Payneland Promptfest

[paynelandpromptfest]

Hope you enjoy the prompts! We're excited to see what you create.

You're welcome to make any kind of fan creation: fic, art, gifs, videos, or anything else you can dream up!

We know the characters have extremely different speech cadences, so if you pick the quote prompt for a given day, feel free to tweak the wording as needed for whichever speaker you choose.

And most of all: HAVE FUN!

[msbirdiewrites]

back to the future (it's meant to be)

In 1989, Charles and Edwin watch Back to the Future for the first time. Walking out of the theater, both boys agreed that Marty was cool as shit - he was anti-authority, a good friend and boyfriend, had a heart of gold, and perhaps most importantly, stood up against bullies. Secretly, the movie resonated with both of the boys on a deeper level, but they wouldn’t be ready to address that for another thirty-odd years.

Inspired by The Rest of Forever @paynelandpromptfest Day 6 Prompt: Watching a Movie

[msbirdiewrites]

flowers (for when you don't know what to say)

The practice of floriography, that is, the language of flowers was far more popular during the Victorian era rather than the Edwardian era. Despite the very common misconception, Edwin very firmly grew up in the Edwardian era.

That being said, it doesn't stop the boys from expressing their feelings through flowers throughout the years.

Inspired by The Rest of Forever @paynelandpromptfest Day 5 Prompt: flowers/ "I don't know what to say"

[sk-touchthesun-deactivated20260]

Happy late Valentine's Day🩷 I started this for Payneland Valentine's promptfest but it's a bit late because I had to finish something else first. Lately I'm also constantly dissatisfied with my art, might try something different next time!

[brainrotbee]

Payneland Promptfest Day 7: Cuddling

~

It started with a chill in the air.

Charles didn't think anything of it. London was cold. The snow was gray, the temperature never dipping enough for it to melt. A gust of piercing wind wasn't anything to be alarmed by... except it was. Charles was a ghost. He shouldn't have been able to feel cold.

Still, he tried to ignore it. Maybe it was a glitch in the system, an anomaly, Edwin would call it. But then he felt another chill and shivered. He glanced at the calendar and his stomach tightened at the date.

Today was his Death Day.

He couldn't believe he'd forgotten about it. There was nothing about his afterlife he hated more. Ghosts reverted back to the state in which they'd died meaning that by the end of the day, Charles would be soaked, freezing, and covered in a patchwork of bruises. Every. Bloody. Year. It was a reminder of the worst day of his life that he had no way of getting rid of. Being dead wasn't enough apparently.

He tried to play it off for as long as he could. It wasn't any use though. Edwin already knew; he'd been there there when Charles had died for God's sake. Still, he let Charles pretend for as long as he wanted (even thought heir casework mysteriously disappeared for the day).

"This is the worst," Charles chattered. He was wearing all of his layers, plus one of Edwin's scarves, and it still wasn't enough.

"It is," Edwin sighed. "I cannot believe that in all my years, I still haven't found a way to stop it." He placed a bookmark in his book and rubbed his eyes. "I'm beginning to think there isn't one."

"Brills." It came out meaner than Charles intended. Edwin didn't seem to mind. He didn't look pitying, which was nice, but he was still upset. Charles winced as he felt a rib shift. Probably broken. He knew he broke at least one the night he died.

"Is there anything I can do?" Edwin asked softly.

Charles shook his head. "It's just so cold." It was all he could think about. He couldn't believe anything but cold had existed. He closed his eyes and drew his knees up to his chest. A moment later, he felt Edwin sit down next to him.

"I'm sorry." He said it so quietly that Charles thought he might've misheard him. That is, until he wrapped his arms around Charles and buried his head into his chest. Charles sighed in relief. Warmth.

He leaned back on the couch, dragging Edwin with him. As far as Death Days went, this wasn't a terrible way to pass the time.

[unknownwritersblog]

Day 7: Cuddling

This one comes from my beloved Alive AU, where the boys met in school and have been together since they were 16 and 17 😊 this has been so much fun. Thank you @paynelandpromptfest for doing this ♥

https://archiveofourown.org/works/62959771/chapters/161746669

[kaciart]

@paynelandpromptfest Day 7 - Cuddling

-

Patreon | Ko-Fi

[anonymouscheeseball]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/62948413/chapters/161726020

Even if it's 1 in the morning in Paris, it's still Day 7 of Payneland Promptfest in lots of places so I'm not even cheating that much.

Day 7 of Payneland Promptfest: In which all is finally revealed and it was about time.

[fire-bear]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Dead Boy Detectives (TV) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne/Charles Rowland Characters: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Charles Rowland (DCU), Crystal Palace (DCU), Niko Sasaki Additional Tags: Films, Sleepovers, Angst, Ambiguous/Open Ending, (at least I hope it’s an open ending as it were) Series: Part 6 of Payneland Promptfest Valentine’s 2025 Summary:

The Dead Boy Detective Agency is having a sleepover and the film they choose to watch hits a little close to home for Edwin.

[asidian]

Heart's Desire

by: Asidian

Fandom: Dead Boy Detectives

Event: @paynelandpromptfest: touch-starved and "But why's it shaped like a heart?"

Pairing: Charles/Edwin

Warnings: tooth-rotting fluff, idiots in love

Excerpt:

"Bit dodgy, innit," says Charles, peering down at the small silver charm in the palm of his hand. 

"No more so than some of the jewelry of dubious taste we have come across over the years," says Edwin, thoughtfully.

"Right," says Charles. "But why's it look like a heart?"

[alterego77]

Day 7: cuddling

[dryadgurrl]

Payneland Promptfest day 7 - touch-starvation & cuddling

Finding An Equilibrium on AO3

Two touch-starved ghost boys, starved in two very different ways, find a balance with each other.

This one's mostly Vibes™ instead of narrative.

[genevievefangirl]

Please Wake Up

By: GenevieveFangirl Rating: G Words: 4,691 Tags: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Cuddling & Snuggling, Case Fic, Hurt Edwin Payne, Protective Charles Rowland (BEST TAG EVER!)

Summary: “We’re not taking this case.” “Charles, do not be ridiculous!” “Edwin, the last time we took on a case with a witch, you almost became her own personal battery for all eternity while I was locked up in her kitchen!” Or Edwin gets hurt on a case, Charles freaks out a little, and cuddling ensues.

For Payneland Promptfest - The Rest of Forever @paynelandpromptfest Day 7 - Cuddling & "But why's it shaped like a heart?"

Special thank you to everyone on the DBDA Haunt server for supporting me while I worked on this (you are all amazing! 💙)

[lire-casander]

there's equal scars from victory and failure | chapter 7

[1,289 words] [teen and up audiences (to be safe)] [beta'ed by @massivenerd23. any remaining mistakes are my own] [title from hanson’s against the world] [edwin payne, charles rowland, crystal palace] [charles’s pov, mentions of niko's death] [written for @paynelandpromptfest valentines edition “the rest of forever” ~ day 7: touch starvation | “but why’s it shaped like a heart?” | cuddling]

it's just you and me and us against the world

Charles stares at Edwin’s back as his best mate—the ghost he’s fallen for—runs away from him, phasing through the walls into the busy streets of Central London.

“Edwin! Edwin, wai—” he starts, only to cut himself off with a loud groan. He pauses the film they have been watching and hides his face in his hands in frustration.

He should have known better than to cuddle up so cozily with Edwin. Charles knows he’s touch-starved; he misses touch so much he’d beg for it any moment, and since he can feel Edwin’s touch because they’re both ghosts, Charles has been benefiting from it for the past thirty-some years. That doesn’t mean Edwin has been comfortable with it.

Charles believes that this overreaction from Edwin stems from the fact that Charles has been overbearing and, probably, way too much—too intense, too forthcoming, too open. Edwin comes from a different upbringing, a whole different historical period, and while Charles has always done his best to respect that, sometimes—just like right now—he oversteps.

He stands up from the couch. He knows he’s losing precious moments, but he takes a tick to look around for his Bag of Tricks just in case he needs it, and when he grabs it, he follows Edwin hastily.

The problem is, Charles doesn’t know where Edwin might have gone. London is enormous and he wouldn’t have a clue where to start. So, he begins with the usual spots—the Thames, both banks for good measure, the British Museum—and ends up taking the steps to Crystal’s and Jenny’s rental flat all but defeated.

“Charles, what’s wrong?” Crystal asks just as he phases through the door. She drops the book she’s been reading and rushes to his side.

He supposes he must be quite a sight—disheveled, frantically holding onto his bag like a lifeline.

“Edwin’s gone,” he announces.

keep reading on Ao3

[paynelandpromptfest]

Day 7 of the promptfest is finally here, and we can't wait to see your amazing Valentine's Day creations for the final day of the event! 💞 To share your work, use the tag #paynelandpromptfest and @ us when you post! You can also add your fics to the collection payneland_promptfest on Ao3 to help people find them 💗

[unknownwritersblog]

Day 6: I love you.

This is taken from my streamer/model au that I'm forever working on 🙃

https://archiveofourown.org/works/62959771/chapters/161654278

[brainrotbee]

Payneland Promptfest Day 6: Star-crossed

~

Edwin took a deep breath of the night air. He knew that oxygen would have no effects on his ghostly body but he still felt slightly calmer. He liked seeing the night sky too, especially from the roof of the office where the stars seemed close enough to touch. Normally the London smog would hide them, but the temperature was cold enough to make them visible.

"Up yours," he heard an angry voice yell. He turned and saw Charles climbing out of the window, holding up his middle finger. The person inside began to respond but he slammed the window shut before they could finish.He then crossed the roof and sat down next to Edwin with a huff.

"Why didn't you phase through the wall?" Edwin asked idly.

"Too angry," Charles spat. His jaw was clenched so tightly that if he were alive, Edwin would worry for his teeth. "I hate that second-rate Charles."

"I see."

Their alternate selves were creating quite the stir within the agency. Edwin didn't mind them very much--talking to the other Edwin could be quite pleasant--but Charles did not agree. He seemed to hate nothing more than his counterpart and the two were constantly bickering.

"My face doesn't look that punchable right?" Charles asked, flicking a pebble off the roof moodily.

"I wouldn't know. Punching faces is more your area."

This managed to make Charles smile. "He so bloody annoying," he continued. "Always acting stupidly happy. Always making snide comments." He shook his head. "He just got mad at me because he found out we killed Esther."

"Esther might not be evil in their universe," Edwin reminded him.

"Still, drives me mental." Charles sighed and leaned back on his hands. "I don't know how you to get along."

Edwins shrugged. "Shared experiences," he replied. Charles winced. "Still, it is odd to have them around." Edwin looked out at the city again. They were supposed to meet with a sorcerer at Oxford in the morning because they'd received a tip that he had knowledge of the multiverse. "I cannot wait to have the office to ourselves again."

Charles hummed in agreement and rested his head on Edwin's shoulder. "I agree. It'll be nice to kiss you again without having to worry about that Catholic nutter freak out on us."

Edwin tried to hide his laugh. It didn't feel right making fun of his counterpart when he was a perfect version of Edwin: strong, devout, untouched by Hell. "I think he would be too busy trying to break up the fight between you and the other Charles to care much."

"You're probably right." Charles looked behind them at the office windows. The other Charles was sitting on the edge of their desk--much like the regular Charles but with far straighter posture--and the other Edwin appeared to be speaking to him. They talked for a bit longer until the other Edwin poked his Charles teasingly in the chest with his croquet mallet. His Charles laughed and the other Edwin's normally serious face broke into a smile. "I don't know," regular Charles said. "They look like they're in love too."

"I'm inclined to agree with you there," Edwin replied. He secretly celebrated when Charles leaned on him again.

"Well, at least we know we're not star-crossed."

"Hmm?"

Charles shrugged. "If us happens in more than one universe, it has to be right, doesn't it?"

Edwin hadn't thought about it like that before. He looked back at the two boys, so far away from their home, and was suddenly grateful for their presence.

Shoutout to @technically-human for creating the reverse verse AU. You're my idol.