#snowbaz sweethearts

[scone-lover]

Northern Downpour is complete! 🌧️

If you are still following along- thank you. I am so so grateful. I can't even begin to share how much every single kudos, comment, tumblr tag, and discord message has meant to me. My readers are all very special to me and truly the reason I've kept writing for three (!!!) years. ❤️

I have been lucky to work with the most amazing betas, many of whom have been by my side working on this fic for literal YEARS. @thehoneyedhufflepuff, who read my first chapter and told me yes- you have to continue! @ninemagicks, whose writing advice I'd trust with my life. @augustslaundry, my resident Norwegian who helped with all the cultural bits. @stillmadaboutpetra, who not only created some beautiful art but beta read as well. @sillyunicorn, whose infectious energy and enthusiasm for this fic has given me so much motivation. @bookish-bogwitch, who has this magical skill of interpreting the meaning in my own writing better than I do. And @giishu , my number one cheerleader. I actually cried on a bus when you sent me the art you commissioned from @heeytwelve, and half the inspiration for this fic has come from the incredible photos you're always sending me from your adventures. I cannot thank you enough for your support and friendship!

The fic is linked here and above!

I have some updated photos as well in this post.

In bittersweet news, this is probably my last snowbaz piece—which some of you may have guessed from my extended absence lol. This fic is my baby and I really, really wanted to finish it. I don't have too many other loose threads left hanging. I will probably come back to writing soon for other fandoms (considering atla, our flag means death, she-ra, and the witcher?) but this one is, of course, the most special and has a place in my heart forever. So thank you, Carry On fandom. I would never have come back to my love of writing without you!

I hope you enjoy the ending. ❤️

Northern Downpour

Snowbaz Sweethearts Exchange gift for @arca9! 💕

@snowbaz-sweethearts-exchange

Summary:

Undredal is a charming village. Nestled among the remote fjordlands of Norway, surrounded by steep cliffs and glassy water, it’s like something out of a fairytale. (One could even call it magical.)

But Undredal has been harbouring a big secret—and it’s not the amazing goat cheese.

Baz Pitch doesn’t know it, but he’s about to find out what it is.

A canon divergence AU — magical, exceedingly escapist, and wintery in the coziest and most romantic of ways. ❄️

Check out the playlist here!

Read on AO3

[theearlgreymage]

Despite having written close to 25k words this month, I have been SLACKING on making any type of "Six Sentence Sunday" or "WIP Wednesday" Posts. Partially because my NaNoWriMo Project is a secret gift. Partially because I have been cursed by an eldritch deity and never know peace.

Anyway. To each and every one of you who continues to tag me - you're gems. Sweethearts. Sparkles of Light on my bad days. I love and appreciate each of you, even if I do it silently from my little corner of the world.

Setting the emotions aside now.

Here are as many sentences as I feel like sharing from my project. Because I've been quiet lately and ya'll deserve more than just six measly sentences for not abandoning me. (And if you're from the CO Fandom, know that I'm coming back to all my SnowBaz WIPs as soon as I finish this beast)

An Excerpt from Chapter XI

As I finish Erwin’s request, I level my gaze back on him. Finding his eyes with my own, there’s a look, an intensity, in them that leaves my mouth dry. There’s a question flying in the blue of his irises, a curiosity that I want to sate.  What does he want from me?  Swallowing, I lean forwards in my seat. Propping my elbows on the table, even though Erwin told me that proper nobles keep their elbows off the tops of tables and desks. “How much of this is true?”  Erwin’s eyes flash at my question, and he leans in himself. Bringing our heads close enough together that I can smell the tea and cream from breakfast on his breath. “What do you think?”   “I think I’m not being told everything,” anything, “and that’s on purpose.”  Apparently, that was the right thing to say as Erwin grins at me. And again, I’m struck with how much he reminds me of that boy who’s name I can’t recall. Brilliant white teeth and pink lips that soften his angular face. The sight stirs something reminiscent in my gut. I’m half tempted to ask Erwin if he feels it too, if I remind him of someone from his own childhood. But before I can gather the courage to potentially make a fool of myself if I’m wrong, Erwin is asking more questions of me.  “And why would they do that? Why not tell you, tell everyone the truth?”  “The same reason anyone avoids the truth, because they have something to hide.” It’s an easy answer. One of the first lessons that Kenny taught me. Everyone has something to hide, and if you can find that truth in an individual you can best them every time.  “Exactly,” Erwin agrees with me as he pushes the books we’ve been studying away from us. “So what could the royals and nobles be hiding from us?”  At that, I’m stumped and shrug my shoulders. Erwin deflates with me, almost like he was expecting me to actually have the answer to that question.  He does think I’m a noble, maybe the idiot thinks I have some secrets.   It wouldn’t shock me to discover that he wants to use me for something. He’s clearly working against the nobility in some regard, and I’m sure having a noble on his side could be beneficial. But if he thinks I’m going to be some grand advantage, he’s surely mistaken. I’m nothing more than a good fighter and decent thief.  “I think we’ve covered enough for today,” Erwin redirects the conversation suddenly. Moving to restack the books and parchment we’ve been using all afternoon.

Consider the Tags below as both a Hello, but also How are you all doing?

@aristocratic-otter @aroace-genderfluid-sheep @artsyunderstudy @bazzybelle @bookish-bogwitch @buffy @captain-aralias @confused-bi-queer @cutestkilla @ebbpettier @erzbethluna @facewithoutheart @fatalfangirl @foolofabookwyrm-activated @gekkoinapeartree @hushed-chorus @ic3-que3n @ivelovedhimthroughworse @ileadacharmedlife @ionlydrinkhotwater @j-nipper-95 @johnwgrey @krisrix @larkral @martsonmars @letraspal @moodandmist @mostlymaudlin @onepintobean @palimpsessed @prettylightsbigcity @raenestee @shrekgogurt @skeedelvee @stardustasincocaine @stitchyqueer @tea-brigade @theimpossibledemon @thewholelemon @wellbelesbian @whogaveyoupermission @you-remind-me-of-the-babe

[bookish-bogwitch]

Thank you @facewithoutheart, @cutestkilla, @captain-aralias, @martsonmars, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe, @ileadacharmedlife, @johnwgrey, @theotherhufflepuff, @forabeatofadrum, @fatalfangirl, @moodandmist for the tags today and Wednesday. I have a hard time checking in mid-week but really appreciate the reminder that you exist and I exist and that on the weekend I get to play.  Here’s a snippet from my Snowbaz exchange fic. I can’t really pay attention to more than one thing at at time so I’ll just keep dropping stuff from this until Valentine’s Day. Hopefully there will be some surprises left by then.

For context, this is a magical mishap fic in which Simon has accidentally spelled Baz to be six inches tall. Thank you to @facewithoutheart for insightfully beta-ing this whole fic, and for the Dr. Seuss joke. Penny POV:

I’m eager to undo Simon’s damage, but I’m not coaxing Baz out like a shy kitten. This is hardly the first time Simon’s magic has gone wonky. Remember when he spelled me to speak only in Dr. Seuss? Did I sulk in silence until it wore off? Fuck no. (I had places to go! I had fun to be done!) Anyway, if this little drama queen wants my help, he can come out and get it.

“Penny. Baz doesn’t have any clothes.”

“Hardly his worst problem just now, Simon.”

“No. But maybe if he wasn’t naked,” Simon swallows, “he’d come out.” Under the bed, something crashes.

Hazy on who has already posted but tagging @moodandmist​, @mostlymaudlin​, @palimpsessed​, @sillyunicorn​, and anyone who would like to share.

[snowbaz-sweethearts-exchange]

The AO3 Collection is open for submissions!

I know a few of you have your gift all ready to go, so if you do, feel free to submit it to this year’s AO3 collection, accessible via this link! Once mod Grimm has seen that you’ve submitted, it will be accepted to the collection. If you submitted and don’t see your work, don’t panic! Just send Grimm a message (@the-greater-grief​).

Works will remain unrevealed until February 14th, so please don’t post to Tumblr just yet! We want to keep things under wraps until the day of. 

Didn’t get a chance to read last year’s submissions, but need a bit of sweet Snowbaz lovin’ before the big day? Here’s the link to the 2021 Sweethearts Exchange collection!

[the-lincyclopedia]

A gift fic for @one-more-offbeat-anthem for the @snowbaz-sweethearts-exchange! Emmy, I saw you’re active in the neurodiversity movement and thought you might enjoy my take on autistic!Simon. I hope you like it! 

[sturdustdreamer]

No words needed

[sailorblossoms-snowbaz]

Baz doesn't like to fight, and his conflict with his vampirism means he doesn't want to learn how; he spends all his energy in repressing his super strength and speed to adjust to average human levels, to the point Penny and Simon do forget he's so much stronger and can actually be one scary mf. All of that is thrown out of the window the second Simon gets hurt and/or is threatened: notably Baz fangs pop out as his weapon to rip a fucker apart.

And when Baz is threatened in any way and won't fight for himself, Simon will lose it, immediately stabbing on his behalf.

[papercut271]

Hi @urban-sith !!! Happy valentine’s!!! 🥰

I’m soooo sorry for taking this long!!! 😭 But I’m happy that I was able to draw this for you. Hope you like it!! 💖💖💖 Tried to introduce elements of time loops, but ended up changing to baz resurrecting after touching Simon’s tears. You can see Simon very happy about it! For more context, the idea is the mage escalates the war on the old houses, and they have to face each other. At some point Baz dies, turning into stone. And the spell can be broken by the tears of someone that trully loves you. Simon knows this, but doesn’t realize his feelings until this happens 💕 Also thank’s @shemakesmeforget for helping me come up with an idea again!!  🥰

[angelsfalling16]

The Boy I Used To Know

My fic for the @snowbaz-sweethearts-exchange for @bookish-bogwitch! 

I tried to use most of the things that you said you liked, and I hope you like this. Happy Valentine's Day! <3

Also, I thought that I had a really good title for this fic and then I realized that I had another fic with the same title, so I had to change it lol

Thank you to everyone who said that they were interested in this fic yesterday. It gave me the inspiration I needed to fix what was wrong instead of just trashing the whole thing :)

Read it on ao3

Summary: Simon and Baz are not the same people they were when they were in school together, but when Baz becomes Simon's personal bodyguard, they have to face some feelings that they had buried long ago.

Word Count: 4k

---

Simon

When I come to, Baz is hovering over me with a damp cloth and an ever-present frown that I have begun to grow used to on his face, and I don't recognize my surroundings.

"Where are we?" I ask, groaning when my head immediately begins to pound.

"Somewhere safe."

"Am I to assume that that is a euphemism for 'a dirty, cockroach-infested motel'?"

"It was the closest place and the best that I could do other than take you to a hospital, and I know how you feel about those."

I clench my jaw then immediately regret it. It seems that every time I move, something else begins to hurt. Every inch of my body feels sore and beaten. I vaguely remember what happened, me getting ambushed and barely making it out alive, but I don't remember passing out or even Baz showing up. Where did he come from?

"Baz, what happened?"

"I told you to call me Mr. Pitch."

"And I told you that just because my father hired you, it doesn't mean that I am suddenly going to respect you."

He presses his lips into a thin tight line, obviously trying to hold himself back before he shakes his head. "I'm not surprised that you don't remember what happened. I am almost certain that you have a concussion."

He brings the cloth up to my face and starts gently dabbing at my cheek. The touch stings, so I push him away.

"I'm fine," I tell him. "I remember getting attacked and fighting, but how the whole thing ended is a bit of a blur."

“I got there just before one of them knocked you out. I managed to get us out of there before they could do anything worse, and I brought you here. I wasn't sure when you would regain consciousness."

I frown at him. "How long have I been out?"

"Nearly two hours."

"Damn. I was supposed to be meeting a friend. She's going to kill me for missing dinner."

"I am sure that your pretty blond girlfriend will forgive you."

"She's not my girlfriend." And is that jealousy that I detect? No. Definitely not. That's just the headache making me see things that aren't there. After all, I'm pretty sure that the room we’re in isn't actually spinning. "But she will be worried about me. I have to go."

I try to sit up, but Baz presses me back down with a firm hand on my chest.

"You are not going anywhere in this state. You need to rest and let me take care of some of these wounds. I cannot have you bleed out in a motel room. Your father would kill me."

I growl but lie back down against the pillows. I'm too weak to fight him right now anyway. But I'll be damned if I let him tend to my wounds like I'm some injured animal that he rescued. I don't need his help. I don't need anyone's help. I can take care of myself just fine.

 Baz

Simon is not going to make taking care of him easy. I reach for him again, attempting to wipe away some of the blood on his face, but he shoves me off of him.

"You don't have to keep fussing over me like this. I'm fine."

"Actually, I do. It's my job. And having a concussion does not equate to being fine."

"I'm just tired. All I need is a warm shower and some rest, then I'll be fine."

"Your fatigue is what concerns me. I need to keep an eye on you to make sure that you are truly alright. It is my job to keep you safe."

"Exactly. It was your job to keep me safe, which you failed to do. It is not your job, however, to care for me after I've been injured and nurse me back to health."

I would feel hurt by the obvious jab except that it is Simon's fault that I was not there to protect him tonight. Well, mostly.

"Look, I am not going to have you die on my watch. So either you let me take care of some of your wounds and keep an eye on you, or I am going to take you to a hospital and let someone else take care of you. It is your choice."

Simon goes very still, and his eyes widen at the mention of the hospital. He doesn't like to talk about the details of why he refuses to go to the hospital, but over the past few months, I have managed to gather that it has something to do with the death of his mother when he was younger.

He sighs in resignation. "Okay. You can stay, but I am perfectly capable of taking a shower all on my own.

We will see about that, I think to myself.

Simon winces in obvious pain as he forces himself to sit up on the bed. I consider reaching out to help him, but I know he won't let me, so I stand back as he turns to slide off the bed. I am a little surprised when he actually manages to stand up, but I am less surprised when he stumbles with the first step that he takes, falling directly into my arms.

Holding him up, I say, "I don't think that you can manage to take a shower on your own."

"Are you offering to take a shower with me?"

"No," I say, ignoring the way that my cheeks start to burn. "But if you can't even manage to walk, there is no way that you will be able to stand long enough to shower."

"What are you going to do then? Give me a sponge bath?"

"If I have to." I pause, thinking about it for a moment. It would be highly inappropriate for me to bathe him. There has to be a better solution. "But I could also just run you a bath. No standing required, and you can bathe yourself.”

Simon considers it for a moment with a frown, then sighs. "Fine."

 Simon

"Are you seriously going to stand here and watch me bathe?" I ask when Baz follows me into the bathroom.

"I am only here to make sure that you don't pass out and drown," he says, like that makes perfect sense and like it is a completely normal thing for him to offer to watch me take a bath. 

I want to try to argue it some more, but I just don't have the energy.

"Are you also going to watch me take my clothes off?" I ask, just to see if he'll react.

It used to be so easy to get a reaction out of him, when we were in school together, but now that he works for my father as my personal bodyguard, he seems stoic and calm, like nothing could ever get to him. It is very annoying.

“No,” he says in an irritatingly calm manner. He doesn’t even sneer at me, but I can see the tips of his ears turning pink. “I will stand watch at the bathroom door so that I am nearby if something happens.” He turns away from me and does as he said, moving to stand in the doorway and facing away from me, giving me some semblance of privacy.

Slowly and very painfully, I remove my clothes. The pain in my shoulder is searing when I go to remove my shirt, and I am loath to admit that it would have been easier to undress with help. I stubbornly push through the pain before slipping into the bath, covered in soothing bubbles up to my neck.

It feels weird to have someone standing in the same room as me while I’m in the bath, but he is very professional about the way that he doesn’t turn to look at me. It’s irritating but reassuring in a way. If I were to get attacked again, I wouldn’t last long on my own. In a way, I am glad to have Baz here. I just wish I didn’t feel so defenseless right now.

 Baz

I am a complete and utter fool. I should have known better than to take a job protecting the guy that I was rivals with back in school, but I had no idea that the job would entail this, watching Simon Snow take a bath. Not that I’m actually watching him. (Or that we were actually rivals.)

I am trying not to be creepy while also being genuinely concerned that he might pass out at any moment and slip under the water. I listen to his every movement, the way that his hand dips in and out of the water with the movement of washing his body.

I have always had exceptional hearing, and in this moment, I wish I didn’t because my brain has decided to create images to go along with the sounds I am hearing. This is highly inappropriate. I shouldn’t be thinking about the guy I am in charge of caring for taking a bath. I have to push those thoughts from my mind.

This is far too intimate and like Simon said, it is not in my job description. None of this is. I was hired by his father to keep an eye on him and keep him out of trouble. I knew that there was probably more to it than I was being told, but it seemed simple enough. I could ignore those old, dormant feelings that I had for him when we were in school; that was easy.

What wasn't easy - and what I had not expected - was Simon trying to lose me every time that he went out. He is really good at getting lost in a crowd and slipping out of vehicles. I have considered quitting on more than one occasion because this does not feel worth all the trouble, but I am not one to give up.

I have gotten better about keeping my eye on him, but somehow, tonight, he got away from me. I was frustrated and annoyed? Which is why I didn't think it was worth my time looking for him. I did it anyway, but perhaps not as quickly and efficiently as I should have, which is how he got to be in this state. I should have done a better job and been there for him tonight.

I manage to keep myself focused on the task at hand and not think too much about Simon other than his safety until he says my name in a strange tone, causing me to spin around to see if he is in danger.

He is stretched up out of the bath, reaching for something on the shelf above his head. The water only reaches to just below his belly button now, and I swallow hard, forcing my eyes up to his face. He’s wincing in pain, and finally, he slips back down into the tub.

“I need your help,” he says meekly, embarrassed.

“Of course.” I nod. “Anything.”

“Could you hand me the shampoo?” He asks, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink. “I can’t reach it, and my back and shoulder hurt too much to stand right now.”

I nod and cross the bathroom in a few steps. I grab the shampoo from where it sits, but I don’t hand it to him yet. I know that I am going to regret what I say next, but I can’t seem to stop myself.

“Do you need more help than that? I mean, since your shoulders hurt, it might be difficult to reach up and wash your hair.”

He raises his eyebrows at me, and I can feel my own cheeks warming. I should just hand him the shampoo and walk away. But I can’t, not with him staring at me like that.

Neither of us says a word for a long moment, not until he nods.

"Okay."

"Okay?"

He shrugs, and it looks like it pains him to do so. "You're right. I hurt too much to wash my own hair."

"Okay," I say again. I move slowly over to the bathtub and kneel beside it. I roll up my sleeves and focus on my breathing. This doesn't have to be weird. I am simply helping him. It is my job, after all.

I squeeze out some shampoo into the palm of my hand and take another deep breath before I slowly begin working the soap into his hair. I've always wondered what it would feel like to run my fingers through his hair, but I never thought I would get to experience it quite like this.

 I never want this moment to end. 

 Simon 

It comes to an end far too soon. 

Baz is using a cloth to rinse out my hair, but I can still feel the ghost of his fingers in my hair, moving rhythmically through it as he cleaned it more carefully than I would have expected him to.

I find myself feeling breathless when he moves away from me and returns to his post at the door. I almost wish I had a reason to call him back over.

I don't. Instead, I finish rinsing off and get out of the tub, shivering as I dress in the clothes that Baz brought for me. When I'm finished, I quietly tell him that we can return to the room.

He immediately heads over to the windows, once again taking watch as I crawl under the covers, searching for a warmth that I'm not sure I'll be able to find 

“You’re exhausted," I tell Baz. "You need sleep if you are going to be able to properly take care of me tomorrow.”

“There is only one bed.”

I roll my eyes. “Just shut up and get over here. There is plenty of room for the both of us.”

He hesitates before reluctantly followingly my command, stiffly lying down as close to the opposite edge of the bed as he can get without falling off. I let the silence stretch out between us before I finally ask the one question that I’ve been dying to know the answer to ever since he showed up at my door, newly hired by my father.

“What happened to you?”

“How do you mean?”

“After we left school. You’ve changed a lot. You’re more closed off and guarded.”

“So are you,” he points out. “I suppose without me there to watch over you anymore, you found yourself in more trouble than even I thought possible.”

“Is that why you took the job? So that you could watch over me again?”

“This never should have happened; I should have been there for you. Not just tonight, but ever since we graduated. You always were drawn to trouble, but I thought I was trouble for you. I thought you would be better off without me in your life, but it turns out that I was wrong.”

“Why would I have been better off without you? What are you talking about? My head still hurts, and I’m having trouble following what it is that Baz is insinuating.

“Snow, there are things that you will never understand, things about me and my family. Trouble follows me everywhere, and you would always go looking for trouble. I thought that if I could keep you away from me, you might find less trouble.”

“I don’t understand. What kind of trouble are you in? “

He shakes his head. “If I tell you, it will put you in even more danger.”

“I’m already in danger!” I half-shout, and my head feels like it’s going to split in half.

Baz seems to notice the pain I’m in, and says, “You need to rest. We can talk more about this later.”

I reluctantly agree, promising to hold Baz to that. I am determined to learn more about Baz and his mysterious life. We may not have been friends exactly when we were younger, but we were constantly being drawn together. We are connected in some way, and I will not let him go again. I made that mistake once, but I won’t make it again.

 Baz

The thing is, Simon is right. I have changed a lot since we were in school. I saw the true darkness that lies hidden in the shadows, even those amongst my family, and I haven't been the same since.

I could never tell him the truth about the things that I have seen; although, I get the feeling he's seen some of it, too. I can see it in his face and the way he runs off, towards danger instead of away from it. I had hoped that I could be here to help protect him, but tonight's events has me rethinking that. Maybe I only brought him more trouble.

 Simon 

In the morning, when I wake, my head still throbs, but I feel warm and relaxed in a way that I haven't felt in years. Actually, I'm not certain that I have ever felt this way.

I yawn and stretch and suddenly realize why I feel so warm. Baz is wrapped around me, lightly snoring. Or rather, we're wrapped around each other, our limbs tangled together.

His head is resting on my chest, and his legs are tangled with mine. Somehow, we moved towards each other in the middle of the night, like we were seeking comfort. I try to imagine what Baz’s reaction would be if he woke up and found himself in my arms, and I find myself stifling laughter. I’m sure it would be an amusing show of anger where he tried to pin the blame on me.

I don’t want to see his reaction, though. It would hurt to have someone react in anger to waking up in your arms, and I’m not sure that I could take that from Baz when it feels so right like this, so I pull myself away from him and scoot back over to the edge of the bed.

I’ve never told anyone about how I really felt about Baz back in school. I’m sure Penny guessed it, but she never said anything. I suppose she thought that I would say something when I was ready.

I almost did once. It was the day before graduation, and I had gone to tell Baz that even though my future was uncertain, I was certain about one thing: him. But that was when he told me that he was going off on his own, to take part in the family business or whatever, and that we likely would never see each other again.

It hurt to know that he planned on leaving, but I was glad that I hadn’t told him how I felt before he did because that would have hurt more. So, I buried my feelings and forgot about them until that day Baz showed up at my door.

I made several attempts to get my father to fire him, but he wouldn’t hear of it. He said that I had scared off enough bodyguards and that he wouldn’t see me do that to another one. I tried to convince him that I wouldn’t scare off the next one, if only he would get rid of Baz, but he wouldn’t listen to me. He never does. I’m nothing more than another one of his assets that he has to protect. His desire to keep me safe has nothing to do with keeping his son safe and everything to do with keeping his greatest weapon safe, the warrior he trained from such a young age that I know nothing more than how to fight.

Sometimes I wonder whether Baz knows why I need a bodyguard if he just thinks that my father is overprotective. I guess it doesn’t matter what he thinks, but I would rather he didn’t know the truth. I don’t want him to see the dark parts of my life.

I try to sleep some more, but I’m too awake now, so I lie there and try not to think until I hear Baz stirring beside me.

“Morning, darling,” I say just to irritate him, and because he’s only just woken up, he actually sneers, giving me a glimpse of the person that I used to know, the person I fell for.

“Good morning,” he says politely, sitting up and stretching. I don’t even pretend not to be watching him or the way that his shirt lifts to reveal a sliver of dark skin.

He catches me staring but doesn’t say anything. It’s almost like he doesn’t really mind, and when I sit up and start to lean towards him, I don’t think he minds that either. He doesn’t move to meet me, but he doesn’t move away either.

I don’t know why I have suddenly decided to do this, but I don’t want to stop either. I have to know if I was right back then. I have to know if Baz feels the same.

“Can I kiss you?” I whisper when our faces are only inches apart.

“You shouldn’t.”

“I won’t if you don’t want me to.”

“That’s not what I said.”

I smile ever so slightly. “You have to say it then.”

“Kiss me.”

He has barely finished talking when I lean forward and capture his lips with mine. His lips are cool to the touch, and I warm them with mine. He kisses me back, and our lips slot together as if they were made for each other.

The kiss doesn’t last nearly as long as I want it to before Baz is unexpectedly pushing me away, and it looks like it hurts him even more than it hurts me.

"We can't do this. I can't be your bodyguard and be with you. It's unprofessional."

"No,” I argue, “it would be unprofessional of you to quit this job without giving my father a proper explanation, which I know you won't. And why can't you do both? I'm sure that if we were together, I wouldn't run away from you as much." The last bit is partially a joke, but if he really doesn’t want this, I’ll have to find a way to laugh it off, to pretend like it doesn’t hurt me nearly as much as it does.

 Baz

Simon’s smile is full of promises and a chance at a future that I have dreamed of since I was fifteen. I want to give in and say yes, but it is not that simple. Neither of us are the person we were when I first fell for him. It’s not that I love him any less, but our lives are complicated now.

I don’t want to stop being here to protect him, but I am worried about how my feelings would affect my ability to do so.

As if he can read my mind, Simon says, “I know that it would be complicated, but maybe our feelings for each other would allow us both to take care of each other. I’m not as useless in a fight as you might think I am. I know how to protect myself, but I would like you to be there with me, in both a professional and personal manner.” He pauses and takes my hand, twining our fingers together. “I understand if it’s too much for you. I just want you to know that I’m willing to try if you are.”

His smile softens, and his hope is infectious. It’s too hard to say no, so I don’t.

“Okay,” I tell him. “Let’s try this.”

His smile turns to a grin, then he leans forward and kisses me. He knocks me off balance, and we fall back onto the bed together. We’re laughing as we kiss, and this feels so right.

The future is uncertain and will certainly be complicated, but I am willing to put in the effort for him. Whatever happens, I want to be with him.

[sturdustdreamer]

Beautiful art ❤️

Commissions for worldofmages! Characters from Simon Snow © Rainbow Rowell

[bookish-bogwitch]

Good morning, good people. Here are ten sentences from my magical mishap WIP.

Thank you to those who tagged me on Wednesday. It’s been a crazy week and I am looking forward to catching up with your work soon.

Tagging @captain-aralias, @moodandmist, @johnwgrey, @mostlymaudlin, @facewithoutheart, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe, @sillyunicorn, @ileadacharmedlife, @stillmadaboutpetra, @palimpsessed, @martsonmars, @forabeatofadrum, @theotherhufflepuff​, @tea-brigade​, and anyone else who wants to share.

[snowbaz-sweethearts-exchange]

Sign ups for the 2022 Snowbaz Sweethearts Exchange open TOMORROW!

What is the Sweethearts Exchange? 

Sweethearts is a Valentine's gift exchange for folx who adore Simon and Baz, and want to share their love with others! Participants will be asked to provide some prompts and preferences so that their gifter has some inspiration. All gifts will be exchanged on Valentine’s Day, and we will reblog all submissions here!

How will we be matched for this exchange? 

Last year, we paired people off and each 'couple’ exchanged gifts with each other, meaning that the exchange was not anonymous. After reviewing feedback from participants, we have decided to switch to using the traditional A-B-C-A format for this year’s exchange (kind of like having a secret admirer). 

You'll be able to indicate what sort of gift you'd like to give and receive on the sign-up form! Let us know what tropes you love, tropes you hate, and any other special requests/squicks. This year, we will also allow NSFW (*Spicy*) submissions. You will be able to indicate on the sign-up form whether or not you are comfortable giving/receiving *Spicy* content.

When and where can I sign up? 

Sign-ups open December 11th and close December 25th. Check back soon for a link to the Google form!

What exactly does a ‘gift’ entail?

This year, we are excited to feature both fic and art as options for giving/receiving. Your gift must include one complete, original fic (no WIPs, prequels, or sequels), minimum 1000 words; OR one completed art piece. If you are gifting someone fic a fic, you are welcome to include art as well, but it isn’t required or expected. 

More questions? Send us an ask or a DM and we’ll get back to you ASAP!

[prettylightsbigcity]

Homecoming

Happy (late) Valentine’s Day, @makedonsgriva! Here is my @snowbaz-sweethearts-exchange fic for you. ♡

This is an AU where the Mage pulled Simon out of Watford in the middle of his third year to continue his education in the real world, fighting for survival. After the Mage’s death in a power struggle gone wrong and the demise of the Humdrum, Simon is ready to finally settle into a quieter life working for a Magickal non-profit. Unfortunately for him, one of his new coworkers turns out to be a familiar face from Simon’s past.

Check out the preview below or click here to read it on ao3!

***

Simon

It’s my first day at my new, grown up job, and I’m running late. I stopped in the cute little cafe on the corner for a coffee and a scone on my way in, but the long line took longer than I anticipated, and now I have five minutes to walk the three blocks to work. I considered just leaving without my breakfast, but there was only one person left in front of me… how was I to know that she’d order six complicated espresso drinks and a pile of pastries? By the time I made it to the front of the line, I was nearly vibrating. I ordered my drip coffee and scone, and the barista behind the counter was mercifully quick. I turned on my heel and nearly ran for the door, clutching my coffee in one hand and my food in the other. Just as I make it to the door, it sweeps open, and I run smack into a tall, handsome man trying to enter the shop. I bounce off of his chest, spilling coffee all over myself as he jumps back, no doubt trying to protect his ridiculously fancy shoes. I drag my eyes up to his face, and I’m startled by the cold gray staring back at me.

Is that–

Before I have time to fully formulate a thought, the man pivots and turns on his heel, leaving the way he came with a huff. His long black hair swishes behind him as he turns the corner and disappears. I’m left standing in a puddle of coffee, soaked to the skin and clutching what’s left of my breakfast in a soggy paper bag.

***

Read the rest HERE!

[banjjakbanjjak]

For @redalader​ as part of the @snowbaz-sweethearts-exchange​! 

My Personal Snow Days

Living with Salisbury is like being snowed in.

In the short amount of time that he has been here, he’s somehow seeped into every recess and corner of my personal space.

In a literal sense—he brought his fucking stand mixer, which took up more counter space than I actually had—and in a metaphorical sense—my (our) bathroom now smells like a blend of cedar, bergamot and Lynx Africa.

Read now on AO3 (1/3)

It’s been really fun getting to know you and writing this little ficlet and tapping into a sweeter, more domestic side of my writing! I hope you enjoy this little story about flatsharing, mild fluff and a lot of Baz overthinking everything!

[annabellelux]

Happy Valentines Day to the lovely & incomparable @amywaterwings ❤️ I love you dearly. 

Title: Charm Offensive

Summary: Simon Snow’s finally figured out why he’s so preoccupied with Baz: why he’s following him around to his football practices, why he’s watching him while he sleeps, why he can’t stop thinking about him…

There’s no other explanation: Baz has thralled him!

Rating: Teens and Up 

Word Count: 9164

Preview: 

Simon

Baz darts across the football pitch like a lightning bolt, like a natural phenomenon, just barely within the realm of possibility. He's ruthless out there, outpacing and outmanoeuvring everyone else on the field, an absolute champion player.  

You'd think he'd be too busy playing to spare me a cocky smirk. But you'd be wrong.

READ MORE ON AO3 HERE

[fight-surrender]

Happy VD @im-gettingby ! You asked for a funny AU, hopefully this makes you laugh. Here’s your @snowbaz-sweethearts-exchange fic! 

And omg addendum bc Covid really did eat my brain: a massive THANK YOU to @amywaterwings , @giishu & @carryonsimoncarryonbaz for the beta reading & cheerleading. This fic probably wouldn’t have happened without you 💜💜💜💜

Winner Takes All

Rating: Mature (Just for bad words and implied sexy stuff. Playing it safe)

Summary: Simon Snow is a lowly intern at a prestigious veterinary teaching hospital with lowly intern problems: abysmal pay, deplorable hours, mental fatigue, and the fact that Dr. T. Basilton Pitch is an insufferable prick. 

When Simon and Dr. Pitch make a friendly wager over the outcome of one of his patients, it throws him for a loop that may or may not make him rethink his opinions about the dark and ridiculously handsome surgeon.

Read on AO3