on her while she is asleep. Not that she has any problem with Astarion, the case just is that him feeding from her while she is still conscious is profoundly intimate and she can’t really be sure if Astarion has noticed or even if he particularly cares, about how quickly her heart races when he does it. So while she is asleep is better, it's much better. But she can't get to sleep tonight, so she is just going to have to make do.
Contains: Fem Unnamed Tav, Explicit Sexual Content, Blood stuff (comes with the territory) Word Count: 5,143 Read on AO3
Astarion has been feeding on her almost every night for the past month now. Most nights while she is still asleep, though he is always surprisingly insistent about obtaining direct consent before she moves to her tent for the evening, by this point she has just assumed that the agreement is mutual and that there is little need for him to keep asking. Though she doesn't have it in her to be upset about the courtesy.
She generally prefers that he drinks while she is sleeping, only knowing that it happened when she wakes up the next morning with a dull throb in her neck and Astarion giving her a knowing smirk from across the camp.
Moving On...?
Pink locks and green apple eyes torment his mind at all hours of the day, when all he wants is to wipe them from his memory. And yet it seems the more Sasuke tries to forget about her, the more he can’t bring himself to.
It’s been three weeks since he returned from his journey of atonement, and in that time frame Sasuke came to wish he hadn’t returned at all.
Immediately passing through the village gates Sasuke makes his way to the hospital knowing Sakura would be there. Having sensed her chakra he’s able to deduce where her office was and knocks on her window. Sakura was the first person he wanted to see, and when she lifts the glass for him to enter Sasuke is greeted with an excited smile and a joyus “Welcome back, Sasuke-kun!”
However, his elation would be short lived when a man whom Sasuke does not recognize, with floppy brown hair and dark eyes, knocks on her open door to announce his arrival while he and Sakura are catching up.
“Sakura,” he says, looking between the two of them. “Are we still on for lunch?”
“Is it that time already?” she briefly glances at the clock on the wall. “I suppose it is. Keita, this is my good friend Sasuke-kun. Sasuke-kun, this is Keita, my…um…well we’ve been going out lately,” Sakura confesses without looking Sasuke in the eyes.
Sakura is dating someone?
Part of him feels as though he should respect that she’s choosing to put her own desires first, but the other part is hurt, angry even. Did she not understand what he meant by poking her forehead back when he left? He’s finally willing to open up and return her affection, and she chooses to find comfort in someone else? Just who is this man anyway? And why did she never mention him in any of her letters??
She stands up, “Anyway, we have plans for lunch,” she tells Sasuke. “Do you want to join us? I would love it if you two could –”
“Actually,” Sasuke interrupts and stands as well. “I should let Kakashi know I’m back.”
“Oh, then I guess I’ll see you around?” she asks.
“Hn,” he grunts. Sasuke honestly just needs to get out of that room, away from her and this newcomer so he can process what’s happening, ensure he didn’t get caught in some weird genjutsu. Walking through her office door, he passes by Keita, glancing at the man who’s roughly a few inches shorter than himself. He offers a nice smile to Sasuke, but the Uchiha doesn’t return the gesture as he continues to walk past him and down the hallway.
After meeting with Kakashi and cornering Naruto later that day, Sasuke learns that Sakura and Keita have been casually seeing each other for about a month, not long after she sent her last letter, and were set up by Ino. Of course Ino would have a hand in this, granted he knows she was only being a good friend to Sakura but that fact didn’t ease his crumbling heart. If only he had returned a few weeks sooner or sent any of those damn letters which now feel heavy in his pouch.
In the beginning Sasuke tried to act as if he’s unbothered by the knowledge Sakura is dating someone who isn’t him, going to the Team 7 reunion, training with her and Naruto, but the truth of the matter is that it does bother him. Everytime he looks at her, thinks about her, it feels as though his heart is shattering. Sakura is the only one he’s ever wanted to be with, to be by his side, and now that’s not an option.
The following days Sasuke did his best to avoid Sakura, keeping their meetings and conversations short, but he can see the hurt in her eyes when he suddenly announces his departure, declines invites to hang out, and doesn’t return her greetings.
He should have known better, he thinks, than to assume she’d wait until the end of time for him to get his shit together. It’s unfair to her, truly, to waste her youth on someone like him. Sakura deserves to have a partner who will make her happy, never make her cry or hurt her like he has. He needs to stop being selfish and consider what would be best for her.
Naruto invites Sasuke to train on grounds 3 on a Saturday evening, but he’s not into it today and the dobe can tell. “I can’t handle this anymore,” Naruto tells him. “You need to talk to her.”
“And say what?” Why didn’t you wait for me? I thought you would always love me, and I’m sorry I took that for granted. “Sakura has already moved on.”
“Listen, I think it’s more complicated than that,” Naruto sighs. “You have to understand that Sakura-chan hadn’t heard from you in over two years and didn’t know when you’d be returning. None of us did, Teme. Just be honest with her, tell her how you feel.”
“I can’t,” Sasuke shakes his head. “If she would rather be with someone else, then who am I to intervene?”
“Do you love her?” The dobe questions.
He glances at the ground with lips pulled into a frown, unable to answer, but it’s obvious isn’t it? Otherwise Sasuke wouldn’t be avoiding her this adamantly. He loves her, been in love with her for longer than he’s willing to admit, that’s why this hurts so much for him. And yet despite all of it, he’d still do anything for her.
“Teme!” Sasuke looks up at the blonde only for a fist to connect with his face, catching him off guard.
“What the fuck!?” The Uchiha seethes, ready to retaliate.
Naruto shakes out his hand. “Shit, you’ve got a hard face!” he quips. “I think I might’ve broken your nose. You should get Sakura-chan to fix you up, she should still be at her apartment.”
“And what about you?” Sasuke asks, wiping the blood dripping from his nostrils. “Your hand looks bruised.”
“Yeah but I got Kurama, and unless you want to wait at the hospital I suggest you pay a visit to our very own medic.” Naruto exits the training grounds with a smirk, leaving his friend behind. In his mind Sasuke knows Naruto is right, he needs to talk to Sakura and clear the air between them. His feet start moving on their own, in the direction of her apartment.
Knocking a few times he flares his chakra to let her know it’s him, and hears a bit of shuffling from the otherside. The lock clicks and the door swings open, revealing the pink haired kunoichi staring at him with disbelief. She’s wearing a red long sleeve, off the shoulder top which stops just above her belly button and tight black pants, her hair is curled at the ends and make up is kept light and looks almost natural. She looks beautiful, and he would consider saying so if his breath wasn’t caught in his throat. But then realization hits him, she’s going on a date tonight.
“Sasuke-kun! What happened?!” she pulls him, lending him down the hall.
“Was training with the dobe,” he tells her.
“Ugh, you two always have to take it too far,” Sakura sits him down on her couch with her taking a seat on the coffee table in front of him. “If you look like this, do I even want to know how Naruto is?” She places her palms on his cheeks, leaning forward to examine the damage.
“He’s fine. A little bruised, but he made it out mostly unscathed.”
“Well your nose is definitely broken. It’ll only take a few minutes for me to heal,” pressing one hand delicately on the bridge, a light green glow begins to emit. “You might feel a bit of pressure.”
She’s so close that he can smell her strawberry perfume, finding the smell almost intoxicating. His eyes gaze into the jade he’s missed so much, watching her as she fixes him up. He’s an idiot, he believes, and needs to talk to her, apologize for avoiding her and clear his conscience, then no matter what her answer is he’ll accept it.
Sakura moves her hand away once she’s finished, “There. All done,” with the other still on his cheek, and Sasuke finds himself leaning into her touch. His eyes lower to her soft looking lips, wondering how they would feel pressed against his own, and it’s not until he hears her breath hitch does he realize he’s inching closer, stopping once their noses touch. “S-Sasuke-kun?” she whispers, his heart beating loudly in his ears that he almost doesn’t hear her.
Almost like she snaps out of her daze, Sakura pulls back, a rose tinted blush visible across her face, and stands. “I need to head out,” she says. “I have a date with Keita and I’ll be late if I don’t leave soon. I’ll walk you to the door.” Stepping away, she stops when his hand wraps around her wrist.
“Can we talk, please?” Sasuke quietly asks, looking up at her.
“I’m sorry, but I really need to go. Some other time?” Sakura pulls away from him and stands by the hallways leading to the door. “It was really nice to see you again though, we should get together sometime and –”
“Why didn’t you wait for me?” he blurts out.
Head tilting slightly to the side, she seems taken aback. “What?”
“Why didn’t you wait for me to come back?” Sasuke repeats himself. He stands up and takes a few steps towards her. “I just – I thought –”
“You thought what?” her tone is sharp, borderline insulted. “That I would wait around forever?” Sakura raises her brows and scoffs. “Sasuke-kun, I know your journey was important to you and I respect your decision to travel alone, but was it so hard to respond to even one of my letters? For over two years I waited for you to walk through the village gates again. For all I knew, you could have found someone else and I would’ve never known.
“So when Ino mentioned she knew someone who was interested in me and offered to set us up, I agreed, figuring it’s about time I finally let myself move on. That I at least tried. And guess what? I like Keita; he’s nice, respectful, and treats me well.” Sakura looks up at the clock on the wall. “I seriously need to go. Maybe now that you’ve decided to stop avoiding me, we can finish this conversation later,” she turns to walk down the hall, but halts at his next words.
“I came back for you,” Sasuke interjects, needing to get the words out in the open. “I came back to be with you. I never responded to your letters because when I tried, all I could write about was how I saw you in every little thing, and it was so overwhelming I didn’t know what to do. Trust me when I say I’ve never wanted to be with anyone who isn’t you and I never will.”
From where he stands Sasuke sees Sakura bring a hand up to her face, tremors running through her body, and hears small sniffles. She’s crying, the last thing he’s ever wanted to make her do again. “Sakura, I – I’m sorry,” he says in earnest.
“You need to leave,” she tells him and this time he does without hesitation.
He should’ve never listened to Naruto, Sasuke thinks laying in his bed and staring up at the ceiling two hours after leaving Sakura’s apartment. He should’ve kept bottling his feelings because now he’s made his situation with Sakura even worse. Perhaps he should’ve never returned, let her believe he moved on so she could’ve done the same, like she was trying to do. Maybe he should leave again, he considers, since he seems to be so good at it. Even if he never stops caring for Sakura, if he leaves the village then he’ll never have to hurt her again. She would probably be glad to see him go this time.
There’s a few knocks on his door, making him groan and roll his eyes at the thought of it being Naruto. Who else could it be at this hour? The hard taps persists, forcing him to get up with the intent of telling the dobe to fuck off because he’s in no mood to entertain him. However when he gets closer to the door the chakra signature on the other side isn’t Naruto, but someone he never expected to visit him especially after what transpired earlier.
Opening the door Sasuke finds the pink haired woman standing there, puffy eyes and still wearing the outfit from before, hating himself for still thinking she looks ethereal, and causing him to wonder if she came straight here after her date ended. He opens his mouth to ask why she’s here but Sakura brushes past, the sound of her heels clack against the floor, and walks into the main room of his place.
“I don’t know who you fucking think you are to just show up at my doorstep after weeks of ignoring me, knowing I wouldn’t turn you away because you were injured, and just drop all of that on me out of no where,” she starts chastising and swivels to face him, crossing her arms. Sasuke stops a few feet away from her, wanting to apologize for everything but lets her keep going uninterrupted. “I honestly believed I could finally move on. I thought I could grow to love Keita as much as I do you,” her voice begins to waver, losing the edge from earlier.
Sasuke feels guilty knowing once again he’s made her upset, but also catches the tense she’s using. “…you thought?”
“I ended things with him tonight,” she confesses. “I didn’t think it was fair to keep seeing him when I’m still in love with you. At least he seemed understanding.” Sasuke’s eyes widen, heart swelling at the knowledge she feels the same. Yet Sakura looks the opposite, dejected that after all this time she can’t move on from him. “Pathetic aren’t I?” she says bitterly, shaking her head. “Ino is going to give me an earful when she hears about this.” Tears start rolling down her face, Sakura bites her bottom lip and glances away.
Sasuke’s body instinctively moves on its own, wrapping his arm around Sakura and pulling her into his chest, his hand rubs small circles between her shoulder blades trying to bring some comfort. “You’re not,” he whispers into the crown of her hair. “You’re anything but pathetic.”
Hearing a muffled “annoying”, he narrows his eyes and looks at her.
“What?”
Jade irises meet onyx and amethyst, Sakura repeats herself more clearly, enunciating each word. “I said, ‘you are so annoying’.” She grasps his shirt and pulls him down, their lips crashing together. Once getting over the initial shock, Sasuke closes his eyes with his hand moving down to the small of her back feeling her smooth skin against his calloused fingers, and angles his head to deepen their kiss.
And over all too soon when she pulls away, letting go of his shirt to rest her hands on shoulders. Sasuke opens his eyes and it met with her flushed cheeks, as he assumes his are too, their panting breaths intermingling together in the aftermath. Pressing his forehead against hers, Sasuke kisses Sakura one, two more times before telling himself to be patient.
“I should probably go home,” Sakura breaks their silence. “I have work in the morning.” He nods in agreement, but doesn’t want her to leave just yet. He has lost time to make up for.
“Let’s go on a trip together, just you and me,” he says.
“Huh?” she pulls back to look at him fully. “What brought this on?”
Sasuke shrugs. “You used to talk about wanting to see the world, let me show you.”
“That was when we first became genin. You remember that?” she says with astonishment, and he nods.
“I didn’t act like it, but I was always paying attention to you,” Sasuke tells her.
“I-I don’t know what to say,” she’s blushing a little harder, and he can’t help but fall a little more for her. “I’ll have to talk to Tsunade-shisho and Kakashi-sensei about getting the time off.”
“You focus on Tsunade and I can talk to Kakashi.”
“Alright then,” Sakura smiles, a genuine one reaching her eyes that he hasn’t seen since he first came back to the village. She wraps her arms around him. “I missed you, Sasuke-kun.”
“Ah,” his lips curve up. I missed you too.