#mega monday

I was tagged by @andtheywerebandmates Thank you!!! This is another bit from another fic. “Did You Find Everything You Were Looking For?

"I..just wanted to say thanks" he said,

"For helping me find the pencils I mean" Zayn added, looking at the name tag on his shirt.

"So thank you, Liam P" he smiled, the guy glancing down at his name tag. "Yeah totally!...I mean yes, you're welcome...from me, Liam....P. That is my name" he said.

"I hope your pencils work out for you" Liam added, Zayn nodding. "Yep, me too, I draw...a lot so..." he trailed off, still trying to not be nervous and awkward.

"That's cool, do you need anything else?" Liam asked, Zayn kinda wishing he did.

"Nope, that's all for me for now" he joked,

"Then, I'll see you around then?" Liam said, though it sounded more like a question to Zayn.

"Yeah, like I said, I'm sure we'll see each other soon...Liam P" Zayn smiled, Liam smiling back. They offered some sort of small wave to each other before Zayn walked to the checkout.

"Did you find everything you were looking for?" the woman asked,

"Yes....I did, thank you" Zayn replied, unable to hold back a rather large smile. The woman just raised her eyebrow,

"That's good then" she said, scanning the item.

Streetlights in the Dark Blue by @livflahertydingle

Aaron/Robert (2025, Mature, 10K)

"But Aaron went through life alone because of Robert’s mistakes. And so, Robert owes it to him to listen. Even though he’s five years and six months late, even if it might mean nothing in the end, even if his chest feels hollow all over." Robert is released from prison. As he makes his way back to the village, he listens to all the voice messages Aaron left him over the years. Or: They're both perpetually in motion, moving towards each other.

Here, have a spot of post-prison angst for your Monday morning! This is a gorgeous fic, an exploration of the years between Aaron and Robert through voice notes while Robert makes his way home.

"In that his selfishness has somehow evolved to include Aaron as part of himself, and not only that, but that he was, and still is, the part of him that matters most. The part he would sever to keep it safe from the rotten core of him."

since i've been away, i've loved you more each day

by @bartonmatty

Aaron/Robert (2026, Teen +, 29k)

Robert parks the car outside the Woolpack and takes a final look at himself in the rearview mirror. He looks good, if he’s allowed to say so himself; hair softly quiffed to frame his face, the grey button up complimenting the burgundy suit perfectly. Robert looks himself in the eyes and feels his jaw tighten slightly before it relaxes and a confident grin takes its place. It’s just one day. He can handle his family for one day. For Victoria’s sake. or, Four Weddings and a Funeral AU

The librarian has a secret to share, she is a bit of a sucker for a romcom au, so this was always going to be a hit. This one in particular, though, has been subject to more than one reread. It's lots of fun, but there are also a few moments that will really hit you where it hurts. This librarian was particularly moved by the way that Aaron is described through Robert's eyes, with so much love. The conflict is carefully crafted, so perfectly in character and resolved in such a satisfying way that you will be kicking your little feet throughout.

This is also a great one for the village because features plenty ancillary characters, such as John, Jack and even, wonderfully, Katie. Really the village is a character in and of itself, which this librarian loves.

the song in the silence

by @icouldhyperfixatehim

Aaron/Robert (2025, Mature, 25k)

What if Robert didn't have to make an entrance and crash the wedding? What if it started more quietly? What if it started with a letter?

This fic is a true and utter delight, a wonderful exploration of what might have happened if Robert and Aaron had reconnected under slightly different circumstances in 2025, and *SPOILER* if we got got the big, Woolpack siege showdown that this librarian was secretly hoping John would bring.

It's so cleverly and gorgeously written, with a perfect balance of angst and action and romance, exactly what we need on these long, hot nights while we anxiously await the next big villain to invade our dear village.

(If you enjoy this, this librarian urges you to check out the excellent sequel too)

Today's stream is Mega Monday 9! To kick off #streamweek I'm gonna try to playthrough one of my favorite Mega Man games. Will the challenge taint my memory? Tube in to find out! https://twitch.tv/lupermattroid Stream starts at 7PM CST (momentarily)!

#MegaMonday starts soon with Mega Man 8! Often considered the worst in the series, come see the first ever series cutscenes WITH voiceover and see if we can Jump Jump and Slide Slide our way to victory. Starts soon, Fall Guys to follow maybe? https://www.twitch.tv/lupermattroid