#choices prompts

[tessa-liam]

Royal Adventures 

Season’s Scrambles

Chapter 2 

Books: Choices, The Royal Romance Finale, Choices, The Royal Holiday 

A Smoke & Mirrors Series Alternate Universe 

Main Pairing: Liam Rys x F! MC Riley Brooks-Rys

Series Inspiration: Royal Misadventures, Smoke & Mirrors series 1-shot 

Series Premise: 12-year-old Crown Princess Eleanor Rys of Cordonia has officially started her Royal education. Tutors that had been personally selected by His Majesty King Liam Rys and Queen Riley Rys were set to begin her royal lessons, and her days were packed full. The young princess was a natural leader, and the King and Queen could not be prouder.   

Royal Adventures Masterlist 

Smoke and Mirrors Masterlist 

Rating:  M, not Beta'd-please excuse all errors    

Category: On-going series, fluff 

Warnings: swearing, drinking, sexual innuendo 

Most Characters belong to Pixelberry Studios 

Chapter Inspiration: National Lampoon’s ‘Christmas Vacation’ 

Katie Campbell – Theme Song 1989 

Royal Adventures 

Season’s Scrambles, chapter 2 

Chapter Summary: Olivia invites the Royal Family, Leo & Amalas, Drake & Delaney, Alex Cossoy, Hana and Maxwell to the Dukedom of Lythikos to enjoy the winter season for the holidays.  Ellie, along with Drake, Leo and Maxwell decide to have a sledding competition. In secret. Olivia and Ellie conspire to grease Maxwell's sled with a super slippery substance where his sled flies down the hill at an extremely fast speed. 

A/N: My submission for King Liam Appreciation Week 2024, Day 1 - Baklava 

A/N2: My submission for @choicesholidays, @angelascribbles -Week 5- Prompt: New Traditions 

A/N3: My submission for Choices December 2024 Challenge, Prompts: 4-Traditions/5-Baking/8-Spices/21-Tree/26-Hot Chocolate/10-Snow,      All I Want for Christmas is You (Mariah Carey) 

@lilyoffandoms 

Words: 2445

 Lythokis Keep, Lythokis, Cordonia 

Carefully laying out the phyllo dough, Riley hummed a Christmas tune as she started to layer the ingredients for Baklava for Liam. The sweet honey drizzle and cinnamon made her mouth water. The smell of his favorite dessert would draw him into the kitchens quickly. Luckily, he was off to fell a talon tree with Leo, Drake and Alex, having left at the crack of dawn, not expected to return until later in the afternoon. 

"Baklava?" 12-year-old Ellie asked, as she watched her mother gleefully preparing her father’s favorite sweet treat. Sitting on the stool next to her mother, Ellie sighed, “I love Baklava,” looking longingly at the sweet confection. 

"Of course you do," Riley chuckled, nudging her shoulder. "I'll try to save you some," as Riley continued to sprinkle chopped pistachios onto the dish. 

"Thanks, Mom!" 

"I want to lick the bowl." Stefan said, jumping up and down. 

"No way!" William cried. "You always get to lick the bowl, Steffie." 

"Stefan, you can't eat it all," Riley said, looking down at her youngest. "This is your dad's and he's going to be hungry after felling that tree." 

"But I love baklava," Stefan pouted, his eyes tearing up. 

Riley looked over at him, seeing the tears in his eyes. She knew that look anywhere. 

"Stefan, no..." she warned. 

"Please?" He begged. 

She shook her head, chuckling. 

"Go ahead." 

"Yessss!" Stefan cheered, leaping into the air. 

Riley grinned and finished placing the top layer. She took the pan and placed it into the oven. 

"So," she said, turning to look at her children. "What's on the agenda for today?" 

"Auntie Livie invited Micaela and I to go sledding," Ellie said.  

"Oh really? Okay, before you go, please help your brothers with their skates.” 

"Sure, Mom," Ellie nodded agreeably.  

Riley took a sip of her coffee and walked away to get herself dressed for the winter chill, leaving the kids to their own devices. 

"Alright, boys," Ellie said, walking over to them. 

"We wanna go sledding!" William whined. 

"I'll help you get your skates on," she said. "Then you can go sledding." 

"Promise?" 

“Yes, I promise." 

❄️❄️❄️ 

"Alright, boys," Maxwell said, standing in the middle of the ice rink with Hana and Amalas, holding his nephews' hands. "Are you ready to learn how to skate?" 

"Yes!" Stefan yelled. 

"No!" William cried. "It's cold out here." 

"You won't even notice once you get started," Hana said, kneeling next to him. 

"Really?" 

"Trust me." 

"Alright," William said, nodding. 

"Come on, you two," Riley said, taking their hands. 

"Mom," Ellie said, grabbing Riley's hand. 

"Hmm?" 

"When is Daddy coming back?" 

"In a few hours, sweetie," she replied, rubbing her arm. "He should be done by lunch time." 

"Ok." 

"Now," Riley said, standing on the ice and taking the twins' hands. "Let's go." 

"Wait," Stefan said, stopping. 

"What's wrong?" 

"How do we stay up?" 

"Don't worry," Hana said, sliding next to him and taking his hand. "We've got you." 

"I'm scared." 

"Just relax and don't think about it," Maxwell said. 

"Just like when you're walking," Riley said. 

"Just don't fall," Stefan nodded. 

"Stefan," William groaned, rolling his eyes. "Don't say that." 

"Why not?" 

"You'll jinx us." 

"How would I-" 

"Hey," Maxwell said, crouching in front of them. "Look at me. Do you know who I am?" 

"You're Uncle Maxwell," Stefan nodded. 

"Do you know that I'm not going to let you get hurt? Or your mom or your Aunt Hana?" 

"No." 

"And you trust me, right?" 

"Yeah." 

"Then you have nothing to worry about," Maxwell said, winking at him. 

"Okay." 

"Good." 

"I want to go with you, Auntie Hana!" Stefan said. 

"Me too!" William cried. 

"Ok, ok," Hana chuckled. 

As the twins began to glde with Hana, Riley looked up at Maxwell and smirked. 

"Race you." 

"Oh, you're on, queen Riles," Maxwell said, smirking back. 

They sped off across the ice, the kids squealing as they picked up speed. Amalas slid next to Hana, smirking. 

"How much did you bet on this?" 

"1000 euro," Hana smirked. 

"Excellent." 

Riley and Maxwell were neck and neck, their kids cheering from the sidelines. 

"Last lap, Beaumont," Riley breathily laughed. 

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Ri," he responded cheekily. 

Riley laughed and sped up. She passed him and he tried to speed up as well but instead lost his balance and fell on his face. Riley burst into giggles, falling onto the ice as well. The twins cheered, hugging their aunt tightly. 

"You beat Uncle Maxwell!" 

"I told you, Mom's the best!" 

"Thank you, thank you," Riley chuckled, bowing. 

...Meanwhile, Olivia was preparing Maxwell's sled as Ellie watched closely.

"So, it's a secret sled?" Ellie asked.  "What are you spraying on the bottom of the disk? 

"This," Olivia said, holding up a can. 

"What's that?" 

"Graphite oil spray. It's not even for sale in the Capital. It's just something I had on hand." 

"Nice," Ellie grinned. 

"Now, we just spray it on the sled and voila." 

"It's not gonna look too obvious, right?" 

"Don't worry," Olivia said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "He won't know until he's already halfway down the hill.... and by then, it will be too late." 

"Perfect," Ellie said, clapping her hands together. 

"Now, we go over the plan again." 

"Exactly, good thinking." Olivia nodded. 

"And if it works, we get to win the bet with uncle Leo and uncle Drake? And they will have to be our personal butlers for a week?

"Yup." 

"But Uncle Drake and Uncle Leo will hate us forever." 

"Oh ... not forever," Olivia chuckled. "Just until the next competition. And they won't win that either. They will not be pleased." 

"This is mean." 

"It's a bit mean," Olivia cackled. 

"But I still think it's a great idea." 

"Good. Now, let's go over the plan again." 

❄️❄️❄️

As Liam, Leo and Alex was returning to the keep, the sun was setting and snow was falling gently from the sky. Riley and the kids were standing on the balcony of the grand suite, waiting for their arrival. 

"Look, boys," Riley said, pointing down the path. "There they are." 

"Where?" Stefan asked. 

"Right there." 

"Daddy!" William yelled. 

Liam looked up, waving to them. Riley and the kids waved back, the kids jumping up and down. 

"Daddy, Daddy!" They shouted. 

Liam walked noticeably faster, the other adults quickening their pace to keep up. He made it to the stairs, climbing them two steps at a time. Once he reached the top, the boys ran and leapt into his arms, hugging him tightly. 

"Hi, Daddy," Stefan said. 

"Hi, boys," Liam chuckled. "Have you been good?" 

"Uh-huh." 

"Yeah, Daddy." 

"I'm so glad." 

"Did you have fun, Dad?" Riley asked, leaning against the rail. 

"I did," he said, nodding. "Leo almost fell off a tree, but other than that, we had a lot of fun." 

"Uncle Leo almost fell?" 

"Yeah." 

"That's hilarious!" 

"You're telling me." 

"Come on, boys," Riley said. "Let's give your father a break and get him some hot chocolate." 

"Hot chocolate!" They yelled, running down the hall. 

"Ahhhh ... there is my beautiful bride." Liam placed a sweet kiss on her cheek as Riley wrapped her arms around his neck. 

"I can't believe this will be our first year spending the holidays here since after our wedding ... and that was our first holiday as a married couple." 

"What special traditions will you make this year, love." Liam wrapped his arms around her waist. 

"I'm ready to make some new traditions with you." 

"Oh yeah, I can't wait, love. So, what did you and the twins do while we were gone?" Liam asked. 

"Went ice skating." Riley grinned.

"Oh really?" 

"Maxwell taught the boys how to skate," Riley said. "He kept them occupied while Amalas, Hana and I had some girl time." 

"Sounds like fun." 

"It was. How was your time with the other men?" 

"It was interesting," Liam chuckled. "Alex and Leo tried to make a tree fort, but Alex fell through the roof." 

"Wow." 

"Yeah." 

"So," she said, stepping closer to him. "Did you bring home the prize?" 

"We did," he nodded. "A 20 foot talon tree." 

"Excellent." 

"Mm-hm," he murmured, leaning forward and kissing her. 

"Come on," Riley said, taking his hand and pulling him to the hall. "Let's get you warmed up. I have a surprise for you." 

"Ooh, what is it?" 

"If I tell you, it's not a surprise, your Majesty." 

"Fair point," Liam chuckled, following her down the grand staircase. 

Once they were in the kitchen, Liam's eyes landed on the counter. 

"Is that...?" 

"Baklava," Riley said matter of factly. 

"Really?" 

"Really," she nodded and smiled coyly. "Made it this morning. Our new holiday tradition: freshly baked, homemade baklava." 

"Oh, baby, you are the best," Liam sighed. 

"I know," Riley giggled. 

"Mom!" 

Riley turned and saw her sons walking into the room. 

"Daddy, do you want to come sledding with us?" William asked. 

"Can't," Liam said, picking up a slice of baklava. "I've got business to take care of." 

"Oh, please," Riley said, looking up at him. "Come play with us." 

"You don't have to convince me," he chuckled, popping another bite into his mouth. 

"Yay! Come on, Daddy!" 

"Ok, ok," Liam laughed. 

They put their jackets and boots on and walked outside. 

Olivia, Ellie, Micaela and Alex were standing on top of a snow hill planning the race, surrounded by lots of freshly fallen snow. Drake, Maxwell, Hana Delaney, were chatting and drinking Lythikos nog. Leo and Amalas met Liam, Riley, William and Stefan to take them to watch the race.

"Are you ready?" Olivia called, looking down the hill. 

"Bring it!" Drake yelled. 

"Oh, you're gonna get it!" Ellie shouted. 

"Alright, let's start this," Maxwell said, clapping his hands. 

"Who's racing?" Maxwell asked. 

"Me, you, Auntie Laney, and Uncle Drake," Ellie said, hopping up and down. 

"Oh," Maxwell said. "Then it's three against one." 

"Yeah," Olivia smirked. "I'm rooting for my niece." 

"Same here," Amalas chuckled. 

"Oh, boy," Maxwell groaned. 

"You've got this, Ellie!" Micaela cheered. 

"We'll win this," Delaney said. 

"Suurre, you will," Drake said. 

"Oh, we will," Ellie countered, nodding. 

Alex placed the circular discs in a line, 10 feet apart for Ellie, Maxwell, Drake, and Delaney.

Olivia and Ellie looked at each other, smirking. 

"On your mark," Alex said, "Get set. Goooooo!" 

They pushed their sleds down the hill, the cold air hitting their faces. Olivia looked over and saw Maxwell's sled was flying down the hill, far ahead of the others. She and Ellie looked at each other, laughing. 

"He's gonna crash," Ellie said. 

"He's not gonna stop," Olivia chuckled. 

"You're right," she sighed. "He's gonna wipe out." 

"Hopefully he'll learn his lesson." 

"What lesson?" 

"Never bet against us," Olivia smirked. 

"Yeah," Ellie chuckled. 

As they neared the bottom of the hill, Olivia saw Maxwell's sled skid off the side, sending him flying into the air.

Maxwell was having a blast, the speed at which he was barreling down the hill was exhilarating.

"Woo-hoo!" He yelled. "I'm flying!" 

"Not for long!" Ellie laughed. 

"Huh?" 

Suddenly, Maxwell's sled flew off the side, sending him tumbling into a snowbank. 

"Maxwell!" Riley cried out, running to him. 

"Ouch," he groaned. 

"What happened?" Liam asked. 

"I don't know. My sled just shot off the hill." 

"He's fine," Riley said. "I'm sure it's not the end of the world." 

"Yeah," Maxwell nodded. 

"Oh, man," Ellie chuckled, nudging Olivia. "Good thing they can't prove anything." 

"I agree," Olivia whispered. 

"You are a bad influence, Liv" Riley said, noticing their devious expressions 

"Maybe." 

"Alright," Drake said, stepping next to the snowbank. "Who wants a turn?" 

"I do!" Ellie cried, leaping into the snow. 

Liam stepped up and stopped his daughter from lifting the fast disc.

"Ellie, hold on a second," Liam said calmly. 

"Why, Daddy?" 

"Because that's not a toy, and it's dangerous." 

"I can handle it," Ellie said. 

"You need to be careful." 

"I will be." 

"No, Ellie. Just use the slower sled." 

"But-" 

"I won't tell you again." 

"Fiiinne," Ellie groaned, trudging over to the slower sled. 

"You know, Li, you never used to be so strict," Leo said, stepping next to him. 

"Well, times have changed." 

"True." 

"I can't risk her getting hurt." 

"Of course not," Leo nodded. "But she's your daughter. She's gonna want to try new things and get out of her comfort zone." 

"I'm aware." 

"So maybe let her have a little more freedom. It's not going to kill her." 

"I'll think about it." 

"Good. But remember, we did a lot of stuff we shouldn't have when we were kids." 

"Exactly.” 

@choicesficwriterscreations @choicescommunityevents @kingliamappreciationweek @choicesholidays @choicesmonthlychallenge @choicesdecember2024 @choicesprompts

📌tags in the comments

[choicesprompts]

Welcome to Smutember 2024!

It's that time again! I've got all new prompts for you! Go be smutty!

Art credit: @rosefuckinggenius

There's really only one rule here: Make it smutty. Real smut or cringey lemons, it's up to you. Fics and artwork will be accepted. Submissions are open until 11:59 p.m. CST September 30th, 2024.

To ensure you get reblogged and added to the master list, make sure to do the following:

Tag @choicesprompts

hashtag #choicespromtps and #smutember2024

Don't forget to tell us which prompt you're using!

Prompts don't have to be done in order or used on any particular day. Pick and choose as you like, and submit whenever. You may combine prompts. You may have more than one submission per prompt if you like.

That's it! Go forth, create and be great!

Here are the prompts:

Long distance/sexting

Bondage/Toys/Pegging

Roleplay

First time

Multiple partners

I've always wanted to do this/fantasy

With food

Sweet and slow

Hard and fast

I want you to watch

Dirty talk

In public

Spanking

Nails/Teeth

Forbidden

With a stranger

Reclaiming (Make up sex)

Edging

Skinny dipping

Angry sex

Only one bed

Against a wall/on a desk

Strip poker

Special Occasion

We have to hurry

I did not see that coming

Jealousy

Pampering/pillow princess

Let me paint you

Let's try something new

[angelasscribbles]

Crush: A Bad Romance One-Shot

Series: Bad Romance Continues

Original Series: Bad Romance

Fandom: The Royal Romance/The Royal Heir

Pairing for this chapter: Riley x Max, Riley x Drake, Riley x Liam with tiny hints of Liam x Max

Rating: Fluffy

Warnings for this chapter:  None

Word Count: 3,274 

Thanks to @kyra75 for this ask for the "secret admirer" prompt for the @choicesprompts 2024 Flufftober event. This is my late submission.

A/N: This is a prequel because we already know what happens during Bad Romance so it doesn't fit there. I could have placed it after but I would have had to either bring in a new person which I didn't want to do or go the predictable route of it turning out to be the person's partner all along. Instead, I decided to place it before the events of Bad Romance, and here's why: I've written next to nothing about Riley's first few months in Cordonia but Bad Romance does state that Liam had to work his butt off to pry Riley's attention away from Max during that time. In fact, Liam mentions it often because he's still salty about it. Max mentions it too because he did eventually get dumped for Liam. I thought this was a perfect place to show some of that. I know it's a little angsty, but I hope it's got enough fluff to satisfy the requirement.

To reiterate: This takes place in the first month of Riley being in Cordonia, while she is sleeping with Max, Liam is trying to change that and Drake is trying to pretend he doesn't like her like that.

My other stuff: Master List.

For the life of me, I cannot remember if someone sent me this image or if I stumbled across it myself. It's been in my save folder for awhile. I'd like to give proper credit, so if you sent it to me, speak up!

Riley entered her room and stopped to smell the roses. The two dozen red roses to be exact. They had been delivered to her room earlier. She closed her eyes as the sweet floral scent washed over her.

The smell was sublime.

She opened her eyes to admire the blood red petals. Her fingers gently stroked a lush bloom, her expression contemplative as her mind whirled.

She turned her head to observe the man who had entered the room with her. “You’re sure they’re not from you?”

“Yes, Riley, I’m sure,” Max admittedly a little reluctantly.

“Any ideas who they might be from?”

He shrugged dismissively. “Could be anyone, really. You have many admirers at court. I’m not surprised one of them decided to shoot his shot.” Hana’s face flashed before his eyes. “Or hers.”

She fluttered her lashes at him. “Does that bother you?”

Max shook his head, and then gave her that boyish grin that always made her heart flutter. “How can I blame them? You’re the total package, babe.”

“You sweet talker.” Riley grinned at him as she strode across the room to pinch his cheeks.

Despite the fact that they were sleeping together, the simple sign of affection from her caused heat to flame across his face. He studied the toe of his shoe as he told her, “You deserve flowers. I should have thought to send you some.”

“Hey,” she put a finger under his chin and lifted his head. “The roses are lovely, but you do sweet things for me all the time. I’m very happy with our little…. Arrangement.”

His face lit up. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” She leaned forward and brushed her lips softly across his. “We’re staying in tonight, right?”

They were in between royal events for the next week and while eating in the main dining hall was always an option, Max had suggested room service and a movie marathon in her room instead.

Riley had agreed because frankly, she was sick of Madeleine’s shit. Eating with all the bitchy divas of the nobility was not her idea of fun. Drake avoided her like the plague ever since their encounter on the plane ride over, and Liam rarely made appearances in the public dining hall in between official royal events.

Not that she was interested in him. Their night in New York aside, she knew he would never choose a waitress to be queen. He couldn’t. So, she had found other diversions.

She could certainly do a lot worse than Maxwell Beaumont.

“Right,” Max agreed, as a shiver ran down his spine at her touch. “I had the kitchen make your favorite dinner.”

“See?” she purred. “That’s what I mean about how thoughtful you are.”

“Let’s meet back here at dinnertime, okay?” He stepped away from her and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?”

“You’ll see.” He gave her a mischievous grin as he exited the room.

“Okay then.” With a furrowed brow, she returned her attention to the roses. After a brief moment of consideration, her decision was made.

She might not know why Max was acting weird all of a sudden, but she had enough time before dinner to do a little investigation into her secret admirer.

****

“I’m coming!” Drake yelled in irritation.

Who the fuck was knocking on his door in the middle of the afternoon on his day off?

“Can’t get any peace and quiet ever.” He muttered under his breath as he yanked the door open. “What?”

His eyes widened with a sharp intake of breath. “Riley! What are you doing here?” His eyes darted frantically up and down the hallway. This girl was a scandal waiting to happen.

“Was it you?”

“Was what me?”

“The flowers. Were they from you?” Her gaze bore into him with laser intensity.

His forehead creased as he tried to make sense of the conversation. “Flowers?”

Her eyes scanned his face, then she shook her head. “Of course not.”

His brain finally caught up. “Someone sent you flowers?”

“Isn’t that what I just said?”

“Weren’t they from your boyfriend?”

Was that a note of bitterness she detected? She smiled from ear to ear as her body swayed slightly back and forth. “What boyfriend would that be?”

His face fixed in a scowl, he grunted, “Max.”

She bit into her lower lip as she leaned forward and ran a hand up his arm. “Are you jealous of Max?”

His arms crossed defensively over his chest as he took a step back. “No!”

“Sure, you’re not. But someone sent me two dozen roses, and it wasn’t Max. Any ideas who it could have been?”

Drake blew out a resigned sigh. Of fucking course he knew who it was. Who else would it be? But he wasn’t telling her that.

While he wasn’t going to stand in Liam’s way, he sure as hell wasn’t going to help him. Instead, he shrugged with what he hoped was nonchalance as he shook his head. “Nope.”

“Okay. Bye then.” She spun on her heel and started back down the hallway.

“Riley, wait!” He stumbled out the door into the hallway, ready to sprint after her.

She stopped and turned back with arched eyebrows. “Yes?”

“I…” All the reasons he should not and could not pursue this woman poured through his mind as he stood frozen in the middle of the corridor.

“Well?”

He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Never mind. It’s nothing.”

“Hm. Well, if it’s ever something, you know where my room is.” She wiggled her fingers at him before spinning to leave again.

He watched her go as frustration and regret danced through his chest.

****

Riley questioned several guards and a couple of butlers, but no one knew anything.

She was on her way back to her room when she bumped right into Liam. She found herself tangled in his embrace, laughter rumbling through him as he caught her. “Whoa there! Where’s the fire?”

“Liam!” She made no move to extract herself from his arms. Instead, she smiled up at him. “Sorry. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was walking.”

“I see that!” He stared down at her with a sappy grin for several long seconds before remembering himself. He cleared his throat as he stepped away from her. “Were you on your way to the dining hall?”

“No, my room, actually.”

“I hope everything is okay.”

She gave him a bright smile as she leaned in and lowered her voice conspiratorially. “Everything is fine. I just can’t take another dinner with those fucking harpies.”

Liam threw his head back and laughed. Yes, it was a scandalous remark, but he found her honesty refreshing. He found everything about her refreshing, not to mention alluring. He moved closer to her to whisper, “Why do you think I never eat in the public dining hall?”

It was her turn to laugh. “Oh, my! What an unprincely thing to say!”

“You seem to bring out that side of me.” His tone suddenly serious, he blurted, “Have dinner with me tonight? In my private dining room?”

“I’d love to, but I already have plans for tonight.”

“Oh. I thought you said you were having dinner in your roo—”

“Yes, we are.”

His shoulders slumped. “I see.”

“Tomorrow?”

His head snapped up. “You’ll have dinner with me tomorrow?”

“Sure. Why not?”

“That’s…. not exactly the response I was hoping for—”

“I mean, if you’d rather not—”

“No! No… I mean yes! I mean… I definitely want to have dinner with you, Riley. Tomorrow night it is.”

“Great. Just text me the time.”

He immediately whipped out his phone and sent her a text.

She rewarded him with a seductive smirk. “That was quick.”

“He who hesitates is lost.”

“I would have said you snooze, you lose. But that works too.”

“I don’t intend to lose.”

“Lose what?”

His voice was unusually low and quiet as he returned the phone to his pocket. “You, Riley.”

Riley Brooks was seldom taken aback by anything a man said, but that did the trick. “What?”

“Surely you haven’t forgotten our night in New York so easily.”

“Of course, not. I just didn’t think—”

“Did you like the roses? They’re from my mother’s garden.”

“That was you?”

“Yes.”

“But…why?”

“Why?” He looked at her with his mouth agape. Glancing around quickly to ensure they were still alone in the hallway; he reached for her and yanked her body to his. Lowering his lips to her ear, he murmured, “I know you think New York was just about sex and that a prince would never marry a waitress, but you’re wrong, Riley. Dead wrong. On both counts.”

She pulled back to search his onyx eyes with her emerald ones. She couldn’t help the skepticism in her voice. “Really?”

“Yes, really! What do I have to do to convince you of that?”

“I don’t know, Liam. But it’s going to take more than a few roses.”

Gifts were not about to win her over. Sure, she had come from poverty, but he hadn’t. Material things were easy for him to come by and easy for him to part with. Simply spending money on her only convinced her that he wanted to sleep with her.

While sex with the smoking hot prince was something she was more than willing to engage in, she refused to let her heart get involved when she already knew disappointment was waiting at the end.

No matter what he said, he was never going to marry her. He wasn’t in love with her. He was in lust with her and that was something she was familiar with, something she could roll with. But she would not be tricked into letting her feelings get involved.

If he expected her to fall in love, he was going to have to invest a lot more than just money. That was too easy. She refused to be merely one more victim in the trail of broken hearts he’d left behind him.

Liam watched her walk away with a myriad of emotions crashing through him. If she wanted him to work harder to get her attention, he would do that. He knew she liked him. The night in New York had proven that. But since her arrival in Cordonia, she had frozen him out. Were her plans tonight with Max? What the fuck did she see in Max that she didn’t see in him? It was frustrating, galling, and, if he were being honest with himself, a little thrilling. He did love a good challenge.

***

Riley let herself back into her room to a stupendous surprise. The two dozen red roses still graced the console table near the entry, but every other available surface, save the bed, was now covered in vases brimming with all manner of blue flowers. Deep blue roses, baby blue hydrangeas, several shades of carnations, and blue and white morning glories, among others, were spread across the tops of the dresser, the end tables, and the vanity.

She gasped as she turned circles, taking it all in. “Max! What is this?”

“Ah…” pink flamed across his cheeks. “I know red roses are romantic and all, but I also know blue is your favorite color, so I took a chance that you might like them.”

“Like them? Max, I love them! But you didn’t have to do all this just because Liam sent me flowers.”

“It was Liam?” His heart sank.

He felt pretty confident about his chances of competing against most of the men at court. But Liam was another story entirely. Of course, she would want Liam. Hell, he wanted Liam, so he certainly couldn’t blame her.

Maybe now was the time to tell her that his feelings for her were real. That it was more than just fun and games for him. “Riley, I—”

There was a knock on the door.

“Hold that thought,” she told him as she strode across the room to answer it.

She pulled the door open to find Drake standing in the hallway. Her face lit up with surprised delight. “Hey, handsome! Did you finally decide on something?”

“I…ah... wanted to talk—” his words cut off mid-sentence as Max appeared in the doorway behind her. A storm raged across his face. “You know what? Never mind. I shouldn’t have—”

“Drake? What are you doing here?”

All three heads turned toward the new voice.

Drake’s brain spun frantically, trying to find a reasonable explanation for his presence. “Ah, I noticed they were missing from the dining hall and wanted to make sure everything was okay.”

Liam’s shoulders relaxed. He had asked Drake to keep an eye on her for him. To personally ensure her safety.

“What are you doing here?” Riley directed her question to Liam.

“I needed to change the time of our date tomorrow night.”

Max stiffened. Drake inspected the casing around the doorframe.

“You couldn’t have texted me that?”

“I could have…” that sparkle that she remembered from New York was back in his eyes. “But I wanted to see you in person.”

“Hm.” She smiled as her finger tapped her lips. “Well, since you’re both here, would you like to come in and join us? We were going to have dinner sent up and have a movie marathon.”

Drake looked skeptically from her to Liam to Max. “I don’t know if we should—”

“I’d love to!” Liam swept into the room with satisfaction radiating from every pore of his body. He pushed past a dismayed Max.

That satisfaction evaporated as he took in the scene in front of him. “That’s a lot of blue flowers.”

Max perked up as his arm went around Riley’s shoulder. “Blue is her favorite color, so I thought she might like some to offset all that red.”

“Yes, I get it. You had to go big after copying my idea.”

“I—” Max’s reply was cut off by Riley’s hand on his chest. “No fighting, boys. We’re going to watch movies and have fun tonight.” Turning back toward Drake, she motioned for him to come in. “Are you going to stand in the hallway or are you going to get in here and help me make sure these two behave?”

Drake hesitated only a second or two.

What could it hurt?

He glanced around at the room full of flowers. Two dozen of Cordonia’s finest red roses, straight from the crown’s own garden shimmered in the waning daylight. At least a dozen vases of flowers turned the room into a shimmering ocean of blue. The younger son of one of Cordonia’s noblest houses and the crown prince himself at a standoff over her attentions, and still she wanted him there. That meant something, right?

Not that he was interested in her. If Liam got his way, and Liam usually did, she was going to be the next queen and his best friend’s wife. Both of those things put her firmly off limits to him, no matter how much she inflamed his desires, haunted his dreams, and bedeviled his waking hours.

Still. What could it hurt to watch a couple of movies with her and two of his oldest friends? It was really Liam and Max he was staying for. To make sure they didn’t fight over her too much. Yeah, that’s why he was staying.

Riley leaned over and whispered into Max’s ear. His scowl was replaced with a flushed face and a broad grin. He nodded as he pulled his phone from his pocket and started swiping. His eyes flicked up long enough to say, “Make yourselves comfortable. I’ll have the kitchen send up more food.”

Drake took the lounge chair next to the bed just as Riley climbed up and settled herself in the middle of the bed. She patted the space on either side of her. “Who wants to join me?”

Before Drake could react, Liam was in the closest spot and Max had hurled himself onto the bed, clambering over two sets of legs to claim the other side. With a disgruntled shake of his head, he thumped back into the chair.

This had been a bad idea.

But it hadn’t been a bad idea. His misgivings were soon put to rest as they all balanced their dinner plates on their laps and got completely and inexplicably sucked into Barbie.

Not a movie he would have picked, but as it turned out, it was not a kid’s movie at all. The existential angst, the clever humor, the insightfulness, and the adventure had him forgetting the awkwardness of the situation and laughing along with his friends at the onscreen antics. He was relaxed and actually enjoying his night off.

Max had pushed aside his insecurities about Liam, choosing to focus, instead, on the promises Riley had whispered in his ear about the rewards he’d receive later for being a good boy and playing nice with everyone. His eyes kept sliding sidewise to gauge her reactions to the movie. He wanted to share all of them with her…. every laugh, every gasp, every moment. Not just of the movie, he realized, but for the rest of his life.

His gaze flicked briefly to the man on her other side. He knew Liam was still an obstacle, but he had infinite amounts of patience and faith, deep in his heart, that everything would work out in the end.

Liam didn’t miss the sidelong glances Max was throwing at both him and Riley. He couldn’t say he was completely oblivious to Max’s charms, but he was nothing if not persistent.

She didn’t trust him yet. That was fine. He would prove to her that she could. She needed him to put in work, and he would do that. He had yet to set his mind to any task that he couldn’t master. He just needed to try harder, be smarter, and focus deeper. Winning her heart would be worth it. He knew to the very core of his being that they belonged together.

Long after the dishes had been cleared, and the night had deepened, Riley lay with her head on Liam’s shoulder, drifting off as the credits for the latest Ghostbusters movie rolled. Max was curled up against her on her other side, one arm slung over her waist as Liam’s fingers gently combed through her hair. The sound of Drake’s soft snoring drifted through the room.

She should probably wake everyone and tell them to go sleep in their own beds. That would be far more comfortable, especially for Drake, who was dozing in a chair. But the warmth emanating from the men on either side of her, combined with the softness of the bed and the darkness of the room, lulled her into a contented coziness that she was loathe to break.

The quiet hum of the air conditioning filled the room as the TV clicked off, sealing her decision as she let herself drift off to sleep surrounded by the sounds, scents, and warmth of the three men who had commanded all her attention for the last month.

For the moment, none of them were fighting each other or her. Their earlier laughter still rang in her ears. For tonight, things were peaceful, calm, and happy, and not a single one of them wanted to do anything to disrupt that.

Liam was the last one left awake. He kissed the top of her head and whispered, “Good night, Riley.” Before closing his eyes and slipping into a contented slumber of his own.

[liaromancewriter]

Corn Maze Adventure

Premise: Max and Sienna enjoy some fall activities on a pumpkin farm.

Book: Open Heart (post series) Pairing: Sienna Trinh x M!OC (Max Valentine); feat. OH Gang Rating/Category: Teen. Fluff Format: Edits

A/N: Submission for @choicesprompts Flufftober and @choicesmonthlychallenge Falltober - prompt "corn maze." Requested by @kyra75

Part 1: The Farm

Part 2: The Maze

Part 3: Evening Fun

All Fics & Edits: @bluebelle08 @coffeeheartaddict2 @crazy-loca-blog @jerzwriter @justyourusualash

@lady-calypso @kyra75 @mainstreetreader @peonierose @potionsprefect

@queencarb @quixoticdreamer16 @snoopdogcone @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction

Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Maxenna Only @storyofmychoices

[jerzwriter]

Moving On

Hey, don't blame me!🙃Thank you to @dcbbw for sending me this angsty prompt from Grey's Anatomy for Ethan x MC. This is for @choicesprompts Rewrite Event.

For those who don't know, I have two Open Heart worlds, Ethan/Kaycee and Tobias/Casey. In the latter, Casey had a brief affair with Ethan during her intern year. But they never reunited after his "reset." Later, she begins dating Dr. Tobias Carrick, unaware that he was Ethan's former best friend. This fic takes place not long after Ethan learns of Casey & Tobias's budding relationship.

Book: Open Heart (Book 2)

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (past)

Based on: This scene from Grey's Anatomy

Rating: Teen + / Angst

Words: 1,100

Summary: When Ethan left for a WHO mission without saying a word to Casey, then returned with a "reset" in mind, he told her that he wanted her to move on. Now that she has, he's not taking it too well.

A/N: Before y'all complain - I asked everyone for scenes to recreate for Ethan, and no one sent fluffy ones, so here you are. lol This actually fits into my HC for my Tobias x Casey world. I did alter the original scene to better fit this story. There is one place where you'll see italic text. Those are lines that are directly from the Grey's clip. I hope I did it justice.

Edenbrook was one of the top hospitals in the world, located in the busy city of Boston, there was never a lack of chaos within its walls. Sometimes, that benefited those who worked there and practically called it home. Many an indiscretion could go undetected under such conditions, even with an extensive gossip grapevine in place. But sometimes, things were too big to ignore. And the way Dr. Ramsey was barreling down the hall right now was one of those things.

The broad-shouldered doctor stood at an impressive six-foot-three. Standing about a head above most of the people he plowed out of the way with a mere glance. While he wasn’t known for his affability, his behavior today was exaggerated, even for him. The muscles on his face were taught, and the fire in his eyes bordered on rage.   When an intern joked that you could see steam emitting from his ears... it was only a mild exaggeration.

All eyes followed him as he flung the heavy stairwell door open with such force it bounced off the cinderblock wall, the loud crash reverberating down the hall. Overcome with curiosity, many bystanders wished to follow him, though no one dared – until Dr. Casey MacTavish appeared.

With all attention on Ethan, no one noticed the young woman flying down the hallway, making good use of the path he just cleared. Casey was the antithesis of Ethan in many ways: pleasant, charming, approachable, forgiving, but right now, none of those traits were present. The indignance on her face and every movement she made matched his ire. So when she followed him through the door, even the most die-hard gossip knew it was best to stay away.

Ethan had already climbed a flight of stairs when she entered the stairwell.

“Ethan!” She hollered, rushing to catch up with him. “Who the hell do you think you are, and what makes you think you can speak to me like that?”

He was normally a logical man, and his visceral reaction was to continue; he knew that would be best. But the best decisions aren't made when one is blinded by anger, and he turned around so quickly, Casey nearly crashed into him.

“Who do I think I am?” He growled, attempting to keep his composure, even as the throbbing vein in his temple betrayed him. “I don't know, Casey, but I'll tell you what I’m not. I’m not getting caught doing god knows what in supply closets with a different person every other week. If I’m keeping count correctly, it was Dr. Carrick last week. Now, who was this one? They’re brand new here. I haven’t even had a chance to learn their name yet... did you? Or does the name even matter?”

He quickly turned, assuming he had the last word. But if he was ever foolish enough to doubt Casey’s will and determination before, she was about to ensure he wouldn’t make that mistake again. Forcefully grabbing the lapel of his lab coat, she pulled him back to face her.

“How dare you!” She spat. “You misjudged what you just walked in on just now... and I’d explain it to you if I felt I owed you an explanation, but I don't! And how dare you sit in judgment of me for something you’ve done countless times yourself! The stories about your old days are legendary, Ethan! And before you say they’re just stories, don’t gaslight me. I haven't forgotten that I occupied those very spaces with you not long ago. So save your hypocrisy and watch how you talk to me in the future!"

His lip twitched before curling into a sardonic smirk, the logical side of his mind losing to the emotional side he so rarely trusted.

“I used to think so highly of you... even before you arrived at Edenbrook and certainly after. But your decisions... your choices recently... they’ve made me question everything I thought I knew about you. At least have the sensibility to follow my advice and contain your... extracurricular activities... to someplace outside of the hospital. If you want to be treated as a doctor who commands respect, then start acting like one!"

“Respect?” she laughed, with a voice that expressed anything but humor. “You want to talk... respect? Did you respect me last year when you entrusted me to keep your secrets? Or when I solved Naveen’s case and saved his life? Did you respect me when you carried me into your bed? Or when you led me to believe... when you told me we’d make it work... only to take off to another continent without so much as a word to me! How respectful was that! You can't sit in judgment of me, Ethan; you just don't get to!"

His hand trembled as he ran it down his face, lowering his voice to a hoarse whisper. “How long, Casey? How long before it was over between us did you hop into bed with someone else? Even if I was wrong today, I wasn’t wrong about you and Carrick. You can’t explain that away.”

“What are you saying? You don’t get to insinuate that I’m a whore! Not after all you've done to me! When I met you, I thought I had found the person I was going to spend the rest of my life with. I was done! Other men? Other women? They meant nothing. I was done! But you left me! You took it upon yourself to decide our future without so much as a word to me. And now I’m glued back together. And I"ll make no apologies for how I chose to repair what you broke. I make no apologies for moving on with my life... like you told me to do! If you're angry, you might want to examine why. Are you angry with me for moving on? Of with yourself for being w stupid enough to let me go.”

Now, it was her turn to walk away. Her body trembled, and angry tears rose to her eyes as she raced down the stairs. Ethan was motionless, processing her words, knowing they were true. He got the outcome he said he desired, and now, he was berating her for having the strength to see it through. The only one who deserved his outrage would be looking back at him that evening when he looked in the mirror. A pit formed in his stomach, he knew he was wrong.

He could tell her... try to make amends. He could ask for forgiveness and tell her that seeing her move on with someone else wasn’t what he wanted at all. But he pushed that all aside. This was the path he put them on. The road he deemed to be best, and he had no right to be angry at Casey for trying to find happiness on it.

“Casey,” he yelled as she reached for the door. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I have no right to be upset, to be angry at you. We... we’ve been over, and you have every right to move on with your life.”

“And that’s what I’m doing,” she said as she turned the know. “And I think it’s time that you do the same.”  

@openheartfanfics @choicesficwriterscreations

Other tags on reblog.

[coffeeheartaddict2]

When life gets in the way

Book: Open Heart (AU)

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC Casey Valentine

Word count: 521

Warnings: Language

Category: Fluff

Summary: Casey received some unexpected news that expedites some plans.

Disclaimer: Characters belong to Pixelberry and scene is from the writers of Grey’s Anatomy.

Authors note. Thanks to @angelasscribbles for the prompt of inserting Casey and Ethan into the Meredith and Derek post it wedding. I hope you like it. This is part of the @choicesprompts rewrite event

📬📬📬📬📬📬📬📬📬

Casey was feeling unwell again this morning. Ethan had offered to stay off with her too but Casey wanted proof that her and her fiancé were going to be three before telling him. It had been a warmer summer than usual so when Casey was first unwell she put it down to heat exhaustion but she could not shake it off.

When Ethan was gone she got up and fought the wave of nausea that crashed over her and made her way to the bathroom. After letting the wave pass she got the test out and peed on the stick, she placed the test face down, had a shower and looked at the test. It was positive. She got dressed and made her way to work.

She was nervous. She had told Ethan she would be in if she felt better but now her stomach was churning more than ever. She makes her way to the DT office, he is there and thankfully alone.

He looks up, surprised to see Casey.

“What’s up sweetheart?”

She sits on the desk and retrieves the test from her bag.

“This is up” says Casey.

Ethan does a double take.

“What? Are you sure?”

“I have not done a blood test to confirm but I am late and I have been feeling nauseous and exhausted. So yeah, I am sure enough.”

“Fuck” said Ethan as he slumps back into his chair. “We did not plan this, hell we have not long being engaged, let alone discussed children.”

“I know you said they were not in your future…”

“That was before I accepted that I loved you and wanted a relationship with you, Casey.”

“What are we going to do Ethan?”

He rummages through his desk, looking for a piece of paper with nothing written on it but has no luck. He groans in frustration.

“Do you have a piece of paper?”

Casey looks bemused.

“What do you need a piece of paper for? And no, I only have a post it.”

Ethan grabs the post it note pad and asks Casey.

“What do you want in our vows, Rookie?”

“What?” Asks Casey, confused.

“Our vows rookie, what do you want in them?”

“That we love each other, even when you are being an obstinate ass.”

Ethan chuckled and writes it done.

“No running” says Ethan. “I have done so enough in the past and I am done.”

Casey smiles.

“That we will look after each other, even when we are old grey and senile.” Ethan kisses her. He then states that this is forever. “It sure is” says Casey, who has a tear in her eye.

They sign the post it.

“Can I kiss the bride?”

Casey nods before capturing his lips in a searing kiss.

“I love you”

“I love you both” says Ethan as he stroked Casey’s stomach.

“We’re married” says Casey.

“Yes, we are” says Ethan. Just then their pavers go off.

“Best get back to it.” Said Ethan. “Don’t worry we will celebrate properly later.”

“Looking forward to it already says Casey as they head off to tend to their patients.

————

Authors note: I changed the wording for some part but the spirit is still there.

Hope you enjoyed the fic.

Tagging: @jamespotterthefirst @jerzwriter @genevievemd @liaromancewriter @potionsprefect @cariantha @a-crepusculo @bex-la-get @crazy-loca-blog @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction @alj4890 @angelasscribbles @socalwriterbee @youlookappropriate @binny1985 @schnitzelbutterfingers

@choicesficwriterscreations @choicesprompts @openheartfanfics

[raynewolferune]

DC x DP Prompt: Bruce is bad at emoting but at least ghosts are empathic (too bad bat kids are not)

Was reading Twincognito on AO3 when I stumbled across this gem again:

~

" “Danny, Tim. I was just…checking in. Is everything alright?” Curse his inability to make meaningful conversation when it wasn’t a life or death situation.

They glanced at each other and shrugged.

Then Danny hauled himself out of the bed and walked over to Bruce.

Bruce tried not to let too much excitement show on his face. "

~

Now I really want to read a story where Bruce adopts Danny post Meta trafficking and is being his usual emotionally constipated self. His kids keep getting mad at him because he's treating their new meta brother who was trafficked poorly (generally being stilted in conversation with him, walking away hurriedly mid-conversation, avoiding Danny when he's feeling really awkward, etc). They think Bruce is discriminating against Danny for being a civilian, meta, dealer's pick, but really it's just Bruce being horribly socially awkward. Danny knows this because of ghost empathy and find the whole thing hilarious. The whole thing comes to a head with the Bat Kids staging an intervention in the Bat Cave.

[sanguinesmi1e]

Danny's human form ages like normal, but his default form as Phantom is still the 14y/o he was at his time of death. Luckily he can change that with concentration, since his ghost form is malleable. But he has to a) have the time to enact the change and b) consciously maintain his form. His superhero colleagues don't know he's half alive, so he's typically got his adult ghost form firmly in place before they meet. While fighting a powerful enemy, Phantom's concentration slips and he reverts to child form. Doesn't matter, it's just aesthetics and the enemy is what's important. He’s equally strong in his 14 y/o form. Except, his colleagues are very concerned to “discover” that their teammate is a child who has been lying about his age all this time. So now Danny has to figure out how to convince them that he's just looked 14 for over a decade now, or bite the bullet and show them all his secret identity. Preferably before they demote him to a team of teen heroes, or he gets forcibly adopted.

[declamationark]

DPxDC prompt: Danny Phantom is an extremely high-level threat due to his capabilities and experience battling against his ghostly enemies. Batman is creating a contingency plan for him and Constantine's advice, as the one who dances the tango with the Infinite Realms? A bone-weary sigh of "plop him down a telly and put on a NASA documentary or something. It's like you haven't been dealing with teen kids for decades now fer fuck's sake."

[choicesprompts]

Event Archives

Angstgiving 2024

Flufftober 2024

Smutember 2024

Round Robin 2

Spring Fling 2024

Valentines Day 2024

Song Rewrite Challenge 2024

Holiday Rewrite Challenge 2023

Winter Holidays 2023

Fics of Xmas Past 2023

Flufftober October 2023

Smutember 2023

Rewrite Challenge: Rewrite a scene from a book, movie or TV show using your characters. July 2023.

Round Robin 1 May and June 2023

Mardi Gras Prompt March 2023

[angelasscribbles]

What Could Have Been: A Bad Romance One-Shot

Series: What If but more specifically Maximum Damage (the alternate ending)

Original Series: Bad Romance

Fandom: The Royal Romance/The Royal Heir

Pairing for this chapter: Liam x Max (now), Liam x Riley (past), Riley x Max (past)

Rating: MA

Warnings for this chapter: character death mentioned.

Word Count:  812

A/N: This was written in response to an ask from @kyra75 for the angstgiving event hosted by @choicesprompts. The request was for the prompt "What could have been" and was specifically for the Bad Romance gang. Since BR had a happily ever after, I couldn't come up with a good, angsty what could have been until the alternate ending popped into my head. Once it did, this just suddenly existed in my head and I had to write it.

My other stuff: Master List.

The crown princess of Cordonia was getting married to the love of her life. It was a watershed moment in her life. All of Cordonia would be watching as she walked down the aisle.

The king was sure that there had never been a prouder father in the history of the world. His little princess was all grown up. She was happy. She was radiant. She looked just like her mother.

He turned his head to observe his queen. The years hadn’t dimmed her beauty one bit. She was as beautiful as the day he’d first lain eyes on her in that bar in New York.

Liam had been born into wealth, and raised to rule, but the greatest privilege of his life had been raising their daughter. It didn’t matter that biologically speaking; she was Drake’s daughter. Her DNA didn’t matter.

Drake. The best friend he’d ever had. His childhood companion. His partner in crime. His closest confidant. His brother.

“Don’t get too sentimental. You promised her you wouldn’t cry.” Drake smiled at him from the seat on the other side of Riley.

“How can I help it?” Liam responded as tears slipped down his cheek. “You’re here. You’re both here for her big day.”

“Liam.” Max’s voice intruded on the scene.

Not yet, Max. Just a few more moments.

Riley leaned over and touched his hand. “She’s so lucky to have you. You’ve done a wonderful job. You and Max both. Thank you.”

“Liam. Liam.”

Not yet, Max!

But it was too late. They were already fading.

“Wait! Don’t go!”

“Liam, come on, it’s time to get up.” Max shook him gently by the shoulders. “We don’t want to be late for the wedding.”

Liam blinked against the onslaught of brightness flooding into the royal suite. “Max?”

“Yeah, who else would it be? Are you okay? You were crying in your sleep.”

“I was dreaming, but Max, it seemed so real! I was at the wedding, and Riley was with me! Drake too!”

“Oh, babe.” Max climbed back into the bed and wrapped Liam in his arms and tears sprang into his own eyes. “I miss them too.”

Twenty six years later and he still blamed himself. If only he hadn’t dropped the damn cell phone that day. If only he’d pulled over to the side of the road before trying to call 911. If he’d done that, then Riley and Drake would both still be here. Hope would have her biological parents. Liam would have his queen. He would have his everything.

But that’s not what happened and now all they could do was dream about what could have been.

Liam looked up into his husband’s eyes. “It wasn’t your fault. It was a tragic accident.”

Max smiled through his tears. Of course Liam knew exactly what he was thinking. Liam was the only reason he was alive. Liam had willed him to live and pushed him to walk again.

Getting out of that wheelchair had been the hardest thing he’d ever done. Not because of the grueling months of physical therapy, but because he had felt like he deserved to be there. He would never understand why he had Liam’s love and forgiveness when he knew he didn’t deserve it, but he was grateful for it. And he was grateful for the daughter they shared. The one whose heart stopping smile was the spitting image of the woman they had both lost.

“I know,” Max lied. Today was a happy day, not a day to wallow in recriminations. “We both promised Hope that we wouldn’t cry today.”

Liam laughed, a bit of sunshine returning to his life. Max had a way of doing that. “We all knew that was a lie when we said it.”

“Oh, a bald faced lie! She’s our baby girl. Of fucking course we’re going to cry!”

Liam laughed again as the last vestiges of the dream wisped away.

Riley and Drake would be there in spirit. Hope had left two reserved seats empty to represent them.

Hope was what they had left of their lost loved ones. And she had brought exactly that into their lives. Hope was what they had clung to in those early days of grief. She had brought sunshine and joy, laughter, and beauty back into the world.

Drake had certainly named her appropriately all those years ago.

Four hours later, they watched her say I do. They both cried copious amounts, but they were happy tears.

And while they both wished that Riley and Drake were there with them, they were thankful to have each other.

The king glanced at the two empty seats. He swore he could feel them there. Maybe, somehow, in some other existence, they were.

Deep in his heart, Liam believed that somewhere out there, in an alternate universe, what could have been, was.

[liaromancewriter]

Forgot to tag @choicesprompts Flufftober - prompt "birthday surprise"

Birthday Bash

A/N: It’s Max and Cassie’s birthday on October 5 (in 45 mins where I am). Instead of doing a Twin-only celebration, they fly their friends and loved ones to Manhattan for an extravagant birthday weekend. This pic was taken at the end of a wild night of partying and shenanigans.

Tags under the cut

All Fics & Edits: @bluebelle08 @coffeeheartaddict2 @crazy-loca-blog @jerzwriter @justyourusualash

@lady-calypso @kyra75 @mainstreetreader @peonierose @potionsprefect

@queencarb @quixoticdreamer16 @snoopdogcone @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction

Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Ethan & Cassie only: @cariantha @custaroonie @youlookappropriate

[jerzwriter]

I'll Have What She's Having...

OK - I had too much fun writing this! This is for @choicesprompts Rewrite Event. I selected this iconic scene from the best romcom of all time, When Harry Met Sally. I will be posting two other scenes from the movie as well.

Background: In this AU, Tobias & Casey are good friends. They're two doctors working at neighboring hospitals. They have a lot in common and love each other's company, but they decided to keep things friendly. Today, they're meeting for lunch, and Casey's becoming annoyed because Tobias is late... again. I hope you enjoy this!

Book: Open Heart (Choices)

Based on: When Harry Met Sally (Movie)

Featuring: Tobias Carrick, Casey Mactavish (F!MC)

Rating: Teen + / Sexual situations (not explicit)

Words: 1,500

A/N: As mentioned above, participating in @choicesprompts Rewrite Event

Casey felt a slight chill run through her as goosebumps formed on her skin. She rubbed her arms to warm up, though she wasn’t complaining. The cafe's arctic air conditioning was a welcome reprieve from the sultry Boston day outside. She glanced at her watch and sighed. Punctuality mattered to Dr. MacTavish. Most people knew that and tried to respect it. Unfortunately, that didn't include her dear friend, Tobias. She was beginning to wonder if he was purposefully late every time, but… her mind shifted as the front door opened, ushering in a hot summer breeze, the sounds of honking horns, and one handsome, smirking physician. Most would look sheepish for making her wait, but not Tobias Carrick. His bravado was as present as the defined muscles visible, even through his t-shirt. All she could do was shake her head.

“Hey there, sunshine,” he beamed, sliding into the booth across from her, and instantly reaching over to grab one of her fries. Casey smacked his hand away, but he was too quick, and happily chewed on the fried treat as she huffed.

“You’re late again! And for your punishment, you can’t eat any of my food! You'll have to wait until your own arrives!” She slid her plate away and protectively leaned over it, inadvertently offering a peek down her tank top. Not one to miss such things, Tobias clearly noticed but looked away quickly. He was not letting himself think of her in that way. He'd give her this battle; she could keep her fries.

“I’m not that late,” he grumbled as he flagged the waitress over.

“You’re fifteen minutes late.”

“If we’re being honest, I walked in the door two minutes ago, so technically, I’m only thirteen minutes late, and I had… reasons.”

“Mmm,” Casey sighed, playfully taunting him with her fries. “Let’s see, you didn’t drive… the T is running on schedule… you’re off from work today… a good reason… what’s their name?”

“Whose name?” He asked that sheepishness suddenly appearing.

“The reason’s name,” she grinned. “Whose bed did you have trouble crawling out of to come to have lunch with little ol’ me? You know you really have to start scheduling better.”

Tobias’s face tensed up as a rare look of exasperation appeared.

“I wasn’t… I didn’t… I wasn’t crawling out of anyone’s bed… OK!” He insisted. But Casey refused to look away, her lips curled into a knowing smirk as her eyes locked on his.

“Fine! We never made it to the bed… it was more like the couch… wiseass.”

Casey popped another fry into her mouth… victorious.

“OK,” he chuckled. “Stop being so cocky… it's not like you know everything.”

“Oh, I know enough! For example, I know. I’m so glad I never slept with you.”

“Really?” He answered, appearing to be insulted. “And why is that?”

“Because… I’d just be another notch on your belt. Another person you rushed out of bed... or off the couch from... to go have lunch with a friend. Late, of course.”

“So you’re happier with the role of friend?”

“Absolutely! I mean, you’re a halfway decent friend..."

"Gee, thanks!"

"Would you shut up," she scolded, reaching across the table to playfully smack him. "I mean, we have longevity. I'm confident you'll still be in my life this time next year, but if I was one of your conquests? I'd just think you were an asshole.”

“An asshole?” His voice and brows were raised, and Casey was unsure if he was really mad, but she didn't back down.

“Yes, an asshole. No one is saying that you have to settle down and get married, Tobias. But you’re like the walking definition of wham, bam, thank you, ma’am. At least I hope you get the thank you out before you’re rushing to the door… manners are important!”

 “You know,” he said, dropping his just-delivered sandwich to his plate. “I don’t promise anyone anything more than that! I’m not a total dick! Besides,” he smiled smugly. “They seem happy enough with the results.”

“Of course they do. You’re out the door before they can offer any constructive criticism. I'll bet half of them never even get your number.”

He aggressively took a bite of his sandwich, confidently catching Casey’s gaze. “Trust me. They’re pleased.”

“Really? How do you know?”

“What do you mean? How do I know… I know.”

“Why? Because they have an orgasm?”

“An? An implies one. That's for amateurs. Please, I'm insulted," he winked as Casey chortled. “Why are you laughing."

“Because unlike your… species…  we can fake it... even more than once. So you don't really know.”

“Do you fake it?”

“Me? Never. I'm not about to give someone a prize for something they haven't earned."

“Mmm, but you’re saying the women I’ve been with do?”

“I'm not saying all of them,” she shrugged. “But sadly, far too many women still do it, so yeah, I’m sure at least a percentage of them have faked it.”

“No, they haven’t,” he snickered, quickly grabbing one of her fries.

“Oh, yes. I forgot,” Casey chided. “You know… because… you’re a man.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning most women have admitted to faking an orgasm, and most men say it's never happened with them… so you do the math.”

“Well, I'm not most men,” he said cockily and returned to eating "I'd be able to tell the difference."

Casey decided not to say another word, but her wheels were spinning. With a sardonic smile, she put her plan into motion.

“Ooooh,” she gasped softly. Doing it again to ensure she had his attention.

“Case?”

“Oh…  oh, God…” she whispered, leaning forward the slightest bit."

Tobias’s brow furrowed in concern. “What is it? Are you sick? You need to leave?”

“I… I… oh God,” she muttered, the volume of her voice increasing as she let out a soft, languid groan. “I just… I just… Oh my... GOD!”

Tobias sighed and placed his food on his plate. The look on his face was a mixture of mortified and amused, and he wasn't sure which side he was going to land on.

Her eyes screwed shut, and her well-manicured hand ran slowly through her long, wavy hair as the other desperately clutched the table, balling the tablecloth in her fist. Her face flushed pink, her breath more jagged, then her head flung back with dramatic flair.

“It’s… you’re… oh my, God… right there… right… you're right there... don't ... don't stop... AHH!” She wailed, now commanding the attention of everyone in the tiny cafe. Normally unflappable, Tobias appeared to blush as the attention grew, offering a half-smile and slight wave to those watching the show unfold.

“Oh, God… Oh, God… that’s it.. that’s so good, oh, God… Tobiiiasssss,” she hissed in a graveled tone as he squirmed uncomfortably in his seat, alarmed at the effect her saying his name in such a way had on him. “Tobias, you’re … you’re… Oh God… Oh God... Yes! YES! YES! YES!! YESSS!” she screamed as her back arched and her head thrashed wildly from side to side, her hands desperately grabbing the table, causing the ice cubes in their drinks to jiggle with her every gyration.

Without an ounce of remorse, she sat upright, and fully composed, she returned to eating as if she didn’t have ten cell phones pointed at her, capturing her award-worthy performance that was bound to go viral.

Bemused, Tobias studied her with an impish grin.

“Are you done?” he finally asked with amusement.

“Oh, absolutely,” she smirked. “And hopefully, so are your delusions.”

He shook his head with a chuckle. “You know, now I’m kinda happy we never slept together, too.”

“Oh really? I already told you I don’t fake it, I can, but I won't… so you wouldn’t have to worry about that.”

“No, but apparently, I’d have to worry about everyone in my neighborhood hearing.”

Casey’s eyes locked on his, a smile so innocent it defied the moment on her lips. “And that would be a problem for you?”

Tobias reached for his glass, downing the contents in their entirety in the hopes it would quench the heat rising in his body. Heat that had nothing to do with the temperature outside.

“Honesty, no,” he grinned. “That’s not a problem for me.”

“I didn’t think so,” Casey giggled.

“Say, what are your plans for the rest of the day? Wanna go see the game tonight?” he asked, compelling himself to change the subject.

“Can’t,” she replied as she chewed her food. “I have a date tonight.”

“Oh? With who?”

“A resident at Kenmore… but I’m not telling you who unless we decide to go on a second date. I don't need you antagonizing them.”

“Like I would?” he answered as she shot him a knowing look.

They fought over whose turn it was to pay the bill, each insisting it was their own. When Tobias grabbed the check and headed toward the counter, Casey Venmoed him for her portion. And he thought he won?

The hot air hit them the moment he door pushed open. And while Casey relished it for a moment, Tobias did not. He had yet to cool down from all that had transpired inside, and this wasn't helping. He rocked on his feet as they stood outside.

“So. You’re really not going to tell me who it is?”

“I will,” she replied bashfully, “if there’s a second date…maybe.”

“Well, that's definitive," he laughed. "Fine. Have fun… and don’t fake anything.”

“I never do,” she laughed, reaching up to give him a friendly kiss on the cheek. “Hey, you up for brunch tomorrow?”

“I can do brunch,” he answered, quicker than anticipated.

“Good," the smile on her face went all the way up to her eyes, then with a twist of her hips, she was walking away. But not before stopping once more to offer some advice. "Oh, and Tobias," she smiled, “don’t be late.”

He watched her walk away and kept watching until she was lost in the crowd. Then he took his phone from his pocket and lifted it to his ear as he turned to walk in the opposite direction.

“Hey!” he said enthusiastically when his call was answered. “Sally, it’s Dr. Carrick. Listen, can you do me a favor and look at the schedule… what residents are on duty tonight?”

“Great,” he replied. “And can you send a copy of that list to my e-mail? You’re a doll, Sally. I’ll make sure to mention it to your boss!”

His mind kept wandering as he walked home. He'd figure it out. It would be easy, he thought. A simple process of elimination. He’d have the person’s name by tomorrow at brunch. In fact, he’d have tonight before he headed to bed… early. After all, he needed a good night’s sleep because there was no way he was going to be late for brunch tomorrow.

Tagging on reblog.

@choicesficwriterscreations

[stars-obsession-pit]

If anyone saw this for a moment earlier when i accidentally hit post, no you didn’t

The Ultimate Enemy ends a bit differently. Though Danny does still overcome his evil future self, Dan leaves him with a few parting gifts for his trouble.

Danny is thrown into another universe, and his obsession is distorted. Where it once was Protection, now all it is is Violence. One last-ditch attempt by Dan to make Danny into a monster like him.

However, Danny’s human mind is still intact. So despite feeling the perpetual urge from his ghost half, he can keep it in check. Somewhat.

But not entirely.

So he becomes a Rogue. He doesn’t like it, but what else can he do? He needs to do something.

Of course, he does his best to minimize real harm, to focus his attacks on those that deserve it - the polluting factories, the corrupt businessmen, and all others that exploit people. He tries to eke out as much nourishment for his core as he can from the engagements, especially the fights against the heroes that come to stop him.

But it’s not enough. He still knows he’s causing harm and hates every second of it, even as his obsession sings at being fed.

The heroes notice. How could they not? A powerful, young, villain who clearly doesn’t want to be doing what they’re doing but seemingly can’t stop? There must be something else going on. Some force pushing him to do this.

And they’re going to save him from it.

[choicesprompts]

Rewrite challenge throwback

Mashup: TRR x Just Like Heaven

A Piece of Heaven on Earth: Part 1

The Book:  TRR Pairing:  Liam x Riley (eventually)  Word Count: 2902 Warnings & Ratings:  Sexual Innuendo, mention of character’s perceived death, profanity; Teen Liam and Riley, Chance, Maxwell and Bryce belong to PB, all others are my own characters  to support our story. Summary:  Riley and Liam meet in an odd situation Song Inspiration:  I by Yiruma Story Inspiration: Just Like Heaven -you see similarity to the storyline of the movie but there will be differences I added in as well.

Original Post:  03/08/22 at 8:43PM EST.

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[puppetmaster13u]

Prompt 345

Let it be known that none of them actually expected the idiots’ of the week’s ritual to work. The summoning hadn’t worked for literal centuries- everyone knew it had been sealed away, presumably forever!

(Of course they had no way to know that in the Infinite Realms actually used the term forever as a measurement of time, what with how time itself wasn’t particularly linear within. And to beings that could hypothetically live for eternity? Forever was a nice vacation time really) 

So maybe they hadn’t been exactly focused on stopping the ritual as much as they could of been, and by the time they realized it was working, well, it’d been a bit too late then. So yes, mistakes had perhaps in fact, been made. 

First had come the chill, the cold of the ground as your body was lowered down, the cold of your blood dripping from your living corpse. Then came the shadows, the darkness creeping along their vision as their soul slipped from their body. Followed by boiling heat, flames scorching through their flesh and tearing from their chests like a blade piercing their hearts. 

The form that emerged was massive, a cloak dripping crimson fluttering in the wind of an unseen battlefield, verdant flames licking at the air and causing the surrounding shadows to writhe. A dark growl echoed through the building, the stone below them shaking while deathly green eyes glowered down at the living with utter contempt. 

“Do any of you imbeciles know how long it takes to get ghostlings to sleep-”