#qwanderer

Of course, dear!

Sweet by qwanderer

Crowley traces tiny circles on the tablecloth with his finger. Aziraphale's pupils dilate as he watches. Before, he would have looked away.

They have scripts and games. They've been known to tease each other. The teasing was never going to lead to anything.

The fact that it could, today, now, is terrifying.

Crown of Thorns Pod’rama Chapter 75 — art by qwanderer

For the final full chapter of our story, so long it’s divided into parts, qwanderer created a lovely linked series hinting at significant moments during each section.

Image descriptions:  There are six illustrations in total, all centred around a wooden framework reminiscent of a stile or a bit of fence. In the first, April, the wood is twined with pea vines and fairy lights. A mouse sits on the frame. A plaque reads, “April: With the Unfamiliar Name.”

In the second, the frame is twined with rosemary and ivy. On the crossbar sits a jar of jam labelled “Rosehip and honey.” A plaque reads, “May: With Transitory Blossom.”

In the third, a green snake climbs the frame, and a feather, an iron nail, and a hermit crab sit on the crossbar. A plaque reads, “June: With Voluptuary Sweetness.”

In the fourth, the frame is surrounded by roses, hellebore, and an apple branch bearing a small green apple. A plaque reads, “July: With the Flickering Tongue.”

In the fifth, a green snake climbs the frame. A burning cigarette rests on the crossbar. Over the frame hangs an apple branch bearing a large, lightly blushed apple. A plaque reads, “August: With a Kind of Valediction.”

In the sixth, the frame is twined with brambles bearing ripe red and black berries, and fairy lights. A mouse sits on the crossbar, nibbling berries. A plaque reads, “Epilogue: Here, Now and Always.”

Listen to all six parts of Where We Start, the chapter that inspired @qwanderer — April, May, June, July, August and Epilogue.

Oooo, yes, you have saved me from not actually writing and rereading Die Hard john/matt epics. This is actually a scene that may or may not be axed, idk, I like it so it’s still in for now, but I haven’t figured out how it advances the plot:

I ditch my bike at the bottom of the bleachers andstumble my way up almost blindly, the rising sun peeking bright and boldbetween the metal slats to stab my brain. Between late night card games and thespinning wheel of dread that is Carly and Daphne becoming friends—isn’t it bad enough she has Missy?—I’m not firing on allcylinders this morning.

“You rang,” I say, collapsing next to Sarah on the bench.

Spins looks like he’s half-asleep, elbows leaning onthe seat behind him, chin flopping down into his chest. The unlit cigarettethat’s sticking to his bottom lip makes him look like a dumbass.

“I’m doing a photoshoot,” Sarah says.

“No.” I literally crawled out of bed ten minutesago. It feels like something died in my mouth. At some point I’ll gather enoughenergy to go get mints out of my locker. There’s a good chance I’m wearing thetank top I went to bed in under my zip up hoodie, but I can’t remember if Ichanged this morning or not. Am I even wearing underwear? A thoughtful pauseand casual shift of my hips points to nope.

Sarah looks disgustingly chipper, like it’sperfectly normal to be at school at six am.

Farita looks the kind of wide awake that means shemight not have actually ever gone to bed—manic, wide eyes and a shake to thehands she has wrapped around her thermos of coffee.

Sarah balls up her McMuffin wrapper, stuffs it inthe McDonald’s bag and gets to her feet. Clapping her hands together, she says,“You don’t even need to do anything, I’m going for trashy all-nighter. Nolan,pull up your shirt a little, it’s time for everyone to know you have abs.”

I tug my shirt down and glare at her half-heartedly,but she bats my hands out of the way.

“Spins. Don’t move,” she says.

Spins twitches two fingers in some kind of salute,eyes still closed.

“Farita—”

Farita tenses up. I’m pretty sure she’s going topass out by first period.

“—I don’t know what your hair is doing, but I likeit.”

Sarah carefully takes her camera out of her bag andloops the strap over her neck, fingers quick on the lens cap, buttons. I yawnas she moves, ignoring the clicks, her thoughtful hmmms.

She says, “The sun is amazing, guys,” and, “Archyour back, Nolan,” and, “Think morning after orgy…”

The next thing I’m aware of, Sarah’s kicking at myfeet. She says, “We’re gonna be late for homeroom. Get your lanky ass up,lurch.”

Crown of Thorns Pod’rama Chapter 61 — art by qwanderer

Image description: A black and white drawing in pencil and conte crayon depicting a bathroom sink with shining taps, the water running and foam in the sink. An elderly hand with a wedding ring rests lightly on the tap. The hand is pale against the dark background and the mood is eerie.

Listen to Small Hauntings, the episode that inspired @qwanderer, here!

Crown of Thorns Pod’rama Chapter 65 — art collaboration by HatsuAka and qwanderer

Image description:  On a rich brown ground, two dark blue mugs sit side by side, steaming lightly. They are framed with an intricate border of pale blue Celtic-style knotwork with the number 3 in the lower left corner.

Listen to For Mourning, the episode that inspired this illustration, here!

The central illustration for this chapter was created by @buddingramblings See her previous work here.