#imbl

I don't have a lot of time for writing thanks to The Child, but when I do it's usually one of these three WIPs, all Dead Boy Detectives fics. Thought I'd share some snippets for WIP Wednesday in the hopes that it will keep my motivation up.

Absolution (Working title for the Simon redemption fic)

“But how am I supposed to go on to whatever Afterlife there is for me if he's still got Hell hanging over his head?” asked Simon.  Death shrugged. “There's always choices. You can have a personalised, peaceful Afterlife, whatever that looks like for you, or there's reincarnation, where you get another chance at life, maybe do things better next time around. You've already done your time in Hell, so that's out.” “Would I know what I did, if I reincarnated?” Simon asked. Death shook her head. “Nope. I mean, there's a few who do get some memories to carry over but mostly, it's one life and one set of memories to make. You wouldn't remember Edwin or anything else.” “Then I'm not reincarnating,” Simon said. “And I can't go on to whatever peace there is, not when Edwin can't.” “His Afterlife, whatever form that would take, wouldn't necessarily align with yours, you know,” Death said. She sounded amused, of all things. “You wouldn't see him again.” “It's not about that!” Simon snapped, even as he realised that arguing with Death herself was probably a bad idea. “it's just not right that I can go on to — to, what, to Heaven? And he can't because of me! Isn't there another option?” “There are rules even I can't break, you know,” Death said. She eyed him speculatively. “But there are some I can choose to ignore, once in a while and some I can bend. You're sure you don't want to just go on and find your peace?” “I was punished for my cruelty, my guilt and my shame,” Simon said. “But I don’t think that means I’ve atoned for my actions. If there’s anything else I can do, to do some good instead, then I want to do that.” “In that case, why don't you work for me?” Death suggested.

It Must Be Love (Self indulgent Payneland getting together fic)

“What's up?” Crystal asked, pausing her movie. “Just…wanted to make sure things are clear between us,” Charles said, taking a seat on the armchair next to her.  Crystal shifted, setting the popcorn to one side and giving him her full attention. “Charles?” “It's just… what happened between us in Port Townsend. I just… want to make sure we're on the same page, right?” Charles dropped his gaze, feeling awkward. “Uh. Yeah, I suppose we should talk about that. I was. Kind of avoiding it, honestly,” Crystal confessed. “I don't want to hurt you. I've hurt enough people already, and I don't want to lose one of the first genuine friends I've ever had.” Charles looked up at her, plastering a smile on. “Can't be that bad, can it? I mean, I know we kissed back in Port Townsend but we haven't since you said goodbye in the butcher shop and. Uh. I'm okay with that. If we just… leave that stuff in Port Townsend. Not that I don't think you're brills or anything!” he rushed to add on. “‘Cause you are but I don't think it's a good idea to keep on, you know?” “Oh, thank god,” Crystal said, flinging herself back on the sofa. “I was terrified you wanted more.” “Oi!” Charles said in mock offence. “What do you mean, terrified?”

Untitled Poltergeist?Charles fic (AU where Charles dies alone, and Crystal attends St. Hilarions as a student, eventual Payneland probably)

Crystal kept half an eye on the crowd, in case anyone told her off for being there instead of at the girls’ dormitory. That was the only reason she noticed one of the boys breaking away from the crowd. No one spoke to him or called put as he wandered away, hands in his pockets. Crystal wondered if he was like her, a new student who hadn't yet made friends. He seemed to know where he was going though, walking around the back of the building and ending up walking the path in front of Crystal. She debated turning around. She didn't want to be accused of following anyone when she was just walking. But then again, she was just walking, and maybe there would be a fork in the path and she could go one way and the boy the other. Didn't have to be anything strange or awkward about it. So Crystal kept walking, and unintentionally following the boy in front. She couldn't make out any details. A slim build and black hair, but that was it. He had patches and pins on his coat like some kind of punk, but she couldn't make out what they were. For the next few minutes, she ended up trailing behind him, slowing her pace so she didn't catch up and have to deal with the awkwardness of passing him when she had no actual destination in mind. Even so, she was still close enough to see when he strayed from the path towards an old building by the treeline.  And she was close enough to see when he walked through the door. Without opening it. Crystal stopped. “Fuck.” She turned around and walked back the way she came. Fuck this. Of course her parents would send her to a fucking haunted school. Well, tough shit. She was not getting involved with ghosts and demons and any other supernatural bullshit, especially not when the term hadn't even started yet.

Almenjoi vs Beepa (Almenjoi 3-0)