vermillionmouse



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  1. Public Bookmark 20

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    Mercy had been there earlier, empty porcelain teacups and a candy wrapper all that’s left of their study session. The moment she’d left, Darlington had slid from his unobtrusive position at the far corner desk right to the floor, into the largest square of unbroken sunlight. He’s still there, and looks like he’s sleeping: belly-up and arm behind his head, one long finger caught near the end of a book of 19th century poetry stolen from Alex’s workpile.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    2,454
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Collections:
    1
    Comments:
    13
    Kudos:
    126
    Bookmarks:
    20
    Hits:
    1,135

    30 Oct 2024

  2. Public Bookmark 39

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    LinkedIn: You have 1 notification.

    Congratulate Lucy Carlyle for starting a new position as Consultant Psychic Investigation Agent (Aural phenomena specialty)

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    Everything's the same, except everyone has an iPhone—a slight canon AU where technology has advanced to the present day. The story of the Black Winter through social media posts, texts, Google searches, playlists, and (sent & unsent) emails. Starts at the end of The Hollow Boy and goes through The Creeping Shadow.

    Series
    Language:
    English
    Words:
    6,441
    Chapters:
    4/4
    Collections:
    1
    Comments:
    253
    Kudos:
    333
    Bookmarks:
    39
    Hits:
    2,733

    08 May 2024

  3. Public Bookmark 38

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    He presses his mouth against her knuckles, willing them to move. They’re so cold. “Please.” His lips brush her nails, silently begging her to rake them across his skin and prove she’s still alive. To let him apologize. “Luce,” he whispers. “Please.”

    -AND-

    Lockwood’s hands come off the railing as he steps toward Lucy. “Why won’t you let me help? You don’t have to do everything by yourself!”

    Lucy’s chest explodes. “And you don’t have to throw yourself on your rapier for everyone else!” Her lungs heave. Her ribs ache with every harsh breath she takes. She fists Lockwood’s wrinkly white shirt in her left hand, pulling him close.

    -OR-

    What if Lucy's return to Portland Row was more dramatic? Her injury a little more dire, her pride a bit more wounded, her recovery a smidge more introspective? In these chapters, Lucy arrives at Portland Row, gets bandaged up by the boys, argues with Lockwood about why she left the agency in the first place, and realizes that going it alone might be her fatal flaw. Now she just needs Lockwood to realize his.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    9,250
    Chapters:
    6/6
    Comments:
    41
    Kudos:
    241
    Bookmarks:
    38
    Hits:
    2,884

    13 Apr 2024

  4. Public Bookmark 56

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    “You do realise what you’re taking on, don’t you?” I said, trying to match his business-like tone. “If you really are going to insist on playing nursemaid until I can get back on my feet, that’s all very well and good, and I am truly grateful. But my reasons for leaving the company still stand and that’s not going to change. When I get better, I will be going back to freelancing, and you’re going to resent me, Lockwood.”

    “I already resent you,” he said. “It makes no difference to me whether I do it from a distance or the comfort of my own living room.”

    A bad case and broken leg leave Lucy no choice but to return to Portland Row until she recovers. Lockwood is definitely not using this as an opportunity to persuade her to come back for good, because that would be unfair. And he never plays dirty.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    16,364
    Chapters:
    3/12
    Comments:
    208
    Kudos:
    339
    Bookmarks:
    56
    Hits:
    4,933

    04 Aug 2023

  5. Public Bookmark 23

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    The Skull continued to moan and mope every time Lucy saw Tommy. “He’s a loser, Lucy. It is outrageous that you prefer his inane presence to mine. At least that idiot Lockwood was occasionally interesting.”

    “Since you’re a malevolent skull in a jar, I’m sure you’ll understand if I ignore your relationship advice,” Lucy replied icily.

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    Shortly after Lucy begins working as a freelance agent, she meets Tommy. He's attractive, nice, and fun. Most importantly, he's a distraction from her loneliness and constant longing for Lockwood. It goes well, until it doesn't. And then Lockwood shows up at her door and everything changes. Set between The Hollow Boy and through the beginning of The Creeping Shadow.

    Series
    Language:
    English
    Words:
    8,141
    Chapters:
    2/2
    Comments:
    42
    Kudos:
    273
    Bookmarks:
    23
    Hits:
    3,352

    05 Jun 2023