#firbolging

summary:

Old friends are moving to town. Caleb Widogast wishes he hadn't introduced Jester Lavorre to his past by mistake. (A Dresden Files AU.)

oh what a lovely question! well, I'd first recommend checking out books and authors Joanna has mentioned over the years:

her favorite "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner (if you read it and enjoy it, I personally really liked "The Wild Palms [If I Forget Thee, Jerusalem]" too, can definitely sense Joanna vibes);

maybe I'm boring but you can't go wrong with Vladimir Nabokov (anything tbh, his writing is gorgeous) - Pale Fire, Ada or Ardor: A Family Chronicle (fun fact: Joanna read before/while writing Divers and if you read it you'll get it; it gave me some Gabriel García Márquez vibes if you like him, you might enjoy Ada), Lolita (Joanna wrote a paper in college analyzing color mauve in it so definitely try it out), Letters to Vera (because I love Love);

my dear James Joyce - I'd say read all of it haha but to see Divers in a different light, try Finnegans Wake;

Joanna also loves Ernest Hemingway for his style of writing, and I get why, he writes so clearly. She's mentioned loving Toni Morrison. Go for their classics.

I'd also add Jorge Luis Borges "A New Refutation of Time", "The Book of Sand" - I found his way of writing about time really fascinating.

truly truly inspiring and entertaining every day 😭

6. forehead kisses but it’s the male being kissed on the head

This is a modern AU because why the fuck not? 

Pike loves the rare morning where she’s awake before Vax, the early sunlight streaming in and highlighting the deep brown of his hair and the sharpness of his cheekbones. She props herself up on her elbow, fingers gently combing through the strands as he snores quietly. It’s a rare quiet day, they’re both off of work and Pike plans on spending as much time in this bed as she can. 

Vax starts to stir when her fingers find a tangle in his hair and he blinks sleepily at her, a slow grin spreading across his face. “You were watching me sleep again.” 

“It’s so rare that I wake up ahead of you, I was just taking advantage of the situation.” Pike says, grinning back at him. 

“It always amazes me that someone who worships the literal sunshine goddess is not a morning person.” 

“Not all of us can be ready to go at a moment’s notice. Some of us enjoy the slow process of waking up.” Pike says with a soft giggle. 

She rolls on top of him, wiggling a little to get comfortable before landing a smacking kiss to his forehead. 

“What was that for?” 

“Because you’re cute. And so are your snores.”

26. when it’s a slow burn, and the characters just look at each other like “fuck it i’m done with this” and kiss

Slight spoilers for episode 128 of campaign 2 

Jester would say it came out of nowhere but she’d be lying, this thing between her and Caleb has been building for ages -- Ever since that waltz back in Huperdook she thinks to herself -- and she’s getting a little tired of letting him go on believing she doesn’t feel the same way. She’s going to tell him, really she is but then there’s Trent and they’re running for their lives and Fjord and Beau and Yasha are in the Happy Fun Ball and suddenly -- well then they’re in the Fire Plane and everything sort of goes tits up for a while. 

“Oh man. I am so glad you got a long rest Cay-leb.” Jester groans as she sinks into a chair in the tower. 

Everyone else has scattered to their rooms for a much needed afternoon nap, Marion kissing Jester on the forehead and thanking Caleb for his hospitality before floating up to the guest room. Caleb sits next to her, his chin resting on his hand. 

“Ja, me too. We should be safer here than out in the open at least.” Caleb says as he shifts to lean his head back against the chair. 

“You -- you were right to just attack Trent. Back in the sanitorium.” Jester says, her voice soft as she turns to look at Caleb. “He’s -- he’s an evil, evil man and he deserved it.” 

Caleb shakes his head, “That is not why I did it. I did it because I knew if he was allowed a chance to speak he would have -- I could not let him harm you or Veth. I will not let that happen.” He hisses the last sentence, face intense. 

Jester huffs, “You know what, fuck this.” She says, standing up and walking in front of him. She plants her hands on the arms of his chair, boxing him in as she leans closer. “I am going to kiss you now, you’re going to kiss me back and then admit that you’re in love with me.” 

“Jester --”

“No. I am tired of other people deciding what’s best for me. I love you Cay-leb Widogast.” Jester murmurs before pressing her lips to his. 

Caleb’s hands flail before one wraps around her wrist, the other settling on her side as he sighs into the kiss. He’s flushed when she pulls away, eyes darting everywhere but her face as she stands up. 

“Well. I’m waiting.” Jester sings, arms crossed over her chest as her foot taps on the floor. 

HEY BABEEEEEE WE’VE KNOWN EACH OTHER SO LONG

1. first impression: this is VERY hazy because it’s been like seven! years! oh my god but i was so so in awe of you and your writing, and VERY scared when you started talking to me! i remember like typing out a joke to send to you on messages for the first time and being like “i CANNOT fuck this up!! fuck!!”

2. truth is: We Are The Same Person.....  Whatever Souls Are Made Of, Yours And Mine Are The Same.....  I Would Die For You.... you’re a nerd but a very talented one and also very funny

3. how old do you look: like 12

4. have you ever made me laugh: do i even have to answer this question??? you’ve seen it happen so many times

5. have you ever made me mad: ya cos ur too hot n sexy :(

6. best feature: legally, i’m required to say your boobs. you know this. also like you’re just so kind and lovely and talented and i can’t pick one feature because i get all teary thinkin about you. you’ve helped me through so much and like i almost definitely would commit murder on your behalf

7. have I ever had a crush on you: yes it’s the aforementioned boobs

8. you’re my: big sister and twin and writing inspiration and all the lovely things

Oh darling 🥹 Even the quote is so sad and lonely. It’s beautiful and has light but the melancholy seeps through and sinks the body.