yearoftheotpevent
Year of the OTP Event
an event designed to encourage participants to make more content for a particular ship they love and end 2023 with 12 new fics for an OTP run through the birdwatchers discord server
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hi everyone! just a reminder that, while we're not running new prompts last year, the collection will remain open for anyone that's catching up or coming to the challenge late. we still want to see what you create!
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This was written for the @yearoftheotpevent and @tonystarkbingo
Chapters: 5/?
Fandom: Iron Man (Movies), Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America (Movies), The Avengers (Marvel Movies), Loki (TV 2021)
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: James “Bucky” Barnes/Tony Stark, Loki/James “Rhodey” Rhodes, Howard Stark/Maria Stark
Characters: Tony Stark, James “Bucky” Barnes, Loki (Marvel), Kang the Conqueror | Nathaniel Richards, Howard Stark, James “Rhodey” Rhodes, Maria Stark, Obadiah Stane, Logan (X-Men), Peggy Carter, Thor (Marvel), Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Clint Barton, Emma Frost, Happy Hogan, Bruce Banner, Sam Wilson, Michelle Jones (Marvel), Peter Parker
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Alternate Universe - Time Travel, Time Travel Fix-It, Sexual Content, Sexual Tension, Swearing, Idiots in Love, Past Abuse, Two timelines, Age Difference, Beginnings, Angst with a Happy Ending, Adult Content, First Time, Holidays, Falling In Love, Holiday Decorations, Dessert, Not Peggy Carter Friendly, Period-Typical Homophobia, Group Kissing, Dirty Dancing, flirtations, past Obadiah Stane/Maria Stark, Menacing Behavior, Flirting, Canon-Typical Violence, References to Depression, Suicidal Thoughts, Past Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Kidnapping, Angst, Genderfluid Loki (Marvel), Minor Michelle Jones/Peter Parker
Series: Part 12 of The First Time: WinterIron Year of the OTP 2023 Series
Chapter Summary: Through the years the team has faced great joys and sorrows, but on the day of Loki and Rhodey’s daughter’s birth a dark plan is set in motion leading the team down a tragic path, forced to face misery in ways that He Who Remains set into motion. Will it prove to be the end of the dream or a new beginning as Bucky, Tony and the others fight to save their friend from a terrible fate.
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This is my December entry for the "Year of the OTP event" @yearoftheotpevent
I chose the prompt "That's my favourite thing about you." This is a little post-canon piece because we simply deserve more post-canon Cobert content.
Being back from London, where Cora began receiving her treatment for pernicious anaemia, Cora and Robert get through a harsh December day.
This was such a nice project! I enjoyed it sooo much and I'm glad I could share that with you! Thank you to everyone who accompanied me on that journey! It was a nice year and I'm looking forward to 2024.
If you want to read it on AO3, the link is here.
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Thank you so much to the @yearoftheotpevent for giving me the chance to flesh out these two and all the forms their relationship can take. I had a lot of fun doing it. I know you mentioned you weren't doing it in 2024, but I hope you return in 2025!
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My friend has also finished her @yearoftheotpevent story, William and Fire have concluded their 12 months of love and development. Please go give my friend love. Thank you.
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Fandom: The Avengers (Marvel Movies), Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hawkeye (TV 2021), Black Widow (Movie 2021)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Clint Barton, Laura Barton, Kate Bishop, Yelena Belova, Melina Vostokoff, Alexei Shostakov | Alexi Shostakov, Nathaniel Pietro Barton, Lila Barton, Cooper Barton, Grills (Hawkeye), Missy (Hawkeye TV), Jacques Duquesne
Additional Tags: New Years, Holidays, Canonical Character Death, Family, Found Family, Extended Families
Series: Part 3 of Hawkeye Holidays, Part 12 of 2023 Year of the OTP
The Barton household gets a few more unexpected visitors for the New Year.
YES! I am squeezing this in right before the dealine! WHOOO! A full year of @yearoftheotpevent!
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Year of the OTP Masterpost
Shout out to @yearoftheotpevent for making the prompt list for the year and also being a good sport about the fact that it seems their event wildly escaped containment. I believe it started life as a DC fandom event, and I wonder if they ever expected it to reach as wide as it did.
I used the prompts to write for my Final Fantasy XIV ship featuring Y'shtola Rhul and my OC, Zoissette Vauban, and even used the event to finally get them to their first kiss. Despite the month tags, a lot of these wound up in off-months because of who I am as a person (and maybe a bit of last minute crunch), but I did manage at least one work per month.
JANUARY: Two entries on this one. I wasn't sure at the time if one of them counted. I've since decided they both count, together.
Icemelt (prompt: Whenever I Look At You)
Begin Again (same prompt)
FEBRUARY: Different
(prompt: Different)
MARCH: Matched Set
(prompt: Fresh Starts/Getting Back Together/Mutual Pining)
APRIL: Theoretical Debate Night
(prompt: University AU)
MAY: Bit of a snafu on May. The original prompt list had duplicate prompts, and the event coordinator fixed that. I did not notice until late, so I have a 'false' prompt for May, and the actual May prompt. Here's both.
The Flow of Battle (pseudoprompt: Mission Fic)
Healing Touch (prompt: Sick Fic)
JUNE: Rains, Long Overdue
(prompt: Downpour)
JULY: Seventh Drip of Heaven
(prompt: Coffeshop AU)
AUGUST: Blind Date
(prompt: Blind Date)
SEPTEMBER: Hot Tub
(prompt: Hurt/Comfort)
OCTOBER: Costume Screenshots!
(prompt: Couple's Costumes/Identity Shenanigans)
NOVEMBER: Questions
(prompt: Growth)
DECEMBER: And So The Heavens Did Turn
(prompt: Holidays Together)
Here's to the next year, and exploring this particular OTP further. I am so glad for all of those who have been on this journey with me.
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This was written for the @yearoftheotpevent
Chapters: 6/?
Fandom: Iron Man (Movies), Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America (Movies), The Avengers (Marvel Movies), Loki (TV 2021)
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: James “Bucky” Barnes/Tony Stark, Loki/James “Rhodey” Rhodes, Howard Stark/Maria Stark
Characters: Tony Stark, James “Bucky” Barnes, Loki (Marvel), Kang the Conqueror | Nathaniel Richards, Howard Stark, James “Rhodey” Rhodes, Maria Stark, Obadiah Stane, Logan (X-Men), Peggy Carter, Thor (Marvel), Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Clint Barton, Emma Frost, Happy Hogan, Bruce Banner, Sam Wilson, Michelle Jones (Marvel), Peter Parker
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Alternate Universe - Time Travel, Time Travel Fix-It, Sexual Content, Sexual Tension, Swearing, Idiots in Love, Past Abuse, Two timelines, Age Difference, Beginnings, Angst with a Happy Ending, Adult Content, First Time, Holidays, Falling In Love, Holiday Decorations, Dessert, Not Peggy Carter Friendly, Period-Typical Homophobia, Group Kissing, Dirty Dancing, flirtations, past Obadiah Stane/Maria Stark, Menacing Behavior, Flirting, Canon-Typical Violence, References to Depression, Suicidal Thoughts, Past Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Kidnapping, Angst, Genderfluid Loki (Marvel), Minor Michelle Jones/Peter Parker
Series: Part 12 of The First Time: WinterIron Year of the OTP 2023 Series
Chapter Summary: Bucky and Tony’s special night together gets interrupted by a surprise guest bringing an abrupt change to their plans. Loki’s nightmares leave him unsettled and dealing with inner turmoil when Steve arrives hoping to clear the air between them.
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and a note that we won't be checking on the blog super often, but will answer questions as we see them
hi everyone! just a reminder that, while we're not running new prompts last year, the collection will remain open for anyone that's catching up or coming to the challenge late. we still want to see what you create!
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Is there going to be a similar event in 2024?
please see our post here!
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Fascinated
Year of the OTP 2023 - December
Prompts: Holidays Together | Crack Treated Seriously | Moving in Together | “That’s my favourite thing about you.” | Forgiveness | Tattoo Parlour/Flower Shop AU
Title: Fascinated
Ship: Respectfulshipping | Ryoken/Spectre
Fandom: Yu-Gi-Oh! Vrains
Rating: T
Word Count: 3,473
Tags: Alternate Universe - Florist/Tattoo Artist, Attraction at First Sight, Strangers to Friends to Lovers, Fluff, Developing Relationship
The grand opening banner was silken when the sunshine hit it, dyeing the lilac fabric of it pink in the afternoon. It was gorgeous and unmistakable from even across the road at the local tattoo parlour.
He didn’t get a lot of business. None of the good kind, anyway so mostly, Ryoken served the tourists who weren’t too drunk. Besides, attitudes towards body art were beginning to change, which made sense since Den City was at the forefront of imported individualism, electric entertainment, and plenty more modern things.
It wasn’t a steady income but it was enough to allow Ryoken to pay the rent and that was made even easier considering that he slept on the futon in his own attic. So, he had plenty of time to do nothing at all.
Like admire the newly opened florist from across the road.
The shop it was prior had closed up when the ma and pa had decided to retire and move in with their children, or so Ryoken had heard. It had actually been empty from before he had opened up shop with his benignly controversial tattoo parlour.
The glass panes in the window was slick and shiny, well polished and with colourful bushels of seasonally appropriate selections and bouquets dutifully placed in buckets outside in the morning then brought inside in the afternoon. All by a worker that Ryoken had only glimpsed: a quaff of silver hair there, the swing of the straps of a pastel green apron there.
There was some kind of grand opening sale and Mother’s Day was at the end of the week. Ryoken didn’t have a mother in his life so he didn’t really have an excuse to go and poke his nose in. He really wanted to, however. It was such a nice and cosy shop from the outside looking in, so he would like to see what it looked like from the otherside of the threshold which had a jingly bell pinned to it.
But Ryoken needed an excuse to go inside.
And he didn’t really have one.
At least not until Takeru and Yusaku gave him one.
“Dude. Are you seriously pining for that guy from across the street?” Takeru asked, unamused as he rocked to and fro on his bicycle, moving barest centimetres on the pavement whilst Yusaku fussed behind him.
Takeru’s current side hustle was Yusaku’s old one: that was food delivery. He worked at Yusaku’s previous job which was the counter of a hot dog stand. Yusaku had worked there diligently all through high school and its earnings not only put him through high school and university but helped him open up his IT department. Takeru was hoping to bottle some of that magic for his main gig which was helping out at his family’s dojo.
“You’ve never even talked to him.” Takeru pointed out, provoking.
“Yeah, well, I’ll figure it out.” Ryoken said.
He crossed his arms, flustered. He leaned against the threshold of his tattoo parlour, which was next door to Yusaku’s IT department. It also sold an eclectic and curated selection of electronics and computer accessories. Video games, too. It was kind of a nerd’s paradise. Not really Takeru’s scene, unless he was bringing Yusaku home some hot dogs as Cafe Nagi’s were still his favourite. Not just favourite hot dog but favourite anything in the domain of fast food.
Ryoken liked them too and Yusaku was typically nice enough to order extra for him. Ryoken’s Father was right. There was a lot more money to be made in STEM than in the arts, especially tattooing but oh well. Ryoken had stuck to his guns and look how far it had gotten him.
His own small business, his own flat, and his own pathetic stint as a loverboy as he crushed on the florist from across the road.
It was honestly pathetic how soppy Ryoken was for someone he had only seen a handful of times in the past week. So far it seemed, the florist was enjoying a modest business, one which would always go on as the demand for flowers was far higher than anything else. His business was not only pretty from the premise but pretty in the premises too, stainless pale blue tiles lined the outside walls and the flowers were bouncy and vivacious, too.
All whilst underneath the name of the business captured the imagination: Sunavalon. What did it mean? Ryoken wasn’t sure but it rolled off the tongue, it stood out on paper. It looked handsome in serifed writing on stilts above that grand opening banner.
“Do you even know his name?” Takeru asked.
“No…” Ryoken confessed. Alas, the name Sunavalon was all he knew of the florist. But that was more than enough to cause a crush to blossom from the other side of the asphalt.
“Argh.” Takeru complained.
“Thanks for the lunch, Takeru.” Yusaku piped up. He had finally gone through all the foiled containers and brown paper bags that Takeru was hauling around in his insulated bags.
“You're welcome.” Takeru replied.
“But you should really do something about this whole thing.” yusaku said as he turned his attention to Ryoken, handing him a styrofoam container with his hot dog in it. “Like, surely you can come up with some way to at least introduce yourself. Offer him lunch.”
“I can’t just offer him lunch.” Ryoken said.
“Yeah, we know.” Takeru snickered.
Ryoken glared at Takeru. Money was tight! And Yusaku was a good guy, which was why Ryoken was getting this free shout once a blue moon. Fun fact, blue moons were quite weekly on this little street of littler businesses in this part of Den City.
Ryoken happily accepted his hot dog. Which gave Yusaku the free hand to enjoy his own.
“Brain food. Surely you have some free option of casually introducing yourself since we’re well past the just being neighbourly phase.” Yusaku said. “Like, don’t you have a sketch pad? A camera? Something, anything? Walk in there, say you’ve got a client looking for a quote over the phone on how good you can do flowers, specifically the ones she saw over there.” Yusaku shrugged as he then opened his container and took a bite from his hot dog. “Or something. I don’t really care.”
“That was a sure lotta words for someone who doesn’t care.” Takeru rolled his eyes.
“And totally genius.” Ryoken beamed.
“I’ve been told.” Yusaku smugly replied.
“Anyways, I better get going, I still have plenty more rounds to go and beating the pavement sure beats whatever trainwreck this is.” Takeru complained.
Yusaku laughed at Takeru’s expense. He leaned in and pecked Takeru’s cheek, wishing him good luck on the rest of his rounds. His phone was already blowing up with more orders, more places to go to pick up and even more places to go drop off. Ryoken really didn’t envy him. Even if he was fuming because of him.
Still, Yusaku’s idea was great.
Ryoken scarfed down the rest of his hot dog as he went back inside and Yusaku did the same. Especially since he actually had customers: a little old lady in search of a G-rated video game for her grandson’s birthday. Ryoken, meanwhile, was embarrassingly all too free to ramsack his own business in search of a good old fashioned sketch pad.
He found a good one - with only some of his best portfolio inside, just in case he had to impress - and sharpened one of his trust 2B pencils. After that, he manned up. He was going to find out more about the Sunavalon Florist or so help him as the crush he had may just crush him from the lack of insight into just who he was.
After lunch, and at a totally casual two-thirty-four on the clock, and have careful counting of who was coming and going through the florist’s doors, Ryoken put a back in five minutes sign on his own then meandered over. He wanted to seem interested but not obsessive. Cool and calm and he had a close call just crossing the road.
The toe of his jogger stubbed on a loose piece of gravel but Ryoken hardly stumbled. He recovered just fine. He exhaled and pushed his fringe out of the way as he finally got to the door. He pushed on it and was immediately met with a breath of air conditioning which stood out to him as both freshly installed and perfectly temperate.
“Welcome to Sunavalon.” a voice chimed out out of sync with the tolling of the bells.
Ryoken felt his heart skip a beat. He glanced around the room. This place was simple. Not extravagant but not under-decorated, either. The selections of decor were subtle and straight out of a catalogue for furniture under ten thousand yen and likely the same catalogue was all so congruent with one another. A lounge to the side, a mirror above it, a framed artwork on the other side of the wall. Then all the flowers, of course.
“Hey.” Ryoken said, after he cleared his throat.
The owner of the voice made himself known and was, naturally, the owner of the store. He came from behind the computer, totally swish, likely from Yusaku’s shop, Ryoken was willing to bet, Ryoken could swear he heard a choir of cherubs as his movement was in heavenly slow-mo.
“How may I help you?” he said and he placed his hand, elegant like a pianist’s, over his heart. “I am the proprietor of this florist, my name is Kinoshita Shinbou. You may call me Shinobu.”
Ryoken hazarded a smile. What a handsome name for a handsome man, he looked even better up close and in somewhat fluorescent light than in whatever shafts of sunlight he happened in during his few outings onto the street through the day. He had clay silver hair and amazingly blue eyes, he was somewhat tall and dressed quite prim in a three-piece suit accessorised by a pastel green apron with a small tulip on the chest.
“Yeah, hi, good to meet you,” Ryoken rambled through his words, “I’m Ryoken, I work across the road at the tattoo parlour.”
He figured mentioning his job would be a good way to know off the bat if his delusions of amour would be shattered or not but surprisingly, Shinobu merely smiled politely.
“Good to meet you also,” he said, “I’ve seen you every so often… What brings you in?”
Ryoken felt his words clog up in his throat. And then his mouth. And then he had to imagine Yusaku elbowing him in the ribs just to spit it out but there was just something so splendid about the florist in front of him. As though he were a dryad, one of his flowers rather than a person. He just had that effect on Ryoken.
“I, uh, need to borrow a reference, if you don’t mind.” Ryoken said in the poorest way possible. He could tell because Shinobu quirked a brow in mild confusion. “What I mean is, I’ve got a lady who wants me to tattoo a flower on her and she only wants to follow through on my quote if I can show her some more flowers in my portfolio so if you don’t mind, I’d like to do some sketching here. I won’t take long. Promise.”
Shinobu’s eyes lit up, “I don’t mind at all. Can I see your art?” he asked.
“Yeah, sure, have a look.” Ryoken smiled.
He was really glad he had made the point of choosing his most Instagram perfect aesthetic sketchbook to bring with him. Good quality paper, a funky white, orange, green, and grey geometric pattern on the cover, and some of his best drawings on the inside, too. He smirked as he handed it over and let Shinobu flick through it.
His eyes went wider and wider and bluer and bluer with how impressed he was with Ryoken’s work. He then paused on something towards the middle end of it, before the blank pages unravelled. He looked over it extra lovingly.
“I like this one, I think it's my favourite.” Shinobu said as he handed Ryoken’s sketch book back to him so he could have a look at it and lo and behold.
Shinobu had picked out a sketch to admire and choose as a favourite that totally encapsulated the ethereal vibe he gave off. On this particular page was something which was somewhat of a departure of Ryoken’s usual artworks of edgy doom and gloom, though not entirely. It depicted a Tinkerbell-esque fairy posed upon a dragon’s skull.
“You like this one best?” Ryokan asked to confirm, putting on some faux accent of modesty.
“Yes, I do.” Shinobu said with a smile. “But I agree with your client. Your flowers could use more accuracy so please, feel free to reference to your heart’s content on my shop floor.”
Ryoken felt as though he had been shot through the heart with an arrow. Not just Cupid’s but actual modesty’s too. He more than noticed the criticism that Shinobu had slipped into the conversation.
“Thanks, I appreciate it, any pointers you can give would be great.” Ryoken said.
“Hm… You should be mindful of Fibonacci’s number then, all flowers grow according to it. Assuming they aren’t fascinated.” Shinobu replied.
“Fascinated?” Ryoken echoed, he wasn’t familiar with this term. He blinked.
“Here, let me show you.” Shinobu said, more than excited, especially now he could show off not just his showroom but his passion, too.
Ryoken was enthralled by the delight which came to life in Shinobu’s voice and so, was more than drawn in when Shinobu showed him something from his private, not for sale collection. Ryoken had no idea that there was a whole world of floral body horror he had been previously unaware of until now.
Shinobu held a little, potted plant in his hands: the pot was pretty and ceramic, the succulent that was inside was anything but. It was abnormal and over exaggerated, like one of those doodles Ryoken did where he never lifted the pencil off the paper. This succulent just went on and on and on with all the parts of its plant. It was spiky and colourful.
“Do you like it?” Shinobu asked.
“Yeah, it's really cool.” Ryoken said.
Shinobu smiled as he let Ryoken hold it, too. The ceramic pot was cool on the inside of Ryoken’s palm. Holding it, he was able to see it from different angles and admire it better.
Shinobu watched, humbled, as Ryoken was excited over his fascinated succulent, “That’s from my personal collection but if you like it so much, why don’t you keep it?”
“No way, I couldn’t take it.” Ryoken said, straightening up at the offer as it was like a jolt of electricity to his system.
“I insist.” Shinobu said.
“I have the complete opposite of a green thumb.” Ryoken said. “I can barely keep myself alive on two-minute noodles.”
“Succulents are a good starter plant and, if you like, I can drop in across the road and see how it's going.” Shinobu suggested, and with a bat of his eyelashes no less.
Ryoken felt his heart stop and then, as he processed Shinobu’s flirtation. Then, when he did, his heart restarted and bounded straight into his throat. Ryoken felt his temperature rise as a wonky smile crossed his face from left to right.
“I’d appreciate that.” he managed to utter out.
“I’ll see you when I can.” Shinobu said and as though on cue, the bell to his own store jingled.
He actually had customers. Congratulations to the newcomer to the street. So, Ryoken politely backed out so Shinobu could get back to work. The same of which couldn’t be said about Ryoken. He took down his “back in five minutes” sign and didn’t get any visitors over the course of the rest of the afternoon. Though, he did notice a couple click-ons and click-offs on his website and emptied his spam folder.
All whilst the fascinated succulent in its white-and-blue ceramic pot now sat on his counter, just above his two-monitor computer setup complete with an RGB keyboard and wireless mouse. It looked good there. Ryoken liked it there and the next day, when Shinobu visited, he liked it there, too.
He visited early. Literally one minute after Ryoken flipped his close sign to open. If it weren’t endearing, it would have been freaky. Probably. Seriously, he came in at exactly 10:01.
“Good morning.” Shinobu said.
“Good morning.” Ryoken replied.
He smiled, welcomingly, but was a little bit unsettled by Shinobu’s punctuality. It was a bit too much but worth it very quickly as Shinobu admired the decor of Ryoken’s tattoo parlour. The glowy neon tubing on the walls, the cracks in the tiles, the state of the art equipment and of course: the pot plant on the counter.
Ryoken had, of course, placed it on a throne of honour, on the high counter which protected his two computer screens and cash register. It looked good there. Even if the Greek blue and white pot clashed with his edgier aesthetic that he was trying to theme his parlour around. At least the way it dripped and drooped was vaguely intestine shaped.
“Glad to see the little one settling in.” Shinobu chuckled.
“It’s been getting plenty of compliments.” Ryoken agreed.
He lifted himself slightly out of his red and black gamer chair to peek over the counter. He kept stealing glances at Shinobu but wanted to seem fun and casual, and like he actually had work. And Ryoken did. He was just tidying up some overnight bookings on his calendar, to chase up potential clients, make sure they hadn’t been drunk or similar when booking as these scattered bookings were timestamped for around midnight the night before.
“Glad to hear it.” Shinobu said.
The light chatter went quiet after that. Ryoken wasn’t sure what to say next. They had kind of done most of the small talk available to them. Was it too late to mention the weather? It was just as temperate as normal, maybe going to rain this afternoon… Or should they talk about their work? Ryoken wasn’t sure as he awkwardly tapped on keys on his keyboard. Mostly his back space since he was running out of things to be doing on his computer before it just turned into pretending.
And Shinobu must have sensed that Ryoken was doing that just: pretending to work.
He peered over the counter and looked down at Ryoken and Ryoken was taken aback once more by how pretty the florist was. He had big blue eyes which could have been straight out of one of those creepy porcelain doll’s faces and quaffed silver hair.
Ryoken felt his heart seize with his crush. There was so much that he didn’t know about the proprietor of the Sunavalon Florist, Mister Shinobu Kinoshita and he really wanted to change that. Their eyes met and Ryoken really, truly felt a spark. A mutual one. Shinobu smiled shyly and Ryoken blurted it out.
“Do you want to meet-up during off-work hours sometime?” Ryoken asked. “I know a good cafe around here, with a view of the sea, wanna go there on Sunday?”
“Sunday?” Shinobu echoed, flattered and his face going pink.
Ryoken nodded. His breath felt tight in his chest as his palms sweated. He did it. He really did it. He asked Shinobu on a date.
“This Sunday?” Shinobu prompted to clarify.
“Yes, this Sunday.” Ryoken replied.
“It's Mother’s Day this Sunday, I’m going to be busy all day.” Shinobu laughed. He turned shy, looked away. “And it's a special day for me regardless, I’m afraid I couldn’t anyway…”
“Oh…” Ryoken said.
Well. He learned something new about Shinobu. Mother’s Day was important. He wondered why. Then again, Ryoken felt like a fool for not realising that the florist would be busy all day on Mother's Day, a popular event for bouquets. He was a bigger fool for forgetting, despite the banners and buzz. Ryoken stopped himself from groaning at his own expense and try to refresh his thoughts by licking his lips.
“What about Saturday?” Ryoken suggested.
“This Saturday?” Shinobu echoed, his tone of voice turning playful as he looked at Ryoken once more.
“Yes, this Saturday.” Ryoken smiled.
“I would love to join you for coffee then.” Shinobu demurely replied.
“Then it's a date.” Ryoken said.
“I’ll look forward to it.” Shinobu added.
He reached up and traced his finger around the edge of the pot plant. He avoided the pricks of the succulent and Ryoken noticed. He was going to look forward to their coffee date on Saturday, too. For now, they both had work to do.
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THE YEAR OF NIKOLEKSI
At the beginning of 2023, I decided to participate in The Year Of The OTP: 12 prompts. 12 months. One ship. I chose Niko/Aleksi because, well, in Niko’s own words, they’re soulmates. 🤷♀️
I have a very bad habit of starting a writing challenge and then giving up halfway through. (Sorry, Whumptober and Whumpuary mods. 😅) But I actually completed YOTP, and I’m very proud of myself!! So, I’ve compiled all 12 fics into one masterpost:
January: DU LÜGST
Prompt: Historical AU
Word Count: 969
Summary: Vienna, Austria. 1794 A.D.
Niko has been studying abroad for a few years now, learning the art of music from a master composer. One day, he hears about a new, handsome face in town. A fellow Finn - and a fellow musician.
Tags: Alternate Universe - Historical, 18th Century, Flirting, Pre-Relationship, Short Oneshot
🖤
February: I’M A SHIPWRECK
Prompt: Mermaid AU
Word Count: 1,378
Summary: After a lover breaks his heart, Niko decides he doesn't want to live anymore, and dives into the sea. But, a mysterious savior drags him out of the water, back to shore. Niko isn't sure what shocks him more. That someone saved his life - or that that someone isn't human.
Tags: Suicide Attempt, Alternate Universe - Merpeople, Drowning, Near Death Experiences, Mouth-to-Mouth
🖤
March: TOWELS
Prompt: “Make Me.”
Word Count: 584
Summary: Aleksi is hogging all the towels in their shared hotel room, and Niko is annoyed.
Tags: Arguing, Flirting, Nudity, Implied Sexual Content
🖤
APRIL: WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEW YEAR’S EVE?
Prompt: “No, I’m Not Dating Your Brother!”
Word Count: 963
Summary: It's Christmas, and Niko is in Oulu, visiting his family. Aleksi is in a different city, but he decides to give Niko a video call, and wish him a happy holiday.
Joona can see the obvious crush Aleksi has on his brother, and decides to meddle a little.
Tags: Christmas Presents, Webcams, Fluff
🖤
MAY: MY CUTE HAMSTER
Prompt: Pet/Child Acquisition
Word Count: 546
Summary: Aleksi and Niko have been dating for about a year now. They already have Rilla, but they decide they're ready to adopt a second pet together.
Tags: Established Relationship, Short & Sweet, Tooth-Rotting Fluff
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JUNE: IT WAS HATE AT FIRST SIGHT FOR US, DARLING
Prompt: Soulmate AU
Word Count: 801
Summary: Everyone has the first words that their soulmate will ever speak to them, written on the inside of their wrist.
But, there's just one problem. The words on Aleksi's wrist are "fuck you."
Tags: Alternate Universe - Soulmates, Soulmate Identifying Marks, Enemies To Lovers, Short Oneshot
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July: LET’S SEE HOW FAR WE’VE COME
Prompt: Vacation Together
Word Count: 518
Summary: Two years after their performance at Eurovision, Niko and Aleksi return to Rotterdam for a romantic vacation.
Aleksi is feeling a bit nostalgic.
Tags: Established Relationship, Vacation, Short & Sweet, Fluff
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August: ENGLISH SUMMER RAIN
Prompt: Storm
Word Count: 538
Summary: Niko and Aleksi share a hotel room, the night before a festival gig. Aleksi discovers that Niko has a phobia of thunder.
Tags: Thunderstorms, Astraphobia, Sharing A Bed, Mild Hurt/Comfort, Short & Sweet
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September: FIFTEEN LOVE
Prompt: Meeting The Family
Word Count: 1,374
Summary: Aleksi travels to Oulu, to meet Niko’s little sister, and cheer her on at her tennis match.
Tags: Established Relationship, Meeting The Family, Tennis, Fluff, Minor Injuries
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October: PLAYING COPS & ROBBERS
Prompt: Couple’s Costume
Word Count: 1,056
Summary: On the final night of the Warrior Souls Tour, Nyamjantsan - better known as “Jaya” - from The Hu invites Niko and Aleksi to a Halloween party.
Niko really wants to wear a costume that matches Aleksi - but the DJ isn’t really sure why.
Tags: Halloween, Costume Parties & Masquerades, Jealousy, Love Confessions, Fluff
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November: THE WORST WISH
Prompt: “Be Careful What You Wish For”
Word Count: 1,489
Summary: Aleksi is in love with Niko. But, Niko is in a relationship with Joonas.
When he spots a shooting star in the sky, Aleksi wishes - for one, selfish second - that Joonas would disappear, so that Niko could be his. Immediately, he regrets it. But, when Joonas gets into a terrible accident the next day, Aleksi is consumed with guilt. He can’t help but think this is all his fault.
Tags: Car Accidents, Major Character Injury, Hospitals, Pining, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Angst With A Happy Ending, Polyamory
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December: ROSES ARE DEAD, VIOLETS ARE DOOMED
Prompt: Tattoo Parlor/Flower Shop AU
Word Count: 2,242
Summary: Aleksi is on the bus, headed to his part-time job at his aunt’s flower shop, when he meets a young tattoo apprentice named Niko.
Aleksi is only sixteen, and it only takes a day for Niko to become his first crush. But, Niko appears to have his eye on someone else.
Tags: Alternate Universe - Flower Shop & Tattoo Parlor, Teen Romance, First Crush, Light Angst, Not Actually Unrequited Love, First Kiss
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Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: M/M, Multi
Fandom: Critical Role (Web Series)
Relationships: Orym/Dorian Storm/Will | Orym's Spouse, Orym/Dorian Storm, Orym/Will | Orym's Spouse (Critical Role), Dorian Storm/Will | Orym's Spouse
Characters: Dorian Storm, Orym (Critical Role), Will | Orym's Spouse (Critical Role)
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - Flower Shop, Alternate Universe - Tattoo Parlor, First Meetings, Falling In Love, Conversations, Dating, Meeting the Parents, Holidays, Moving In Together, Cuddling & Snuggling, Fluff, Tattoos, Flowers, Love, Emotional Hurt/Comfort
Summary: In desperate need of something to elevate Opal's birthday gift, Dorian enters Air Ashari Floral & Ink in search of a floral arrangement. The cute owner has him coming back and eventually meeting the owner's husband, who runs the other side of their joint shop. Falling in love with both of them was inevitable, and he wouldn't have it any other way.
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A month ago, the gorgeous necklace that he purchased for Opal's birthday felt like more than enough, but holding the single thin box changed his mind on his way to her birthday party. As he walked along a street full of shops, his eyes searched desperately for something to go along with it. He considered searching for some earrings or a nice top, until his eyes landed on a beautifully painted sign spread across two doorways. One side showed off gorgeous floral arrangements in the windows, while the other displayed incredible art that he imagined the tattoo artist within had a hand in.
Curiously, he pushed open the door leading into the floral arrangement side of Air Ashari Floral & Ink. A light floral smell met his nose as he stepped across the threshold to the chime of a bell. The halfling behind the counter greeted him with a friendly wave and a warm smile that made him feel immediately welcomed. He headed straight for the counter knowing he wouldn't be able to find exactly what he wanted quick enough to avoid being late.
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Kaleidoscope
Year of the OTP December prompt.
~~
Summary:
A group of butterflies is called a kaleidoscope.
~~
Dean and Cas had been together for some time, and for Christmas Dean leads Cas on a scavenger hunt, note by note, to lead them to their destination for ten days vacation.
Along the way, they revisit special places and moments, everything that has brought them closer together.
Cas always knew that Dean sometimes had trouble with words, but in the end, the right ones are said.
~~
“Ready for the holidays, Clarence?” Meg asked, looking uncharacteristically soft and comfortable curled up on Cas’ couch with a mug of hot chocolate. She took a sip and frowned. “Seriously, no booze?!”
There she was. Cas hid a smile behind his own mug.
“We’re going gift shopping in half an hour, and in case you forgot, my car is in the shop,” Cas reminded her, and Meg rolled her eyes.
“Clarence, your car has one foot in its grave. Ken-doll just doesn't want to spoil your Christmas by telling you so, so he's dragging it out.”
It was Cas’ turn to roll his eyes, and he took a gulp of his hot chocolate even as he scrolled on his phone.
“The shop is an hour away. The manager is holding my order, and they close in two hours. Can we go soon?” he pleaded.
Meg smirked at him.
“Look at you, all organised about presents an’ shit. Something's got you in the Christmas spirit!”
Cas grinned, feeling his face heat. He drank another mouthful of hot chocolate, trying to hide his pink cheeks, but Meg snickered at him.
“Dean made plans for us. He hasn't said what we’re doing or anything, but I'm supposed to leave everything up to him.” He gnawed on his lower lip a little, unused to giving up the reins. “Maybe I should ask Sam if I need to do anything…”
“Leave it alone!” Meg ordered with a laugh. “Ken-doll might surprise you.”
Cas nearly dropped his cocoa in shock. Meg was pretty sparse on praise for or faith in Dean, so for her to even suggest Dean had a handle on things was wildly out of character. Cas narrowed his eyes at her.
“What do you know, Meg?” he demanded.
She winked at him, sipping her hot cocoa and not saying a word. He kept staring at her, cocking one eyebrow up in question, and she rolled her eyes again.
“I'm not Dean, Clarence,” she pointed out sarcastically. “The dombrow doesn't work on me.”
~~
Read the rest on AO3.
Many thanks to @cr-noble-writes and Danni for the beta!
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I wrote a chapter a month this year for Kakashi/Iruka (Naruto) as part of the @yearoftheotpevent! Rated T, chapter notes will share the prompt, canon or AU, any trigger warnings, and word count is at the start of the chapter.
Last chapter for December is up! Thank you to year of the otp for hosting this!
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The last fic for @yearoftheotpevent ! I kind of went ham with including the prompts for December, but I had a blast! Enjoy your fluffy holiday DabiHawks content for Hawks' birthday!
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Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Ai | Ignis/Fujiki Yuusaku, Ai | Ignis & Fujiki Yuusaku
Characters: Ai | Ignis, Zaizen Akira, Revolver | Kougami Ryouken
Additional Tags: Year of the OTP Prompt Event 2023, akira and Ryoken are only mentioned, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, no beta we die like the ignis, Post-Canon, Not Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links Compliant, Author Is Sleep Deprived, author may have put mental problems onto Ai, ai is a blorbo and as such suffers according to the author’s will, Established Relationship, Song: Nobody (Mitski)
Series: Part 12 of Year of the OTP
Summary:
Ai has bad mental thoughts and Yusaku comforts him.
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