#rayvah

[jordanpickford]

“Life after football… raver.”

[lady-therion]

The Gods of Our Shores

Rating: E

Summary: Belle French fights an uphill battle with the industrial corporation responsible for poisoning the water in her town. When her case stalls, she finds herself striking a deal with the most unlikely...and unnatural...partner.

Or, Erin Brockovich meets tentacle porn.

Yes, you read that right.

Author’s Notes: This was written in honor of @mantismenagerie, and also as a gift for the lovely and ever patient @rayvah who prompted:

“Belle lives in a village by the sea, which is being threatened by outside forces…. There are legends of a creature that lives deep in the sea that, if you catch it, must make a deal with you (or/grant a wish). Belle has devised a way to capture the creature. I really like Octo!Rum.

It was wonderful getting to know you! And thank you for your prompt: it definitely pushed me outside my comfort zone and I’d like to think I’m better for it.

***

It began with the children.

Cough, fever, nausea. Innocent, innocuous, invisible.

It’s flu season after all. Nothing to worry about. You might want to head down to the clinic. Get yourself a shot. Stock up on cough syrup. Add some Vitamin C. Things like this are bound to get around. Especially in small town like Merden.

Weeks later, it did. And by then everyone knew it had nothing to do with the flu.

Because now the coughs were wet with blood, the fevers rose to an alarming degree and the aches and pains gave way to more frightening damage. When the sickness spread further, the hospitals had more to worry about than just the children.

Damning headlines followed public outcry. Talk of corruption spread faster than any airborne contagion. Stories were told. Fingers were pointed. Prayers went unanswered.

But beneath the clenched fists, the shuddering tears, the muted anguish that fell over crowded waiting rooms, the god of this shore stirs inside his darkened caverns. His slumber uneasy. No longer at peace.

***

Read the rest on AO3

[dreatine]

Got my RSS gift!!!! A Quilt!!!

My RSS gift came and it was a handmade quilt made by Rayvah!!!!! It’s beautiful. The colors reference the clothing Belle and Rumple wore in the Enchanted Forest. The prompt was ‘understand a heart like mine.’ I’m going to cuddle with it forever. Thank you so much!

Here are some pics! Hope the photo is okay, took it with an ipod.

And this pic

[dreatine]

Best AU! for TEAS

There are so many great AUs out there for Rumbelle that I’m constantly amazed at how many different AU situations writers put Rumbelle in and write it so convincingly that the reader can imagine Belle and Rumple in these different worlds. Here are some faves that have stuck with me.

Layered by theStraggletag. Rumple is a fashion designer and Belle is a bride to be or is she? The story displays an abundance of knowledge of the fashion world without the reader getting lost if not familiar with it. She also puts in fave Rumbelle moments we all know like the teacup seemlessly. And the sexy times are sensual.

Caged by Rayvah. A young Belle finds a monster at the circus who is more than he seems. This is a clever take on Rumple’s backstory and how Belle fits in. The NC17 parts leave you wanting more and the magical aspects of the story and how one does magic are original.

Dealing in Arrangements by FeistyFox. Belle marries Gold to pay off a debt. This is an original take on the Belle marries Gold fics. The dialogue and the thoughts of the characters are spot on and the smutty times are very romantic. The author really delves deep into the psyche of both Belle and Gold.

[dreatine]

Best AUs! Recommendations for TEAs Pt1

There are so many great AUs out there for Rumbelle that I’m constantly amazed at how many different AU situations writers put Rumbelle in and write it so convincingly that the reader can imagine Belle and Rumple in these different worlds. Here are some faves that have stuck with me.

Layered by theStraggletag. Rumple is a fashion designer and Belle is a bride to be or is she? The story displays an abundance of knowledge of the fashion world without the reader getting lost if not familiar with it. She also puts in fave Rumbelle moments we all know like the teacup seemlessly. And the sexy times are sensual.

Caged by Rayvah. A young Belle finds a monster at the circus who is more than he seems. This is a clever take on Rumple’s backstory and how Belle fits in. The NC17 parts leave you wanting more and the magical aspects of the story and how one does magic are original.

Dealing in Arrangements by FeistyFox. Belle marries Gold to pay off a debt. This is an original take on the Belle marries Gold fics. The dialogue and the thoughts of the characters are spot on and the smutty times are very romantic. The author really delves deep into the psyche of both Belle and Gold.

[dreatine]

Best AUs! Recommendations for TEAs

There are so many great AUs out there for Rumbelle that I'm constantly amazed at how many different AU situations writers put Rumbelle in and write it so convincingly that the reader can imagine Belle and Rumple in these different worlds. Here are some faves that have stuck with me.

Layered by theStraggletag. Rumple is a fashion designer and Belle is a bride to be or is she? The story displays an abundance of knowledge of the fashion world without the reader getting lost if not familiar with it. She also puts in fave Rumbelle moments we all know like the teacup seemlessly. And the sexy times are sensual.

Caged by Rayvah. A young Belle finds a monster at the circus who is more than he seems. This is a clever take on Rumple's backstory and how Belle fits in. The NC17 parts leave you wanting more and the magical aspects of the story and how one does magic are original.

Dealing in Arrangements by FeistyFox. Belle marries Gold to pay off a debt. This is an original take on the Belle marries Gold fics. The dialogue and the thoughts of the characters are spot on and the smutty times are very romantic. The author really delves deep into the psyche of both Belle and Gold.

The Long Game by emospritelet. Belle meets the enigmatic Mr. Gold and feels that she's has known him before. What can I say about this? The mythology and backstory is so extensive, so detailed that I'm transported into this world. She manages to make both Gold and Belle in character as well as give them subtle differences especially in the flashback parts. The sexy times are fiery and chest heaving.

Please consider these for nominations for Best AUs

[suchadearie]

rayvah replied to your post:Hell Bent Remix Part I

Amazing. I can only handle this because I know the happy alternative exists. I like it. I must be a heartless bitch.

ohhhh, thank you! And no, I don't think you have to be heartless to like this ;)

[allisquish]

Simple Feasts

RSS fic for Rayvah, Part 2! :D Part 1

A/N: I'm sorry I didn't get this part out earlier guys! D: I meant to before Christmas, but things got a bit too busy D: But here it is Rayvah! The last part of your RSS gift! I hope you like it! 

-

The second time Belle French brought food to his door step, Rumford Gold was no less surprised than when she first had.

But there she was, with a rosy nose and pink cheeks from the bitter cold, and a steaming crock pot full of some kind of soup.

"Hello!" She beamed up at him, offering up the soup, " I hope you don't mind."

Belle French's smiles were freely given to anyone in Storybrooke to show even a smudge of kindness, but to Rumford they always catch him off guard.

No one offers him smiles any more; only greetings of "Are you here for the rent?"

"Of course not, dearie." His hand twitched at his side, wanting to either open the door and offer for her to come inside, or to slam the door shut and lock the key.

No one did anything nice or kind for another human being without wanting something in return.

But it was Belle French, with food meant for him and Bae. Belle French who only ever showed kindness and smiles to Bae. Which was more than Milah had ever done for their boy.

"Would you like to come in, Miss French?"

"Oh, I don't want to impose." She bit her lip nervously, and a strange feeling began to grow deep in his gut.

Before he could reply, Bae stuck his head out from behind Rumford's legs.

"Hi Miss French," Bae said quietly, "Thank you for the hamburgers. They were really good." Bae shuffled his feet, glancing from his father to Belle and back again.

"I'm glad you liked them Bae," Rumford hadn't been sure that her smile could get any bigger, yet it did, and it was dazzling, "I brought some beef stew today. I hope you and your papa like it, Bae."

"I like 'eef stew." Bae replied, before returning to his hiding place behind the door.

"Are you sure you won't come in?" Rumford asked again, a strange feeling rising through his chest.

"Oh, no. I need to run over to my father's."

The crushing feeling in his chest was not disappointment, Rumford told himself.

"But thank you though." The parting smile she left, as she handed over the crock pot, more than made up for it, however.

-

Rumford tended to avoid most places in Storybrooke, if possible, unless it was about rent. He had heard far too many murmurs and rumors for any kind of outing to be a daily thing. Even Bae, he tried to keep at home as much as he could (of course Bae was also a child and would want friends- Rumford knew this and never tried to stop Bae. Though, there were a few friends he greatly approved of, and some Rumford did not). Still, Rumford found himself with a crock pot that was not his own.

And Rumford hating owing anyone.

So, the natural course was to return the crock pot to it's rightful owner.

The library, of course, looked abandoned when Rumford had finally finished his rounds, his pockets laden with the rent money of Storybrooke.

"Miss French?" He called out, hoping she would just magically appear from behind some book case, smile her lovely smile (at him) and take back her crockery so that he could return home to Bae and finish wrapping up the last of Bae's presents for Christmas.

But there was no answer.

"Miss French?" He tried again, louder.

Again, no luck.

Sighing, Rumford turned, ready to leave, when instead, coming around the corner outside of the library was one Belle French.

"Oh!" She gasped, looking up from a book held open in her hands,

"Hello Mr. Gold. How're you this evening?"

"Quiet alright, Miss French. I just wanted to return your cookware to you while I was thinking about it." He held out the crock pot as though it was carrying the most potent of poisons. 

"Oh, yes!" She smiled, closing her book and sliding it back into her bag,

"I was going to come get it later this week. Did you and Bae like it?"

"Bae loved it." He admitted, gulping as her hands brushed his, retrieving her crock pot.

"I'm glad." Rumford had been sure her smile couldn't get any bigger, any brighter than it was, yet somehow it did.

Rumford couldn't return home quick enough.

-

Christmas Eve came much quicker than Belle had expected- she had everything ready for Christmas Day, of course, but it still felt weeks off.

In fact, she had barely made it out of the library in time with her platter of cookies for the Church's Christmas Eve service. But she did make it, barely. Belle could feel the Mother Superior glaring daggers at her back as Belle scurried to the tables in the front of the Church, with every inch covered in food.

"Hi Belle!" Sister Astrid greeted, taking the cookies off of Belle's hands.

"Hello. Has anything started yet?" Belle asked, out of breath.

"Not yet, but-" Astrid cut off, her eyes wide with fear and glued to a corner of the Church.

"What is it, Astrid?" Belle asked, concerned. 

"I don't believe it!"

"Believe what?"

"Look!"

Confused, Belle turned her head, glancing about behind her. "What is it, I don't see-" But she did. In the back of the room, his hand tightly clutching his son's, was Mr. Gold.

"What do you think he's doing here? He's already collected rent for the month!"

"I'm not sure." Belle murmured, her feet carrying her forward without her permission.

It had been years since any of the Golds had stepped into the Church. It was well known that Mr. Gold himself hated the Nuns (There were rumors that Milah and her lover had meet behind the Church for their meetings). Yet, there he was.

Belle felt her heart begin to take wing and flutter around her chest, like a hummingbird taking flight.

"H-hello." She smiled up at him.

"Hey." Mr. Gold gulped.

"H-how're you?"

"Good...You?"

"Good." Her hummingbird-heart faltered and beat its wing even harder.

"I'm happy to see you out." She offered (and missed as Bae rolled his eyes and wandered off, the tables filled with cookies calling him like a siren to a sailor).

"Have you gotten any food yet?" Belle didn't remember telling her hands to taken one of his, but suddenly she was holding his hand, clutched tightly in her own.

"Not yet." He mumbled, pulling her ever so slightly closer.

"I...I actually wanted to say thank you, Miss French."

"Belle, please."

"Belle." A soft, small smile grew on his face, almost to small to notice.Oh, but she did though. It was the most beautiful thing she had seen (the only thing more beautiful was when she had seen him smile, all those years ago in this very room, with his infant son in his arms).

Before she could stop herself (do the brave thing) Belle felt the rough stubble of his cheek under her lips.

"Merry Christmas Mr. Gold."

Fin