okay so full transparency—I wasn't able to participate more than a little bit in FRC this year. life just kind of got in the way! but looking at all the 2026 prompts has me so excited that I really don't want to wait until january to start getting back into the swing of things.
★ THE MINI-CHALLENGE ★
I’m setting a personal goal for myself: I want to read whats left on my list (plus some extras!) to hit 50 fics before the year is up.
most of what's left are the entries on my 2025 sheet labeled "not started." I’m going to tackle them in order, day by day, just to clear the deck so I can start 2026 with a totally blank slate. it's basically a reading bootcamp to get me ready for the full challenge next year!
★ WHY AM I DOING THIS? ★
momentum: going from 0 to 100 on january 1st is a lot, so this gets the gears turning now.
closure: finally finishing that 2025 "to-read" list once and for all.
hype: I’m just genuinely so excited for 2026 and want to be part of the community energy again!
I am so ready for #FRC2026. if you’re also feeling like you missed out on some reading time this year, come do a final sprint with me! let's see how much we can get through before the clock strikes midnight.
★ MY FINAL 18 ★
Here is what I have left to conquer:
Fallow
Blood War
Center Stage
Subhuman Lessons
Your Smile Still Kills Me All The Same
I know the kindest thing is to never leave you alone
Three Christmases
Taking the Pressure Off
The Enemy of Good
Saiki K's Bizarre Internship
Dumb Luck
Angel Wing
Let's have a Talk
equilibrium
DisPOsable
Kizu Kintsugi
There Be Dragons, Harry
Timeless Academia (1 chapter not the whole damn thing)
★ TAGS ★
#FRC2025 #FRC2026 #Fanfic Reading Challenge #Reading Goals #fanfiction #TrinketFRC #fanfic reading challenge 2026 #Baldurs Gate #Hazbin Hotel #Chainsaw Man #The Murderbot Diaries - Martha Wells #Sherlock #RWBY #Human Domestication Guide - GlitchyRobo #Saiki K #MHA #SpyXFamily #Dragel World #The Dragel World #Short fics #Chapter fics #fic updates
Golden Boy, What Is Your Name? - Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Lewis Hamilton, Christian Horner
─> Charles Leclerc made a promise to his father through a white lie in turn he made a promise to his younger self and fulfilled both when he won in Monaco with Ferrari. What happens when the Ferrari team is completely raked through? Under a new Team Principal, Ferrari demands much more than just attempt from its number one driver.
➤ Coming soon...
Lay Me In The Flag I Was Born Under - Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Toto Wolff, Frederic Vasseur, Charles Leclerc
─> ????
➤ Coming soon...
The Vision Of A Prancing Horse - Kiara Trenton
─> Everyone says dying is easy, it is not. A single change leaves ripples which leads to death which becomes a violent shockwave reminding us of our own mortality, dreams and aspirations can disappear within mere seconds. The fleeting moments are when we realize just how much of our life is wasted. Ronald Duncan once wrote; “The horse is, like man, the most beautiful and the most miserable of creatures.” When a horse flees, is it man or is it the horse which causes such a betrayal? (Tagged #TVOAPH)
─── 1996 ───
➤ Chapter 1
Family Ties - Karina Antonelli, Kimi Antonelli
─> What family impact does it have for a brother and sister to race on the same team? Specifically a team designed to welcome legends, a team whose fans demand nothing but absolute perfection. Scuderia Ferrari hired the only Italian drivers on the grid, one who formerly raced in Red Bull's second seat and the other the Icarus of Mercedes.
➤ Coming soon...
Summary: Dean is a little too distracted by everything Cas. Even when he tells himself he has to move on and just be happy for his old best friend. But it's hard when Cas is now just a text message away again.
Read on Tumblr: Ch1 link | Ch2 link | Ch3 link | Ch4 link | Ch5 link |
Read on AO3 link (maybe leave a nice little comment?)
Word Count: 2959 More Under The Cut
“Rich people really don’t eat, huh?” Charlie said as Dean gets into the drive-through line for some burgers and shakes. She leaned forward on the seat, her head closer to Dean’s as she tried to look at the menu. “Well, at least I know what their houses look like.”
“Why did we have to leave in such a hurry anyway?” Sam was in the passenger seat also staring at the menu before he turned to Charlie. “Are you getting a chocolate one or vanilla? I’ll get the opposite of you.”
“I’ll get chocolate. You get vanilla and Dean can get the strawberry one.” Charlie decides, patting Dean’s head. “Yeah, why did we leave? Didn’t dreamy little Cas just get there?”
Dean rolls his eyes but doesn’t look back at them as they made kissing noises at him. “I won’t buy you guys shit if you keep this up.”
That shut them up pretty quickly. Good. Dean was still trying to process what was even said. Cas’s number felt like it was burning in his pocket. He felt stupid for wanting to call him already just to hear his name being said by Cas’s dumb raspy voice. Years of not hearing it really was catching up to him.
Sam then hit Dean’s arm to grab his attention. “Dude, we’re next.”
“Oh.” He went up to the speaker and ordered whatever Charlie kept telling him to say. He wasn’t sure if he got something for himself or even how much it was, just handing his card over when he got to the window.
Charlie and Sam must have noticed his mind was somewhere else. Lost in the tingle that still lingered on his cheek. Lost in that big bear hug that Cas gave him. The way Cas said his name, like a damn prayer, when he finally saw Dean made him feel weak in the knees and he hated it. Hated that Cas already had such a stronghold of him.
Of course, they didn’t know that was what he was thinking about. And he’s sure as fuck not going to tell them any of that. It’s his guilty pleasure that he gets to relive in his head and their nosy asses can have none of it.
As soon as they had their food Dean parked them in the emptier side of the parking lot before turning the car off. “Okay,” He turned towards them and took the food Sam handed him. “Dude, this is strawberry. I don’t want that shit.”
“Too bad you already agreed.” Sam held his shake away from Dean.
“I paid so I should get first dibs.” Dean reached for it again but Sam held it back, his bitchface front and center. “Sam. Give it.”
“No. This one’s mine.” Sam opened the lid of his shake and licked the top of the ice cream. “See it’s mine now.”
Dean laughed coldly. “Like that will stop me.” Dean was about to jump his brother but Charlie, who probably was tired as shit of seeing their bickering and saw the signs that this was about to turn into an actual wrestling fight, reached forward and took the strawberry shake from Dean’s hand. Replacing it with her chocolate one.
“There. Happy?”
“No.” Not really.” The brothers both mumble as Charlie lifts her hand as a threat and even though she would never actually hit them they saw that she was annoyed. So they both quickly said, “Sorry.”
“Good.” She sat back in the seat and started unwrapping her burger. “Now can we get back to the topic on hand?”
“Which is?” Dean had a mouthful of burger as he talked.
“Why did we leave so early?” She stuffed a few fries in her mouth as she looked at him with raised eyebrows. Looking like a curious little chipmunk as she chewed.
“Yeah,” Sam took a bite of the small yellow pepper before he bit into his burger. “I thought Cas wanted us there or whatever.”
“He did.” Dean looked down at his burger as he talked.
“Oh, so you did talk to him!” Charlie moved forward in the seat again. She frowned at him/ “How was he? Nobody looked really sad for it being a funeral and all.”
Dean shrugged. “He seemed fine. Didn’t talk for long cause he told me to leave.”
“What?!” Both Sam and Charlie said at the same time.
“Why’d he tell you that?” Sam asked, looking at Dean with round puppy eyes, probably trying to read Dean again.
While Charlie quickly picked up with angry steam. “And after telling you to go? What the fuck kind of-!”
“Charles. Breath.” Dean put his burger down and wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his jacket. “I guess I should tell you guys since I’m gonna have to tell Bobby soon.”
They looked at him. Waiting for answers so Dean quickly told them about the will reading he was invited to go to. Leaving them just as confused as Dean felt.
“But...but why you?”
“Shit if I know, Sammy.” Dean finished his burger off and worked on his fries, dipping them into the shake. “Cas just said Bobby and me gotta be there for it to be read or whatever.”
“What if you get money?!” Charlie hit Dean’s shoulder in excitement.
“Doubt it. I’ll be lucky if he gives Bobby’s shop back to us.” Sam and Charlie sat back in their seats, nodding in agreement. “I feel kind of bad that a lot of people weren’t mourning and shit but...that dude was weird.”
“Creepy.” Charlie added.
“Gave me the chills.” Sam shivered.
“Rest in peace, Chuck!” Dean added at the end, holding his spoon up in solitary. “May you give Bobby the garage and hopefully your kids won’t kill me. Salud!”
Charlie and Sam smiled, even Sam who rolled his eyes but played along, as they held their spoons up. “Salud!”
When Dean finally arrived home, dropping off Charlie and Sam first, he dragged his feet to his room. This is around the time he hated living by himself. When he comes home and the lights are all off. The air is still and cold. No warmth or sense of home even if this has been his home for the last three years.
Dean took off his clothes as he went. Dumping it all into the chair in his room before he pulled the covers from his bed to climb inside them. He was too tired from the emotional roller coaster ride he went on the last few days. Tomorrow isn’t going to be any better so he might as well get some rest now.
“Fuck. My phone.” Dean groaned as he kicked the covers off and dragged his feet to grab his pants. Digging into its pockets to grab his phone and then stiffening up when he felt the crumpled piece of paper.
He took it out and walked back to bed. Staring at the phone in one hand and the paper in the other.
“Hmm,” Dean hummed as he studied the number. “So Cas did end up changing it.” Explained the dropped calls and unread text at least.
Dean slowly added Cas’s number to his phone. He debated on having the name down as Castiel or Cas. Then he debated if he should add an emoji, just something as dumb as a ghost for ghosting him, but he decided against it.
“Just Cas.” He whispers to himself as his thumbs hovered over the screen. His eyes narrowing at the name that haunted him for years. Cause that’s what he was, right? He was just Cas. He wasn’t even his friend anymore. At least Dean doesn’t think so. Even though he wasn’t so sure if he could be just friends with Cas, not yet, but...“Fuck it.”
He quickly opens a new text box and shoots a small little text.
‘Hey. It’s Dean.’ Dean rolled his eyes but didn’t discourage himself from adding. ‘Just wanted to make sure you had my number too.’
Dean looked at the clock on the corner of his screen and thankfully it wasn’t so late that it’ll be mistaken as a damn booty-call. Not that Dean would do that. Not to Cas at least. Maybe he’ll call somebody else for that later cause right now he feels too damn lonely and it’s just fucking suffocating him.
He started to scroll through his list of possible hookups - not that big of a list anymore now that people are getting married and shit - when a text notification got his heart racing in his throat. He sat up against his headboard and took a calming breath. His thumb hovered over the screen because he was nervous. It’s probably just a dumb reply too and he’s making this into a big fucking deal when it’s not going to anything important.
If it’s not a big deal then open it. He tells himself before sighing and opening up the text.
‘Hello, Dean. I saved it now.’
“Of course.” Dean rolled his eyes and dropped his phone on his lap.
His hands went up to cover his face, palms pressing hard into his eyes as his fingers grip at his hair in frustration. He was just mad -no fuck that he was annoyed- at the fact that he gave himself that dumb pep talk and he still held on to hope that maybe Cas would say...what the hell did he want Cas to say to him?
“Hey, Dean, you looked great today so I’m leaving my fiancé for you!” Dean mimicked Cas’s voice out loud to himself.
He groaned and picked up the phone again to just shut it off. There was no need to reply to that. The conversation was over. Clearly, the dude was busy with his damn fiancé.
But then Dean stopped short because he found the ‘...’ that kept appearing and disappearing. Damn it! He’s hoping again.
Dean kept his eyes on those dots for what felt like hours instead of the minute that it actually was. His heart beating hard against his chest as he imagined Cas trying to think of what to say. His dumb concentrated face glaring down at the phone. His too big hands holding the phone in between them and his thumbs hovering over the board. Probably overthinking his words or correcting something that just didn’t sound exactly right. Was Cas overthinking his text or was Dean just a dumbass for believing that?
Then finally the dots were replaced by words.
‘I’m sorry if Mick was bothering you earlier.’
Oh. Not what he thought Cas was gonna say at all.
Dean straightened up against the headboard. Pulling a pillow against his chest to hug as he texted back right away. Dean wasn’t the type to wait to look cool and Cas knew that.
‘He wasn’t.’ Dean sent first and then he rolled his eyes as he sent the next text. Nobody can tell Dean he’s anything but supportive. ‘He’s a nice guy.’
Even if it fucking kills him inside. He bangs his head back against the headboard a few times.
‘Wow. That must have taken so much out of you to type out.’
Dean laughed. Of course, that bastard will know. ‘Shut up, dumbass.’
‘I’ll let Mick know you think so highly of him.’
‘Okay, I wouldn’t go that far.’
‘Is he not your idol?’ Cas sent and Dean rolled his eyes but Cas quickly sent another one. ‘Are you not practicing your accent so you can be just like him?’
‘Ha. Ha. Very funny, Cas.’
‘Thank you. Glad one of you thinks so.’
‘What? Mick not a fan of your dumb dry humor?’
Cas sent three texts back to back. ‘No.’ ‘At least I don’t think he does.’ ‘He doesn’t seem to understand when I’m being sarcastic’
‘Well, it takes a while.’
‘We’ve known each other for 5 years now.’
‘Oh.’ Dean said it out loud as well. ‘That long?’
‘Yes.’
‘Almost has us beat.’
‘…’ Dean thinks he fucked up somehow but before he can completely freak out Cas texts. ‘Mick doesn’t come close to what you and I had, Dean.’
His breath catches in his throat and Dean starts to choke on-air as he reads the text again. What the hell was he supposed to respond to that?! “Lol. Good.” Dean jokes out loud as he wrote those words down but erased them just as quickly.
‘Sorry. I should go. Sorry to keep you up.’
Shit! No. No. Don’t go Cas. ‘No biggie. Talk to me whenever, Cas.’
‘Thank you. Goodnight, Dean.’
‘Night, Cas.’
Then - cause Cas couldn’t get any damn cuter - he sends a sleeping cat emoji along with a flower emoji.
Something came over him. Dean can say he was possessed or something but he sends the damn heart emoji. Then before he can see Cas’s reply - if he does reply - he turns off his phone.
“Yeah,” Dean tucks himself in his bed. Covers over his head as he closes his eyes. “I’ll deal with that in the morning.”
-
“I’m just saying,” Bobby has been just saying all the way to the lawyer’s office. “We better be getting something good if they’re making us waste another afternoon not working. Are they gonna pay our bills? No.”
“Yeah. Yeah. Just get everything out now before we get inside.” Dean tells him as he parks the car. He turns the car off as Bobby already reached to open his door. “Hopefully Chuck liked us enough to just give us the shop back. Cause as long as we own it and not them then that's good.”
“That’s all we can ask for now.” Bobby gets out of the car and quickly closes the door behind him.
Making Dean flinch as he sighs, his head hanging for just a second before he followed Bobby out. Thankfully, because of Chuck, they got to keep the shop open as long as they have but now they’re in a solid place where they can keep it open, and if one of the Novak’s gets it...Dean was just sure they would sell the property. Their family business will be no more.
Why else would Chuck want them here if it’s not for that?
Dean quickly caught up to Bobby, who didn’t bother to change out of his working clothes and had the damn ripped trucker cap on, before he noticed that his Uncle was walking towards someone.
“You’re late.” Cas quickly reaches to take Dean’s hand to drag him inside the large office building as he updates them. “Gabriel is inside trying to keep the peace but don’t worry,” He turns his head to Dean and winks at him. That bastard. “We will be your buffer so you’ll be perfectly safe.”
“Buffer?” Bobby’s voice gets Dean to stop floating away into Cas’s eyes. “We’re gonna need a damn buffer? What has your Daddy gotten us into, Cas?”
“I’m sorry, Bobby. If only I knew.” They get into the elevator and Cas lets go of Dean’s hand to smooth his clothes down. Eyebrow raised as if telling him ‘Couldn’t pick anything nice to wear to this important event?’ but Dean also just came back from work. He was lucky that his damn button-up didn’t have any oil stains. But then Cas smiled, “You look nice.”
Before Dean could answer, or even think of any words, Cas moved on to Bobby. Surprisingly Bobby let Cas fuss over him.
“The lawyer told us that all of us, including you two, had to be present in order for the will to be read.” Cas fixed Bobby’s hat and nodded before he stood in front of them, facing the door with a heavy sigh. “Hopefully you guys are ready for some fun Novak family time.”
Dean didn’t stop himself as he quickly reached to take Cas’s hand in his. He pretended not to see Cas’s eyes widen as he faced the doors as well. “As long as it’s not some big dumb elaborate joke. We’re missing work for this you know.”
“I know.” Cas squeezes his hand, smiling before he turns towards the doors as well. “I’ll take you both out for dinner after this if you like.”
Both. Dean’s heart raced even if it does sound like a date with his Uncle tagging along.
The elevator door opened and Cas quickly started pulling Dean along again. Bobby clearly was looking at them but right now Dean didn’t care as he bumped shoulders with Cas. “That sounds great. What do you have in mind?”
“Whatever Bobby wants of course.”
“I wanna get the hell out of here.”
“I was thinking more like in the realm of Biggerson’s?”
“Yeah, sure, we can do that too.”
Cas and Dean both laughed as they bumped shoulders, fingers locking together now before they stopped in front of the right door. Cas turned to smile at Dean, it was soft and reassuring but he was asking Dean something.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
“If you’re sure.” Cas quickly tells him as he squeezes his hand once before letting go.
Dean really missed that weight in his hand now.
As soon as the door opened Cas walked through it - he easily ignored the angry glares that seemed to sting Dean frozen - and Bobby had to shove him a little for him to start walking. When the door closed Dean flinched hoping this would end soon.
This was going to be a long meeting. But hey, Dean goes to where Cas was patting the extra seat next to him on the couch and falls beside him, at least Cas was here.
“Now that we have everyone. Let’s get started. And please remember that security will call the police this time.”
Hi ! If it's not too much trouble, do you have recs for secret relationships ? Or fake/pretend ones ?
Let’s do both! Thanks for the request <3
Secret Relationship
Fake News by ViiA01 - In which Oliver is offended that Hal picked Bruce to be his Sugar Daddy instead.Or... something.
Blood types and other minor inconveniences by RebeccaAnabelBurrows - Hal is injured on a mission. Healing him requires Bruce to reveal the extent of their relationship to another League member.
Fake Relationship
Infiltrating by supremegreendragon - After a series of robberies, Hal and Bruce pretend to date in order to go to an all male party. One-shot
Your life partner is here by RebeccaAnabelBurrows - “Am I hallucinating ? I didn’t realise the food was drugged.” he said.
Bruce knelt, assessing his injuries - probably a sprained ankle, quite a few bruises but nothing to serious by the looks - and feels - of it.
Hal raised an eyebrow at Bruce’s wandering hands.
“Feeling me up, Spooky ? Not bad for a hallucination.” he said after Bruce checked his ribs for potential damage.
Negotiations by Digishima - Hal has never done a solo treaty negotiation before, and when the species refuse to speak to anyone without their mate accompanying them, so Hal grabs the first Leaguer he can.
It just didn’t go the way he planned.
Aliens Made Us Do It by FabulaRasa - Bruce and Hal run into a little bit of cultural difficulty on an off-world mission. This was really, really not supposed to be Bruce Wayne's wedding day. Consider this story the traditional fannish "oh no we have to get married!" with a BatLanterny twist at the end.
this is a list of the writers we have in this amazing fandom (listed by tumblr url but if you click on the individual names it will bring up the platform they are most active on)! they all deserve recognition for their writing because I’m sure they are all very passionate about it!! so make sure to check them out~♥
Title: Blind Hope
Author: Rosie Dayze
Word Count: 1508
Pairing: Nick Jakoby x Reader
Rating: PG-13
Themes: Angst, Plot, affectionate frustration
Disclaimer: I do not own Nick Jakoby, he is the intellectual property of Netflix Originals. I make no money from this fanfiction.
Chapter One Found Here
“I'm sorry-” he starts.
“I wanted to-” you say at the same time. His words and yours overlap, mingle, and fall apart. The laughter that follows is tight, like the both of you are afraid to be amused or angry or something in between. But, beneath that, hope blooms.
If you can laugh about something so simple as talking over one another, then maybe there is more between your than apologetic flowers and wasted days.
“I'm sorry,” he says again, softly. It's amazing how someone with such a gruff voice can sound so gentle.
“You go first.” You pull your legs beneath you. When that's not enough you pull a blanket across your legs. It's soft, and the feel of it as you brush your fingers anxiously back and forth offers a little comfort. A sliver of moonlight turns the fabric silver. “Please.”
“I should have found a way to call you sooner.” He lets out a breath that you can almost feel through the distance of the telephone.
You chew on your lip, twist the blanket between your fingers. “Why didn't you?”
“I broke my phone.” There is something about the way he says it, like he's practiced the words a thousand times that makes you uncertain of their authenticity.
“It's a funny thing,” you say, plucking at a piece of invisible lint. “You're a pretty careful guy. I noticed that during our walk. You seem to be pretty aware of your strength, Nick.”
The silence stretches again, this time it's heavier. Anxiously you tug the blanket off your legs and readjust your legs. It's like you've suddenly forgotten how your body works, like you can't remember how you like to sit.
“Well, I didn't break it. Johannson broke it.”
You raise your brow and go still. Your limbs don't matter anymore. “Johannson?”
“A co-worker. He was...he was messing around.” The words are flat, the amusement forced. You think the huff of air that follows is supposed to be a laugh but it is empty of amusement.
“Like a joke?”
“Yeah. A joke.”
You chew on your lip for a moment. There is a weight in your chest that you can't put a name to. “Hey, Nick?”
“Yeah?”
“You aren't a very good liar. If you don't want to tell me everything, you don't have to. But don't lie. Please?”
The sound of his pacing echoes through the phone. That feeling in your chest grows heavier. Had you said too much? Pushed too hard? After all, one date didn't necessarily mean he had to explain everything in his life to you. And yet, you think as you slide from the couch to do a little pacing of your own, it seems really important that you know what happened, and understand. Nine days felt like forever, and you want, maybe even need, an explanation.
“I'm sorry,” he says again.
“I know.”
“It's like that thing that frat houses do to new members. You know, to make sure they are letting the right people in.” You wonder if he's trying to convince himself, or you. “It's normal. It's...funny.”
“Breaking your personal property?” You come to a stop in the middle of your living room and swtich the phone from one ear to the other.
“Well, he thought it was funny,” Nick finally says.
There was a universe of hurt in those few words. It staggers your heart in a way you did not expect. You suddenly wish he were right there, rather than halfway across the city. Though, to be fair, you have no idea what you might do to fix the pain you heard.
“Oh, Nick-”
“It's fine. Really.”
It's not, and you know it's not. You are pretty sure he knows that too. Anxiety and frustration carry you into the kitchen. Your eyes land on the roses. Their colors really are striking. The more you look, the more you notice. Pink petals have veins of blue and green weaving their way through them. The yellow ones have the slightest hint of silver dappled along the stems. The orange blossoms are tipped ever so slightly with red. They remind you of his eyes. Your lips curl ever so slightly. Slowly you reach out and touch one. For a moment nothing happens, and then, as if by magic, the petals deepen in hue. It's like a blush.
“Ward told you to send me flowers?” you ask. It's an olive branch. He doesn't want to talk about it, and you don't want to make him any more uncomfortable than he already is.
“I didn't know what to do for a human woman.” He pauses. “That sounds terrible.”
Curiosity has you tilting your head. “What would you do if I were an orc?”
“Well, three hundred years ago I'd have pillaged the home of someone who had trespassed against you and stolen something that you wanted.”
“Well that's both illegal and romantic.”
The laughter that rings through the phone is warm. It fills you from your ear to your toes. You pluck the orange blossom from the bouquet and run it over your lips. You remember the way he kissed you and that warmth becomes a tingle.
“Today,” he says, “if you were an orc woman, what I'd want wouldn't matter.”
“Why not?” The moment the words are out of your mouth you know they are the wrong ones to ask. “I'm sorry, that was rude wasn't it?”
He sighs. “It's okay. I just...”
“You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, Nick. Honestly.”
“No. No, you deserve to know.” He clears his throat. “Do you know what Clan Law is?”
Not really, you want to say, but that's not ultimately true. You've heard about it on the news. Journalists toss the phrase around whenever there is a confrontation in orc heavy locations. It's a theme in orcish music, and during your orc language studies it was only lightly touched on because, as the teacher explained, humans just couldn't understand. Moreover, you tried to do a little research after your first date with Nick, but the thought of admitting that makes your cheeks flush in embarrassment.
“I know a little,” you finally admit. “But I'd prefer to hear your explanation.”
“Clan Law is...it's important,” he tries to explain. “No, that's not right. Hold on. I haven't tried to explain clan law since I was a kid.” He clears his throat. And, when that isn't enough, he coughs. “For most orc, nothing matters more than your clan, and the stories of your clan. Being able to trace your blood back to someone who did something great is the best thing an orc can offer to his clan. More than that, those same great heroes set down our Laws. Telling us what we could and couldn't do and more.” His words, which had been picking up speed, come to a sudden halt. “Clan Law is supposed to decide everything an orc does.”
“Okay.” You turn the words over in your mind. You think you understand, at least the surface idea, if not the complexities.
“Laws can change a little, from one clan to the next. But, you know, if you can't trace your line back, if you've never done anything heroic or great, you aren't blooded.”
He says blooded like it ought to be capitalized, like it needs its own definition in a dictionary.
“You are going to have to explain that one to me too.”
“Blooded is something I'm not,” he finally spits out. It's a toss up if this bothers him more or less than Johannson breaking Nick's phone. “My father's not, my mother's not. We aren't welcome among most clans because of our round teeth.”
Your heart feels heavy. A piece of the puzzle that is Nick Jakoby falls into place. Here was a man who wasn't accepted by humans for being an orc, and yet wasn't orcish enough for that either. Here was a man who had clung to the idea of being a cop, and yet there was at least one man on the squad who wasn't making Nick feel welcome there either. Suddenly the fact that he hadn't called no longer matters to you.
“Well, on the plus side,” you say, trying your best to sound light, “You send excellent flowers.”
“You mean it?” he asks.
“Enough that I am seriously thinking about asking you out on a date this weekend.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, something extra cheesy, I think.” You run the rose across your own cheek. “I mean, we covered the traditional dinner date. Maybe a movie next?”
“I could do a movie,” he says. “I do the night shift this Friday.”
“Saturday night? Or Sunday morning?” you offer.
“Saturday night.” He nearly pounces on the offer. “I'd really like that.”
“I would too.” You realize you are grinning. You spin the rose through the air. “And Nick?”
“Yeah?”
“Feel free to call me every day between now and then.”
Chapter 3 Found Here
Hey! I write fan fiction, currently just getting back into it but I post on my writing twitter with updates and links to my fics so go give it a follow if you’re interested: @alex_writes_
