Welcome to the Off-Season Winter Sports Fandom Challenge!
There is a long drought ahead of us, so to shorten and sweeten the endless period between now and next winter, the fandom challenge has our backs.
Running for its second year, in the new and improved OSWS Fandom Challenge, for every other week of the off-season, between March 27th and October 29th, there will be one prompt posted. You can participate by creating anything for any winter sports you like: fanart of any kind, drawings, picture edits, video edits, playlists, drabbles, ficlets, one-shots, even multi-chapters!
You can use any or all prompts posted - there are no expectations to fill all of them. Please tag all entries with #OSWS fandom challenge and/or tag this blog so everyone can easily get their summer-y winter sports fix.
Hello Everyone! Thank you very much for your input to the post from last friday. I hope we will have many people from all kinds of winter sports to join for this year's (slightly delayed) edition
This year's secret santa includes the same sports as last year:
Alpine Skiing
Biathlon
Cross-country skiing
Freestyle skiing
Nordic combined
Ski jumping
Snowboarding
The specs of the gifts, also the same as last year:
Fanfiction of at least 600 words
Gifset of at least 6 gifs
Fanvid of at least 4 minutes length
Fanmix of at least 10 songs
Fanart of at least 540x810 px
A set of at least 9 icons
A set of at least 4 screenlocks
Dates:
3 december 2023: Sign-up open
8 december 2023: Sign-up close
9/10 december 2023 I will send out your giftee
6 January 2024, 19:00 CET: REVEAL
Other important stuff:
For the reveal: Don't forget to @ your Giftee and to tag your post "wsss2023" so we can all see it too.
If you are away on the day of the reveal, you can queue your post.
If you know that you will be late with your reveal, send your Giftee a short message so they'll know something's coming.
If you realise that you cannot fulfill your secret santa at all, please message me as soon as possible!
The Skiing discord realised that there is no winter sports secret santa this year. I've never organised anything like this but there's always a first time for everything. So, a question into the void:
Would anyone else be interested to participate in a secret santa with the reveal on 6th of January?
If yes, for what sport would you like to create something? Last year's choices were alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, ski jumping, freestyle, snowboarding, and nordic combined. I'm only really active in and informed about alpine skiing but we could open it for everyone if you're interested.
If anyone else is interested I'd try to whip up a form until Sunday evening (I'm away all day tomorrow) with sign-up deadline until 8th of December, which would leave you one month to create.
Last year the requirements were 600 words, six gifs, a fanvideo of 4 min length, one piece of fanart 540x810 px or 4 screenlocks.
OSWS finale - can you believe it?! It's time (or almost time) for our favourite sports to start into a new season and it's time for OSWS to go back into hiatus until next year. Out we go with a bang and our last prompt!
prompt #16:
❄️ New beginnings ❄️
Big thanks to everyone who participated. It's been an absolute blast 💜
We're almost there, and for our second to last prompt, we've thought of something special. We've brought you the classics, now we're bringing you a new spin on one:
characters: Jiri Konvalinka, Kasperi Valto, Vilho Palosaari, Niko Kytosaho, Radek Rydl
pairing: Jiri Konvalinka x Kasperi Valto
"We're heading to the hill now. The reception has the spare keycard." Jiri read Vilho's message over and over, still unable to process what he was about to do. "Thank you." answered Jiri and left the car he was hiding in for 2h now. He quickly grabbed his stuff and almost ran into the hotel. "I need the keycard for room 170." he said to the receptionist. "Ah you are the friend of the guys from finland?" the receptionist asked. "Yes, yes I am." he answered. "Here's the card." said the receptionist and handed the card over. Jiri smiled, took the card, grabbed his suitcase and walked up the stairs to the first floor.
Arrived on the right floor, he met Radek. "If you want to go to the hill together with the team, you need to be ready soon." said Radek. "I will be." answered Jiri. Jiri opened the room and dropped his suitcase. He put his hoodie back on and took his backpack, before again leaving the room. Jiri stood around, waiting for his teammates. As soon as all of them were ready, they sat down in the bus. Jiri started to nervously fingertap his legs. "Nervous?" asked Radek. Jiri nodded. "But just a little."
At the hill, Jiri put his hood on and immediately went past everyone and was able to reach the crowd unnoticed by Kasperi. He sat down on the ground for a moment. Calming himself down. He was here, finally able to watch his boyfriend jump again. Lahti had been the last time they saw eachother jump as well it had been the first time seeing eachother after they confessed their love to eachother.
During trial round, Jiri cheered for both the czech and finnish team, but tried to remain as unnoticed as possible. During Kasperi's jump he tried to stay calm, but had to smile brightly. This was his boyfriend and the jump looked promising.
As soon as the first round was about to start, he started to get nervous, because meeting Kasperi was just 16 jumpers away. He was scared that Kasperi wouldn't be happy, but on the other hand, he doubted that this was even possible. In his spiral of thoughts Jiri missed a few jumpers, but started to cheer for everyone, but especially his fellow countrymen and Hector. Right before the jumper who started before Kasperi was starting, Jiri went to the changing zone next to the outrun, but hid behind a wall so that Kasperi wouldn't notice him that fast. When Kasperi jumped, Jiri was stressed but screamed a little, because the jump went so well. "Amazing." he thought and watched Kasperi, leaving the outrun, putting his skies down and starting to get changed.
As Kasperi looked ready, Jiri silently walked towards him and covered Kasperi's eyes with his hands. Kasperi froze and didn't move for a moment. "Ji- ji- Jiri?" he asked. Jiri laughed a little, put his hands down and turned Kasperi around. "Yes, here I am." he said and smiled brightly. Kasperi looked at him with wide eyes, too stunned to speak.
"How? What are you doing here?" Kasperi asked and smiled. Jiri smiled back. "Decided to support my boyfriend at such big event." he whispered and wrapped an arm around Kasperi.
Kasperi grabbed his stuff and pulled Jiri around until they reached the team space from team Finland. "What are we doing here?" asked Jiri with a little confusion. Kasperi smiled, put down his stuff, wrapped his arms around Jiri and kissed him passionately.
"I missed you." said Kasperi and caressed Jiri's cheek. "I missed you too. That's why I made this work." said Jiri and smiled. "Didn't you say there was training to do?" asked Kasperi. "There is. But can do it everywhere. And additionally, I told you, because I wanted this surprise to work." said Jiri. "But you would have missed the normal hill comp." said Kasperi. Jiri nodded. "Yes, but now I'm glad I won't." he answered. Kasperi smiled and wrapped his arms around Jiri. "Let's go back, before the others are looking for me." he said and kissed Jiri again. Jiri kissed Kasperi back and smiled into the kiss. "As long as it's your team or team Czechia they'd look for both of us." Jiri said and laughed a little. "They know?" asked Kasperi. Jiri nodded. "Wouldn't have been possible without them knowing. And I had to promise the coaches to train with our team." he said. "So they accept us?" asked Kasperi. "I mean, I didn't really tell the czech team, but I guess they are able to put two and two together and as far as I know, they don't care about it." answered Jiri and smiled. "Good, let's go now."
When they came back, they met Vilho. "Kasperi, you have to get ready for second round." he said and smiled brightly. Kasperi looked at him in shock. "I made it?" he asked. Vilho nodded. "Team Finland will likely completely end up in second round." said Jiri, looking at the liveticker. Kasperi still couldn't believe it. He would be in a second round and will jump, again watched by his boyfriend.
After some time, Kasperi found himself back on the bakken, ready to jump. Jiri was looking up, rooting for Kasperi and hoping for another great jump. Jiri jumped up and down and cheered when Kasperi landed. He was incredibly proud of his boyfriend, no matter the end result.
As soon as Kasperi was able to go to Jiri, he almost ran over to him and smiled. Jiri smiled back and wrapped his arms around his boyfriend. "I'm so proud of you." said Jiri. Kasperi smiled and wrapped his arms around Jiri. "I'm happy that you are here." said Kasperi.
Suddenly Niko appeared and smiled. "Do you want to occupy the team room? Otherwise I'll go there now." he said and smirked. Jiri and Kasperi grinned and walked to the team room without attracting to much attention. Niko just looked after the boys and laughed. The similarities to other couples in skijumping world were real.
Back in the team room, Kasperi pulled Jiri closer and kissed him with passion. Jiri smiled into the kiss and wrapped his arms around Kasperi. Their hearts were beating in unison and Kasperi felt like the world stood still.
Hours later, they both lied in Kasperi's bed and cuddled, silently admiring the presence of the other. "I couldn't think of anything better than being with you and having you cheer for me." said Kasperi and kissed Jiri's cheek. "I love you. And I'll never stop cheering for you." said Jiri and placed one hand at Kasperi's cheek. "I love you too." said Kasperi and kissed Jiri passionately.
We're already halfway! Can you believe it? It's prompt number eight of sixteen and this one's a favourite from last year. We can't wait to see your take on it! 💜
prompt #8:
❄️ Sports Mash-Up: Combine any two or more sports blorbos of your choice ❄️
For the third prompt of this year‘s @oswsfandomchallenge: Late Night Calls. What is it about this one that makes us think of the hockey boys… Anyways, as per usual, this is mostly just vibes. Vaguely set in a Swiss summer after successful playoffs for the Devils.
General Audiences, 826 words, Nico Hischier/Jonas Siegenthaler
It‘s barely two rings before Nico picks up, despite the late hour. Zurich is never really all that quiet, especially not in the city center on a Saturday night, but there‘s a lot more noise on Nico‘s side of the call anyways - music and loud voices and various other sounds Jonas can‘t quite identify.
„Give me a second,“ Nico‘s familiar voice says and Jonas waits him out while the background noise fades a little and Zurich is busy around him and chilly and dark.
He catches his knee bouncing and rests a heavy palm on it, tries to breathe deeper into his belly, calm his nerves a little. It‘s stupid to be nervous about Nico. Stupid to even make this a thing.
There‘s what might be a door closing on Nico‘s side of the call, then relative quiet for a few more moments.
„Hey,“ Nico finally picks up their conversation, radio signal spanning wide across their small country.
„Hey,“ Jonas echoes, has to clear his voice when it comes out gravelly.
Nico chuckles in his ear. „Jonas Siegenthaler calling at 2am, to what do I owe that rare pleasure?“
I just miss you, Jonas wants to say. It would be the truth, but the words somehow feel too big to fit past his lips, unimaginable to explain that he didn‘t feel he could go to sleep alone in his Zurich apartment knowing Nico‘s out partying across the country.
He shrugs, instead, like Nico can see him, like it‘ll help slide the anxious energy off his shoulders. „Went out with the ZSC guys,“ he tells Nico. „Thought I‘d make sure you‘re not passed out in a ditch from all the white wine before I go home.“
It‘s a flimsy excuse at best for wanting to hear Nico‘s voice, but Nico doesn‘t call Jonas out on it. They‘re supposed to meet up in Bern the following week, have left New Jersey on the same plane barely ten days ago. Time stretches like the hot summer asphalt, like gum, flimmers with the awkward tension between them.
He can imagine Nico‘s grin down to every last dimple and crease when he answers. „I‘m fine, Jo. White wine tolerance is built into every Valaisan‘s DNA, you should know that by now.“
„You‘re probably more of a Jersey boy at this point,“ Jonas tells him just to take the piss, to make Nico gasp in mock-outrage.
„Say that to my face again next week and I‘ll show you…“ He trails off laughing, the threat empty anyways.
They share a few quiet breaths, and Jonas finds himself smiling into the night, calmed by how normal this feels.
How normal it feels until Nico sighs into the phone, quietly says „Jo…“ and lets that trail off too.
„Hm?“ Jonas hums in answer, stomach flooding with nervous energy once more, leg jiggling underneath his hand. He wants to say something that takes them off this path he‘s been dreading. He doesn‘t, though.
„What…“
Jonas can practically see Nico scrunch up his face, trying to figure out how to say what they‘ve refused to put into words until now. He‘s holding his breath in short intervalls, biting his tongue.
„Oh fuck it,“ Nico finally mumbles after a stretch of silence, then adds, louder: „I really wanted to, you know that right? In Timo‘s kitchen that night? I really wanted you to kiss me.“
The air he‘s been holding in leaves Jonas in a single big woosh, and he‘s light-headed immediately, nothing to do with the couple of gin tonics he‘s had.
Again, he has to clear his throat.
„Yeah,“ he rasps, quietly. „Yeah, me too.“
There‘s a beat in which Jonas remembers how it felt that night, high off their asses on adrenaline and the win and too many celebratory beers, how easy and natural it was to crowd Nico against the kitchen counter under the pretense of reaching around him to get a glass from one of the cupboards. How it felt to feel Nico‘s breath hitch against his own chest, the moist warmth of it against the hollow of Jonas‘ throat. And then the loud voices, bubble of their moment burst in a fraction of a second.
„I…“ he tries, heart beating too fast inside his chest. „We could make up for the lost opportunity next week?“
He swallows around the enormity of the suggestion, curses himself for not doing this on facetime at least. Waits out Nico‘s answer.
„I‘d like that.“ His voice is softer than Jonas remembers it being in a long time, curling around the vowels in his peculiar dialect, stronger now that he‘s home.
Jonas breathes. „Good.“
He allows himself to smile, fingers tightening around the phone in his hand. The tension is still there, between them. It feels different now, though. Mixed in with anticipation. Game mode, almost. That, he can deal with. That, he‘s familiar with. Even when there‘s so much more on the line than just hockey.
opening an empty google doc feels too daunting today, so have whatever i‘ll manage to type into a tumblr text post before i run out of obsessive-thought-energy. little more for the current @oswsfandomchallenge prompt: Late Night Calls.
It‘s late by the time Atle‘s phone finally rings. He’s been up waiting for it for hours, not that he really expected the call earlier. His skin‘s buzzing with nervous energy, caught somewhere between frustration and elation, the nervous jitter that‘s always defined his relationship with Lucas.
The relief he feels when Lucas‘ face fills his screen barely scratches the itch.
„Hi,“ Lucas says and stretches, deep voice rumbling through Atle‘s speakers. His eyes are drawn down the exposed column of Lucas‘ throat, the wide span of tan skin underneath before the picture cuts off.
„Hi, baby,“ he replies. It comes out softer than it sounded in his head. „How drunk are you?“
Lucas chuckles in answer, runs a hand absent-mindedly down the center of his chest. „It‘s not that bad,“ he says. „Just some champagne.“
Atle settles back into his own pillows, watches the flush on Lucas‘ cheeks intently. Waits him out, because he knows what‘s coming.
„Did you see…?“ Lucas starts, then trails off. His pupils are blown, eyes blinking slowly at Atle.
It‘s not a real question, of course. Atle wouldn‘t have missed it for the world, knows Lucas is aware of that. He‘d texted, too, after the race, anyways.
So, this is just for them. For what Lucas needs, mostly. What Atle learned to give to him in moments like this, when he‘s overwhelmed and on top off the world and suddenly unsure how to deal with it.
It always feels fragile, still, unnatural somehow. Like Atle‘s playing a role, putting on shoes too big for him.
Not that it matters. He‘s hard in his joggers already, has been all evening if he‘s honest with himself.
„Of course, baby,“ he finally answers Lucas, words a little rough around the edges. „You did so good today,“ he tells him.
Lucas sucks his bottom lip between his teeth on Atle‘s tiny screen and there are a million reasons Atle has cursed his fucking knee since it gave out on him, the fact that he doesn‘t get to suck that bottom lip into his own mouth right now is only the last in a long line.
„My world champ.“ He continues hoarsely, watches the words run along Lucas‘ body in tiny shudders. „You looked so pretty on the podium. You‘re so pretty now.“
„I… Atle.“
It‘s barely anything, but Atle knows, has learned the meaning of Lucas‘ bitten off sentences, the tells of his body. He watches Lucas‘ chest rise and fall with heavy breaths.
„Yeah. I‘ve got you,“ he reassures, has to take a steadying breath himself, palm pressed to the bulge in his pants. „Touch yourself, baby. You deserve it.“
Lucas tilts his head back as he complies, curls fanning over the white hotel pillow. The soft light of the bedside lamp catches on slight stubble, somehow blonder than the dark locks on his head.
Atle wants, with growing desperation. Wants to have been able to race today. Wants to have been the one to hug Lucas first, chests and heads pressed together in the rush of a momentous win. Wants to trace that stubble with his lips, whisper his praises straight into Lucas‘ skin, hear the noises he makes in answer.
„So good,“ he coaxes with a heavy tongue instead, „you‘re so good for me.“
And watches the image on his phone go a little shaky.
