#otp: sunday morning

[paceypeternathanslawyer]

One Tree Hill Meme {108/187} Season 6 Episode 2: One Million Billionth Of A Millisecond On A Sunday Morning Nathan & Haley In Every Episode

[too-deviant]

jackie and wilson.

previous | next masterlist.

pairing: luke castellan x unclaimed!reader

summary: you haven't been given a quest, but you have made it your personal mission to make luke castellan smile

word count: 6.2k

content: very juicy chapter. is all im gonnna say.

notes: i cant stay mad at my otps i fear

PART IV — better yet, she wouldn’t care 

“If I have to hear one more handjob joke, I’m gonna lose it. So please tell me you have good news.” 

Lee Fletcher’s dark blue eyes flitted up to yours, his lashes tickling just under his eyebrow when he did. His hands were fiddling with the bandage that wrapped around your hand, but they slowed when you spoke, “Bare with me, newbie.”

You sighed deeply, fighting the urge to fall back onto the cot that you were sitting on — you’d had the stupid bandage wrapped around your hand and wrist for what felt like eternity, but was really only five days. You should be thankful, really, since the last time you’d broken your wrist you’d been walking around with a thick blue cast on for a month, but you couldn’t help but be a little peeved. Capture the flag was today, and you hadn’t trained nearly as much as the others had due to your injury — when you probably should’ve been training twice as much, only because you were new and unfamiliar with the game. 

It was their fault for hyping it up; if they had just shut up about it, you wouldn’t have been as excited about taking part, broken wrist or not. But alas, demigods were barbarians — barbarians who thirsted to beat each other up in a controlled battle. Barbarians who didn’t have any regard for the new camper when they were climbing all over each other to see the freshly posted team setup, and trampled all over their perfectly good wrist. 

“Maybe you shouldn’t have been standing right in front of the notice board.” Luke had been saying all week. 

“Maybe you shouldn’t have asked me to accompany you there, then.” You replied every time. 

Lee narrowed his gaze, flipping your hand around carefully in his, kneading at curtain parts of your skin while checking you for reactions. When you showcased nothing but annoyance at your own shit luck, he leaned back with a cheeky smile, “Well, it’s looking good. I don’t think you need this anymore.” 

He lifted up the knot of bandage he’d removed from your hand and threw it with perfect precision into the trash can on the other side of the room, before turning and grinning at you. You couldn’t help but grin back, “You’re the best.” 

“I’m told.” He shrugged, feigning a humble demeanour. You stood, and he did so with you, looking at you pointedly, “But you should still take it easy today. It’s your first game, and you’ve been here for a week. Nobody is gonna judge you for stepping back today.” 

You scoffed, rolling your newly healed wrist around with a small smile, “I’m not stepping back for shit, Fletcher. I’m beating the hell out of Chris Rodriguez.”

“He’s on your team.” 

“I don’t care.” You rebutted. Lee rolled his eyes, but ultimately let you off with a wave. “See you later!” 

The past five days had been fairly tame. When the team setup was posted on Sunday afternoon, everyone went immediately into prep mode for the game. You knew they took it seriously, but you didn’t realise how seriously they did until you found yourself being pulled out of your sleeping bag at five in the morning so you could get a headstart on training with Luke. Although you didn’t see the relevance — after you’d broken your wrist, the boy hadn’t even let you look at a spear, so you woke up at the asscrack of dawn to…sit around and watch him train. 

Thankfully, Hermes had paired up with Ares for once, and Clarisse wasn’t letting you off easily. Whenever she could, she was dragging you to the arena and teaching you how to fight one-handed. So you were more than ready, skipping down the infirmary steps with an easy smile. 

“I think I see you here more than I see you anywhere else.” 

You paused, looking up and spotting Evan, leaning gently on the porch railing. You rounded the steps and stopped in front of him, “Hey. I’ve only been here twice.”

“In…” He checked his imaginary watch, “One week. That’s gotta be a record.”

You narrowed your eyes jokingly, “Okay. I’m still learning, leave me alone.” 

“We’ll see how much you’ve learnt later today.” He quipped, running a hand through his hair. He smirked at you, “Good luck.” 

“Thanks.” You slid out, sarcasm evident in your tone. He laughed, and you smiled, rolling your eyes. 

“Come on, clumsy. Let’s get to training.” He began to walk off, and you followed, presumably to where the Hermes team were gathering for last minute preparations. 

For this game, they’d paired up with Ares and Athena, Apollo taking lead for the blue team with Hephaestus and Aphrodite. Red team also had Demeter, and the boys of cabin twelve were on the blue team. It seemed like a pretty good split; or at least you thought it was, judging by the reactions of everyone when they read the pamphlet. You might have been reading it wrong, though. After all, you were crying out in pain and cradling a shattered wrist when it happened. 

Athena was always a good cabin to pair up with, was what Evie had told you when she was taking your measurements for armour. You presumed so, goddess of war and all. But you were a little wary about the Cabin Ten girls — Aphrodite was also a warrior goddess, after all. 

Evan led you around the back of the pegasi stables and through a mudded path. The only reason you hadn’t taken off running in fear that he was leading you to your imminent death was because the wood nymphs were out and about, milling around like bodyguards. They eyed you up at first, but a few of them recognised you from your impromptu baseball session with Luke last week and told them to back off. 

“Here she is, the woman of the hour!” Clarisse exclaimed when she saw you break through the trees. A few people glanced back and smiled at you politely, a sentiment you returned as Evan led you to the front of the crowd where she stood. 

Luke was beside her, and only nodded at you. You nodded back, a glimmer in your eyes that made his hands twitch. 

“Okay, now that our whole team is in attendance, we can begin.” The Ares girl said, conviction prominent in her voice. She was made to lead, that much was obvious. “You all know the deal. I won’t repeat it, not with the blue team so close by, but…” She sent a meaningful look around the whole crew, “You know where to go. We’ve been practising this, and in a couple of hours it’ll be time to bring home yet another win.”

“It’s pretty much all in the cards for us.” Luke cropped himself into the speech, “Cabin Nine have their special machinery but we’ve got wit, power and numbers. We’ll be fine.” 

“Speaking of cabin nine.” Clarisse hopped down from the wooden crate she was standing on, “I grabbed this from them just before the teams went up. Had to make sure they didn’t sabotage it.”

She pulled a long spear out from behind some other boxes, and let it shimmer in the light. It was beautiful, and you couldn’t keep your eyes away from it. Despite it being made from celestial bronze, the forger had clearly done something to make it shine a mesmerising silver. You could see your reflection in it as it glistened under the sun. It was double ended and if you squinted, you could see tiny spikes coiling around the first ten or so inches of each end. The shaft was smooth and engraved with something you could only make out when she walked over and handed it to you. 

“Wait.” You took it out of instinct, weighing it in both hands but giving a shocked look to Clarisse, “This is mine?” 

“You’re damn right.” She smirked, “Jake was having a field day making that thing, couldn’t stop talking about it. Especially when he added these,” She poked one of the spikes that coiled around the shaft and rubbed the tips of her fingers together with a wince, “They’re lethal. You’ll be unbeatable out there with this thing.” 

“Cool.” You gave it an experimental swing, and everyone in your vicinity took a long step back. You shrugged, smiling anyway, “Whoops.” 

You felt very powerful with your new weapon, and now that you had it in your hands, you could marvel at the engravings. They were images, battles fought — a lot of them recognisable. There was Perseus killing Phineus and Polydectes with Medusa’s head, Heracles and the Nemean Lion. There was even an engraving of Tantalus stealing the ambrosia and nectar from Olympus, for some reason. You’d have to ask Jake about that later. 

“We have two hours until we need to gather at the pavilion, so we won’t bore you with details.” A young girl who you’d seen around camp before stood up and addressed the crowd. She was very little, but she exuded authority even at her young age. “But if I see you lazing around, I’ll put my dagger through your foot.”

There was a chorus of nods and murmured agreement, so the little girl stepped back and nodded at Luke, who told them all to go get ready. The crowd dispersed, but you stayed firmly put as the boy made his way over to you, the little girl following behind him. 

“Sunny.” He tried not to smile, but you saw his lips twitch. He gestured to the girl beside him, “This is my little sister Annabeth. Newly appointed Counselor of Athena.”

You raised a brow, impressed, before looking down at the girl with a smile, “Hey, Annabeth.” You introduced yourself, trying not to show her how kind of scared you were for her to not like you. 

Luckily she nodded, “Hi. You better be good with that spear.”

“I’d like to think I am.” You joked. She didn’t laugh, simply telling Luke she was going to brainstorm and left you both alone in the clearing you’d been gathered in. You raised your brows at him, “I think she gets her stoic indifference from you.” 

He cracked a smile then, grabbing your spear from you and weighing it in his own hands, “Yeah. She’s a firecracker.” He looked at you firmly, “Think you’ll be good for this game? It’s not too late to back out.”

You snatched the weapon right back from him, rubbing his finger prints from the shaft with your sleeve and sending him a half-glare, “You just want an excuse to use this instead of me. I’m fine, JoJo.”

He raised a single brow, “Fine. But if you end up back in the infirmary, I’m not gonna kiss your wounds better.”

You smirked, backing away and pointing your free finger at him daringly, “You wouldn’t be able to hold back.”

He laughed, hand on heart, “Right.” 

You were quick to retreat to the Arena where you knew Clarisse was waiting for you. A good chance to break in the new armoury and swing a spear around that wasn’t made of styrofoam or rotten wood. You caught yourself a good sweat in an hour and a half, and Clarisse was covered in bloody dots from those spikes. Even if you were injured, they still didn’t stand a chance against those. It was a comforting thought. 

You would’ve practised the whole time had it not started raining — something that confused you greatly since the camp had a controlled climate. Clarisse just rolled her eyes, though, claiming that Chiron was upping the dramatics for the game. You were unsure that the centaur could just…make it rain, but you went along with it. You’d only been a demigod for a week after all. 

Not wanting to be completely soaked by the time the game started, you retreated back to the Hermes cabin, shortening your spear down with a click and tucking it into your belt loop before you sat down. You were still on the floor, still next to the six year-old who almost always rolled on top of you in the night — you had now perfected your rollover technique to get him off you without waking him up. 

You were re-lacing your combat boots when two shadows loomed over either side of you. Without so much as a glance away from your foot, you said plainly, “Stolls. What do you want?”

A twin pair of scoffs sounded and you just rolled your eyes. The one on the left spoke first, and you thought it might have been Travis, “Bold to assume we want anything.” 

“I mean, we do.” Connor added from your right, and the indisputable sound of a hard slap came right after. “Ow! Asshole.”

“Cut to it.” You moved onto your other shoe now that the left one was wound tight. You were always pretty speedy at tying laces, a fairly random skill but a skill nonetheless. 

“Well…” Connor started. 

“Luke put us on second offence.” Travis continued. 

“But we sorta hate doing second offence.” 

“Yeah, it’s way too much work.”

Connor leaned over your shoulder so his stupid grin was visible in your peripheral vision, “And we heard that you are on side offence. Which has a much lower maiming risk.”

“So you wanna swap spots?” You deducted, looking up from your feet and giving them a blank glance. They nodded, and you sighed, “Ok, first of all, there’s two of you and one of me. You’ll have to find someone else to swap with too.”

“Already done.” Travis nodded, “Sabine loves second offence.”

“Second of all,” You sent them firm looks, “Luke isn’t going to let you change the layout right before the game. Neither is Clarisse and neither is Annabeth.”

“Which is why we aren’t telling them.” Connor said like it was obvious, holding out his hands like he’d presented you with the best idea ever conjured, “Luke and Clarisse are on first offence and Annabeth is on last defence, right by the flag. No one will know.”

“Plus,” Travis sang, wiggling his eyebrows, “This is a perfect opportunity to prove to everyone how badass you are.”

“Yeah, Luke’s had you on a leash since you hurt your wrist.” Connor raised a teasing brow, “Why not show him what you’re made of?” 

You looked between them, and the silence that stretched seemed to serve as an answer because they were smirking at you and pushing themselves up and out of the door before you could utter a word. 

The rain hadn’t settled — Chiron and his dramatics, although it appeared Mr D wasn’t too much of a fan. God or not, he still got wet with the rest of them. You stood between Luke and Clarisse, the former shielding both your heads with his black jacket — Annabeth ended up squeezing between the two of you when she couldn’t keep up with her I’m too good to hide from the rain facade. You took it as a win, she was warming up to you! 

“Welcome to our first capture the flag of the summer!” Chiron bellowed, pausing for the cheers that resounded. “The usual rules are enforced. Magic weapons are permitted, the flag must be prominently presented with no more than two guards no less than ten yards from the flag! No killing or maiming, and no gagging or bounding of prisoners. Let the games begin!” 

There was a loud echo of cheers and battle cries as the first conch sounded — they only had twenty minutes to get into position and then they would be permitted to cross the creek into enemy territory. Annabeth was quick to gather up the flag guards and send them off to their agreed location with nothing but a sharp eye before she was pulling together the defensive lines and sending them off too.

“Hey.” Just before you could walk off, Luke grabbed your attention, levelling his eyes with yours as best as he could from under his helmet. He adjusted yours and patted your shoulders, “You got this, Sunny.”

You nodded, “Damn right I do.” 

It was hard to navigate the woods in the rain, which was still pouring almost torrentially over them. The forest floor had grown slippery and wet with the new downpour, but the campers traipsed through it roughly, boots squelching as they moved. You followed the side defence through mud and grass, dodging branches and puddles until you couldn’t hear the chatter of Luke and Clarisse from behind you. Then you stopped, and just ahead of you, Sabine did the same. 

It wasn’t long before Connor and Travis were pushing through the trees and greeting the pair of you with wide grins. Sabine rolled her eyes, “Shove off, punks.”

Then she was storming in the direction they came from, and you had no choice but to follow. It was hard to keep up with her long strides, but whenever you lost her in the fog you just followed the sound of her annoyed mutters. 

“Stupid kids. Can’t be trusted on last offence let alone second. It’s not fair. I punch one kid for cheating and Luke sends me to side defence. Side! Stupid punk has been out of it for too long, needs a reality check.”

You didn’t bother responding — whether you were going to agree or come to Luke’s defence, you had no idea. You just followed her to the edge where the second offence was lined up just past the edge of the shore. Evie and Evan gave you the same confused look. 

“Those Stoll fuckers wanted an easy out.” Sabine spat, pushing a stray curl back under her helmet and heaving her giant club over her shoulder. 

The twins didn’t question or fight the decision, simply shrugging and going back to where they were tracing their own tic tac toe game into the wet sand. You stood idly, hands fiddling with your belt buckle before the second conch sounded. Almost immediately did the first and side offences cross the creek and disappear into the woods, while you pulled your spear from the ground and followed the twins and Sabine across the water moments after they were gone. 

Then it was a waiting game. 

“Fuck Apollo, Marry Athena and Kill Hermes.” 

Evie scoffed, shaking her head, “No. No way. Athena would be way controlling as a wife, you gotta bag Apollo.” 

Sabine hummed, “No. I think Athena and I would be unstoppable together.”

You looked up from your shoes and between the three that stood before you. It had been two hours and the most action you had was seeing one of your own teammates get flung right back over the creek by some cabin nine contraption that you were not too keen on meeting. Your spear rested across the back of your shoulders, your arms swung around the shaft at either side as you contemplated your own answer. 

“No, see —“ You huffed, “I couldn’t marry Athena, but only because she conjures babies with her brain. I could never win an argument, I know that for sure.”

“But we all agree on killing Hermes, right?” Evan butted in with a laugh that was immediately shared by the rest of them. He settled down and squinted for a moment, “Ok. Fuck, Marry, Kill. Iris, Nemesis and…Hypnos.” 

There was immediate discourse, everyone speaking up at once with their own opinions. Sabine thought Hypnos would be a terrible lay — He’d fall asleep halfway through! — but Iris would be overbearing as a wife. Evie said Nemesis would be the best wife, she’d never let anyone hurt you, and you were just about to add on that Iris could let you eavesdrop on other people’s conversations whenever you were bored when a loud crack echoed through the trees. 

Then it was quiet. You all shared silent looks, baring your weapons and facing the enemy side. 

Another crack, a snap of a twig. Then a crash, like something being dropped onto a pile of leaves. 

A scream, and a manic son of Aphrodite breaking through the trees and aiming a large Kopis at Evan, who was quick to defend with his dual wielding swords. His teammates followed, and the rest of you jumped into action — you were only slightly panicked when you realised your opponent was a Hephaestus kid who was nearly double your height. 

You’d seen him around sometimes, he was only a year or so younger than you. Same age as Clarisse, and definitely the same level of skill in battle. What made him even scarier was that he fought with nunchucks…fucking nunchucks! And he was good with them, too. 

But you had been taught well. You were quick to defend your body and use both ends of your spear to deflect each nunchuck from making contact. At one point, he clipped your arm pretty hard, and that was when you realised they were ribbed along the edges making for a harder hit. You bounced back though, swinging every which way and not letting him touch you again. 

Briefly, you could hear your peers’ own battles. There weren’t any shouts of pain, or cries for help, so you put all your focus on the boy before you. He had a height advantage, and swung his weapon down on you fairly often, which left your torso open when you held your spear over your head. But your reflexes were like lightning, and no matter how hard he tried he just couldn’t land that second hit. 

Fuelled by his own frustration, he lunged forward and tried to wrap the chain of his chucks around the shaft of your spear. He attempted to no avail a couple of times, but then he clicked a button on one of the shafts and released a crackle of energy along it. You were shocked momentarily by the reveal of his electric nunchucks that you faltered in your defence and he managed to wrangle your weapon in his own on the third try. You pulled back hard, trying to regain control and prevent his disarm, but he just pressed that damn button again and this time the volts ran through his chain and up the entire length of your spear. 

The crack that resounded was huge. Too huge to have come from those tiny nunchucks.  

Where you were expecting a sudden and painful shock through your hand and arms you instead felt a massive give. You stumbled back, shocked, but regained your footing before you could fall onto the wet ground. Your spear was in your hands, and the nunchucks were still wrapped tightly around the middle. You looked up from them to see their owner crumbled in a heap on the ground, nursing his painfully red hands while the rainfall soaked his clothes even more. 

You’d completely forgotten you weren’t alone until one of his teammates dropped their shield and ran to his aid. You looked up, expecting to meet the dumbstruck eyes of Evie and Evan, only to see their gazes fixed elsewhere. You turned your head. 

There in the grass was a giant streak of black, stretching along the shore for nearly five metres. It took a second for you to realise that it was embers — the ground had been burnt completely from where you stood to where it ended. And standing just before it was Luke and Clarisse — the blue team's flag in hand. They weren’t moving, they were staring at the burn in the floor, at you.

Your chin wobbled a little until the echo of the other team reached your ears. You looked at the pair urgently, “Move!”

And they did. Even when the blue team kids you’d been fighting  before tried to stop them, they were held back and Luke and Clarisse led your team to an easy victory. 

They cheered, and the conch sounded. Chiron emerged through the wood and smiled at them in congratulations — the whole spark debacle was nearly forgotten, campers too busy either cheering or groaning to notice the burn streak on the floor. Chiron did, though, and soon though the short lived celebration quieted down as he asked about it. 

Eyes turned to you. You shrugged, “I don’t…I don’t know what happened, it just —“

But then there were gasps. All around you. And suddenly Chiron wasn’t looking at you, he was looking at the space above your head. And then so was everyone else. 

When you looked up, squinting past the rain, and your eyes fixated on that glowing lighting bolt that floated above your head, the world went quiet. A week of hearing everything about the glory of being claimed — how at ease you would be, how reassured you would end up. None of it was true. Because for some reason, the symbol that hung above your head sent nothing but trepidation running through you. 

You almost missed Chiron's next words,  

“Zeus. Law Maker. Striker of Lightning. King of Olympus. All hail.” He shouted your name, but it didn’t feel right in your ears, “Daughter of the Sky God.”

When you couldn’t stand the sight of it — when it started to make you feel sick, when the picturesque summer camp you were finally finding yourself in started to feel tight and uncomfortable, you looked down. Everyone was kneeling, eyes on the ground. It was comforting that they weren’t staring at you anymore, but when you searched the crowd for those baby brows that held you down, they were fixated firmly on the mud. 

After your claiming, Chiron dismissed everyone sharply. They left, all talk about the capture the flag win long left behind and replaced by canards about you and your family. Your lineage. You were very prepared to stand frozen on the other side of the creek for the rest of the day but the centaur ushered you into his office in the big house just as the rain stopped. 

The next hour was a muffled blur. You felt as if you had just been plunged underwater and all you could hear was your heartbeat in your ears — you vaguely registered Chiron and Mr. D asking you a load of questions about your childhood and whether there were any signs of your parentage along the way. You couldn’t answer that. 

They Iris-Messaged your mother — who was in her office and jumped up startled when the call came through. You might have been in a hazy funk, but you could tell the surprise on her face when Chiron informed her of your claiming was genuine. She’d had no idea. That, out of all things, angered you the most. 

“This new information will have caused quite a stir in Olympus.” Was one of the last things he said, “But you should be fine, since you’re seventeen.”

“Why does me being seventeen mean anything?” 

Zeus’ Cabin was subpar to say the least. Alright if you’re only going in there to worship the guy, not so alright if you’re planning on living there. There weren’t any beds, but there were alcoves lining the walls that you tucked your sleeping bag into so you didn’t have to look at the giant statue of Zeus that stood at the end of the room. For good measure, you chucked a spare blanket over its head — he could smite you for it, you didn’t really care anymore. 

You zoned back into reality when a knock sounded on your door, and you realised it was nightfall. Dinner time. You stood from your perch on one of the many benches that sat in the room — you thought they’d have better use in the pavilion, where Hermes kids were practically falling off the benches there were so little of them — and headed over to the huge double doors, heaving one open and breathing deep at the workout it took just to see who was at the door. 

It was Evie, and for some reason that made a pit of disappointment form in your gut. You sent her a weak smile nonetheless, “Hi.”

She smiled back, full of pity, “Hey. Just thought I’d come check on you, we haven’t seen you in hours.”

“I didn’t like them staring at me.” You said plainly, stepping out into the open air. The rain had stopped now, the sky clear, and you fought the urge to roll your eyes. 

“Yeah, I get that.” Was her heartfelt reply. You felt bad for being so plain with her, but there was really only one person you wanted to see, “But, um, it’s dinner right about now. Wanna…come with?”

You didn’t really wanna, but you were starving and almost certain that nobody would be bringing you any food, so you shrugged, “Sure.” 

The large door shut on its own when you stepped away from it, and Evie jumped at the sound. You folded your arms and walked alongside her in silence until you were forced to part at the pavilion. She tried to say something — maybe a goodbye, a good luck. Maybe a we can’t be friends anymore because you’re forbidden. You didn’t stick around to check, walking over to the empty Zeus table where you unfortunately belonged. 

You filled your plate, hungry from the workout of capture the flag and exhaustion from the day, but your appetite was ruined when you saw Luke walk in and avoid your eyes completely in favour of sitting at his usual spot at the Hermes table. You hadn’t seen him all day, he hadn’t seen you, and yet here he was; ignoring your existence like he used to. It sort of hurt. 

So you dropped your fork, leaned your elbows on the untouched wood and stared at nothing. Only hours earlier were you at the top of your game, happy and ready to use your skills in capture the flag, show your friends what you could do. Now? You were completely alone, completely miserable, and completely ready to go back to Vermont. 

You wanted nothing more than to climb into your bed and cry. 

People started to stand. Heading in the direction of the campfire that you were definitely going to skip. Some Hermes kids stood, Luke included, and started a slow stroll down there too, past your table and down the hill. Chris was talking animatedly to his friends on either side of him, but Luke didn’t look very happy with whatever it was he was saying. Before you could build up the courage to call out for him, beg him to look you in the eyes and still stay your friend, he was shoving Chris roughly, the boy falling into your table with a grunt. 

“What the hell, man?” He sneered, brushing himself off. Luke just glared. He scoffed, “You’ve changed, bro. And not for the better.”

Then he was walking off in a huff, and his friends were following him. Luke met your eyes for half a second before storming off in the opposite direction — and with the influence of the tug on your heart, you followed. 

He was halfway to the Hermes cabin when you caught him, and you were thrown back to the time he got into that…thing with Dean from Ares and you chased him all the way up the hill. This time, it was down, and you were a lot less out of breath when you reached out and tugged on his elbow. 

He turned to you, “What?”

You paused, hand falling to your side. You swallowed, shrugged, “I…uh…”

Luke tightened his jaw, eyes flicking above your head like if he looked at you any longer his facade would break. He took in a deep breath and met your gaze once more, “Go to the campfire.”

“What —?”

“Go to the campfire.” He was backing away, “Entertain your fans, give out autographs. Conjure some more lighting. I don’t know. Do something, but don’t do it here.” 

You weren’t having that. Your gaze hardened, “Hey. You’re not allowed to say that to me after you ignored me all day.”

“I —“ He went for a rebuttal, but came up short, licking his lips in frustration. “You disappeared.”

“I was in the Big House, being interrogated.” You explained, annoyance clear in your tone, “I would’ve liked it if my best friend was waiting for me when I got out but unfortunately he decided he hated me like everyone else and I had to cry alone in my cabin.” 

He paused then, taking slow steps back towards you and meeting your saddened gaze. His brows furrowed, “I’m your best friend?” 

You cracked a tiny smile, “Of course you are, idiot.” 

His nod was barely there, but you saw it. You also saw his smile, small like yours and gone in a flash. “I don’t hate you.” He said, “I don’t care that Zeus is your dad. It’s just…”

“He forgot about me.” 

“What?”

You shrugged, folding your arms. There, standing in the middle of the cabins and staring at Luke Castellan, you admitted out loud what you’d been avoiding since you left the Big House, “Zeus. He forgot about me. That's why I never got attacked by monsters, because my deadbeat father was so busy turning his kid into a tree that he forgot he had another one.” 

Even under the tears brimming in your lids and through the lump on your throat, you saw Luke flinch. A minute movement, but you caught it like you caught all of his other details. The freckle on his eyebrow, the scar on his forehead that other people missed because they were too busy staring at his big one. The flinch when you brought up the tree. Thalia Grace, is what Chiron had called her. 

“I’m sorry for avoiding you.” He said in a low murmur. “Thalia was a friend of mine and Annabeth’s. Brought back some rough memories.” 

“Oh.” You breathed, “Oh, gods. I’m so sorry.” 

You stepped forward and wrapped your arms around his torso before you could think about it. Big bad Luke definitely didn’t like hugs, but there you were; hugging him and staining his camp shirt with your salty tears. You couldn’t help it — you were so full of emotions that a single hug that he hadn't even reciprocated was bringing you to tears. 

Then he hugged you back, and you started bawling. 

Bawling like a baby into his chest while he stood there and held you. Crying about your dad who forgot about you, your sister who died while you lived a happy life, your nonexistent purpose in life because you were over sixteen now and there was nothing for you. Maybe being a forbidden kid was enough, but not really. You weren’t forbidden enough for them, apparently. 

“Sorry for shoving Chris.” He spoke into your hair. You pulled your head back enough to meet his eyes, “He was saying shit about you and Thalia and it pissed me off. I know that you want me to be better, happier or whatever, and I am trying but…”

“I don’t care.”

His lips shut with a smack, “What?”

You let out a sad chuckle, “Be miserable. I don’t care, I like you for who you are. Plus, I get it. Y’know? This isn’t the happiest life.” 

Luke looked at you with an expression so genuine and heavy that it sort of scared you, but you let it burn you. You’d let him burn you forever more. Then he let out a breath, tinged with relief, and relaxed his forehead onto your own. You stayed like that, heads pressed together and arms wrapped around one another, until footsteps bled into your ears. 

You pulled away from each other and spotted Annabeth, who was making her way over very quickly, trudging through the grass that was still wet from earlier. 

“Anna Banana.” Luke squinted, his new way of smiling, “What are ya’ doing over here?”

The girl stopped between the two of you and ignored her brother in favour of looking at you, “So, you’re Zeus’ kid.”

“Yup.”

“I knew your sister. She was my sister, too, for a bit.” She said, and you thought it sounded sad, but the girl hid her emotions well. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” You shrugged — it wasn’t anyone’s fault but Zeus’. You sent her a kind smile. 

She returned it, glancing at Luke then, “Don’t call me that.” 

He chucked, patting her on the head and yanking on one of her braids. She huffed and smacked his hand away, but smiled nonetheless. Then she looked back at you, “You were good with that spear today. Maybe Athena could pair up with Zeus for the next game.”

“Maybe they could.” You nodded. 

She nodded back, before announcing her departure and heading off. You looked at Luke with a proud grin, “She likes me.” 

He smiled fully, amused, “She does.”

“You like me.”

A little sheepish, “I do.”

“So who cares if daddy dearest doesn’t?” You settled on, tilting your head, “We got each other.” 

Luke nodded, and you admired the way he looked. He was handsome, that you knew, but he seemed particularly beautiful under the moon, alone with you.

🏷️ @katherines-imagines @lovingjasontoddmakemewanttocry @jennapancake @cobaltskiez @loveryoushouldcomeoverr @m00ng4z3r @ma1dita @woodlandwrites @tsireyasgf @theo-notts-doll @iammightsadyall @fennecswife @csifandom @evilwrongdoer @blueberryjune @dancing-inasnowglobe @acidaciruela @solshaven @rosieandthethorns @sofiacblair @obxstiles @lukecastellanirl (comment to be removed/added!) (also sorry if some of these didn’t work idk what’s going on)

[leaderintitleonly]

Resting his eyes, his glasses drooped down his nose. "Y'got me scared, y'know? 'Bout as scared wit' the princess. Y'kept me settled then. Yer not keepin' me settled." Wait for me! Wait for me...! So far behind until Grumpy had let him catch up. The reassurances. They'd make it. They'd make it. They would make it together. The seven of them, of course.

He had never heard Grumpy so concerned before. It was true- he hadn't carried anyone in a long time. Dopey. It was Dopey. But he was smaller and lighter those days. He was a baby with even brighter eyes (if that was possible) and would often find ways to cling onto you making the task of toting around a dwarven toddler just a bit easier.

This was more like the past he had tried to bury. He was out of practice. He could hear himself scolding apprentices, reminding them they had to carry dead weight, sometimes literally and if they couldn't manage to carry a full grown dwarf, they might as well mill herbs and brew remedies instead. Now everything ached from age. He was eating those words now. Humble pie had never been so bitter... And he truly enjoyed pie. "Then," There was careful consideration of his next words, though he had obviously decided in that moment after hearing the response. "M'gonna rot 'ere, too." Time to get comfortable. Parts of him popped and snapped as he settled into the dirt and leaned against a rock. It was one of the worst makeshift pillows he had ever tried to endure, but he told himself it wouldn't be for too long. They'd be home soon! He hoped. "Ain't goin' back wit'out ya. Fer one, we're family. We round- erm, found each other. Makes us family. Ev'n Sneezy." A quilt. Scraps aren't much on their own, but quilts are strong and warm. He'd repeat it until his lips were blue, but considering his sputtering he was still able to keep the air going. "An' two, show snoozin- erm uh, no losin' patients. Not if I got somethin' to say 'bout it.

Patients are the most important thing. Even if he's not actively a healer... Yes, that's all there is to it. It's nothing more than that promise he made years ago. It's any steps to help someone in need. "Grumpy..." At least he's drinking. At least he's in good humor. How much longer until he's tired? What if there's worse damage? How much time will they have until he's too tired to hold on any longer? A few days, maybe... or maybe hours. His brows knit together and he's sitting up. It's a symphony of bones popping again for an encore. "I m-mean it, I ain't going wit'out ya. Lost it all. Found ya an' found the men." They were painful memories and even if they were long ago, they still felt new for Doc. Nothing like wandering through the woods and finding other dwarfs. It was a chance to start over while trying to heal. Some things would never heal. But that ornery dwarf before him had given him a second chance. He'd start fighting whatever powers that be if this was really the end of the line. The stuttering, shivering dwarf convinced himself he'd start a fistfight with a demon or a ghost. They didn't exist but it felt nice to summon up the courage. At least, as much as he knew. His voice lowered. There was movement above. If anyone was trying to mount a rescue, it was going to take time. Time to get comfy with that rock again...

"Y'gave my life hack- uh, back to me. If yer gonna stay down 'ere, so am I. They'll be fine wit'out us." Grim, chilling, and yet... it felt right.

Carried? CARRIED? No, nono.. no. Maybe there was a secret third option he had to force out of Doc. It was no surprise that Grumpy despised this. The feeling of being doted on and looked after was down right degrading. He couldn’t help it, he was a hard headed dwarf okay? If he had it his way, he’d stand right up and walk it off.  Taking the water into his own calloused hands, he carefully uncaps the vessel takes a few hearty chugs. How Doc always managed to keep his water crisp and refreshing, he’ll never know. He probably owned a brita.  Calling out to the men was the least preferred option of the two. All the annoying things they’d probably say. All the teasing and poking fun. He could handle a joke or two on a good day. Or, they’d jabber his ear off and ask him all sorts of questions.  They meant well, though.. Been through a lot with em. However, he couldn’t exactly blame them if they decided not to show up. Grumpy’d never been the most… pleasant dwarf to live with. He tried. Some days were just harder than others, that’s all. They always eventually got over whatever quarrel they had the night before.  They should play music again sometime…  After weighing his options a bit, he finally answers. “Doc… your back- there’s no way. Yer better off leavin’ me here to rot! Least if I do that, I won’t bark at you no more!” The dwarf winced, his teeth so tightly gritting against one another you’d think they’d shatter  under the pressure. “I can’t– I don’t want to… to see you get hurt, is all. M’not worth the sweat.” 

[babsvibes]

Boblin Fic Recs

Fics centered around Bob and Linda from Bob’s Burgers. This is by no means a comprehensive list, so please feel free to add your faves in the replies!

Canon Compliant

I'm in love with every song you've ever heard by @jimmypesto When Linda has one too many Pesto Coladas, Jimmy calls Bob to come collect her

I like the way you sound in the morning by @jimmypesto Six "morning afters" over the course of Bob and Linda's relationship

What's That Song? It Goes Pike... by @babsvibes Linda has a song stuck in her head, and now it's everyone's problem

gonna make love last forever by @neopetting soft otp prompts with boblin

After Date Night With the Belchers by @thestarstho A look into Bob and Linda's alone time after a date

Mixed Collections

you're in the kitchen humming, all that you ever wanted from me was sweet nothing by @jimmyjrsmusoems A few important moments in Bob and Linda's relationship, as seen through the eyes of others

Boblin Week 2023, Day Extras: Unused Prompts by @sailoreuterpe Collection of ficlets using the prompts not selected for Boblin Week 2023

Bob's Burgers Drabbles by @aimmyarrowshigh Collection of Bob's Burgers drabbles

Sips From Your Lips by Gaynin Linda and Bob have always enjoyed wine and spirits, almost as much as they've enjoyed each other (mature)

Things You Said... by @daddygrandpaandthebeaver A collection of Bob's Burgers ficlets based on "things you said..." prompts

Pre-Canon

I didn’t have it in myself to go with grace by @jimmypesto Bob and Linda break up for approximately twelve hours; wallowing ensues

not while I'm around by @jimmypesto Bob picks Linda up after a girls’ night just in time to find her being bothered by a creep

i think we do this love thing right by @br1ghtestlight Bob and Linda try to cuddle without waking up Louise

Through a Child’s Eyes by YAJJ There was romance and love in the world, and Teeny Tina knew it for a fact. All she had to do was look at her parents, after all.

just lay entwined here, undiscovered by @tully-blue Tonight, it goes: shelf, doorknob, nightstand, undressing with three stumbles and several muffled curses, vanity, and finally, Linda climbs over him and into bed. Well, if he wasn’t awake already, that would’ve done it

Canon Divergent

still my patron saint by @jimmypesto A Boblin Ghost AU (explicit)

I belong with you, you belong with me (you're my sweetheart) by @daddygrandpaandthebeaver Five universes where Bob and Linda Belcher are soulmates, plus one where they chose to be together anyway

clair de lune by @weatheredlaw Five things that didn't happen, couldn't happen, wouldn't happen

Of Pregnancies and Bumped Heads by @burgerspeople Linda's second pregnancy puts her on her ass.

Had Me at Hello by @golden--doodler Bob and Linda's big day has finally arrived after what feels like forever.

Explicit

brought purpose to your hips by @jimmypesto Linda wakes up in the middle of the night

falling for you is easy (like sunday morning) by @thisaliennerd Maybe there’s no such thing as fate, but one chance meeting is about to change the course of two people’s lives forever. Bob and Linda are falling in love fast, but can they balance their feelings with the practical realities of dating? (explicit)

Cheesus the Meatsiah by @babsvibes The night Bob almost gets the Meatsiah right

know that body like it's mine by @jimmypesto Bob and Linda always use hotel rooms as opportunities to experiment

our love's the only thing that could matter (must be signed in to view) 31 days of my favorite married couple doing sexy things. Sometimes kinky and sometimes vanilla, but they’re always very in love

[astarionancuninslittlelove]

avatar by mordeawearybone & header by summerwarlock!

=͟͟͞⚝ Stories 1-10 are a continuation of my series Indomitable featuring my OC (!F) Tav, Elowyn. Find her story here.

=͟͟͞⚝ The links will take you to the stories on AO3.

⊹ ♡ 1. Eyes On Me:

Astarion asks Tav to spend a rather intimate night with him in the Underdark. Tav tries to play hard to get, but gives in to Astarion’s silver tongue…in more ways than one.

⊹ ♡ 2. Delight at Last Light Inn

Astarion comes to terms with his feelings for Tav after seeing her get hurt defending the portal to the Shadowfell. He finds he is not as good at expressing his feelings with words as he is at expressing his feelings in other ways…

⊹ ♡ 3. House of Grief

Tav finds herself on a mission to the House of Grief. She is without Astarion for the first time on her journey thus far, and she is not adjusting well.

⊹ ♡ 4. Finally Free-The Pale Elf:

After defeating Cazador and convincing Astarion not to ascend, Tav and Astarion share an intimate and heated moment at camp.

⊹ ♡ 5. When Darkness Falls:

After the defeat of the Netherbrain, Astarion comes up with an idea to surprise Tav by putting a new spin on their first encounter.

⊹ ♡ 6. The Fissure of Tyche

After months of searching for cures to help Astarion walk in the sun again, Omeluum reaches out to Tav and Astarion with a promising lead involving the story of Tyche—original goddess of luck.

⊹ ♡ 7. Till Death Do Us Part (Well Sort Of)

Tav and Astarion celebrate tying the knot together surrounded by all of their friends. Their wedding night is surely one they will remember forever.

⊹ ♡ 8. Last Bite

After Tav & Astarion marry, Tav tries to come to grips with their own mortality and the uncertainty that comes with it.

⊹ ♡ 9. Interview with the Vampires

Tav and her companions have become celebrities in their city of Baldur's Gate overnight after they saved the city from imminent doom. Astarion, Tav, and their companions are summoned to Baldur's Mouth on the one year anniversary of the fall of the Netherbrain to be interviewed for the newspaper on what they have been doing since then. Astarion & Tav find a creative way to pass the time until it is their turn to be interviewed.

⊹ ♡ 10. The Ultimate Test

Astarion has a devilish idea that piques Tav’s interest.

⊹ ♡ 1. Perfect, Every Time

Features trans/nb Tav

⊹ ♡ 2. Tara’s Out of the Bag

Features F! Tav

⊹ ♡ 3. Good Girl

Features F! Tav

=͟͟͞⚝Stories 1 & 2 loosely go together. If you like the first one, you most likely will like the second!

⊹ ♡ 1. Sunday Morning Surprise

Gale wakes Tav up with a homecooked meal. He has a fantasy that he would like to get off his chest.

⊹ ♡ 2. Professor Dekarios' Fantasy

After becoming incredibly busy at his new job at Blackstaff Academy, Professor Gale Dekarios has a hard time juggling his job of teaching with his lustful breeding fantasy with his wife, Tav.

Skullweave

Long fic centered around OC Elowyn "Lo" Prescott & Gale. My other series, Indomitable (which I will be redoing partly eventually) is centered around Elowyn and Astarion. This is an alternate universe where Elowyn ended up with Gale instead of Astarion. Although Elowyn and Astarion are my OTP, I really wanted to play around with this idea along with the notion of somewhat of a butterfly effect where Lo's early decisions are different from how they originally played out, thus further impacting the romance between her and Gale.

⊹ ♡ Backstory

⊹ ♡ Character Analysis

⊹ ♡ "Get to Know Your Character #2"

⊹ ♡ “My OC As”

⊹ ♡ Character Development Questions

⊹ ♡ Her tagged content

⊹ ♡ BG3 Companions as The Tortured Poets Department Songs

⊹ ♡ Astarion in Trance

⊹ ♡ BG3 Companions & Where I Would Take Them in the Modern World

this image ^^^ was made by summerwarlock! :-)

Sparkly divider and heart bullet points made by @anitalenia

[steevbuckk]

FAVORITE STUCKY FICS | 33/100

some short fics that i love 🥰

Brooklyn by @toli-a

[Post Avengers, 8 749 words, Teen And Up Audiences]

Summary:

"Captain America, what's your stance on gay marriage?"

Everyone knows that, by now. Everyone but Bucky.

Sexiest Man... Alive? by @otp-holic

[Post Endgame, 2 473 words, General Audiences]

Summary:

Steve has been away from the public eye for three years, and he decides to come back to be named Sexiest Man Alive.

Why?

Infinity by @andrea1717

[Post TWS, 1 258 words, General Audiences]

Summary:

Bucky and Steve spend a very special new year's eve together.

maybe bi guy by @yetanotherobsessivereader

[Wrong number AU, 3 338 words, Mature]

Summary:

Steve: i saw that guy again. i think i’m not as straight as i thought i was

Unknown number: i hate to tell you this but you got the wrong number pal. but hey, i’m bi. i’ve been there. i can talk you through it if you want

---

Or Steve embarks on a journey of self-discovery assisted by a helpful stranger who likes to make really bad puns

Cat Calls by @cable-knit-sweater

[Shrunkyclunks, 4 819 words, Teen And Up Audiences]

Summary:

When veterinarian Bucky gives Steve his personal number, he’s pretty sure he’s obvious enough in what he wants him to use it for. But Steve doesn’t call to ask him out for a drink, or dinner. No, when he ends up calling Bucky late at night, it’s not even for a booty call. It’s because of his newly adopted cat. And he continues to call Bucky about his cat. Until eventually…

———-

“Just uhm, doing my job,” he says, waving away the compliment. “So, do we have a name yet?”

“Cat.”

“Yeah she sure fuckin is,” Bucky chuckles.

Steve smirks back at him. “No, her name, I named her Cat.”

Bucky stares at him in disbelief, looking for a sign that it’s a joke. It’s not. He named his cat Cat . He’s not sure if that makes him more or less attracted to Steve. Still, he won’t stand for it.

#BeProud by @iamnelvenqueen

[Coming out, 9 021 words, Explicit]

Summary:

To say that Steve had thought about it would have been a lie. It wasn’t an impulse decision either, but it had just occurred to him in the heat of the moment a couple of days before.

He looked back over his shoulder at the sleeping body in his bed, incapable of preventing himself from smiling as he took in his lover’s open mouth and soft snores.

Yes, he was sure of himself. Even if he hadn’t thought about it for more than a few hours at most, he wasn’t about to take back his decision.

-

In which Steve Rogers decides to casually come out on Twitter on a sunny Sunday morning.

getting off (on a technicality) by MaddieWritesStucky (Madeleine_Ward)

[Modern AU, 4 510 words, Explicit]

Summary:

Steve looks exactly like his dating profile had advertised, with one glaring exception—the sheer size of him.

Apparently mass doesn’t translate to the small screen, because instead of getting your average beach muscle gym-bro like Bucky had been expecting, he’d instead been met with what has to be 200lbs of build-you-a-house, carry-you-up-a-mountain, wrestle-a-bear-and-win whole ass man, and it’s short circuiting Bucky’s delicate brain.

And he’s not hiding it particularly well, if the way Steve’s smirking at him when Bucky pulls himself together enough to actually look at his face is anything to go by.

In which Bucky most resolutely, definitively, uncompromisingly does not fuck on the first date…

…until he meets Steve.

more fics

[oh-nostalgiaa]

Writing Prompt Masterlist, Part Eight

Masterlist of Writing Prompt Masterlists

The Prompts

28 Setting Prompts

50 Romance Prompts

76 Reasons to Kiss Prompts

100 Ways to Say I Care Prompts

A Seafarer's Aesthetic Sentence Starter Prompts

Acts of Physical Affection Prompts

An Incomplete List of Niche Kisses Prompts

Angsty Prompts, Part I

Appreciating Physical Traits Prompts

Blood Prompts

Characters Going to Sleep and Waking Up Together Prompts

Coffee Shop OTP Edition Prompts

Constellations Prompts

Couples Who Aren't Together Just Yet Prompts

Cuddling Prompts

Different Kinds of Kisses Prompts

Different Ways to Kiss Someone Prompts

Don't You Dare Pity Me Starter Prompts

Emoji Starter Prompts

Emotional Intimacy & Pillow Talk Prompts

Emotionally Charged Sentence Starter Prompts

Emotionally Intense Prompts

Expressing Love Without Saying I Love You Prompts

Five Word Starter Prompts, Vol. III

Flirty Prompts

For Muses Who Won't Get Out of Bed Prompts

Friends to Lovers Prompts

Friends with Benefits Jealousy Prompts

Gestures That Give Me Butterflies Prompts

God / Goddess x Hero / Warrior Prompts

Height Difference Prompts

Hug Symbol Prompts

Hurt / Comfort Dialogue Prompts

Hurt / Comfort Statements That Hit Me Right in the Feels Prompts

Injury Starter Prompts

Just Fucking Around Prompts

Kiss Prompts

Lack of Sleep Starter Prompts

Laying in Bed with Your Lover Prompts

Letter Prompts

Love Language - Physical Touch Starter Prompts

Loving Actions Prompts

Meeting of Rivals Sentence Starter Prompts

More Friends to Lovers Prompts

More Random Angst Sentence Starter Prompts

Morning After Prompts

New Relationship Prompts

NSFW Prompts

NSFW Starter Prompts

Ouch, the Angst Prompts

Physical Touch Prompts

Prompts for the Budding Romance

Prompts for Comfortable Intimacy

Prompts for Deep Conversation

Prompts for the Romance of Hands & Touch

Prompts for Sharing a Bed

Prompts for Lots and Lots of Flirting

Prompts for Spending the Night Together

Prompts for Starry-Eyed Soulmates

Prompts for Touch-Starved Muses

Questioning Minds Prompts

Quotes to a Lover Prompts

Quotes to a Lover Prompts, Part II

Rattled and Relief Starter Prompts

Reassurance Starter Prompts

Relationship Progression OTP Prompts

Ready to Submit Phrases / Actions Prompts

Reassurance Prompts

Reuniting Lovers Angst Prompts

Rivals to Lovers Office Romance Prompts

Rivals to Lovers Sentence Starter Prompts

Rough Sex Sentence Starter Prompts

Send a Heart Prompts

Send a Heart for a Specific Kiss Prompts

Sharing Clothes Prompts

Short and Impactful Prompts

Smut[-ing] Prompts

Soft Prompts

Soft Prompts, Part 2

Soft Interactions Prompts

Soft Sentence Starter Prompts

Soft(ish) Angst Prompts

Soulmate AU Trope Prompts

Staying the Night Prompts

Sunday Themed Prompts

Supportive / Protective Vibes Sentence Starter Prompts

Tagged Inappropriately Prompts

Text Inspired Prompts

Text Messages Prompts

The Many Meanings of Hey Prompts

The Other Line Prompts

Therapy / Talking About Trauma / Post-Trauma Starter Prompts

Touch Prompts

Types of Bondage Prompts

Ultimate Date Prompt List

Varying Kisses Prompts

Wintry Prompts

You Are in Love Starter Prompts

Young Love / First Love Betrayal Prompts

[bradshawsbaby]

for the january prompts: 27 with bobby and peach?

Here’s a little Bobby & Peach blurb based on ringing bells 🔔

A soft sigh of longing escapes you as you sit down at the desk in your bedroom, your cheek resting in your hand and your gaze landing upon the photographs Bobby had sent you with one of his recent letters. Your eyes crinkle in the corners as they flit from picture to picture, your smile widening as you memorize each of the tiny facets of Bob’s life that he has invited you into—you especially love the ones of him laughing with his friends. They feel like your friends now, too, with the way Bobby’s words bring them to life.

In the distance, you can hear the afternoon church bells ringing and your stomach suddenly clenches with a fierce pang of yearning. Unbidden, the thought of church bells ringing on your wedding day comes to mind. Your eyes grow misty as the scenes all start playing out inside your head, like a picture at the cinema on Main Street.

Dottie doing your hair and make-up, smiling through her tears as she tells you what a beautiful bride you are. Mother and Father all dressed up, beaming with pride. Paddy and Frankie looking dapper in their Sunday best. The sun shining and the birds singing.

And then, as the bells continue to ring out their joyous song, the doors to the church open wide and you’re gliding down the aisle on your father’s arm, a bouquet of peach-colored flowers in hand as friends and neighbors smile and murmur their well wishes.

Tommy Boy and Benny are winking and jostling one another. Emily is grinning from ear to ear. Paul smiles and gives you an encouraging nod.

And then you’re there at the end of the aisle, your hand slipping into his. Your Bobby. He looks so handsome in his Navy uniform, you can hardly look away. Everyone in the church may be looking at you, but you only have eyes for him.

Just as he moves to lift your veil, the picture in your mind suddenly evaporates, disappearing like the morning mist as the rattling of a passing truck on the street below interrupts your daydream.

Shaking your head, you clear your throat and sit up straighter, feeling your cheeks grow hot with embarrassment. Certainly you’re only thinking about such things because Emily had come over earlier for a late breakfast to discuss her wedding plans. Yes, that was it. You simply had weddings on the brain.

But as your gaze shifts back to Bobby’s photograph—the black and white one that captures his smile so perfectly, but could never do any justice to his beautiful blue eyes—that ache of longing returns.

Maybe it’s time to read through all his letters again.

January OTP Prompts

[gretagerwigsmuse]

They play games like Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide who has to do which chores.

Actually, I must know, this is vital.

Tell me about the chore dynamics in that house! Who is doing what between Smart Aleck and Bradley? 🥰

oh god what a question. i feel like some things are one hates how the other does xyz chore so they do it themselves? we already know mr fussy does not like how she put the mail on the wrong table and she can’t stand the way he loads a dishwasher - because contrary to popular belief there is a wrong way to load a dishwasher. but like they’ve been together for a year at this point and do already do chores when they’re at the other’s house? bradley loses vacuuming in rock paper scissors but she brings her vacuum so he doesn’t mind as much. she typically changes the sheets but sometimes if she drags the saturday morning out 🙂‍↕️ they do it together. and she preps the lunches on sunday and he’ll get dinner started since he gets home earlier? but his favorite days are when she works from home since they can really start and cook all of dinner together 🤭

they also have a cleaning lady once a month to do the deep cleaning and eventually she comes once a week after they have gil but you didn’t hear that from me

moving in together otp prompts

[kitkatt0430]

Approximately Six Sentences Sunday, give or take a few sentences. A bit long for a banner though so I shall continue to just use the usual one. ;)

There is a red rose on Cisco’s desk when he arrived at work that morning. Now this isn’t exactly surprising. It’s Valentine’s day and Cisco has been dating Barry for several months now. Long enough to realize that his boyfriend is a ridiculous romantic. So of course he dropped off a rose for Cisco on the way to work that morning even though STAR Labs and the CCPD are in two separate directions from Cisco’s apartment, where Barry had stayed the night.

From my Year of the OTP fic for February. It'll get posted up Feb first, unless I forget to and it goes up slightly later. lol

It's intended to be an S1 AU but I left the timeline vague so it can go in whatever season the reader feels like it should go in.

And while I haven't really gotten much accomplished on this one since the new year, I'm posting a snippet of Satisfaction Brought Him Back to see if maybe I can use this as a self-motivation technique.

Savitar wasn’t Barry Allen, but Eobard wouldn’t necessarily agree with that statement. And if Savitar was willing to kill Iris to ensure his own life, to permanently disable Wally, to break Joe’s heart… Then he sure as fuck didn’t intend to grab Eobard’s attention and endanger himself all over again. He should head back to Earth-2. Or some other Earth entirely. Somewhere Eobard Thawne would never think to look for him. Leonard Snart smirked at him from the screen, Mick staring at Len like he was something precious. Savitar turned off the computer and walked out of the library.

Suffice it to say, Savitar stays.

[welcometothewoes]

Long angst-ish university AU prompt for your OTP

I keep thinking of a scenario where the inseparable high school sweethearts A and B end up going to different countries for university/college, and make the effort to keep in touch despite the long distance between them.

At first, they both keep spamming each other with pictures, finding the cultural tidbids endearing and fawning over their respective campuses, dorms and sightseeing spots, basking in their newfound independence - but as soon as classes start, they find less and less time for each other, and don't really have the time to keep tabs on one another anymore.

A has always been more outgoing of the two, so they fit right in from the start - they truly feel as though they've started LIVING, they rave about every lecture, they're constantly tagged in pictures of outings on social media and they find a part-time job as soon as the circumstances allow them to. They visit every nearby city in their new region, their Sunday nights go by as they (try to) study with their colleagues, sharing snacks and childhood stories as a bonding ritual. They miss B - they really do - but they truly believe that the self-reliant B is having a similar, maybe even better experience.

Whereas... the shyer, more timid B is quickly pulled back from their honeymoon phase into reality within as little as three months. Their new colleagues are nice and polite, though they don't feel themselves clicking with most of them; the lectures are fine but overwhelming, and getting shitfaced in a loud crowded club is deifnitely not as fun as they thought it would be. The one potential friend they made drops out before the end of the first semester, claiming that this education program was not what they expected. And really, B is FINE, the exams go FINE, the new environment is FINE, EVERYTHING IS FINE, B tells themselves one April morning as they contemplate staying in bed and skipping lectures for the fifth day in a row, fully in denial about their own depression.

So when A and B finally reunite after an year for the summer vacation, the bright-eyed, vivacious A has so much to tell that they don't know where to begin, seemingly reborn by their newfound independence and lifestyle, as if... happier. Without B.

A takes their dear B's silent discouragement as their usual timid reluctance, so they invite them to speak out first, curious to see what experiences the detail-oriented B has had, unaware of their inner turmoil. But really, having spent the last few months in a grey, desolate haze, alternating only between the echo of the lecture halls and the confined, narrow space of their own door room, what can B even say?

[greyrain23]

Part 2 of the ask game with Sunrey!

Part 2 will have questions 21-40!

Part 1 can be found here!

(I apologize, I'll be skipping 26 just bc I'm clueless on what to put 🙇‍♀️)

21: who would get into a fight to defend the other's honor? Who tends to the other's wounds?

Well.. we're both rather civil, so neither of us would likely get into a - me. I've fought off a creep trying to talk to my little sister before. "I'm not a violent dog. I don't know why I bite." Except I'm not violent until it comes to loved ones. Sunday would tend to my wounds so carefully and sweetly 🫶

22: what reminds each of their partner?

The stars. I look at the stars and hope Sunday is watching from the Astral Express. Sunday sent me a picture of the snow on belobog and said it would be too cold for me there 🥰

23: who's more likely to convince the other to stay in bed come morning?

🙋‍♀️🙇‍♀️ I hate waking up. I wish I could sleep forever, especially with Sunday holding me close. He'll say he has work to do while he lets me pull him back into bed. He'll complain that he has documents to fill out while he pulls me to his chest and tucks my head against his chest.

24: who's more likely to give the other a massage?

Sunday would get so many massages.. his neck is achey from hunching over his desk? 💆‍♂️ his wings are a little stiff from being tucked under his coat all day? 💆‍♂️💆‍♂️

25: do they have any hobbies they share?

Piano! I've said this before, but I dabble in so many instruments. Sometimes, we do a little duet. He'll play piano, and I'll do violin or cello.

Listening to Robin's music 🙂‍↕️ that's all

27: who is the lightweight that needs to be taken care of after the party?

Ahem.. now, I'm not old enough to drink, but in my state, as long as I have parental supervision and am careful about my intake, I can drink 🙂‍↕️

I'll expose myself here- I drank a whole glass of my mom's wine in like 2 minutes (I thought it was sparkling juice 😵‍💫) she freaked out about how much I had, but I didn't feel anything.

Sunday is lightweight, and that is something I live by. He had water in his glass on the livestream 🤭 we only drink at home, so I don't have to worry about getting a ride of dragging him inside, but it's so fun and cute when he's drunk and murmuring nonsense as he leans against me.

28: what are their thoughts on pet names? Do they have any?

He calls me 'little dove', 'my dove', 'darling', but I don't use pet names. It's not that I don't like them, but I'd just rather use people's names. Lucky for him, I don't call him 'Sunny' like the trailblazer 🤭

29: who is more likely to jump in an elevator? Who freaks out?

I'd probably do the jumping just to tease him. He'd for sure panic.

30: your OTP gets to pick each other's outfits. What is each wearing?

(First image found on Pinterest, second is from aethexe on instagram)

31: can they sit side by side without touching the other or are they hands?

Sunday can definitely sit nicely next to me, but I love to hold hands. Doesn't matter if they're family, friend, lover.. I just like holding hands 😔

32: who's the better storyteller?

Sunday for sure. I go off on random tangents that have nothing to do with the original story just because a keyword reminded me of something else.. telling a story that would take a normal person maybe 3 minutes takes me about 10 🫣

33: who's the better cook?

To be full of myself for a second. Me. I've loved cooking and baking since I was little, I experiment with so many recipe ideas. Sunday usually has someone to cook for him, but he does like to join me in cooking dinner 🫶

34: who's more likely to tell a dirty joke or story to make the other blush?

I'd say me, because I tease him a lot, but honestly- I'm not quite enough to even think up a dirty joke, even if there's something so obvious that could be turned into one 🫠 so neither of us, really.

35: who's more artistic?

Depending on what artistic type you're looking at. He's a chior conductor! Drawing-wise, I take that title, but I like to paint with him too, even if he doesn't think he's a good artist.

36: Who's more likely to fire up the stove at 2am because the other woke up in the middle of the night hungry?

...both of us.. if he's hungry at midnight, suddenly I feel like cooking something new 🤷‍♀️ a few times when I'm hungry at night he says he is too so he brings 'us' something to eat (he doesn't eat any of it)

37: which is more likely to swear?

I'm sorry but.. I've got a dirty mouth- in my head. I hardly swear aloud, but whe I do, Sunday looks at me like I just slapped Robin 😵‍💫

38: Who is more sexually experimental? Who's more vanilla?

*gasp* on my main? That's okay, I won't go much into it. We're both rather vanilla. We rarely bring something new, but I'm willing if he comes up with an idea.

39: Who would rescue an injured animal and nurse it back to health? What would the other think?

We all know his backstory 😔 we would both take in an injured animal. I've brought in multiple bunnies, and birds cats around the neighborhood had caught and left. We take them in, but rather than nursing them back to health, we call a place nearby. There's lots of people that know a lot more about animal care, so we find someone more qualified.

40: Who has an insatiable appetite? And what does the other do to help?

We both don't eat that much 😵‍💫 so often, I cook too much so we end up having leftovers the next day 🥱 oops

[direwombat]

WIP MUSIC MONDAY

tagged over the past few weeks by @inafieldofdaisies, @aceghosts, @cassietrn, @socially-awkward-skeleton, and probably a few others (sorry i forgor...)

anyway. i have music now that the c*d brain worms are consuming me. here are 2 songs i'm vibing with for saoirse's relationship with the good captain. also sorry for the mid-to-late 2010s mainstream pop on this, my usual music tastes don't lend themselves to the "pining goobers" vibes these two have

i like to imagine this one is john circa late 2019/early 2020 (or post mw1 and pre mw2) where he's caught feelings and has it baaaaaaaad but has to ship off or is otherwise unable to be in the same city as saoirse

I could have showed you all the scars at the start But that was always the most difficult part See, I'm in love with how your soul's a mix of chaos and art And how you never try to keep 'em apart

I wrote some words and then I stared at my feet Became a coward when I needed to speak I guess love took on a different kind of meaning for me So when I go just know it kills me to leave

To all the stars that light the road Don't ever leave that girl so cold Never let me down, just lead me home

Don't tell me this is all for nothing I can only tell you one thing On the nights you feel outnumbered Baby, I'll be out there somewhere

and from saoirse's pov under the cut (apologies for the t. swift but this song never fails to make me soft for the otps ;w;)

Morning, his place Burnt toast, Sunday You keep his shirt He keeps his word And for once, you let go Of your fears and your ghosts One step, not much But it said enough You kiss on sidewalks You fight and you talk One night he wakes Strange look on his face Pauses, then says You're my best friend And you knew what it was He is in love

You can hear it in the silence, silence, you You can feel it on the way home, way home, you You can see it with the lights out, lights out You are in love, true love

tagging: @fourlittleseedlings, @jillvalentinesday, @purplehairsecretlair, @adelaidedrubman, @madparadoxum, @voidika, @locustandwildhoney, @testyfestyenthusiast, @strangefable, @alexxmason, @deputyash, @josephslittledeputy, and anyone else wanting to share some music inspiring them (taglist opt in/out post)

[aprilchallenge]

Fics of the Week

Open Heart

Paring: Ethan Ramsey x (MC) Kaycee

Choosing you 🌺 @jerzwriter

Pairing: Sienna Trinh x Max Valentine (M!OC)

New York Moment 🌺 @liaromancewriter

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Kaycee)

A different fate… 🌺 @jerzwriter

Pairing: Tobias Carrick x F!MC (Casey)

Worth the wait 🌺 @jerzwriter

Pairing: Tobias Carrick x F!MC (Casey)

We’re having a baby… 1/2 🌺 @jerzwriter

Pairing: Tobias Carrick x F!MC (Casey) Feat: Bryce Lahela

Any day… 🌺 @jerzwriter

Pairing: Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley (F!OC)

An early morning 🌺 @storyofmychoices

Pairing: Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley (F!OC)

Other character: Malia Lahela (F!OC)

Our Future Doctor 🌺 @storyofmychoices

Paring: Ethan Ramsey x f!OC (Tatum Erikson), with special appearances by Tobias Carrick and Julian Santiago (m!OC)

Heads up 🌺 @txemrn

TRR & TRH

Pairing: MC is widowed, Past Pairings Riley x Nico (Riley x M!OC) , Past Pairing of Liam x Riley

Where do we go from here? 🌺 @bebepac

Series: Part 8 of the Cordonian Arrangement.

Pairing: None - mostly Liam and Hakim bonding, mentions of Hakim and Constantine's friendship

Legacies 🌺 @lizzybeth1986

Chapter 1: The Statues

Pairing: Liam Rys x F!MC Riley Brooks-Rys, OTP ‘LiRi 

Cappadocia 🌺 @tessa-liam

Pairing: Liam x MC (Phoebe Summers)

The Start of Forever 🌺 @liaromancewriter

Wake the dead

Pairing: Eli Sipes; Jim, Florence & David Sipes (his family)

A Mother‘s Journal - Part 4 🌺 @jerzwriter

Red Carpet Diaries

Pairing: Thomas Hunt x Alex Spencer (F!OC)

Distraction 🌺 @theartoflovingthomashunt

Edits & Artwork

Olivia Claire Hadley

Yellow 🌺 @storyofmychoices

Characters involved: Cassie Valentine (F!MC), Max Valentine

Reminiscing 🌺 @liaromancewriter

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x Victoria Clarke

Chilled Sundays 🌺 @potionsprefect

Characters involved: Sadie Oakley and Sienna Trinh

Sadie‘s Sunday Self-Care #28 🌺 @peonyblossom

Characters involved: A Picta edit of Aru and her college friend (Monica)'s photo taken by another friend (Apoorva)

Purple Pals 🌺 @choicesfanaf

[therealcocoshady]

I am in shock and despair.

I guess thy small crime has become a genocide or at least a heinous crime. I will track that man down and he won't see the lights of a bar or day again. ☺️

Love thy chapter as always. How have you been doing dear friend? I can't wait till thy reader brakes up with josh.

(No hate against him but....Em🤭 iykyk)

-🛐😮‍💨

I just LOVE how dramatic you are 😭❤️.

I can’t tell you what will happen of Reader and Josh yet but here is a small clue as to the events of next chapter :

💭 - 👩‍❤️‍👨 - 🚘- 💃 - 🏥

Other than that I’m good. Lately I’m doing lent so I’m not drinking, meaning I woke up WITHOUT being hungover on a lovely Sunday morning 🤣. How about you bby?

(I feel y’a - I’m here for this OTP too)

❤️

[grapecaseschoices]

For the OTP asks 💖

14, 23, 41 For Kendis x Falk if that's allowed 👀 if not then Kendis x Ava

Roflmao. I can't with you. Sorry for the delay.

14) How do their personalities compliment each other? How do they clash?

Gosh, do they have anything in common? What do YOU think they have that compliments?

Compliments: They're caretakers. I feel Kendis is more a middle ground between Sanja and Falk. The softer approach/day to day vs the management; while Falk is, as I said, the management. He cares and knows all his peoples needs but I feel his caretaking is more of an overseer/leadership way. So I feel they both can relate to each other in such a manner, have understanding for each other's responsibilities and nature.

They're both little shits. So I feel they would appreciate that in each other. They both like to press buttons and seeing what it does.

That said,

Clash: They are both stubborn and very loyal to their responsibilities. I can see Falk becoming frustrated with Kendis because sometimes they refuse to see themselves as a leader/spoke person for anything-- even, when to an extent,they are. And he might see that as cowardly while Kendis sees it not allowing anything to lock them down more than they allow.

Which is also the fact, that Falk will always feel himself tied to his people, while Kendis could leave Wayhaven behind. They would be loyal to THEIR people but once the troubles die down, they could and would leave.

I think Kendis would also find Falk presses too much, is too judgmental, is too mysterious-- when they prefer more straightforward approaches.

23) Who's more likely to convince the other to stay in bed come morning?

More likely to try? Falk. More likely to give in? Falk.

I'm not saying that Kendis is against being sweet talked but if they have plans thats it. They're also not really one to ask to stay lounge in bed. But I feel if there is nothing major planned, Falk gave off that--- idk how to describe. But he gave these rainy Sunday morning eyes. He gives that low light, duvet cover vibe.

41) Which one would take their jacket it off and drape over the other one because they were visibly shivering?

Both. Though I feel Kendis would more likely do it for Falk. Not because he wouldn't notice if they were shivering but because his ass underestimated the humans climate change on himself. Kendis is for dressing well and also doesn't get cold easy.

Would either stubborn ass except it? Is another story.

qwerte ty y0u rascaI!