I genuinely feel like when I read comments on socials these days people just have atrocious grammar/spelling errors. Like they can’t even string legible sentences together. I feel like I need a cipher to decode what the fuck they’re saying.
When I read Y/Ns that actually use (Y/N) and third person I always have like a standard OC that I insert. Does anyone else do this or do you actually just say your own name in the place of (Y/N)?
i know i say this often but i cannot say it loud enough: people who comment on fics, people who reblog posts and engage with fanworks are the people who generate community and without them fandom would be nowhere, so truly thank you for your presence, you make the world go 'round <3
to celebrate captain america’s birthday, let's throw it back to soft summer days, backyard picnics, and golden hour love stories for the full month of july 🧺☀️
welcome to picnic blanket prompts—a low-pressure, fluff-forward mini writing collab inspired by everything you’d find scattered across a summer picnic blanket 🍉🍓🍋
so grab a spot and come write!
── 💫 HOW IT WORKS
each prompt is based after a picnic/summer item, and is paired with some themes & dialogue ideas—pick one (or more!) and create a fic, drabble, or blurb inspired by it OR take a spin at the wheels to let it decide for you!
── 💌 WHO CAN JOIN
anyone! all pairings, x readers, ships, platonic, oc etc. are welcome (marvel encouraged, but not required!)
── 🏷️ TAG YOUR WORK
#picnic blanket prompts
#cap's birthday collab
#a star spangled summer
(use any of these + tag me so i can read & rb!)
── 🗣️ FAQS
📅 do i have to post on a specific day?
nope! post anytime during the month of july (late entries are always welcome—we’re here for vibes, not deadlines)
🤍 does my work have to be just fluffy?
not at all! fluff, angst, bittersweet, smut—all are welcome just make sure you tag all 18+ content accordingly (NO DDDNE/dark/taboo themes) if you think your fic crosses this line, shoot me a dm!
📝 can i write more than one?
absolutely!! this collab doesn't have any hard limits on entries and has more than 50 prompts and dialogue lines to choose from so if inspiration hits again and again, let it rip!
☀️ what if i don’t finish in time?
you can still post it! this collab is meant to feel like summer, a little loose, a little slow, and always ongoing 🌻
🧺 can i combine prompts?
yes please—some of the best ideas come from mixing them
(think: 🍋 + 🚗 + 🎆 for all the sweet spots)
and now for the drumroll...
✨ THE PROMPTS, THEMES + THEIR MATCHING DIALOGUE
if you don't want to manually pick a prompt/dialogue take a look at these wheels and give 'em a spin! this makes it easier to mix and match but if you'd like the corresponding ones check below!
THEME + PROMPT WHEEL | DIALOGUE WHEEL
💤 FALLING ASLEEP ON THEM
unintentional closeness
→ realization / softness / caretaking
💤 "Have a nice nap?" / "I thought you were going to sleep forever." / "Shh, go back to sleep baby."
🌙 GOLDEN HOUR
that in between moment
→ realization scenes / soft almosts / quiet tension
🌙 “It’s weird… everything looks different right now. You do too.” / “If I say something, will it ruin this?” / “We should probably go. - Yeah… just—give me a second.”
🧺 PICNIC BASKET
something hidden inside
→ secrets revealed / gifts / unexpected confessions
🧺 “That wasn’t in there earlier. - “Yeah. I didn’t know how to give it to you.” / “You brought this… for me?” / “If I show you, you can’t pretend you didn’t see it.”
🪑SAVED SEAT
someone always leaves space for you
→ quiet devotion / unspoken care / to be loved is to be known
🪑 “You always sit there. - Only when you’re here.” / “Was this—saved? - “It usually is.” / “I didn’t think you’d come. - “I didn’t think you’d leave me a spot.”
🌌 FIREWORKS ENDING
silence after the noise
→ emotional comedown / realization / loneliness or peace
🌌 “It’s really quiet now.” / “I liked it better when I couldn’t hear myself think.” / “So… what happens after this?”
☀️ SUNBURN
caretaking + vulnerability
→ tending to someone / soft touches / quiet intimacy
☀️ “Hold still—you’re gonna make it worse.” / “You don’t have to take care of me like this. - I know.” / “Does it hurt? - Not as much as you hovering.”
🍴 "TRY MINE"
sharing food & sharing space
→ intimacy / trust / soft flirting
🍴 “Here—just take it. - “I could’ve asked. - You never do.” / “You always give me the better one.” / “Try it? For me?”
🪑 FOLD OUT CHAIRS
side by side conversations
→ late-night talks / emotional honesty
🪑 “Funny how it’s easier to say things when we’re not looking at each other.” / “We’ve never actually talked about this, have we?” / “If I say it now, I can’t take it back.”
🛏️ AFTERNOON NAP
lazy, quiet closeness
→ drifting in and out of sleep together / accidental cuddling
🛏️ “You’re still here. - “Wasn’t planning on moving.” / “Did I fall asleep on you? - “Yeah… didn’t mind.”/ “We should get up. -“In a minute.”
⏳ WAITING
for them to show up + change
→ doubt / hope / payoff reunion
⏳“You said you’d come back.” / “I almost stopped waiting. - “Almost?” / “You’re late. - “I know. I’m still here.”
🧃 JUICE BOX
playful, youthful energy
→ carefree chaos / laughter / childhood nostalgia
🧃 “You just sprayed that everywhere. - Worth it.” / “When did we start acting like kids again?” / “Don’t laugh—I’m serious. - “That’s the problem.”
🌾 TALL GRASS
half-hidden, tucked away
→ private conversations / secret kisses / hiding from others
🌾 “No one can see us out here.” / “We shouldn’t be hiding. - “Then why are we?” / “It feels different when it’s just us.”
🕶️ SUNGLASSES
seeing + not seeing
→ stolen glances / hiding feelings / perception vs reality
🕶️ “I can tell you’re staring. - You can’t even see my eyes.” / “You hide behind those a lot. - “Maybe I need to.” / “Take them off. - “Why?“ - So I know what you’re thinking.”
🧁 CUPCAKES
small celebrations
→ “it’s not a big deal” birthdays / quiet milestones / soft surprises
🧁 “It’s not a big deal. - “Then why’d you remember?” / “You got these for me? - “Don’t make it weird.” / “Make a wish. - “You already know what it is.”
🪵 WOODEN FENCE
leaning, waiting
→ watching from afar / longing / quiet observation
🪵 “You’ve been standing there a while.” / “I didn’t think you’d notice me.” / “You always look like you’re about to leave.”
🧂 POTATO CHIPS
light, messy, impossible to eat just one
→ casual closeness / reaching into the same bag / lingering touches
🧂 “You’re gonna finish the whole bag. - “Watch me.” / "My hand was already there. - “So was mine.” / “You don’t mind sharing? - Not with you.”
🎆 FIREWORKS
big emotions, louder than expected
→ confessions / overwhelm / emotional release
🎆 “I can’t hear you—what did you say?” / “I said I—” boom / “Fine. I’ll say it again.”
🍽️ PAPER PLATES
temporary but meaningful
→ fleeting moments that still matter / this won’t last, but it’s real
🍽️ “This is kind of temporary, isn’t it?” / “Does it matter if it is?” / “I think I’d still choose this.”
🔕 MISSED CALL
almost connection, the one that got away
→ timing issues / regret / what could’ve been
🔕 “I tried calling. - “I know.” / “Why didn’t you pick up? - “I didn’t know what to say.” / “You were supposed to be there.”
🍦MELTING ICE CREAM
time running out + fleeting moment
→ rushed confession / “before it’s too late” energy
🍦 “It’s gonna melt. - “Then say it faster.” / “We’re running out of time. - “Then don’t waste it.” / “Just—before it’s gone…”
💫 WATCHING THE STARS TOGETHER
sneaky love + soft touches
→ falling asleep together / naming the stars after each other / forced (welcomed) proximity
💫 “That one’s yours. - “You can’t just claim stars.” / “You’re closer than you think.” / “If we stay like this, I might fall asleep. - “Then stay.”
⛺ BONFIRE
warmth in the dark
→ storytelling / vulnerability / shared silence
⛺ “You don’t have to tell the whole story.” / “It’s easier in the dark.” / “I didn’t think anyone was listening. - “I always am.”
🌊 LATE NIGHT LAKE SWIM
daring love + hidden feelings
→ romantic tension / almost confessions
🌊 “It’s freezing. - “You jumped in first.” / “You look different out here.” / “If I say something stupid, blame the cold water.”
🍯 HONEY
slow, golden, lingering
→ drawn-out tension / soft touches that last too long
🍯 “You’re taking your time. - “I’m not in a hurry.” / “You always do that—linger.” / “Say it already. - “Not yet.”
🎇 FIRECRACKER
sudden, sharp reaction
→ arguments / impulsive confessions / tension snapping
🎇 “Why are you acting like this?” / “Because you won’t just say it!” / “Fine—then listen.”
📸 DISPOSABLE CAMERA
captured moments
→ memories / realizing feelings after the fact / almost too late
📸 “Don’t delete that. - “I wasn’t going to.” / “You kept all of these? - “Every single one.” / “That’s when it started, wasn’t it?”
🌧️ SUDDEN RAIN
plans interrupted
→ running for cover / laughter / forced closeness
🌧️ “Run! - “Where?”/ “You’re soaked." -“So are you.” / “We should’ve checked the weather.” - “I’m glad we didn’t.”
🌳 SHADED TREE
relief from the heat
→ safe space / emotional grounding / leaning on someone
🌳 “Come sit. You look like you need it.” / “It’s cooler here.” - “Stay, then.” / “You always find the quiet spots.”
🐜 ANTS
tiny annoyance crowding into a big moment
→ interrupted confession / forced proximity / comedic tension
🐜“Don’t move—there’s—” / “Why are you so close?” - “Because you won’t stop moving.” / “This is not how I pictured this going.”
🍓 STRAWBERRIES
soft, indulgent, a little romantic
→ feeding each other / quiet affection / yearning
🍓 “Here—try it like this.” / “You’re staring.” - “You make it hard not to.” / “You always give me the sweeter ones.”
✨ SPARKLERS
brief but bright
→ momentary romance / realization of feelings / magical moment
✨ “It won’t last long.” / “Then don’t waste it.” / “Look at you—you’re glowing.”
🎡 CARNIVAL NEARBY
distant music and lights
→ yearning / wanting something more / chasing a feeling
🎡 “We could go, you know.” - “Or we could stay.” / “You ever feel like you’re missing something?” / “I think this is enough.”
🍋 LEMONADE
something sour turning soft
→ enemies to lovers lite / misunderstandings / emotional resolution
🍋 “You don’t hate me that much, do you?” / “It gets better, I promise.” / "Flirting? Me? I wouldn't call it that."
💛 BEFORE THE SUN GOES DOWN
aware of fleeting happiness + trying to memorize the moment
→ noticing details / fear of losing it
💛 “You’re doing that thing again.” - “What thing?” - “Trying not to forget.” / “Say something so I remember this right.” / “I wish I could pause this.”
📦 LEFTOVERS
what’s left behind
→ memories / things unsaid / emotional residue
📦 “You can take this with you."/ “Feels weird packing it up." /“Not everything gets finished.”
☕ MORNING AFTER PICNIC
soft aftermath
→ quiet conversation / reflection / “we should do this again”
☕ “We should probably talk about yesterday.” / “Do you have to go?” / “Same time next week?”
🧻 NAPKINS
cleaning up a mess
→ vulnerability after something goes wrong / wiping tears / gentle care
🧻 “Hey—look at me.” / “It’s just a mess. We’ll fix it.” / “You don’t have to pretend you’re okay.”
🍉 WATERMELON
sticky fingers, shared bites, sweetness that lingers
→ first kisses / almost kisses / teasing intimacy
🍉 “You’ve got juice all over your hands.” / “Then help me clean it.” / “You missed a spot.”
🍞BRUSHING NON-EXISTENT CRUMBS OFF
crushing hard + scared to admit it
→ lingering touch / excuse for contact / care disguised as habit
🍞 “Hold still.” / “There’s nothing there.” - “I know.” / “You don’t have to find excuses.”
🌬️ SUMMER BREEZE
soft, barely there
→ almost touches / words left unsaid / quiet longing
🌬️ “Did you feel that?” / “You almost touched me.” / “Almost doesn’t count.”
🚗 IN THE TRUCK BED
open air, close proximity
→ stargazing / late-night talks / accidental intimacy
🚗 “There’s more space than I thought.” - “Not really.” / “You can lean if you want.” / “Don’t fall.” - “Then don’t move.”
🫙WATCHING THE FIREFLIES COME OUT
summer crush
→ not realizing how close the other is / brushing hands
🫙 “You’re closer than you were a second ago.” / “Don’t scare them off.” / “I wasn’t looking at the fireflies.”
💬 OVERHEARD CONVERSATION
something you weren’t supposed to hear
→ misunderstandings / accidental confessions
💬 “How long were you standing there?” / “Long enough.” / “You weren’t supposed to hear that.”
🏡 BACKYARD LIGHTS
soft glow at night
→ slow dancing / late-night confessions / lingering after everyone leaves
🏡 “Dance with me.” - “There’s no music.” - “There doesn’t have to be.” / “Stay until they turn off.” / “Just one more song.”
🎈WATER BALLOON FIGHT
chaotic love + messy aftermath
→ picking pieces from their hair / hanging up wet clothes / sharing a towel
🎈 “You started it!” - “You escalated it!” / “You’re soaked.” - “So are you.” / “Come here—hold still.”
🥗 PASTA SALAD
thrown together but somehow perfect
→ unlikely dynamics / found family / chaotic group settings
🥗 “This shouldn’t work, but it does.” / “Kind of like us.” / “Don’t say that like it’s a bad thing.”
🍒 CHERRIES
sweet with a hint of tension
→ playful teasing / “tie the stem” flirting / building tension
🍒 “You’re not actually going to try that, are you?” / “Watch me.” / “You’re unbelievable.”
🧺 PACKING THE PICNIC
preparation as love
→ doing things for someone before they even ask
🧺 “You already thought of everything.” / “I know what you like.” / “You didn’t have to do all this.” - “I wanted to.”
🌻 WILDFLOWERS
simple, soft, meaningful
→ “i saw this and thought of you” / gentle love
🌻 “These aren’t anything special.” - “They are to me.” / “You picked these?” - “I saw them and—yeah.” / “You think of me when you’re not here?”
🌅 LAST SUMMER TOGETHER
knowing it’s ending
→ goodbye energy / nostalgia / unresolved feelings
🌅 “Let’s not talk about what happens after.” / “Just this once, okay?” / “I’m going to miss this.”
🚶 WALKING AWAY
choosing distance
→ self-protection / heartbreak / growth
🚶 “Don’t follow me.” / “If I stay again, I won’t leave at all.” / “This isn’t me giving up.”
🎶 PORTABLE RADIO
music drifting through the air
→ dancing / memory-triggered moments / song-associated love
🎶 “You remember this song?” / “Don’t laugh—dance with me.” / “We used to—” - “I know.”
🥪 SANDWHICHES
carefully made, quietly thoughtful
→ acts of service / knowing someone’s preferences / domestic intimacy
🥪 “You cut the crusts off.” - “You hate them.” / “You remembered that?” / “I always do.”
🤝 “WE'RE JUST FRIENDS”
until it’s clearly not
→ blurred lines / tension / denial
🤝 “We’re not doing anything wrong.” / “Then why does it feel like we are?” / “Say it—we’re just friends.”
🧊 COOLER
what’s kept hidden
→ secrets / things unsaid / emotional walls
🧊 “What else are you keeping in there?” / “Stuff you’re not ready for.” / “You don’t have to hide it from me."
✨ anything else i should know?
just this: take your time, enjoy the process, and don’t overthink it
this collab is about capturing a feeling. something warm, fleeting, and worth holding onto 🌼
for any more questions/curiosities feel free to send a message my way so we can figure it out! thank you all so much and i can't wait to see what you guys write!
throwing a few tags out there, don't feel pressured into doing anything i just thought i would spread the word and make the blanket big enough for us all ✨
