#relationship: O’Darwin

[lumosinlove]

wait is o’Darwin canon then? i thought it was just something we all speculated

I loved that you all came up with them. In my head, their relationship turned into something really special and so I decided to write them into Vaincre!

[awanderingdeal]

Hiii!!! I love all of your work sm, I was wondering if you would write more o’Darwin??? What about in the future of them finally getting to live together, no pressure at all though :)))

So, one of my big O'Darwin's HC'S is that it's not necessarily their goal to live together. I feel it's important to depict poly relationships in all their form including those that follow less traditional 'rules'. If you've read some of my other O'Darwin stuff, you might remember I've written Alex with other long-term relationships down in Florida aswell as short-term and hookups. Now, of course there is absolutely no problem if you want to HC them as living happily ever after in their nice little house together, it's just not something I imagine. This was my attempt at writing something that hopefully meets your happy O'Darwin desires. It ended up kind of emosh!

Rating: T

CW: mentions of career ending injury, food, small sexual joke,

Credit for these characters and the sweater weather universe goes to @lumosinlove

"And," Alex drew the word out as he placed the last of his roll necks into the closet. "Done."

"Finally. It only took 3 days." Kasey huffed from where he lay on the chaise-lounge, watching Alex unpack the last of the boxes he'd had shipped from Florida. "Did you and Finn take the whole of fifth avenue when you left the state?"

"I need options, and I don't see you complaining when I'm wearing the clothes."

Natalie scoffed, leaning against the door of the closet. "O'Hara, please. You'd look good dressed in a bin bag and you know it. Come on, I made breakfast."

"She ordered breakfast," Kasey laughed, hauling himself upright.

Parts of Alex had been accumulating in the apartment for years: the toothbrush in the bathroom; the drawer of clothing that held the things he didn't want to keep bringing back and forth, his mug in the kitchen, to name a few. Now though, it felt more permanent, more deliberate. A whole closet. The online shopping list updated to include his personal favourites, rather than just grabbing them on the way from the airport. Finding mail for him in between Kasey and Natalie's letters this morning.

"9 months! I can't believe we get you for 9 months," Natalie grinned, bending to squeeze Alex's cheeks and pressing her lips to his forehead before folding her legs beneath her onto one of the large cushions opposite, Kasey between them.

"You'll be sick of me in a week." Alex chuckled reaching across the low table to grab one of the acai bowls.

"If you keep leaving your dirty underwear on the bathroom floor then we will," Kasey hummed, sipping at his mug of dark coffee. If the steam rising from it was any indication then it was still incredibly hot, but Kasey didn't flinch. He cocked his head, inspecting Alex's face. "Seriously, how are you feeling about it?"

Alex shrugged. "I'm still working through it with Jacob, but mostly I'm focusing on the positives. I get to be here with you two and Finn whilst I finish recovering and I begin coaching at the college almost as soon as I'm back in Florida so there won't really be anytime to wallow in the misery."

"Are you miserable?" Natalie frowned.

"I think the not knowing was the worst part," Alex smiled softly. "Now that I know that I can't play anymore, it feels easier somehow. I always knew there was a possibility of something like this happening. All it takes is one bad hit, an injury that just won't heal -" Kasey rubbed his thigh and Alex reached for his hand reassuringly. "But the thought that maybe, just maybe, if I did everything right, then I could get back on the ice was driving me crazy. I could make a plan once it was final, y'know? I have a plan."

"Do you miss Florida?"

Alex paused, halfway through digging out the passionfruit from its skin. He glanced at Natalie, the tight lines around her eyes revealing the nervousness she rarely showed. "If you're asking whether I miss Kiran, then yes. I miss her. Just like I miss you when I'm there. There's no better. Just different."

"Fuck, I know, sorry," Natalie said, letting out a long breath. "I don't know what came over me."

"Oh no," Alex deadpanned. "She's having emotions. Someone call the press, Natalie Darcy might actually be human."

"Shut up, I hate you," Natalie scoffed, flicking a grain of puffed rice across the table at Alex.

"She loves me, doesn't she?" Alex whispered in Kasey's direction. "I bet she tells you all the time.

"You're both a pain in my ass."

"You wish," Natalie laughed.

"Maybe later," Alex chimed.

Kasey rolled his eyes, taking another bite of his egg sandwich without comment. Alex gave a contented sight. Tomorrow, Kasey would go to practice, Natalie would go to the studio and Alex would have to find some way to entertain himself that wouldn't leave him bored and depressed, but for today he just wanted to enjoy being with the people he loved.

[wolfstarlibrarian]

Hope everyone enjoyed the interview with the wonderful @lumosinlove​ . Now get to know Hazel even better by diving into her favorite fics, and don’t forget to leave a comment!

Favorite Fics Written by @lumosinlove

Sweater Weather Remus works for the Gryffindor Lions as a physical trainer, and has been half in love with Sirius Black, the Lions' heartthrob captain, for a while now, but he never expected Sirius to return the feelings. Read if you like cute nicknames, slow burn, and pining. Yep. That's it.

Coast To Coast This is a spin off series of some of my OCs from my wolfstar fic Sweater Weather. They're fairly separate stories. This won't exactly be updated like a fic, more like little snippets of various stages of their relationships.

Solntse Sirius, a young Russian billionaire hires Remus, who is working part time as a call boy to make ends meet. Things happen, feelings occur.

Footballer!Sirius Drabble

They had been kissing goodbye all morning, and Remus wasn’t finished.

12 Days of Ficmas - 2020

1. Russian!Leo bakery AU! 2. Remus joining the Lions' thrall! 3. Art: two thirds of O’Darwin! 4. Sweater Weather behind the scenes! 5. SOLNTSE. IN. RUSSI-A. 6. Mash up of YSAMS and Sweater Weather—O’Knutzy edition! 7. Smut with so so many feelings.  Happy Birthday to Logan ;))) 8. The love story of Nado and Kuny! 9. Coast To Coast outtakes and boys in NOLA and swimsuits! 10. A Kasey, Natalie, and Alex rendezvous! 11. Russian!Sirius Sweater Weather AU! 12. A Relic Keel teaser, and a map, too!

📚 📚 📚

Media that Inspires Lumosinlove

Check out some media that inspires Hazel, and maybe find a little inspiration for yourselves. 

Miracle (2004 film) - I love this movie so much. It’s based off of the story of the 1980 Winter Olympics. Watch it for an unlikely team coming together, adorable boys with adorable accents, and cry with me over how much you love starting goaltender Jim Craig.

Homer’s the Iliad - Just a classic. War. Love. Snarky Odysseus. Dramatic Achilles. Also fun to read in companion with Madeline Miller’s, The Song of Achilles.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Talk about enemies to lovers. Jane Austen is an immortal goddess who transcends all limits of time and space and writes the truly eternal love stories.

⭐️ 🌙

Thank you to Hazel for participating in this interview, and thank you to everyone for your support! 

[theballadoffinchesandsaints]

Let’s talk about the Vaincre trade:

(As I am writing this, only the first full chapter, July, has been published)

I’ve said before that I’m fairly certain it’s going to be Leo, but I want to walk through the thought process that got me there (this is long and unedited. You’ve been warned).

First, since this is going to be such a major plot point, I think it’s going to be a character who’s inner circle had at least a minor spotlight in the first chapter. These were Coops, O’knutzy, O’darwin, Thomas & Noelle (do they have a ship name???), Regulus (tho he’s obviously disqualified for not being a pro player rn), and Cole (with a bit of Dumo).

Additionally, I think a key component of this plotline will be developing characters so that they can stand on their own once separated from a crucial relationship (thematically, it makes the most sense to me).

With that in mind, let’s do some quick (yeah lol prob not quick) disqualifications from the list:

Remus: I know this is a more common theory (and god would it hurt) but Remus’ storyline is already jampacked with living up to the standards of the league, team, and public, as well as adjust to a new relationship dynamic with Sirius. On a more heavy note, Remus will have to navigate how playing hockey will interact with the trauma of Greyback’s attack and the resulting injury. I’m sure most of us inferred that this would be a plot point, but the idea was solidified in a snippet of Remus and the team discussing predictions for the top teams of the season.

Sirius: while narratively, I actually think it would be fascinating to see the lions learn to be a team without their leader and to see Sirius have to learn that there are other parts of the world he can trust, this one falls apart in both logistics and clues Hazel has already given us. Truly, I cannot imagine a trade in which it would make sense for the Lions to give up their beloved, talented, effective captain and first line center, especially after he just led them to Stanley Cup. And when someone asked Hazel about (I believe) what relationships would be highlighted in Vaincre, Coops made the list with the qualification that their storyline would largely center around Remus’s adjustment to the team. A Sirius trade requires long-distance Coops angst which, while possible, would be both difficult and against the spirit of the statement.

O’Darwin and Thomas & Noelle already have long-distance angst happening in July, so trading either Kasey or Thomas would miss some of the emotional punch we know Hazel is going to give us.

Cole: I mean, the kid’s a rookie. It doesn’t really make sense. Threads seem to be being set up with the Dumais’ baby sitter and maybe one of the new PTs? (I don’t remember exactly where I’m getting this from, but I’m near certain it was from Hazel’s tumblr). It seems like physical encounters are going to be a big thing with both of these relationships, plus all the obvious great storylines of a new rookie getting comfortable in the team, make it unlikely Cole will be the trade. Not to mention, there are no guts to punch with Cole. We love him already, but he isn’t close with anyone on the team yet. We’d feel disappointed, not devastated, if he got traded. We all know Hazel’s going for devastation.

Dumo: this one approaches probability for me. Dumo would be heartbreaking for every member of the team, but especially Sirius and Logan. It would also sort of follow through on a previous idea from a rough draft of SW where Dumo has a career-ending injury. All the players would have to learn to navigate life without a father figure, and it would break down the system of where many Lions rookies live. But this one’s all speculation, at least as far as I know. It’s not hinted at in July, and I can’t think of any snippets that suggest Dumo. Plus, it feels like all of the main POVs have been set up in July, and we know from the dreaded “of being a lion” snippet (in which said player gets called about the trade) that we do get POV chapters from the player who’s traded.

We’ll get back to O’knutzy later. First, some people who aren’t on the list that I feel are worth discussing briefly (tho these are unlikely for the reasons at the end of Dumo’s):

Kuny & Nado: Now, I remember Kuny’s “no trades, no trades” thing from Hazel’s tumblr. It hurts. It feels like foreshadowing. But, remember, Hazel has also said that these boys will both play a more secondary role in Vaincre. They’re both safe.

James: I go back and forth on this one all the time. Thematically, separating Sirius and James would be both heartbreaking and deeply interesting. James was a major force in bringing Sirius out of his shell, and Sirius would have to learn to maintain that without his best friend always by his side. James and Lily are also suspiciously absent from July. I know Hazel said they’re on their honeymoon, and I’m not disputing that in any way, shape, or form. However, it does provide ample excuse to become a new POV in August. However, I can’t find any snippets to really support it. And, just, in general, James as a character in Hazel’s fics (or at least in Solntse and SW) provides a stable backbone for the other characters. He’a developed as a character but stable and happy. This could be the thing that changes that, but, at the very least, it doesn’t fit the narrative role he serves in SW, and I think it would change the feel and character dynamic of the fic as a whole (not just of the team) too much for that to be the choice.

And then there’s O’knutzy:

Going into Vaincre, I asked myself: what are everyone’s plotlines going to be? Remus will adjust to the team and playing Greyback. Sirius will largely be his support system, tho some stuff may be done with his relationship with Regulus and/or moving on from any semblance of his parents’ influence. Dumo will welcome rookie Cole onto the team. James will be a new father. Thomas and Noelle will have long-distance relationship feels. Kasey will adjust to O’darwin, and probably also deal with his reoccurring injury.

And the cubs? Are in a happy, stable relationship with everything they’ve ever wanted. The seeds to a storyline regarding whether or not they choose to come out was definitely hinted at in July, but I don’t think it will be their sole focus. Thankfully, there is nothing pressuring them to come out currently. They think about it. They long to do it. But nothing has changed since the end of SW/CtC. If one of them was long-distance, that would change the dynamic. When you can always go home to your two loving boyfriends, it doesn’t hurt quite as bad when you can’t be affectionate when out with them in public. When you’re only in the same city for a day or two roughly every month (depending on which team the trade is with), every second you could spend holding them and don’t hurts more and more. Whether I think they choose to come out or not, I really don’t know. I think so, but I’m definitely not sure. But the real question is, which cub goes away and prompts this?

If it’s a cub, it’s definitely Leo. Hazel posted a snippet that just...says so much.

Do I even need to explain? She practically told us. I’ve spent over an hour analyzing nearly every prominent Lion when Hazel practically told us Leo was going to be the trade with this right here.

But I do have more to say. I don’t think either Finn or Logan would work well as the trade. The plot of them being separated was well explored in CtC, and I honestly just don’t think it needs more examination. They learned to cherish each other, talk to each other, love each other freely and honestly. Them being separated again would just hurt. It wouldn’t serve a narrative purpose.

On the other hand, I do think Leo’s character could actually benefit from some time alone. He had barely a few months as a full-blown adult, working in the NHL, before he entered a committed relationship with his two lovely boyfriends, both of whom had had years more time to live with and explore themselves (tho it’s not as if they were doing that freely). A couple of months or even years dating long-distance could force Leo to have some more adventures on his own and come into himself more. Then, he can fully return to his boys, his “long-lost lover[s],” and be more stable in his love.

In a similar vein, Logan and Finn have only had short amounts of time to make their leg of the relationship stable and happy in comparison to the time they spent yearning or heartbroken. Even in CtC, their reflex is to go to Leo first, which is, of course, perfectly fine and lovely and adorable, but I think they need to spend some time unlearning that knee jerk reaction.

Then, when Leo comes back (because one way or another, in canon or in my head, he will), all three are confident in themselves as individuals and in each leg of the relationship as well as the three of them as group. No one and no couple n e e d s anything, but they come back together because they all love each other, more than anything.

That’s what I think will see in Vaincre. At the very least, it’s what I want.

Vaincre is by the one and only @lumosinlove

[blingywitch]

One Surprise with Multiple Smiles

So, I may or may not be procrastinating writing Good Feelings chapter 4 and wrote this instead... so here’s some O’darwin for you, it’s short and sweet :)

For @lup1nbl4ck. Love you and I hope you love this <3

Masterlist

Characters belong to the lovely, @lumosinlove

CW: long distance relationships

It’s common knowledge that long distance relationships suck. Now matter who you are or how far apart you are being away from a lover is one of the worst things someone can experience.

They missed each other, Natalie, Kasey and Alex. They missed having the other person there—or people in Alex’s case. The long nights together, the cuddles, the kisses, the movie nights where they really didn’t get to watch the movie because Kasey would ask to many questions, they missed everything. Sure, they would call and FaceTime whenever they could, though long nights through a phone were never the same. And with Natalie, Kasey and Alex not being your average long distance couple— two of them being professional hockey players— free time was rare, let alone time to plan a whole trip to surprise your boyfriend. But hey, they had done it. They’d managed to find enough time in their busy schedules and here they were; Kasey and Natalie, getting off a plane in sunny Tampa, Florida.

Well, more like getting in a car. They’d got off the plane a while ago.

“And you’re sure he’ll be home?” Kasey was giddy with the excitement of soon being able to hold his boyfriend in his arms again after weeks apart. He would never admit it out loud but he was nervous too; Alex didn’t know they were here— and yes that’s the entire point of a surprise but what if he had plans or something? Kasey knew deep down even if he did he’d cancel anything for the two of them, but still, nerves do funny things to you— He didn’t have to admit it though, Nat could tell just by how he had asked that question five times in the last hour.

She put a comforting had on his thigh, “Yes Kase, he’ll be home. And no, he doesn’t have plans.” Natalie answered his next question before it was even out of his mouth, Kasey always wondered how she was able to do that.

“You were talking to Harzy?”

Natalie nodded, “I was taking to Finn. He made sure that Alex had nothing to do today. Everything is going to go to plan.” She leaned forward in her seat to tell the driver where they needed to go then leaned back into her boyfriend, resting her head on his shoulder and linking their fingers together. She sighed softly as the whole side of her body enveloped in the warmth that was that was Kasey. She couldn’t wait to have that same but ever so different warmth on her other side.

—

“Okay.” Natalie breathed out. In front of the two of them was the door to Alex’s apartment. He was right there, the only thing separating them a couple of walls. “Ready?” She asked Kasey, who stood behind her.

Kasey nodded and Natalie knocked on the door.

They heard a couple muffled sounds. A “be right there!” and then a thump that was followed by a curse— knowing Alex he’d probably stubbed his toe on the way to the door.

The door started opening. “Yeah, someone just knocked on the door just give me a sec—“ Alex words got caught in his throat.

There he was, standing before them, wide eyed and still as beautiful as ever. His worn lightning’s sweatshirt, the one he only wore on off days, rolled up to his elbows. His hair, that was getting out of hand and in desperate need of a cut, falling into his eyes. His phone was pressed to his ear, “Finn... can I call you back?” Without waiting for a response Alex hung up the phone and slowly put it in his sweatpants pocket.

After opening and closing his mouth a couple times, trying to think of what to say, Natalie couldn’t wait any longer. She dropped her bags and all but knocked her boyfriend down. Jumping into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist and draping her arms on his shoulders, immediately capturing his lips in a kiss. Though it wasn’t really a kiss since both were smiling way to much for that. “Surprise.” Natalie whispered against a chuckling Alex’s lips.

“What are you doing here?!” Alex managed to get out in his speechless state.

“Why we came to cheer you on in that game you have on Monday of course.” Kasey had entered the apartment, he’d picked up Natalie’s bags and placed both hers and his on the floor before closing the door and walking over to them. “Hi baby.” Kasey said to Alex and kissed him.

“Wait,” Alex mumbled, Kasey pulled away slightly. “Your staying until Monday?!”

“We’re staying until Wednesday.” Kasey smirked.

Alex looked between his lovers like he was going to cry. “Gods I missed you both.”

“We missed you too, Alex. So much.” Natalie smiled softly but it disappeared as fast as it had appeared, “Now, are we going to keep standing in this hallway or can we cuddle on the couch?” She teased.

Kasey scoffed, “You can’t say much, you’re not even standing!” He gestured to how she was still wrapped around Alex. Natalie narrowed her eyes at him.

“Alright, alright that’s enough,” Alex laughed. “We can go cuddle.” He put Natalie down and went for the couch before stopping in his tracks. He turned back around to face the other two and said, “It all makes sense now.”

“What makes sense?” Kasey asked, confused.

“Finn has talked to me more today than he has in the past two weeks, he was trying to distract me and make sure I didn’t go anywhere so that you two,” he pointed between Natalie and Kasey. “Could surprise me.”

The two in question shared a look. “Maybe?” Natalie said. “We had to keep you here somehow!”

Alex shook his head and laughed. “Well your little plan worked.��� They had reached to couch now. Alex lay down first and opened his arms for Kasey to join him, he did, immediately burrowing his face in Alex’s neck and sighing contently, ready not to move for the next couple hours. Natalie was next, flipping down on top of both boys and wedging herself perfectly between the wall of the couch and kasey’s body.

If Alex’s face was starting to hurt from smiling he didn’t care, he’d smile forever if these to were the ones causing it. “And I’m glad it did.”

[fruitcoops]

hello! i hoep youre having a good day. i was just reading some fics (based on sweater weather universe) and i got a little confused. if it's not too difficult could you explain the canon relationships and non canon ones? (for sweater weather universe)

Hello! I would be happy to help out:

Canon:

1. Coops (Remus and Sirius)

2. O’Knutzy (Leo, Logan, and Finn **see Coast to Coast for more!)

3. Thomas and Noelle

4. Kasey and Natalie

5. Dumo and Celeste

6. Jily (James and Lily)

Non-Canon:

1. Nuny (Nado and Kuny)

2. O’Darwin (Natalie, Kasey, and Alex O’Hara) **hinted at, but never confirmed

I don’t think there are a ton of other ships, but if anyone thinks of one that I missed, please let me know! Happy reading! 

[onlydreamofmysoul]

Nice Nat (Ficmas #9)

Aight, welcome back my dudes! Okay so this is my first O’darwin (I think... wow I can’t even remember but I’m pretty sure it’s my first... anyways) so I hope it’s alright. This is not the direction I saw it going in, but someone mentioned something along the lines of this fic once and it stuck in my head since. I’ll definitely be doing more of them though so I’ll have some more... idk lively I suppose is the word? Yeah, lively content. 

Credit for characters and their world to @lumosinlove

CW: This is centred around Natalie on her period. There’s nothing graphic, there’s not even details of symptoms other than tiredness but it is the central theme 💕

Natalie sighed, turning the key in the lock, her handbag slipping off her shoulder awkwardly as the door swung open.

“Hey guys,” She called to the empty hallway, kicking off her shoes. “I’m home.”

She wandered to the kitchen, tossing her bag on a chair and grabbed herself a painkiller and a glass of water. She had gotten her period unexpectedly at work and her day just hadn’t been great. Nothing had been wrong per se, but she was just tired and a little too world weary to deal with many people.

“Babe?” She called, wandering through the house. Both of their cars had been there and their shoes were still at the door, so where were they?

“Kase? Al? Anyone home?” 

She found them in their home theatre, the walls were soundproofed so there was no wonder no one had heard her. She opened the door to see Alex straddling Kasey, the pair in a full on make out session teenagers would be proud of. Any other day, Natalie would probably have gone and joined in. Or at least have watched. Today though, she just wasn’t feeling it.

“Well would you look at what we have here.” She drawled, raising an eyebrow. 

The two boys pulled apart, looking over at her immediately, red lipped and panting.

“Hey baby.” They both said at the same time, making Natalie smile. “Wanna come join?” Alex asked, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Natalie rolled her eyes smiling, but shook her head. “Nah, I’m not really in the mood right now but you two go ahead. I’m gonna change my clothes and just watch a movie in bed maybe.”

Alex frowned, sliding off Kasey’s lap. Kasey’s face didn’t change, but Natalie could see the cogs turning in his mind. He held out his arms, “Want a hug?”

Natalie huffed a laugh even as she crossed the few steps between them, taking Alex’s spot on Kasey’s lap as she rested her head on his shoulder, Alex pulling her feet onto his thighs, stroking her calves soothingly.

“Sorry guys, I’m not trying to bring down your vibe.”

Alex looked at her like she was crazy. “What? Nat don’t be dumb, we’ve been waiting for you to come home, we just want to be with you.”

“Unless you want to be by yourself for a while.” Kasey added, kissing her hair. “That’s okay too.”

Natalie’s heart fluttered a little at how perfect they both were. “No, no I wanna be with you guys.” She said, burning her face in Kasey’s chest for a moment. He was wearing Alex’s shirt and she could breathe them both in. 

“Okay I’m gonna go get changed.” She mumbled, pulling herself reluctantly away from their warmth, but desperately needing to get out of her constricting jeans and into sweatpants.

“Alright darling, we’ll see you in a minute.” Kasey murmured softly, letting her slip out of his arms and pad upstairs. Natalie smiled as she got changed, wearing Kasey’s pants and Alex’s hoodie, letting both her boys surround her. She heard them both coming up the stairs and hid her amusement at their attempt to be quiet. Try as they might, they were also two full grown hockey players and silence wasn’t always their strongest point. But they were trying and that was all that mattered.

“Hiya,” Alex greeted softly as he pushed the door open, peeking his head in. “You still good with us joining?”

Natalie chuckled a little. “Yeah, guys I love you and I love this, but I’m just tired, not a delicate little doll. Now get in here and cuddle me please.”

The pair came into the room, both armed with supplies. Natalie laughed when she saw many of the items came from the list she had given both of them respectively when they had started dating. She called it the ‘Nice Nat’ list and contained all the tips and tricks of what she liked on her period. 

“You remembered.” She chuckled, mostly to Alex, Kasey was quite experienced with the whole situation.

“How could I forget?” Alex said, setting a mug of tea and a bar of chocolate on the night stand. “You marched up to me and instructed that once a month you were gonna need some TLC and if I couldn't deal with that then I shouldn’t bother being in this relationship in the first place.” He raised an eyebrow and met Natalie’s gaze. “That’s not something you forget very soon.”

Natalie giggled a little as Kasey slid onto the bed next to her, passing her a hot water bottle and Leaning back into the plush cushions.

“That does sound like me.”

Even so, Natalie was touched. She was actually pretty lucky in the sense that for the most part, her periods were pretty non eventful. Once every few months she felt a little more like she did today but on the whole she escaped a lot of the major pains. Plus, they hadn’t been dating Alex that long and with his training schedule, he wasn’t there a lot. His visits had only coincided with Natalie's periods once and it had been a good month so nothing had even been affected, this was his first time having to put his ‘Nice Nat’ knowledge into practice.

She curled into Kasey’s side, resting her head on his chest, glancing back at Alex once, who seemed unsure.

“C’mere sweetheart.” She beckoned, and she could see the tension leave him as he wrapped himself around her, his warm chest pressed against her back, wrapping an arm carefully around her middle. She caught his hand in hers, lifting it to her lips once before lowering it again. Leaving their fingers linked. Kasey covered them both with one of his own big hands and Natalie smiled, unable to stop herself from noticing how small her own hand looked sandwiched between theirs.

Kasey grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, scrolling until he found ‘Friends’ and flicked on a random episode in early season three.

“When Ross and Rachel are together.” He mumbled for Alex’s benefit, carding his fingers through Natalie’s hair. “They’re the best episodes.”

Natalie sighed in contentment, relaxing into her boys. It was nice with them both, different but amazing. With Kasey there was that lovely familiar relationship dynamic. Not boring, god never boring, but there was the fantastic intimacy about knowing everything about your partner. It was different with Alex - there was still the new thrill of excitement and a little uncertainty but they were all quickly learning how to adjust to this little dynamic they found themselves in and Natalie loved every minute of it.

[achliegh]

opinion 1: I think I’m in love with you??

opinion 2: I love a good biscuit and I just had a great one (that sounds sexual but I swear it’s not)

opinion 3: ginger ale is the supreme soda

(opinion 4: I do not sound like a cat when I sleep)

1: Disagree, run while you can! Pleasedontgo

2: I told you a scone is like a thicccque  biscuit and you said “ew” so I don’t believe you.

3: it’s alright, I would rather have a sprite but I’m not opposed to it anymore

4: YES YOU DO!

Trashmonster’s Unpopular Opinion:

Good timing Marie, because I’m going to talk about O’Darwin next.

O’Darwin reminds me of Jegulus, let me explain, it is a ship thrown together because people are desperate for more of something,

Everyone was on the Polyamorous Relationship train when The Cubs got together and wanted more.

So, O’Darwin was born!

I know it’s technically becoming canon but I’m still not a huge fan of it, I don’t get how they go together

I don’t get the connecting like I do with The Cubs

I don’t care for it!

But again, if you ship it I’m not gonna stop you. Fucking go for it. 

[wonder-womans-ex]

Riptide

Welcome to the in-depth analysis of how Riptide by Vance Joy is O’Darwin’s theme song 

1. listen to the song. Just listen to it. It’s their song, okay?

2. some of the lyrics that pop out at me:

Lady, running down to the riptide

natalie is a surfer. I don’t know how to elaborate more on this. 

I wanna be your left hand man

this one’s probably digging a little too deep, but someone in a position of power usually has a ‘right hand man’ and a ‘left hand man.’ The right hand man is the top advisor; a second in command, if you will. The left hand man, according to google, “might even have a negative, sort of shady connotation.” 

natalie is able to be with kasey openly, but she has to hide her relationship with alex. Maybe there’s some sort of connection. I think I had a point here but I can’t remember what it was.

And I got a lump in my throat ‘cause you’re gonna sing the words wrong

aaaaand now I have a mental image of either nat or kasey accidentally calling the other one ‘alex’ and well that causes some ✨emotions✨

This guy decides to quit his job and heads to New York City

FINN IS FROM NEW YORK! THERE IS SUBTEXT HERE I KNOW THERE IS!

This cowboy's running from himself

kasey played on the rangers and a ranger is kind of like a cowboy? I dunno I’m grasping at straws here

And she's been living on the highest shelf

Natalie, okay? just,,, natalie

I just wanna, I just wanna know/If you're gonna, if you're gonna stay/I just gotta, I just gotta know/I can't have it, I can't have it any other way

aka Kasey and Natalie wondering how long they’ll have alex before he has to leave again

Closest thing to Michelle Pfeiffer that you've ever seen

please tell me I’m not the only one who sees it 

And they come unstuck

we can all agree the three of them are inseparable when they can be together right? and then alex has to leave and... 

wait one sec while I cry in the corner

3. if you think of a third reason please tell me because what kind of lame-ass argument only has two bullet points

once again, I am very sorry. 

o’darwin belongs to the incredible spectacular and brilliant @lumosinlove​ who probably has way better things to do than get this notification but I’m tagging her anyway so that the fandom police can’t arrest me for honourary copyright violation

[sweater-weather-vb-au]

I was typing in the relationships and was doing O’Darwin’s. I typed out Kasey Winter/Natalie Darcy/Alex O’Hara (lumosinohara). Not lumos in love. Lumos is O’Hara and honestly, I’m not even that mad

[awanderingdeal]

The Best Kind of Spa Day

Lily and Natalie and a weekend at the spa...what more do you need? This story will probably be two or three chapters long. This first chapter is (as seems to be becoming a tradition) mainly smut with a sprinkling of feelings thrown in for good luck. There will be more fluff to follow. This is a poly relationship and there will be some background Jily/O’Darwin.

Rating: Explicit CW: Explicit F/F sex

Please message me if you feel other content warning should be added.

All future chapters can be found on my masterlist

And finally...but very importantly...thank you to @lumosinlove for the creation of the most wonderful Natalie Darcy and the sweater weather universe. 

Natalie sauntered out of the bathroom, her damp hair piled on into a towel. “Oh,” she heard a shocked James say from the screen of Lily’s phone. 

“What is it?” Lily asked, her head turning to follow his gaze. “Oh,” her tone almost identical to her husband’s as she took in sight of Natalie standing there in only her underwear. 

Natalie cocked her head slightly, smiling and giving a little wave. “Hey James.”

“Hey Nat,” James said, a blush creeping across his cheeks. “My wife is a very lucky lady.”

“I’m the lucky one. Don’t worry. I’ll have her back to you soon.” Natalie replied, crawling onto the bed and leaning her head on Lily’s shoulder. “Massage is in an hour. I thought you might want to have a little fun first?” Natalie spoke quietly into her ear.

It was Lily’s turn to blush. “Give me 5 minutes to finish with J and then I’m all yours.”

“Sure thing, beautiful.” 

Natalie flopped backward onto the bed, taking out her own phone. She was so engrossed in trading banter with Alex and Kasey that she jumped when Lily slipped the device out of her hands and chucked it to the side.

“You were saying something about fun?” Lily raised an eyebrow cunningly, straddling Natalie’s waist.

“Mmm. Yes. I have a few ideas in mind,” Natalie smirked cheekily. She placed her hands on Lily’s hips, thumb tenderly swiping over the bone before flipping the pair over. 

Lily squealed as her back hit the mattress. She reached up to Natalie, unwrapping the towel and letting Natalie’s waves fall down her back, “do tell.”

“How about I show you instead?” Natalie quipped, bending to press her lips against Lily’s. They were soft and tasted slightly of chapstick. She pressed gentle kisses along Lily’s jaw until she reached her earlobe, catching the skin between her teeth. “Want to try the double today?” she breathed. 

Natalie had shown Lily the toy earlier and her eyes had widened, a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. “I’ll make sure it’s good for you, I promise. And if you don’t like then we can stop and I’ll help you come on my fingers.” 

Lily arched her back, hands splayed across Natalie’s stomach. “Yes, I want to try.” she nodded eagerly. 

“First, let’s see if I can rival that husband of yours,” Natalie cooed, swiveling around and pulling the skirt that Lily was wearing above her hips before sliding her underwear down her legs. She brushed her fingers down Lily’s thighs, just barely making contact, then slowly creeping them back up. “May I?” Natalie asked, hovering over the crease of Lily’s thigh. She felt Lily nod behind her. “I can’t hear you, Lils,” she teased playfully, wanting to hear Lily say the words.

“Yes. Please. Do it.” Lily rushed out.

Natalie dragged a thumb through Lily’s folds, her tongue matching the movement, teasing the sensitive skin. Lily’s whine encouraged her to continue. She worked her tongue inside, thrusting a few times before letting herself enjoy the taste. She lapped and sucked with a practised ease, repeating the actions that drew the loudest moans from Lily multiple times. With a hitch of Lily’s breath, Natalie brought two fingers to her clit, circling it in time with her tongue. 

Lily wailed as her orgasm hit her but Natalie didn’t let up; sucking, licking, thrusting her through it and into another. When her muscles had stopped contracting the second time Natalie pulled back, turning to face Lily again. “The best snack,” she laughed, knowing her words were cringe worthy. 

Lily smacked her leg weakly. “You’re ridiculous,” she commented, her arm flopping back by her side. “I think you broke me. I can’t move,” she said. 

Natalie slid off Lily’s hips, laying down next to her, “do you need a rest?”

Lily nodded, “I don’t think I can come again before that massage.” She rolled onto her side, leaning her head on her arm, fingers dancing over the tanned skin peeking out from Natalie’s bra. “We could play with the double later? I’d like to try out that harness though?” she mused.

Natalie took a lock of Lily’s hair, wrapping the strand between her fingers. “Yeah? That’d be nice. We’ve got a bit of time, no rush.” 

Lily hummed, hands snaking around to the clasp of Natalie’s bra unclipping it easily. “That’s good. I love just touching you.” True to her word, Lily’s hands roamed Natalie’s bare skin, kisses following her fingers. Her tongue teased Natalie’s nipples, working them into hard nubs. 

Natalie wriggled with pleasure, occasionally giving a soft of contentedness, her back arching slightly into the sensations but mostly letting Lily take her time. Moments before she thought she was going to have to say something Lily’s hands travelled down her stomach, slowing over the tattoo inked around her belly button before slipping under the band of her thong. Lily’s fingers played with her lazily, gliding between her folds, spreading the pool of moisture gathering between her legs over her clit until Natalie’s breaths were coming in quick pants, “Lils.”

Lily rolled onto her knees, dropping a couple of gentle kisses to Natalie’s collarbone before sitting back. “Take these off for me, I’ll be right back.” she said, the pad of her thumb tracing along Natalie’s hip and tugging gentle on underwear. She slid off the bed, quickly stripping off her own clothes before taking the harness and dildo from where Natalie had stashed it earlier. It took her a minute but she managed to get her legs into the right holes and tighten the buckles until it sat snugly in place. She watched the toy bob slightly when she wriggled her hips.

“Having fun over there?” Natalie laughed, lying naked on the bed with her arm tucked behind her head. 

Lily smiled, suddenly a little shy, “I like it more than I imagined.”

Natalie’s features softened a little, moving to stretch her hand out towards Lily. “You’ve never used one before?”

Lily shook her head. “I mean, I’ve been on the receiving end multiple times,” she took the offered hand, allowing herself to be pulled forward until she was sitting on the edge on the bed. “I always wanted to do it with James first but he hasn’t been in the mood for it yet.” 

Natalie turned onto her side, leaning on her free hand, her eyes searching Lily’s, “Are you sure that you want to do this now?” she asked, squeezing Lily’s hand gently. “Your fingers are magic, Lilypad. We can always carry on with what you started? Or we can stop completely. We only do things if we both want to do them, you know that.”  

“I’m sure. I’ve been thinking about it and I know that James feels pressured if he thinks I’m waiting for him to try something new and I don’t want that, you know?” Lily returned Natalie’s squeeze, breathing out long and slow, thinking about her words carefully. “I want him to want it in his own time, if ever. And it’s not going to make it any less special the first time with him  even if I’ve done it a thousand times before. So yes, I’m sure.”

Natalie would be lying if she said that she wasn’t a bit turned on by the conviction in Lily’s voice. “Well, in that case I am on board too. Why don’t you show me what you’ve got?” she said, flicking the head of the dildo before lying back on the bed, spreading her legs slightly. 

Lily leaned down, kissing Natalie firmly before knocking her legs apart a little more and sitting between them. She glanced over at the clock on the bedside table. 30 minutes until their appointment. She had time to do this properly. Lily grabbed one of the spare pillows, using it to lift Natalie’s hips and she was kissing her again, between her thighs this time, before slipping a finger into her, then two.

Natalie met the slow thrusts, relaxing around them and letting Lily in deeper. “Do that again,” she gasped as Lily crooked her fingers, finding the spot she was searching for. 

“Bossy,” Lily teased gently, but did as was asked, revelling in the grateful whimper that followed. She pressed a kiss to the hollow of Natalie’s throat, adding a third finger with the next push into the tight heat. 

Natalie pushed herself up, her free hand grasping at Lily’s jaw and crashing their lips together. It was barely a kiss; Natalie panting heavily into Lily’s mouth. She let out a long whine when Lily let her fingers slip from inside her and pushed Natalie back onto the bed. 

Lily let herself look at Natalie for a moment, her lips swollen from where she’d grasped them between her teeth and her cheeks tinged pink, “all for me.”  She leaned over Natalie, bending her head so her mouth was close to Natalie’s ear; her warm breath making the blonde shiver. “I’m going to fuck you now,” Lily said. 

Natalie grinned, wrapping her fingers around the dildo strapped to Lily’s hips and pumping it twice. “I love when you talk dirty to me,” she laughed.

Lily sat back, crossing her arms across her chest giving a small pout, “carry on being mean to me and I won’t do anything to you.” 

Natalie pulled herself into a sitting position, her hands resting on Lily’s waist and nipping her teeth at Lily’s nose, “I’m sorry, you’re just too cute,” Natalie teased, kissing along the freckles painted across Lily’s cheeks. “Can I ride you?” she hummed.

Lily smacked Natalie’s arm gently but her mouth spread into a smile, “I’m not going to say no to that.” 

“Lie down for me then, Lilypad.” 

Natalie wasted no time sinking smoothly onto the hard length once Lily was spread on the bed, rocking into the toy, before lifting herself back up. Lily’s mouth fell open, not expecting the pressure on her clit every time Natalie’s hips met hers. Her hands flew up to grip Natalie’s ass, helping her set the steady rhythm, meeting her with each thrust. The pleasure was pulled out of her, a soft refrain of “Oh God, Oh God, Oh God,” as she teetered on the edge. It was almost painful and then she was falling into it, her toes curling and the air being dragged from her lungs in gasps. 

Natalie carried on riding Lily, hands grasping at her waist seeking better leverage. Three or four more thrusts and Natalie was pressing her forehead against Lily’s, her fingers working fast against her clit as she let the waves of pleasures pass over her.

“Fuck Lils, that was incredible,” Natalie panted as she eased herself off the length and flopped down next to Lily. 

“It really was.” Lily shuffled closer, tangling their legs together, “So much for not coming again.” she giggled, glancing over at the clock. They had 11 minutes until they needed to be downstairs. “We should take a shower,” she sighed, not really wanting to move. 

“Shower sounds good,” Natalie said. 

“Alone,” Lily deadpanned, but her lips contorted into a smile that ruined the façade.

“It’ll be quicker to share,” Natalie protested. “I’ll be good. I promise,” she added, wrapping her pinkie around Lily’s before giving her a quick kiss and climbing off the bed. 

“I’m blaming you if we are late,” Lily replied as she followed Natalie into the bathroom. 

They didn’t quite keep their hands to themselves but they managed to keep the contact functional, Natalie spreading soap over Lily’s pale skin before letting her return the favor. Soon, they were stepping out from under the warmth of the water and drying off. 

“I’m going to put my bikini on,” Lily said as she was wrapping the fluffy towel around her. “I think I’ll go for a swim after the massage. Want to join me?” 

“I’ll pass. I’ve already washed this once today,” Natalie said, her fingers quickly weaving her still slightly damp hair into a braid. “But I think I’ll sit in the hot tub and enjoy the view,” she added with a smirk. 

Lily laughed, shaking her head as she wandered back into the bedroom “Then dinner and then I thought we could do those -” she started to call out.

“Then we could come back to the room?” Natalie interrupted, leaning against the door frame. 

“Insatiable,” Lily scoffed playfully, chucking the towel that had just been around her at Natalie, “ get dressed. We only have a couple of minutes.”

Natalie gave a cheeky smile in reply but headed over to the dresser that she’d unpacked her bikini into. “But seriously, Lilypad. If you just want to chill this evening that is fine. We’ve got two whole days to enjoy ourselves,” she said as she dressed quickly. 

Lily hummed, stepping behind Natalie and dropping a brief kiss to the back of her shoulder, “Let’s just see how relaxed we are?” she suggested. “We can decide whether it’s facemasks or fucking later?”

“Facemasks or fucking?” Natalie snorted, leaning back to return the kiss, before stepping away to grab her backpack.  

“I thought it was quite clever.” Lily said, taking Natalie’s hand as they left the room. 

“You spend too much time with James.” 

Lily bumped her arm against Natalie’s, “Oi.”

“Admit it. That man has the worst jokes,” Natalie raised an eyebrow. 

“He really does.” Lily chuckled fondly. “I love him both despite it and because of it.”

Natalie swung their arms between them, “we all do. And I love you no matter how much his terrible sense of humour rubs off on you.”

Lily squeezed her hand, pressing a small kiss on Natalie’s jaw before they entered the waiting room for treatment areas only a few minutes late, “love you too.”