Something like a Star✶

active ✗ | on hiatus ✶main: whollytaciturn✶

[recollins]

✨Updates every Monday✨

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Aria DiMaggio hadn't planned on uprooting her life to move to Quantico, but those things just sort of happen when Jason Gideon sets his mind to something. Trying to put her broken past behind her, the life as an intern for the BAU turns out to be exactly what she needed. It's a constant whirlwind of chaos and crime, but with her unique set of skills and a fiery temper to boot, Aria has no problem fitting in with the team. Especially when it comes to the adorably attractive Dr. Reid and the growing crush she's trying to ignore.

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Female OC Tags: Slow burn, Smut, Fluff, Friends to Lovers, Soulmate/OTP TW: Domestic Violence, Domestic Abuse Read: AO3 | FF.NET

Tag List: @eternityofaxiom @rainsong01 @dreamer7black @sighaleksander @averyhotchner (if you’d like to be tagged, ask!)

[recollins]

Hello darlins!

Surprise! Wasn't expecting me? Well I wasn't expecting this either so we can both be shocked together. Read on for a summation of the last few years and the upcoming plans for SLAS!

Hello again! I am so sorry it's been like... three years? More? Time flies when you're having a mental breakdown. I posted a sort of long winded explanation about the last few years here, for those curious, but also wanted to put something more personal here, for all you amazing rays of sunshine that have continued to follow this story and check in on me.

To get right down to things, I'm not sure what the future of SLAS holds. While it's true I've fully planned Aria's story through the end of S13 (I haven't finished Criminal Minds yet, I know a few things that happen and I'm not happy with it so I haven't watched it yet lol), I'm not totally sure how much I'll be writing.

My heart says the whole thing, because I love Aria and this story is very special to me. As a lot of you know, I started this fic right after breaking up with my abusive ex, and used this as a coping mechanism and an outlet (and an escape) for all the emotions I didn't know how to handle. That's a double edged sword, though, because while it was my solace then, it's been very hard to get back into the story. I'm a very different person than I was when I started this in 2020, and both Criminal Minds and Aria's story are bittersweet to me. It's hard to get into writing SLAS without being back in the mindset I was before, and that's been hard to handle.

For right now, the story is still on hold. I'm not fully retiring it because I do want to make a good, genuine effort to continue before I make a decision. I know that's not totally fair to you guys and I'm sorry I'm not back with better news. I do want you to know that I have every intention to finish this if I'm able to, and if not I may even just post the 330k word plan I've got written out for her.

Either way, I'm back, and one way or another I'll be giving you an update as I work on writing more for her. Thank you for being so patient, and for sending me such amazing messages while I was away! I love all of you.

-Rea

[recollins]

UGH! I JUST LOVE YOU AND SLAS SO FREAKIN MUCH!!!! And while I absolutely devour every chapter, I CAN'T FREAKING WAIT FOR ARIA AND SPENCER TO FINALLY KISS!!! WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE????!!!???? Will it be soft and gentle and shy and tenderoni? Or will be be fiery and passionate and full of lust? WHEN WILL WE KNOW?????????????????? (sorry for yelling, I'M JUST SO EXCITED!!!)

This killed me omg 😂I absolutely enjoy this excitement and I can’t wait for you to see how it finally happens... 

Thank you for the love, darlin! You totally put a much needed smile on my face! I love you! ❤️ 

[recollins]

✨Chapter 39 is up✨

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Aria DiMaggio hadn’t planned on uprooting her life to move to Quantico, but those things just sort of happen when Jason Gideon sets his mind to something. Trying to put her broken past behind her, the life as an intern for the BAU turns out to be exactly what she needed. It’s a constant whirlwind of chaos and crime, but with her unique set of skills and a fiery temper to boot, Aria has no problem fitting in with the team. Especially when it comes to the adorably attractive Dr. Reid and the growing crush she’s trying to ignore.

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Female OC Tags: Slow burn, Smut, Fluff, Friends to Lovers, Soulmate/OTP TW: Domestic Violence, Domestic Abuse Read: AO3 | FF.NET

Tag List: @eternityofaxiom @rainsong01 @dreamer7black @sighaleksander​ @averyhotchner (if you’d like to be tagged, ask!)

[dizzy-redhead]

For everyone who hesitates to comment on a fic

Today I got a reply to a comment saying that the author had been so discouraged by the lack of response on the last two chapters that they had decided not to finish it, but that they had changed their mind and were now thinking of finishing. Just because I took 30 seconds to comment on each chapter.

It doesn’t matter if the fic is years old

It doesn’t matter if you don’t know what to say (“I loved this” is always music to an author’s ears, no matter how many times we hear it)

The author will not think you’re a creeper if you’re commenting on every single one of their fics

The author WILL cuddle your comments close to their hearts like the precious gems that they are, even if they’re only one word.

Comments and feedback matter. I’ve written in fandoms and for pairings that have very active, vocal fans who comment a lot, and I’ve written for ships that are not terribly popular and don’t get much reaction. The difference in my attitude is incredible.

Your feedback matters to authors. Click the kudos button, but please, take the time to leave a comment. Even if it’s just one word. If you like the writing and want to see more, let the author know

/rant

[rembrandtswife]

yes yes yes yes yes yes

[mizstorge]

Comments are very motivational.

[elenilote]

Kudos is wonderful and I want to thank everyone who’s ever clicked that little heart on AO3 but I have to admit, getting a comment would be even nicer :)

[llcooljae]

I live for comments. Every time I get one, my confidence and happiness goes through the roof. As an amateur writer, knowing that someone out there reads and likes my stuff - and likes it enough to spend time writing in response - is probably the greatest feeling in the world.

[recollins]

I say it all the time, but I really do love all the comments you guys leave on SLAS! They're what gets me through the week and keeps me writing when I'm having a rough day! ❤️

[recollins]

this chapter was so good omg! you broke my heart but in a good way!! um so also I was rereading and at the Connor parts Ive been imagining Chris Barnett as Connor?? he had this thing on tiktok as a serial killer and then an obsessed ex and he totally looks like Connor AND acts like him! asdgsjalkghsgf this is me informally begging for a tiktok SLAS series how do we make this happen rea who do we talk to???? 💕

First, thank you so much darlin! I mean I’m sorry for the heartbreak, but I’m really glad you considered it a good thing lol! 

As for Chris Barnett as Connor, I TOTALLY see it and some of his unhinged characters actually do have a big resemblance to him! I have no idea how to make that happen, honestly, but if you manage to get something going I fully support it all the way! I’d love to see him as Connor! 

[recollins]

this chapter made me 🥲😭😫

I’m so sorry!.... mostly... kind of. I promise the pain will be worth it, darlin! Thank you so much for reading ❤️ 

[recollins]

✨Chapter 38 is up✨

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -

Aria DiMaggio hadn’t planned on uprooting her life to move to Quantico, but those things just sort of happen when Jason Gideon sets his mind to something. Trying to put her broken past behind her, the life as an intern for the BAU turns out to be exactly what she needed. It’s a constant whirlwind of chaos and crime, but with her unique set of skills and a fiery temper to boot, Aria has no problem fitting in with the team. Especially when it comes to the adorably attractive Dr. Reid and the growing crush she’s trying to ignore.

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Female OC Tags: Slow burn, Smut, Fluff, Friends to Lovers, Soulmate/OTP TW: Domestic Violence, Domestic Abuse Read: AO3 | FF.NET

Tag List: @eternityofaxiom @rainsong01 @dreamer7black @sighaleksander​ @averyhotchner (if you’d like to be tagged, ask!)

[recollins]

omg i'm so excited for tomorrowwww!!! literally the best part of my mondays

Good morning, darlin! I’m so excited to post today’s chapter, I hope you enjoy it! Thank you for such a sweet message, I’m so glad I can make your Monday better! ❤️ 

[whollytaciturn]

WIP Line Chain Game

Rules: Write the latest line from your wip and tag as many people as there are words in the line.

Tagged by @macademilk ❤️

"There was a flicker of guilt in Spencer’s eyes; he studied me a second before asking simply, “what’s your favorite?”"

I'll let y'all enjoy that as we start creepin up on Monday 😏

Tagging: @lavandernightmares @ocfairygodmother @high-functioning-fangirl473 @imagining-in-the-margins @geniusgub (I don't know 20 people off the top of my head that write, so if you want to do this too please do so and tag me!)

[recollins]

Thought y'all would want a little sneak peek of next week's chapter! Also, if you write and you want to do this too, please do, and please tag me so I can see!

[recollins]

OH MY GAWD YAAAAAAYYYY!

IM SO GLAD YOURE BACK AND FEELING BETTER. WE ALL MISSED YOU SO MUCH. IT WAS SUCH A TREAT SEEING ARIA AND SPENCE BACK IN MY FEED TODAY. SENDING YOU ALL THE ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Heya darlin! It’s great to be back! I’m so glad you were happy to have Aria to brighten your Monday again! Thank you for the sweet message!! ❤️

[recollins]

✨Chapter 37 is Up✨ - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -

Aria DiMaggio hadn’t planned on uprooting her life to move to Quantico, but those things just sort of happen when Jason Gideon sets his mind to something. Trying to put her broken past behind her, the life as an intern for the BAU turns out to be exactly what she needed. It’s a constant whirlwind of chaos and crime, but with her unique set of skills and a fiery temper to boot, Aria has no problem fitting in with the team. Especially when it comes to the adorably attractive Dr. Reid and the growing crush she’s trying to ignore.

Between her crazy parents, an ex she just can’t shake, and the growing suspicions surrounding her brother’s seemingly-accidental death, Aria begins to realize she can never outrun her past. Even with three years and 1,700 miles between them, her demons still haunt her and sooner or later she’ll have to face them.

Pairing: Spencer Reid x OC Tags: Slow burn, Smut, Fluff, Friends to Lovers, Soulmate/OTP TW: Domestic Violence, Domestic Abuse Read: AO3 | FF.NET

Tag List: @eternityofaxiom @rainsong01 @dreamer7black @sighspencer @averyhotchner (if you'd like to be tagged, ask!)

[recollins]

Only hours to go, yeee! I love your work and I can't wait for the new chapter! :) but I hate timezones, I'm an Aussie so when you upload it's usually around 4am-ish on a Tuesday morning. So every time you or someone else says Monday I get so excited just to be let down knowing it actually means Tuesday 😅

There are almost zero perks to living in the future unfortunately

I can’t wait!! I’m so excited to know you’re waiting for the update! It’s all prepped and ready to go, I think you’re gonna love this chapter! Also it’s like 1am in Australia, darlin, so be sure to get some sleep! I want you well-rested so the emotional rollercoaster wont be as strenuous... 😅❤️

[recollins]

i guess if there is a new chapter coming out tomorrow i have to reread the whole thing... for the fifth time!

no seriously i love this fic so much i have a lot of trauma and relate to aria a lot.

— AOCsimp

If you manage to read the entire thing in a day I will be SO IMPRESSED, I can’t even do that 😂I’m so sorry you can relate to Aria, but I hope the story helps you. If it brings you some comfort, I’ve done my job ❤️ 

[recollins]

i keep thinking about monday!! i’m so excited

I am too, I can’t wait to post! I just finished the chapter, it’s one of my favorites so far!

[recollins]

just reread all of slas to prepare for monday and it made my heart happy 😊

Aw! Yes! I’m so glad the story still makes your heart happy, darlin! I can’t wait for you to read Monday’s chapter! ❤️ 

[recollins]

omg why am i literally counting down the hours until monday? I'm so excited!

Me too!!! I’m so glad you’re as excited as I am! ❤️