The Light Between Stars

This is Penguiduck's writing blog, where I specialize in high-quality reader-insert fiction.  You are welcome to follow for updates and insight into my writing process. Reader-inserts are my specialty. I seek not to give the reader an identity — she already has that. I seek to give the reader an adventure, a nostalgic awakening of sorts, a poignant tale that serves to make her heart full.

[penguiduck]

I finally got around to painting a banner for my Reader x Kurama fic,  Embracing the Seasons.

I’m very pleased with how this came out!  Those flowers took forever.  x___X

Because this a true reader-insert, I left the reader character’s appearance as vague as possible.  I even have five different versions of this image to reflect varying reader skin tones for your viewing pleasure.  You can find the one that is closest to your complexion and enjoy it.  ^_^

Here is a summary of my fic, if you’re interested:

Shuichi had the potential for anything in life — he could be outrageously wealthy, successful in his ambitions, and could quite likely woo any woman he set his eyes on.

However, none of that interested him. Or so he thought.

He longed for something more, something that sparked the thrill of adventure, purpose, and challenge.

He never could fathom how the call of the autumn wind would one day summon the side of him he left behind and bring to him a future, a love, worth protecting.

This is a wholesome and wistful account of Kurama, and how he finds a love so compelling that his world is shaken. He meets phantoms of his past, and the sacrifices he makes to keep his loved one safe forces him to confront the piece of his soul that is demon. Both Kurama and his beloved must overcome the darkness that threatens to destroy their future together.

[Reader x Kurama] 

[penguiduck]

Gah, fixed up some mistakes I made.  Five times, of course, one for each of the versions.  XDDD

[penguiduck]

hello!! i just read your wedding kurama fic on ao3, and was wondering if you were planning on posting a new chapter or two anytime soon?

Hello! Thank you for reaching out--I promise I'm doing my best. I fully intend on completing Chasing Autumn, but in order to post new chapters, I do need to find time to write--and that's the challenge!

[penguiduck]

Hello, dear! I just wanted to pop in and ask how you're doing. I'm elated to hear that your personal journey with motherhood is going well, with all its challenges and joys! I'm insanely grateful for the opportunity to re-read your writing and come back to your online place to read your updates. I wish you all the best! 💖💖💖

Hello! Thank you so much for checking in on me! I really appreciate the love and kind words. <3 I'm doing well--life is just keeping me busy. Trying really hard to find balance, as always. <3 You are so, so appreciated!

[penguiduck]

Armistice (143214 words) by Penguiduck Chapters: 54/? Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin | Attack on Titan Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Major Character Death Relationships: Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin)/Reader, Levi/Reader, Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin) & Reader, Levi & Reader, Erwin Smith & Reader, Erwin Smith/Reader, Levi Ackerman/Erwin Smith/Reader Characters: Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin), Hange Zoë, Erwin Smith, Levi, Original Characters, Levi Ackerman, Reader, Mike Zacharias Additional Tags: Reader-Insert, Slow Burn, POV Second Person, Fluff and Angst, Political Alliances, Arranged Marriage, Attempted Sexual Assault, Abuse, Emotional/Psychological Abuse, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Manipulation, Love Triangles, Who will Reader Choose?, Angst, Politics, Political Marriage, Threats of Violence, Threats of Rape/Non-Con, Violence, Choices, Internal Conflict, Falling In Love, Canon Compliant, Female Reader, Assassination, The Royal Government, Conspiracy, Government Conspiracy, Sex, Smut, Eventual Smut, Wedding Night, First Time, Intimacy, Fluff and Smut Summary:

With the nation struggling to keep humanity on its last legs, you sneak away to join the military in hopes of bettering its chances of success in the war against the Titans. Your father, however, is displeased with your decision, and he flexes his political power as an esteemed lord and nobleman in an attempt to bring you back home.

You want nothing to do with him, of course, but your freedom from familial ties also depends on how keen command is on keeping you in the Scout Regiment.

You start by building bonds with Levi -- initially, he seems to loathe the fact that you're a member of the aristocracy. When things take turn for the worse with your abusive father, however, he proves reliable, while Erwin proposes a strategy, insane as it is, that you can't refuse.

[Reader x Levi] is the ultimate pairing, but there will be a significant [Reader x Erwin] detour, a love triangle of sorts. Your heart bleeds for both Erwin and Levi, as they discover themselves, brothers in arms, falling for the same woman.

[penguiduck]

Do you still take writing requests for Fire Emblem?

Not currently. You can take a look at my update posts, if you're interested, but life has gotten really busy for me with a toddler at my heels! I would love to be in a place where I can write for Fire Emblem again, but it's unlikely I'll take requests through anything other than my Expression of Thanks initiative, which is currently on hiatus. Thank you for the interest!

[penguiduck]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 53/? Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin | Attack on Titan Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Major Character Death Relationships: Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin)/Reader, Levi/Reader, Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin) & Reader, Levi & Reader, Erwin Smith & Reader, Erwin Smith/Reader, Levi Ackerman/Erwin Smith/Reader Characters: Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin), Hange Zoë, Erwin Smith, Levi, Original Characters, Levi Ackerman, Reader, Mike Zacharias Additional Tags: Reader-Insert, Slow Burn, POV Second Person, Fluff and Angst, Political Alliances, Arranged Marriage, Attempted Sexual Assault, Abuse, Emotional/Psychological Abuse, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Manipulation, Love Triangles, Who will Reader Choose?, Angst, Politics, Political Marriage, Threats of Violence, Threats of Rape/Non-Con, Violence, Choices, Internal Conflict, Falling In Love, Canon Compliant, Female Reader, Assassination, The Royal Government, Conspiracy, Government Conspiracy, Sex, Smut, Eventual Smut, Wedding Night, First Time, Intimacy, Fluff and Smut Summary:

With the nation struggling to keep humanity on its last legs, you sneak away to join the military in hopes of bettering its chances of success in the war against the Titans. Your father, however, is displeased with your decision, and he flexes his political power as an esteemed lord and nobleman in an attempt to bring you back home.

You want nothing to do with him, of course, but your freedom from familial ties also depends on how keen command is on keeping you in the Scout Regiment.

You start by building bonds with Levi -- initially, he seems to loathe the fact that you're a member of the aristocracy. When things take turn for the worse with your abusive father, however, he proves reliable, while Erwin proposes a strategy, insane as it is, that you can't refuse.

[Reader x Levi] is the ultimate pairing, but there will be a significant [Reader x Erwin] detour, a love triangle of sorts. Your heart bleeds for both Erwin and Levi, as they discover themselves, brothers in arms, falling for the same woman.

[penguiduck]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 52/? Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin | Attack on Titan Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Major Character Death Relationships: Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin)/Reader, Levi/Reader, Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin) & Reader, Levi & Reader, Erwin Smith & Reader, Erwin Smith/Reader, Levi Ackerman/Erwin Smith/Reader Characters: Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin), Hange Zoë, Erwin Smith, Levi, Original Characters, Levi Ackerman, Reader, Mike Zacharias Additional Tags: Reader-Insert, Slow Burn, POV Second Person, Fluff and Angst, Political Alliances, Arranged Marriage, Attempted Sexual Assault, Abuse, Emotional/Psychological Abuse, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Manipulation, Love Triangles, Who will Reader Choose?, Angst, Politics, Political Marriage, Threats of Violence, Threats of Rape/Non-Con, Violence, Choices, Internal Conflict, Falling In Love, Canon Compliant, Female Reader, Assassination, The Royal Government, Conspiracy, Government Conspiracy, Sex, Smut, Eventual Smut, Wedding Night, First Time, Intimacy, Fluff and Smut Summary:

With the nation struggling to keep humanity on its last legs, you sneak away to join the military in hopes of bettering its chances of success in the war against the Titans. Your father, however, is displeased with your decision, and he flexes his political power as an esteemed lord and nobleman in an attempt to bring you back home.

You want nothing to do with him, of course, but your freedom from familial ties also depends on how keen command is on keeping you in the Scout Regiment.

You start by building bonds with Levi -- initially, he seems to loathe the fact that you're a member of the aristocracy. When things take turn for the worse with your abusive father, however, he proves reliable, while Erwin proposes a strategy, insane as it is, that you can't refuse.

[Reader x Levi] is the ultimate pairing, but there will be a significant [Reader x Erwin] detour, a love triangle of sorts. Your heart bleeds for both Erwin and Levi, as they discover themselves, brothers in arms, falling for the same woman.

[penguiduck]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 10/? Fandom: 幽☆遊☆白書 | YuYu Hakusho: Ghost Files Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Kurama | Minamino Shuuichi/Reader, Kurama | Minamino Shuuichi/Original Female Character(s) Characters: Kurama | Minamino Shuuichi, Youko Kurama, Hiei (YuYu Hakusho), Urameshi Yuusuke, Yukimura Keiko, Kuwabara Kazuma, Kuwabara Shizuru, Koenma (YuYu Hakusho), Yukina (YuYu Hakusho), Reader Additional Tags: Sequel, Reader-Insert, you - Freeform, Companion Piece, Weddings, Wedding Fluff, Wedding Planning, Fluff, Romantic Fluff, Friendship, POV Second Person, Post-Canon, Canon Compliant, Comedy, Romance Summary:

Your relationship with Kurama has been both strenuous and tender, frightening and joyful, grievous and extraordinary. You never thought you’d one day be confronted with the existence of demons and alternate worlds outside of your own—but you’re now engaged to Kurama, a fox demon of great wit and charm, and you could not be happier.

Despite the chaotic and life-threatening events that occurred since the inception of your relationship, they also brought you closer together, challenging the standard pace of affairs for human lovers. Nevertheless, you’re here today, as in love as you could be, and when you finally announce your engagement, a variety of new dilemmas arise.

Wedding planning presents its own conflicts. Florists and caterers, invitations and RSVPs, wedding registries and bachelor parties, oh my! How will you make it through the next year?

[Reader/Kurama]

A lighthearted, post-event companion to "Embracing the Seasons."

[penguiduck]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 51/? Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin | Attack on Titan Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Major Character Death Relationships: Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin)/Reader, Levi/Reader, Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin) & Reader, Levi & Reader, Erwin Smith & Reader, Erwin Smith/Reader, Levi Ackerman/Erwin Smith/Reader Characters: Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin), Hange Zoë, Erwin Smith, Levi, Original Characters, Levi Ackerman, Reader, Mike Zacharias Additional Tags: Reader-Insert, Slow Burn, POV Second Person, Fluff and Angst, Political Alliances, Arranged Marriage, Attempted Sexual Assault, Abuse, Emotional/Psychological Abuse, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Manipulation, Love Triangles, Who will Reader Choose?, Angst, Politics, Political Marriage, Threats of Violence, Threats of Rape/Non-Con, Violence, Choices, Internal Conflict, Falling In Love, Canon Compliant, Female Reader, Assassination, The Royal Government, Conspiracy, Government Conspiracy, Sex, Smut, Eventual Smut, Wedding Night, First Time, Intimacy, Fluff and Smut Summary:

With the nation struggling to keep humanity on its last legs, you sneak away to join the military in hopes of bettering its chances of success in the war against the Titans. Your father, however, is displeased with your decision, and he flexes his political power as an esteemed lord and nobleman in an attempt to bring you back home.

You want nothing to do with him, of course, but your freedom from familial ties also depends on how keen command is on keeping you in the Scout Regiment.

You start by building bonds with Levi -- initially, he seems to loathe the fact that you're a member of the aristocracy. When things take turn for the worse with your abusive father, however, he proves reliable, while Erwin proposes a strategy, insane as it is, that you can't refuse.

[Reader x Levi] is the ultimate pairing, but there will be a significant [Reader x Erwin] detour, a love triangle of sorts. Your heart bleeds for both Erwin and Levi, as they discover themselves, brothers in arms, falling for the same woman.

[penguiduck]

You never thought flowers would be an issue, given Kurama's talents.

Chapters: 9/? Fandom: 幽☆遊☆白書 | YuYu Hakusho: Ghost Files Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Kurama | Minamino Shuuichi/Reader, Kurama | Minamino Shuuichi/Original Female Character(s) Characters: Kurama | Minamino Shuuichi, Youko Kurama, Hiei (YuYu Hakusho), Urameshi Yuusuke, Yukimura Keiko, Kuwabara Kazuma, Kuwabara Shizuru, Koenma (YuYu Hakusho), Yukina (YuYu Hakusho), Reader Additional Tags: Sequel, Reader-Insert, you - Freeform, Companion Piece, Weddings, Wedding Fluff, Wedding Planning, Fluff, Romantic Fluff, Friendship, POV Second Person, Post-Canon, Canon Compliant, Comedy, Romance Summary:

Your relationship with Kurama has been both strenuous and tender, frightening and joyful, grievous and extraordinary. You never thought you’d one day be confronted with the existence of demons and alternate worlds outside of your own—but you’re now engaged to Kurama, a fox demon of great wit and charm, and you could not be happier.

Despite the chaotic and life-threatening events that occurred since the inception of your relationship, they also brought you closer together, challenging the standard pace of affairs for human lovers. Nevertheless, you’re here today, as in love as you could be, and when you finally announce your engagement, a variety of new dilemmas arise.

Wedding planning presents its own conflicts. Florists and caterers, invitations and RSVPs, wedding registries and bachelor parties, oh my! How will you make it through the next year?

[Reader/Kurama]

A lighthearted, post-event companion to "Embracing the Seasons."

[penguiduck]

Chapters: 50/? Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin | Attack on Titan Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Major Character Death Relationships: Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin)/Reader, Levi/Reader, Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin) & Reader, Levi & Reader, Erwin Smith & Reader, Erwin Smith/Reader, Levi Ackerman/Erwin Smith/Reader Characters: Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin), Hange Zoë, Erwin Smith, Levi, Original Characters, Levi Ackerman, Reader, Mike Zacharias Additional Tags: Reader-Insert, Slow Burn, POV Second Person, Fluff and Angst, Political Alliances, Arranged Marriage, Attempted Sexual Assault, Abuse, Emotional/Psychological Abuse, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Manipulation, Love Triangles, Who will Reader Choose?, Angst, Politics, Political Marriage, Threats of Violence, Threats of Rape/Non-Con, Violence, Choices, Internal Conflict, Falling In Love, Canon Compliant, Female Reader, Assassination, The Royal Government, Conspiracy, Government Conspiracy, Sex, Smut, Eventual Smut, Wedding Night, First Time, Intimacy, Fluff and Smut Summary:

With the nation struggling to keep humanity on its last legs, you sneak away to join the military in hopes of bettering its chances of success in the war against the Titans. Your father, however, is displeased with your decision, and he flexes his political power as an esteemed lord and nobleman in an attempt to bring you back home.

You want nothing to do with him, of course, but your freedom from familial ties also depends on how keen command is on keeping you in the Scout Regiment.

You start by building bonds with Levi -- initially, he seems to loathe the fact that you're a member of the aristocracy. When things take turn for the worse with your abusive father, however, he proves reliable, while Erwin proposes a strategy, insane as it is, that you can't refuse.

[Reader x Levi] is the ultimate pairing, but there will be a significant [Reader x Erwin] detour, a love triangle of sorts. Your heart bleeds for both Erwin and Levi, as they discover themselves, brothers in arms, falling for the same woman.

[penguiduck]

♥ Heeeey! I just was looking through old stuff and thought of you and popped around to see when you'd last posted anything! I'm so happy to see you recently pop back around! Was getting worried after your FB poofed, but I'm glad you're still kicking! And wanted to say, as an auntie that has been helping raise two nieces I so empathize with little ones taking up so much energy. Hang in there ♥ Hope you'll find some time for yourself soon!!!

You are too kind. It's nice to hear from you. I hope you're taking time for yourself and creating all sorts of art of whatever your heart is into nowadays! 😍 Enjoy your nieces! I'm trying to make sure I have no major regrets with this little one, so she gets all my love right now!

[penguiduck]

I'm alive and figuring out my life!

Well, hello!

If you’re reading this, I am grateful you’re still here.

I’ve clearly underestimated how exhausting being a parent is. My beautiful daughter is nearly three years old now, but she still requires inordinate amounts of my time. She’s a nut—I’ve called her this before, to which she sasses back, “I’m a cute nut!”

This January, she started school. We’ve had some problems with our nanny, so our plan to keep her at home till she was older fell apart, but she’s enjoying her time with her teachers and newfound friends immensely. That said, schools and daycares are cesspools, and I suspect she (and, by extension, we) will be sick on-and-off for the next few years.

We don’t have a village nearby, so it’s just me and my spouse. It’s just something we have to deal with—not a big deal, but it’ll be strenuous on our physical and mental health, and careers.

All that said, I have not forgotten about you all or my writing projects. In fact, I think about them and you all a lot. I just have no time to execute in a way that is effective or meaningful.

I haven’t been completely unproductive. I finished Taming a Dragon (though I may go back and write an alternate ending at some point for Morty). I have most of the next chapter of Chasing Autumn finished, and a significant chunk of Armistice’s next chapter started. This minuscule amount of progress isn’t something I’m proud of, per se, but it’s the thought that counts, right? Baby steps?

Look, I’m not here to get your hopes up that I’m going to be updating at a pace even remotely close to what I was doing pre-child. I don’t actually know what my life is going to be like, even a year from now. I am prioritizing my little one right now, as I should, because this is time I will never get back.

What I will say is this: My theme for the remainder of 2025 is independence.

I’m looking for ways to find opportunities for self-care.

Writing has always been a haven for me, so I desperately want to come back to it. I just have to make it work.

My plan back from 2023 hasn’t really changed in terms of what my writing goals are. I just wanted to let you all know that I’m alive and doing well. I’m learning so much from motherhood—some days, I just feel like I’m fighting for my personal identity as a human being, aside from being a parent.

 It’s a journey I am happy to be on—my daughter is everything to me (even though the other day, she said, “Daddy is good at parking. Mommy is good at not parking.” Like, OKAY, TINY HUMAN). She’s my little moon and stars, and it’s been such a pleasure watching her grow every day. She is learning independence, and we’re working on ways for me to pull away and do things that I enjoy during “Mommy time.”

On other news, you won’t see me on Facebook anymore. Not only is it completely inaccessible to me because it insists on me showing them a legal documentation with the name “Yahtzee Penguiduck Dii” on it to prove my identity, but I refuse to use Facebook going forward for other reasons. Updates will be posted here on tumblr until further notice.

All this to say, I appreciate your patience and your willingness to let me figure out this part of my life.

Here’s the hoping things will stabilize in my life, so I can devote some time to my projects! Thank you for being here for me!

In the meantime, feel free to message me here or find me on Discord: yahtzeedii

[penguiduck]

Hi! I don't know if you're still active, but just in case I have a question run ing around my brain. So I just started reading Embracing the Seasons (and I'm LOVING it so far! I really appreciate your grasp of characterization!) But I'm just so curious about the title. Does the title by any random chance reference a song by an artist named Vienna Teng called Eric's Song?

She's omy absolute favorite artist and every time I read the title I start singing the song on my head because there's a line with the title in the song! Like I said, I'm really loving the story so far and enjoying your writing! You have a very clever and engaging style of writing!

Hello! My apologies for the belated response. I am still here and intend on finishing my works! (Update to my life coming soon...)

I'm so glad you enjoy Embracing the Seasons! Maybe by now you've finished the piece--and, if so, you know that it is in reference to Eric's Song by Vienna Teng.

I am a huge fan of hers, as well, and her music really inspired the writing of this fic. It's poetic and deep--reminds me perfectly of Kurama and any love he'd share with the reader.

Thank you so much for the kind words. I hope you're doing well.

[penguiduck]

Hi, you haven't posted in quite a while and I was wondering if you're okay? I hope you're doing well.

Hello! I kind of disappeared for a bit! I so appreciate you checking in on me. I'll have a update published in just a moment here, but long story short, I have a kiddo now! :)

[penguiduck]

Did you see the update on Lunaescence being imported into Ao3? I don't know if your stories are in the logs, but it is definitely an exciting prospect!

I did read about that on reddit a while back! I, too, am excited!

[penguiduck]

Do you think you’ll ever write for BMP again? I’ve been reading Shattered Symphony and I’m OBSESSED!! Your writing is great and adds so much depth to the characters and world. So sad I only have a few chapters left! Thank you for writing it <3

Hi! Apologies for the late response.

I'm so glad you like Shattered Symphony. I was pleased with how it turned out, and I'm especially flattered you feel like my writing added depth to the characters--that was my goal!

I hope you enjoyed it as much as I liked writing it. I probably won't write for BMP again as the audience for it is so slim, but I'm very proud of myself for giving the fandom something to enjoy! Thank you so much for your kind words.