#rrposts

Psst, do you want to know my secret about ending fic in a way that's natural and full circle, because it's really simple and you won't be able to un-see it in my fics, but it's so useful?

End with the start

Truly, I know how that sounds, but I see people go like 'i didn't know how to end this, so this is it ig' and I am here to help you, because that is a fucking mooood. I write until I have written the parts I want and then I just stop writing. Trying to force yourself to write more because you think you have to, instead of wanting to, is the fic killer. You won't finish it or be unsatisfied with leaving it like that.

So, when I get all the parts I want written out, I scroll back to my opening few paragraphs, copy them below for reference and rewrite them in a reflecting manner. You usually start a fic at a certain point for a reason and by the end you have moved away from it to go through the plot, so just look back.

For example, even in my I Do-verse fic, the main one, I start with the egg run and then 213k words later I reflect back on the egg run. Or in my more recent FMAB fic, the start paragraph is:

Hawkeye likes the times where the Elric brothers are around. It changes the atmosphere in the office to something more joyous and less serious and tense. Despite the adult status his pocket watch has granted Ed, everyone on Roy’s team are aware that him and Alphonse are still children and it’s hard not to become gentler around their enthusiastic nature. And there’s never a dull moment either.

And then I end the fic with this paragraph:

Overall, Hawkeye likes the times when the Elric brothers are around. It changes the atmosphere in the office to something more joyous and less serious and tense, and there is never a dull moment either. However, she must say, that she is a little relieved to leave this non-dull moment behind her.

Then Jamie suddenly moves, his head turning to the side so he’s making eye contact with Sam, while Sam freezes, not moving a muscle. It’s almost unnatural to have the silence from the rest of the evening suddenly broken by Jamie talking. “If I asked you a big favor, would you keep it a secret, even if you didn’t agree to doing it?”

“What?” Sam manages to choke out, the word being more a noise than anything else.

“Like, if I asked you something and you said no, ‘cause you’re allowed to say no. I’m not your fucking minder, now am I? Would you keep your trap shut?” Jamie asks.

Sam isn’t sure what sort of favor Jamie could have to ask of him and this whole thing is making him a little uneasy. He should say no. Should tell Jamie to just go to sleep and leave it at that. However, Sam isn’t brave like that and Sam is also worried. Jamie has been acting weird and maybe right now he will tell Sam what is up with him. Maybe Sam can have some peace of mind after this and actually sleep, so he’ll be rested for the match tomorrow. “I won’t tell,” he promises, figuring there can’t be much harm in doing that.

Jamie studies him for a moment, eyes still locked on Sam’s with his head lolled to the side. Then he looks back up at the ceiling and asks: “Can you stay ‘ere wi’ me for the night? Not leave me alone and shit?” in the softest voice Sam has ever heard from anyone.

~~

snippet from my season 1 canon divergence au wip that i hope to finish soon 👀

(im already working on chapter 23 and i have it planned out till the end, i just have to write it)

~~

They’re almost late, since putting laces back in is a lot more work than taking them out, so the two of them arrive at the coach together, both out of breath. Jamie, forever louder, yells: “We’re on time! One minute!” He waves around his watch. “Ya can’t get me with those fines,” as he tosses his bag in the storage.

Sam is a little less brash and a little more sensitive to what others think of him, so he pauses awkwardly next to everyone, very aware of all the looks the two of them are getting. He had known this was coming, but he wants to shrink in on himself regardless, but hides instead by gently putting his own duffel away.

In a way, everyone’s shock and disbelief at the two of them arriving with each other on at least not entirely hateful terms, is more hurtful than Jamie’s casual dismissal.

Trying to gather some of the courage he had felt with directing Jamie and taking charge of the situation last night, he straightens his spine and says: “Yes. Not late,” before quickly hurrying to his seat.

Ted is looking at the two of them caught between delight and bewilderment. Sam would not put it above him for the whole roommates situation to have been a ploy to encourage teamwork. He would resent Ted more for that, had the night not gone how it has.

“Well, fellas, I am mighty glad the two of you are on time. I hope y’all are rested and ready to kick some serious butt,” Ted smiles, eyes getting caught on Sam’s face for a second, hesitating.

Sam knows that despite Jamie’s work, he still looks tired. And he can see all sorts of conclusions being drawn in Ted’s eyes, none of them kind to Jamie, he gathers as Ted’s eyes flick to where Jamie is carelessly laughing at something Isaac says, sliding into his seat as well. By looking at them, it would seem that Sam has had the rougher night, but that is just because he is not used to pretending.

A strange protectiveness over Jamie surges through him and he quirks a brow at Ted, almost challenging him to say something and showing that he is fine. He has never challenged a coach like this and he almost shocks himself by doing it. Just as he shocks Ted, who looks genuinely surprised for the first time since Sam has known him.

Jamie blinks for a second, glancing over to Ted, before following after Sam. As he falls into step next to him, he asks: “So, what did the gaffer want? Babble American nonsense at you, or do you actually follow what he says?”

“Most of the time, I follow,” Sam smiles, feeling better now that he is leaving the locker room behind him. “He was asking about our dinner plans.”

“Our dinner plans?” Jamie frowns in confusion. “Is he like against take out or summat? I mean, I know he did coach before coming ‘ere, but I didn’t think he were the type to be anal ‘bout cheat days.”

“I don’t think he cares about the take out, more curious that we were eating together,” Sam tells him.

“Ahhhh, he thinks we’re fucking,” Jamie nods understandingly.

Sam chokes on his spit, couching a few times, as he wheezes out a: “What?”

“No need to be so dramatic, lad,” Jamie says casually, throwing open the doors to the parking lot of Nelson Road. “You’re right fit and I would, and I know I’m proper fit, so who wouldn’t, you get me? But, nah. Too intimate for a bloke I spooned with, don’t think I could.”

“The spooning makes it too intimate?” Sam asks, fascinated by Jamie’s thought process. He’s also half-sure Jamie just came out to him, but he is glossing over it, so Sam is just following suit.

“Yeah, can’t fuck in an utensil drawer, jus’ feels wrong, don’t it?” Jamie shrugs, making Sam laugh again.

Jamie is truly very fun to be around. It’s not an obligation to want to look out for him. These kind of moments balance it all out and Sam feels his shoulders relax even more as they make they way to the car.

~~

Their friendshippppppp ahhhhhhhhsldkghfh, I love them <3

(on chapter 32 now and 131k, I think I can keep it to 35 chapters, but knowing me I'd better play it safe and say 40 xp, either way, close to the end!)