—Additional Words Written:
None! I published everything I worked on this year (aside from outlines for fics that never actually got anything written for them).
—Fandoms:
FFXIV
—Works:
28
—Highest Kudos:
Halcyon's End | Ryne x Gaia, set during EW
—Highest Hit One-shot:
The Toll of Lovers' Wont | Aymeric x Aureia, set early in Stormblood
—New Things I Tried:
This year I had a goal of publishing at least one fic a month! There were a few months where I barely scraped by, and a couple where the fic I started writing as my monthly one-shot grew into something else and then I had to backtrack and write something else.
I do think the exercise was good, since one-shots allow me to experiment. I push myself more, and I play around with more things than I usually would if I were working on a longfic.
I also participated in Wolmeric Week and I actually finished everything in the week itself and on time (lmaoooo). Pulled off an illustration for it, too, which I am very happy about! I think now that I'm more comfortable with drawing and I've learned a lot there, I want to start using my fanfics as inspiration for scenes to draw… 👀
(I will make a comic. Some day. Maybe. hehe)
—Fic I Spent the Most Time On:
Her Answer | Aureia x Thancred, EW spoilers, set pre-Ultima Thule
This fic is probably one of the most difficult ones I have ever written because the material is very emotionally charged for me. I have a fear that if I write something that goes against commonly accepted fanon or acts as a counterargument to how most people interpreted the source material, I'm going to make people angry. But this fic was very important for me to write—I needed some catharsis after Endwalker since I think the expac's writing whitewashes the depth and complications of its own themes to the detriment of the story and characters. I wanted to take a really hard look at faith and love and what answering Venat's question actually means while still keeping it within the realm of canon.
It is also inherently about Aureia's relationship with Thancred, and pushes both of them to a breaking point. This is the worst argument they have ever had, but it is crucial for their post-EW development.
Judging from the responses I got, there are a lot of ffxiv fans out there who walked away from EW feeling the same way I did, so I am really glad I wrote this and published it.
—Fic I Spent the Least Time On:
A Good View | Aureia & Emmanellain, HW spoilers
This was for my mini FFXIVWrite this year; I didn't spend too much time on it since it flowed very easily, but I am very pleased with how it came out!
—Favourite Thing I Wrote:
A tie between Her Answer, Under Me, So Quite New, and Guiding Night.
Under Me, So Quite New is an Aureia x Aymeric fic that explores their early relationship. It's very sweet and gentle, and I think it's a breath of fresh air compared to all of the emotionally charged things going on elsewhere in their storyline.
Guiding Night is a little scene about young love and loss. I love exploring Aureia and Alisaie's friendship, and I also wanted to dig into Alisaie's characterization a bit and explore some of the more difficult things she may be going through during Shadowbringers.
—Favourite Thing I Read:
Admittedly I have not done as much fic reading as I would have liked to this year 😭. There's a lot in my Marked for Later that is waiting for when I have time to sink my teeth into it. But I do have a few fics I read this year that I am still thinking about!
Fool's Mate by @birues. I love the use of second person POV here, it really underscores the sense of limbo and uncertainty
Forms by @fheythfully. I love Yda and El's friendship so much!
Baleful/Reticent by @fourteenthz. I adore all of Kelly's micro fics, but this one lives rent free in my head because of Jote!
Friable by @ahollowgrave. I love this little glimpse into Prudence's perspective here, it's lovely!
Home is Where the Bed Is by @thevikingwoman. This is a really cute, fluffy piece, Meryta is adorable.
Year of the OT3 2025 by @lilbittymonster. I haven't finished the series yet but the writing is absolutely delightful
Harsh Light & Gentle Dark by @anneapocalypse. I am really looking forward to finally digging into the published chapters for these!
—Something I Finished:
The Crux of Me & You! This is the full series for my Wolmeric week prompts. I'm so so happy with how everything came together; it's a snapshot of most of the major moments in Aureia and Aymeric's relationship, from their first meeting to when they finally break up for good. Agh my heart 😭😭😭
—Miscellaneous Highlights:
I published my 100th AO3 fic this year! Woohoo!
Aureia's series has passed 250,000 words. I am devoted to my elf girl. 😌
I pulled off a mini FFXIVWrite in a week! I put all the prompts from previous years in a spin wheel and spun the wheel. Most of the fics I ended up writing were scenes I would never have thought of (very fond of White Lies which is about Lucia and Aureia's early friendship).
—Writing Goals for 2026:
I have ONE fic left in my Wolcred Week 2024 series. One. I wrote the outline for it back in August/September but got distracted by an art project and then by work, so I didn't actually start it. I need to finish this thing before June next year, otherwise it will have been two years since I started holy shit lmaooooo. 🤣
I don't know if I will do a Wolmeric or Wolcred Week thing again next year, but I want to do a prompt week for Sid and one for Fordola. Aureia's neglected ships… I have things to say about them!! I really like doing little series since it gives me focus and a goal to work towards; makes working with the ffxiv timeline easier.
I want to get back to writing my longfics. I have three that I started in 2023/2024 that are unfinished; I have a few other ones (namely the early Stormblood fic set during/after the Rhalgr's Reach raid and the In from the Cold fic) that I am banging pots and pans about writing. So I think I'm done writing monthly one-shots for now! Otherwise I am never going to get to my longfics haha.
—Final Thoughts:
I had a lot of fun with my writing this year! I feel like I have a pretty good handle on what I enjoy exploring now, and how to push myself out of my comfort zone and try something different.
Since I started drawing last year, the biggest challenge has been to have time to do both writing and art. I think if I didn't draw, then I would have been able to keep up with my one-shot challenge and work on my longfics, but I'm trying to split my time between both art and writing. I would love to know how other writer-artists balance things—I have too many things I want to do!!
We got billford. We got great ocs. We get henchmaniacs. We get a look into bills past when he doesn’t want to share. We get whump. So much whump. I love it so much
This was such a great read. I’m living over here. If any of the above sounds like you’d enjoy it go read it.
I have my thoughts on each chapter under the cut
1- just gets immediately called out for kinks. Ford is trying soo hard to maintain his composure. Ford: I’m going to jail fuck. Theyre straight up having a domestic. We love Ford not having a car. It makes everything more complicated. Okay now you are fucked
2- pyronica my queen. Also keyhole stop being a freak. Awww dr. Janvier your husband sounds like shit. Wait she knows bill?? FUCK.
3- yeah ford use that little voice in your head! Oh you gentleman really trying to be polite in a hypothermia situation. Bill you are the clingiest of exes. FUCK
4- Jan is back!! And she’s also paranoid! This means hijinks will ensue. And now these dumbasses have been officially introduced without the threat of Bill. Ugh we love a doctor since ford refuses to get any help ever.
-Janet scowled over her shoulder, suddenly feeling defensive. “Excuse me, are you a doctor?”
“Yes.”
She faltered in the doorway and blinked at him awkwardly; once again, an embarrassing heat gathered on her face.
“Not, uh, not in medicine. Physics and engineering… mathematics…” Ford trailed off, sensing that he’d maybe said something wrong. “But that one’s honorary.”-
I’m DYING. someone called ford out on his PhDs get the burn unit.
5- it’s time to get to work chop chop let’s go. Ford don’t fall asleep please.
Okay at least they got ford tied down first.
6- ooooh Billy is back and Jan thinks she can make deals with him again.
7- he’s pouting. Jan called him out again and he’s pouting. I love him.
Oh bill if only you were worthy of love.
8- hehe in depth analysis of how a 2d world works? My brain can’t hand it 😂
9- bill your henchmaniacs are right
Oh Jan you poor thing
“He’s a triangle!” Ford suddenly blurted out in horror, speaking more to himself than to Jan.
I’m cackling. Ford would have inconclusive results in an ‘am I gay quiz’ nobody knows his identity
10- bill stop throw tantrums they are not becoming if you. You’re not 7.
Amorphous Shape is now an unlicensed therapist. I love her she’s so nonsensical.
Ahh ford you lightweight. Oh my god that’s last line.
“One of the Pinwheel Galaxies,” Ford said out loud for his own benefit and for Bill’s, on the off chance that he was still listening. “In the constellation Triangulum.”
11- OH STAN MENTIONED. LETS GO. Oh it only took 3 days to convince Ford to shower? Not bad.
Bill is on a tantrum rampage the depressed triangle
12- ford you are the biggest idiot sometimes.
Billy boy you have friends who care for you stop being self destructive
‘So many overconfident amateur cliff jumpers…’ don’t forget about the cave divers
GASP. HOLY SHIT. SHE’S NOT PLAYING!!
13- bill you idiot you’re in LOVE. ford you’re also an idiot.
Hey at least Theyre getting a better deal in the works right? Right??
‘Breaking news: Local scientist turned on by danger.’
14- did fords new deal fuck up Jan’s mindscape abilities?
Also bill you’re an absolute roller coaster of emotions
15- ford you freak.
Also mindscape adventures??
‘Sharing a body is gay as hell.’
16- oooooh hoho!! Ford you idiot get emotions.
‘Sometimes the interdimensional being with infinite knowledge and the power to warp reality that you fall in love with is a fucking idiot.’ And sometimes the idiot is also you.
17- MUTINY?
Fords spiraling!! Let’s GO! God I’m a sucker for ford who’s terrible at taking care of himself and is on the brink of collapse my whump heart is thriving.
18- the mindscape is so cool in this fic. Like it’s just impressive how detailed the workings are of it. Also amy is my fav.
God ford just push yourself to failure why don’t cha?
I’m trying to contain my giddiness At Bill lecturing Ford on taking care of himself.
19- Jan Jan you’re gonna be okay right??
Also Ford it’s just not taking care of himself he’s also processing all of bills emotions and trauma from trillions of years in the span of mere hours?!? God he’s being pulled apart.
Oh my god it’s like the brain surgery on the musician!
20- I’m already laughing at the title.
Also Jan I love you and your immediate disgust about fords situationship status with bill. Also the only number any gravity falls fan knows 618
FUCK
21- bill you sad boy go destroy the rip offs
Also proper medical attention??? Let’s go!! How scared were those paramedics about the whole summoning circle shit???
My jaw dropped. Tumors???? Holy shit it’s all of bills memories?? Also ford you’re sick at personal care you’re destroying yourself with caffeine (nobody look at my consumption it’s also bad)
I love Gary oh my god can I hold him please. Now I’m crying officially
22- triangles. It’s all triangles
I NEED IN FORDS MIND. WHAT IS HIS MINDSCAPE DOING. LET ME INNNNN
Also Gary using his knowledge of the staff to spy on his wife 10/10
Bill didn’t even check up on ford. What a terrible situationship.
I’m going to hold Gary.
23- bill is not crazy he’s just arguing with all of himselves.
And now he’s on a mission omg.
My poor fragile ford. All fucked up and no one can save you.
KARAOKE LETS FUCKING GOOOOOO
Ford you helpless drink idiot. Oh. My. God.
‘Sixer had invited the mechanic to stay with him the very next day.’
Oh my god
24- bill wtf man we were making progress. You stupid desperate idiot. Bill you fool. You love struck star crossed IDIOT. Gary you are out of your depth
25- FUCK I’M ON MOBILE I CAN’T CHESS
Oh Ford is reliving bill’s memories huh?
Oh I had to stop for a second. Oh damn. Bill you’re terrible at apologies you’ve never done it before ever with any sincerity. Oh my god is this good holy shit.
Oh my god. Bill you couldn’t have known. It’s not your fault. You were just a child
26- Gary do you know something????
Oh Gary is just level headed.
Gary: I can handle zombies. Zombies are easy. Cheating? That’s where we draw the line.
Acknowledging the fact that bill is crazy is a refresher 😂
STANLEY. OH MY PRODIGAL SON. MY BOY.
Oh my god ford you’re finally using your fucking brain.
“Well, I’m under strict orders from the Doc to treat you like one,” Stan insisted, his tone softening slightly. “I mean it, bro. I’m not going anywhere until you kick me out.”
For a moment, the room was quiet in an uncomfortable way. Ford glanced at his brother, at the sincerity on his face, and felt something shift again. It wasn’t forgiveness – not yet – but it was a step.
“I won’t do that,” Ford said finally, and the words came easier than he thought they would.
STAHP MY HEART.
Bill is down BAD
27- oh god Gary and Stan that’s going to be a dangerous duo.
You can’t pull the birthday card on your twin SUCKER.
Spiders Georg my beloved.
The Axolotl!! I love them! God what a heart breaking way to end it.
