#rq gift exchange

[ubiquitouslyme]

The Odyssey of Imrrick

The big reveal!! I've been working on this fic for over a month! I'm so excited to post the first chapter of this 10-chapter adventure! Dedicated to the lovely @alexandia03 for the @rq-gift-exchange.

I'll be posting every Monday and Friday until August 1. Stay tuned for more!

The Odyssey of Imrrick - Chapter 1 - Ubiquitously_Ubiquitous - The Empyrean - Rebecca Yarros [Archive of Our Own]

Summary:

Imogen Cardulo and Garrick Tavis have circled around each other their entire lives. First, as kids, learning to co-exist in Aretia, challenging each other. Then as teens, realizing their attraction to each other. Later, denying their feels in the wake of the apostasy and the hell that followed. And finally, accepting their feelings and admitting they loved each other.

Now, five years after the dissolution of Navarre, Imogen and Garrick are getting married. Finally. In this multi-chapter adventure, on their wedding day, Imogen reflects with Bodhi and Quinn, and Garrick with Xaden and Ridoc, on the history of Imrrick, on how they fell in love.

Each chapter will switch from Imogen's and Garrick's POV, and will include a present-day scene as well as a flash-back.

Major spoilers for FW and IF, and a made-up ending to the series included.

Chapter 1 Snippet:

“Why can’t I just wear my leathers again?” Imogen grumbled.

“Because it’s your wedding day,” Quinn exclaimed, coming to stand beside her and admiring Imogen’s reflection.  “I did a fantastic job, if I do say so myself.  You’re welcome.”

She bumped her hip against Imogen’s.

“Now come on, Bodhi snuck in a bottle or three of something called champagne that Ridoc keeps in his and Bodhi’s place.  By the end of it, you’ll barely be able to walk down the aisle,” Quinn said with a wink.

Bodhi chuckled.  “Ridoc loves that shit.  It’s all bubbly and it makes him super giddy.  And horny.”

Both Quinn and Imogen curled their lips.  “Ewww, Bodhi, gross.”

“We could talk about what you and Garrick are doing to do on your wedding night, then,” Bodhi said, wiggling his eyebrows as they all sat down in the seating area.

Imogen flung herself back across the couch.  “That’s even worse.”

“Then let’s tell stories,” Quinn suggested excitedly.  “I want to hear everything about you and Garrick Tavis.”

“You mean, like, when he finally admitted he had feelings for Im?” Bodhi asked.  “Or like, the first time they kissed?”

Quinn grinned.  “Oh, I want it all.  Everything.  From the very beginning.  None of you talk about your childhood much.”

“That’s because we were busy fighting a war, and before that, our parents were fighting a war and then were put to death in front of us,” Imogen summarized succinctly.

“As rosy as always, Im,” Quinn grinned.  “Come on, now, spill.  Tell me about the very first time you met Garrick.  You were five, right?”  Quinn popped a bottle open and poured glasses of the bubbly liquid for each of them.

Imogen sighed.  “Fine, it started like this…”

[essjaywrites]

i belong in your arms

Imogen Cardulo left Tyrrendor four years ago in an attempt to get over Garrick Tavis (spoiler: it didn't work.) Now she's back, but is she too late?

my fic for the RQ fic exchange for @alittlegirlwaitinginagarden! featuring: feelings (of all kinds), a headboard, a bonfire, and mostly just two idiots who really love each other. but are idiots.

🏷️ : @alexandia03 @yanny-77 @suebswrites @siobhanbooks @littedidyouknow @pretty-pleaseee @ubiquitouslyme @bestbookfriends @caeli0306 @istarbel @b3anieperson @oh-no-its-dragons @justallihere @taumoebaa (let me know if you want on or off :))

[siobhanbooks]

WIP Wednesday

The Idiots of Basgiath War College snippet

Later that night, as the sun set over the mountains, they set up camp. The fight came when it was time to organise the tents, as there were four of them. Xaden wanted to share with Violet but Garrick claimed that as Lieutenants and observers, they couldn't share with the cadets and even as Xaden tried to argue that she was his fiancée and the rules didn't apply to them, Garrick lifted Xaden's pack over his head, their height difference making it just out of Xaden's rpeach, and as Xaden tried to use his shadows to reach them, Garrick nodded to Bodhi who used his own signet to counter his cousin's until Xaden finally agreed to share with Garrick.

[acourtofladydeath]

heeeeey, it's your writer for the riders quadrant gift exchange. pumped to explore tairn/sgaeyl for your fic!

a few questions:

what are some of your favorite headcanons for them? what aspect of their relationship is most appealing to you? biggest ick that could be in a gift fic for you?

so excited for this adventure!

HELLO. I'm totally cool and normal and not about to word vomit all over tumblr for you...

Tairn/Sgaeyl HCs: Ok I think they're so interesting because they're basically a dragon power couple. Everyone wants to be them...

I HC that Tairn is super loving to Sgaeyl when they're in private, and she's so not into it outwardly but secretly love it. I don't have too many HC's but i do have questions:

How do they spend their time when they're alone? (Excluding the intense dragon fucking, but you can totally write about that too. If you've read my works/bookmarks on AO3 you'd know I'm not opposed)

What made them decide to take in Andarna? Do they want eggs of their own? Do they yearn to make their own little dragon babies? I love thinking about them as a family. Even just a family of two.

When did Tairn & Sgaeyl meet? How do dragons know they're mates? Is it like, click boom you're done? Does it grow over time? Does it happen for one before the other? I'm so curious about this lore.

*****DID TAIRN AND SGAEYL PLACE BETS ON VIOLET AND XADEN GETTING TOGETHER??? IF SO WHO WON. (It was Sgaeyl) Do the dragons have to put up with hearing human sex? Do humans have mates via dragons or does it influence who they like? I don't necessarily think so in canon but it's an idea I love to play around with in fanfic.

How do other dragons react around them/talk to them? Do they have special seats within the Empyrean because of their power? Do they get special reservations at dragon restaurants cuz they're VIPs?

Spoilers below bar for IF:

I NEED TO KNOW HOW THE CONVO WENT BETWEEN SGAEYL AND TAIRN ABOUT XADEN'S SECOND SIGNET? AND THE ONE WHEN XADEN BECAME VENIN.

How does Sgaeyl respond to hearing Tairn say he will die with Violet How does this make her feel? Is she hurt? Does she understand?

Is this too much? Not sure but I'm sending it anyway. I also need you to know that I cut myself off. I could go on... let me know if I should...

I'm so excited to meet you after this and read your work!! Thank you in advance for creating for me.

[caeli0306]

I have been in awe of the incredible stories that have come out of this exchange! THANK YOU to everyone who put time and effort into making it possible <3 I loved having the chance to participate!!!

2024 Fourth Wing Gift Exchange Masterlist

Xaden/Violet

Violet Sorrengail's Guide to Spinning a Scandal by @caeli0306 for Cee_Darling (Cee_hoc)

Zihnal Must Hate Us by aspensquake for overjoyedisland

you will be healed and come back again by zencetera for HLizR50

Quiet Day In by lynnthere_donethat for shoo0637

Questions, Comments, Concerns by Kobo for aspensquake

Some Version of You by @booklover721 for caeli0306

Stolen Moments by Meyelemon for amberswansong

Fill Your Empty Spaces by @korrinamoe for sliebman10

Lights by Emjen_Enla for booklover721

Nothing Up My Sleeve by Nivaria for Kobo

Coming Home by @sliebman10 for tinyghosts

Get In, Loser, We're Going Shipping by oopsireaditagain for Meyelemon

I'm With You by ShadowMami for Aethelefaie

Bodhi/Ridoc

Pink Pony Club by @yanny-77 for everyone in the Rider’s Quadrant Discord Server and anyone who participated in the exchange

Perfect Storm by @hoeelliexx for Yanny77

Red: Basgiath’s version by @bestbookfriends for alltoowellread

Garrick/Imogen

I Belong In Your Arms by @sarahydeart for Lydibug522

Death of a Hero by @alexandia03 for siobhanbooks

The Odyssey of Imrrick by @ubiquitouslyme for AlexanDia03

Haven't Told Her by @sarcasticmothwrites for kalix_glaeser

I Think I’m in Love by @istarbel for justanothersarah

Homesick by @widebrimmedhatsblog for istarbel

Aaric/Sloane

The Grape Escape by @alltoowellread for korrinamoe

Yield by HeadCanonHeadCase for Fireheart_Rose

I’m Still Me by @hlizr50 for HeadCanonHeadCase

Brennan/Naolin

This can't be real by Portujules for Fantasy_bookwyrm

Resurrect My Heart, Too. by @greeneyedwildthing for Jeyfeather1234

Like fireflies to a flame by Jeyfeather1234 for Madame_Ladle, @benetnaschshugo

With You by ILoveMyThighs (curlyhairedkatniss) for shoo0637

Poly Ships

Xaden's Day Off by @alittlegirlwaitinginagarden for SuebsWrites

Thunderstorms and Sunshine by @tegantales for widebrimmedhat

Never Not Mine by amberswansong for TheBookworm_Writer

Enchanted by @suebswrites for Ubiquitously_Ubiquitous

Solace by @taumoebaa for Starfall_Spirit

Dragon Centric

Scales of Devotion by @witch-and-her-witcher for ACourtofLadyDeath

A Ray of Light in Shadowed Clouds by SaraNova for zencetera

Last One Standing by @acourtofladydeath for xadenviolet

X-reader/OC

Together At Last by We_were_beautiful for ScrumptiousDinosaurWizard

Our Time by @garricks4thwingqueen for We_were_beautiful

Together by HeadCanonHeadCase for Garricks4thwingueen

Liam/Violet

Learning in Aretia by overjoyedisland for to_be_real_now

Close to You by Cee_Darling (Cee_hoc) for Nivaria

Dain ships

Heart It Races by amberswansong for Portujules

Measure Up by SaraNova for Nedeit

Thnks fr th Mmrs by @copperfirebird for gemmaspumpkins

Liam/Jesinina

A Scribe's First Rider by Scarlet_Aeon for GreeneyedWildThing (TheWrittenMaze)

Bodhi/Sloane

These Games We Play by @starfall-spirit for hoelliexx

Other/Ship Neutral

Visiting Home by @quihi 

The Book Cat by justanothersarah, SuebsWrites for taumoebaa

How to not kill a dragon by Nedeit for lynnthere_donethat

Hangman (Teach Me How Not to Cry) by tinyghosts for Nedeit

just keep your head above by copperfirebird for Scarlet_Aeon

Letters from the Family Sorrengail by gemmaspumpkins for Quihi

Dear Brennan by SuebsWrites, Yanny77 for copperfirebird

Pulling Rank by HLizR50 for E_Hyde

A twist in fate by Fantasy_bookwyrm for copperfirebird

The Idiots of Basgiath War College by @siobhanbooks for oopsireaditagain

With Best Intentions by Nivaria for ShadowMami

[caeli0306]

my super secret solstice gift fic, in the eye of the beholder, is now up on AO3!

in the eye of the beholder can be read HERE.

WHEW. I've been writing this one for like, a month and a half now for the RQ discord's secret solstice gift exchange, but I couldn't share any of it on here because I didn't want to give it away to my giftee! I'm so excited to share it with the world. @overjoyedisland, I hope you enjoy your secret solstice fic! @rq-gift-exchange

Summary:

Mira really doesn't like Xaden Riorson. Especially when he's looking at her baby sister like she's the beginning and end of his world. And that's even more true when her baby sister is looking at him the exact same way.

or

Mira watches Violet fall in love, punches her brother in the face, and faces some uncomfortable truths

===

"Hello, Violence," the traitor's son says, his attention still fully on Violet. Mira isn't even sure if he's noticed her.

All the better, she thinks darkly for only herself to hear. One wrong move, and she'll send him to meet Malek herself.

"You're here," her sister replies a moment later, voice sounding almost... awestruck? That couldn't be right.

And yet, when Mira shifts her stance just enough to get a look at Violet's face, that's exactly how her sister looks. Awestruck.

"Sgaeyl insisted," the wingleader replies. With his tan skin, dark hair, and rider black flight leathers, he almost blends perfectly into the darkness of the woods at his back.

A living shadow. A devourer of light.

And hell if Mira would let him devour Violet, a veritable source of light itself.

[korrinamoe]

FILL YOUR EMPTY SPACES

Fluffy, smutty Riorgail fic for @sliebman10 for the 2024 @rq-gift-exchange!

After Violet asked him to share a secret with her, Xaden flies with her to one of his secret spots. A place no one else knows about.

Away from the chaos of everything, they finally get a moment that's truly their own. Xaden shares two secrets with Violet.

Here's a little excerpt:

And now it’s just the two of them. “Remember how I told you I’d give you answers if you asked the right questions?” Xaden asks. “You asked me to show you a secret, so I’m showing you two.” Violet scoffs. “That answers my question without answering my question. I thought you were going to show me some secret plans you’ve figured out with the others.” “This spot is the first secret,” Xaden says as he wraps his arms around Violet’s waist from behind. He tucks his chin on her shoulder and kisses the bottom of her neck. “My father used to bring me here to read, practice sparring, train harder, or whenever he felt like we just needed a break from everything going on in the world.”

Thank you to overjoyedisland and @yanny-77 for being my betas.

Read the fic here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/57812662

[alltoowellread]

The Grape Escape

For the @rq-gift-exchange. I know I'm posting it way early but I couldn't help myself. My giftee is @korrinamoe!

The request: I would love to read something with a fluffy moment (doesn't have to be all fluff though)...Must have kissing...If possible, please have the characters use a weapon/gadget from any Minions/Despicable Me movies, but still set in the normal Empyrean universe.

Hope you don't mind that the kissing is...a bit out of order... 👀 🙊

Thanks to my betas @yanny-77 and @sarahydeart

[essjaywrites]

this is everything I never knew I was dreaming of!! 🫶🏼🩷

My gift fic for the @rq-gift-exchange Riders Quadrant Fic Exchange is complete and posted!!!

It is dedicated to… 🥁 @ubiquitouslyme !!!!

Enchanted

By SuebsWrites, on AO3

—

Violet wakes in the middle of the night, achy and frustrated and full of unasked-for memories of her relationship with her ex, the heir to the crown, Prince Halden. All she wants is to relieve the frustration. But Xaden is still in Samara, not due back at Basgiath until tomorrow.

What's a girl to do?

—

Ubi my dear, I hope this satisfies your wildest dreams!!! 💕😈

[taumoebaa]

a lil bit of XVL fluff and smut for @starfall-spirit 😊

[starfall-spirit]

bout had a heart attack. I thought my gift exchange doc deleted itself

[ubiquitouslyme]

The Odyssey of Imrrick - Chapter 6

Chapter 6/10 of the rq-gift-exchange for @alexandia03 - more than half way there!

Summary:

The story of how Imogen and Garrick fell in love - told from their POV while they get ready for their wedding with their friends.

This work will be ten chapters, to be posted every Monday and Friday until August 1st.

Chapter 6 Summary:

Garrick reflects with Ridoc and Xaden about his time with Imogen at Basgiath and right after graduation. He explains why he had not, in fact, been a bumbling idiot at all, even though he'd admittedly been helplessly in love with her.

Xaden and Ridoc disagree.

Snippet:

“So you f***ed in Resson, came back to Basgiath, and then…”

Garrick’s eyes narrowed.

“You graduated.  Oh Garrick.  You didn’t just leave her without talking to her first, did you?” Ridoc asked, eyes wide.

Garrick grimaced. 

“Ouch, no wonder she was so pissed at you that year.”

“There wasn’t exactly a lot of time,” Garrick countered.

“You act like we weren’t in Aretia with her for almost a week before that,” Xaden observed.

“Yeah, and when would have been the best time for that talk?  When we went to retrieve Liam’s body?  Or how about when we buried him?  Or when we were fighting with the Assembly about whether we would return to Basgiath or fake our deaths?  Or how about when Violet woke up and we had no idea if she was going to flip on us and turn us in?”

Xaden wisely had no response.

“So yeah, it wasn’t my finest moment, but we didn’t get to talk before graduation.  And then, we left Basgiath, and I thought there’d be some opportunity, but it just never happened.  So yeah, we didn’t get an opportunity to talk again for a few months,” Garrick explained, trying to forget how Imogen had ignored all of his letters, how it had twisted his insides to not see her those months.  Not until they’d come for Violet.

Well.  Xaden had come for Violet.  Garrick had come for Imogen.

“But you finally got a chance to talk in Aretia, didn’t you?” Ridoc asked his expression hopeful.

“Yeah, didn’t you, Garrick?” Xaden wiggled his eyebrows.

“We talked.  Sort of,” Garrick tried.  “It was fine.”

“So the answer is no, they didn’t talk.  I’d always wondered why you were such a bumbling idiot that year.  Now I know why.”  Xaden seemed thrilled by this development, Ridoc entertained.

“Oh, f*** you.  I’ve never been a bumbling idiot,” Garrick huffed, crossing his arms.

“Three words: stables and mares.” Xaden teased. 

“Stables and mares?” Ridoc said, looking curious between them.  “I feel like I’m missing something here.”

“He’s taking it out of context.  Let me explain…”

Chapters:

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6

[essjaywrites]

this is one of my favourite things ever. friendship and love and finding yourself and hope and beauty in a world that isn't always easy or kind or beautiful

❤️

Pink Pony Club

A Bodhi Durran fic dedicated to everyone who participated in the @rq-gift-exchange.

P.S. I am feeling very needy not having an official giftee for the event. Please shower me with love and praise. (Half kidding)

Read Now on AO3

Summary:

Any time Bodhi has to face the memories of his small hometown, Aretia, Tennessee, it’s painful. But after moving LA just over a year ago, he’s found a new home: at the Pink Pony Club.

As a performer at the club, he can be whoever he wants to be. He can be cool. He can be sexy. He can be expressive. He can even be himself.

Life in LA is better than he ever could have imagined. His new friends love and accept him for who he is, in a way his friends and family back home never could. He gets to dance without anyone judging him.

And tonight, he’s going to get what he wants most of all: the attention of the man at the front-left table who comes to all his shows, the one with the beautiful eyes. He doesn’t even know the man’s name yet, but Bodhi’s determined to meet him at last.

Because no matter what Mama or God may think, he is Bodhi Durran, and he is fucking beautiful.

Status: Complete Words: 21,463

Rating: Explicit Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Category: M/M Relationships: Bodhi Durran/Ridoc Gamlyn Characters: Bodhi Durran, Ridoc Gamlyn, Imogen Cardulo, Xaden Riorson, Liam Mairi, Quinn (Empyrean), Heaton (Empyrean), Tyvon Varen, Rhiannon Matthias, Tara (Empyrean), Sawyer Henrick Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Drag Queens, LGBTQ Themes, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Soulmates, Love at First Sight, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence ,Self-Acceptance, Explicit Sexual Content, Anal Sex, jorts

Excerpt:

Bodhi stands in the stage-right wing, waiting, his legs jiggling nervously. He loves performing here, but ever since his parent’s disastrous visit, the excitement turns sour in the moments right before he’s announced. It’s okay to love this, he reminds himself. It doesn’t make him an abomination or an affront to God, no matter what his father says. 

He was born this way. God doesn’t make mistakes.

The crowd breaks into applause as the performer before Bodhi exits the stage. They smile at him and give him a light tap on the ass. “Go get ‘em, Coco,” they say with a wink before disappearing to their dressing room.

The emcee takes the stage, a bubbly blonde named Quinn. She’s wearing lingerie with sparkles and fringe with a cowboy hat and boots to match the blue streak in her hair. Just like that, all the nerves fade away. 

Note: While I consider this to be a hopeful fic about Bodhi being comfortable in his own skin, it includes some difficult themes from Bodhi's past including religion, homophobia, and being outed before he was ready.

Read Now on AO3

Shout out to Niv, Suebs, Sarah and Korrina for beta

Shout out to Sarah, Alexandia and Maze for helping me organize this event

Shout out to @sarcasticmothwrites @witch-and-her-witcher Suebs, Sarah, @copperfirebird @tegantales @hlizr50, headcanonheadcase, SaraNove, Niv and ILoveMyThighs for writing pinch hits

Shout out to Sarah for the amazing art to go with this fic

Shout out to Vanth, A Court of Lady Death and everyone above for keeping me sane.

I couldn't have pulled this off without all of you. Thank you all so much, from the bottom of my heart.

Read Now on AO3

Taglist:

@copperfirebird @canadian-confusion @siobhanbooks @bestbookfriends @b3anieperson @hoeelliexx @suebswrites @alltoowellread @biggestqiblifan @ubiquitouslyme @poisonivy206 @iftheshoef1tz @nireduh @hunt-athie-athalar @korrinamoe @preally19 @freckledfern @strawberbie @ramzesfics @acourtofladydeath @chunkypossum @secret-third-thing @alexandia03 @greeneyedwildthing @vanthh @sarahydeart @feetreadyheartbeatsteady @skyfallscotland @chasing-a-dreamer @taumoebaa @toberealnow @silverlude @oh-no-its-dragons @alittlegirlwaitinginagarden @sliebman10 @sarcasticmothwrites @oh-no-its-dragons @hockeyspiral23 @b3anieperson @ficwingrecs

@evaja @tegantales @marxxyy

[the-riders-quadrant]

Secret Solstice Masterlist!

Here is the complete list along with pairings from the RQ solstice exchange! Thanks so much to everyone involved for your enthusiasm and excitement, everyone put so much love and effort (and sneakiness) into their fics 💕🫶🏼

Enjoy!

Amuse Bouche by Ubiquitously_ubiquitous for Siobhanwrites Bodhi / Tyvon/ Ridoc/ Liam Mairi

Aretian Snowfall by justanothersarah for Tegantales Liam/Violet

Best Kept Secret by Mint_chocolatechip for Hoellix Bodhi/Ridoc

Burn it all down by Hliz for Pillow Violet/Xaden

Complementary by Kobo for Thoughtsaboutshows Violet/Xaden

Dancing in the dark with you by fantasy_bookwyrm for Caeli Violet/Xaden

The Days of Draecember by ACourtofLadyDeath for Saranova Drake Cordella and Cain Aetos

Defying Gravity by Copperfirebird for TheWrittenMaze Violet/Jack

Dragonback Boink by yanny77 for millie Bodhi/Ridoc

Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell by almond_bonbons for lovemedarkly - Sloane/Aaric

Happy Birthday, Dain Aetos! By overjoyedisland for junespumpkin Dain/Cat

If the Fates Allow: A Solstice Anthology by thoughtsaboutshadows for kobo Violet/Xaden

in the eye of the beholder by caeli for overjoyedisland Mira POV, Violet/Xaden

Liam's sweetness by pillow for NIv Liam/Sawyer

Life, Love and Other Four Letter Words by TheWrittenMaze for Hliz Liam/Jesinia

like shadows in a faded light by alltoowellread for aspensquake Violet/Xaden

Memories Consume by lizardrunclub for amberswansong Brennan/Naolin, Violet/Xaden, Imogen/Garrick

Mistletoe and Misery by hoelixx for fantasy_bookwyrm Brennan/Naolin

The Music Of The Night by saranova for silverlude Violet/Varrish

Nakey & Bakey siobhanwrites for yanny77 Bodhi/Ridoc

Of Third Year Shenanigans by we were beautiful for almond bonbons Bodhi/Reader

"Please just go along" by korrina for headcanoncase Sloane/Aaric

Remember we die by zhenya naleva for we were beautiful Garrick/OC

Rewritten by lovemedarkly by lizardrunclub Sloane/Aaric

Shining Through the Stormy Dark by amberswansong for subs Liam/Xaden/Violet

A Shock of Curls by nivaria for Ubiquitously_ubiquitous Bodhi/Garrick

Shut Up and Fly with Me! by yanny77 for mint_chocolatechip Xaden/Garrick

Sloane and Aaric's Excellent Adventure by aspensquake for korrina Sloane/Aaric

Someone to Save You by lydibug522 for I_am_art Liam/Xaden/Violet

This Walk That We Shared Together by tegantales for zhenya Liam/Xaden

Tropical Temptation by Saranova and Tegantales for Shipmistress Liam/Xaden/Violet

Untouchable (Sloane's version) by Headcanoncase for alltoowellread Sloane/Aaric

Virtually Tame Xtra Snuggles by shipmistress for copperfirebird Violet x Tairn x Xaden x Sgaeyl

Warming Up by junes s pumpkin for Jules Dain/Xaden

What He Should Have Been All Along by suebswrites for lydibug522 Liam/Xaden

Worlds Collide by ACourtOfLadyDeath for Saranova Drake/Dain

Your memory feels like home to me by alexandia03 for justanothersarah Imogen/Garrick

[alltoowellread]

New Chapter: The Grape Escape

Oh, look, two chapters in one day. 🤣

This started as a one-shot for the @rq-gift-exchange, and now it's a question mark on how long it will be. I just know I'm not done with these two exhibionists yet.

Thanks to @korrinamoe for giving me the Minion request, because apparently it really inspired me. 🤪

Word Count: 2,499/5,653

Read Now on AO3!

Thanks to betas @yanny-77, @sarahydeart, and @suebswrites!

[yunotrbl]

stay like this forever

pairing: dad!jaehyun x reader

w.c: 1.1k

genre - fluff. lots of it.

summary: you and jaehyun are preparing for and celebrating your son's fifth birthday.

note: this is my first time posting on here.. and it's probably not my best because i had to cook something up rq..

Both you and Jaehyun watched as the clock struck midnight, exchanging gentle smiles afterward. 

It was officially your son’s fifth birthday, and both of you were feeling a whirlwind of emotions. How had it been five years already? You remembered the day as if it were yesterday—the fear, the excitement, and the pure joy all at once. You recalled how happy Jaehyun had been, the smile on his face when he held his son for the first time. His boy.

Tears filled your eyes as you thought about it. It took so much effort to bring a healthy baby boy into this world. It took even more work to build this perfect little family—two beautiful children with the best parents they could ever ask for. Your heart felt so full.

 “Our baby is growing up on us, huh?” he chuckled, pulling you into a hug as he noticed the pout forming on your face. “He’s the best thing that ever happened to me. So is our baby girl.” He glanced at the baby monitor sitting on the coffee table, your daughter still sound asleep.

Jaehyun was in the middle of helping you decorate the living room and kitchen for your son to see when he woke up—a tradition that Jaehyun had shown you from his own childhood, and one you had grown to love. 

“Doesn’t feel like that was five years ago. Look at my baby,” your voice shook as you looked at his birthday pictures over the years, scattered across the table. He had inherited his dad’s entire face. At first, you might have been a little jealous, but over time, you grew to love it, and so did Jaehyun.

“He’s handsome like his daddy,” Jaehyun replied, and you didn’t even need to look back to know he was smiling. You nudged his shoulder playfully, rolling your eyes as you wiped your tears, focusing on the task at hand—wrapping gifts in the colorful spiderman paper your son picked out days before.

He was a pretty simple kid for his age, asking for just a few toys and a Polaroid camera. But you and Jaehyun, being the parents you are, planned an entire day dedicated to him. After all, he deserved it. He was truly amazing.

Once you both finished decorating, you stepped back to admire your work. 

“How many kids like Spider-Man these days?” you asked. It seemed like every kid did, but at least this year you could actually find decorations, unlike last year when Jaehyun went through hell and back to find cookie decorations to give your son the sugar cookie party he wanted. The thought made you giggle.

“I don’t know, probably all of them. Spider-Man is pretty cool,” Jaehyun replied with a warm smile, pulling you closer until your foreheads gently touched. The corners of your lips lifted into a smile that mirrored his joy. 

“What’s with that look?” you asked, playfully teasing him as his dimples made their appearance, more prominent than usual. 

With a tender grip, he took both of your hands in his and said, “Thank you for giving me the greatest gift of my life. He’s absolutely perfect, just like his mama.” 

Your heart fluttered at the compliment, and a wave of emotion swelled within you, causing your bottom lip to quiver. “Dammit, Jae,” you whined, burying your face into his shoulder to hide the tears that threatened to spill. He chuckled softly, a sound that felt like a warm embrace, and pressed a gentle kiss to your head, rubbing your back in soothing circles.

“Let’s head to bed, ‘kay? You’re especially emotional tonight,” he suggested, a playful grin stretching across his face as he continued to rock you ever so slightly. “At this rate, your tears are going to fill up the whole room like Spongebob,” he joked, bursting into laughter at his own silly comparison.

“You’re so lame,” you replied with a laugh, playfully nudging his shoulder again before taking his hand and leading him up the stairs, shutting the lights off.

—-

The next morning, the sun's warm rays filtered through the curtains as you trailed behind Jaehyun into your son’s room, the camera clutched tightly in your hands. Jaehyun was balancing a beautifully decorated cupcake adorned with a flickering candle, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. Birthdays were really his favorite days of the year, and it showed.

As he pulled open the blinds, the soft morning light flooded the room, gently rousing your son from his slumber. He rubbed his eyes groggily, mouth forming a confused little pout. When his gaze landed on the two of you, he squinted against the brightness, still trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.  

You settled beside him on his bed, rubbing his back, while Jaehyun knelt down infront of him, holding the cupcake aloft. 

As your son’s sleepy eyes widened in realization, a radiant smile spread across his face, lighting up the room like the sunshine itself. He instinctively covered his mouth with his small hands, his cheeks turning a warm shade of pink from the surprise.

You let Jaehyun take the lead as you both sang "Happy Birthday," giggling at your son’s shy reactions.

“Happy birthday, dear Sunjae! Happy birthday to you!” The excitement in your voices filled the room, and his face lit up even more. With a quick breath, he blew out the candle on his cupcake, his happiness shining through as he pulled you both into a tight hug.

In a playful tone, Jaehyun gently rubbed little Sunjae’s back and whispered, “Happy birthday, sweet boy.” 

You leaned in and showered Sunjae with kisses on his cheeks, your heart bursting as his giggles filled the air like music. “We love you so much, little peach,” you said, your voice warm and full of love, soaking in this perfect moment together. 

Sunjae started to squeal as his baby sister rushed in after hearing all the commotion. She dropped her stuffed bunny at the door and jumped onto the bed with him, pulling him into a tight hug. 

“Happy birthday, Sunny!” she exclaimed, pushing you and Jaehyun aside as she squeezed her brother tighter. Their bodies rolled over on the bed, and they both burst out laughing.

“Aren’t you the sweetest girl ever?” Jaehyun asked, smiling at your two little ones.

“She gets it from you,” you replied, and the way he smiled at you said everything.

He was happy, you were happy, and your babies were happy. How lucky were you to share this moment with the person you love most and the two children you created together?