Choices Fandom Appreciation

This blog is solely for the purpose of spreading joy. If you have a question or concern, please reach out. Do not respond to the posts with hate or discontent. 🖤 About this Blog 🖤 Rules & Suggestions 🖤 Ask/Inbox 🖤 Submit This blog is a work in progress, feel free to make suggestions! 💖@lovealexhunt

[choicesfandomappreciation]

💜 About Choices Fandom Appreciation 💙 Rules & Suggestions 💚 Ask/Inbox 💛 Submit

Current blog events:  

🩷 Reblog Event (May) [Event Info] [Event Entries]

💜 Choices Fandom Birthdays 🥳 

💙  You are Amazing! 

A list of encouraging words from your fandom friends, ideas for self-care, websites to distract you or cheer you up, and more

Have an idea for an event or way to spread joy/positivity in the fandom? Let me know. 

Past Events (not a full list)

🧡 February 2026: Secret Admirer Exchange + Masterlist

💛 December 2025: Deco My Tree List

💚 December 2025: Secret Pal Exchange + Masterlist

🩵 November 2025: Spread Kindness Celebration

💙 February 2025: Secret Admirer + Masterlist

💜 December 2024:  Secret Pal Exchange + Masterlist

🩷 December 2024: Deco My Tree List

❤️ November 2024: Spread Kindness

🧡 July 2024: Self-Care Awareness

💛 July 2024: Summer Secret Pal + Masterlist

💚 April 2024: April Acts of Kindness

🩵 February 2024:  International Fanworks Day—February 15-18

💙 February 2024: Choices Secret Admirer — February 14-16 + Masterlist

💜 December 2023/January 2024: Countdown to 2024

🩷 December 2023: Secret Santa + Masterlist

❤️ November 2023: Spread Kindness

🧡 October 2023: Trick or Treat: event masterlist

💛 February 2023: Secret Admirer

💚 December 2022: Secret Pal/Santa

🩵 February 2022: Fandom Spread Kindness 

Earlier events not listed here

[choicesfandomappreciation]

Happiest of birthdays to our fandom friends celebrating this month!

✨ 20: @rosesnink

✨ 22: @nestledonthaveone

✨ 22: @choicesfannatalie22

✨ 22: @daydreaming-dummy

✨ 27: @squid-princess-teach-swallow

✨ 29: @petalouda85

See our full fandom birthday calendar here. If you’d like your birthday added (or removed) just message me here or @lovealexhunt, and I will add it for you :)

[choicesfandomappreciation]

With May coming to a close this week, I'd like to get feedback on how you think the Reblog Event went. But don't worry, if you haven't finished reblogging, you still have another few days (but honestly, missed the event? reblog whenever you can, I can't imagine anyone being upset to get late reblogs!)

Did your work get some more attention?

How many work(s) did you interact with? (ie: 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20+, everything)

Did you enjoy the works you interacted with? Did you just read books you already read for or did you venture into other books?

Did you interact more on Tumblr or AO3 or equally?

Do you think this event was successful?

Would you like to see another event like this in the future?

What changes would you like to see if there was another event? Did you like the structure of posting all the works at once and having a month to interact? Or would you prefer less works?

Please answer any and all you are comfortable with. You can comment, reblog, send an anon ask, or DM me. Whatever works for you!

Thank you to everyone who participated ❤️

@aria-ashryver

@cadybear420

@cassiusadalhard

@choicesgodfanatic

@eadanga

@hazelestelle

@loreofyore

@marmolady

@peonyblossom

@princess-geek

@rjschoicesstuff

@saskiskies

@somerandomjewelleryonthefloor

@tessa-liam

@twinkleallnight

@whiskeyinlythikos

[cadybear420]

answers below cut!

Did your work get some more attention?

Hell yeah. Only one fic of mine (my HSS Adaptation) did not get a lot of new attention— which I kind of understand, since even the first chapter was super long (but prior to the event, it did already have a lot of comments compared to my other two submissions anyways lol).

But my other two fics got a lot of new, lovely comments and that was very pleasing.

How many work(s) did you interact with? (ie: 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20+, everything)

About 24 as of now! Not counting my own works, of course. I’ll probably do a few late reblogs for the fics I didn’t get to.

Halfway through the month though, I admittedly did start to feel a little more :/ about interacting with submitters who hadn’t participated much/at all. Some people potentially just wanted an audience without giving back and I couldn’t reward that.

Did you enjoy the works you interacted with? Did you just read books you already read for or did you venture into other books?

Yes! I got to catch up with works from writers I already love but hadn’t read those particular fics yet, as well as works from writers I’ve never interacted with before. 

The title being written about did not affect what I chose to read, and even when I’ve read fic’s outside of this event it doesn’t. I read both from titles I was familiar with and titles I was unfamiliar/hadn’t played yet. 

Did you interact more on Tumblr or AO3 or equally? 

Most fics were Tumblr links, and writing comments is easier in Tumblr than on AO3 (especially if I’m using the quote/indent format), so I interacted more on there. But an AO3 link was included, I would make sure to leave a kudos; and if there was only an AO3 link, I would comment on AO3. 

Do you think this event was successful?

Mostly yes but it is kind of a mixed bag! On one hand there were, of course, a lot of people who didn’t participate much or at all. But there were also plenty of people who did, and as I said before it allowed our works to get more seen as well as helping us read from new people + catch up on works we haven’t read yet.

Would you like to see another event like this in the future? 

Hell yes. 

What changes would you like to see if there was another event? Did you like the structure of posting all the works at once and having a month to interact? Or would you prefer less works? 

Only definite change I would suggest, is maybe more emphasis on leaving comments along with reblogging too? Like maybe frame it as a reblog+comment event. Most of the people who did actually participate were good about making sure to leave meaningful comments, but there were a few cases of people who would just give an empty reblog or a one-scentence “I liked this” comment— and though the resharing/positive comment is greatly appreciated, it does leave some questions as to whether they even read the fic, if that makes sense. 

I definitely liked the structure of posting used in this event, but I also wonder if it could be helpful to organize the works differently. Organizing by wordcount might help people plan how to read better, if they have a bit more difficulty with longer fics. Organizing by the user who submitted them could also make it easier for people to make sure they don’t leave anyone out. This is less so a definite change suggestion, moreso just to consider possibilities. It can maybe be put to a poll vote.

I would also like to think of more ways to encourage participation in general, since a lot of people who submitted ended up barely participating. I do think the likes of “people who submitted works but don’t participate much/at all will be asked not to submit in the next event” is 100% fair, and can and should be stated on any future posts pertaining to these events.

[choicesfandomappreciation]

Thank you for participating and providing such helpful feedback! It's appreciated! I'm glad 2 of your 3 works got more attention!

Halfway through the month though, I admittedly did start to feel a little more :/ about interacting with submitters who hadn’t participated much/at all. Some people potentially just wanted an audience without giving back and I couldn’t reward that.

This was my concern when I first suggested keeping track of participants reblogs, but feedback said not to keep track... I know life happens but the fact that so many participants were actively creating, posting, and/or reblogging others and not participating in the event was a choice. I do understand your hesitant.

I want to do another event like this but figuring out what to do about those participants is a priority before than. My initial reaction is they can't submit to the next event. If they participate in reblogging in the next event, then they'd be eligible to resubmit in the following event.

I'm open to suggestions if you (or anyone has feedback on this). To me this was the biggest weakness in the event. And unfortunately the users I was hesitant to accept, were the ones the fell into this pattern.

Only definite change I would suggest, is maybe more emphasis on leaving comments along with reblogging too? Like maybe frame it as a reblog+comment event. Most of the people who did actually participate were good about making sure to leave meaningful comments, but there were a few cases of people who would just give an empty reblog or a one-scentence “I liked this” comment— and though the resharing/positive comment is greatly appreciated, it does leave some questions as to whether they even read the fic, if that makes sense. 

You're not alone with this. I have received this feedback from others as well and completely agree. I will definitely work on drafting more specific rules about how to comment.

I definitely liked the structure of posting used in this event, but I also wonder if it could be helpful to organize the works differently. Organizing by wordcount might help people plan how to read better, if they have a bit more difficulty with longer fics. Organizing by the user who submitted them could also make it easier for people to make sure they don’t leave anyone out. This is less so a definite change suggestion, moreso just to consider possibilities. It can maybe be put to a poll vote.

I could absolutely include a word count with the fics.

My concern with listing by author is that people might more likely exclude a particular user. This fandom is wonderful but can be very clique at times. I hoped spreading works out would maybe get people to click a work for someone they might not have read otherwise.

[choicesfandomappreciation]

With May coming to a close this week, I'd like to get feedback on how you think the Reblog Event went. But don't worry, if you haven't finished reblogging, you still have another few days (but honestly, missed the event? reblog whenever you can, I can't imagine anyone being upset to get late reblogs!)

Did your work get some more attention?

How many work(s) did you interact with? (ie: 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20+, everything)

Did you enjoy the works you interacted with? Did you just read books you already read for or did you venture into other books?

Did you interact more on Tumblr or AO3 or equally?

Do you think this event was successful?

Would you like to see another event like this in the future?

What changes would you like to see if there was another event? Did you like the structure of posting all the works at once and having a month to interact? Or would you prefer less works?

Please answer any and all you are comfortable with. You can comment, reblog, send an anon ask, or DM me. Whatever works for you!

Thank you to everyone who participated ❤️

@aria-ashryver

@cadybear420

@cassiusadalhard

@choicesgodfanatic

@eadanga

@hazelestelle

@loreofyore

@marmolady

@peonyblossom

@princess-geek

@rjschoicesstuff

@saskiskies

@somerandomjewelleryonthefloor

@tessa-liam

@twinkleallnight

@whiskeyinlythikos

[saskiskies]

Thankyou @choicesfandomappreciation for organising this and everyone who submitted work and read and reblogged others.

Answers under the cut

Did your work get some more attention?

Yes it did. Much appreciated everyone who took the time to read my entries and left comments, kudos’s and/or reblogs. It meant a lot.

How many work(s) did you interact with?

16 so far

I meant to do more but May has had some real life issues that meant my participation in this event dropped off after the middle of the month (not quite sure where the rest of it went tbh)

I have the links saved and hope to get round to a few more yet - even if it ends up being after the event ends.

Did you enjoy the works you interacted with? Did you just read books you already read for or did you venture into other books?

I mainly read entries for books I’d played through, though not necessarily ones I'd usually read for; but I did try some others and hope to read more. (I might have to read canon for Immortal Desires as that seemed a popular one.)

Did you interact more on Tumblr or AO3 or equally?

Both. (Well more tumblr because there were more tumblr fics, but if the entry was on Ao3 i tried to comment and kudos there, with a reblog on tumblr for those that included both.)

Do you think this event was successful?

Yes.

It's been an enjoyable event. I read things I wouldn't have come across usually and there are definitely some people here whose work I will be reading more of :)

Would you like to see another event like this in the future?

Yes, though I might just read peoples fics rather than sign up next time as I find commenting stressful and often anxiety inducing. (Then I wouldn't feel bad if I only left a short comment.) A lot of my usual Ao3 comments just say something like ‘I really enjoyed reading this’ but I wanted to do better for this event - especially as some people left lovely comments that I'd really like to repay in kind. Unfortunately that turned into a kind of self imposed pressure that did not combine well with currently occurring life stuff.

What changes would you like to see if there was another event? Did you like the structure of posting all the works at once and having a month to interact? Or would you prefer less works?

I liked that the list was posted at the start, then people could prioritise ones they wanted to and work through it at their own pace.

Once again many thanks for organising this event. I really like the idea of supporting each other more.

[choicesfandomappreciation]

Thank you for participating in the event and for providing detailed feedback. It's appreciated.

I'm happy to hear your work received appreciation from others with this event.

16 interactions is still a great number. I appreciate you taking your time to interact with those works, and for also saving the link for possible future reblogs.

I also have not read canon Immortal Desires yet, and it seems like there are others who are consider reading it too. I'm considering using it as the next book for @choicesbookclub.

I can understand the anxiety of commenting on others works especially on those that are for books you may be less familiar with. I promise that whatever you write creators are thankful to you for. I'm even excited if people quote back a quote from the writing piece with a reaction gif! I'm sure everyone you interacted with really appreciated what you did.

Thank you again for the feedback and joining in on this event! ❤️

[choicesfandomappreciation]

With May coming to a close this week, I'd like to get feedback on how you think the Reblog Event went. But don't worry, if you haven't finished reblogging, you still have another few days (but honestly, missed the event? reblog whenever you can, I can't imagine anyone being upset to get late reblogs!)

Did your work get some more attention?

How many work(s) did you interact with? (ie: 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20+, everything)

Did you enjoy the works you interacted with? Did you just read books you already read for or did you venture into other books?

Did you interact more on Tumblr or AO3 or equally?

Do you think this event was successful?

Would you like to see another event like this in the future?

What changes would you like to see if there was another event? Did you like the structure of posting all the works at once and having a month to interact? Or would you prefer less works?

Please answer any and all you are comfortable with. You can comment, reblog, send an anon ask, or DM me. Whatever works for you!

Thank you to everyone who participated ❤️

@aria-ashryver

@cadybear420

@cassiusadalhard

@choicesgodfanatic

@eadanga

@hazelestelle

@loreofyore

@marmolady

@peonyblossom

@princess-geek

@rjschoicesstuff

@saskiskies

@somerandomjewelleryonthefloor

@tessa-liam

@twinkleallnight

@whiskeyinlythikos

[hazelestelle]

Thank you so much for organising this! <3

Did your work get some more attention?

Definitely! I got some very lovely comments, thank you everyone <3

How many work(s) did you interact with? (ie: 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20+, everything)

17 so far, but I was away last week and the month isn't over just yet ;)

Did you enjoy the works you interacted with? Did you just read books you already read for or did you venture into other books?

Tbh, I was never very active in the fandom, so almost everything was new for me, which is great! I discovered new people and creations, and I really enjoyed that. I did struggle a little with reading for books where I haven't read the Choices book itself because it's different when you don't know the characters, but I still read some lovely things, and it made me want to play Immortal Desires haha.

Did you interact more on Tumblr or AO3 or equally?

Since this is a reblog event, more on tumblr, but I did comment on AO3 too.

Do you think this event was successful? Would you like to see another event like this in the future?

I think it was, and it's a great way to discover new things, so having another one in the future would be nice.

What changes would you like to see if there was another event? Did you like the structure of posting all the works at once and having a month to interact? Or would you prefer less works?

I liked being able to structure when to read what for myself, so posting all at once for the whole month was good for me. Maybe a kind of "spotlight" post highlighting a few works every week could help with more interaction?

[choicesfandomappreciation]

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback. I'm happy to hear that your work received comments and support!

I do understand that it is difficult to read for books you don't know, but I appreciate you gave it a try! I haven't read Immortal Desires either, but reading the works definitely made me consider it too! I'm thinking of doing it as the next @choicesbookclub book in July/August.

I liked being able to structure when to read what for myself, so posting all at once for the whole month was good for me. Maybe a kind of "spotlight" post highlighting a few works every week could help with more interaction?

I could absolutely do a spotlight list each week. I was hoping reblogging 2 a day would "spotlight" those for the day, but making mini lists to post each week of the event to remind users of specific works throughout the event as another way to build interactions, could help! T

Thank you again for your participation in the event and for taking time to provide feedback ❤️

[choicesfandomappreciation]

With May coming to a close this week, I'd like to get feedback on how you think the Reblog Event went. But don't worry, if you haven't finished reblogging, you still have another few days (but honestly, missed the event? reblog whenever you can, I can't imagine anyone being upset to get late reblogs!)

Did your work get some more attention?

How many work(s) did you interact with? (ie: 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20+, everything)

Did you enjoy the works you interacted with? Did you just read books you already read for or did you venture into other books?

Did you interact more on Tumblr or AO3 or equally?

Do you think this event was successful?

Would you like to see another event like this in the future?

What changes would you like to see if there was another event? Did you like the structure of posting all the works at once and having a month to interact? Or would you prefer less works?

Please answer any and all you are comfortable with. You can comment, reblog, send an anon ask, or DM me. Whatever works for you!

Thank you to everyone who participated ❤️

@aria-ashryver

@cadybear420

@cassiusadalhard

@choicesgodfanatic

@eadanga

@hazelestelle

@loreofyore

@marmolady

@peonyblossom

@princess-geek

@rjschoicesstuff

@saskiskies

@somerandomjewelleryonthefloor

@tessa-liam

@twinkleallnight

@whiskeyinlythikos

[aria-ashryver]

Thank you for a lovely event Dani! I'm so impressed by how hard you've worked, you made sure to spare the time and energy to show every single piece some love and I'm sure people really appreciated it 💖💖💖

Did your work get some more attention?

I got a few lovely comments on my two fics from my mutuals (though I would have loved to hear from people branching out to read outside of their usual books too) People were more inclined to reblog my edit

How many work(s) did you interact with? (ie: 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20+, everything)

27

Did you enjoy the works you interacted with? Did you just read books you already read for or did you venture into other books?

I used the event to read fics from books I don't normally engage with, like Open Heart , The Royal Romance, Desire & Decorum, etc. It was fun to see what things stood out about certain characters that made people want to write about them, and what side characters they'd included that I'd totally forgotten about, what situations people favour

Did you interact more on Tumblr or AO3 or equally?

I did comment on AO3, but I focused more on Tumblr so as to encourage others to read if my reblogs popped up on their tl

Do you think this event was successful?

The results were mixed -- I think some people signed up thinking "oh, I'd love if X piece got some more attention" but then weren't able to give much feedback on other people's pieces. I have seen lots of people participating in good faith and giving each other some really thoughtful and kind comments though, so it has been lovely overall!

Would you like to see another event like this in the future?

Absolutely yes! This kind of event is a great avenue for people (👋) who would love more comments on their fics but aren't inclined to just reblog their own work out of nowhere

What changes would you like to see if there was another event? Did you like the structure of posting all the works at once and having a month to interact? Or would you prefer less works?

I liked the structure of having all the works available at once, as I could balance books I know and love with books I'm less familiar with. I think a guideline such as "please reblog saying what you enjoyed about this work/quote something specific/include a detail or two" could be a good idea (I don't think the one word comments / the generic "I liked this!" comments with no other information / reblogs with no comment at all were very in keeping with the spirit of the event yk? I'm sure folks meant well, but how do we know you even engaged with the art/fic that someone worked really hard on?)

Again, thank you so very much for organising this event @lovealexhunt 💖💖💖 I think your "Inevitable" was one of my favourite pieces I read throughout the whole event! And I'm so glad I did, Red Carpet Diaries isn't in my usual wheelhouse, so I'm soooooooo happy this event prompted me to check it out!

[choicesfandomappreciation]

Thank you for such a detailed reflection of feedback and for supporting so many creators and entries, even ones outside your usual books.

I did notice that some users only read the books/creators they already followed. I was hoping this event would encourage people to take a risk and try something new.

The results were mixed -- I think some people signed up thinking "oh, I'd love if X piece got some more attention" but then weren't able to give much feedback on other people's pieces. I have seen lots of people participating in good faith and giving each other some really thoughtful and kind comments though, so it has been lovely overall!

I agree with this assessment. I feel mixed about the "success" of the event. I feel some participants did exactly what I had hoped and were so wonderful, but others not following through.

Despite the mixed success, I do hope to organize another event like this in July or August.

I think a guideline such as "please reblog saying what you enjoyed about this work/quote something specific/include a detail or two" could be a good idea (I don't think the one word comments / the generic "I liked this!" comments with no other information / reblogs with no comment at all were very in keeping with the spirit of the event yk? I'm sure folks meant well, but how do we know you even engaged with the art/fic that someone worked really hard on?)

I totally agree with this. It's hard to know if people who write "Good job" actually read or are just writing it and moving on without actually interacting. I don't know how to get people around that. I'm happy to try a guideline like what you are suggesting. I wish I could guarantee people would follow it. There are so many users who didn't participate at all this month.

And thank you so much for the kind words about Inevitable! It means so much to me. It's the piece from this year that I am the most proud of so the kind words and support mean the world to me!

Thank you again for your support of this event (and me, too) ❤️

[choicesfandomappreciation]

Welcome to our first ever Choices Fandom Reblog event. The goal of the event is to try to boost fandom interactions by highlighting works in the fandom that members would like to see get a bit more attention.

In the month of May, let's celebrate these works! If the event is a success we can make it a reoccurring event.

17 Creators with 50 Works Shared

Listed alphabetically by series and name of work

Alpha

Informing the Family on AO3 (Channing x MC) by @peonyblossom

Blades of Light and Shadow

Our Greatest Adventure (Mal Volari x MC!Daenarya) + AO3 by @storyofmychoices

Bloodbound

A Vampiric Valentine's date (Adrian x MC x Jax) by @choicesgodfanatic

Crimes of Passion

Moment(s) of Truth (Trystan x MC!Emma) by @loreofyore

Desire and Decorum

In Another Life (Mr. Sinclair x Roselyn) by @princess-geek

Love, Tears, and Glory by @princess-geek

Endless Summer

Dealing with Demons (Jake x MC) — AO3 || Tumblr by @saskiskies

I Have You (art) (Estela x MC) by @marmolady

Memories (Jake x MC)— AO3 || Tumblr by @saskiskies

Rosencraft on AO3 (Estela x MC) by @marmolady

The Endless Ending on AO3 (Estela x MC) by @marmolady

The Freshman

A Valentine's Day Celebration (Becca x MC) by @choicesgodfanatic

The Boy Next Door (Chris x MC) by @eadanga

Wedding Night (Becca x MC) by @choicesgodfanatic

When Love Found Us Again (Chris x MC) by @eadanga

High School Story

An Unbearable Wait —Tumblr + AO3 (Aiden with mentioned Aiden/Evie(f!MC), male pregnancy) by @cadybear420

A Breath of Fresh Breeze, Chapter 1: The First Day (Evie(f!MC)). Tumblr Post that contains AO3 Link by @cadybear420

Milestones (Aiden/Evie)— Tumblr + AO3 by @cadybear420

Immortal Desires

158 Days: Ripley's Diary by @rjschoicesstuff

A Late Encounter (Lewyn x MC!Callie) by @loreofyore

A Pinch of Sugar (Terri, Seth) by @aria-ashryver

Blood of the Covenant: Chapter 16 , (NB!MC x M!Cas x M!Gabriel) by @cassiusadalhard

Devi's first birthday as a vampire, will be part of botc 2 by @cassiusadalhard

Fae Changelings Edit (Cas, Gabe) by @aria-ashryver

First Valentine's Day (Cas x MC x Gabe) by @rjschoicesstuff

Miss Me More (M!Cas, MC-Ripley) by @rjschoicesstuff

Moving Day (m!Cas x m!Gabe x nb!MC-Luca) by @aria-ashryver

Pillow Talk (Lewyn x MC!Callie) by @loreofyore

It Lives Series

The Voices of Ghosts on AO3 —It Lives Within (Abel x MC) by @peonyblossom

Open Heart

in your arms, safe and sound (Tobias x MC) by @hazelestelle

now i wake up in the night and watch you breath on AO3 (Ethan x MC) by @peonyblossom

This was the Year (Bryce x OC! Olivia) by @storyofmychoices

who’d have known (Tobias x MC) by @hazelestelle

Red Carpet Diaries / Hollywood U

Inevitable : (Thomas Hunt x MC / OC Alex) + AO3 (HWU/RCD Golden Age Hollywood One Shot AU) by @theartoflovingthomashunt / @lovealexhunt

Love Lesson (Thomas Hunt x OC) by @princess-geek

magic hour (Seth/Matt) by @hazelestelle

The Royal Romance

Prologue- A Battle of Wits (Man of Honour Series) (Drake x MC) by @whiskeyinlythikos

Chapter 1 - Desperate Measures (Plus One Series) (Drake x MC) by @whiskeyinlythikos

Chapter 1 - A Spark in Hyde Park (Queen of Hearts Series) (Drake x MC) by @whiskeyinlythikos

Marabelle (Liam x OC) by @tessa-liam

Merry Christmas (Drake x Olivia) by @twinkleallnight

Once Upon a time (Liam, Fabian and his mother) by @ twinkleallnight

Remember Me (Leo x Madeline) by @twinkleallnight

Smoke & Mirrors (Liam x MC) by @tessa-liam

The Royal Romance Part 1 (Liam x MC) by @eadanga

Turning the Page (Liam x MC) by @tessa-liam

TerrorFest

Terrorfest headcannons (OC Kissy) by @cassiusadalhard

Wake the Dead

Dim Light: Chapter 1: Time is of the essence by @somerandomjewelleryonthefloor

Sledge CG Art by @somerandomjewelleryonthefloor

Visiting (Sledge x MC) by @somerandomjewelleryonthefloor

Participants:

Hyperlinks (below) don't work due to the 100 link maximum, but all user names and links above do work!

@aria-ashryver

@cadybear420

@cassiusadalhard

@choicesgodfanatic

@eadanga

@hazelestelle

@loreofyore

@lovealexhunt : @storyofmychoices / @theartoflovingthomashunt

@marmolady

@peonyblossom

@princess-geek

@rjschoicesstuff

@saskiskies

@somerandomjewelleryonthefloor

@tessa-liam

@twinkleallnight

@whiskeyinlythikos

Participants, please remember to interact with and support as many creators/works as you can ❤️

[choicesfandomappreciation]

Thank you to everyone who joined in and participated in this event! I'm going to be going through the feedback today to see how I can make the event better in the future! 💖

[choicesfandomappreciation]

Welcome to our first ever Choices Fandom Reblog event. The goal of the event is to try to boost fandom interactions by highlighting works in the fandom that members would like to see get a bit more attention.

In the month of May, let's celebrate these works! If the event is a success we can make it a reoccurring event.

17 Creators with 50 Works Shared

Listed alphabetically by series and name of work

Alpha

Informing the Family on AO3 (Channing x MC) by @peonyblossom

Blades of Light and Shadow

Our Greatest Adventure (Mal Volari x MC!Daenarya) + AO3 by @storyofmychoices

Bloodbound

A Vampiric Valentine's date (Adrian x MC x Jax) by @choicesgodfanatic

Crimes of Passion

Moment(s) of Truth (Trystan x MC!Emma) by @loreofyore

Desire and Decorum

In Another Life (Mr. Sinclair x Roselyn) by @princess-geek

Love, Tears, and Glory by @princess-geek

Endless Summer

Dealing with Demons (Jake x MC) — AO3 || Tumblr by @saskiskies

I Have You (art) (Estela x MC) by @marmolady

Memories (Jake x MC)— AO3 || Tumblr by @saskiskies

Rosencraft on AO3 (Estela x MC) by @marmolady

The Endless Ending on AO3 (Estela x MC) by @marmolady

The Freshman

A Valentine's Day Celebration (Becca x MC) by @choicesgodfanatic

The Boy Next Door (Chris x MC) by @eadanga

Wedding Night (Becca x MC) by @choicesgodfanatic

When Love Found Us Again (Chris x MC) by @eadanga

High School Story

An Unbearable Wait —Tumblr + AO3 (Aiden with mentioned Aiden/Evie(f!MC), male pregnancy) by @cadybear420

A Breath of Fresh Breeze, Chapter 1: The First Day (Evie(f!MC)). Tumblr Post that contains AO3 Link by @cadybear420

Milestones (Aiden/Evie)— Tumblr + AO3 by @cadybear420

Immortal Desires

158 Days: Ripley's Diary by @rjschoicesstuff

A Late Encounter (Lewyn x MC!Callie) by @loreofyore

A Pinch of Sugar (Terri, Seth) by @aria-ashryver

Blood of the Covenant: Chapter 16 , (NB!MC x M!Cas x M!Gabriel) by @cassiusadalhard

Devi's first birthday as a vampire, will be part of botc 2 by @cassiusadalhard

Fae Changelings Edit (Cas, Gabe) by @aria-ashryver

First Valentine's Day (Cas x MC x Gabe) by @rjschoicesstuff

Miss Me More (M!Cas, MC-Ripley) by @rjschoicesstuff

Moving Day (m!Cas x m!Gabe x nb!MC-Luca) by @aria-ashryver

Pillow Talk (Lewyn x MC!Callie) by @loreofyore

It Lives Series

The Voices of Ghosts on AO3 —It Lives Within (Abel x MC) by @peonyblossom

Open Heart

in your arms, safe and sound (Tobias x MC) by @hazelestelle

now i wake up in the night and watch you breath on AO3 (Ethan x MC) by @peonyblossom

This was the Year (Bryce x OC! Olivia) by @storyofmychoices

who’d have known (Tobias x MC) by @hazelestelle

Red Carpet Diaries / Hollywood U

Inevitable : (Thomas Hunt x MC / OC Alex) + AO3 (HWU/RCD Golden Age Hollywood One Shot AU) by @theartoflovingthomashunt / @lovealexhunt

Love Lesson (Thomas Hunt x OC) by @princess-geek

magic hour (Seth/Matt) by @hazelestelle

The Royal Romance

Prologue- A Battle of Wits (Man of Honour Series) (Drake x MC) by @whiskeyinlythikos

Chapter 1 - Desperate Measures (Plus One Series) (Drake x MC) by @whiskeyinlythikos

Chapter 1 - A Spark in Hyde Park (Queen of Hearts Series) (Drake x MC) by @whiskeyinlythikos

Marabelle (Liam x OC) by @tessa-liam

Merry Christmas (Drake x Olivia) by @twinkleallnight

Once Upon a time (Liam, Fabian and his mother) by @ twinkleallnight

Remember Me (Leo x Madeline) by @twinkleallnight

Smoke & Mirrors (Liam x MC) by @tessa-liam

The Royal Romance Part 1 (Liam x MC) by @eadanga

Turning the Page (Liam x MC) by @tessa-liam

TerrorFest

Terrorfest headcannons (OC Kissy) by @cassiusadalhard

Wake the Dead

Dim Light: Chapter 1: Time is of the essence by @somerandomjewelleryonthefloor

Sledge CG Art by @somerandomjewelleryonthefloor

Visiting (Sledge x MC) by @somerandomjewelleryonthefloor

Participants:

Hyperlinks (below) don't work due to the 100 link maximum, but all user names and links above do work!

@aria-ashryver

@cadybear420

@cassiusadalhard

@choicesgodfanatic

@eadanga

@hazelestelle

@loreofyore

@lovealexhunt : @storyofmychoices / @theartoflovingthomashunt

@marmolady

@peonyblossom

@princess-geek

@rjschoicesstuff

@saskiskies

@somerandomjewelleryonthefloor

@tessa-liam

@twinkleallnight

@whiskeyinlythikos

Participants, please remember to interact with and support as many creators/works as you can ❤️

[choicesfandomappreciation]

With May coming to a close this week, I'd like to get feedback on how you think the Reblog Event went. But don't worry, if you haven't finished reblogging, you still have another few days (but honestly, missed the event? reblog whenever you can, I can't imagine anyone being upset to get late reblogs!)

Did your work get some more attention?

How many work(s) did you interact with? (ie: 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20+, everything)

Did you enjoy the works you interacted with? Did you just read books you already read for or did you venture into other books?

Did you interact more on Tumblr or AO3 or equally?

Do you think this event was successful?

Would you like to see another event like this in the future?

What changes would you like to see if there was another event? Did you like the structure of posting all the works at once and having a month to interact? Or would you prefer less works?

Please answer any and all you are comfortable with. You can comment, reblog, send an anon ask, or DM me. Whatever works for you!

Thank you to everyone who participated ❤️

@aria-ashryver

@cadybear420

@cassiusadalhard

@choicesgodfanatic

@eadanga

@hazelestelle

@loreofyore

@marmolady

@peonyblossom

@princess-geek

@rjschoicesstuff

@saskiskies

@somerandomjewelleryonthefloor

@tessa-liam

@twinkleallnight

@whiskeyinlythikos

[choicesfandomappreciation]

Thank you to everyone who has already shared their answers here or in messages. I will read and reply to everyone as soon as I can! I appreciate the time you took with your replies as well as in your participation of the event! 💛💛💛

[choicesfandomappreciation]

With May coming to a close this week, I'd like to get feedback on how you think the Reblog Event went. But don't worry, if you haven't finished reblogging, you still have another few days (but honestly, missed the event? reblog whenever you can, I can't imagine anyone being upset to get late reblogs!)

Did your work get some more attention?

How many work(s) did you interact with? (ie: 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20+, everything)

Did you enjoy the works you interacted with? Did you just read books you already read for or did you venture into other books?

Did you interact more on Tumblr or AO3 or equally?

Do you think this event was successful?

Would you like to see another event like this in the future?

What changes would you like to see if there was another event? Did you like the structure of posting all the works at once and having a month to interact? Or would you prefer less works?

Please answer any and all you are comfortable with. You can comment, reblog, send an anon ask, or DM me. Whatever works for you!

Thank you to everyone who participated ❤️

@aria-ashryver

@cadybear420

@cassiusadalhard

@choicesgodfanatic

@eadanga

@hazelestelle

@loreofyore

@marmolady

@peonyblossom

@princess-geek

@rjschoicesstuff

@saskiskies

@somerandomjewelleryonthefloor

@tessa-liam

@twinkleallnight

@whiskeyinlythikos

[storyofmychoices]

Our Greatest Adventure

This is the final part in The Hidden Path mini series. I started planning this moment 4 years ago. I've had this art for over 3 years. I've drafted at least a dozen versions of this and it never felt right, because I realized recently, it was never just about this moment, it was about all that came before and all that will come next. Having the mini series to explore that elevates this moment even more for me. I really hope you enjoy this art and the fic. Thank you for supporting these two for the past 6 years. I am eternally grateful.

Art by ArtbyAinna (instagram)

Read on AO3

Pairings: Mal Volari x Daenarya with Rayden (OC), Lydo (OC) Book: Blades of Light & Shadow (Book 1 AU) Word Count: < 700 Rating/Warnings: General, no warnings

Synopsis: The map that sent them on their latest adventure has brought them home. This is part two of "The Hidden Path" mini series.

Background: This is the final chapter in The Hidden Path series. It also comes after previous attempts at Mal proposing: A Proposal (of sorts) and To Have and To Lose.

Her pulse quickened as she lifted the key, questions racing through her mind. She carefully traced the dark metal of the lock, the corner of her lip tugging upward at the familiar design.

For a moment, all she could think about was her family—her boys... and Mal.

Her hand shook as she slid the key in place, twisting it until she heard a faint click. She chewed her lower lip, not sure what waited on the other side. The wooden gate eased forward with a comforting soft squeak.

She stepped forward, her breath catching.

Red rose petals were scattered delicately at her feet. Candlelight flickered on either side of her, inviting her to follow their light. She took a slow step forward, the petals shifting softly beneath her feet.

The yard was quiet except for the giggles and excited squeals from the boys trailing just behind her.

"Mal." His name was a wordless whisper on her lips as she approached a floral arch illuminated with lanterns at the center of the space.

He held his hand out, guiding her forward. His other hand rested on her swollen stomach. "I love you both." His voice was quiet, just for her. "I'm sorry things fell apart today."

Rayden and Lydo moved behind him, checking their mark to make sure everything was perfect.

Mal leaned forward, brushing a lingering kiss on her forehead before lowering to one knee in front of her.

"Daenarya—" his voice cracked as he said her name. He opened his mouth, but his words failed. He shook his head. "I practiced this so many times, but with you, I lose what I thought I knew."

"There hasn't been a moment since I met you that I've wanted to be anywhere other than by your side," he continued. "When you paused this morning outside of the city, talking about home, I had to fight against myself to propose on the spot. That moment may have been beautiful, but it wasn't our home. When the rain fell, and you were once again in my arms, I was reminded how far we'd come since that first dance and how I never want that dance to end. I thought about asking you then, but it wasn't where I wanted to grow old together. But then—" his gaze fell, his head shaking. "—Then I hurt you... I never meant to make you feel like I didn't trust you. It took everything in me not to tell you. To know I hurt you today—Daenarya." Tears filled his eyes, slipping down his face. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," she mouthed, her eyes glistening. She offered a gentle nod. "It's okay."

"If I had, I could have spared you so much pain. I'm sorry... but it's not just about us anymore. It's about our children and the home we share. It's not just about where we are now, but where we've been and where we're going. There is no greater treasure in this world or the next that compares with you.

Daenarya, will you marry me?"

Her breath hitched at the question hanging between them, her hands clasping over her mouth. A soft laugh broke through her tears. "Mal..." Her gaze flickered between him and the boys bouncing excitedly behind him. Her heart swelled. She nodded before she could answer. "Yes!" Her voice trembled, but her smile never faltered. "Of course, yes! I'll marry you!"

Mal slipped the golden ring onto her finger, his hands steady and sure.

He rose swiftly, pulling her into a kiss, his arms wrapping around her as he held her close, never wanting to let her go.

The boys' cheer broke their embrace. Their small hands tugged at them, waiting for their time to celebrate. The newly engaged couple fell to their knees, gathering their boys into their arms. Their shared laughter broke through the last of the tears as they held their family close.

This was just the beginning of their greatest adventure. 

Thank you again for reading! I hope you enjoyed this and hope that it feels earned and worthy of all they've been through.

[choicesgodfanatic]

A Valentine's Day Celebration

Today was Valentine's Day and Thomas was out with his girlfriend Becca carrying her bags, She was in front of him with Sabrina. Chris beside him was carrying Sabrina's bags. "Women" Chris said jokingly causing Thomas to chuckle. They both began walking into a store with their significant others. Becca and Sabrina both turn to their boyfriends. "You hanging in there bro?" Sabrina says teasingly. Thomas rolls his eyes struggling Abit as he is holding Becca's bags. 'Lets have a double date he said it'd be easy and fun he said' Thomas thought mocking Chris. Becca steps forward kissing Thomas on the cheek. "just one more item and it'll be done" Sabrina and Becca walks into a lingerie section. The two men set their girlfriend's bags down and Sits on a bench. "So how long it'll take them?" Thomas asks and Chris shrugs.

Laying back on the bench Thomas sighs and smiles "So when am I gonna be a uncle?" Chris eyes widen at the question and he starts blushing softly. "Man that's not something you'd ask on a double date... But no I don't have any plan on having kids right now" Thomas nods and lifts his leg above his right leg, He digs into his own pocket and pulls out a ciggerate lighting it puffing it. "Well I know one thing. Meeting Becca and being with her. It's amazing. Life changing" He blows out a puff of smoke. "I mean I never been with a girl other than her but she brings me to cloud nine" Chris nods. A security officer walks over to the two and cross her arms. "Sir no smoking here" no smoking in a lingerie store? In a mall? Stupid. Rolling his eyes Thomas puts out his cigarette on the bench and scoffs and Chris just chuckles as the female security officer walks back to the corner. "Well that is good. I was happy after you and your sister came. After you joined our football team last year we had some rivalry going on" Thomas raises a brow "Rivalry? I never viewed it like that. " Chris smiles at Thomas and he sighs "That's good to hear man" Becca and Sabrina both came out of their changing rooms and Holds the bag of lingerie after paying them. "Ok let's head to the car" Becca smiles at Thomas. The two couples soon walk out the mall and separate from each other, Thomas on the driver's seat and Becca on the passenger seat. She is combining her long blond hair and Thomas was smiling at her. "So you got a lot of clothes" He chuckles. "A girl needs to stay fashionable".

Thomas began to drive slowly, His mind drifts to his discussion with Chris earlier. Becca puts on makeup and he eyes his girlfriend. It's Valentine's and she hasn't brought him a gift. Just the usual shopping. "Oh and for your gift you'll have to wait" She smiles. Thomas chuckles and drives over to the parking lot of where they had their first date. "Oh the Korean barbecue place!" She smiles. After two minutes and a frustrating parking later. Thomas and Becca walks into the restaurant, It's been three years since they got together. After sitting and ordering the man in front of them began cooking. Thomas and Becca holding hands under the table both watch him slice up the meat and flipping it. After their food was made He kisses his girlfriend softly, caressing her face as he does so. The kiss was Abit sloppy and as their lips part she poked his nose. "Easy city boy" she giggles and reaches into her bag giving Her boyfriend a comic book of "Diary wimpy kid?!" He says in excitement. Becca smiles "Glad you love it" Thomas smiles and pulls out a engagement ring putting it on Becca's finger. "Marry me you beautiful blond goddess".

The resteraunt cheers as Becca hugs Thomas both kissing passionately, He holds her close and the resteraunt Awwes. Their both engaged happy and have more adventures to come.

A/N:

Mc= Sabrina instead of Emily she's siblings with Thomas. I came up with this

@lover-also-fighter-also @eadanga @ChoicesHoliday

@choiceholidays

[whiskeyinlythikos]

Chapter 1 - Desperate Measures

Series - Plus One

Word Count - 3610

Warnings - None

The atmosphere at their table was not golden; it was the suffocating, beige emptiness of another failed romantic endeavour which settled over them long before the appetizers arrived. The light in the expensive, bustling restaurant felt too bright, spotlighting Drake's increasing weariness.

Drake was already exhausted. Not from a hard day's work—though he’d had one—but from the sheer, soul-numbing effort of this endless cycle. He felt the tension coiled tight behind his breastbone, a dull, familiar ache of disappointment that tasted like ash and swallowed hope.

Across from him sat Chloe, whose voice, though constant, contributed nothing to the conversation. She was deep into a monologue about her designer dog—a 'Poo-Cavapom-oodle' that, Drake knew with a quiet certainty, cost more than he earned in a month.

"He's just so expressive," Chloe cooed, scrolling through her phone. She looked up, her eyes wide with sudden enthusiasm. "I've entered him into Crufts next year. Isn't that exciting? Do you like watching Crufts, Drake?"

Drake blinked, trying to process the shift from dinner date to dog show ambition. "Not really," he admitted honestly, then tried to find some common ground, throwing out a final conversational lifeline. "I do love dogs though. Had a busy day at work today, in fact. Had to treat a dog that got hit by a car, a big mutt. He was a fighter, though. He's going to make a full recovery."

Chloe’s face didn't just scrunch up in disgust; it froze, a flawless mask cracking to reveal pure disdain. "Oh, Drake. Honestly. My little Fluffy is a registered designer purebred with impeccable lineage. I can't even stand the thought of him getting near some… some dirty mongrel like that. They're just so common. Why would a respectable vet like you even bother?"

Drake's faint smile vanished completely, replaced by a cold, hard stare. He looked away, his jaw tight, the muscles clenching so hard it was a physical effort to not lash out. He focused instead on the smooth, polished wood of the table, desperately wanting to be anywhere else. Desperate to steer the conversation away from high-maintenance canines and the people who own them, he tried a different tactic. "Right. So, changing the subject: Do you like films? What kind of films do you like to watch?"

Chloe didn't miss a beat. "Oh! I do. My little Fluffy loves films too. We watch 'Poodle Patrol' every Sunday without fail."

"I... haven't seen it," Drake admitted, a knot tightening in his chest.

Chloe leaned in conspiratorially. "Oh, you must! It's his absolute favourite. It's about a group of poodles who travel across America fighting crime. We just get so excited whenever the poodles are on screen, fighting the bad guys. You could come over and watch it with us sometime."

Drake felt a faint twitch above his eye. He briefly closed his hand beneath the table, digging his fingernails into his palm, a small, private pain to anchor him to reality. "Right. Maybe."

Another one for the mental highlight reel, he thought, resisting the urge to check his watch. This wasn't just a bad date; it was a terrible date.

Drake had been on numerous dates over the past few months, desperately searching for someone he could share his life with. He was a romantic at heart, but every woman he met was profoundly incompatible with him. There had been okay dates, bad dates, and three truly awful dates, which stood out as the most exquisitely awful failures in a long, ongoing parade of disappointment that cemented Drake's sense of romantic doom.

There was Katie, who spent forty-five minutes explaining that her star chart showed they were cosmically incompatible because his sun was in a square with her moon—a serious astral misalignment. Despite acknowledging his "earth stability," she informed him that to fix their relationship potential, he urgently needed to book a seven-day sound bath and chakra alignment yoga retreat to balance his energies, and that until he did, any connection would remain strictly "Level One."

Then there was Tess, the Instafamous date. She insisted on setting up three different lighting rigs for their table before they even ordered. She stopped Drake mid-sentence to pose for a spontaneous "candid" photo, urging him to look "more rugged and spontaneous." She then dramatically announced she couldn't eat the pasta because the colour "didn't complement her outfit's current filter palette."

And Bryony, the Perpetual Analyzer. She brought a large, leather-bound notebook and a fountain pen. When Drake tried to pay her a sincere compliment, she responded by stating his phrasing represented a "classic affiliative signal, attempting to stabilise the power dynamic." Every attempt at genuine conversation was met with an analysis of his "vocal cadence" or his "posture when discussing a stressful situation."

It all fuelled the same dreadful conclusion: he was never going to find a genuine connection in this world. The idea was a cold stone settling in his gut, replacing the hope that had once been a fragile butterfly.

Back in the present, Drake watched as Chloe unfurled a large, laminated chart from her handbag. It was a detailed, colour-coded diagram of her dog's weekly food and nap schedule, which she began to carefully explain to him, her finger tracing a line from "Mid-day Meal" to "Afternoon Nap with Weighted Blanket."

Despite her comment about mongrels, the problem wasn't really her, nor was it any of the other women he had taken out. The problem was the larger, more immediate threat: the calendar. In six days, he had to fly to Cordonia—a small, picturesque country nestled between France and Italy—for Liam's wedding.

Liam, the Prince of Cordonia and his best friend, was the only reason Drake hadn't completely cut ties with the scene years ago, and the wedding felt like a return to the pomp and pretension he despised. He could handle facing the wealthy guests he couldn't stand, but the thought of facing his ex Kiara was a different kind of torture. He dreaded the pity in her eyes—a pity that would stem from her conviction that he was still pining for her, heartbroken and alone. The truth, of course, was the exact opposite: her cheating had given him the final, liberating push he needed to escape that entire, pretentious world and build a real life for himself. Now, facing the wedding alone felt like a public humiliation he couldn't survive. He needed a shield.

The next afternoon, at his veterinary practice, Drake was relaying the latest date horror to Craig, his business partner and friend.

"I’m done, Craig," Drake groaned, scrubbing a surgical table. "I have to face facts. I'm going to Cordonia alone, and I’ll just have to put up with the pitying glances and the cruel words disguised as sympathy." He leaned against the counter, genuinely defeated. "I’m starting to wonder if I'll ever find someone I have a connection to."

Craig snapped his fingers, an idea suddenly hitting him. "Remember my university friend, Mark? The finance director? He uses a service when he needs a date for a corporate event."

Drake looked up. "What are you talking about?"

"It’s called 'Rent-a-Date.' Someone professional who knows how to handle difficult situations and can make him look good in front of important people. Someone he doesn't have to worry about saying something completely crazy."

Drake's jaw dropped. "Are you talking about prostitution, Craig? Seriously?"

Craig laughed, shaking his head. "No! Absolutely not. It’s purely platonic. It's a professional companion service. You hire someone to accompany you as a guest, play the part of a partner if necessary, but it's just a business arrangement to avoid going to events alone."

He saw the disgusted look on Drake's face and leaned forward, his voice dropping to a serious tone. "I get why you're reacting like that, but don't dismiss it so quickly. Mark raves about the service he receives. He says it's a game-changer. Think about it: you hate all the pretense and social politics of the royal world, right? Well, a 'Rent-a-Date' companion can handle all of that for you. Mark says they're briefed on the whole scene, they know the etiquette, they can hold a conversation about anything, and they make him look good without any of the worry. No awkwardness, no guessing if they're having fun, no pressure."

Drake muttered, "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. I'd feel like a total phony."

"You're already feeling like a phony," Craig countered softly. "This just gives you control over it. Look, you need a shield against Kiara. This is a professional-grade shield. Just think about it. It’s a solution to the exact problem you’re having."

Drake was silent, still scrubbing the table. He didn't want to admit that the idea, as ridiculous as it was, was starting to make a horrible kind of sense. He had an out. He had a way to go into that week without humiliation.

"I am not doing it," Drake said, but this time, the words lacked conviction.

Drake arrived home from the practice that evening, the residual disinfectant smell clinging faintly to his scrubs. The silence of his flat was a comforting relief after the day's events, but the quiet also gave space for his anxiety to grow.

He immediately set about feeding Ozzy, his sleek black cat. "Here you go, mate," he murmured, scooping the food into a bowl. Ozzy rubbed against his legs, a low, contented purr rumbling in his chest. Drake crouched down to stroke the cat, running his hand over his glossy fur. This was his safe place, his real life.

He moved to the kitchen island to cook a simple dinner. His laptop sat there, still open from the day before, a silent, blinking invitation to disaster. He kept looking at it, remembering Craig's confident, persuasive tone. A professional-grade shield.

Drake tossed some pasta into boiling water, sighing heavily. "Look, Oz," he said aloud, gesturing toward the screen with his wooden spoon, "I can't go through with this. It's ridiculous. It's exactly the kind of fake, phoney nonsense I left Cordonia to escape."

Ozzy looked up at him, unimpressed, and returned to his dinner.

"But what choice do I have?" Drake continued, running a hand through his hair. "I can't face her. She'll be there, looking utterly flawless and acting like I'm still pining for her. It's the pity, Ozzy. That's what I can't handle. She'll think I'm broken. She'll think I regret leaving her."

He started to drain the pasta, his internal debate still raging. "Craig's right, though. I need a shield. I need someone who understands the transaction—someone who won't get messy. If I take a real date, I have to worry about them and their feelings. With this... it's just a job."

He looked at the laptop one more time, his jaw tight. The image of Kiara’s smug face won.

He finally gave in. He typed "Rent-a-Date" and began scrolling. The first few profiles were a visual and comedic nightmare.

He scrolled to the profile of "Tiffany, 29," who described herself as a "Professional Plus One." Her main skill was listed as "Strategic Networking," and she explicitly stated, "My rates increase after 10pm and triple if you need me to feign interest in financial markets." Drake closed the laptop instantly.

"Pathetic," he muttered to himself, pacing the length of his living room. "I'm hiring a consultant to validate my existence. This is peak stupid."

He stopped, sighing, and walked back to the laptop, opening it again. He needed to find someone.

Next was "Jane, 25." Her profile photo was a grainy selfie taken in a messy car, but her bio promised, "Always laughing! Ready for anything!" Drake almost considered it, until he saw the cautionary note at the bottom: "Disclaimer: Highly sensitive. Prone to sudden bursts of emotion if I detect a hostile environment." Drake slapped his palm to his forehead. A crying date at a royal wedding is exactly what Kiara would pray for. He slammed the laptop shut again.

He paced again, muttering, "I am not doing this. This is ridiculous. I'll just go alone." He knew he wouldn't. He couldn't.

Drake finally gave in to the horrible temptation and opened his laptop one last time. He scrolled slowly, his hope draining away with every profile, until he stopped at "Veronica, 30." Her photo was suspiciously high-quality, like stock imagery, and her bio was a list of ridiculous accomplishments: "Fluent in seven languages, part-time philanthropist, and champion competitive horseback rider." Drake scoffed. Too perfect. Too fake. Too much.

He was about to close the page when Ozzy jumped lightly onto the counter beside the laptop. He stretched, then used his nose to nudge the edge of the screen, causing the page to scroll down a single, crucial line.

Drake looked down at the cat, his finger hovering over the mouse. "What do you think, Oz?" Drake murmured, scratching his head. "Should I be an idiot?"

Ozzy rubbed his head insistently against Drake’s hand, as if urging him to look at the new profile that had just appeared.

Drake took the hint, and then he saw her. Emilia Dawson (26).

Drake stared. She was beautiful, and her smile was genuine—not the practiced socialite grin he was used to. He read her physical description: 5'5" with a slim build, blonde hair, and blue eyes. But the photos showed she was so much more. Her long, golden hair was wavy and fell past her shoulders. From a full-body shot, he noted she was slim and toned but curvy. What truly caught his attention, though, was her gorgeous, genuine smile. In some photos, she was captured mid-laugh, an expression that lit up her whole face and made him feel a sudden, inexplicable lightness, a momentary lift from the deep well of his despair. She looked happy and warm.

He read the details, his interest spiking with every word. She described herself as professional and discreet. She had a First-Class Degree in Business Management from University College London, was fluent in French, and was a proficient dancer.

Her interests listed her passion for animals and an 'adopt-don't-shop' philosophy. He noted the numerous photos of her with her two cats, proof of her genuine care. Her hobbies included live music, reading crime novels, and watching old black and white movies. There were also recent, time-stamped photos of her travelling and doing sports, confirming the profile was current and authentic. She looked amazing on paper. She was ticking all his boxes.

He found himself staring at her photos in a trance-like state, momentarily forgetting his panic and the reason he was on the site.

This was it. The point of no return. He closed his eyes, took a deep, shaky breath, and the image of Kiara's smug, pitying face was the final catalyst. He had to do it.

He clicked the message icon. His fingers hammered out the text quickly, aiming for blunt, professional urgency:

To: Emilia Dawson

Subject: Wedding Companion

Hi Emilia,

My name is Drake. I found your profile on the site. I know this is a business arrangement, and I’m sorry for the bluntness, but I’m running out of time. Would you be free for me to 'hire' you as a date for an event in Cordonia next week? It would be for a full week.

Drake

He reread the message once, winced at its desperate tone, but before he could delete it, he slammed his finger onto the 'Send' button. He physically recoiled from the laptop, instantly feeling ridiculous, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm. "I am an idiot," he groaned, running his hands over his face.

The next morning, his laptop was still open on the kitchen island, a beam of weak morning sun illuminating the screen. A new message notification glowed, stark white against the dark background.

Drake stopped halfway through making his coffee, his heart jumping into his throat. He stared at the notification, instantly gripped by a wave of cold panic and regret. What did I do? The desperate act from the night before—fuelled by exhaustion and the dread of Kiara—now seemed utterly insane. He mentally replayed his blunt, panicky message, dreading the reply. She’s going to tell me this is ridiculous. She’s going to think I’m a lunatic. His hand trembled slightly as he reached out and clicked the message.

The email opened:

From: Emilia Dawson

Subject: Re: Wedding Companion

Hello Drake,

Thank you for reaching out. I appreciate your directness regarding the business arrangement.

The international travel to Cordonia requires immediate discussion regarding logistics and duration. I am available for a brief phone call tonight at 7pm to review the specific event details and my professional rate structure.

Please confirm if 7pm works for you.

Kind regards,

Emilia

A massive wave of relief washed over him. She hadn't called him crazy; she was treating it as a genuine business inquiry. He was still an idiot for doing this, but at least he wasn't a rejected lunatic. He quickly typed his reply:

To: Emilia Dawson

Hi Emilia,

Yes, 7pm works perfectly. Thank you. My direct number is below.

I look forward to speaking with you tonight.

Drake

He hit send, the anxiety instantly returning, now focused on the pending call. He watched the screen for a moment, and almost instantly, a new message popped up from Emilia:

From: Emilia Dawson

Subject: Re: Wedding Companion

Confirmed. I will call you tonight at 7 sharp.

Emilia was all business. The call, and the fate of his week in Cordonia, was now set.

That evening, Drake spent the hours pacing his flat, the looming phone call seeming heavier than a lead brick. He tidied his already spotless kitchen and tried to focus on his work papers, but his mind kept ticking toward the hour.

Precisely at seven o'clock, his phone screen lit up with an unfamiliar number. Drake flinched, snatching the phone up as if it had startled him. He answered, his voice tight with nerves.

"Hello?"

The voice that replied was warm, clear, and utterly professional, immediately cutting through his panic. "Hi Drake, it's Emilia."

"Hi Emilia," he managed, sinking onto his sofa, the tension already easing from his shoulders, a physical, visible drop. "Thanks for calling."

"No problem at all. So, tell me about this wedding."

He nervously explained. "It's my best friend's wedding in Cordonia. I'm the best man. And my ex-girlfriend, Kiara, is the maid of honour. It’s a full week of events, and the family is very wealthy. The thing I need to mention—and this is why I need a professional—is that my best friend, Liam, is the Prince of Cordonia."

There was a noticeable pause on Emilia's end. "The Prince?" she repeated, her tone sharp with surprise.

"Yeah. That's why the entire thing is so drawn out and pretentious," Drake admitted, running a hand through his hair. "It means everything is going to be photographed and scrutinized. I need you to be prepared for tennis, a beach party, posh dinners. The hen party even has a gold theme, so you'd need suitable clothes for all of that."

"Got it," Emilia said, regaining her composure. "Well, aside from doing this for work, I also run my own business. Which means I'm certainly familiar with high-pressure environments, and I'm used to attending formal events. A royal wedding is a new one, of course, but I'm absolutely sure I'm up to the challenge. Tell me about you."

"I’m a vet. I run my own practice with my friend, Craig. I picked you because you love animals."

"I do," she confirmed warmly. "Especially cats."

"I have a cat, Ozzy," he said, smiling as the cat jumped onto the sofa next to him.

"Black Sabbath fan?" She asked chuckling.

"Yeah," he replied, smiling.

"One of my favourite albums is Master of Reality."

Drake's smile widened for real, a genuine, unguarded expression that felt alien after the date with Chloe. "Mine too. The bass lines on 'Sweet Leaf' are incredible."

They chatted about music and animals for a few minutes, the business arrangement momentarily forgotten. It was as easy as breathing, a sudden, effortless synchronicity he hadn’t known he was missing. He felt an immediate sense of trust, a profound ease as though he were talking to someone he had known, and respected, his entire life. The lead weight of the Cordonia trip, for the first time, lifted from his chest.

Emilia was intrigued by him, sensing a good heart beneath the nervousness. Finally, she brought it back to business. "Drake, I'd love to take the job. It sounds fascinating, and I think I can certainly help you navigate this week."

Drake felt a wave of relief. "Great. So, what's next? Do we just meet at the airport?"

Emilia's tone became firm and professional. "No. For an event of this scale and duration, a physical meeting beforehand is for the best. We need to finalise the contract, review the itinerary, discuss your family dynamics, and confirm the wardrobe. You need to meet me in person to make sure you're totally happy with me before we agree to anything officially. Let's meet at a discreet coffee shop near your practice tomorrow afternoon. Is 5pm doable?"

"5pm works perfectly," Drake confirmed. "I'll text you the address of a quiet place near the practice."

"Excellent. I look forward to meeting you, Drake."

"You too, Emilia. Bye."

"Bye."

Drake lowered the phone, not quite believing what he'd just done. He was committed. Yet, instead of the crushing dread he had expected, a small, unfamiliar feeling of anticipation settled in his chest, warm and unexpected. He was still a desperate idiot hiring a date to a royal wedding, but he found he actually felt pretty good about meeting Emilia.

Tags: @choicesficwriterscreations

Chapter 2 - The Arrangement

[saskiskies]

Hey. My WIP series Across the Stars for Endless Summer (Choices visual novel) is mainly posted on Ao3 (With sporadic update posts over here when I upload a chapter)

As part of the 'Choices Fandom Reblog Event' I am currently trialing posting my prologue chapter and chapter one over here. Please be gentle 🤣

This is Chapter One of Memories

Relationship: Jake McKenzie/f! Main Character (Endless Summer)

Rating: T

Tags: Romance, Lost Love, Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms, Depression, Memories, Memory Loss, Fluff and Angst, Spoilers, Swearing, HEA, Alternate Universe - Post-Canon

(Spoilers for Endless Summer canon under readmore.)

Memories

It's been almost five years since Jake lost his wife to the crazy crap that went down on La Huerta. He's finally starting to pick up the pieces of his shattered life when he stumbles across an all too familiar face, homeless, and with no memories..

There's no way it's her... Right?

*

How about from the other side.

How would it feel to wake up one day and not know where you were, or even your full name? What if there was no one you could call because you had no phone and well… there was no-one?

This is a typical day for Jayden. Except maybe its not so typical afterall. After struggling to survive on the streets she's about ready to give up hope, until a stranger who feels more familiar than he should offers the helping hand she so desperately needs

Chapter 1: Jayden

"Can you spare any change?"

She might as well not have spoken. Dwindling crowds continued to hurry past, in a rush to get home before the snow started falling. So many different types of footwear passing in front of her face, so many different walks of life.

Lifting her face to the skies, she gave a frown at the heavy grey clouds that blanketed the world, tiny flakes beginning to flutter softly down around her. Flakes that could have been pretty under any other circumstance, but not as the cold wetness began to seep through her clothes.

Clutching the thin jacket tighter she huddled against the pavement, arms wrapping tight around bent legs in a futile attempt to keep warm. A despondent weariness settled deep into her skin, her bones, working its way through her until it felt like it was all she'd ever known, but it couldn't be. Even though she had no memories before arriving in town she knew things had been different before. Knew it like she knew her name, like she knew there was someone she was supposed to find, and time was running out.

Not for the first time she wondered if there was anyone looking for her? She had glimpses sometimes, people whose faces she could never make out, laughter, fear, friendship, a sense of belonging. Other times she felt strong arms wrap around her, folding her in their warmth, where she felt safe and protected. Cradling her as though they were the only two people in the world.

She tugged anxiously at wool threads escaping from fingerless gloves. Maybe it was nothing but a wishful dream and there had never been anyone. Even if she was supposed to, she had no idea where to start looking.

Days blurred into weeks until she no longer counted them and she stopped questioning things she couldn't remember. All that existed was today. All that would ever exist was one single day repeating the same questions. Would anyone stop? Would there be anything to eat?

She came to dread the flickering images, they made her long for something she couldn't have and she was tired of always being alone when they ended. Closing her eyes she felt a familiar sense of longing and loss swept through her, wanting desperately to be able to lean back into the embrace, for it to be real. She forced her eyes open with a small bitter laugh. It always faded, no one was ever there no matter how hard she tried to hold on to the feeling.

The crowds were sparse now, most of the workers already headed home for the day. It was almost too much effort to try asking again, knowing how rarely anyone seemed to hear, but she felt an increasing urgency to try one last time.

"Can anyone spare any change?"

A pair of combat boots passed, continuing their way along the street and Jay dropped her head back to press against her knees, wondering not for the first time, if she had any chance of surviving this weather.

"Jay…?"

Startled from her thoughts she peered up through strands of unwashed blond hair that escaped her baseball cap. Strange. It almost sounded like someone said her name.

The boots had stopped just at the edge of her vision, facing back towards her. She lifted her eyes tracing a path up from the boots, past worn black jeans, a dark plain looking hoodie topped with an unfastened green jacket. Wide cerulean eyes stared back at her from a pale face framed with long brown strands that whipped about in the wind. What could have been an intentional beard or a couple of days of unshaved stubble scattered across his jawline.

Those unreadable eyes fixed onto hers, leaving her unable to look away, as though for a brief moment in time they were the only people in the world. He stared long enough that she began to feel uncomfortable, only releasing her when he finally spoke.

"It's cold.. D'ya… want some coffee?"

Jay gave a silent nod, frowning as she tried to shake the feeling of deja vu that washed over her as she made a weak attempt to stand. Stumbling on muscles seized from inactivity she threw an arm out wildly towards the wall for support.

"I got ya" firm hands gripped her arms in a surprisingly gentle grasp as he held her upright, patiently waiting for her to steady herself. Heat flushed across her cheeks, as she ordered her legs to behave and actually do their job and support her.

"Thanks" The words felt strange. "I'm good now."

He took a step back, eyes flicking over her almost critically. Clearly he didn't think she was good, though he chose to keep that opinion unspoken. A flash of irritation surged through her, then she remembered this stranger was offering her the only warm thing she'd had all day, and the irritation faded in place of something more akin to shame.

Tugging uselessly at the threadbare jacket, she stiffened as a shiver tore through her, the cold biting deeper with the absence of his hands and their unexpected warmth. The stranger let out an exasperated sigh, stepping close again and she felt something settle round her shoulders, warming and creating a barrier between her now damp clothing and the wind. Too thankful to be more than momentarily puzzled, she peered at him from under the peak of her hat, frowning when she saw he was no longer wearing his jacket.

"Why ..?"

"You really gonna ask that? Princ…" He broke off, mouth twisting in a pained grimace. "Let's just say you look like ya need it more'n me right now." He half reached forwards as though he wanted to take her arm again but instead jammed his hands deep into his pockets, taking a hesitant step back, far enough to give her space, but close enough to be able to grab her if she fell. "C'mon. let's get that coffee."

He led her past a couple of brightly lit storefronts until they reached a coffee shop that opened late. Stepping through the door they were enfolded in a cheery warmth, condensation blanketing the windows, the distinct aroma of ground coffee filling them as they inhaled deep breaths.

At the counter he flashed her a questioning look and she shrugged her response, an awkward unease filling her. How often did he think she ordered from places like this? Unperturbed he gave a wry smile ordering for both of them and pointing out a couple of pasties seemingly at random. Once they had their order they settled into a window booth.

*

Jake was having a major crisis. One he was desperately trying to keep hidden. Every fibre of his being cried out to throw his arms round the half starved girl sat across from him. However... and it was a pretty damn big however… She didn't seem to have a clue who he was. With a harsh twist of his mouth he forced himself to admit there was no way she could actually be who he hoped.

He didn't take his eyes from the girl that couldn't be Jay as she devoured a cheap pasty, eating as though it was the best meal she'd had. It hurt to see how thin she looked. How frail, how beaten. Hardly anything like the daring girl he'd fallen in love with on a summer island. With hands clenched under the table, he fought back the almost unbearable urge to reach out and brush the strands of hair back from her face.

"D'ya want anything else?"

He watched the need to question vie with hunger across her face. Hunger obviously won, though she dropped her gaze to the table, unable to meet his eyes. Jake unfolded a note from his wallet, trying not to sigh as he pushed it across the table at her.

"Go get whatever ya want"

The note was gone almost before he blinked, crumpled up in threadbare wool covered fingers. There was no mistaking the suspicion in her pale eyes now.

"What if I run?" She almost looked like she might run. She definitely looked as though she'd considered it.

"Then what have I lost?" He smirked, a faint imitation of an expression that had once been almost a trademark look.

A frown crossed her face as she focused on the note in her hand. "Um…. your jacket?" The side of her mouth edged up in what could have been an attempt at a smile and his heart wrenched, trying not to imagine her back out on the streets if she did run.

"I think I'll risk it."

He couldn't take his eyes from her as she queued and came back with a couple more pasties, jacket pockets visibly bulging with other things she could eat later. She paused at the edge of the table, weight shifting from one foot to the other as she reached a decision, shoving her hand out before she could change her mind.

"Your change"

Unclenching his fingers he reached his hand above the table and closed it easily around hers. He'd almost forgotten how small her hands had always felt in his.

"Keep it" He muttered. His eyes not quite meeting hers as he wondered what other things he might have forgotten. The thought that he could forget anything about her sending a sharp stab through his heart.

She observed him a little more critically as she slid back into the booth opposite him, more confident now hunger no longer gnawed at her. "You're strange"

Jake almost spat out the mouthful of coffee he'd just taken, managing an awkward half cough as she turned a familiar expression on him, "You have no idea…"

"You realise that's just proving my point?" her mouth twitched again, unable to hide her amusement at the response.

Instead of replying he took a sip of his coffee, raising an eyebrow at her as he drank, the smirk threatening to reappear. They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes as she devoured the second pasty.

"So…. what do you want?"

"Hmmm?"

"Don't just Hmmm. You could have thrown that note at me in the street and walked past, gone about the rest of your day, but you didn't…" she frowned, less sure of herself as her words trailed off.

"If I had? Would you have eaten inside where it's warm? Or would you have stayed out there til everythin' was closed and you froze?"

She had to admit he had a point.

"Look. I've been there alright?" He wasn't sure he'd ever made that clear to Jay in so many words. She knew he'd been on the run for three years, but not the amount of times he'd gone hungry or had to beg for a meal. Those were usually the sort of details he glossed over.

He went to take another mouthful of coffee realising as the cup reached his mouth that it was empty. Unwilling to leave her but not sure what else to do, he stood and gestured towards the counter.

"I'm gonna get another coffee. You want one? You gonna be here when I get back?"

"Please, yeah" There was less hesitation in her voice this time and she settled back into the cushioning to wait as he queued. It was certainly a lot more comfortable here than the pavement. Snuggling back into Jakes jacket she tried and failed to remember the last time she'd felt warm and full like this at the same time. Leaning her forehead forwards to rest against the window, she allowed herself to watch the snowfall and last minute shoppers hurrying by, able to appreciate the scene now she was seeing it from behind glass. She was asleep when he got back to the table.

He put the cups down as quietly as possible and sat frowning at her "Can it really be you Princess?" He mused. The longer he sat with her the more he was convinced, though he kept telling himself it was impossible. There was no way this girl could be his wife… his Princess, but the tiniest possibility kept him sitting there making sure no one disturbed her while she slept. If there was any chance, any at all, there was no way he could abandon her, especially not as she seemed to be on the streets.

He leaned back, coffee in hand, watching as she slept. For the first time in over four years he felt truly content, happy even. Jeez... When was the last time he'd actually felt happy. Was it really the day after their wedding? That first morning when he woke in the arms of his wife and knew he could survive anything as long as she was beside his side. The day he'd thought things were finally turning out right, but that ended worse than any of his nightmares.

It grew late and still he watched her sleep. He drank two more coffees. The staff started to close the shop around them, the cashier apologetic when she came over to the table.

"Sorry sir, we're closing now." She smiled at him sadly, her glance taking in both of them.

"It's okay. Thanks for letting us stay, for letting her sleep" He nodded towards Jay and handed the woman a tip "I appreciate it"

"It's no problem love" she looked between the pair of them and gave another smile. "You can have a few more minutes, but I really have to lock up soon."

He thanked her again and looked back at the sleeping girl across from him, really not wanting to wake her. Was this it? Was this where the magic faded and he went back home to his empty life? The thought left him fighting back tears, and he gritted his teeth, swallowing against the unwanted emotion. He was really sick of crying.

When he was sure he had himself under control he reluctantly climbed from his side of the booth and moved to hers, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. The third time he'd touched her since he saw her. Not that he was counting. Not that he still ached to hold her and run fingers through her hair. To stroke his thumb across her cheek and watch her lean into him as she always had.

"Hey sleepy. We gotta leave, they're closin'."

When she didn't respond he shook her shoulder gently, stepping back as her eyes flew open. The immediate alertness of someone who'd been sleeping rough for a while. He raised his hands, palms open, while her eyes darted from side to side, assessing the room, before coming back to settle on his face.

"You."

He shrugged, a wry smile appearing. "Just me, but we gotta make a move. This place is closin'."

"I was asleep?" She blinked a couple of times, trying to focus now the adrenaline of being woken was fading "You waited?"

"You looked like ya needed it" He could make excuses that they wouldn't have let her sleep if she was alone, but he knew there was no way he could have left her today. Not when his first response to that question was, I'll always wait for you.

He held a hand out "C'mon."

She gave his outstretched hand a wary look, before slipping hers into it and allowing him to help her to her feet.

"Thanks again" he called towards the back of the shop as they made their way towards the door.

She wished she hadn't slept. She wished he hadn't let her. It had been the most normal she'd felt in as long as she could remember, and she'd wasted most of it sleeping. She huddled deeper into his jacket knowing she should offer it back, but reluctant to let go of her only layer of protection, and because it's his, a small voice whispered in the back of her mind. A voice she told to be quiet. Being warm was the priority. Survival. Not being sentimental for someone she'd never see again. Really she should run before he had a chance to ask for it back.

When they stepped outside it was dark and the snow had turned into a driving rain. They were soaked by the time they'd taken more than two steps away from the door, warmth quickly fading.

"Over there" Jake spotted a covered alcove and set off, pulling her along with him, their hands still linked as they ran.

He was laughing as they ducked inside, and when he reached to tuck a strand of hair out of her face she was almost sure he was going to kiss her. What surprised her most was the swirl of disappointment as he leaned away from her and rested back against the other wall.

"Well, that wasn't what I expected to walk out into..."

He was still smiling, laughter written across his face, along with something raw, wild and untamed. Something that pulled at her in ways she couldn't have imagined and couldn't explain.

"Somethin' tells me we ain't gonna be able to wait this one out."

Her face fell as unwelcome reality slammed back. He might be able to wait this out, she had to find somewhere safe to sleep. The doorway they were in might do as a temporary shelter. She'd slept a little, so she could probably stay awake and not be easy pickings in the early hours.

She'd been silent too long and he looked back at her, all trace of laughter vanishing as he took in her expression and the defeated set of her shoulders.

"Ah… yeah… right.." He took a deep breath "Where you stayin' tonight?"

The feeling of shame was back. She should leave, walk purposefully down the street, pretend she had some place to go… but she knew he'd know. Knew he'd see it for the lie of bravado it would be. Instead she stayed silent and focused on the floor. Feeling gentle fingers under her chin she turned her face back towards his, uncertain as he made eye contact.

"Not exactly a night for sleepin' under the stars Princess"

"Not exactly like I have much of a choice…" There was something on the tip of her tongue to call him, but her mind refused to provide the words.

"You… could always stay at mine"

Something like anger flashed across her eyes "I don't… I won't… I'm not…"

He'd known the moment the words were out of his mouth how they sounded. How they'd probably be taken - but he couldn't not offer. The thought of her spending the night out here in this was unbearable. So was thinking of her anywhere he wasn't if he was completely honest with himself.

"Easy... I'm not askin' anythin' of you. It's just somewhere you could be outta the way of this for a while" He gestured at what was quickly becoming a storm outside their doorway, his southern drawl becoming more pronounced as he floundered for words. "If ya want… No pressure .. no expectations, no nothin'."

When he looked back at her face there was a sceptical, guarded expression there.

"I know. I know how it sounds Princess. but I ain't ever gonna do anythin' ya not okay with."

"Princess…" She rolled her eyes before looking herself up and down. Battered holed trainers, threadbare soaked jeans, that stupid useless shirt, topped off with his jacket "Some freaking princess." She muttered…

That infuriating smirk was back on his face, tugging at her in ways it had no business doing. He reached his hand out to her again.

"D'ya trust me?"

She worried at her bottom lip. Do I trust him? I only just met him. There's no way I can trust him. She couldn't deny that she had felt safe around him though. Safe enough to actually sleep. Which was more telling than she'd like it to be.

"...A little."

She hadn't thought it possible for the smirk to get bigger, but apparently she'd been wrong. He gave her hand a light squeeze as she placed hers in his.

"Good enough" Casting his eyes up to the skies he grinned back at her again, "Ready to make a run fer it?"

She had little chance to do more than glance up too before he stepped back out, pulling her with him as they ran shrieking into the storm. Laughter bubbling up as he tugged her along behind him, his fingers soft as they wrapped round hers.

His car was parked a couple of streets away and they were both beyond soaked by the time they reached it, throwing the doors open and diving inside. The rain bouncing on his roof and down the windshield as they slammed the doors closed behind them.

"I'm not sure your upholstery is going to forgive us for this"

He had that smile on his face again as he fumbled with the controls for the blower.

"Screw it"

A sharp bark of laughter escaped her. Survival had been her only priority for so long that it felt strange to be so blasé. Strange but somehow so natural as they sheltered together from the rain, the smile softening the lines of his face as he watched her with those hauntingly beautiful eyes.

"Yeah. screw it." She agreed, feeling her own smile stretch to match his.

Chapter Two (Ao3)

[choicesfandomappreciation]

AO3 Link

[choicesfandomappreciation]

Welcome to our first ever Choices Fandom Reblog event. The goal of the event is to try to boost fandom interactions by highlighting works in the fandom that members would like to see get a bit more attention.

In the month of May, let's celebrate these works! If the event is a success we can make it a reoccurring event.

17 Creators with 50 Works Shared

Listed alphabetically by series and name of work

Alpha

Informing the Family on AO3 (Channing x MC) by @peonyblossom

Blades of Light and Shadow

Our Greatest Adventure (Mal Volari x MC!Daenarya) + AO3 by @storyofmychoices

Bloodbound

A Vampiric Valentine's date (Adrian x MC x Jax) by @choicesgodfanatic

Crimes of Passion

Moment(s) of Truth (Trystan x MC!Emma) by @loreofyore

Desire and Decorum

In Another Life (Mr. Sinclair x Roselyn) by @princess-geek

Love, Tears, and Glory by @princess-geek

Endless Summer

Dealing with Demons (Jake x MC) — AO3 || Tumblr by @saskiskies

I Have You (art) (Estela x MC) by @marmolady

Memories (Jake x MC)— AO3 || Tumblr by @saskiskies

Rosencraft on AO3 (Estela x MC) by @marmolady

The Endless Ending on AO3 (Estela x MC) by @marmolady

The Freshman

A Valentine's Day Celebration (Becca x MC) by @choicesgodfanatic

The Boy Next Door (Chris x MC) by @eadanga

Wedding Night (Becca x MC) by @choicesgodfanatic

When Love Found Us Again (Chris x MC) by @eadanga

High School Story

An Unbearable Wait —Tumblr + AO3 (Aiden with mentioned Aiden/Evie(f!MC), male pregnancy) by @cadybear420

A Breath of Fresh Breeze, Chapter 1: The First Day (Evie(f!MC)). Tumblr Post that contains AO3 Link by @cadybear420

Milestones (Aiden/Evie)— Tumblr + AO3 by @cadybear420

Immortal Desires

158 Days: Ripley's Diary by @rjschoicesstuff

A Late Encounter (Lewyn x MC!Callie) by @loreofyore

A Pinch of Sugar (Terri, Seth) by @aria-ashryver

Blood of the Covenant: Chapter 16 , (NB!MC x M!Cas x M!Gabriel) by @cassiusadalhard

Devi's first birthday as a vampire, will be part of botc 2 by @cassiusadalhard

Fae Changelings Edit (Cas, Gabe) by @aria-ashryver

First Valentine's Day (Cas x MC x Gabe) by @rjschoicesstuff

Miss Me More (M!Cas, MC-Ripley) by @rjschoicesstuff

Moving Day (m!Cas x m!Gabe x nb!MC-Luca) by @aria-ashryver

Pillow Talk (Lewyn x MC!Callie) by @loreofyore

It Lives Series

The Voices of Ghosts on AO3 —It Lives Within (Abel x MC) by @peonyblossom

Open Heart

in your arms, safe and sound (Tobias x MC) by @hazelestelle

now i wake up in the night and watch you breath on AO3 (Ethan x MC) by @peonyblossom

This was the Year (Bryce x OC! Olivia) by @storyofmychoices

who’d have known (Tobias x MC) by @hazelestelle

Red Carpet Diaries / Hollywood U

Inevitable : (Thomas Hunt x MC / OC Alex) + AO3 (HWU/RCD Golden Age Hollywood One Shot AU) by @theartoflovingthomashunt / @lovealexhunt

Love Lesson (Thomas Hunt x OC) by @princess-geek

magic hour (Seth/Matt) by @hazelestelle

The Royal Romance

Prologue- A Battle of Wits (Man of Honour Series) (Drake x MC) by @whiskeyinlythikos

Chapter 1 - Desperate Measures (Plus One Series) (Drake x MC) by @whiskeyinlythikos

Chapter 1 - A Spark in Hyde Park (Queen of Hearts Series) (Drake x MC) by @whiskeyinlythikos

Marabelle (Liam x OC) by @tessa-liam

Merry Christmas (Drake x Olivia) by @twinkleallnight

Once Upon a time (Liam, Fabian and his mother) by @ twinkleallnight

Remember Me (Leo x Madeline) by @twinkleallnight

Smoke & Mirrors (Liam x MC) by @tessa-liam

The Royal Romance Part 1 (Liam x MC) by @eadanga

Turning the Page (Liam x MC) by @tessa-liam

TerrorFest

Terrorfest headcannons (OC Kissy) by @cassiusadalhard

Wake the Dead

Dim Light: Chapter 1: Time is of the essence by @somerandomjewelleryonthefloor

Sledge CG Art by @somerandomjewelleryonthefloor

Visiting (Sledge x MC) by @somerandomjewelleryonthefloor

Participants:

Hyperlinks (below) don't work due to the 100 link maximum, but all user names and links above do work!

@aria-ashryver

@cadybear420

@cassiusadalhard

@choicesgodfanatic

@eadanga

@hazelestelle

@loreofyore

@lovealexhunt : @storyofmychoices / @theartoflovingthomashunt

@marmolady

@peonyblossom

@princess-geek

@rjschoicesstuff

@saskiskies

@somerandomjewelleryonthefloor

@tessa-liam

@twinkleallnight

@whiskeyinlythikos

Participants, please remember to interact with and support as many creators/works as you can ❤️

[choicesfandomappreciation]

Just a reminder to everyone who submitted work for the event: part of participating is supporting the other creators on this list. If you haven’t participated yet, or have only reblogged a few posts, please try to show a bit more support.

I really don’t want to keep track of everyone’s participation, but I have noticed that several people who submitted work haven’t supported anyone else’s contributions yet. Since community participation is an important part of the event, I’ll likely limit future participation for people who consistently submit work without engaging with others’ posts.

I know this can be awkward to bring up, but I want to keep things fair and encourage a supportive environment for everyone involved.

@aria-ashryver

@cadybear420

@cassiusadalhard

@choicesgodfanatic

@eadanga

@hazelestelle

@loreofyore

@lovealexhunt : @storyofmychoices / @theartoflovingthomashunt

@marmolady

@peonyblossom

@princess-geek

@rjschoicesstuff

@saskiskies

@somerandomjewelleryonthefloor

@tessa-liam

@twinkleallnight

@whiskeyinlythikos

[storyofmychoices]

This Was The Year

[Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley Masterlist]

Pairing: Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley (F!OC)  Book: Open Heart Word Count: ~450 Rating/Warnings: General, fluffy fluff Summary: Bryce and Olivia celebrate the New Year

A/N: A New Years fic in February?! Shhh just pretend it's January! It goes with this art that I already posted

Olivia bounced in place, a mix of excitement, anticipation, and a little bit from the cold winter breeze dancing around them as they stood on the roof of their old apartment building, looking over the Boston Skyline. (Thankfully, Keiki took over the apartment when they moved because this was the perfect place to see the fireworks display.)

Bryce's gaze shifted to his wife, adjusting her scarf, her hat, her mittens. "Are you cold? Maybe we should go."

"Bryce, I'm pregnant, not made of porcelain!"

He wrapped his arms around her from behind, his hands cradling her stomach. "Can't a husband dote upon his wife?"

"Dote?" She paused, turning her head slightly toward him. "Yes...Smother? Wrap in bubble wrap?" She giggled softly. "No!"  

"Those are some steep terms you have there, Mrs. Lahela."

"I think you're up to the task to meet them," she teased, snuggling into his arms.

The chatter of the many groups surrounding them grew with excitement, drowning out the laughter and cheers of those celebrating in the streets below.

Olivia gazed at her watch.

11:58.

The countdown was almost on.

Not that, it wasn't already, but the real countdown.

The sound of those around them was hushed by her growing thoughts.

60...59...58...

The seconds to the New Year were thrilling. It's why they were all here, but for her...for Olivia...there was so much more to celebrate than the arrival of January 1st.

20...19...18...

The crowd was growing louder with each passing second.

Her mitten-covered hands rested on Bryce's above her stomach. Soon, she whispered.

10...9...8...

Her attention drifted to the skyline.

3...2...1...

The space was filled with cheers and shouts of joy, as a collective "Happy New Year" sung out into the air, almost drowning out the booms of the fireworks over the harbor.

She turned into Bryce's loving arms, pressing a kiss to his lips. He cradled her face, his thumb brushing over her cheek. She leaned into his touch, her gaze dropping to her stomach.

The New Year might have arrived. January 1st might have begun. But that wasn't what they were celebrating.

They were celebrating them.

They were celebrating him.

Their son.

Malia's baby brother.

Their growing family.

It was no longer "next year" or "next June".

It was here.

It was now.

This was it.

This was the year they would meet their son.

His lips brushed her forehead. A matching smile appeared on their lips.

No words were needed.

She stepped back, closer to the edge. The fireworks blossoming behind her could not dull the glow on her features.

Bryce followed her, taking her hand as she leaned easily into him, their eyes turning back to the sky and the beautiful display above them.

This isn't exactly the drabble I planned initially, but it's the one I finally finished. So I'm grateful for that. Better late then never??

Don't forget to go see the beautiful art by wisejazz

[somerandomjewelleryonthefloor]

❝ Dim light ❞ ✧ ೃ༄

Chapter 1: Time is of the essence

─────────────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. · ───

SUMMARY:

"The aftermath of a mission gone wrong."

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────────────────────────

Book/fandom: Wake The Dead, Choices.

Characters: Luciano Almirón, Shannon Fox, Troy Hassan, Eli Sipes, Angel Savage.

Word count: 1030

Audience: Teen & up.

Warnings: none that I'm aware of.

Extra: No Beta we die like real men. + This is just for fun, if it has mistakes and issues then idc.

Drabble Type: Angsty (?) (well it's definitely not HAPPY)

*ੈ°✩‧₊˚༺.☆༻*★₊˚*ੈ☆°༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚.*ੈ✩‧₊༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚•

It was a blur that afternoon they got back.

One minute they were scoping out unmarked territory.

One minute there's screaming.

One minute everyone's back home, and Shannon had made a beeline to her lab.

She threw the door open the minute she came in contact with it, going over to her table and grabbing a pair of hospital-grade gloves. They were light blue plastic and elastic and they made a large SLAP! Sound when Shannon ensured it was tight enough around her wrist.

She grabbed 4 vials off her top harness, holding them carefully as she dropped her journal on her desk and grabbed 2 small clear plastic slides and placed them on the metal table.

She was focused, of course, but in the back of her mind she couldn't help but feel stressed and worried. Who wouldn't be in this situation?

[Oh Luci...] She thought, [We'll help you, don't worry...]

As she carefully used a water dropper to extract one of the warm dark red samples from her vials', she heard loud footsteps of converse shoes behind her. The bottom of the shoes slapped the floor, and they quickly came up beind her.

"I got a few notes on Lulu's injuries." Troy's voice was right by Shannon's left ear as he kept explaining, "They're very deep. Obviously broke a few layers of skin, but her bones aren't damaged or fractured from what I can tell. Since we ran out of bandages I had to use cloth scraps."

"Clean?" Shannon asked as she prepared a slide.

"Of course." He affirmed.

Troy placed a small piece of paper on the table, near the microscope Shannon was about to use. It had "Luciano" written on the top with a list of sentences such as "high temperature" "Sweating profusely" "running nose." And "Has a headache. Possibly a migraine, as complaining about a "drum kit playing in her head" when asked severity".

Troy watched as Shannon put a cover slide over her sample and slid it under her microscope. She quickly fumbled around with the scope until it was focused properly and was clear.

"I need to go get Lulu some soup, I'll check back after."

"Got it..."

Shannon's voice wavered, and that wasn't lost on Troy. He walked over and planted a soft kiss on the top of her head.

"We'll find something, don't worry." He reassured her, "Lulu in capable hands. She'll be okay..."

He gave her a soft smile in spite of his glistening eyes. She couldn't see it, but the head kiss he gave her enough to ease even a little of her nerves. And that's all that mattered.

Troy then left the lab, leaving Shannon to her samples...

30 minutes later, Troy was power-walking through the kitchens with a warm bowl of soup and a cold Steel mug full of apple cider. The soup was only tomato. It was something Luciano never liked for lunch, but she needed to have something.

His swift pace was consistent, weaving and swerving with practiced ease through the full house as he moved into the foyer of the lodge. His thoughts were comprised on one thing: getting to Luciano's room.

He slipped through the crowd, making hast as he travelled up the stairs and to the second floor of the lodge. His pace did quicken however as he found himself in a ghostly hallway with no one in sight.

His weight made the floorboards underneath him creak as he practically flew to the end of the hallway, where the most important person in his life lived.

Room 189.

He sucked in a deep breath as he stood Infront of the closed door. He heard faint sniffling seep out from the weared down black wood, and he used to toe of his shoe to gently knock on the door three times, before waiting.

His face was the picture perfect example of worry. Furrowed brows accented with forehead wrinkles, shiny eyes and pouted lips as his breath was uneven.

He couldn't focus on anything else though, he couldn't even if he tried.

The door opened, and Troy was met with sage green eyes as Eli held the door for Troy.

"Lulu doing any better?"

Eli couldn't speak. His eyes looked down as they darted between the dark oakwood ground and the bed. Troy felt a small pit in his stomach form as he let out a shaky breath.

Getting inside, he moved over to the bedside table. Placing the food and drink on it, he quickly looked over at the actual bed, where he heard deep breathing as Luciano layed on her side. Angel was laying in front of Luciano, her faded purple and blue hair and black roots sprawled over her pillow as she kept a hand on Luciano's face.

Her eyes were puffy and red, and she sniffled as Luciano leaned into her touch.

Angel made eye contact with Troy, as he was about to tap Luciano's shoulder. She mouthed "no" with her lips, and he soon instead backed off and walked around so he could sit next to where Angel was.

The sound of the door shutting was the only sound you could hear besides heavy breaths being taken in. From where Troy was sitting, her saw Luciano's face fully flushed red as her eyes were sewed shut and her forehead was glistening with a thin layer of sweat.

It had only been 5 hours since, and she looked... Terrible.

Angel's thumb rubbed soft circles over Luciano's cheek, staring at the large woman in front of her struggle to even breathe properly.

...

Angel then shuffled closer and pressed her own forehead over Luciano's, gaining a small unintelligible mumble from the woman as Angel felt the warm tip of Luciano's hot nose touching hers.

It was the first time in months that they'd all had been quiet. That they'd all let the silence suffocate them like this.

They were only supposed to get in and out of a cabin close to the mountains.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

*ੈ°✩‧₊˚༺.☆༻*★₊˚*ੈ☆°༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚.*ੈ✩‧₊༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚•

Tags: @cadybear420 @lover-also-fighter-also (tell me if you wanna be tagged for this ^^)

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