#todcl

[middlingmay]

“What kind of date would I be if I left you all alone, huh?” John hailed the bartender for their drinks and patted the stool next to him for Gale to perch on. “All unprotected against the wolves waiting in the wings?” Gale snorted, showing gum and teeth in the snigger John loved so much. “The kind that knows I’m not going nowhere. And doesn’t feel the need to keep an eye on me.” Freedom and liberation. Independence. Those were the dreams Gale was chasing. “That’s not what I meant,” John tugged Gale closer by his belt loops, pulled him to the edge of his stool. “I know.” Gale’s soothing hands ran up the warm heft of John’s arms. “But you like dancing. And I like watching you have a good time.” His hands slipped down John’s chest fingertips trailing over his thick belly and running along the line where his shirt met his pants. “Just…nothing below the belt.” He looked up at John through soft, golden lashes that did nothing to soften the sharpness in his eyes. “That’s for me.” John licked his lips. “Maybe…maybe just a dance or two.” Gale grinned, dipped forward and gently nipped John’s bottom lip. “Get.”

[wwasted]

being sentimental over that fact that this fandom has such amazing writers and creators despite the fact that it’s so small! so i figured I’d tag some of my favs and give them a nice compliment bc they truly deserve it and we should all show our appreciation for allowing us along on the journey!!! ok now on to me fangirling under the cut.

@blixabargelds frankie… the way your brain works is mind blowing. Like you are so amazing??? I regularly reread fics by you and am constantly pouring over the superstar tag to the point where I feel I could recite asks you’ve gotten months ago lmao. I know you’ve been struggling with writing through these last few months but your work is so truly special!!! Thank you for sharing it with us!

@swifty-fox i know your thoughts on being a writer, but you are truly so brilliant and kind and amazing. Every au or canon fic you come up with is so captivating. The mota fandom is truly lucky to have you writing for it! I’m so excited for everything you have coming up! (Also ps I’ll make as many edits as you desire for snippets 🥰) also not to mention, the art?????? Actually lost for words. You have my endless love and appreciation.

@feyd-meowtha i will 100% read anything you ever write regardless of fandom forever (as proven by the gladiator II fic, still have absolutely no idea but I love it bc you wrote it) thank you for allowing me to scream into discord chat every single time you post a new chapter of 3 am. The handholding thru it does not go unnoticed lmao. (And also allowing me to whine about my own writing ur the best) I truly don’t know how you do it but I am so thankful you do!

@wayrad I know we’ve joked about your age in the wota discord, but omg. If I had even a sliver of your talent at 18, I would’ve been insufferable and yet you’re the sweetest and constantly gracing us with amazing fics. My obsession with the truck stop series haunts me in the best way and I can’t wait to see where you take us next!!

@middlingmay the amount of times I’ve reread TODCL is probably frightening. It is such an amazing story and I’m always blown away by how each character feels so alive. Sometimes I get so immersed in reading that these feel like real people I know and not just characters. Mindblowing how you do that. I’m also so obsessed with all the other AUs you create because how??? Genius

@donotnomi stripper bucky my beloved ❤️ your fic has completely taken over my mind. There is something so ethereal about it. It reminds me of doing LSD in a good way lmao the slow burn is amazing and I always get so excited when I get an email that a new chapter has been posted.

@constanthaunt born right in the doorway will live rent free in my head for eternity!!! I’ve already reread it twice since you finished it and I actually have no words??? The way you weave thoughts and sentences together is so criminal. Like straight to jail for being so amazing at words. I’d love to study your mind so I could have some of that talent!! Can’t wait to see what else you write.

@joeyalohadream the fluff is so good it almost makes me cry. I normally love overdosing on angst and pain but when you post something I immediately drop everything to devour it bc I know it will make me feel all warm inside. I can’t wait for more tree farmer Gale fic regardless of what season it is!!!

@irregularcollapse the incredible mind that came up with the DIY punk au??? The tennis fic??? The actors fic??? THE CANNIBALISM?! Everything you write is so amazing, I always find myself coming back to reread. I could actually live in your fic tumblr tags. The online dating??? It’s actually the fic of my dreams. The genius really knows no bounds. Thank you for sharing with us!

[middlingmay]

That Ol' Devil Called Love: Chapter 9

Hambone makes a choice and has to find a way to tell Crank. Gale meets a final member of the Egan clan and comes face to face with the real consequences his relationship with John could have. John has some truths for his mother, and Gloria Cleven has some for Gale, too. And John Egan and Pastor Cleven finally come face to face.

[middlingmay]

There, half covered in shadow and the rest blessed in the muted glow of street lights stretching to their furthest reaches, Gale Cleven was half collapsed against the brick wall, with Bucky Egan pinned between the long sprawl of his legs, his back held to Gale's chest by hands pressed flat against his heart.

But it was Gale's face that stuck Alex where he stood. It wasn't a fight; that much was clear. Egan pushed back just as much as Gale pulled him in. And Gale looked...exquisite. Pained. Furrowed and harsh. Rapturous. Like the fury of Heaven hooking its chin over Bucky Egan's shoulder.

It spellbound Alex. Spellbound him so much, it took him a minute to realise what had carved that look onto Gale Cleven’s marble face in the first place.

Like they gave him orders, Alex followed Gale's eyes down. Down past Bucky's jacket fallen over his elbows. Down past the shirt rucked up at the thick of his middle. Down the open belt and popped buttons, to Egan’s hand in his own jeans, fumbling and touching.

"Slow down." Alex pressed down on his lips at the rough sound of Gale's voice. "Slow down, darlin'. I wanna see."

Yeah...I think you'll like the next chapter? 🤞

[middlingmay]

There are three events in the next chapter of That Ol' Devil Called Love that I'm very excited about. Here, have a snippet from one of them, in a phonecall between Gale and John:

“Are you free Friday?” Gale always asked him things like this like they had been rent from his body; loathe to ask and afraid of the answer. Yes was on the tip of John’s tongue to leap forth. He even got the ‘y’ out, but then he remembered. Jeannie. He sighed down the phone. “I’m sorry, Buck. I can’t. I’m visiting Jeannie on Friday.” Gale sounded cautious. “Who’s Jeannie?” John never could resist a call to mischief. “Only the prettiest girl around. Curly brown hair. Cheeky smile. Attitude for days.” “John I swear to God if you’re talking about that stray you've been feeding—" John heard his own grin. “Hell of a way to refer to a guy’s aunty, Buck.” Gale choked on something down the line and John giggled at the sounds of him hastily trying to eat his own words. “Your aunt?” “Mhm.” “I—I’m sorry, I didn’t mean! Aw, Jesus.”

[middlingmay]

Last Line Tag

Thanks @swifty-fox for the tag :) It's been a wee while since I've seen this game do the rounds and have been loving everyone's snippets.

Gale was glad when Marge turned down his offer to walk her home. How would he ever explain it to her father if anything happened? Sorry Mr Spencer, I didn’t see the bus coming. I was too busy daydreaming about everything your daughter told me about fucking her boyfriend, so I can work up the nerve to fuck mine!

NP tagging @caustinen @donotnomi @rambleonwaywardson and @rangerelizabeth

[middlingmay]

That Ol' Devil Called Love: Chapter 10

BB gets out of County Jail quicker than he thought and on the hunt for Hambone, gets an offer. Gale faces Dottie Egan again and goes to his first queer nightclub, where Alex gets more than he bargained for on a night out. Marge and Curt reach new heights in their relationship and Gale worries at being left behind and not being good enough. Judy and Joey go dress shopping for the school dance, and Gale offers an invite to John.

Read on AO3

Art by @swifty-fox <3

[middlingmay]

Next chapter of TODCL is finished! Final tally before editing: 18K

Might be my fave chapter yet. And a good dose of light hearted fun before we get down to business in the last three chapters.

Up tomorrow!

[middlingmay]

I have been writing for four hours and will not go to bed until I've finished the next chapter of TODCL.

It will be up before the end of the weekend, or I am not allowed my Chinese takeaway tomorrow.

[middlingmay]

Last Line Tag

Thanks @thegrandpineapple @stars-remain2 and @swifty-fox (ask and ye shall receive!!) for the tag.

From a new chapter of That Ol' Devil Called Love Side Stories dropping today at some point. Brady helps Benny get ready for a dance, and we get a little more of their back story:

The clack of his buckle being undone had Brady turning his back. Benny snorted, and Brady felt a humiliating flush heat under his skin. “I don’t know if you think you’re protecting your innocence or mine, but I don't think either of us has a single scrap left to worry about.” Brady was well aware. Just like he knew how critical Benny was with some of his choices in that regard. A little while ago, when Brady had finally snapped and let some of his frustration at his friend spill over and snarled that Benny didn’t have a single right to worry about what he did or with who, Benny had barked right back. “So I'm not still your friend?! Am I not allowed to call you out on bullshit that’ll get you hurt?! Or are you really so fuckin’ set on following in Bucky’s shadow? You wanna be like him when we were kids, huh?!” Brady had punched him. But it was also what finally reminded him that Benny loved him. He really did.

No pressure tagging: @avonne-writes @vveissesfleisch and @amiserableseriesofevents (I know this game has been doing the rounds and you may have been tagged already!)

[middlingmay]

Last Line Tag

Thanks @joeyalohadream @wwasted @amiserableseriesofevents and @soliloquy-dawn for the tags. Your snippets!

I was trying so hard to resist posting another TODCL snippet before the chapter goes up, but I have been nose deep in patient letters today and need a palate cleanser.

Brady looked Ken up and down. “Look at that. You really are a mauve.” “Kenny, are you fucking kidding me right now? Judy? You’ve been seeing Judy?” John’s voice rang from the next room, getting closer. “Is that Judy’s date?” Curt stared at Ken with mischief in his eyes and his chin in his hand. “It sure is.” Benny jerked, moved, like he wanted to step out in front of Kenny, maybe hide him from view for a few seconds longer and delay the inevitable. But Brady stopped him with two fingers against his chest and a shake of his head. “Are you dumb?” John had taken off his leather at some point. He was wearing short sleeves tonight, one of his smaller shirts that showed off the breadth of him. And whilst the curling heat in Gale’s belly knew it was for him, he didn't doubt that John enjoyed its added benefit of aiding any little ploy of intimidation he’d hoped to aim at Judy’s date. “Kenny?” John’s brow furrowed and he tilted his head on the question. “What are you doing here? You need a ride or something?” Bucky, Gale knew, had a talent for being obtuse on purpose when he wanted to be; a way of wriggling out of dealing with something he didn’t want to. And he was tapping the wells of that talent now. They all knew damn well why Kenny was here. But to his credit, Kenny didn’t balk. “I’m here to pick up Judy.” He waved the clear box containing the corsage around. “For the dance.”

No pressure tagging @rambleonwaywardson @faegoddessog and @heretoobsessstuff :)

[middlingmay]

The Curt/Marge scene in this chapter has run away from me and erm...how do we feel about an on-screen sex scene between the two of them? Because you're getting it.

[middlingmay]

I am building by Bucky and Gale finally fuck playlist. I am accepting recommendations.

[middlingmay]

So next up on That Ol' Devil Called Love (below the cut for anyone who wants to avoid a teeny spoiler)...

They be fucking!

I have never dreaded/looked forward to writing a sex scene in a fic so much before 😅 The pressure is on. There has literally been ten chapters of build up towards this.

Wish me good luck and god speed.

[middlingmay]

Last Line Tag

Thanks @swifty-fox and @onyxsboxes for the tag. Have some more of TODCL Buckies being unbearable:

“She knows, Buck,” John huffed gently down the phone. “She’s um, like us. Yeah?” “Oh.” Gale sounded almost shy and John bit his lip on a smile. “Okay. Yeah. Yeah, let’s…do that.” “Careful, Buck. Bowl a guy over with enthusiasm like that.” “Shuttup,” Gale chuckled over the phone. “Don't you got a car to fix.” John groaned down the phone and Gale tutted. “Poor darlin’.” “I know. Being a successful business man is really eating into my flirting time.” Gale rolled his eyes, John just knew it. “Get off the phone, John.” “You first.” He grinned into the dial tone.

NP tagging @drylite @anachilles and @soliloquy-dawn

[middlingmay]

First off my 2025 fanfic bingo card?

Writing an accidental voyeurism scene and ruining poor Alex Jefferson's whole evening. Starting off strong.