traitorous muses / snippet

[rlyqueer]

I thought I could go in on a simple flashfic prompt and produce a little something nice, but nahh. Two months later and I'm still trying to finish up the first part of something that's turned into a complete BEAST.

The rest of it needs plenty of brainstorming and outlining, but I've finally accepted what this fic wants to be. cries This is baptism by fire and I am full of fear, but there's really nothing to do but forge stubbornly ahead at this point!

Today's frustration is the copious amounts of head-scratching I had to do before rewriting part one's conclusion. How do people end fics? This is wild, man. It's done, though, so one holistic read-through to go before I send it off for its second beta round.

Don't know when it'll start getting posted (nothing else has even been outlined, let alone drafted!! ahh!!!), but I wanted to share a snippet:

---

“Zhao Yunlan?” Shen Wei tries to keep the uncertain waver out of his voice.

When Zhao Yunlan straightens up again, he smiles at Shen Wei, but it isn’t... It doesn’t reach his eyes, and the way he bares his teeth looks more like a snarl. “It’s good to see you awake!” he says with false cheer. “You really gave us a scare. How are you feeling?”

How is he...?

Shen Wei stares, and Zhao Yunlan tilts his head, sliding his hands into his pockets. It’d look casual if Shen Wei didn’t know better. “I—Zhao Yunlan, what’s going on?”

Something flashes across Zhao Yunlan’s face, but it disappears so quickly behind that sharp gaze that Shen Wei isn't sure he’s seen anything at all. Zhao Yunlan shifts his weight onto one foot and asks, “What do you remember?”

Comments

[frith_in_thorns]

Oh gosh, this is such an intriguing snippet! WHAT'S WRONG????

[rlyqueer]

Hehh I wonder! >:D One thing for certain is that neither of these two are having a very good day. This thing goes hard on the h/c, though, so comfort happens somewhere in there!

[frith_in_thorns]

This thing goes hard on the h/c, though

The BEST sort of story then! :D I shall wait in great anticipation!!

[rlyqueer]

Yesss that's the goal!!! I'm learning a lot about myself while writing this lmao. Most of it by going ham on the hurt and then going, "wait, now I have to fix it??" The comfort side is hard but I'm out here tryin my best with a box of bandaids, because I will die before you catch me in pure angst or bad endings LOL.

[naye]

Oooh this is a most intriguing snippet! What's wrong with Zhao Yunlan, and what should Shen Wei be remembering?

[rlyqueer]

I'm so glad you're intrigued! Funny enough I was actually thinking of sending you a PM because this thing was originally meant to fill a flashfic prompt you posted on Xparrot's h/c comment fest! "Chains". So whatever's going on, you can bet those are in here. :3

[naye]

That is THE BEST tease! But also OH NO now I want it even more...!! ♥♥♥

[rlyqueer]

Teasing is my favorite. :D Also sob it's all I've got until anything is ready for posting. Hopefully the tease lives up to the hype heheh! <3

[naye]

I'm definitely looking forward to it!

[ratbones]

Wow, that snippet is TENSE. Something is very not okay here. Eeee I am so excited that you're writing something lengthy, this looks awesome! :D

[rlyqueer]

Heheh yess! In fact, it's entirely possible that there are a few somethings that aren't very okay here. :D

Also hhhg thank you, I'm also super excited!! Totally riding by the seat of my pants, and having a lot of fun ehehe.

[sylleblahsome]

Colour me intrigued...!!!

[rlyqueer]

Eheheh I can't wait to share! >:3

[yantantether]

the way he bares his teeth looks more like a snarl
Oh no. This is so powerful. Something is really wrong, and I'll be so intrigued to find out what it is.

[rlyqueer]

Ahhh thank you! I'm very excited to share once this wild ride is ready to be posted. :D Things are happening and they aren't good! What could they be!!