get me off this crazy thing

Two posts in two days! It's crazy times. But I saw this on annavere's lj. Though none of my Highlander fic made the cut. :/ Just don't get enough traffic on HL stories compared to the MCU stories. 

Most Hits: Technically, this honor goes to my sole Star Wars story at 11,454 hits, but I posted that anonymously so you'll have to take my word for it. (My Ahsoka, Obi-Wan/Ahsoka, for the curious). Next story down is Twelve Times Damned at 9,392 hits, the same story as third most comments. Too lazy to link twice.

Second Most Kudos: Rusted Gate, MCU, Steve/Bucky (593 kudos)

How many times has he replayed this scene? The young private, the forest path, the rusted gate. Steve and him. This last chance to tell him. He knows what’s about to happen. Why can’t he tell him? How many times has he tried to change how it ends? Maybe this time, he can get it right.

Third Most Comments: Twelve Times Damned, MCU, Bucky/Clint/Laura (46 comment threads)

They were on the street when the voice came through comms. It went to all of them. They could all hear.

“Steve,” said the voice.

Clint stopped, turning to Rogers and Wilson at the sound of the unfamiliar voice. Rogers raised his hand up to his helmet and looked at the surrounding buildings, turning in a circle. “Bucky?” he asked. “Is that--Where are you?”

“Steve,” said the voice again, and Clint now knew it belonged to James Barnes. “It’s an ambush, Steve. Get the hell out of there.”

Fourth Most Bookmarks: Tony's Choice, MCU, Tony Stark, Peter Parker, Gen (153, but only 116 are public)

In order for the Avengers to use the Stones to reverse the Snap, they each must make a terrible choice.

“We are the gauntlet,” said Tony, looking at Clint, then at Thor and Natasha and Bruce, and finally, Steve. “What is it you keep harping on about? We do this together. We are the gauntlet. There are six stones, and six of us. We each take a Stone.”

Fifth Most Words: Starborn, MCU, Steve/Thor, 45,255 words 

As he walked, he wondered if sleeping through seventy years and then waking up to find almost everyone he’d ever known or loved gone was preferable to living through each loss. They both sucked, he decided, but he knew he wouldn’t have traded the last few decades for anything in the world.

Fewest words: Circle of Mirrors, Doctor Who, Donna Noble/Rose Tyler, 693 words.

AU during "Turn Left."

Oof, I haven't read Circle of Mirrors in ages. It's not half bad! Okay that was fun. Whee! 

My hopes and wishes for 2025 are mainly that nothing is as bad as people fear and we all have a good time. :D

I wrote three (3!) stories for Yuletide this year. Don't know what got into me. But it's mostly because I was indecisive. My recipient had 2 fandoms I could write for and I decided to write for both of them:

Main story:

Advantage (3935 words) by hafital
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Sting (1973)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Henry Gondorff/Johnny Hooker
Characters: Henry Gondorff, Johnny Hooker (The Sting), Billie (The Sting)
Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Late Night Conversations, Stubborn Johnny, Patient Henry, Johnny needs to learn to duck
Summary:

After his run-in with Snyder, Henry convinces Johnny to stay the night. 

And then, a Treat for the same recipient:

Pin My Siren Thief, Bombard (1326 words) by hafital
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Sneakers (1992)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Martin Bishop & Bernard Abbott
Characters: Martin Bishop, Bernard Abbott
Additional Tags: Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship, Yuletide Treat
Summary:

“What does this mean?” he asked, reading the card. “‘Pin my siren thief, bombard?’”

Abbott’s grin went as wide as wide could be, and it transformed his entire face.

By then, I was like may as well go for broke and write a third Robert Redford fandom, a Treat for dorinda!:

A Different Memory (2888 words) by hafital
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Spy Game (2001)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Tom Bishop/Nathan Muir
Characters: Nathan Muir, Tom Bishop
Additional Tags: Yuletide Treat
Summary:

One month into his retirement, Nathan Muir receives an unexpected visitor.

Always a pleasure to write for Dorinda. It was like I was running my own private little Robert Redford mildly injured h/c fic fest ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

Of the three, the Sneakers fic was the most difficult to write, to get the right tone and there's actually so very little of Agent Abbott in the film (the James Earl Jones character) that I had to really tease the story out bit by bit. And figuring out the anagram took some doing. (Also, how adorable is that movie!? Rewatching it after so many years was a treat in itself. My choice would probably be Martin/Whistler as a pairing, but I loved writing Agent Abbott quite a lot).

My favorite of the three is the Spy Game story (for reasons; also I posted it to the archive with literally 10 minutes to spare before the archive went live on Dec. 25 haha), though I have a soft spot for Johnny Hooker getting one over on Henry Gondorff. <3

This last year went by in a complete blur but then the last month or so slowed down to a very. slow. crawl. which was fine by me. I'm not actually in a rush to get to 2024 but it's here now! So, yay for New Year and hopefully we all survive it in tact and happy and healthy and the world stops being such a crazy shit show. That's my wish!

Later today, I'm going on a hike with friends up to the Griffith Observatory where there will be a beautiful (but probably hazy, knowing LA) view of Los Angeles. Huzzah!


That is very fitting for my own personal holiday theme I've got going on over here. Having lots of fond feeling for Los Angeles right now as my Yuletide gift got me to rewatch Once Upon a Time in Hollywood a few times this past week. It remains my favorite Tarantino movie, and possibly one of my favorite movies all together. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

(eta: whoa, just had an earthquake. okay maybe that's too much of an LA experience for New Years, let's pull it back)

It's been a Brad Pitt Yuletide. It's also been a very crooks and thieves and heists kind of season.

On to Yuletide Reveals --

I wrote 2 stories for Yuletide this year, which is 2 more than I've written for Yuletide since 2010!

What Really Happened with Marco (11458 words) by hafital
Chapters: 7/7
Fandom: Ocean's Eleven Trilogy (Movies)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Danny Ocean/Rusty Ryan
Characters: Danny Ocean, Rusty Ryan, Reuben Tishkoff, Saul Bloom, Isabel Lahiri, Tess Ocean, Linus Caldwell
Additional Tags: background Danny/Tess, background Rusty/Isabel, Canon-typical shenanigans, Stories as Truth, Team as Family, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Polyamory, No Danny Oceans were actually harmed in the writing of this story
Summary:

Rusty visits Danny's grave, and remembers. Meanwhile, everyone has a story to tell about Danny and Rusty.

and a treat for dorinda

Timing and Lighting (1841 words) by hafital
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Sting (1973)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Henry Gondorff/Johnny Hooker
Characters: Henry Gondorff, Johnny Hooker
Additional Tags: Yuletide Treat
Summary:

Johnny struggles to find the words he needs.

( yammering on writing and stuff )

mwah. happy new year!

hlh_shortcuts stories have been revealed! Every year we get an excellent crop of stories and this year is no exception. Please head on over and check out all the wonderful stories -- there's something for everyone.

This year I wrote another gen story focusing on the season 1 character Randi McFarland - the journalist who begins nosing around Duncan and Tessa's life, always asking probing questions and getting herself accidentally kidnapped by creepy doctors in basements haha.

Anyway, I would not have guessed writing this story would have been so fulfilling and enjoyable, but it is honestly one of my favorite stories I've ever written in this fandom. Not because it's super complicated or plotty or even particularly well written but it was so great to give a minor character a bigger sandbox to play in the show, to weave her into Duncan's life beyond what we see in the handful of eps she's in, AND perhaps most especially, to view the world of Immortals and Duncan in particular through someone who is a) not another immortal, b) not a main character, and c) not a watcher. She's just a person, who trips into that world, and stays.

Also, it was a true delight to write for my recipient, brightknightie.

I know Randi's not a particularly popular character, but I'm going to be rude and recommend you read my story anyway. :D

Big big thank you to my beta reader, raine. <3

The Jaded Journalist (9682 words) by hafital
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Highlander: The Series
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Duncan MacLeod & Randi McFarland, Duncan MacLeod/Tessa Noel, Randi McFarland & Tessa Noel
Characters: Randi McFarland, Duncan MacLeod, Tessa Noel, Amanda Darieux, Gina and Robert De Valicourt, Methos (Highlander)
Summary:

Randi McFarland, jaded journalist, finds her story.

well January has been...interesting. :D

Happy Day Before WeGetRidOfThatAHoleThe Inauguration!

hlh_shortcuts have been revealed! So many great stories, that I am still working my way through. Highlander fans please go check them out! All the stories are fantastic and there's something for everyone.

Now I can link to the story I wrote. For merriman. I love writing for merriman because I get to indulge my love of heists. This story is a little more tender-hearted and bittersweet, but it is a spiritual sibling to A Dance Told in Six Parts.

I have always wondered how Methos and Amanda know each other. When we first see them together in the Finale episodes, we never get an introduction, we don't get a flashback, we don't even see them meeting for the first time. They just know each other, no explanation. This story attempts to answer that question. At least partly. Hope you enjoy!

Thank you to killabeez for the beta! *mwah*

Jewel (11380 words) by hafital
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Highlander: The Series
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Amanda Darieux & Methos (Highlander), Amanda Darieux & Duncan MacLeod & Methos (Highlander)
Characters: Amanda Darieux, Methos (Highlander), Duncan MacLeod, Rebecca Horne
Additional Tags: Background Methos/Rebecca, Canon-Typical Violence, Non-Linear Narrative
Summary:

Amanda and Methos's friendship through the years.

***

“Methos,” she said, her voice a whisper. “You did this… for me?”

He tilted his head. “Is that so hard to believe?”

Tears blinded her, and she could only look down at the jewels in her hands, overwhelmed.

The Alternate Years (58833 words) by hafital
Chapters: 8/8
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers (Marvel Movies), Captain America (Movies)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Peggy Carter/Steve Rogers, James "Bucky" Barnes & Steve Rogers, James "Bucky" Barnes/Steve Rogers, Steve Rogers & Steve Rogers, Steve Rogers & Tony Stark, Steve Rogers & Howard Stark, Steve Rogers & Natasha Romanov, Steve Rogers & Thor
Characters: Steve Rogers, Peggy Carter, Bucky Barnes, Howard Stark, Maria Stark, Tony Stark, Natasha Romanov, Bruce Banner, Thor, Clint Barton, Howling Commandos
Additional Tags: Time Travel, Alternate Universe - Time Travel, Fix-It, Avengers: Endgame (Movie) Compliant, Canon Divergence - Avengers: Endgame (Movie), i have no idea how to tag this, This is not a love triangle story
Series: Part 4 of The Lifetimes of Steve Rogers
Summary:

To achieve his goal, Steve travels the slow way through an alternate timeline. What changes does he make? And what are the consequences that follow?

~*~
He had done it, though. He had achieved what he had longed for in the depths of his heart since he’d come out of the ice. Peggy Carter, Steve Rogers, and Bucky Barnes were together again. The Howling Commandos were together again. It brought a stinging bereavement to shade his profound relief. A part of him died, watching this, the part that he had been holding on to for so long. He could let go now, but it was painful as much as it was also beautiful.

~~~

I can't believe I'm almost done posting this beast. The next part is considerably shorter. In a normal world, it would coincide with the release of the Black Widow movie. :( I didn't necessarily plan it that way (in fact, I was very anxious to complete it well beforehand) but I am sad we have to wait for more Natasha. Oh well.

The previous part was my favorite part, but this one has a couple of scenes that just kill me. I kept trying to find ways to make it shorter, but I loved it too much lol.

I say in the notes, no one warned me that rewriting history would be so difficult and take so many words. I have no one but myself to blame.

I had no idea how to tag this without spoiling it too much beforehand. Eh. This is not a love triangle or threesome story. Figure it out.

A big, huge, thank you to slb44 for the beta!

Part 1: The Second Five Years
Part 2: The Infinity Stones
Part 3: The Third Five Years
Part 4: The Alternate Years

The Infinity Stones (29985 words) by hafital
Chapters: 6/6
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers (Marvel Movies), Captain America (Movies)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Steve Rogers & The Ancient One, Loki & Steve Rogers, Peggy Carter/Steve Rogers, Frigga | Freyja & Steve Rogers, Peter Quill & Steve Rogers, Steve Rogers & Heimdall, Steve Rogers & Natasha Romanov
Characters: Steve Rogers, Ancient One (Marvel), Loki (Marvel), Peggy Carter, Howard Stark, Edwin Jarvis, Frigga | Freyja (Marvel), Peter Quill, Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Heimdall (Marvel), Jane Foster (Marvel), Rocket Raccoon, Groot (Marvel)
Additional Tags: Time Travel, Alternate Universe - Time Travel, Fix-It, Not Avengers: Endgame (Movie) Compliant, Infinity Gems
Series: Part 2 of The Lifetimes of Steve Rogers
Summary:

Steve Rogers's (mis)adventures through time and space as he returns the Infinity Stones to their rightful timelines.

~*~

He could have used a minute to think and process and find his feet again, a sort of quantum way station where he could catch his breath, but all he had were the quick swirling moments it took to travel through the quantum realm to his next stop.


~~~

Part 1: The Second Five Years
Part 2: The Infinity Stones

Authors have been revealed! I wrote TWO stories this year. Don't ask me how when I didn't even start writing till about a week before deadline. It just happened. I blame the kittens and the pornographic vegetables. Honestly, it wasn't planned. I was only gonna write the one story. But I got about 3000 words into one, panicked, switched to a different story and finished that one just before deadline, then went back and finished the first one just before posting ended. So there. You all get two goofy stories from me, now with fewer typos. Though the second one had me cry-writing in my office at work, just fyi.

ETA: Thank you to Melina for betaing both stories!

Story 1:

Is That A Cucumber In Your Pocket? (5960 words) by hafital
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Highlander: The Series
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Duncan MacLeod/Methos (Highlander)
Characters: Duncan MacLeod, Methos (Highlander), Joe Dawson
Additional Tags: First Time, Light Angst, episode related vignettes, Sorry Not Sorry, no vegetables were harmed in the writing of this story
Summary:

Duncan finds a mysterious box waiting for him one day. Is it a bomb? Is it a present? Who is it from?

Story 2:

Earth Laughs In Flowers (13689 words) by hafital
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Highlander: The Series
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Duncan MacLeod/Methos (Highlander), Joe Dawson & Duncan MacLeod
Characters: Duncan MacLeod, Methos (Highlander), Joe Dawson
Additional Tags: Time Travel, How many Methoses is too many Methoses, Duncan needs a hug, very serious kitten emergency, First Time, Light Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending
Summary:

It's been twenty years. Duncan finally returns to Seacouver. What will he find there?

“Leave it to you to have some kind of doppelganger crisis less than a week after returning to Seacouver,” said Methos, with a shake of his head.

Here goes! I got one more of these to push out before Endgame. :D Somehow I got conned into writing 24k of wedding fic. 

The First Binding (24369 words) by hafital
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America (Movies), Thor (Movies), The Avengers (Marvel Movies)
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Steve Rogers/Thor
Characters: Steve Rogers, Thor (Marvel), Brunnhilde | Valkyrie (Marvel), Original Characters, Lady Eir
Additional Tags: Thundershield - Freeform, Post-Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 (Movie), Not Avengers: Endgame (Movie) Compliant, Weddings, Romance, Steve and Thor get married, twice
Summary:

He held out his two hands, and Thor immediately took them in his. “What say we get hitched already?”

“A fine plan. Lead the way,” answered Thor.

They led the procession of Avengers, Einherjar, Valkyrie, and the wolf, all together down through the streets, with Asgard cheering on both sides.

Hi hi, I am playing catch up. Lots of annoying adulting things taking up too much time right now. But I can now talk about the story I wrote for hlh_shortcuts! Yippee!

With Hands In His Pockets (7541 words) by hafital
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Highlander: The Series
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Duncan MacLeod/Methos (Highlander)
Characters: Duncan MacLeod, Methos (Highlander)
Additional Tags: Episode Related, Episode Tag, Flirting, These two are experts at flirting let’s be real, First Time
Summary:

The lure of Immortal presence teased at Duncan’s senses as he carried his two bags of groceries down the Rue de St. Germain.