sisan

have you never heard someone speak with the gravel in their voice when they get angry? Because that’s what a growl is.

Have you never heard someone sharply whisper something through the thin space of their teeth? Or when your mother sharply told you to stop it in public as a kid when you were acting up/being too loud? Because that’s what a hiss is.

Have you never heard a man get so blackout angry that their voice BOOMS through the house? Because that’s what a roar is.

Have you never seen someone bare their teeth while talking to accentuate their frustration or anger while speaking with a vicious tone? Because that’s what snarling is.

It's the same with softer sounds. A purr is that low, gravelly mmmmm noise of pleasure, or words warm and smooth as melted chocolate. When someone chirps, it's bright and happy and quick, the syllables a little clipped in excitement. Panting is not tongue lolling like a dog; it's a heaving chest and words that are half-breath.

1. The FBI's Famous Cases & Criminals archive (fbi.gov/history/famous-cases) has detailed breakdowns of real fraud cases, Ponzi schemes, and confidence operations. The language they use is clinical and precise, which is perfect for getting the procedural details right.

2. The FTC Consumer Sentinel Network publishes annual reports on the most common fraud tactics in the US. Great for understanding how modern scams actually work and what makes people fall for them.

3. The Smithsonian's American Art Museum has a free digital collection of forgery case studies. If your character forges documents or art, this is gold.

4. Court Listener (courtlistener.com) is a free legal database where you can read actual court transcripts from fraud trials. Want to know how a real con artist talks under oath? This is where you find out.

5. The Internet Archive's collection of old newspaper crime sections. Search for "confidence man" or "swindle" in papers from the 1920s through 1960s and you'll find incredible real stories that would feel too dramatic for fiction.

Bonus: The Psychology of Fraud section on the Association for Psychological Science website has accessible articles about why people trust, how deception works cognitively, and what makes someone a convincing liar. Essential reading if you want your con artist characters to feel psychologically real.

Agott&Coco♡

I’m tired. Me too. We walked all this way. I mean… I’m tired of hiding us. Is it worth it, then? Not yet.

Please reblog and/or go support the authors directly if you like any of these recs. Some of these are already quite famous (because they’re GOOD), but I also threw in a couple hidden gems.

Asymmetry; by sowell: 

Naruto teaches Sasuke how to believe again. (complete, 7,411 words; canon setting)

Why you should read it: This really captures their relationship, the fact that it’s not pretty, not entirely healthy, but… it’s beautiful and heartwrenching. Sasuke is a petty asshole and this one made me want to give him a hug. Fair warning: if cheating squicks you, I’d rather you pass that one than make yourself uncomfortable. Naruto and Sasuke are very much caught in each other’s orbit and since they’re both complete dumbasses…there are consequences. That being said, the author’s take on all characters is nuanced and respectful. All in all, a great read. 

Blood ties; by KizuKatana:

Only one clan that he’d heard of had eyes like that. Naruto gripped the hilt of his sword tighter. He only hoped that the man facing him hadn’t heard that the alliance between their clans had fallen through. And that Naruto was the one who’d broken it. (154,078 words WIP as of July 14th, 2020; fantasy AU)

Why you should read it: GO READ THIS MASTERPIECE. I love this fic so much I could weep. Look, look. I don’t know how to convey to you how much this fucking rocks. The fate of the world kind of depends on their level of gayness for each other, and Naruto fucks it up three minutes in. But you know the actual best thing about this? Sasuke has his shit together for once. Oh, and they kick some major ass.

Dirty Little Itch; by Angelas:

It’s Naruto’s first day of high school. And thanks to Sasuke, first day for a lot of different stuff. (complete, 14,512 words; modern setting)

Why you should read it: Listen, I don’t rec just any high school AU. This is the good stuff!!

Flesh and Bone; by dawnstruck:

“He says we are engaged to each other, you moron.” (complete, 14,343 words; canon setting)

Why you should read it: I mean, if you’re weak for the arranged marriage trope like me, this is a no brainer. 

Hokage’s Shadow; by SasuNarufan13:

They think the Hokage travelling alone makes an easy target. They really should think twice - and perhaps wonder why nobody has tried attacking him before. (complete, 3,486 words; canon setting)

Why you should read it: He protecc

Hopeless Wanderer; by dawnstruck:

Instead of fighting at the Valley of the End, Sasuke convinces Naruto to join him. Together and on the run, they develop a co-dependent relationship that blurs the lines between love and make-belief. Notes:[Single parts should be read in order.] (series, complete; canon setting)

Why you should read it: A little bit messed up and so, so good. The whole series is just *chef’s kiss*.  

if the sun and the moon should doubt; by sprx77:

It’s been two weeks since their last mission.

“Don’t start something you can’t finish.” Sasuke huffs, haughty, against his skin. ( part of a series, complete, 5,305 words, can be read as a standalone; canon setting)

Why you should read it: A smutty one-shot that explores what their dynamic might be like if Sasuke never deserted the village. To spice things up a bit, I recommend reading this installment first, then checking out the prequel to discover how they ended up together to begin with. 

moving forward; by sausegay:

Where sasuke and naruto travel in a new world, sort out their feelings, and the culminating act is sasuke eating naruto’s ass in the woods. (complete, 23,318 words; canon setting)

Why you should read it: …It’s just really nice when Sasuke deals with having emotions like an halfway sane human being. And it’s really nice to have these two morons travelling together, bickering, and landing themselves into all kinds of trouble. And eating ass, I guess. 

Two Lifetimes; by KinomiAkai: 

With every passing day, it’s becoming clearer and clearer that Sasuke is dead. So what else would Naruto do, if he got the chance to try all over again? (complete, 11,166 words, canon setting)

Why you should read it: Ok, so…time-travel. In Naruto fics I’m kind of iffy about that trope because it’s hard to make it work, I’m already attached to the characters and I don’t want them to land in/create alternate dimensions where their friends are not really their friends. Right? Right. This is an alternate dimension kinda fic. And it fucking works. Trust me with this one. 

Waiting for an Answer; by KinomiAkai:

After eight years of struggling, Naruto finally caves and confesses to Sasuke. But it’s okay; nothing is going to change between them. Everything will be the same. …The moment Sasuke stops bringing it up every twenty seconds, it’ll be the same. (complete, 8013 words; modern setting)

Why you should read it: This is so damn cute. As much as I love pining idiots, Naruto being absolute shit at hiding his feelings gives me life. 

Warm; by reunionwillcome:

Naruto hates himself. It’s been years since he finally came to terms with his feelings for Sasuke and how they went far beyond that of pure friendship; years since they won the war and saved the world; years since Sasuke packed his bags and left the village, embarking on a journey of atonement and self-discovery which seemed to have nothing to do with Naruto whatsoever. Whoever said time heals all wounds was a fucking liar. (20,086 words WIP as of July 14th, 2020; canon setting)

Why you should read it: Angsty pining ahoy! This one is the complete opposite of the previous rec, as in, it focuses heavily on Naruto’s attempts to hide and move on from his romantic feelings for Sasuke, because he’s convinced that they’re unwelcome (they very much are not). Also, jealousy happens. Alternately: In which Sasuke expresses his feelings with slammed doors. 

When the House Falls Down; by sowell:  

When the house falls down, all that’s left is to rebuild. (complete, 40,323 words; canon setting)

Why you should read it: This one broke me. …It picks up kind of slow, at first, but that’s just so it can turn around and punch you in the face. Repeatedly.

Yearning in the Fray; by InstantKarma83:

In 1864, Kyoto, Japan, a lord and his warrior learn to overcome prejudices in order to work together. However, their biggest obstacle is choosing between duty and love. (22k+ words WIP as of July 14th, 2020; historical AU)

46.2% of muslim women with severe vitamin D deficiency had high bone turnover. Hyperparathyroidism is found in 38.6% of muslim women. This study was done in Australia, a very sunny and dry place, and these women were healthy in every other way, keep that in mind.

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like fuck holy shit people

don’t want real advice.