Journal of Mistress Kat

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Better post this now before this year's fics start appearing...

Well, I did not manage my getyourwordsout goal (largely because after Tricks I just stopped writing for six weeks) but I did reach total of over 100k though only 57k posted on AO3. I also passed 500 works on AO3 and in 2026 I will almost certainly pass 1 million words. 


Fics published in 2025 by Fandom:
(I've only provided AO3 links cos I'm lazy, but all are readable on DW too, let me know if you'd like a link. My AO3 is locked for users only but if anyone needs AO3 invites please let me know, I have plenty)

American Idol RPF
Trial (Kris/Adam, G, 100 words)

ATEEZ
Whispers (Kim Hongjoong/Park Seonghwa + Park Seonghwa/OMC, G, 100 words)

방탄소년단 | Bangtan Boys | BTS
First Spark (Namjoon/Yoongi, G, 100 words)
Metamorphosis (OT7/ambiguous relationships, G, 544 words)

Being Human
Home (Mitchell/George/Annie, T, 100 words)

Buzzfeed Unsolved/Watcher Entertainment
Awkward (Ryan/Shane, G, 100 words)
Better the Demon You Know (Ryan/Shane, M, 6422 words)

Cobra Starship
electric dreams (Ryland/Alex, G, 100 words)

Doctor Who
Mercury Lane (Tenth Doctor/The Master (Simm), G, 1134 words)

Enola Holmes
Courting (Un)Conventions (Enola/Tewkesbury + Sherlock/John, G, 837 words)

Fall Out Boy
Price (Patrick/Pete, T, 100 words)

Firefly
Grow Together (Kaylee/River/Simon, G, 501 words)

Given (Anime)
Second Chance (Kaji Akihiko/Nakayama Haruki + Satou Mafuyu/Uenoyama Ritsuka, T, 5517 words)

Guardian RPF
Closer (Bai Yu/Zhu Yilong, T, 2072 words)
no finer details than yours (Bai Yu/Zhu Yilong, T, 905 words)

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters
Choice (Gretel/Hansel, T, 100 words)

Harry Potter
A Kiss (Bellatrix, M, 100 words)

The Hobbit
Together (Fili/Kili G, 100 words)

K.A.R.D (Band)
like what you (don’t) see (Matthew Kim | BM/Kim Taehyung | J.Seph + Kim Taehyung | J.Seph/OMC, G, 720 words)

Life on Mars
Boiling Point (Sam, G, 100 words)
Year of the Cat (Gene/Sam, G, 2111 words)

The Lost Boys
Flashback (Michael/Sam, T, 2553 words)

MCU
Shatter (Bruce/Tony, T, 100 words)

My Chemical Romance
Dribble (Gerard/Frank, E, 1142 words)

Original Work
climbin’ up to reach your land (OMC/OMC, T, 3291 words)
(i’ma) make a move (OFC/OFC, T, 2789 words)
Tribute (OFC/OMC, T, 2059 words)

Panic! at the Disco
Mismatched Magic (Ryan/Spencer, G, 100 words)
safe landing (Ryan/Spencer, G, 1035 words)

Person of Interest
Ruin (Finch/Reese, G, 100 words)

Primeval
Celebrate Tonight (Nick/Stephen, G, 1295 words)

SEVENTEEN
Thorns (Kwon Soonyoung | Hoshi/Lee Jihoon | Woozi, G, 100 words)

Stargate Atlantis
Midnight Tea (Teyla, G, 100 words)
Protector (Lorne/Sheppard, T, 2248 words)

Star Trek: Alternate Original Series
Antigen (Kirk/Bones, T, 2111 words)

Stray Kids
Summoned (Bang Chan/Seo Changbin, G, 100 words)
when to fold’em (Bang Chan/Yang Jeongin | I.N + Han Jisung | Han/Lee Minho | Lee Know, M, 1392 words)

Supernatural
Struggle (Sam/Dean, T, 100 words)
Veil (Bobby, G, 100 words)

Wheel of Time
Architect (Rand/Elayne, G, 163 words)
Burgeoning (Nynaeve, G, 100 words)
Patience (Bair & Egwene, G, 191 words)
Vernal (Aviendha, G, 737 words)

The Witcher
The Winter of Our Contentment (Geralt/Jaskier, T, 4581 words)

阴阳师 | Yīn Yáng Shī | The Yin-yang Master (Movies - Guo Jingming)
touch me slow, touch me sure (Bo Ya/Qing Ming, E, 8984 words)

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Meme Question

Leitmotifs of the year:
- Return of the Drabble
- Is This Original Fic I See?
- Old Fandoms, New Fandoms
- Gifting Things

Most popular story:
By every AO3 metric: The Winter of Our Contentment, because The Witcher fandom is still active af apparently.
Observation 1. This was the year I archive-locked all my fic and the overall drop in hits, kudos and comments compared to last year has been noticeable. Why are people still relying on reading without an account when the invite codes are relatively easy to get?
Observation 2. The second most popular fic by hits is Dribble which is a filthy pwp. I'm amused by the difference between the kudos to hit ratio between this and The Winter of Our Contentment, ~10% vs ~27%, which suggests that many people are apparently reluctant to make it known that they read and liked filthy porn. Which is hilarious to me. Baby, this is fandom, let go of your shame. 

My best story this year:
Metamorphosis for the theme. Better the Demon You Know and Protector for the world-building. when to fold'em and Vernal for the voices. Mercury Lane for the sense of place. Antigen for the concept. climbin' up to reach your land as a personal favourite.

Hardest story to write:
I struggled with the ending of the climbin' up to reach your land quite a bit. Emotionally speaking, probably Metamorphosis.

Easiest story to write:
Most of the drabbles I wrote in one sitting, often one after another, and it was good to get back to that instant sense of accomplishment. like what you (don't) see I wrote in one sitting too after being smacked by the MV. Year of the Cat was also a quick write. And Second Chance came out pretty quickly under deadline pressure. (i'ma) make a move was a fun breezy fluff piece.

Story most underappreciated by the universe, in my opinion:
Ugh, idk... Metamorphosis? But like it was never going to get a lot of attention given the theme and the ambiguous relationships. Maybe climbin' up to reach your land as I think it would appeal to anyone who's into incest-ships. Tribute has a bad ass female war general. Just saying.

Most fun story to write:
I had fun with a lot of the drabbles, but especially Awkward, Together, Mismatched Magic

Fluffiest story:
Mismatched Magic, no finer details than yours, Year of the Cat (kittens! scampering!). Actually The Winter of Out Contentment is pretty damn fluffy, seeming as it's essential 4,5k of huddling for warmth. Erm, okay, safe landing. (i'ma) make a move is cotton candy. Fuck, listen, fluff and angst are like my bread and butter.

Most angsty story:
*points above* But maybe Metamorphosis takes the win here too we it's high on hurt, thin on comfort. Special mentions to Whispers, Veil, Shatter, electric dreams, like what you (don't) see, Antigen (though has a hopeful ending)

Sexiest story:
For outright porn, Dribble. For slow burn and an extended, gentler sex scene with touch starvation and first time feels, touch me slow, touch me sure

"Holy crap, that's wrong, even for you" story:
Ehhhh *waves hand* Idk, there were some morally grey fics (when to fold'em) and plenty of incest (Flashback, Choice, climbin' up to reach your land, Struggle, Grow Together) but maybe A Kiss. For the sadism.

Biggest Disappointment:
As always, not finishing some of the longer wips, or poetry really though I did get back to that a little bit. I stopped writing entirely for about six weeks after losing Tricks, and I'm not like disappointed about that per se, just acknowledging that it happened and I'm still slowly coming back.

Biggest Surprise:
I did not expect to a) write in an anime fandom and b) for that to go as well as it did, so for Second Chance to get into a fourth place of 'most popular' was fun to watch. Writing as much Original Fic as I did.

Most Unintentionally Telling Story:
Idk, nothing where I brought clear receipts... Wait, wait, I did, sort of, for Celebrate Tonight. (no, not for that!). I also don't think I wrote anything particularly unexpected. Ooooh Kat likes power dynamics! What a surprise...

Best summary?
I've used a quote from the fic as a summary for almost every single one this year so mostly what's left is this:

( Best First Line - I refuse to pick just one )



( Best Last Line? - Lines. LineSSSS )



( Favourite line/passage of the year? - sorry not sorrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyy )



Story I haven't yet written, but intend/hope to:
I've signed up for getyourwordsout with the same goal (150k) that I failed to reach this year, largely because I love their spreadsheet an unholy amount. I'm hoping to finish and post some of the longer wips, either the ones I'm writing alone, or the numerous shared stories with dreamersdare and I want to get some of the Unmarked Place fics (bandom bdsm au co-written with pushkin666 ) to AO3. I'm currently just playing around with fandomtrees fics.


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Fic Round-Up 2024

Well, I did not manage my getyourwordsout goal but I did end up writing more than I did last year, just over 100k. Only 59k ended up being posted though.


Fics published  in 2024 by Fandom:
(I have only linked to the AO3 post but if you prefer reading on DW, you can find everything under the my fanfiction tag)

( Long list under the cut! )


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Meme Questions

( Even longer ramble under here with so many fic excerpts, sorry not sorry etc )
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Yes, I realise it's March, but in my defence... Life? So, I meant to indulge in this meme closer to the year change but never got to it. So I'm indulging now.

First Lines of 2019 Fics
(in order of posting)

The sun is out, somewhere behind the air pollution, and there have been no alien attacks, gangland kneecappings, or unethical medical tests so far today - That we know of. - that they know of. (A Fine Day, Venom, Eddie/Venom)

“Did you really just give me carte blanche to do anything I want? Do you have the faintest idea how far that goes?” (Carte Blanche, Fireflye, Mal/Jayne)

Vampires made the best scientists. (non nobis solum, Stargate Atlantis, Rodney/Radek/John)

“Take him to my chambers,” she said with a wave of her hand. “And have him… prepared.” (Vivat Regina, Star Trek: Discovery, Mirror Philippa/Mirror Gabriel)

The ground is wet, grass clinging to bare feet, making each step linger like a kiss. (starry eyed and gravely discontented, Lewis, Lewis/Hathaway)

It wasn’t that he disagreed with the demonstrators, far from it. (Article 11, Lewis, Lewis & Hathaway)

Zhao Yunlan was a desperate man. (The Black Lotus Club, Guardian, Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan)

Laura turns her face to the sun, breathing deep the scent of fragile green buds, of hope and new starts. (Here Comes The Sun, Lewis, Hobson)

“He’s loyal,” the Hundjäger says, shaking Monroe by the scruff of his neck like a recalcitrant puppy, “I’ll give you that.” (Loyalty, Grimm, Nick/Monroe)

Willow opens the cupboard door and contemplates her ever growing collection of herbal teas. (Kettle Knockout, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Willow/Tara)

Jayne ain’t much for words. (Write It Out, Firefly, Mal/Jayne)

“Pete?” Patrick pushed through the gas station shop door, the bell jingling merrily. “Pete, you still here?” (Sweet Tooth, Sweetheart, Bandom Fall Out Boy, Patrick/Pete)

“Thank you,” Zelenka said, taking a wrapped item from a marine and handing another one in return. “Pleasure doing business with you.” (Priorities, Stargate Atlantis, Rodney/Radek)

“Oh my god, are you seeing this?” (X-tra Dimensional, The X-Files, Scully & Mulder)

The heating is off. (Warmer Together, Being Human UK, Mitchell/George/Annie)

The bottom of the ravine seemed very far away, viewed from this angle. (Vlarian Oath, Original Work, OFC/OFC)

Crowley woke up to a ringing phone and a bad feeling. (Lose A Kraken, Gain An Angel, Good Omens, Aziraphale/Crowley)

It's bigger than him, bigger than any real dick Pete has ever seen, sucked, been fucked by, but oh god he wants it bad, wants to feel it pushing him open, until he's gaping and sobbing, so fucking greedy, greedy for it. (Substitute, Bandom Fall Out Boy, Pete/Reader's Choice)

What comes through the door is not Patrick. (here to collect your heart, Bandom Fall Out Boy, Patrick/Pete)

Years are like stones, tossed one after another into the lake of his life until the waters rise, flooding the fields and villages and forests. (Character Sketch: Shen Wei, Guardian, Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan)

In the end, there are words, always words, twisting, flowing, smooth and jagged, dropping from his mouth like fireflies. (Character Sketch: Lin-Manuel Miranda, RPF, LLM)

Inside Rodney’s mind, there are galaxies, swirling around and around, shining horses on an endless carousel. (Character Sketch: Rodney McKay, Stargate Atlantis, team)

Evan’s first impression of Dr Rodney McKay takes place in a dark and chilly storeroom in Antarctica. (take this longing from my tongue, Stargate Atlantis, Rodney/Evan)

It happens to Gerard around four in the afternoon. (until the end, until this blood, Bandom My Chemical Romance, Gerard/Mikey)

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I'll do an actual update, and also the proper Fic Round UP meme in a few days... But for now, have this, and have my good wishes for NY.


First Lines of 2018 Fics
(in order of posting)

"Your bodyguard is very... smiley." (Unguarded, Mission: Impossible movies, Will/Ethan)

The third time Illya wakes up next to Napoleon Solo – both of them naked, limbs tangled together under the sheets – is the first time he doesn't simply run. (The Third Time, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. 2015, Illya/Napoleon)

Newt is an ocean away, deep in the Schwarzwald and practicing both his German and his diplomatic skills with a local werewolf pack, when Jacob shows up. (Simple Things, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Jacob/Newt)

"Here," the Doctor said, offering his coat. (Practical Solution, Doctor Who, Tenth Doctor/The Master (Simm))

"This is ridiculous," Nick says. (Part of the Role Description, Primeval, Nick/Stephen)

"Well, this is uncharacteristically nice of you, Clint," Natasha said, wiping sweat off her brow with a back of one hand while the other was keeping the weapon trained on the guys scattered across the floor. (Other Senses, MCU, Clint/Natasha)

He starts sleeping under her bed when they start affording to stay in places with actual beds. (keep you close, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, Gretel/Hansel)

When Finn wakes up, there are five people standing around his bed. (i don't want to hear sad songs anymore, Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, Finn/Poe/Rey)

Jim wakes up without his tentacles on a Wednesday. (Not Only for Emergencies, Star Trek AOS, Kirk/McCoy)

Ray hugs a lot. (Tactile Language, due South, Fraser/RayK)

At the start, Patrick tells himself not to feel like he’s responsible, that just because he’s a few years older and a few centuries wiser doesn’t mean he’s got some obligation. (put another dime in the jukebox, baby, Bandom, Patrick/Pete)

She should hate the forest, for all it’s taken; her parents, her childhood, her brother’s health. (broke off a dark twig, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, Gretel/Hansel)

Gerard thinks in colour and drinks sunrises like cheap vodka, both of them going out of fashion, just like him. (Character Sketch: Gerard Way, Bandom, Gerard)

He's used to it, everyone getting him wrong, everyone thinking they got him sussed. (Character Sketch: Brendon Urie, Bandom, Brendon

Everything Gabe does is for his family, and his family is everyone he touches, meets, knows about, everyone, everyone, everyone, he wants them all, safe and sound and his. (Character Sketch: Gabe Saporta, Bandom, Gabe)

He looks back and knows the weight of every decision he ever made, sees the shape of each path travelled, each road abandoned, feels it like an ache in his body, muscles twitching with phantom pain of life never lived. (Character Sketch: Bruno Tonioli, Strictly Come Dancing RPF, Bruno)

Everything has a place and position and purpose. (Character Sketch: Harold Finch, Person Interest, Harold)

In the end it boils down to this: his hands on the wheel, dried blood under his fingernails, Sam asleep on the passenger seat and the road disappearing mile by mile by memory. (Character Sketch: Dean Winchester, Supernatural, Dean)

The hunger opens in him like a fistful of knives, old and unforgiving. (Character Sketch: John Mitchell, Being Human, Mitchell)

The next time comes around much quicker than Will expected. (I’m Your Man, Mission: Impossible movies, Will/Ethan)

Autumn in Manchester is grey and full of misery that seeps into people’s bones, making them hunch up against the wind and the rain. (The Year of the Scavenger, Life on Mars, Gene/Sam & Chris/Sam)

Bodie’s world falls apart in April. (in bloom, The Professionals, Bodie/Doyle)

Robbie can’t stop staring. (Summer Wine, Lewis, Hathaway/Lewis)

“You’re joking,” Hathaway says flatly even though the growing pile of clothes on the ground strongly indicates otherwise. (Skinny-Dipping, Lewis, Hathaway/Lewis)

James wakes up sweating, sheets tangled around his limbs, sticking to his skin unpleasantly. (Morning After, Lewis, Hathaway/Lewis)

It’s not the dark that bothers her. (the heat that drives the light, Harry Potter, Luna)

Bella has a house and a (beautiful, fantastic, demanding) garden. (Make Your Own, The Beautiful Fantastic, Bella/Vernon/Billy)

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So here's a question to those of you who read fic with a d/s slant. Whether it's full on BDSM world AUs (like candy to me), formalised d/s relationships, or just characters being a bit toppy/subby in the bedroom (or out of it):

Do you have a really firm preference for a given pairing who is dominant, who submissive? Because boy howdy, I really do. There are certain pairings where I can. not. read. d/s flavoured fic if the dynamic written is opposite to my head canon. Like, I can see that the writing is great and the plot brilliant, whatever, but I just. can. not. And then. Some other pairings I don't mind at all which way the power pendulum swings.

To give you some examples, here's pairings where I cannot read (or have no interest in writing) fic with d/s dynamic unless it's in the specific direction as indicated below. Pairings listed in the dominant/submissive order

Hawaii Five-0: Danny/Steve
Person of Interest: Finch/Reese
Marvel: Bruce/Tony, Pepper/Tony, Steve/Bucky, Coulson/Clint
Bandom: Patrick/Pete, Gerard/Frank, Bob/Frank, Gerard/Mikey, Patrick/Gerard (look, Patrick tops everyone, okay?
Being Human: George/Mitchell
Stargate Atlantis: Rodney/John, Carson/Rodney, Radek/Rodney
Good Omens: Aziraphale/Crowley
Supernatural: Sam/Dean
Star Trek: McCoy/Kirk
Sherlock: John/Sherlock
Harry Potter: Remus/Sirius, Harry/Draco
NCIS: Tim/Tony
Grimm: Monroe/Nick
X-Men: Charles/Erik
Daredevil: Foggy/Matt

Common thread: it's the quiet, unassuming ones who bring it... I have a lot of head canon and feelings about this re the above pairings, ask me if you want to know more! Or get my thoughts on pairings not listed!

Furthermore, in the rare occasion I read het fic, I cannot stomach anything but femdom if power dynamics are introduced. Any hint of female submission in a het fic makes me extremely uncomfortable and I'll be hitting the back key no matter how good the writing, how healty/ssc the relationship portrayal etc.

Then again, there are tons of pairings where I don't mind switching it up (pun entirely intended). Mainly e.g. Panic boys from bandom (although I read Spencer as a top most of the time, I can be convinced otherwise), Hobbit/LOTR and, well probably some others.   


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Title: that which remains
Author: MistressKat / kat_lair 
Fandom: Being Human
Characters: Annie, George, Mitchell (OT3 if you want)
Rating: PG-13
Word count: 326
Disclaimer: Not mine, only playing

Summary: The vampires don’t win.

Author notes: Written for randomly selected fandom and prompt (post apocalypse)

( that which remains )

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Title: Lecture 1. Introduction
Author: Mistress Kat / kat_lair
Fandom: Being Human UK
Characters/Genre: George, Mitchell, Annie, university!AU
Rating: G
Word count: 500
Disclaimer: Not mine, just playing.

Summary: “Welcome to ‘Interrogating Humanity’,” the lecturer said from the front.

Author notes: Written as a response for a randomly drawn fandom and prompt: Being Human + university AU.

( Lecture 1. Introduction )

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Being Human UK

Teethe and its continuation Suffer Well - Hal/Tom. Hands up if you thought the werewolf/vampire dynamic mark 2 was as ripe for some slash potential as the mark 1. o/ This is a very, very hot, but more importantly interesting and subtle exploration of that, with both guys perfectly in character. Hal can't drink Tom's blood, which makes him a safe substitute to do... everything else with. Right? The sexual tension in these fics is something else and the otherness, the 'not human' aspect of the the characters comes through loud and clear.



Hawaii Five-0

Tell You What (you're gonna do) - Danny/Steve. I loved the effortless, organic feel of this, and the banter and Danny's internal monologue were just spot on. The sex scene was well balanced between smut and emotional connection, without veering so much on either direction as to leave me bored.  



Lord of the Rings

The Paths of the Living - Aragorn/Boromir, Aragorn/Faramir, Aragorn/Boromir/Faramir. Boromis survives the Orc attacks and so Aragorn finds himself with two princes of Ithilien to love. The language is gorgeous and the dynamic between the three men believably developed.



Original Fic

The Heart May be Tiny but the World's Enormous - m/m. Down on his luck goat-thief gets caught in the act by the goat's owner who turns out to be a widowed swordsmith with a young child to look after and a need for a live-in babysitter... This is a wonderful long read, set in a richly drawn world of Imperial China (or something closely reminiscent). Everything is viscerally realistic, from the everyday chores to the characters with their human imperfections to the sex. Highly recced.



Psych

The Closet and Dr Caligari - Gus/Shawn. Oh god, long Gus/Shawn is so rare that I literally squealed from excitement when I stumbled across this 37k fic of awesomeness from an author whom you may recognise from the Life of Mars fandom. This fic reads like a really good episode of the show with a suitably ridiculous case to solve but with a lovely 'from best friends to lovers' development to go with it as both men struggle with their own fears and insecurities. Lovely read, perfectly captures why this pairing is the otp of the show for me.



Sherlock Holmes (2009 movie)

A Perfectly Ordinary Day - Holmes/Watson. A fic about the day that changed everything, a lovely slow pace and attention to detail.

Observations on Sentinels and Guides in Victorian London - Holmes/Watson, AU. Where Holmes is the Prime Alpha Sentinel of London, without a Guide until one war-weary doctor steps out of the ship. The world-building in this is truly fascinating and the fic hits my possessiveness kink in the best way possible. Interesting secondary characters, details of the society and a case to the boot. Great, long and engrossing read.

Silver Light and Shadow - Holmes/Watson, AU. Summer camp AU, after a fumbling teenage teenaged night fiver years ago the boys are back at the camp, this time as counsellors. A charming story.



Sherlock Holmes (book canon)

What’s in a Name? - Holmes/Watson. Holmes does some maneouvering to ensure that Watson returns to Baker Street and finds that the domesticity between takes on a new flavour. A lovely getting together fic with warm comfortable inevitability.



Star Trek (Reboot)

Not All Those Who Wander - Gen. Spock Prime wanders the universe, righting wrongs and being a badass. A certain level of canon knowledge is needed for the whole awesome impact of it, but a true treat to leave any Trekkie grinning.

Look! rentboy!fic! \o?

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Title: innocence for days
Author:  Mistress Kat / kat_lair
Fandom: Being Human (UK)
Pairing: George/Mitchell
Rating: NC-17
Word count: 3,708
Disclaimer: Not mine, only playing.
Summary: Unfortunately, the current economic climate meant that there weren’t many career prospects available for a young man with a regrettable case of lycanthropy. Or: George takes up hustling, Mitchell is not amused.

Author notes: I never meant to write rentboy!fic for this fandom, but I don’t really regret it either. This is completely ridiculous authorial wish fulfilment that ended up way fluffier toward the end than I really planned on. Damn my hopefully romantic heart. Thank you to moth2fic for a wondrous beta and protecting me from excessive cross-Atlantic language drift. Special mention to pushkin666 and trialia for their enthusiastic encouragement along the way. Title from House of Wolves by My Chemical Romance because I’m just that lame.

Chinese translation available: Link 1 and Link 2

( innocence for days )